Chapter 11: Ox Cart
“No wonder my sister insisted on marrying this pretty boy…”
“Do you think living in a place like this gives you any dignity?” Lin Pingyuan snorted angrily. “Now you want to go out doing business, and your husband isn’t exactly hardworking either. What about my nephew? Are you both going to neglect the child again? If you come back with me, at least your sister-in-law can help take care of Miao Ge’er!”
“What’s so difficult about that? I’ll just bring my son along,” Lin Guilan said with complete nonchalance. “Brother, I’m not a child anymore. I can take good care of Miao Ge’er.”
“Nonsense!” Lin Pingyuan finally lost his patience, reaching out to tap Lin Guilan’s forehead. “You used to be so clever, but ever since you married, you’ve become more and more foolish. It’s scorching hot outside—bringing Miao Ge’er along would just be tormenting him! Sometimes I really want to crack open your head and see what nonsense you’ve got stuffed in there.”
“I wasn’t aware of your arrival, Brother-in-law. I rose late—please forgive my discourtesy.”
A voice as soothing as Fuyun Lanyue spoke these words. Jiang Qingshi, now fully dressed, emerged gracefully from the inner room. Though Lin Pingyuan’s expression remained stern, Jiang Qingshi maintained his gentle and elegant smile.
“I’m sure Miao Ge’er is delighted to see you too. Look how happily he’s smiling in your arms.”
“Hah, your sweet talk won’t work on me,” Lin Pingyuan retorted disdainfully, snorting through his nose. “My foolish sister might fall for your smooth words, but I won’t be softened so easily. Don’t think you can win me over with flattery.”
Lin Guilan felt her brother had gone too far and glanced worriedly at Jiang Qingshi. She knew her brother was fundamentally good-hearted and never meant any harm. Yet his blunt nature often worked against him—though kind at heart, his words always came out harsh and unpleasant. Precisely because she understood this temperament, Lin Guilan usually avoided letting him meet with Jiang Qingshi, fearing he might say something offensive again.
It wasn’t that she blindly favored Jiang Qingshi over the brother who’d worked hard to raise her. Rather, she felt torn between them. Not being particularly clever herself, she found it easier to minimize their interactions to prevent conflicts altogether—after all, she couldn’t think of any better solution.
“Brother, please stop…”
“Everything you say is right, Brother-in-law.” Instead of taking offense, Jiang Qingshi looked seriously at Lin Pingyuan. “I truly lack capability at present—Guilan has to manage everything in the household. It’s only proper for you to admonish me. I understand you’re just concerned for your sister. Since her marriage, her life hasn’t been as comfortable as in her maiden home—that is indeed my failure.”
Though a rough man, Lin Pingyuan had only meant to voice some grievances for his sister’s sake. He didn’t dare go too far, since ultimately his sister had to live with Jiang Qingshi. If he truly offended Jiang Qingshi, wouldn’t his sister be the one suffering in the middle?
He never expected Jiang Qingshi to respond like this. Seeing Jiang Qingshi’s solemn expression that showed no pretense, paired with that moonlit-breeze handsome face, Lin Pingyuan actually started feeling like the villain himself.
No wonder his sister had been determined to marry this pretty boy—that face really did… make it hard to stay harsh.
“Alright, I’ll be watching your performance.”
Lin Pingyuan somewhat awkwardly averted his gaze, beginning to question himself inwardly: Had he been too harsh just now?
“I didn’t come today specifically to scold you. Firstly, I wanted to see Miao Ge’er.” Lin Pingyuan’s eyes softened with tenderness when they turned to Jiang Zhimiao. “Secondly, I heard my silly younger sister wants to start a small business, so I brought her some supplies.”
Seeing that her brother had stopped reprimanding her husband, Lin Guilan breathed a heavy sigh of relief and smiled at Jiang Qingshi. “Husband, the day before yesterday I sent word to my brother asking for some ice from the ice cellar. If we want to make summer tea drinks, ice is absolutely essential.”
Jiang Qingshi nodded
“Liu Laosan came to your Xichun Town for business today. I’ve already made arrangements with him earlier to give me a ride back later.” Lin Pingyuan glanced at his younger sister, a faint trace of heartache in his eyes. “I’ve thought everything through beforehand, unlike you who acts so recklessly without considering the consequences… I should hurry over now. It’s not exactly a short distance from here to Xichun Town! It’s just that I can’t bear to part with my dear nephew…”
Lin Pingyuan lifted Jiang Zhimiao up, gazing at this soft, delicate little child, feeling utterly reluctant to let go.
“Miao Ge’er is truly beautiful. I’ve never seen such a lovely baby. When the children heard I was coming to your place today, both Zhou Ge’er and Zhi Jie’er insisted on coming along. But thinking they’d just be burdens, I left them behind! Zhi Jie’er was fine, but when I left, I saw Zhou Ge’er starting to wipe tears – that boy is quite effeminate, lacking any masculine spirit…”
Lin Pingyuan suddenly stopped speaking. Would his delicate brother-in-law think he was referring to him?
Lin Guilan didn’t overthink it. Hearing Lin Pingyuan’s words, she also felt sympathetic: “It has been a while since we’ve seen Zhou Ge’er and Yi Jie’er. Tomorrow, their aunt will bring Miao Ge’er to visit them.”
“Don’t trouble yourself! Those two are nothing but trouble!” Lin Pingyuan quickly shook his head. “Miao Ge’er is delicate. Don’t exhaust him. Next time you miss them, I’ll find time to bring them over! Alright, little sister, your brother must go now, or I’ll miss Liu Laosan’s cart!”
Author’s Note:
Early update today [dog head]