Chapter 7: House Repair

“You can always express your emotions freely before me…”

“Tsk tsk tsk, what nonsense am I saying.” Lin Guilan glanced awkwardly at Jiang Qingshi, “Husband, I’ve always been clumsy with words and often speak inappropriately. If I ever say anything wrong, you must tell me.”

Jiang Qingshi forced a smile: “Not at all, wife. I understand how you feel. No matter what, our family’s peace and well-being are what matter most.”

“That’s right,” Lin Guilan also smiled, “Husband, I’m not afraid of living a hard life. When my brother and I started the tofu shop, it wasn’t easy either. As long as I’m with you and Miao Ge’er, I’m not afraid of any hardship!”

With the atmosphere building like this, Jiang Zhimiao felt that as a family member, he had the obligation to join in. He waved his little arms in agreement: Yes! As long as the family stays together, no obstacle is too great to overcome!

“Husband!” Lin Guilan exclaimed in surprise, “Look at Miao Ge’er! Does he understand what we’re saying?”

Jiang Qingshi also seemed astonished: “Perhaps. Previously, Miao Ge’er’s illness delayed his walking and literacy. Now that we’re living independently, we must properly educate him and not let him fall behind other children.”

“Mm.” Lin Guilan knew her husband had always been strict. Although she doted on Miao Ge’er, she deferred to her husband in important matters. “I’ll follow your decisions in everything.”

Jiang Zhimiao felt extremely pleased. After all, he possessed an adult soul who had already experienced walking and talking—how could these things possibly challenge him? Having moved away from the Jiang Family, everything would now enter easy mode!

Fifteen minutes later, Jiang Zhimiao realized he had spoken too soon.

The uneven dirt ground, the tiled house with half its roof collapsed, the torn window paper fluttering in the wind… This was like starting a clan from scratch in a primitive society simulation game!

Seeing this scene, Lin Guilan turned to Jiang Qingshi with a gentle smile.

“Husband, this place is much better than I imagined! Well… the environment is elegant and quiet!”

Oh mother, you’re really… quite lovesick, aren’t you?

Jiang Zhimiao made a sorrowful face with his wrinkled baby features. That wicked woman had been right—it seemed he really would be sleeping on the streets tonight! What difference did it make whether this house existed or not?

“But… husband,” Lin Guilan glanced at Jiang Zhimiao in her arms, “repairing this house with just the two of us… won’t be easy. Besides, we need to look after Miao Ge’er too. We definitely can’t finish the repairs today! We need to find somewhere to sleep tonight.”

“Brother Jiang! Sister-in-law!”

Just as Lin Guilan finished speaking, a young man’s voice called from behind them. Turning in surprise, she saw several sun-tanned youths in short jackets approaching, carrying wood and stone materials.

“Brother Jiang told the truth—you really did arrive here right on time!”

“The Jiang Family considered me a burden and asked me to move out with my wife and child.” Jiang Qingshi smiled modestly and cupped his hands toward the young men. “I’ll have to trouble you brothers to help me make this dilapidated house barely habitable.”

“Brother Jiang, there’s no need for such courtesy,” the leading young man laughed heartily. “You helped me so much before, saving my family’s hard work from being swindled by those unscrupulous merchants. You even lent me money to treat my younger sister’s illness when our family was struggling the most… Now we’re just returning a small favor. Please don’t feel obliged!”

“Well then, I appreciate your hard work, brothers.”

Though Lin Guilan was curious, she knew this wasn’t the right time to ask questions. She quickly settled Jiang Zhimiao on a worn bamboo chair in the courtyard where he could see everything, then busied herself preparing tea and helping the men whenever needed.

By late afternoon, the house had been mostly repaired, with the broken roof patched up. Seeing the young men finally wiping their sweat and taking a break, Lin Guilan hurried over with freshly brewed tea.

The leader, Fan Cheng, whose family had lived in Fanjiazhang for generations, was extremely thirsty. He took the rough ceramic bowl from Lin Guilan and drank it all in one go. After finishing, he looked at her in surprise: “Sister-in-law, what is this drink? It’s sweet and sour – really delicious!”

Lin Guilan smiled: “You’ve all worked hard. This is my homemade sour plum drink. It’s a pity the weather is so hot, otherwise it would taste even better chilled. We just moved here in a hurry and don’t have much to offer you.”

“This is already wonderful! Strangely enough, after drinking it, I don’t feel so hot anymore!” Fan Cheng’s younger brother Fan Yin chimed in. “Sister-in-law really knows her stuff!”

Lin Guilan didn’t pretend to be modest. Hearing their praise made her happy: “This is nothing. I know how to make many summer refreshments, but I just don’t have the ingredients right now. Otherwise, I’d definitely let you try them all! Don’t stand on ceremony with me – come by anytime you want something to eat!”

The young men, all straightforward themselves, admired Jiang Qingshi for marrying such a capable wife. Being unmarried, they couldn’t help but imagine what their future wives might be like.

Jiang Zhimiao, lying on the bamboo chair, suddenly had his eyes light up.

Mother knows how to make many summer refreshments? That could be a great business opportunity! Although Xichun Town wasn’t particularly wealthy, there were plenty of merchants traveling through. The summer heat was intense – if they set up a tea stall for people to rest and quench their thirst, it should earn money faster than selling tofu!

But… how should he tell his mother about his idea?

After working hard all day and seeing the young men off, Lin Guilan suddenly realized she had forgotten about her precious son. She rushed anxiously to the bamboo chair, only to find Jiang Zhimiao blinking his big eyes at her. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Setting everything else aside, Miao Ge’er was the apple of her eye. When he had fallen seriously ill before, she had been filled with guilt, believing it was her poor care that nearly cost him his life. Now she had forgotten about him again while busy… What a careless mother she was.

Lin Guilan walked over and picked up Jiang Zhimiao tenderly. She rubbed his soft little body, growing more and more remorseful with each passing thought.

“Miao Ge’er is very well-behaved.” Jiang Qingshi walked behind Lin Guilan and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “I’ve been watching Miao Ge’er all along. He knows we’re busy and has been quietly observing us without making a sound.”

“So my husband did notice Miao Ge’er.” Lin Guilan was somewhat surprised, and thinking about it made her feel even more ashamed. “Husband, it’s all my fault. As Miao Ge’er’s mother, I should be the most attentive to his every move, yet I’ve been negligent again…”

“Don’t think that way, my wife. Miao Ge’er is our child. You’ve already endured much suffering to bring him into this world. Miao Ge’er is our shared responsibility, not yours alone.” Jiang Qingshi turned Guilan around to face him, gazing at her tenderly. “My wife, you’ve suffered many grievances since marrying me, having to swallow your pride and restrain your temper in the Jiang Family. I dare not promise you a life of luxury in the future, but I can assure you that in my presence, you may always laugh when you wish and express anger when you feel it, without having to worry about anyone.”

“Husband…”

Holding Jiang Zhimiao, Lin Guilan looked seriously into Jiang Qingshi’s eyes. Although her father had passed away early, her brother, sister-in-law, and mother had all treated her well. She had grown up in an environment filled with love… but never, never had anyone spoken such words to her.

From childhood to adulthood, the principles she had been taught were to become a virtuous wife and loving mother, to follow her husband after marriage, and to take good care of her husband and children.

But today, her husband told her that Miao Ge’er was their shared responsibility, and that she could freely express her joys and angers.

A corner of Lin Guilan’s heart seemed to quietly open, and the beliefs in her mind appeared to gradually transform. She gazed at Jiang Qingshi for a long moment before finally blooming into a smile: “Husband, was all this part of your plan? The Fan brothers earlier, and the bedding that had long been prepared in this house… You intentionally wanted to be driven out of the Jiang Family. Husband, since you’ve said that we husband and wife are of one heart, then please tell me – what exactly is going on here?”

Author’s note: