TL: Etude
Seeing this scene unfold, Chen Jianghai couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and helplessness.
He had figured it out by now—since his mother-in-law couldn't vent her anger on him, her poor husband became the scapegoat.
However, Chen Jianghai wouldn't say anything at this juncture, lest he give Xue Chunli a reason to lash out.
As the saying goes, better for the Daoist priest to die than for oneself to suffer. Lin Jianguo, as Xue Chunli's husband, was just doing his part in trying to soothe his wife's temper.
Lin Wanqiu was unsurprised by this.
It was a regular routine for the couple; dad would just tolerate it, and it would pass.
If anyone else chimed in, the scale of the war would instantly escalate.
It might even turn into a full-blown brawl.
After dinner, Lin Wanqiu took her bowl to the kitchen, leaving an awkward atmosphere among the three remaining people.
Chen Jianghai quickly stood up, "I'll go help."
Xue Chunli remained silent, while Lin Jianguo replied, "Sure, off you go!"
Once Chen Jianghai had left, Lin Jianguo lowered his voice and said to his wife, "You don't always have to be so stern. Give our daughter some face at least."
"Hmph! If I hadn't been giving her face, I would have lost my temper earlier," Xue Chunli said, glaring at her husband indignantly.
Lin Jianguo replied with a wry smile, "The boy bought all those groceries just to treat us well. He doesn't mind the expense, so what's there for you to be angry about?"
"Hmph, that's all my daughter's hard-earned money he's spending so freely!" Xue Chunli retorted, still visibly irked.
Lin Jianguo shook his head helplessly, "Aren't we here to see if Chen Jianghai has really changed? Don't rush to conclusions. If he really has turned over a new leaf, how will you backtrack then?"
"Change? Him? It's probably just a passing phase!" Xue Chunli stubbornly maintained her stance.
Lin Jianguo sighed softly, "I didn't believe it before, but now, I'm starting to."
"Lin Jianguo!"
Xue Chunli's voice rose sharply, as if her tail had been stepped on, "Are you insisting on contradicting me?"
Lin Jianguo pointed towards the kitchen and continued, "You saw it too. Chen Jianghai cooked the meal. I watched him do it. Our daughter used to say he never set foot in the kitchen."
"And he wouldn't know how to put on such a performance all of a sudden! The way he cooked, the variety and taste of the dishes, it's clear he's someone who cooks often."
Seeing Xue Chunli fall silent, Lin Jianguo knew she had taken his words to heart but was just unwilling to concede.
So, he decided to add fuel to the fire.
"You saw those neighbors earlier, right? Their words can't all be false, can they?"
Hearing this, Xue Chunli was momentarily speechless.
Could it be that the sun really rose from the west?
Seizing the moment, Lin Jianguo pressed on to change his wife's opinion of their son-in-law.
He lit a cigarette and added, "I say, our daughter mentioned that Chen Jianghai has started a warehouse, right? Why don't we go have a look tomorrow? Then we'll know everything."
"Fine, we'll wait and see after tomorrow," Xue Chunli finally relented.
Lin Jianguo felt a stir of excitement at her agreement.
At last, there was a sense of being the master of the house!
In the kitchen, as Lin Wanqiu was washing dishes, she asked, "Jianghai, what are your plans for tomorrow?"
"I reckon your parents just want reassurance, want to see where I work, so we might as well take them to the warehouse for a visit."
Chen Jianghai said with a smile.
Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu paused, then raised her eyebrows, "Did you plan this all along?"
"Yes, it's good for them to see, and then they'll be reassured. Their daughter won't suffer following me," Chen Jianghai whispered into Lin Wanqiu's ear.
"Jianghai, thank you!"
Lin Wanqiu was truly pleased with how Chen Jianghai treated her parents.
Chen Jianghai gently caressed Lin Wanqiu's nose, saying earnestly, "You are my wife, why are you still thanking me! If you keep saying that, I will get angry!"
"Alright, alright, I got it." Lin Wanqiu replied with a smile, her face radiating with joy.
After sending off the parents who had been watching TV, Lin Wanqiu, feeling happy, became particularly forthcoming at bedtime, to Chen Jianghai's delight, who found himself utterly unable to resist her.
…
The next day, Zhao Changgui arrived at the warehouse early, caring a great deal about his job and feeling immensely grateful to Chen Jianghai.
Earning fifteen yuan a day was nearly double the income of an average worker in the county town.
He didn't think he deserved such a rate.
But he definitely needed the income.
That's why he arrived so early every day, hoping to do as much work as possible.
As for repaying Chen Jianghai's kindness, he would have to find another opportunity.
Upon arriving, Chen Jianghai, while internally sighing, couldn't help but say, "Changgui, didn't I tell you to take a day off today?"
"There's nothing pressing at home." Zhao Changgui responded succinctly.
Chen Jianghai was somewhat speechless.
Zhao Changgui was just too honest.
Lin Jianguo and Xue Chunli, who came along, looked at Zhao Changgui with some confusion.
Chen Jianghai then introduced him, saying, "This is my friend Zhao Changgui, he's currently helping me with the warehouse. Changgui, these are my in-laws."
Zhao Changgui promptly greeted them with respect, "Hello uncle, hello auntie!"
Seeing Zhao Changgui's tall and sturdy yet simple appearance, Lin Wanqiu's parents nodded in acknowledgement as a form of greeting.
Knowing Zhao Changgui's character well, Chen Jianghai promptly invited Lin Wanqiu and the others into the warehouse.
The warehouse was a bit messy, but Chen Jianghai had organized it the day before, so at least there was space to walk now.
"Jianghai, is this where you work?" Lin Wanqiu inquired.
It was her first time visiting the warehouse; she hadn't looked inside last time she was there.
Chen Jianghai raised his hand and said, "Yes, it's a bit cramped and almost too small to hold everything. I'm looking for a bigger shop, but haven't found a suitable one yet."
Xue Chunli, silent since her arrival, was internally shaken as she surveyed the piled-up discarded appliances.
Had Chen Jianghai truly changed?
Such a transformation seemed too grand, almost unbelievable to her.
Lin Jianguo couldn't help but ask, "Jianghai, are all these TVs here for you to repair?"
"Not really."
Chen Jianghai explained with a smile, "Dad, these are broken TVs that I've collected to reassemble."
"Broken? Then what's the point of reassembling them?"
Lin Jianguo clearly didn't quite understand.
Lin Wanqiu stepped in to clarify, "Dad, each TV has a different issue. By taking out the working parts and putting them together, the TV can be used again. Our TV at home is assembled just like that."
Hearing Lin Wanqiu's explanation, Lin Jianguo nodded and then asked, "So, does this assembling make money?"
Upon this question, Xue Chunli's ears perked up immediately.