Second Watch.
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Chuxia and Zhou Mikang brought all sorts of rare items for this era to Lin Baojuan’s family, including rice, flour, pastries, white sugar, brown sugar, candy, milk candy, peanut candy, canned food, and seeds.
Although she promised to accept them, Lin Baojuan felt uneasy when she saw these items. She didn’t refuse in front of everyone; instead, she pulled Chuxia aside and softly asked, "Xia, you were the one who decided to buy these things, right?"
Chuxia imdiately understood Lin Baojuan’s concern and quickly replied, "No, Zhou Mikang bought them. He bought gifts for all the families, so Auntie can rest assured."
"Xia, although Auntie’s family isn’t wealthy, we have no problem eating enough and staying warm. Besides, now that Dajiang’s monthly allowance helps out, life at ho is much better than before.
Even though your father’s status has changed, you’re married into the Zhou family. Bringing too much stuff back to your maternal ho isn’t good for you. I wish to see you live happily without being wronged because of these things."
"Auntie, you’re overthinking this. It may seem like a lot to you, but in the eyes of the Zhou family, it’s really not much. If I returned to my maternal ho empty-handed, wouldn’t people look down on ?
Even though things with Grandpa and Grandma are strained, my relationship with you is clear to my mother-in-law. If I were stingy and unwilling to give anything to Auntie, wouldn’t my mother-in-law suspect I have a character issue?
If I treat the relatives who’ve helped the most this way, wouldn’t people think that if anything happened in the future, I’d run away faster than a rabbit?"
Since Lin Baojuan was concerned about her position in the husband’s family, Chuxia had no choice but to reassure her this way—it was addressing the problem directly.
Sure enough, hearing this, Lin Baojuan hesitated: "Xia, you’re really not lying to Auntie, right?"
"I’m really not lying..." Chuxia raised her hand as if taking an oath, "Shall I swear to Auntie?"
Lin Baojuan quickly stopped her: "No need, no need, it’s the New Year, what’s with the oaths, Auntie believes you."
When the two of them returned inside, Lin Baojuan smiled at Zhou Mikang: "Xiao Zhou, Chuxia grew up before my eyes, I’ve always treated her like my daughter. Regardless of whether her dad is my biological brother or not, her place in my heart remains the sa.
I’m aware of her sentintality and concern for . She said these things were bought by you, and I believe her. But I must add, Auntie trusts you both, so you must not deceive Auntie. If these items cause the Zhou family elders to have an opinion of Xia, I definitely won’t accept them.
Of course, I know that no matter whether the Zhou family elders truly have an opinion or not, you wouldn’t admit it now. But, even though I live far away and am just an ordinary person, I have my ways of knowing the truth.
If it turns out that you tricked today, then I’ll let you know that I’ll imdiately pull Dajiang back and stop him from being a soldier.
I’d rather let the family’s child be unambitious at ho than allow Xia’s future days to be unhappy. Consider this carefully, I an what I say."
Evidently, Auntie still harbored doubts, using Dajiang’s future to exchange for a truthful response. Chuxia just smiled: "Auntie, I don’t mind swearing."
This was essentially telling Lin Baojuan that everything she said was absolutely true.
Zhou Mikang also nodded: "Auntie, if these items cause Chuxia any grievance at ho, then I might as well not be a soldier anymore."
With words put to this extent, Lin Baojuan no longer hesitated: "Then I’ll accept them..." she said, looking towards her daughter, "The Wang family missed out. If there hadn’t been a breakup, wouldn’t they have had a share of these goodies?"
"Mom, why bring them up..." Luan Xiaoxiang pouted, "I was already annoyed by their family’s constant nagging about marriage. I said so many tis that I wanted to wait until Dajiang was discharged or beca a volunteer soldier before getting married, but they wouldn’t listen. Now it’s just as well, everyone saves themselves the worry."
"A family like that isn’t worthy of Xiaoxiang, our Xiaoxiang is so kind and capable, of course, she should find a husband’s family who treats her like a treasure..." Chuxia nudged Zhou Mikang, "You should also keep an eye out, if there’s soone with a good temper, nice personality, and likes Xiaoxiang’s type, help secure him for Xiaoxiang."
Zhou Mikang nodded: "Alright, Zhou Hanliang will surely handle this well."
"Auntie, Uncle, both my grandma and grandpa went to my house with us, so we ca first to see Auntie and Uncle. My parents would like you to stay at our house for a few days. But seeing Granny Luan’s current state..."
Luan Qingshu quickly added: "Let Auntie and Xiaoxiang go, I can handle things at ho, my mom’s leg is almost better, and I can manage cooking als."
Lin Baojuan certainly wanted to go, but leaving her husband alone at ho made her uneasy. Who knows if the old lady will act out again once they’re gone?
When people get older and act out, as the younger generation, especially as a son, besides enduring, what other thods are there? Moreover, they can’t let the things brought by their niece and nephew-in-law all be taken by the old lady—that would leave the niece and nephew-in-law feeling how?
Seeing Lin Baojuan’s concern, Chuxia turned to Luan Qingshu: "Uncle, my parents miss you. It’s just a matter of one or two days, can’t Granny Luan stay at Eldest Uncle’s for two days?"
After a mont of hesitation, Luan Qingshu nodded: "I’ll go discuss it with my brother."
"Don’t go empty-handed..." Chuxia pulled out two packs of pastries, a pack of candy, and two cans from the gift pile for Luan Qingshu, "With these, there shouldn’t be any problems."
In this era, these are all rare items. Not only for staying a day or two, even three or five days, Eldest Uncle Luan probably won’t mind.
While Luan Qingshu went to discuss the matter at Eldest Uncle’s house, Chuxia and Zhou Mikang helped Lin Baojuan place the remaining edible gifts into the cellar under the bed.
When Luan Qingshu returned, Eldest Uncle Luan ca along, accompanied by his son Luan Dahai. The two greeted Chuxia and Zhou Mikang before chatting for a bit and then went to the east room to take Old Lady Luan with them.
Old Lady Luan hadn’t entirely recovered from the shock of breaking her leg again, so when her eldest son ca to take her to stay for a few days, she didn’t hesitate and went along.
In the evening, Lin Baojuan’s family followed Chuxia and Zhou Mikang to Dalin Village. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welco to recomnd votes and monthly votes at Qidian (qidian). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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