TL: Etude
"Alright."
Chen Jianghai, who had never shopped for groceries with Lin Wanqiu before, naturally would not refuse.
On the way to the market, seeing that Chen Jianghai remained silent, Lin Wanqiu hesitantly asked, "Jianghai, you... you're not angry with my parents, are you?"
"Ah?" Chen Jianghai, taken aback, stopped in his tracks and looked at her in surprise, "What do you mean by that?"
Chen Jianghai had been thinking about the shop the whole way and was a bit confused as to why Lin Wanqiu would say such a thing.
"My parents treated you that way, are you upset about it?"
Lin Wanqiu bit her lip and followed up with the question.
She hadn't considered this aspect before, but after hearing what Old Jiang had said, she was now overthinking it a bit.
She had always believed that Chen Jianghai wouldn't mind these things, but now, she wasn't so sure anymore.
Was she neglecting Chen Jianghai's feelings too much?
A man of great capability, yet always scorned, despised, and ridiculed by others, even by his own mother-in-law and father-in-law!
Could he really feel comfortable in his heart? Could he not feel wronged?
Lin Wanqiu felt that she was not a competent wife, completely neglecting Chen Jianghai's feelings.
Chen Jianghai quickly understood and, wrapping his arms around Lin Wanqiu's shoulders, he said with a slight smile, "Is it because of what Old Jiang said earlier? He was just speaking off the cuff; don't take it to heart."
"No, Jianghai, you are my husband, I want to know what you really think." Lin Wanqiu stubbornly shook her head, stopping in her tracks, and looked straight at Chen Jianghai.
Actually, Chen Jianghai hadn't taken the matter to heart at all, but Lin Wanqiu was overthinking it. And seeing her current state, if he didn't clarify things today, it would probably remain an unresolved issue.
"What are you thinking about?"
Chen Jianghai placed his hands on Lin Wanqiu's shoulders, "If I really had a complaint about your parents, would I have stopped my work these past two days to look for a house for them, and accompany you to buy so many things?"
Hearing Chen Jianghai put it that way, Lin Wanqiu found it to make a lot of sense.
"But..."
She still felt somewhat uneasy.
Chen Jianghai then said, "Remember, you are my wife, which makes your parents my parents as well. Who would hold grudges against their own parents? Besides, instead of getting angry, wouldn't it be better for me to earn more money?"
Looking into Chen Jianghai's sincere eyes, Lin Wanqiu finally felt at ease.
"Jianghai, you are so kind."
Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but lean emotionally into his embrace, murmuring.
Chen Jianghai's eyes were full of doting affection as he stroked Lin Wanqiu's hair, "No, this isn't enough. I want to make you the happiest woman in the world, free of worries and sorrows every day. That is my goal."
Lin Wanqiu had no defenses against such bold declarations of love.
Chen Jianghai, looking at her flushed cheeks and tempting red lips, was also moved, leaning in for a kiss.
Lin Wanqiu was taken aback.
This was on the street, with people passing by from time to time.
How... How could this happen!
Lin Wanqiu, like a startled little deer, quickly pushed Chen Jianghai away with force.
"What are you doing! There are so many people outside, whatever it is, let's... let's talk about it at home."
Lin Wanqiu's ears were even blushing as she spoke in a shy tone.
Her last two words were so soft they were nearly inaudible.
Chen Jianghai just grinned and said, "Let's go, let's see if there's any stewed dish you like today!"
"Shall we buy a couple more goose heads? Don't you also enjoy eating them?"
"Right, let's also get some goose blood. It's particularly delicious with braised tofu, what do you think?"
"Mhm!"
...
Two days later, Lin Jianguo and Xue Chunli arrived as scheduled.
As soon as the couple stepped out of the car, they saw Chen Jianghai and Lin Wanqiu waiting for them outside the long-distance bus station.
Lin Wanqiu was supposed to work today, but Chen Jianghai insisted that she take the day off to come and pick them up together.
His reason was simple: it wasn't often that her parents came to visit, and Lin Wanqiu, as their daughter, definitely had to pick them up in person.
Otherwise, it would surely disappoint the elders and make them feel uncomfortable.
Seeing Chen Jianghai care so much about her parents' feelings, Lin Wanqiu also felt secretly pleased and thus requested leave from work.
"Mom and Dad, here, let me take your things."
Chen Jianghai approached with a smile and took the bags from their hands.
Facing such an enthusiastic Chen Jianghai, Xue Chunli was visibly unaccustomed and her expression stiffened slightly.
Lin Wanqiu, on the other hand, took her mother's hand and said with a laugh, "Mom, Jianghai heard you were coming and bought a lot of things for you from the department store."
Lin Jianguo was very satisfied with this son-in-law and said cheerfully, "Hey, what's the need to buy anything? We're just here to see you guys."
Hearing Lin Jianguo say this, Xue Chunli couldn't help but glare at him fiercely.
Seeing Xue Chunli's look, Lin Jianguo immediately clammed up, not daring to speak any further.
Chen Jianghai then chimed in, "Mom and Dad, now that you're here, you must stay for a while. I've even rented a house for you."
"What?"
Xue Chunli looked surprised, her eyes wide, "Renting a house isn't cheap, right? We could just sleep on a mat at your place, there's no need to waste money."
Chen Jianghai shook his head and said, "Dad, Mom, how can we let you sleep on the floor? Don't worry, the house has been cleaned, you can move right in."
Xue Chunli wanted to say more, but Lin Wanqiu cut in first.
"Mom, Jianghai prepared a lot in advance because you were coming. You must stay for a few days; otherwise, Jianghai will be unhappy."
Chen Jianghai just chuckled and didn't add anything more.
Under pressure, Lin Jianguo spoke up again, "I say, wife, this is our son-in-law's kind intention, let's just go along with it."
Xue Chunli didn't say anything, which was taken as consent.
Lin Wanqiu then said, "Mom, let's go home for dinner first. The meal is all prepared!"
Chen Jianghai quickly hailed a tricycle on the roadside for his father-in-law and mother-in-law to ride in, while he drove Lin Wanqiu.
On the way back, Chen Jianghai was an honest chauffeur, barely speaking.
Lin Wanqiu, however, kept chatting about this and that, often bursting into joyful laughter.
The tricycle stopped at the entrance of the alley, Lin Wanqiu led her parents ahead, while Chen Jianghai followed with the things.
"Jianghai, let me help you with a couple of those?" Lin Jianguo, a few steps behind, whispered.
Chen Jianghai smiled, "Dad, no need, these aren't heavy. I can manage."
Seeing Chen Jianghai insist, Lin Jianguo didn't say anything more but was inwardly very satisfied with his son-in-law's current behavior.
After entering the house, Chen Jianghai put down the things and looked up at Xue Chunli, saying, "Mom, the rented house is nearby. How about letting Wanqiu show it to you first, and I'll start cooking?"
Hearing Chen Jianghai say this, Xue Chunli was quite surprised.