In the evening, Ji Ying quietly found a mont to tell her son, Xu Nianji, about her in-law’s visit to Zhou He. She said, "You and Xiaohe should inquire if there is any difficulty on the in-law’s side. If they’re indeed facing hardships and we can help, let’s lend a hand."
"Thank you, Mom." Xu Nianji looked at Ji Ying with appreciation. While other families worried about mother-in-law and daughter-in-law issues, in his family, these concerns were completely unnecessary.
"I thank you on behalf of Xiaohe."
Seizing the opportunity, Xu Nianji spoke well of Xiaohe and said, "No wonder Xiaohe always says that you treat her especially well."
"Enough now," Ji Ying said, "you don’t have to flatter ." Although she said this, the smile in the corner of her eyes was brimming.
"Mom, I’m telling the truth, not flattering you at all. Xiaohe always says that you’ve been extrely kind to her."
Xu Nianji said this earnestly—indeed, Xiaohe had said it many tis.
"Alright, alright, go and pamper your wife," Ji Ying said, laughing as she sent Xu Nianji back to his room. When she returned to her own room, Xu Qinghe, noticing her beaming smile, asked, "What’s happened to make you so happy? Found treasure?"
"Indeed," responded Ji Ying excitedly, sharing Xu Nianji’s earlier words. "Our family is living in harmony; I feel these days truly have sothing to look forward to."
"Yingzi, I’m sorry for the hardships you endured in the past." Xu Qinghe imdiately said, rembering that Ji Ying’s previous days in the Xu family were not as cheerful as now—her face shone like she was carrying a light.
Glancing at him, Ji Ying said, "It’s good that you’re aware, but now that our days have improved, let’s forget about the past."
*
"Xiaohe."
When Xu Nianji returned to the room, he saw Zhou He applying a hot towel on her face, which was sowhat flushed. He took over the towel and carefully continued to apply it for her, his face full of concern.
"It’s okay, it looks scarier than it feels. It doesn’t hurt," Zhou He said with a smile, looking at the distress in his eyes, which made her feel no pain at all despite her face aching.
They had been busy during the day, with no good opportunity to speak.
"Did Mom visit you for a reason?" Xu Nianji asked. "Why did she hit you?"
Zhou He hesitated sowhat.
"Is there a problem at ho? We’re husband and wife, Xiaohe. If you don’t tell , I’ll go and confront Mom about why she hit you tomorrow."
Xu Nianji pursed his lips, serious.
Zhou He panicked at once, hastening to say, "Don’t go, it was just an accident."
Zhou He thought about revealing the family’s humiliating circumstances to Xu Nianji, and a hint of inferiority crept into her heart, but then she worried what she would do if her mother ca to borrow money from Xu Nianji the next day.
"Nianji, actually, it was just my mom looking to borrow money from ," Zhou He said, cutting him off as he was about to speak. "Neither I nor my older sister took our dowry when we got married. Before I got married, my mom said she would buy my brother a bicycle. Now, his fiancée is insisting on a bicycle, so she ca to borrow the money from ."
"I refused because my parents should have money, so for this, I refused." Zhou He bit her lip and looking up, said sowhat difficultly, "Nianji, if my parents co to you in the future, just tell them we still have debts at ho and no money to lend."
"Xiaohe."
Xu Nianji held Zhou He in his arms and kissed her forehead affectionately, saying, "Xiaohe, from now on, let take care of you."
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