Chapter 3: Coaxing the In-Laws

The Cheng family had only two adobe houses, with a spacious courtyard outside, enclosed by neat bamboo fences. The kitchen and toilet were both located in the yard, one on the left and the other on the right.

Considering that their new daughter-in-law was from the city and might not be comfortable with the run-down rural environment, the Cheng family had recently cleaned up the adobe houses and added an extra-large toilet at the back for the newlyweds’ exclusive use.

Cheng Tianyuan’s father was named Cheng Muhai, and his mother was Liu Ying. They were both honest and straightforward rural folks.

Cheng Muhai was a simple and honest man who had received a few years of education in his youth, making him more knowledgeable than many others in the village.

In his younger days, he worked as a laborer in a fertilizer factory in the county town. The town had a better environment and more opportunities, so he soon brought his wife and children there.

Xue’s father was a technical worker at the fertilizer factory and had come from the capital city. Since the factory’s dormitories were too small, he rented a house for his family.

Coincidentally, both families lived at the same entrance to the alley.

They were neighbors and coworkers, and the children often played together.

Unfortunately, unforeseen events occurred. One day, while unloading materials at the fertilizer factory, there was a collapse accident. Cheng’s father risked his life to save Xue’s father but ended up with a disabled arm.

A laborer without an arm also lost his ability to work.

Xue’s father was deeply moved by Cheng’s father’s sacrifice and agreed to betroth his only daughter, Xue Ling, to the Cheng family. He promised to take care of the Cheng family.

However, more unfortunate news followed – the fertilizer factory unexpectedly went bankrupt.

Xue’s father was an urbanite and could only return to his hometown with his wife and daughter.

Cheng’s father was a rural man, so when he moved back to the countryside with his family, life became very difficult due to his disabled arm.

Years of hard labor had taken a toll on Cheng Muhai and Liu Ying, making them look much older than their age.

Cheng Muhai lay half-reclined on the bed, his complexion poor, as he discussed with his wife in hushed tones.

“Marriage is a big deal, and we didn’t have the money to treat the folks from the village to a feast yesterday. How can we not even afford wedding candies today…”

Liu Ying’s eyes welled up with tears as she explained, “We borrowed a lot of money for your medical treatment not long ago, and the wedding expenses were scraped together. I ordered the candies, but they refused to deliver them, fearing that we wouldn’t be able to pay.”

Cheng Muhai sighed deeply and asked, “Didn’t Ah Yuan bring back three or four hundred yuan from the supply and marketing cooperative? What happened to that money?”

Liu Ying wiped her tears away and replied, “That was his earnings saved up for half a year. He didn’t want to spend a penny of it. After repaying the clinic fees and loans, there’s only about ten yuan left, which we used to buy bricks to build the toilet.”

Cheng Muhai muttered, “Our daughter-in-law came with just a burst of firecrackers. We don’t even have wedding candies. No wonder the new bride is upset…”

The old couple sighed in their room, not daring to speak loudly, feeling guilty about yesterday.

Suddenly, a clear and melodious voice called out from outside the room, “Dad! Mom!”

The elderly couple froze!

Xue Ling walked in, her smile bright. “Mom, the hot water in the kitchen is ready.”

Liu Ying nodded and chuckled. “Oh, it’s you. Did you sleep well last night? Why are you up so early? You can go back to sleep if you’re tired.”

Xue Ling shook her head and replied, “I’m not tired.”

The two elderly people felt a bit awkward in her presence.

Although the marriage had been arranged for many years, the families had had little contact in recent years due to the long distance between them.

Their sudden visit to propose marriage, aside from a small gift of money, had left Xue Ling feeling rushed and uncomfortable, and she had caused a scene yesterday. The old couple couldn’t help but feel remorse.

Xue Ling noticed this and approached them, giving them a respectful bow.

“Dad, Mom, I want to apologize for what happened yesterday. I felt a bit carsick after the long journey, and I was tired and uncomfortable. That’s why I complained as soon as I entered the house. I regret it, and I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that. I’m sorry! Please forgive me!”

Xue Ling had always been a forthright and outspoken girl since she was little, unafraid to speak her mind and correct her mistakes.

Cheng’s father and mother were both stunned!

After a while, Cheng’s father came to his senses and smiled affectionately, “It’s alright… no problem.”

Liu Ying also realized the situation and quickly said, “We’re family! We’re all family now! There’s nothing to forgive… It’s okay!”

Xue Ling smiled, revealing two cute little tiger teeth.

“Thank you, Dad! Thank you, Mom! You took care of me when I was little, and I remember everything. Don’t worry, I’ll be a good daughter-in-law to both of you from now on!”

With just a few simple sentences, Xue Ling eased the tension, and Cheng’s father and mother burst into laughter, praising her for her filial piety.

Xue Ling took the initiative to hug Cheng’s mother’s arm.

“Mom, let’s go fetch water and cook. I heard we’ll need to distribute wedding candies and serve tea later, so we shouldn’t be late.”

Cheng’s mother wrinkled her brows in embarrassment and gave her a reassuring pat.

“Yes… Let’s go to the kitchen and cook.”

In the kitchen, Cheng’s mother washed the rice while Xue Ling took care of the fire.

As Xue Ling smelled the faint aroma of rice, she wanted to strike up a conversation with Cheng’s mother but noticed that she seemed preoccupied.

At that moment, Cheng Tianyuan’s low voice came from outside the courtyard, “If we can’t buy them on credit, there’s nothing we can do. We still have some old tea at home. We can brew it and serve it to the elders.”

Cheng’s mother frowned and said, “But… who gets married and doesn’t even have wedding candies? It’s not festive at all; it’s not right.”

Cheng Tianyuan was about to speak when he saw Xue Ling quickly approaching. He changed the topic.

“Mom, can you help Dad apply the medicine on his arm? I’ll go find Uncle Tang.”

Cheng’s mother knew that he was going to borrow money and didn’t want to discuss it in front of Xue Ling, so she nodded discreetly.

“Go ahead, and come back soon.”

Cheng Tianyuan left the axe behind, brushed off the dust from his clothes, and headed towards the main gate.

“Wait!” Xue Ling called after him and

 hurriedly caught up. “Brother Yuan, can you help me with something?”

Cheng Tianyuan’s face didn’t look too good as he responded sternly, “I’m busy.”

Finally marrying a wife had made his parents happy for several days, but this wife was already thinking about divorce. People would eventually leave, and their remaining money would be spent quickly. Now he had to borrow more.

Xue Ling pointed inside the house and raised her voice. “Can you help me bring down the biggest suitcase? There are two big bags of wedding candies inside! My dad sent them to us as a gift!”

Cheng Tianyuan’s steps came to a halt.

Half an hour later, villagers started coming over one by one to congratulate them and ask for wedding candies.

Xue Ling boldly called them “uncles” and “aunts,” continuously offering wedding candies. The villagers cheered at the delicious candies from the big city.

Cheng’s father and mother were beaming, delighted by the face they had gained. They also secretly wiped their brows.

Thankfully, Ling Ling was sensible and considerate, immediately sharing the wedding candies given by her parents-in-law. Those two big bags of candy were certainly not cheap!

The children ran around, excitedly coming to ask for wedding candies, while the elderly villagers ate the candy and wished them well.

“This is the first time we’ve had this! It’s so fragrant and sweet! We’re basking in the glory of our city-bred daughter-in-law!”

“That’s right! Among the villages nearby, only our Tianyuan married a city girl!”

“Where? It’s not an ordinary city; it’s the capital city, the famous one!”

“Tianyuan’s family is blessed! We’re so envious!”

…

Cheng Tianyuan, who was not good at socializing, stood awkwardly in a corner, watching Xue Ling skillfully interact with dozens of villagers. He felt a slight sense of admiration.