Hung Hing felt relieved and left after a while.
A few days before the Lunar New Year, Jiang Wanqing and Mo Li returned to Xiyang Village, where Uncle Shuan picked them up.
"Uncle Shuan, your tractor is so convenient. Without you, it would be quite a hassle for us to get back to the village."
Molly also became familiar with Uncle Shuan and spoke freely, which made Uncle Shuan laugh out loud twice.
"Mo Zhiqing speaks so sweetly. If you come back with me, Wanqing's house will be very lively."
As he spoke, the corners of his mouth slowly turned down. He glanced at Jiang Wanqing, hesitated for a moment, and then asked a question.
"Wanqing, your man... isn't he with you?"
"He's gone on a mission."
"Oh, I see. I knew it. You two are newlyweds, there must be a special reason why you're spending the New Year apart."
Jiang Wanqing smiled and hummed in agreement.
When entering the village, Uncle Shuan didn't pass through the village entrance, but took a detour. Molly looked at the muddy path and exclaimed in surprise.
"Uncle, is something the matter? Why aren't you coming into the village?"
“You don’t understand. It’s the New Year, and there are plenty of people gossiping at the village entrance. If you two young girls pass by there, what will happen to your reputation? Besides, Wanqing is coming back alone. Who knows what those people will say? It’s okay to take a detour. It’ll be quiet.”
Uncle Shuan was very thoughtful, even considering this. The tractor became increasingly bumpy after turning onto the side road. Although Jiang Wanqing felt it was unnecessary, she still thanked him.
If others want to spread gossip, they don't need to go through the village entrance to spread it; the only difference is how fast it is.
Back at the front door, Uncle Shuan shouted into the yard, "Jianguo! Come out and see who's back!"
Hearing the commotion, the people inside came out to take a look. Jiang Jianguo was overjoyed to see that his daughter had returned and quickly called his wife out.
Jiang Xiu's mother, who was in the side courtyard, also peeked out and saw that Jiang Wanqing was alone. Only then did she dare to stand under the eaves.
"Oh, so that's who's back. Isn't this the traitor from the Jiang family? Why didn't your battalion commander come back with you? Don't tell me he's packed up and rolled back after only a few months of marriage."
She's been feeling incredibly stifled lately, and she's been taking every opportunity to vent her frustrations. Her daughter and son-in-law are both in jail, and now she and her husband are all alone with an old man to support. The villagers are pointing fingers at them, and they have no dignity whatsoever. They'd love for Jiang Wanqing to suffer along with them.
Xue He glared at her sister-in-law, then stepped forward, hugged her daughter, and patted her back.
"Don't listen to her rabid barking, let's go home."
Upon hearing her curse "mad dog," Jiang Xiu's mother immediately rolled up her sleeves as if possessed and rushed forward in a few steps.
"Xue He! Who are you calling a mad dog? I used to think you were a pretty honest person. What, now that you have a son-in-law who's an officer, you've started looking down on people? Don't forget who's responsible for my Xiu'er ending up like this! If you dare to spout any more nonsense, don't blame me for going all out with you. Anyway, I've given up all hope. Come on! Fight! Curse! Let's see who wins!"
The barefoot are not afraid of those wearing shoes. Jiang Wanqing could tell that the other party was looking for a way to vent his anger and was deliberately causing trouble. She immediately stepped in the middle and threw a rather intimidating glare at him.
"How about letting your family reunite in prison?"
"You...you slut! How dare you!"
"Tsk tsk, why don't you try it yourself? The whole family going to jail, just thinking about it is quite a spectacle, huh?" Molly added with her arms crossed and a sarcastic laugh.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiu's mother immediately stepped back, her legs trembling and staggering.
"What's all the noise about! Mom's coughing up blood again, hurry up and get here!"
Jiang Jianwei called out from inside, telling her to quickly make an excuse to go inside and avoid the limelight.
"You...you just wait! I'll let it slide today, but don't give me the chance!"
She pointed at Jiang Wanqing and said fiercely, then turned and slunk back into the house.
Jiang Jianguo sighed, "Let's go home and not argue with them."
“Let’s go in, Uncle,” Molly agreed.
Several villagers passing by looked inside upon hearing the commotion. Uncle Shuan slammed the door shut and shouted something to the outside.
"What are you looking at? Don't you have anything better to do? Get out of here!"
The villagers carrying hoes walked and cursed, but they didn't continue to watch over the Jiang family's door.
Back in the main house, Jiang Wanqing put down the New Year's goods she had bought in the city. Just as she was about to liven up the atmosphere, Xue He grabbed her hand, glanced outside the door, and only after confirming that no one was there did she quietly ask a question.
"Wanqing, tell me honestly, did you have a fight with Cheng Ran?"
"Mom, what are you thinking? I'm just coming back for the New Year as usual. Do you and Dad not want me to come back and keep you company now that I'm married?"
"What are you thinking about? Mom has something important to tell you."
Xue He glanced at her, not expecting her to brush it off with a laugh.
“Auntie, you’re really overthinking it. I can vouch for this. Battalion Commander Cheng went on a mission, so I told Wanqing, ‘Why don’t you take me home? We can spend the New Year with Uncle and Auntie, and I can also try Auntie’s cooking.’ And that’s how it is. Oh, we’re back.”
Molly's vivid description managed to make the stern-faced elder laugh, warming the atmosphere and ending the questioning.
The family had a lively meal together, and in the evening Molly returned to the educated youth's residence to rest.
Jiang Wanqing was half asleep when someone patted her on the shoulder in the middle of the night.
"Mom knows you're not asleep. You don't need to open your eyes. Mom will just say a few words and then leave."
She almost held her breath, then slowly calmed down and listened quietly to her mother speak.
“Your marriage to Cheng Ran was rushed. I was always worried that the disparity in your social status would eventually lead to an end. But when he came to our house last time, I saw how protective he was of you. There is no such thing as a perfect relationship in the world. Everyone just makes do. As long as he cares about you, there is no obstacle that we can’t overcome.”
Her mother didn't say that when she was with Yuan Zhong in her past life...
Jiang Wanqing tried to hold back, but couldn't resist. She turned around and opened her eyes.
"Mom, to tell you the truth, Cheng Ran went back to Beijing to spend the New Year with his parents. We have no conflict at all. Now you can stop imagining things, right?"
She felt helpless. Both of her previous marriages had caused her parents a lot of worry. Oh no, in her previous life, she didn't get married... she was practically throwing herself at the problem. So in this life, she was thinking more about herself.
Xue He tapped her forehead: "Finally, you're telling the truth. In the end, there's still a problem between you two."
"No, there really isn't..."
Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Wanqing's face was lifted up. Her mother's hands were rough but warm, gently comforting her as she had when she was a child.
"What Mom said just now wasn't entirely true. Now Mom is telling you seriously, my daughter is very capable and outstanding. No matter how good Cheng Ran is, Wanqing is worthy of him."
"mom……"
A warm feeling welled up in her heart, and Jiang Wanqing sat up halfway and hugged her mother's waist, rubbing her against her chest.
"Why are you being so sentimental? Your daughter will make a name for herself in Beijing through her own efforts sooner or later. Just you wait."
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