Chapter 42: Could It Be That He Is Truly Incapable?

Chapter 42: Could He Really Be Incapable?

"Jianghai, let's go buy something," Lin Wanqiu whispered, tugging at Chen Jianghai’s sleeve shortly after they sat down.

Chen Jianghai immediately understood and stood up. "Alright, I’ll go get some sunflower seeds and peanuts. Oh, do you want some drinks?"

"One bottle each," Lin Wanqiu replied, casting a quick glance at her parents.

Chen Jianghai nodded with a smile. He knew exactly what she was thinking. This was the perfect opportunity to improve the impression he had made on his parents-in-law, so he intended to put on a good display.

"Mom, Dad, Sis, we’re going to get some snacks," Lin Wanqiu said to the three of them as she stood up.

Lin Jianguo chuckled, "Go on, go on!" Xue Chunli glanced at them but said nothing.

Once they were away from the crowd, Lin Wanqiu linked her arm with Chen Jianghai’s. "Jianghai, Mom and Dad know about your skills now. They definitely won't oppose us being together anymore."

"Wanqiu, no one will ever tear us apart. I promise I’ll give you a good life," Chen Jianghai said with a confident smile. Hearing this, Lin Wanqiu’s face lit up with a smile; the heavy weight she had been carrying in her heart since returning home finally vanished.

Not long after they left, a neighbor approached Xue Chunli. "Hey, Chunli, where’s your son-in-law?" the neighbor asked, peering around.

Hearing Chen Jianghai mentioned, Xue Chunli replied indifferently, "He went to buy some things."

The neighbor, seemingly oblivious to any tension, beamed. "Chunli, I heard about what happened today. Your son-in-law’s repair skills are really something!"

Xue Chunli felt a strange mix of emotions. Logically, a mother should be proud when her son-in-law is praised, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel happy. The person who had just boosted her vanity was, after all, the person she despised the most.

"It’s alright, nothing special," she replied dismissively.

Other neighbors who overheard the conversation joined in.

"Chunli, your son-in-law is really doing well for himself now!"

"That’s right! I heard young Dai makes three or four hundred a month. Your son-in-law is better than him, so he must be making even more, right?"

"Come on, Chunli, tell us—how much does your son-in-law actually earn a month?"

Xue Chunli was stunned; how was she supposed to know?

Seeing her mother’s predicament, Lin Wanqing smiled and interjected, "Oh, all my mom cares about is that Wanqiu has a good life. How much he earns doesn't really matter." Having lived in the city for so long, Lin Wanqing knew how to smooth things over.

The onlookers couldn't help but feel envious. "Chunli, you’re so blessed! Both your daughters found such good husbands!"

"At this rate, your second son-in-law is bound to become a big boss one day!"

Faced with their praise and envy, Xue Chunli forced a smile. If she wore a sour expression, people would think she was putting on airs or showing off, and who knows what they would say behind her back.

The villagers' envy stirred something new in Xue Chunli. In the past, whenever Chen Jianghai was mentioned, she only felt mockery and contempt. But now, she was being envied because of him. The sensation was rather subtle.

Just then, the gongs and drums sounded, and the performance on the stage began, drawing everyone’s attention back to the show.

Chen Jianghai and Lin Wanqiu returned, carrying two large, full bags.

"Mom, Dad, Sis, have some!" Lin Wanqiu took the snacks from Chen Jianghai and handed them out.

Spiced sunflower seeds, skin-on peanuts, spiced broad beans, orange soda... Chen Jianghai had bought a generous amount of every popular snack available at the convenience store—more than enough for the five of them.

Seeing this, the people nearby turned their attention back to Xue Chunli. "Chunli, and you said your son-in-law doesn't make money? He spent quite a bit here!"

In these times, a small bowl of seeds cost fifty cents, and Chen Jianghai had bought two pounds. He had also bought multiple bags of peanuts and broad beans. Lin Wanqiu had told him he was buying too much, but he hadn't cared. If he wanted to change his mother-in-law’s impression of him, what was a little money?

Xue Chunli was truly conflicted. She enjoyed the envy, but every time she looked at Chen Jianghai, she felt a lingering sense of awkwardness.

"I’m done watching, I’m going home!" Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, she stood up and walked away.

Lin Jianguo, who was enjoying the show, wasn't sure whether to stay or go. Lin Wanqing, also finding the performance—which she had loved as a child—now rather dull, decided to leave too. "Mom and I are heading back, you guys keep watching."

Lin Jianguo stood up as well. "I’m going too, I’m going." He had seen the look on Xue Chunli’s face. Being married for decades, he knew she was in a bad mood, and if he returned too late, he was sure to be scolded.

Chen Jianghai turned to Lin Wanqiu. "Wanqiu, shall we head back too?"

"Alright, let's go." Lin Wanqiu seemed to have lost interest as well.

Back home, Chen Jianghai asked, "Do you want to wash up first, or should I?"

Lin Wanqiu looked down, her face flushed. "I’ve already poured the water for you, you go first."

Watching her blushing face, Chen Jianghai knew exactly what she was thinking. He smiled but said nothing. After washing his feet, he headed straight to the bedroom.

Lin Wanqiu, however, was facing a dilemma. There was only one bed, and they were destined to sleep together tonight. But since they had married, they had always slept separately. The sudden prospect of sharing a bed felt very strange to her.

Lin Wanqing caught her lingering in the hallway and asked, "Wanqiu, why aren't you in your room?"

"Sis, you're still up?" Lin Wanqiu blushed, trying to change the subject.

Lin Wanqing chuckled, "In the big city, the nightlife has only just begun!"

"Oh..." Lin Wanqiu replied, trailing off.

Lin Wanqing, sensing something, grabbed her sister’s arm and whispered, "Little sister, you haven't... you know, with your husband yet, have you?"

Lin Wanqiu’s face turned bright red. "Sis, what are you talking about?"

"You're a grown woman, what’s there to be shy about? Tell your sister, have you or haven't you?" Lin Wanqing pressed, full of curiosity.

Shy and embarrassed, Lin Wanqiu looked down, unable to meet her sister's eyes. She twisted her fingers and stammered, "N-not yet..."

"Why? Is he incapable?" Lin Wanqing’s eyes widened with gossip.

Lin Wanqiu shook her head frantically. "No... it's not that... I don't know..."

"Is it, or isn't it?" Lin Wanqing persisted.

"I don't know," Lin Wanqiu admitted helplessly. "We... we sleep in separate beds."

"What? Separate beds?" Lin Wanqing looked as if she had discovered a new world. "Why? Could he really be incapable?"