TL: Etude
"How can one consider it a happy life then?" Chen Jianghai inquired further.
Lin Wanqing pondered for a moment before responding, "By this time next year, my sister won't have to work at the factory anymore, you'll have switched to a bigger house, and have savings of over ten thousand."
As she spoke, these amounted to three conditions.
Chen Jianghai burst into laughter after hearing this.
These three conditions seemed increasingly challenging, almost as if they were deliberately designed to be difficult.
But that was for others.
For Chen Jianghai, achieving these three conditions was no difficulty at all.
Seeing the smile on Chen Jianghai's face, Lin Wanqing frowned.
"What's so funny? Can you do it?" she asked.
Chen Jianghai looked at Lin Wanqing and said without hesitation, "No problem, I promise."
After speaking, Chen Jianghai turned to go inside, but halfway there, he stopped.
He could feel Lin Wanqing's affection for her sister, and so he decided to return the favor and lend her a hand.
Seeing Chen Jianghai suddenly turn around, Lin Wanqing thought he was going to back out.
"Your husband's business, it seems to be somewhat shady, doesn't it?" Chen Jianghai blurted out unexpectedly.
Lin Wanqing's face changed at once upon hearing this, but she quickly regained her composure and said indifferently, "What do you mean by that?"
"At the end of the year, there will be a major crackdown in your area. You'd better keep a low profile to avoid being made an example of."
After saying that, Chen Jianghai turned and walked away.
Lin Wanqing, watching his retreating figure, was full of astonishment.
She hadn't even mentioned her husband's affairs to her own family, merely stating he was doing business abroad—how could Chen Jianghai have known?
And the news that Chen Jianghai just shared—could it be reliable?
Lin Wanqing hurried to follow him, wanting to get some clarity.
But as soon as she entered the house and saw everyone's gaze on her, she decided to put this doubt aside for the time being and to ask again when the opportunity arose.
"How did it go, girl?" Xue Chunli eagerly stood up and asked as soon as she saw Lin Wanqing.
Lin Wanqing forced a smile, "Mom, Chen Jianghai has already promised me. If he can't provide a good life for my sister within a year, he'll initiate a divorce himself."
Chen Jianghai had not said this, but he hadn't objected either, so it was as good as an acknowledgment.
Being able to keep her mother-in-law from dwelling on this matter temporarily and letting time prove everything might not be a bad choice.
"How can this be acceptable?"
Xue Chunli was clearly dissatisfied with this outcome, her brows furrowed into a '川'.
Lin Wanqiu quickly interjected, "Mom, I told you Jianghai will be good to me, so don't worry."
"Mom, just listen to my sister this time! Since she has set her heart on this man, then he must show some ability. If he can't do this in a year, I will come back with someone to take my sister back," Lin Wanqing stated assertively after giving Chen Jianghai a deep look.
Seeing both daughters insisting on this, Xue Chunli could only sigh helplessly and said no more.
"Old Lin! Old Lin!"
Just then, a voice came from outside.
Xue Chunli, upon hearing this voice, said with a hint of annoyance, "Calling and calling, like summoning spirits!"
Lin Jianguo promptly responded, "What's the matter?"
As soon as his words ended, three people entered from outside, one of whom was the next-door neighbor, Lin Jihua.
"Oh, Old Lin, having dinner?" Lin Jihua said with a smile.
Xue Chunli replied sourly, "What else would I be doing at this time if not eating?"
Lin had a merry twinkle in his eye as he gestured towards the figure behind him and said, "Look, my daughter has brought her husband back with her. It just so happens that your eldest daughter has also returned. They grew up together from a young age, and I was thinking it would be good for them to catch up."
Upon seeing the newcomers, Lin Wanqing also stood up with a smile and took the initiative to greet them, "Meifeng, it's been several years since we last met, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Wanqing, you've been away for quite a few years." Lin Meifeng, with her wavy permed hair, replied with a smile.
"Meifeng, you're still as beautiful as you were back then," Lin Wanqing remarked.
It had to be said that the small Lin village indeed produced many beauties.
The Lin sisters, along with the present Lin Meifeng, were all considered great beauties with exceptional looks.
Chen Jianghai glanced over casually and noticed a familiar face among them.
Boss Jin could never have imagined that he would encounter Chen Jianghai here.
However, given the circumstances, the two merely nodded slightly to each other as a form of greeting.
All eyes were on Lin Wanqing and Lin Meifeng, so this subtle interaction naturally went unnoticed by everyone else.
Hearing Lin's plan put forth in such a manner, Xue Chunli instantly understood that this man had come to show off.
"Your daughter married a local lad, not like my daughter who married into the big city. She rarely comes back once a year; I truly miss her," Xue Chunli seemed to complain, but the note of bragging in her tone was apparent to everyone present.
Your daughter merely married a local rich man, but my daughter married a rich man from a big city elsewhere.
When compared, the difference in status was clear.
Lin's face darkened, and then he pretended to sigh, "Ah, my son-in-law only has a small jewelry shop in Linghai. It really isn't much, certainly not comparable to a businessman from a big city."
Hearing Lin speak this way, Xue Chunli clenched her teeth in annoyance.
In this day and age, someone who could own a jewelry shop, could they be an ordinary person?
Lin had indeed stepped in good fortune.
"Oh, I heard that your second daughter also married well!" Lin suddenly changed the topic.
Chen Jianghai could never have anticipated that the conversation would suddenly turn towards him.
Boss Jin looked on with amusement, a grin spreading across his face as he watched Chen Jianghai.
At the mention of Chen Jianghai, it was as if someone had stepped on Xue Chunli's tail, and she immediately exclaimed, "What's good about that? My daughter is about to divorce him!"
As soon as these words were spoken, silence fell over those present, and the expressions on their faces varied greatly.
Boss Jin's face was a picture of surprise; he could hardly believe that a visit to his father-in-law's house would unfold such drama.
Especially since it involved Chen Jianghai.
This young man was skilled with his hands and amiable in disposition. How could he be facing divorce?
Lin Wanqiu was utterly stunned.
She never imagined that her mother would disclose such a matter in front of outsiders.
What was supposed to be a pleasant reunion had taken such an awkward turn. Lin Wanqing and Lin Meifeng, who had been smiling just moments ago, now appeared quite embarrassed.
After all, divorce was not considered a matter of pride in those times.
Lin, upon hearing this, was a bit confused as well.
He had come over simply to show off and seek a sense of satisfaction, never expecting Xue Chunli to reveal such sensational news.
Xue Chunli realized that she had misspoken in her agitation. Standing there with sweat on her forehead, she was at a loss for what to say next.
As for Chen Jianghai, the person concerned, he remained calm and collected, as if the matter being discussed had nothing to do with him at all.