Mr. Jing and His Little Husband

Chapter 29

In early spring last year, Qiu’er went to the riverside to do laundry with her mother-in-law’s niece, Honghua. Due to Honghua’s constant provocation, they had an argument, and in a moment of carelessness, Qiu’er was pushed into the water by her.

At that time, there were many people on the bank, and she was quickly rescued. However, the river water was icy cold at the beginning of spring, and she fell ill upon returning home. It took her a month of intermittent recovery to feel slightly better.

However, this incident also provided an opportunity for her to make her mother-in-law send her niece back home. She said they could either seek the village chief’s arbitration or have Honghua’s family members push her into the water as well to give it a try.

Qiu’er stubbornly persisted, but since then, her mother-in-law began to resent her.

Without fully recovering, Qiu’er endured her mother-in-law’s torment. She was overwhelmed with chores from morning till night, unable to finish them all, and was mocked by her mother-in-law: “There’s no choice. Since you drove away your cousin, you have to do her share of the work!”

She endured hardship for another year. With her body already weakened by the cold and the daily workload without respite, she became so thin that her clothes hung loosely on her.

However, it wouldn’t be the Zhu Family without causing trouble. In April this year, her mother-in-law proposed that Zhu Qun marry Honghua as a secondary wife, arguing that Qiu’er had been in the family for over two years with nothing to show for it.

She claimed that the whole family agreed and was waiting for Qiu’er’s consent.

This was simply going too far. Qiu’er had been enduring silently all along, not wanting to bring shame to her own family by revealing the true situation. Now, being forced to become a secondary wife would be an even greater disgrace!

Nothing to show for it? Ha! If it weren’t for the cold Qiu’er caught from being pushed into the water by Honghua, she wouldn’t have had nothing to show for it!

The doctor said she just needed some rest, so why did she have to become a secondary wife?!

Which rustic country bumpkin would marry a secondary wife? Let’s not make a mockery of ourselves!

Qiu’er disagreed firmly. Her mother-in-law cursed at her every day, and Zhu Qun also spoke harshly to her. Grandma and Grandpa remained silent, but their attitude was also disapproving.

She had had enough of these days. Even if she agreed to let Honghua into the family, Qiu’er felt as if she could see a future of misery at a glance. She could endure her own suffering, but did she have to cause heartbreak for her father, mother, and younger brothers?

So this time, she made a decisive move. She packed her belongings and returned directly to the Lin family. No one from the Zhu family tried to stop her. As she stepped out of the courtyard, her mother-in-law shouted, “If you’re capable, don’t come back! A hen that doesn’t lay eggs is just taking up space.”

Upon hearing these malicious words, Qiu’er turned her head sharply, gave them a resentful look, but said nothing more before leaving.

Should one argue with beasts? No, there’s no need!

When Qiu’er returned home, the people of the Lin family were bewildered and immediately asked what had happened.

This time, Qiu’er looked even thinner than she did during the previous Lunar New Year. Her body swayed as she walked, and her face had lost all its flesh. Her clothes were old and thin.

When Qiu’er saw her father and mother, she finally found a place to express her grievances. With swollen red eyes and tears wetting Lin mother’s shoulder, she recounted everything that happened after their marriage.

“Chuxia, how have you been recently? Were you tired during the busy farming season?” Finally, they were alone again, and Jing Yi asked with concern.

“It’s been good. The busy farming season is similar to usual, and I’ve entrusted my family’s fields to my uncle’s family,” Chuxia replied.

Although there was still some shyness in his heart, he was willing to talk more with Jing Yi.

“As long as you’re not tired, the weather is getting colder soon, so remember to wear warm clothes.” Then, Jing Yi took out a small cloth bag from his pocket, which he had prepared in advance, and handed it to Chuxia, instructing him, “I bought some ginger candies for you in town. Remember to eat some everyday. It will warm your body.”

Chuxia had never eaten ginger candies before, but he felt that it would definitely work because his heart already felt warm.

Sugar was a precious commodity in the countryside, so Chuxia felt a little embarrassed, but he still accepted it.

Being smart and insightful, he also guessed why the entire Jing family had come to visit. He was very happy, but the world was unkind to young men and women. Although he was delighted in his heart, he couldn’t show too much joy.

So now, when only the two of them were together, he didn’t want to reject Jing Yi’s care and concern, nor did he have the heart to refuse.

“Thank you.” After hesitating for a while, Chuxia still didn’t know what to call him. He remembered the cracked expression on Jing Yi’s face when he addressed him as “Brother Jing” last time. Every time he thought about it, he found it amusing.

At this moment, Jing Yi and Chuxia seemed to have a tacit understanding. Jing Yi smiled and waved his hand, “Don’t be polite with me. Just call me Ayi.”

Anyway, sooner or later, you’ll have to call me husband, hehe.

Chuxia glanced at his shameless face and remained silent. Although his expression was faint, there was a smile in his eyes.

Jing Yi understood everything without needing to say it.

They stayed at the Lin family until around three in the afternoon, politely declining the warm dinner invitation from the Lin family. Jing Father, Jing Mother, and their three sons were about to return home.

Lin Father, Lin Mother, and Dongjiang accompanied them to the village entrance, bidding farewell to each other, but there was no sadness. They knew there would be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future.

Carrying an empty bamboo basket on his back made the journey much easier. Only Jing Yi had a jar of pickles that Lin Mother had given to Jing Mother in his bamboo basket. It was a secret recipe, and both Jing Mother and Jing Yi couldn’t stop praising it during lunch.

Feeling even more refreshed and happy, Jing Yi was the eldest son of the Jing family, and the first child among the younger generation to have his marriage arranged so smoothly. He had become the ideal son-in-law for the whole family, and Jing Mother couldn’t stop smiling.

After the two families reached their respective homes, Jing Mother called Jing Yi over again and told him about the ordeal of the eldest daughter of the Lin family, reminding him in the end, “Our family will never produce such despicable people, but you should think carefully before taking any actions in the future. If you have any wicked intentions, be careful, or I and your father will teach you a lesson!”

“How is that possible, Mother! Your son, don’t you know him?” Jing Yi protested. Moreover, Xiaoxia was the only sweetheart he had liked and agreed with in all these years! They had just begun!

After the two families reached an agreement, the Jing family became busy, immediately preparing for the engagement ceremony.