Chapter 29: Not Interested!

Chapter 29: Unworthy!

A cold gaze shifted away from Chen Jianghai, and his mother, Xue Chunli, stood up and waved at Lin Wanqiu. “Wanqiu’s back! Come, let Mom have a look.”

As for his father, Lin Jianguo, he never glanced at Chen Jianghai once, treating him as if he were invisible.

“Good that you’re back,” Lin Jianguo said with a faint smile as he looked at his youngest daughter approaching. His eyes held the unique indulgence of a father.

No matter how grown their children became, to parents they were still little ones.

Lin Wanqiu quickly shot Chen Jianghai a look and smiled, “Mom, Dad, Jianghai even brought you some gifts.”

Chen Jianghai promptly handed over the cigarettes, liquor, and fabric he had brought for the elders, but they didn’t even reach out to take them.

Seeing this, Chen Jianghai felt no embarrassment, but Lin Wanqiu was a bit hurt.

After all, her parents still looked down on Chen Jianghai.

“Dad! Mom!” Lin Wanqiu couldn’t help but call out, her eyes filled with a pleading sorrow as she looked at them.

Being a woman, Xue Chunli’s heart softened at the sight of her daughter, and she reached out to accept the gifts.

Lin Jianguo’s eyes narrowed, and he snorted coldly, clearly displeased.

Just as he was about to say something, Xue Chunli glanced at him sharply.

Lin Jianguo shuddered and swallowed the words back, clamming up in frustration and not daring to say more.

Seeing this scene, if the atmosphere had been different, Chen Jianghai would have laughed out loud.

His father-in-law was truly a henpecked husband.

Though usually hot-tempered and loud outside, at home he was like a little kitten.

A single look from his mother-in-law made him tremble; don’t even mention speaking out of turn.

Lin Wanqiu couldn’t help but laugh at this, earning a sharp glare from Lin Jianguo.

“Why buy so many things?” Xue Chunli frowned as she opened the bag, worry creasing her brow as she looked at her daughter. “Girl, these aren’t cheap. How much money did you borrow?”

At this, Lin Jianguo finally found his chance to speak.

He glared fiercely at Chen Jianghai and asserted the authority of a father-in-law: “Look at you, loafing around all day and not earning a penny. You come home and cause trouble like this. Borrow money to buy gifts? In the end, my daughter will be the one to suffer because of you!”

On this matter, the couple was united, glaring at Chen Jianghai with shared hostility.

It was as if they wished to tie him up and give him a good beating just to vent their anger.

Chen Jianghai was momentarily speechless.

But seeing that the elders only wanted the best for Lin Wanqiu, he chose not to argue.

Lin Wanqiu hurried to explain, “Dad, Mom, the money for these gifts was earned by Jianghai himself, not borrowed.”

Lin Jianguo clearly didn’t believe her, sneering with disdain. “Earn money? With his attitude? I think he’s all mouth and no substance. He’s ruined for life!”

“Putting on a false front!” Xue Chunli gave Chen Jianghai a look of disgust and went to busy herself in the kitchen.

Lin Wanqiu bit her lip and glanced apologetically at Chen Jianghai.

He smiled and shook his head, signaling her not to worry.

Just as Lin Wanqiu was about to say something, her mother called her away.

“Wanqiu, come help me in the kitchen.”

Xue Chunli gave her a look and beckoned.

“Jianghai, sit here. I’ll go help,” Lin Wanqiu said softly, with some regret in her eyes.

Chen Jianghai smiled and asked, “Should I come?”

“No need. You… take a rest.”

Lin Wanqiu quickly declined and glanced swiftly at her father.

Compared to staying inside with Lin Jianguo, it was better for Chen Jianghai to remain in the courtyard.

If he went to the kitchen, Xue Chunli would be nagging endlessly.

Not just Chen Jianghai, even Lin Wanqiu sometimes found it unbearable.

After Lin Wanqiu left, Chen Jianghai found no common ground to speak with his father-in-law.

He couldn’t even get a sip of water.

But he didn’t care. Instead, his gaze settled on the home’s furnishings.

Just a glance was enough to lose all interest.

The house was practically bare and shabby.

Back when Lin Jianguo was seriously ill, he had drained the entire family’s savings.

If not for the bride price Chen Jianghai’s family had paid, Lin Jianguo would never have made it through.

This was precisely why the grateful Lin Wanqiu had remained faithfully by Chen Jianghai’s side.

Otherwise, given Chen Jianghai’s past behavior, there would have been no chance at marrying such a beautiful wife as Lin Wanqiu.

Lin Jianguo, seeing Chen Jianghai looking around without acknowledging him, said brusquely, “What are you looking at? Hurry up and help clean the yard!”

In truth, Lin Jianguo had no real expectation that Chen Jianghai would clean.

He just didn’t want to see him and wanted to assert his authority.

In Lin Jianguo’s eyes, his daughter’s hard life was largely due to being held back by Chen Jianghai.

Yet Chen Jianghai merely smiled and actually picked up a broom, starting to sweep the yard diligently.

When Lin Wanqiu passed away, the two elders had grieved bitterly, and Chen Jianghai had seen it all.

Though small-minded at times, their nature was kind.

Their displeasure with their son-in-law stemmed solely from his mistreatment of their daughter.

Chen Jianghai held no grudges.

On the contrary, he had resolved to care for the elders well, so Lin Wanqiu would never have to worry again.

To make a virtuous and kind woman like Lin Wanqiu truly happy, money alone was far from enough.

For her, love and family were the indispensable foundations of happiness.

After silently watching for a while, Lin Jianguo couldn’t believe his eyes and muttered, “Has this kid lost his mind?”

He wanted to go to the kitchen and ask Lin Wanqiu what was going on.

Just as he was about to stand, he reconsidered: perhaps Chen Jianghai was merely putting on an act?

Straightening up, he fixed his gaze intently on Chen Jianghai.

He was determined to see how long the act would last.

In the kitchen, mother and daughter busied themselves preparing lunch.

“Mom, when will sister be here?” Lin Wanqiu asked while washing vegetables.

“Before lunch,” Xue Chunli replied without pause, sighing softly. “Ah, your sister’s lucky—married a good man, no money worries, and he treats her well. You, on the other hand, have it tough.”

Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu paused briefly in her work before resuming.

“Mom, Jianghai has started earning now. He treats me well. Things will get better.”

A happy smile appeared on Lin Wanqiu’s face.

With her back turned, Xue Chunli didn’t see the smile, assuming her daughter was just putting on a brave face in front of her.

(End of chapter)