"Well, it's nothing. I just accidentally got it on my mother-in-law when I went to visit Comrade Qin Nian. Speaking of family compounds, Comrade Qin Nian is the most fortunate."
"Is that Researcher Qin? Her mother-in-law is here? Wasn't her husband supposed to be away on a mission?"
Sister-in-law Li stopped washing things and asked curiously, and the other family members couldn't help but prick up their ears in curiosity as well.
"Yes, we specially arranged for someone to take care of Comrade Qin Nian. When I arrived, Comrade Qin Nian's mother-in-law was washing her clothes. Oh dear, I think I said the wrong thing. Well, please don't tell anyone, sisters-in-law. Just pretend you didn't hear anything. I'm going back to change my clothes. I have something to do."
Yi Mengling seemed to only then realize what was happening, and hurriedly waved her hand and left.
A group of daughters-in-law in the family compound were shocked, while a group of mothers-in-law frowned.
"This researcher, Qin, seems so gentle and mild-mannered, but I never expected her to be so capable. She just got married and she already has her husband's mother serving him, doing his laundry and cooking for him. I never would have guessed."
"Who says otherwise? But Researcher Qin is good-looking, and men like that kind of woman. It's normal for them to fawn over her. We're old and past our prime, how can we compare to her? She's the student of the institute's director."
A group of young wives felt a pang of sadness and heartache.
"She has no sense of being a virtuous and gentle daughter-in-law. What kind of junior asks her elders to wash her clothes? She is truly unfilial. Her husband is not around, yet she orders her mother-in-law to do chores. Is she just taking advantage of her status and thinking that her mother-in-law is a country bumpkin and looking down on her?"
Yi Mengling's apartment was on the fifth floor. She wasn't married yet, and the fifth floor was a single-person dormitory. On her way up from the first floor to the fifth floor, Yi Mengling accidentally bumped into three people.
When others ask her why she's in such a hurry, she says she accidentally said something wrong. If pressed further, she seems reluctant to answer, which only fuels people's curiosity. She tells them not to ask anymore, but she doesn't budge an inch.
"I just saw Comrade Qin Nian's mother-in-law washing clothes for Qin Nian. Perhaps Comrade Qin Nian's mother-in-law is a diligent person, so... please don't misunderstand, I just said don't ask anymore, I have to go back."
And so, the news that Qin Nian had asked her mother-in-law to wash her clothes spread throughout the tenement building within half a day.
When everyone came home from work at night to rest, they were forced to listen to some gossip. Some people took it to heart, while others fell asleep while listening, snoring loudly.
Of course, there were also those who thought it was impossible, but when they saw Qin Nian the next day, they couldn't help but linger for a while longer.
Qin Nian was oblivious, her mind preoccupied with calculations, and she didn't even bother to eat lunch, just grabbing a few bites.
Qin Nian always returned home late at night. On the small stool in front of the door were clean clothes that smelled of sunshine, food on the stove, and hot water in the pot.
Qin Nian finished everything quietly and fell into a deep sleep. Three days passed in this busy state until Qin Nian finally had time to go to the cafeteria to get food. She thought of bringing some meat and vegetables back to her mother-in-law, since the monthly meat ration coupons were limited and her mother-in-law was afraid she wouldn't be willing to eat them at home.
"Xiao Nian, come here for a moment."
"Teacher's wife."
Qin Nian took the lunchbox and hurried over.
"Sit here with your teacher's wife and eat together."
Professor Wen, Qin Nian's mentor's wife, also works at the research institute; the couple have different research interests.
"Okay, I ordered a lot of food today, so please join us, Mrs. Teacher."
Qin Nian didn't think much of it and went over with the food.
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