Accustomed to three meals a day, and having played for most of the day, the family was already hungry. At noon, Nansheng made hand-pulled noodles. "I suddenly want to eat wontons, especially shrimp-filled ones."
During the drought year, Sizhe often went to the river to catch shrimp. Any extras were dried into shrimp flakes. When they craved some, they would soak them to make wontons, stir-fries, or soup, all exceptionally fresh and delicious.
Sizhe and Qiqi also nodded vigorously. Mom hadn't made wontons in a long time; they wanted some too.
Lin Han wanted to go to the river, smash a hole in the ice, and use a net to catch some shrimp. Nansheng disagreed, saying why trouble himself in the dead of winter, and that they could go buy some at the black market tomorrow if they had time.
On the fifth day back home, Lin Xue and her husband returned. She was pregnant, seemed to be doing well, and wasn't as childish as before.
Her husband was the County Health Bureau Director, much older than her, but quite doting on his young wife. Every month, he would take her shopping and back to her ex-husband's home to see her children.
"Hello, Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law. I'm Wan Jiyong. It's our first meeting, so I brought a small gift. Please don't think poorly of it."
Wan Jiyong's late wife had given him two daughters. After her passing, he quickly sought introductions for a new match. Nearing forty, he needed to continue the family line.
He chose Lin Xue purely because she was pretty and young. Moreover, she had given birth to a pair of dragon-phoenix twins for her ex-husband. At the time, his family advised him that with his good conditions, he should find an untouched maiden, but he insisted otherwise.
So what if she had been married before? He liked women who could bear sons, and dragon-phoenix twins were even better. He was determined to marry Lin Xue!
Lin Han felt a bit unable to accept this "older man" calling him Second Brother. Nansheng, however, could accept it with perfect equanimity.
Although they had "cut ties" with Lin Xue while living in the village, their family now resided in Rongcheng, and with a new brother-in-law, they had to maintain surface courtesy. Otherwise, it would be awkward for the elderly parents too.
"Thank you, Brother-in-law!"
Nansheng said politely. Lin Han glanced at his wife, then nodded at his "older" brother-in-law, thinking to himself that his wife's adaptability was stronger, and he still had more to learn.
Wan Jiyong very much enjoyed talking with Lin Han and Nansheng. His position wasn't low either. Although he liked his young wife Lin Xue, he really didn't have much to chat about with his father-in-law and his other two brothers-in-law.
What surprised him most was Second Brother Lin's family. Both the second brother and sister-in-law were very capable. Families supporting each other could go much further.
The meal was, of course, to be eaten at the old house. When Fan Shuting went to cook, Nansheng didn't lift a hand, as Zhou Wei was in the kitchen. However, when the dishes were almost ready, she went to help serve them.
Lin Xue took the opportunity while Nansheng was out to call her into the west room.
Nansheng's attitude towards her remained cold. "What is it?"
Lin Xue pursed her lips, supporting her belly, and bowed her head to apologize to Nansheng. "I'm sorry, Second Sister-in-law. I was immature before. I apologize and hope you won't hold it against me."
Nansheng couldn't tell if Lin Xue's words were sincere, nor did she care. "I've never held onto past matters. You know me—if I have a grievance, I settle it on the spot."
Lin Xue: "..."
Didn't she know it? She was always the one getting the short end of the stick!
If it weren't for Second Brother and Sister-in-law's successful development, she wouldn't be willing to lower her head. But after remarrying, she had matured quite a bit under her husband's guidance and now knew what was beneficial for her.
"Thank you, Sister-in-law, for not holding a grudge. My Lao Wan said our two families should visit each other often from now on!"
Nansheng had no interest in listening to her nonsense. After a couple of perfunctory replies, she went to the kitchen. Lin Xue returned to the room and nodded to her husband. Wan Jiyong was very satisfied. Even if Lin Han wasn't enthusiastic, he could ensure the conversation never fell flat.
During the meal, Nansheng was even toasted by the new brother-in-law. She clinked her rice bowl against his glass. The whole family laughed. Even Lin Han couldn't help but show his teeth, feeling his wife was truly amusing.
Wan Jiyong was taken aback for a moment, then laughed along with everyone else. He could sense this second sister-in-law was indeed no ordinary person. He threw his head back and drained his glass in one go.
Compared to Jiang Hua, apart from his age, Wan Jiyong really had no other faults. He was socially adept, had a respectable job, and at the very least, since Lin Xue married him, not a single piece of bad news had surfaced.
Now, Lin Guozheng and his wife had changed their attitude towards them considerably, only privately reminding their daughter not to forget to visit the dragon-phoenix twins often.
After finishing the meal, Nansheng got up to leave, claiming she needed to go home for a nap. Lin Han also found the new brother-in-law too talkative and followed her out.
Nansheng couldn't help but grumble, "I figure the New Year's provisions your dad bought have pretty much been used up over these past few days. Even the family's deepest savings won't survive hosting guests every day!"
The gathering for today's meal was unusually complete, with no one missing—a sign of respect for the son-in-law. Even Third Brother Lin and his wife behaved normally today, without causing any trouble.
"Going to town to buy more tomorrow will be fine." Lin Han could see his parents were still quite happy.
After they left, Third Brother Lin's family also departed. Only Eldest Brother Lin and his wife stayed a bit longer, until Wan Jiyong feigned a headache and went to rest in the west room.
Seizing this opportunity, Lin Xue said to her parents, "Dad, Mom, I was immature before and caused the family a lot of trouble. If the family needs help in the future, I'll definitely contribute more. I've also apologized to Second Sister-in-law, and she said she won't hold it against me."
Lin Guozheng glanced at his daughter. Seeing she was pregnant, he couldn't very well scold her now. "Don't worry about family matters. Just live your own life well."
Fan Shuting still felt for Lin Xue. "Now that you're with child, Mom can finally rest easy. Your brothers are here for the family; you just focus on taking care of your health. Only one thing—don't go provoking your second sister-in-law again!"
Fan Shuting was now both afraid of Nansheng losing her temper and smashing up the house, and afraid she might want to have a child and make her go to Rongcheng. She truly feared her daughter would be foolish again.
"I won't, Mom. I'll get along well with Second Sister-in-law from now on."
Zhou Wei didn't care for her sister-in-law's talk. She gave Eldest Brother Lin a look, and the two also returned home.
Sitting on the kang, Zhou Wei's tone was dissatisfied. "The way I see it, among you siblings, your parents dote most on Third Brother Lin and Lin Xue."
Relying on being the youngest, the little sister had sucked plenty of blood from them over the years. Now that she had finally married a capable husband, her in-laws still shielded her. Her words just now were clearly hinting to them, the couple, not to bother Lin Xue for help all the time.
Lin Jianguo wasn't stupid; he knew what Zhou Wei minded. But he couldn't let his wife speak ill of his parents behind their backs.
"We're living just fine now. Don't bring up useless things."
Zhou Wei, angry, lay down on the bedding, closed her eyes, and pretended to sleep, saying nothing more. Her husband had a blockhead, only good for blind filial piety. It was such a headache!
