Spicy Daughter-in-Law and Evil Mother-in-Law's Meeting Gift
Steaming sweet potatoes, mouthwatering meat buns, and perfectly colored tea eggs hung from the handlebars.
Lin Shaocheng's long legs moved swiftly as he opened the door to his home. His neighbors from the machinery factory downstairs were still asleep. He tiptoed up the stairs.
At the dinner table, milk, soy milk, and fermented bean juice were placed according to each person's position. Steamed buns, tea eggs, and fried dough sticks were placed in easily accessible locations. Then, I went into the kitchen to make a simple sandwich.
Lin Yicheng put the things away and got down, looking surprised, and asked, "Big brother, why are you back so early?"
Mr. and Mrs. Lin helped Mr. Lin down the stairs. The old man shook off their hands and walked down slowly with a swagger. He had a ruddy complexion and bright eyes.
Grandpa Lin sat in the main seat, and the table was neatly set with food. He said, "Shaocheng is so considerate. Sit down and eat."
Everyone took their seats, and the only sounds were the clinking of bowls and chopsticks on the table. No one at the table made eye contact with each other. Downstairs, there was a clattering and banging, with children yelling and shouting, and the aroma of rice porridge wafting up.
Lin's mother's brow furrowed further. She took a bite of her sandwich, tossed it onto her plate, took a small sip of milk, and muttered, "They have no manners at all. They're so noisy this morning. When are they going to move out?"
Lin's father put down the soy milk he had finished drinking and said, "With so few housing allocation slots available now, it seems like it's going to be a long time coming."
Lin Yicheng wiped his mouth clean and said confidently, "Once I enter the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, I can move out after a few years when I'm allocated a room."
Lin's mother was unhappy, though she didn't show it on her face. This house originally belonged to her family. Now that they had finally gotten through the hard times, her father-in-law had taken it back by his own abilities, and now other people were going to live in the house. She even refused the pigeon coop that had been allocated to her.
Facing her beloved youngest son, Lin's mother still said, "Then I'll wait to enjoy the blessings of my youngest son."
The atmosphere at the table became cheerful for a moment. Lin Shaocheng put down his spoon. He had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and said, "I'm married."
Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, the thoughts of the people at the table froze, like a television without a signal.
Lin Shaocheng's face remained as cold as ever. No one cared about his emotions at home. He calmly said, "I got married a few months ago."
Lin Yicheng was the first to react, "Brother, who is it? Is it your high school classmate, the one named Su Li, or one of your colleagues? Why didn't you tell us? We haven't seen you get your marriage certificate."
Lin's mother stood up abruptly, knocking over the milk which spilled onto the table. Her face contorted in pain, losing her usual composure and elegance, as she demanded, "You don't even have a household registration certificate, how did you get married, and who did you marry?"
Lin's father laughed and said, "Eldest son, what kind of trouble are you causing? You've scared your mother."
Grandpa Lin plucked a white beard hair from his head, which he cherished most. He looked his eldest grandson up and down with his eyes, asking, "What's his family background? Are they from Beijing?"
Lin Shaocheng calmly replied, "Not from Beijing, but from the mountains of Chongchuan, from generations of poor farmers."
Both of Lin's parents looked displeased, and his younger brother, Lin Yicheng, was even more incredulous. Only Lin's grandfather nodded.
Although times have changed, having such a daughter-in-law is still a guarantee. Grandpa Lin replied, "Since the deed is done, take her home to live tomorrow and don't let her affect our reputation outside."
Lin's father looked on in disbelief and said, "Shaocheng is the eldest son and grandson, how can he marry a country bumpkin?"
Lin's mother also said, "I don't agree. Lin Shaocheng, you've grown too big for your britches. You didn't even tell the family you were getting married. I still want Miss Liu to go on a blind date with you."
Lin Shaocheng ignored his parents' hysteria. With his grandfather there, as long as his grandfather agreed, other people's opinions didn't matter. "Okay, Grandpa, I'm going to work now."
He put on his coat and left the dining room without looking back.
Lin's mother straightened her chest, her beautiful eyes filled with tears as she looked at Lin's father. Lin's father quickly stepped forward and half-embraced Lin's mother, whispering, "Wait until he comes back, and see how I teach him a lesson."
Lin's mother nestled in Lin's father's arms, saying, "I've already spoken to Miss Liu. Now I'll save face for her."
Lin Yicheng stood up. "I'll just tell Liu Gaoyang and have him tell his sister. It's no big deal."
Lin's mother was satisfied and smiled, "My Yicheng is the best. He's promising and sensible, much better than your eldest brother."
After finishing the last sip of soy milk, Grandpa Lin said, "Alright, those who need to go to school should go to school, and those who need to go to work should go to work. Xiuli, tidy up the house, your granddaughter-in-law is coming tomorrow."
On both sides, Li Guorong wore a red floral shirt and a black skirt. He combed his bangs, applied lipstick, carried a pink bag, put his tickets and money in, and patted the bag.
Li Guorong was going to the state-run store to buy some gifts for her first meeting with her mother-in-law. She had never met her parents-in-law in her previous life, and she was looking forward to it.
As soon as she stepped outside, her neighbor's door opened, and a girl with a pink top, black pants, two shiny black braids, and smiling eyes came out. She greeted her, saying, "You must be Sister Rong. My name is Li Jiaoniang, and I live next door. I heard yesterday that you were going shopping. I know best where the goods are of good quality, and I'm also quite familiar with Engineer Lin's family. Why don't I take you there?"
Li Guorong originally wanted to go alone, but the beautiful woman said she was quite familiar with Shaocheng's family, which made her a little concerned. She replied, "Alright then."
Li Jiaoniang smiled on the surface, but she was furious inside. The village girl who had been thin and short for several months was now plump and strong, and even Brother Lin looked much more haggard. All the good food had been eaten by this shameless woman.
Li Guorong, thinking he was being nonchalant, asked, "What is your relationship with Shaocheng?"
Li Jiaoniang teased, "What are you worried about? Engineer Lin is a good man. I'm his mother's student, which is why I'm familiar with his family."
Li Guorong breathed a sigh of relief. So they weren't classmates, but rather brother and sister. She touched her nose and asked, "How is Shaocheng's family?"
Li Jiaoniang replied, "Lin Gong's parents are both open-minded and educated people who never make things difficult for others. His younger brother also respects his older brother. Most importantly, his grandfather is there to keep things in order, and the whole family lives in harmony."
Upon hearing this, Li Guorong pursed his lips. It seemed that Li Jiaoniang was not familiar with Lin Shaocheng and did not know that Lin Shaocheng's family treated him badly. Only then did he truly feel relieved.
The two entered the Friendship Store, which was bustling with people, mostly in the food section, with few people in the remaining areas.
Li Jiaoniang asked, "What are you planning to buy?"
Li Guorong replied, "Just buying some fabrics and snacks will do. Lin Shaocheng said yesterday that he was planning to buy something casually."
Li Jiaoniang frowned slightly and bit her lip, as if she had something to say.
Li Guorong asked, "Is there something wrong?"
Li Jiaoniang said, "Sister, you are from out of town, which already makes us a bit xenophobic. If we buy some ordinary gifts, I'm afraid it will be inappropriate."
Li Guorong felt a chill in his heart. His wife was from out of town and had married into the city, so he had to give her something good. Otherwise, it would seem like he was clinging to Lin Shaocheng and sucking his blood.
She looked up at the batches of fabrics on the wall, all different colors. The ones that attracted her the most were a red fabric with gold-trimmed peonies and a rose-red woolen fabric. She said to the shop assistant, "Bring those two down for me."
Li Jiaoniang grinned as she looked at the two bolts of cloth Rong had chosen. "So tacky, so incredibly tacky!" she thought. "They're so beautiful, Sister Rong! You have such good taste!"
Li Guorong loved vibrant colors the most, so she naturally spotted these two horses at a glance. She was even happier to hear Li Jiaoniang's confirmation.
Thinking of Lin Shaocheng's floral shirt, and assuming that Lin's mother also liked lively things, she still asked with some concern, "Will Lin Shaocheng's parents like this?" Li Jiaoniang nodded affirmatively.
The two then went to the pastry section and bought a box of Daoxiangcun pastries. Finally, they also bought a few bundles of yarn, including red, green, and yellow ones, but only one bundle of black yarn.
As they approached the door, a red lacquered jewelry box caught Li Guorong's attention, adorned with magnolia flowers inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Li Jiaoniang exclaimed, "This box is so beautiful! Teacher loves magnolia flowers the most!"
Li Guorong waved his hand and said, "Buy."
Li Guorong carried large and small bags, having spent a considerable amount of money, but felt much more at ease. These things were enough for her family to eat rice and meat for several months, so how could Lin Shaocheng's parents not be satisfied?
Li Jiaoniang's eyes were smiling this time, and she walked much more lightly. She didn't expect things to be so simple. She didn't even have to lift a finger, and the matter was completed. The lacquer box she had bought for Li Guorong was really mismatched.
Brother Lin's family is so well-off, mainly because he is capable. Although he has no talent in medicine, he can drive a big truck and transport goods all over the country. He can carry enough food and supplies for a month with just a little bit of stuff, which allows him to raise this village girl to be extravagant.
A beam of flashlight shone into the dark corridor. Lin Shaocheng held the gifts he would take home tomorrow. He had been working overtime until now, and it was already dark, because he had to take inventory of the medicinal herbs in the warehouse.
He gently opened the door. Inside, only Li Guorong's soft breathing could be heard. He didn't turn on the light, but entered the room with a flashlight in his hand. There were some things on the table.
He took out a flashlight, which contained some snacks and gift boxes, probably in preparation for tomorrow. He gently opened a corner of the outer box, and Li Guorong turned over and made an ambiguous sound.
Lin Shaocheng had no choice but to give up, put down the gifts, and took the washbasin and toiletries to the water room.
When he opened his eyes again, it was already dawn. Li Guorong was trying on dresses in front of the full-length mirror he had just bought, putting each dress on a chair after trying them on.
Li Guorong, his face slightly sweaty, said anxiously, "Which one do you think I should wear?"
Lin Shaocheng wore a blue shirt, black trousers, and a modified Zhongshan suit jacket, which made him look mature and steady.
He stepped forward, pulled out a pale yellow polyester dress from inside, and Li Guorong took it, held it up against himself, and said, "It makes me look too dark."
Lin Shaocheng pulled out a cherry blossom pink dress, and Li Guorong compared it to his own, frowning and saying, "It makes me look pale."
After saying that, her eyes lit up, and she took out the red polka dot dress that Lin Shaocheng had bought for her a couple of days ago. She looked at Lin Shaocheng with sparkling eyes, but Lin Shaocheng shook his head.
Li Guorong pouted in dissatisfaction, "The bride should wear red, and the polka dots on it are blue, which matches your dress perfectly."
Lin Shaocheng was speechless. It seemed that he couldn't leave the house today if she didn't wear this dress. He could only nod. Anyway, his parents would never be satisfied, so it didn't matter what she wore.
Li Guorong was applying makeup when time flew by. She glanced at her watch and exclaimed, "It's too late!" With that, she grabbed Lin Shaocheng, who was carrying a pile of things on the table, and the two of them rode their bicycles toward the small building.
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