Chapter 34: Chapter 36: A Heart-to-Heart at Her Maiden Home (Part 1)
After the meal, Li Xiu went to help his father-in-law repair farm tools, leaving Zhou Lian with her mother, sister-in-law, and younger sisters. Mrs. Zhou wasted no time in asking, "Is he really okay with having a daughter?"
Zhou Lian looked at her mother, then at her sister-in-law and younger sisters, understanding they didn’t quite believe it. She smiled and said, "Mom, Sister-in-law, please don’t worry. A girl or a boy, won’t it still be his child? Besides, it’s not like we can’t have more in the future. This is our first baby, so he’s unbelievably excited, boy or girl. You know his family situation. Having a child, no matter the gender, has helped him feel more settled. With a wife and child, he finally has a real family."
Hearing Zhou Lian’s words, everyone finally felt relieved. It made sense. With a father who didn’t care for him, a mother who didn’t love him, and siblings who weren’t close to him, his wife and child were the only family he truly had.
"So, is he good to you? Has he changed at all since the wedding?" Mrs. Zhou was still worried. ’Who’s to say he isn’t just putting on an act?’
"Mom, he’s very good to me. During the spring plowing, he did most of the work in the fields. I only had to make lunch; he handled all the other chores at home. When it was time for spring planting, he spoke with the production team leader so all I had to do was drop the seeds in the ground. I haven’t had to wash a single piece of clothing. The food has been wonderful, too—sometimes he even makes special dishes just for me. See? I’ve gained weight. You don’t have to worry about me," Zhou Lian said, gently recounting her married life to reassure her mother.
"But I heard he has a terrible temper. Have you two argued?" Some time ago, someone from Li Xiu’s village had come for a doctor’s visit and mentioned that Li Xiu was usually very short-tempered and quiet, and that many of the villagers were intimidated by him. This had made Mrs. Zhou worry. Even though she knew the matchmaker was a distant niece and probably wouldn’t lie, she couldn’t rest easy until she saw her daughter and heard the truth from her own mouth.
Zhou Lian shook her head, amused, and patiently explained to her concerned family, "That’s just how he is with outsiders. See? He was quite talkative when he came here, wasn’t he? He’s never short-tempered with me; in fact, he talks a lot. You all saw for yourselves during the meal."
At this, her sister-in-law and younger sisters burst out laughing. "Talks a lot" was an understatement; the man was a complete chatterbox. He was constantly putting food on Zhou Lian’s plate and ladling soup for her—the only thing he didn’t do was feed her by hand.
"Second Sister, is Brother-in-law always like this during meals at home?" Zhou Cui asked, her curiosity piqued.
Seeing Zhou Lian’s ’it’s-hard-to-explain’ expression, her sister-in-law clapped her hands and roared with laughter. "Second Sister, he’s even more over-the-top at home, isn’t he! You can tell he’s not faking it. When Brother-in-law looks at you, his eyes practically sparkle. He managed to restrain himself a bit before you were married, but now he doesn’t hold back at all. Anyone can see he treasures you more than life itself. From the moment you two walked in the door, his gaze hasn’t left you. Even when he was talking to Dad, he was constantly sneaking glances your way!"
"Sister-in-law!" Hearing her sister-in-law lay it all out like that, even the normally composed Zhou Lian couldn’t help but feel flustered.
"Second Sister, I’m not making fun of you, I’m just so relieved. Third Sister and the others aren’t married yet, so they don’t quite get it. I’m truly happy for you. Your husband treasures you like the apple of his eye, handling you with such care. When we women get married, don’t we all just want a man who is attentive to our needs and truly cares for us? Now I can see that he absolutely adores you. You’re a lucky woman; you have a wonderful life ahead of you!"
Her sister-in-law spoke with unconcealed envy. This sister of hers was usually so quiet and unassuming, but look at how she had her husband trained! He acted as if he couldn’t live without her. ’She really has a way with men!’
"Second Sister, has he always been like this?" Zhou Xiang asked after a moment of silence. She was also engaged, to a man from the neighboring Hu Family Village.
Zhou Lian smiled knowingly. "Your brother-in-law once told me that you can tell if a man is truly sincere. You see it in his eyes, hear it in his voice, and witness it in his everyday actions. When you’re in the thick of it, it can be hard to see things clearly. Ask Mom and Sister-in-law. As both elders and outsiders, they can see everything with perfect clarity."
"They would never do you wrong. If they approve of the marriage, then the man’s character is surely sound. Just be sure to ask around about his family’s elders. Don’t worry, whether your life is good or bad depends on how you manage it. But you must remember, a man’s words can be deceiving. Always be on your guard, no matter how well he treats you."
Watching Zhou Lian methodically give her sisters a lesson on marriage, her sister-in-law smiled. She had always known this sister-in-law of hers was more than met the eye.
"Remember, after you marry, avoid direct confrontations with your in-laws. If an issue arises, let your husband be the one to address it. No matter how serious it is, push him forward to handle it. They are his parents and siblings; you are, in the end, an outsider. The key is to manage your husband well. Make him understand that you and your future children are what’s most important—that your place in his life is irreplaceable."
"No matter how domineering he is to the outside world, he must be nothing but gentle and considerate to you. A good man will bring you a lifetime of happiness. But if he’s a bad sort, your life will be nothing but misery. For a woman, marriage is like a second birth. You don’t get to choose the first time, but the second one is up to you and the choices you make. You have to live your own life; no one can do it for you. Think about it carefully. Don’t be in a hurry. Take your time."
Seeing her sisters all lost in thought, Zhou Lian took a contented sip of her red date tea. ’In my past life, my sisters all had good lives,’ she thought. ’This time, I can help them do even better.’
Mrs. Zhou stared in shock at her poised and composed second daughter. Where was the simple, dutiful girl from before? Dressed in a khaki outfit and leather shoes, a pale-yellow scarf around her neck, her face was rosy and fair. Mrs. Zhou realized she hadn’t taken a proper look until now; the news of the pregnancy had completely occupied her thoughts from the moment her daughter walked in.
Now, looking closely, she realized her daughter, whom she hadn’t seen in just over three months, had completely transformed. She seemed taller and had filled out a little, carrying herself like a pampered lady from a wealthy family. Mrs. Zhou’s gaze fell on the hands Zhou Lian used to hold her cup, and she suddenly asked, "Besides your work for the production team, what do you do at home?"
Zhou Lian thought for a moment. "Not much, really. I read, and sometimes I’ll make lunch."
"Who washes the clothes?"
"Li Xiu."
"Who does the housework?"
"Li Xiu."
"Then what is it that you do?" Seeing Zhou Lian struggling to think of an answer, Mrs. Zhou looked at her daughter’s hands holding the cup. They were fair and delicate, showing none of the roughness they used to have from doing chores at home. Mrs. Zhou smiled. ’My son-in-law is a good man,’ she realized. ’He’s doting on my daughter like she’s a child!’
’I can finally set my worries aside. Of my five daughters, I was always most concerned about the second. She’s so dutiful and gentle, with such a kind heart—I was terrified she would marry the wrong man and be mistreated. Now, her husband pampers her so much she doesn’t have to lift a finger. If he’s still like this after the baby comes, everything will be perfect. And from the way things look now, the chances of him changing seem very slim.’
’I’ve already examined the gifts he brought. No other son-in-law brings so much. It’s not about the quantity, either. It’s a case of "love me, love my dog." A man who carries pickled plums just for his wife must care for her deeply. And my daughter is wearing new clothes and new shoes... a man who is willing to spend money on his wife like that must truly cherish her.’
Just as the women were chatting, Li Xiu came in from outside. He greeted Mrs. Zhou and the others before turning to Zhou Lian with a smile. "Wifey, are you tired? If you are, you should rest for a bit. Is it okay if I go out for a while with your big brother and the others?"
Zhou Lian saw the eager look on his face and knew he was up to no good. "What are you planning now?" she asked in an exasperated tone. "Taking my brother into the mountains?!"
Li Xiu crouched down in front of her, a placating smile on his face. "The wheat harvest is almost here," he whispered, trying to curry favor. "I just wanted to get some meat for Mom and Dad’s table. Dad already said it was okay."
"You already cleared it with Dad, so why bother asking me!" ’Acting first and reporting later,’ she fumed internally. ’That just makes it worse!’
Li Xiu grinned obsequiously. "That’s because I know my wife is magnanimous and reasonable. We won’t go deep into the mountains, just stick near the foothills. Please?"
Hearing his gentle, coaxing voice, Zhou Lian didn’t want to make him lose face in front of her family, so she nodded in agreement. "Don’t go deep into the mountains, and come back early. We still have to get home, you know!"
"Yes! You got it, Wifey! You just wait, your man is gonna go bag a wild boar for you!" he exclaimed, planting an excited kiss on her cheek. Noticing her expression sour, he finally remembered his mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and younger sisters-in-law were sitting right there. He scrambled to his feet, spun around, and fled.
Zhou Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she watched his frantic escape. Glancing at the barely suppressed smiles on her mother and sister-in-law’s faces, she felt mortified, her own cheeks flushing red. ’That shameless fool, he’s embarrassed me all the way to my family’s home!’
