Back home, Chen Xian felt awkward. A perfectly good young woman had married a widower and had a bunch of teenagers. Although he was secretly thrilled, once the excitement faded, he was left with a deep sense of moral constraint.
The values of modern education clash sharply with those of ancient education.
I'm mentally exhausted.
The Chen family children would steal glances at the girl lagging behind from time to time, feeling a bit envious.
The Chen family's courtyard was secluded. When everyone returned to the courtyard, the sound of chopping wood came from the kitchen.
The young woman forced a smile: "Dad, you're back. Quickly wash your hands and eat."
The woman's name was Shen Cuihua. She was a girl from the next village. She was pretty and was the wife of the eldest son.
Seeing the other party's timid and hesitant demeanor, it was clear that the original owner of this body had often scolded him.
At eighteen years old, he looked exhausted, with chapped lips, patched clothes, and straw sandals on his feet.
Chen Dazhu will give a quiet introduction.
"These two will be our mothers from now on."
"ah?"
Cuihua was confused, seeing that the other person was only a few years older than her.
Chen Dazhu tugged at the other person's clothes and whispered, "From now on, I'll tell you to cook first."
The Su sisters looked at the dilapidated courtyard, where a few foxtail grasses still grew on the wall and a persimmon tree stood in the yard.
Three mud-brick houses.
Chen Xian was somewhat worried.
The eldest son got married and occupied one room, the kitchen occupied another, and the remaining communal bed was shared by the father and his children.
Now the government has given them two wives, and these two women and their child are crammed into the shop. What a mess!
Besides, my two daughters are grown up, and I also have two sons.
I must earn money to build a house.
It still has to be a house with blue bricks and large tiles!
My stomach started rumbling.
Where does the money come from?
Su Shuang felt uneasy and whispered, "Sister, where are we sleeping tonight?"
The girl blushed slightly, looking a little embarrassed.
Unsettled, still a young girl, she lamented her bitter fate.
In the dilapidated courtyard, a gust of wind blew, and the gate, which was probably older than itself, made a loud clanging sound. Right now, it was just like jumping from one fire pit to another.
My nose is stinging, and tears are about to fall.
Su Liniang's face was resolute as she scolded in a low voice, "Sister, our statuses have changed. Put away your childish thoughts. Right now, it's already a blessing that we can have a corner of the roof to shelter us from the rain."
Seeing the two whispering to each other, Chen Xian knew an awkward atmosphere was spreading, and now it was up to him to handle the situation.
"Yes, children, come here..."
Several children gathered around, feeling quite strange, as if they were being summoned like monkeys on Flower Fruit Mountain.
"Yes, it's the government's rule, so I have to do it this way. I know you feel awkward. In the past, when a few more people joined the family, according to the rules, you can call Li Niang Aunt Li and Shuang Shuang Aunt Shuang."
"Li Niang, this is my eldest daughter-in-law, Cuihua. These ladies are Dazhu, Erzhu, Sanniu, and Siniu."
The group exchanged awkward greetings.
Chen Xian: "With the addition of a new member to the family, there aren't enough rooms to sleep in. At night, the eldest daughter-in-law sleeps with Liniang, Shuangshuang, Sanniu, and Siniu; the three of you and I will sleep in the main room."
The Su sisters breathed a sigh of relief.
Although she had agreed to marry Chen Xian, it was their first meeting and she wasn't mentally prepared.
We need a little more time to adjust.
San Niu blinked her adorable big eyes and asked, "Dad, didn't our whole family used to sleep on a shared bed?"
Chen Xian got stuck.
How should I talk to the girl about this?
Chen Erzhu patted the little girl's head, "San Niu, are you stupid? Dad is already married, so naturally he sleeps with his aunt. What would it look like if he slept with us too?"
Si Niu: "Isn't it the same if Auntie sleeps with us?"
The little girl couldn't change her mindset immediately.
Chen Erzhu's face darkened, and he said bluntly, "Silly girl, after you get married, your father and aunt will naturally live in a separate room, just like your older brother and sister-in-law, understand? You little idiot."
San Niu: "Brother, they're concubines!"
Chen Xian found the Su sisters and quietly reassured them: "Don't worry, living in thatched houses is temporary. In less than six months, you'll each have your own room. Just make do for now."
His words were natural, seemingly ordinary, but due to the gossip and rumors surrounding him, they were a special explanation for Chen Xian.
Su Liniang was also very relieved.
Perhaps... marrying him would be the best match.
After Chen Xian left, Su Liniang said to Su Shuangshuang, "Sister, you've heard about our husband's reputation on the road, haven't you?"
"Hmm, it doesn't seem very good."
Su Liniang smiled and said, "It's not just bad, it's clearly slander."
“My father told me that to judge a person’s character, you shouldn’t look at what they say, but at what they do. People say we mistreat the children, but look, my husband specially explained things to the children for our sake. Doesn’t that prove the point?”
"At least, my husband cares about the children's opinions, so he can be considered a qualified father."
"Furthermore, the fact that my husband specifically arranged for Cuihua to sleep with us shows that he cares about our feelings, doesn't it?"
She had mentally prepared herself before coming.
She got married, consummated her marriage, and did housework all in one day.
She paused, then continued, "I've known my appearance since I was a child, so I'm particularly sensitive to the gazes of those around me, especially men..."
Su Shuangshuang belatedly realized, tilting her head, "Yes, yes, he spoke to us with composure and grace, not the frivolous and dissolute type, unlike those good-for-nothings in the village."
Su Liniang smiled and looked at the man, "Our husband is truly... a gentleman."
In the kitchen, Chen Cuihua was busy working.
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