Chapter 29: Disdain!

TL: Etude

A cold gaze shifted from Chen Jianghai's figure as his mother-in-law, Xue Chunli, stood up and waved at Lin Wanqiu, calling out, "Wanqiu is back, come let Mom have a look."

As for her father, Lin Jianguo, he hadn't glanced at Chen Jianghai from beginning to end, treating him as if he were invisible.

"It's good that you're back."

Looking at his younger daughter approaching, Lin Jianguo's face revealed a trace of a smile. His gaze, filled with the distinctive indulgence of a father, lingered on her.

No matter how old their children are, they always remain children in the eyes of their parents.

Lin Wanqiu hurriedly gave Chen Jianghai a knowing look and smiled, "Dad, Mom, Jianghai has brought you gifts."

Chen Jianghai promptly presented the tobacco, alcohol, and fabric he had brought to his in-laws, but they did not reach out to receive them.

Chen Jianghai didn't feel embarrassed by this scene, but Lin Wanqiu did feel somewhat uncomfortable.

After all, her parents simply did not think highly of Chen Jianghai.

"Dad! Mom!"

Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but call out, her eyes pleading as she looked at her parents.

Xue Chunli, after all, was a woman, and her heart softened when she saw her daughter, so she took the gifts.

Lin Jianguo's eyes widened, and he let out a cold snort, clearly displeased.

Just as he was about to say something, Xue Chunli turned and gave him a look.

Lin Jianguo's body tensed, and he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, closing his mouth in discontent, not daring to say more.

Had the atmosphere not been so tense, Chen Jianghai would have definitely laughed out loud.

His father-in-law was a true example of a man ruled by his wife.

Despite his usual tough demeanor outside, where his voice could be quite loud, at home, he was like a small cat.

Just one look from his mother-in-law, and he would tremble, not to mention contradict her.

Seeing this, Lin Wanqiu couldn't help but laugh, earning herself a fierce glare from Lin Jianguo.

"Why did you buy so much stuff?"

Xue Chunli opened the bag and frowned, her eyes full of worry as she looked at her daughter, "My child, these things aren't cheap. How much money did you borrow?"

With this remark, Lin Jianguo finally found an opportunity to speak up.

He glared at Chen Jianghai with an air of paternal authority, "Tell me, you loaf around at home all day without making money. When you come back home, you just cause trouble. Borrowing money to buy things? Doing this, the one who ends up suffering is still my daughter!"

On this matter, the couple was undoubtedly united, sharing a common enemy in their glare at Chen Jianghai.

Their demeanor was as if they wished they could tie Chen Jianghai up and beat him to relieve their anger.

Chen Jianghai was momentarily at a loss for words.

However, considering that his in-laws had his wife's best interests at heart, he decided not to hold it against them.

Lin Wanqiu quickly explained, "Dad, Mom, the money for the shopping was earned by Jianghai himself, it wasn't borrowed."

Lin Jianguo clearly didn't believe her, his mouth twisted in disdain, his gaze filled with contempt, "Him, earn money? I think he's just daydreaming, a complete waste! Acting rich while being broke!"

Xue Chunli gave Chen Jianghai a disgusted glance and then got up to busy herself in the kitchen.

Lin Wanqiu bit her lip and looked at Chen Jianghai with eyes full of apology.

Chen Jianghai shook his head with a smile, signaling her not to worry.

Just as Lin Wanqiu was about to say something, she was called away by her mother.

"Wanqiu, come help me in the kitchen."

Xue Chunli gave Lin Wanqiu a meaningful look and beckoned to her.

"Jianghai, you sit here; I'll go help," Lin Wanqiu said to Chen Jianghai with a hint of apology in her soft voice.

"Do you want me to go?" Chen Jianghai asked with a smile.

"No need, you... take a rest."

Lin Wanqiu quickly declined, casting a swift glance at her father.

It might be better for Chen Jianghai to sit in the yard with her father.

If he went to the kitchen, Xue Chunli would surely not stop nagging.

Not even Chen Jianghai could bear it, let alone his daughter.

Lin Wanqiu had temporarily left, leaving Chen Jianghai without much common ground to share with his father-in-law.

He hadn't even managed to take a sip of water up to this point.

Of course, none of this concerned him; instead, his gaze fell on the furnishings of Lin Wanqiu's home.

However, after only a glance, he lost interest.

The home could only be described as empty and dilapidated.

In those days, Lin Jianguo's serious illness had drained all the family's savings.

Had it not been for the sizable dowry from Chen Jianghai's family, Lin Jianguo would not have made it through.

It was precisely for this reason that the grateful Lin Wanqiu remained wholeheartedly devoted to Chen Jianghai.

Otherwise, given Chen Jianghai's past actions, there was no way he could have married a beautiful wife like Lin Wanqiu.

Seeing Chen Jianghai looking around but ignoring him, Lin Jianguo said irritably, "What are you looking at? Get moving and help clean the yard!"

In truth, when Lin Jianguo said this, he had no expectation of Chen Jianghai actually cleaning.

He simply didn't want to see Chen Jianghai, or perhaps he wanted to put him in his place.

In Lin Jianguo's view, a significant reason for his daughter's current hardships was his own burden on her.

Unexpectedly, Chen Jianghai simply smiled, then picked up a broom and started to sweep the yard earnestly.

When Lin Wanqiu passed away, the grief of the elderly couple was devastating, and Chen Jianghai saw it all.

Despite their petty ways, their nature was very kind-hearted.

Their dissatisfaction with their son-in-law stemmed entirely from his poor treatment of their daughter.

In this lifetime, Chen Jianghai naturally wouldn't fuss over these matters.

On the contrary, he had decided to take good care of the elderly couple, so Lin Wanqiu would no longer have to worry about them from now on.

To make a virtuous and kind woman like Lin Wanqiu feel happy, money alone was far from enough.

For Lin Wanqiu, love and family affection were the indispensable elements of happiness.

Lin Jianguo watched in disbelief for a while, then muttered to himself, "Has the lad taken the wrong medicine?"

He was tempted to ask Lin Wanqiu in the kitchen what was going on.

Just as he thought of getting up, Lin Jianguo pondered, perhaps Chen Jianghai was just putting on an act?

He then sat up straight, eyes firmly fixed on Chen Jianghai.

He wanted to see just how long Chen Jianghai could keep up the act.

In the kitchen, the mother and daughter began to busy themselves with preparing lunch.

"Mom, when will sister arrive?" Lin Wanqiu asked while washing vegetables.

"She'll be here before lunch!"

Xue Chunli continued her work without pausing, letting out a sigh, "Ah, your sister has a good fate, found a good husband, they're not lacking money, and he treats her well. You, on the other hand, have had a bit of a harder life."

Hearing Xue Chunli say this, Lin Wanqiu paused for a moment before resuming her work.

"Mom, Jianghai has started to earn money now, and he treats me well, too. Our days will get better."

As Lin Wanqiu said this, a happy smile appeared on her face.

Xue Chunli, with her back to Lin Wanqiu, did not see the smile on her daughter's face and thought her daughter was just being stubborn in front of her mother.