Chapter 33: The Sister-in-Law

"I don't know what kind of love potion Chen Jianghai fed that girl Wanqiu to make her so protective of him!" Xue Chunli stomped her feet, grinding her teeth as she watched the doorway.

"Exactly, you're telling me!" Lin Jianguo agreed, nodding along.

Xue Chunli turned and glared fiercely at her husband. "What are you still standing there for? Go follow them, lest that brat badmouth us in front of Wanqing."

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm going right now, right now." Lin Jianguo, who was eager for the task anyway, scurried off in pursuit.

Chen Jianghai and Lin Wanqiu had reached the entrance just in time to see a woman stepping off a motorized tricycle.

The woman wore a white suit with black polka dots and shoulder pads, paired with a black slim-fit skirt. She sported a bob-style wig—a staple for the modern woman of that era—along with deep, smoky eye makeup and bold, mysterious red lips. She was, by all accounts, a fashionista for the time.

Her appearance immediately drew the attention of everyone nearby.

Lin Wanqiu was so stunned she almost didn't recognize her. "Sister?" she whispered.

"Wanqiu?" the woman replied with a smile, reaching for the suitcase on the tricycle.

Chen Jianghai naturally stepped forward to help unload the luggage.

Lin Wanqing glanced at Chen Jianghai, her eyes showing a trace of imperceptible disdain mixed with a flicker of surprise. This man, whom her parents described as a useless, self-righteous fellow, was actually helping her with her suitcase... Moreover, the smile on his face didn't look forced; it seemed quite different from how he was portrayed.

"Thank you." Lin Wanqing nodded, though her tone remained stiff.

"We're family, no need to be formal," Chen Jianghai replied with a dismissive wave.

He didn't know much about Lin Wanqiu's older sister, but one thing was clear: Lin Wanqing had married the previous year. Her husband was from a big city and was said to be quite capable, though involved in some gray-area businesses. These were things he had heard from Lin Wanqiu back then, but Chen Jianghai didn't know the specifics, as he had never had much interaction with her. In his past life, he had been too busy chasing daydreams of wealth to pay attention to his wife, let alone her family.

"Sister, you've changed so much! I almost didn't recognize you," Lin Wanqiu said, grabbing her sister's hand excitedly.

"Wanqing, is that you?" Lin Jianguo trotted over, shouting with excitement.

Lin Wanqing’s arrival had already drawn the gaze of the entire village. Within moments, the neighbors had gathered at the Lin family's gate. It had to be said that Lin Wanqing’s outfit was incredibly eye-catching.

"Is that the Lin family's eldest daughter, Wanqing?"
"I always said that girl would make something of herself!"
"Look at that! The way she's dressed, she's like a big star on TV!"
"Isn't that the truth? Those two parents are going to have it good now!"
"It's a pity for the younger daughter, marrying a loafer and having to suffer."
"The Lin family village has produced two phoenixes, both at once. Lin Jianguo and Lin Jihua must have had some incredible luck from their ancestors."
"I heard the eldest daughter was dirt poor when she returned two years ago, though? Otherwise, why would they have married off the younger one to pay for medical bills?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Heh, who knows what kind of shady business she's doing out there? How else would she end up like this?"
"Right! I hear those dance halls are popular in the city; they're chaotic places, but it's easy for pretty women to make money."

The crowd was full of envy for the Lin family's eldest, but there were also plenty of whispers about Chen Jianghai, and some were even speculating about Lin Wanqing’s personal affairs.

Lin Wanqiu had been happy at first, but hearing them badmouth Chen Jianghai and her sister made her uncomfortable. "Sister, let's go inside!" She bit her lip, wishing to shut out the noise of the gossip.

Lin Wanqing didn't show much expression, simply nodding calmly. "Mm."

Chen Jianghai didn't care at all, dragging the suitcase behind them. Seeing this, the onlookers seemed to add another label to their impression of Chen Jianghai: "wimp."

Next door, Lin Jihua watched the scene, feeling disgruntled. His own daughter had married into a good family, so why was all the attention going to the Lin Jianguo household?

"Pah!" Lin Jihua spat. "What's there to be so smug about? I don't just have a good daughter; I have a good son-in-law, too! When my daughter and son-in-law come back later, I'll definitely put them in their place!"

Chen Jianghai walked in the back, Lin Jianguo marched ahead, and between them, the two sisters chatted away, having not seen each other for a long time.

"Sister, don't take those people's words to heart," Lin Wanqiu whispered.

Lin Wanqing smiled dismissively. "It's fine. There are always people who like to wag their tongues. I don't have time to argue with them; I just need to focus on myself."

"That's good." Lin Wanqiu nodded, relieved. Then, hesitating, she added, "Sister, I wanted to ask you... for a favor, if that's okay?"

Lin Wanqing laughed. "I bet this has something to do with your husband, doesn't it?"

"Sister, how did you know?" Lin Wanqiu asked, raising her eyebrows.

Lin Wanqing glanced back at Chen Jianghai. "Wanqiu, is this man really worth it?" Every time she had spoken to her mother on the phone, there had been plenty of complaints about him. Lin Wanqing had never thought much of her brother-in-law, but somehow, her sister seemed under a spell, refusing to leave him.

"Sister! Jianghai has changed now. He started repairing electrical appliances, and it's good money! In just one week, he gave me over seven hundred! I've saved it all!" Lin Wanqiu said urgently.

Lin Wanqing’s calm face rippled with surprise. "Really?"

"Of course! If you don't believe me, I'll show you my bankbook later!"

Lin Wanqing tapped Lin Wanqiu’s forehead, laughing gently. "What's there to see? You're my sister; of course I believe you."

"Sister, I knew you were the best!" Lin Wanqiu said with a smile.

Lin Wanqing shook her head. "I know what you want to say, but you know how Mom is. She had me come back this time specifically to talk some sense into you."

"Sister, I told you, Jianghai can make money now. I won't have to suffer anymore," Lin Wanqiu insisted.

Hearing this, Lin Wanqing’s gaze softened. "Little sister, if it weren't for you, who knows what would have happened to Dad’s illness. I won't let you be wronged anymore."

"Sister!" Lin Wanqiu stomped her foot. "That’s a completely different matter!"

"Alright, alright! I know, I know. I'll help you look him over," Lin Wanqing said, waving her hand to cut her sister off.