Chapter 155: Chapter 121: Inside Story (Part 1)
Lin Xueling opened her mouth wide, unable to speak for a long time. After a while, she blinked and cautiously asked, "Grandma, if Uncle is so amazing, how did he marry Aunt? Not that I’m belittling my aunt. Really, I heard people say Uncle is very handsome, and many female soldiers secretly like him, which is why Aunt stopped looking for someone. Because she encountered someone too good, everything else afterward seemed too inadequate, hence she couldn’t settle for anyone else. Several grandmas in the big yard said it’s a blessing Aunt isn’t really insane. But in my opinion, Aunt isn’t very pretty, nothing extraordinary to see."
Mrs. Lin looked thoughtfully at her granddaughter. She truly couldn’t agree with her views. She judged people based on their temperament, yet she couldn’t see Shanshan’s grace, focusing only on the appearance, missing the essence. If Shanshan had no merits, why would Zhou Xiaozheng notice her? Thinking of the clothes in her wardrobe, Mrs. Lin sighed inwardly. This child’s cultural literacy is still too low.
Mrs. Lin pointed at Lin Liyin, "Ask your aunt; she used to follow your aunt around all the time. She knows."
"Hmph, what’s so strange? Your aunt is silly; she secretly went to find Zhou Xiaozheng every time. Over time, they got familiar with each other. She couldn’t read people’s faces, and no matter how unpleasant Zhou Xiaozheng looked, she’d foolishly smile; I guess Zhou Xiaozheng liked fools. With his slyness, overthinking every day, having a silly wife would be great, she wouldn’t need to use her brain."
Everyone burst into laughter just as Lin Liyin finished her words.
Chen Jingru laughed and said, "Well, there’s a chance. Back then, when the marriage report was made, many people couldn’t believe that silly girl snagged the Northeast Tiger. According to your brother, folks said it was a surprise move, taking the prize in one go.
Qu family’s little girl Qu Xiaoyue is beautiful, right? Now nearly forty and still like a big girl. Pretty, smart, and cultured; back then, she was obsessed with Zhou Xiaozheng. Everyone thought it would be a hero paired with a beauty, guessing it was them. Mr. Qu in the military district is quite authoritative, his power surpasses our father. But in the end, elder sister snagged him, leaving Qu Xiaoyue heartbroken, fleeing to the South. She’s only returned these past few years. Mr. Qu’s always been dissatisfied with Dad, claiming his son-in-law got snatched."
Mrs. Lin sighed, lamenting, "Qu family girl is pitiful too; she found a partner who looks good but is a philanderer. Both husband and wife have no kids, heard they’ve divorced.
Aunt Jiang said never to mention Zhou Xiaozheng in front of the Qu family, to avoid the girl being entangled. I’m not worried; with Zhou Xiaozheng’s character, he wouldn’t. It’s unfortunate for this kid; people say beauty brings misfortune, those who are too pretty have no good ending.
Why does Zhou Xiaozheng keep avoiding Qu family girl? Probably because she’s too pretty, he fears he can’t keep her. A man looking for a lifetime partner won’t just focus on looks; he’ll think of consequences, think of the future. Having someone breathtakingly beautiful at home, he’d have to worry about his backyard catching fire."
"Shanshan finally came through. Luckily, brother-in-law returned. No longer need to wander around. Back then, many were envious, ultimately it’s those who gloated that are slapped in the face. Mom, I heard they’re coming back in a few days."
"Eldest’s family, you’ve suffered these years; now our family is finally reuniting. No idea when your second brother and sister-in-law can be transferred back to Beijing."
Chen Jingru shook her head upon hearing this. Secretly curling her lip, the old lady said the family deficit was big, diverting brother-in-law’s money. She was embarrassed to ask bluntly. She contributed her meal expenses monthly. Aside from her two kids spending some of the old lady’s money, she hadn’t taken advantage. Her in-laws’ salaries weren’t low, yet insufficient. Her sister-in-law often brought things back. No idea where all the money was spent? Must’ve gone to second brother’s household. Constantly lamenting how hard second brother’s family suffers in the Northwest. Who has it harder than her?
If Zhou Xiaocun hadn’t returned, when would this money be repaid to Zhou Jiao? Sigh... she doesn’t like to think badly of people. Haven’t seen the child in 17 years, still used her money; no idea if the child has thoughts about this? Lin Family acted too irrationally; Old Zhou’s one line harmed Zhou Jiao’s interests, she handled it skillfully. Thinking it over, Lin Family’s worse than Zhou Family; no idea if Zhou Jiao would take action?
Chen Jingru glanced at the old lady and younger sister chatting, not a hint of worry, uncertain about the old lady’s plan to shift funds. She had a vague premonition, but felt it unlikely.
Looking again at the younger sister, she guessed that the sister knew where the money went? She probably used some; her small courtyard might have bought with diverted funds, and second brother’s family too. Maybe even Gu Family, considered not lacking money, was supplemented by the old lady quite a bit.
Amazed how this mother and daughter never mentioned the origin and flow of the funds, acted as if nothing happened. Such a results-only approach made Chen Jingru quite helpless.
Chen Jingru sighed again inwardly. With the old lady’s meddling, Lin Family’s reputation was utterly lost. No idea how Zhou Jiao and her father would view them? Would their future relationship cool down? Her eldest sister-in-law is good, but lacks foresight. Visiting her daughter this time, she worried for a long time; luckily, Zhou Jiao had a generous heart, doesn’t hold grudges, still gets along well with Shanshan. Thank goodness brother-in-law returned, the family can reunite. Otherwise, with such a mother, who knows how the eldest sister-in-law’s future would be.
After lunch, Chen Jingru took her daughter back to the East Wing. She planned to articulate some matters clearly to prevent her daughter’s embarrassment and self-righteousness.