Chapter 34: Prejudices Run Too Deep

Hearing her sister speak like that, Lin Wanqiu longed to tell her about what had just happened, but the two of them had already reached the house, and Xue Chunli hurried over to greet them.

"My dear girl, you're back! Old Lin, why are you just standing there like a wooden post? Go to the kitchen and bring the food out; Wanqing must be starving!"

Seeing her eldest daughter looking so radiant and successful, Xue Chunli was beaming with joy. Lin Jianguo didn't say a word upon hearing this; he simply turned and headed to the kitchen. He was genuinely happy that his eldest daughter had returned. Chen Jianghai set their luggage down in the living room and followed Lin Jianguo to the kitchen to help carry the dishes. As Chen Jianghai’s figure moved away, a flicker of disdain crossed Xue Chunli’s eyes.

Lin Wanqing caught all of this. Her brother-in-law, at least, was not the lazy, good-for-nothing man he had been described as. Furthermore, his temperament seemed to have improved significantly.

The food was soon set on the table, a spread of chicken, duck, fish, and meat that rivaled a New Year’s feast. In the early nineties, such meals were not an everyday occurrence. To have a lunch this sumptuous meant the family was either very wealthy or it was a special holiday. This meal had been prepared specifically for Lin Wanqing.

Chen Jianghai observed Lin Wanqing quietly for a moment and found her to be very industrious. Even though she was wearing expensive clothing, she helped serve the dishes and set the bowls without any airs. Chen Jianghai couldn't help but glance at Lin Jianguo, feeling quite curious. How on earth did this somewhat spineless father-in-law manage to raise two such outstanding daughters?

Xue Chunli waved her hand and said, "Alright, let's eat!"

The family took their seats in order. Xue Chunli and Lin Jianguo sat at the head of the table; Lin Wanqing sat on the left, while Chen Jianghai and Lin Wanqing sat on the right. Both daughters’ bowls were piled high with food, but when one looked at Chen Jianghai’s bowl, it was quite pathetic—aside from a small plate of greens in front of him, there was nothing else.

Lin Wanqing noticed this and hurriedly placed a few pieces of meat into Chen Jianghai’s bowl, smiling at him. Chen Jianghai returned the smile, then buried his head in his meal, completely unbothered. Lin Wanqing had been secretly observing Chen Jianghai; she found him to be very composed, nothing like the bad-tempered, worthless man her mother had described.

"Daughter, you’ve been working hard out there, eat more," Xue Chunli urged.

Lin Wanqing laughed, "Mom, Dad, you are the ones who work hard at home."

Xue Chunli cast a cold look at Chen Jianghai before saying, "Wanqing is the good one—obedient and filial. Unlike your sister, who really makes us worry to death."

Hearing this, Lin Wanqing’s expression shifted slightly, and Chen Jianghai’s brows furrowed.

"Mom, let’s not talk about this while we’re eating," Lin Wanqing said with a smile, trying to ease the tension.

But Xue Chunli would have none of it. She raised an eyebrow and snapped, "Why can't we talk about it? Since you're here today, you should properly advise your sister not to keep walking down this dead-end path."

"Mom, how am I walking down a dead-end path?" Lin Wanqing was becoming angry now.

"How are you not?" Xue Chunli’s voice rose an octave. She pointed her chopsticks at Chen Jianghai and said, "I told you to get a divorce, but you won't. Do you really want to suffer with him for the rest of your life?"

Lin Wanqing said anxiously, "Didn't that matchmaker just say so? Jianghai has skills now and can make money. He isn't the same as he used to be. Why do we still have to talk about divorce?"

"A matchmaker? Hmph!" Xue Chunli scoffed. "I think that woman was bribed by him with money. You’re just too young and easily fooled."

Chen Jianghai hadn't expected Xue Chunli’s imagination to be so vivid; it was starting to rival the melodramatic plots of television soaps.

Lin Wanqing put down her bowl and said helplessly, "Mom, you really have misunderstood Jianghai. He wouldn't do such a thing."

"My foolish girl, when will you ever wake up?" Xue Chunli looked at her daughter and sighed, frustrated by her lack of resolve.

Chen Jianghai knew well that prejudice is not something that can be dispelled overnight. Xue Chunli’s bias was far too deep; right now, no matter what he said or did, she would likely misinterpret or ignore it. Therefore, he could only rely on facts to prove himself.

Xue Chunli turned to Lin Wanqing and said, "Eldest daughter, you be the judge. Tell me, isn’t your sister too foolish? Insisting on suffering with a man like this?"

Lin Wanqing pondered for a moment before saying, "Mom, what exactly did my sister say happened earlier?"

Hearing her sister ask, Lin Wanqing quickly recounted everything that had occurred. She had wanted to tell her sister from the start, but had never found the right opportunity. After listening to her sister, Lin Wanqing frowned and looked at Xue Chunli, asking with a serious tone, "Mom, is what my sister said true?"

"How could it possibly be true!" Xue Chunli shook her head repeatedly. "I think that matchmaker must have been bought off by Chen Jianghai!"

Hearing this, Lin Wanqing, who knew her mother well, couldn't help but show a helpless smile. She knew this was likely just her mother’s conjecture.

"Mom, is what you just said a guess, or did you see my brother-in-law do this with your own eyes?" Lin Wanqing’s tone remained as earnest as ever.

Xue Chunli was stunned into silence. It had indeed been nothing more than her own wishful thinking.

"This... this... anyway, he’s just unreliable. Getting a divorce is definitely the right thing to do," Xue Chunli insisted stubbornly.

Lin Wanqing advised her earnestly, "Mom, don't let your imagination run wild all day. Say less about this. As for Wanqiu’s situation, I will have a good talk with my brother-in-law later."

Having said this, Lin Wanqing glanced at Chen Jianghai, her eyes filled with a sense of scrutiny. Chen Jianghai, however, was completely unbothered, meeting her gaze calmly without the slightest bit of evasion.

Lin Wanqing was now even more curious. In the two years she had been away, she had experienced much and had finally built a bit of a foundation for herself. She had dozens of people under her command, many of whom were older and more experienced than she, yet they were always timid and deferential in her presence. But the Chen Jianghai before her was as calm as a deep pool of water, without a single ripple, appearing almost like an unfathomable veteran of the world. This brother-in-law was quite interesting.

Lin Wanqing was momentarily unable to tell whether her sister was helping her or her mother, and she frowned, feeling a surge of anxiety. Xue Chunli was equally confused and became unhappy.

"Girl, what more is there to discuss? The life your sister has lived these past few years has been far too difficult!"

Lin Wanqing patiently reasoned, "Mom, I’ve just returned, so I don't know the full situation. Besides, I’ve only met my brother-in-law once a few years ago. Years have passed, and I don't know what he is like now; people change, after all! Moreover, if Wanqiu defends him so strongly, she must have her reasons. We should respect Wanqiu’s judgment, shouldn't we?"

Lin Wanqing’s reasoning was sound. Chen Jianghai nodded secretly, while also finding himself holding his sister-in-law in higher regard. However, Xue Chunli refused to listen: "You don't understand, do you? Then let your father tell you exactly what kind of man he is!"