Sister-in-law Feng tapped her forehead lightly, “I’ve been talking to you for a long time, why do you just not understand? Bai Liang and Bai Tian are both children from the city, if they fancy anything of yours, it’s all due to the good karma you’ve cultivated. What’s there to be reluctant to part with? Do you really think having a couple of toys makes you a city dweller? Remember where you come from, a rural area, and you’re only fit to play with soil.”
“I’m your mother, would I harm you? If you don’t listen to me, then don’t call me mom, and I’ll send you back to your hometown, to let you see what you truly deserve.”
Upon hearing that she would be sent back to her hometown, Feng Jingjing’s eyes immediately reddened, “Mom, I’ll listen to you, please don’t abandon me…”
Finally satisfied, Sister-in-law Feng nodded, “That’s my good girl. Remember, it’s because of you that your father and I couldn’t have a son. If you dare to disobey me, I’ll sell you and try for a son again.”
Feng Jingjing nodded forcefully, tears streaming down her small face, “I will definitely listen to mom…”
No matter how reluctant she felt, Lin Chuxia had to return to her hometown.
On the first day, Qin Yang took leave from his superior; according to Lin Chuxia’s wishes, there was no need for him to accompany her. With this fool by her side, many things would be inconvenient.
But Qin Yang, eager to spend more time with his wife, didn’t heed her words—how could he let her go without seeing her off?
However, one benefit of Qin Yang’s accompaniment was that he borrowed the company’s official car, so they didn’t have to lug their bags to crowd onto public buses.
Stepping out of the house, Qin Yang pulled Lin Chuxia’s hand and stuffed a thick stack of money into it.
It was substantial, amounting to several hundred yuan.
“Where did you get so much money? Do you have a secret fund?”
Qin Yang didn’t know what to do with her and pinched her cheek.
He had wanted to do this for a long time.
“No secret fund, it’s all yours. This was the money I previously sent to the Liu Family, but after resolving the issue, my workplace reimbursed me. In total, it’s five hundred and twenty yuan, all for you, don’t hesitate to spend it.”
The wife was right, indeed a woman was a man’s motivation to earn money.
Seeing how astonished she was holding the money, he yearned to make more just for her to spend.
Lin Chuxia smacked her lips, “That’s quite a lot indeed.”
It’s no wonder that with Qin Yang’s monthly salary of over sixty yuan, he still fell into debt upon marriage—one month’s salary of over sixty yuan, twenty for the Liu Family, another twenty for Mr. Qin’s medical costs, barely leaving anything for himself.
And that was his current salary, which must have been even less in the previous years.
“Hey,” she sighed, “we really did wrong by my brother and sister-in-law, your foolish kindness led to them helping us cover our debts, how can you live with yourself?”
Qin Yang truly hadn’t thought about this before. At that time, he wasn’t even planning to get married and only intended to fulfill his promise regardless of the situation.
Now looking back, he admitted that he had indeed been too kind-hearted.
“I won’t do it again,” he said shamefacedly.
However, Lin Chuxia smiled, “I know you had no choice back then, but we must learn from it and rectify our shortcomings. We can’t let our kindness be used as a weapon against us by others.”
“Got it, wife.”
Seeing his dejected look, Lin Chuxia took the initiative to give him a hug, “I believe in Qin Yang, in my heart you are a true, stand-up man.”
That hug instantly filled Qin Yang with energy.
His wife said he was a stand-up man.
Sister-in-law Song knew Lin Chuxia was leaving today and came over early with her two kids to see her off.
After bidding farewell to Sister-in-law Song, Bai Liang, and Bai Tian, Lin Chuxia saw Sister-in-law Feng leading her children in the distance.
With just one glance, she silently retracted her gaze and said to the man beside her, “Let’s drive.”
Upon hearing his wife’s command, Qin Yang didn’t hesitate to put the car in gear, release the handbrake, and step on the accelerator.
Sister-in-law Feng, who had just wanted to squeeze in, stood there: “…”
Lin Chuxia had a morning train, and Qin Yang insisted on buying a platform ticket while purchasing her ticket.
Lin Chuxia said she could manage on her own, yet Qin Yang gave a pout, “Listen to me, I’ll feel at ease only after seeing you onto the train,” wishing he could escort her all the way home if it weren’t for the difficulty in getting leave from work.
His wife was so beautiful and seemed like a weak and gentle woman—how could he feel at ease with her traveling alone on such a long train journey?
Lin Chuxia had no choice but to indulge him.
He gave a bunch of instructions on the train, concerning safety, to be wary of strangers, to write to him after reaching home, not to overwork herself with the Bun Shop business, and to quit if it became too much. He would work hard to make money for a better life for her.
Lin Chuxia was deeply moved, “I’ll remember everything, don’t worry. You also take care of yourself. You’re my man; I’m well if you’re well.”
If it were the old Qin Yang, perhaps he couldn’t comprehend what Lin Chuxia meant by those words, but after deep interaction with her this time, he saw the meaning more clearly.
His deep eyes earnestly spoke, “Rest assured, I won’t disappoint you.”
Lin Chuxia smiled contentedly; indeed, both good children and good men are encouraged by praise.
As the time for the train to depart was nearing, she urged Qin Yang to head back.
After seeing Qin Yang looking back three steps at a time before getting off the train, Lin Chuxia didn’t dare to delay and, carrying her luggage, she walked in the opposite direction and got off the train a few carriages away.
As the train whistle blew a long note and began to move slowly, Lin Chuxia saw Qin Yang craning his neck, looking constantly into the carriages, even jogging alongside the moving train, silently giving him another point for his effort.
Despite the points, she had no intention of letting him find her, and she stepped out of the train station with her suitcase.
Finding a secluded spot, she put her luggage into the space, waiting until Qin Yang drove away before confidently walking onto the main street.
She had just seen that man selling silver bracelets on the street again, at the same spot, seeming to sell something else.
She approached the man’s side and saw that he was selling a jadeite thumb ring. Lin Chuxia slid the bracelet off her wrist and placed it in front of the man.
“You told me previously the origin of this thing was passed down by your ancestors, how do you explain now? Refund me, I don’t want this anymore. After wearing it for two days, it’s truly unlucky.”
The man, seeing Lin Chuxia and then the bracelet, immediately became flustered.
“I… I’m telling the truth, it was handed down by my ancestors, I didn’t lie to you,” having sold the silver bracelet with difficulty, the money already spent on medicine for his mother, what could he refund?
Lin Chuxia obviously didn’t believe his words. “You told me the bracelet was a family heirloom. What about the jade thumb ring in your hand, surely that can’t be a family heirloom as well? I think these items have an unsavory origin. If you don’t refund the money, let’s go to the police station and see how long you can keep up your defiance.”