Shen Qingqing did not refute what Sister-in-law Wang said.
Sister-in-law Wang assumed she had silently agreed.
She thought to herself that she'd persuade Xiao Jiang later to apply for housing.
The young couple didn't seem to know what petty quarrel they were caught up in. If they kept avoiding each other, this marriage might really be in trouble.
Since they had the conditions to be stationed together in one place, how great would it be if the couple could live together?
Xiao Jiang was just being thick-headed—those with life experience had to give him some guidance.
Otherwise, things might keep getting worse, reaching a point of no return.
By then, regret wouldn't help at all.
The Lin Family was planning to host a meal, which inevitably meant cleaning the house thoroughly.
Lin Fengmian was downstairs washing something when she saw Shen Qingqing and Sister-in-law Wang from afar.
She rolled her eyes and muttered to herself, "I knew she wasn't good news. Barely here for a few days, and already cozying up to the leader's wife!"
Remembering what Jiang Zhixun had said the day before in the county, Lin Fengmian got even angrier.
Saying things like Shen Qingqing was sensitive and prone to crying.
Now it looked like she was incredibly skilled at playing her cards—she even got Sister-in-law Wang to personally invite her to the guesthouse.
Look at her smiling like that—her face practically splitting apart. Where is the slightest trace of someone who cries?
Brother Jiang was just worrying for nothing!
"I think she doesn't actually cry at all; she's just using crocodile tears to manipulate people!"
"What are you muttering about?"
Lin Zhidong came down holding a basin of clothes, which included his own, his wife's, and his son's.
He grabbed a small stool, sat in front of the water pipe, rolled up his sleeves, and started working.
He spotted Shen Qingqing and Sister-in-law Wang and even greeted them, clearly seeing that they were called over to mediate the couple's relationship.
Lin Fengmian snorted, "You and Sister-in-law were blaming me yesterday. Just look at Shen Qingqing—she's completely fine. You all were just worrying for nothing."
Lin Zhidong clicked his tongue, "Mister Shen didn't provoke you, so why are you intent on messing with her?"
"I just can't stand people who are so pretentious. It's only because men are gullible that they fall for her tricks."
Lin Fengmian scrubbed a rag vigorously. "Let's see how long she can keep up the act. During courtship, sure, it works. But for actual married life? That spoiled demeanor of hers—hardly anyone would like it."
Seeing her remarks getting more absurd, Lin Zhidong interrupted her, "Lin Fengmian, you better adjust your attitude."
"I'm just speaking the truth!"
"How much do you even know about Mister Shen, about her strengths, before making such careless judgments?"
Lin Fengmian rolled her eyes. "No matter how capable she is, it has nothing to do with me. All I need to know is that she likes to act pitiful to gain sympathy, and that makes her a bad woman."
Lin Zhidong really didn't know where she had gotten this idea.
"That's their marriage. If even Old Jiang hasn't said anything, is it your place to criticize?"
"You're just siding with outsiders over your own family."
Lin Fengmian had a smug look, as if she'd figured everything out. "Brother Jiang doesn't like her either. He's a man, so he can't openly badmouth a woman, but his actions speak for themselves."
Lin Zhidong didn't even bother washing clothes anymore. "Keep guessing wildly, and I'll really send you back to the village."
Before, Lin Fengmian had been intimidated by such a threat.
But the last time she went back home, her sister-in-law praised her for being capable with the children, and the house was spotless thanks to her. Lin Fengmian realized then that her sister-in-law wouldn't let her stay in the village.
So now, her confidence was unshakable.
"You've got enough authority to manage everything under the sun, and now you want to control me disliking Shen Qingqing too?"
In Lin Fengmian's mind, as long as she didn't try to seduce Jiang Zhixun or instigate their divorce, she wasn't doing anything wrong.
And no one had the right to criticize her!
After finishing washing the pots and pans, she went upstairs ahead of the others.
Lin Zhidong could only speed up with the laundry, unable to finish his point in time.
Once the chores were done, he would make sure to teach Lin Fengmian a lesson on what it meant to avoid commenting when lacking full context.
Feelings were a matter for the couple alone—who knew what the real story was behind their relationship issues?
If Old Jiang really disliked Mister Shen, would he be so visibly distressed?
There was likely some misunderstanding that hadn't been talked through.
At Sister-in-law Wang's house.
Jiang Zhixun had arrived earlier than Shen Qingqing and was sitting in the living room chatting with the host.
The host, surnamed Zhao, looked to be around forty or fifty years old and seemed quite stern.
Having lived at the compound for some years, Shen Qingqing was used to the solemn demeanor of Father Jiang and Jiang Zhixun.
As a result, she wasn't intimidated by him.
She greeted them politely.
Sister-in-law Wang smiled and said, "My husband's face always looks stern, but he's actually easygoing. Since you're not one of his soldiers, you can just call him Uncle Zhao."
"But if she calls you Sister-in-law and calls me Uncle, wouldn't that be confusing?"
Sister-in-law Wang had followed her husband in the military for years, being called 'Sister-in-law' frequently, so she was used to it.
She didn't think much about age differences anymore.
She shot her husband a glare. "You're hung up on such a trivial issue."
The host didn't say another word and just picked up his newspaper.
Sister-in-law Wang said, "We're having dumplings for lunch, lamb filling. Xiao Shen, can you eat that? If not, I can switch to egg filling."
Shen Qingqing wasn't picky. "Anything is fine. Looks like I'm in for a treat today."
Despite her distant aura, her smile was warm and gentle, making it hard for people to look away from her.
Although they hadn't been acquainted long, Sister-in-law Wang could already tell.
Shen Qingqing had a good temperament and always spoke reasonably, making her an easy-going woman.
Having such a wife, and yet Xiao Jiang was still sulking? Truly too stubborn for his own good.
Sister-in-law Wang resolved to help mediate and get the young couple to resolve their differences and live harmoniously in the future.
A family in disarray would inevitably impact one's career as well.
Sister-in-law Wang smiled brightly. "Men have more strength. Xiao Jiang, go help Sister-in-law chop the meat fillings."
Jiang Zhixun responded with a quiet "Hmm," and leisurely rolled up his sleeves before heading off to wash his hands and get to work.
Sister-in-law Wang glanced at Shen Qingqing with a smile. "See? Xiao Jiang isn't too bad. He's attentive. Once the two of you get your housing sorted, life will only get better and better."
When Jiang Zhixun wasn't present, Shen Qingqing could make small talk to smooth things over.
But now, she felt so awkward her scalp tingled, not knowing what to say.
Jiang Zhixun had already finished washing his hands. "If she won't stay here, then I'll send her back to Beijing for the New Year. No need to apply for housing."
Sister-in-law Wang and her husband exchanged looks, seeing exasperation in each other's eyes.
The host cleared his throat. "Xiao Shen has a job. That's probably what he means."
Sister-in-law Wang exclaimed, "Oh, Xiao Shen brought her job along? When I went to the guesthouse earlier, she was translating a manuscript. I thought it was the kind of work she could do from anywhere—not necessarily needing her to go back to Beijing."
Jiang Zhixun knew those words were meant for him.
Sister-in-law Wang wanted him to keep Shen Qingqing here and live a good life together.
But he became distracted, frowning faintly. "You've been working on your translations?"
Shen Qingqing didn't want to talk to him.
But with others present, her long-practiced habits prevented her from showing negative emotions in such situations.
She replied calmly, "Yes."
Her tone was still very cold.
Jiang Zhixun was annoyed with her defiance, always doing things without considering her own health condition.
"Do you want to ruin your hands?"
Anyone listening might think she had a severe injury.
Given his past attitude, Shen Qingqing didn't believe Jiang Zhixun was actually concerned about her.
To her, it was clear he simply found her irritating and thought everything she did was wrong.
She thought he was just picking a fight!
Shen Qingqing couldn't hold back and rolled her eyes.
Her lips, lightly tinted with a sheer layer of lipstick, were soft and beautiful as she barely moved them.
She spat out two words, "You're sick."
Sister-in-law Wang, the host: "..."