TL: Etude
As Lin Wanqiu was halfway through packing up her belongings, she looked up at Chen Jianghai. She opened her mouth as if to speak but seemed hesitant to continue.
Seeing this, Chen Jianghai couldn't help but ask, "What's the matter, Wanqiu? Do you want to watch TV? If so, go ahead, you watch; I can finish up packing here."
Touched by Chen Jianghai's thoughtfulness, Lin Wanqiu shook her head and said, "No, Jianghai... it's just, my parents are a bit nitpicky, if they nag about something tomorrow, please don't take it to heart, okay?"
Chen Jianghai laughed and replied, "Don't worry about it, I'm not a child; I won't take their words seriously."
In his previous life, every time Chen Jianghai visited Lin Wanqiu's parents, they would end up arguing for various reasons, putting Lin Wanqiu in an awkward position.
This time around, Chen Jianghai naturally didn't want to put Lin Wanqiu in such a difficult situation.
After all, what harm would a few words do? Could they possibly take a piece of flesh from him?
And even if it truly meant losing a piece of flesh, for the woman he loved, Chen Jianghai was willing to endure.
Lin Wanqiu followed up by saying, "Tomorrow, I'll tell my parents that you're capable now, that you can make money. They surely won't nag you anymore."
Chen Jianghai, of course, understood what Lin Wanqiu was worried about. Holding her hand, he looked at her earnestly and said, "Wanqiu, don't worry about what they think of me. I really don't care. We are the ones living our lives together. As long as you're willing to be with me, no matter how hard or tiring it is, I'm happy to endure it."
"Mhm!"
Lin Wanqiu's cheeks flushed a soft red, and she nodded her head with a sweet feeling in her heart.
...
The next morning, Lin Wanqiu changed into a new outfit and had Chen Jianghai dress in the new clothes and shoes they had bought.
As the saying goes, "The Buddha requires gold robes, and people need clothing." Dressed in new attire, both of their demeanors were visibly different.
Additionally, having had a good diet these past days, with a reasonable mix of fish and meat and a joyful mood, Lin Wanqiu looked radiant and even more charming.
Seeing his stunning wife, Chen Jianghai couldn't resist leaning in and saying, "Wanqiu, you look so beautiful."
Blushing upon hearing this, Lin Wanqiu felt a bit shy.
This look on Lin Wanqiu made Chen Jianghai's heart flutter as well.
"Alright, let's hurry, or we'll be late for lunch."
Lin Wanqiu, noticing Chen Jianghai's gaze fixed on her, felt a bit nervous and quickly changed the subject.
Taking a deep breath and managing to suppress the impulses in his heart, Chen Jianghai picked up their things and said, "Yes, let's go!"
Lin Wanqiu let out an unwarranted sigh of relief and quickly nodded.
Lin Wanqiu's parents lived in the countryside, a fair distance from Linghai County. The bus journey took a little over an hour.
Sitting on the bumpy bus, Chen Jianghai missed the convenience of transportation from his past life more than ever.
Lin Wanqiu, seeing Chen Jianghai with a somewhat solemn expression, asked with concern, "Jianghai, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing." Chen Jianghai quickly shook his head, offering a smile.
The damn muddy road made the ride so bumpy that it made him question life itself.
Lin Wanqiu thought he was worried about the upcoming visit, so she comforted him by saying, "Now that you can work and earn money, my parents will definitely be happy."
Chen Jianghai wanted to say that wasn't the reason, but seeing the look on Lin Wanqiu's face, he knew she probably wouldn't believe him even if he told her.
"You're right, I'm overthinking it."
Chen Jianghai decided not to explain further.
Lin Wanqiu, holding Chen Jianghai's hand gently, said, "It's okay, we'll just eat lunch and head back."
"Weren't we supposed to stay overnight?"
Chen Jianghai asked, puzzled.
Lin Wanchiu gently shook her head and said, "Since you don't like staying there, let's find an excuse to go back earlier."
"Okay."
Hearing Lin Wanchiu's considerate suggestion, Chen Jianghai was very pleased.
To be honest, he truly did not wish to spend the night at that home.
Of course, it would be best to return to his own cozy little house as soon as possible.
After getting off the bus, Lin Wanchiu initially wanted to walk back, but Chen Jianghai stopped her.
There was still more than half an hour's walk from the bus station to Lin Wanchiu's home.
Previously, they had no money in their pockets and thus had no choice, but now, of course, there was no need for such hardship.
Chen Jianghai directly hailed a tricycle, took the big and small bags, and without further ado, pulled Lin Wanchiu onto the vehicle.
"Jianghai, we could have walked there, there's no need to waste this money."
Lin Wanchiu couldn't help but say something, having failed to convince him.
Chen Jianghai then laughed and said, "Carrying so much, walking there would be so tiring, I can't bear to let you get tired."
Lin Wanchiu wanted to say more, but Chen Jianghai added, "Alright, just listen to me this time, sit back and relax."
Chen Jianghai spoke dominantly, but Lin Wanchiu wasn't angry; instead, she felt sweet inside.
After about ten minutes of bouncing around in the tricycle, they finally reached their destination.
Chen Jianghai carried all the things in his hands and let Lin Wanchiu lead the way.
"Yo, Wanchiu is back!"
"It's been a few days, Wanchiu!"
Many neighbors greeted Lin Wanchiu enthusiastically.
However, their looks at Chen Jianghai weren't as friendly, and once they passed by, they started whispering among themselves.
"Really like a fresh flower stuck in cow dung!"
"Isn't that the truth! Wanchiu is such a delicate beauty, marrying such a good-for-nothing, it's such a pity!"
"I heard her husband lazes around at home, not even holding a proper job!"
"And buying so much stuff, I bet most of that money is borrowed."
"What bet? I say it's definitely borrowed, just swelling his face to fill out the fat man's figure!"
...
Regarding the sneers and jeers of the people, Chen Jianghai didn't take them to heart.
They looked down upon the Chen Jianghai of the past, but he was no longer that same person, and naturally, he didn't have the same attitude as before to fuss over these people.
However, Lin Wanchiu bit her lip tightly upon hearing them.
She really wanted to tell these people that Chen Jianghai had changed for the better, that he was now a man who could make money and knew how to cherish others!
Seeing Lin Wanchiu like this, Chen Jianghai smiled at her, shook his head slightly indicating that it was okay, and not to take it to heart.
Arriving in front of their own home, Lin Wanchiu suddenly stopped, hesitant to go inside.
Chen Jianghai knew her worries, stepped forward, and pushed her gently on the back, leading her into the yard.
"Dad, Mom, we're back."
Chen Jianghai hadn't even entered the gate when he called out loudly.
This was the custom in the countryside.
If you were returning home to visit, you had to shout at the entrance to signal to your family that guests had arrived.
Normally, in any other household, the host would have already come out by now, uttering some words of welcome.
But after Chen Jianghai called out, there was no movement inside the house.
That's not right?
Lin Wanchiu frowned slightly and comforted in a soft voice, "Maybe... Mom and Dad aren't home..."
Clearly, she didn't have much confidence in this explanation.
Indeed, before Lin Wanchiu could finish speaking, the figures of her parents appeared in her gaze.
As it turned out, her father and mother were sitting in the yard, looking at Chen Jianghai with disdainful and indifferent eyes.