https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-82-Are-These-Two-Here-to-Squeeze-Us-for-Money-/12831788/
Chapter 83: Uncovering the Truth
Chapter 83: Uncovering the Truth
Unfortunately, Ye Xian was destined to be disappointed—she wouldn't get a share of what was left.
Ye Xian looked at the dried goods and the chickens and ducks that Jiang Xia brought out, then shifted her gaze. She thought, "Not even a proper gift for the first visit. No wonder Jiang Xia’s father sent her off to the countryside with such poor manners."
Otherwise, with the social standing and connections of Jiang Xia’s parents, she wouldn’t have ended up in a rural village.
When Jiang Xia’s father learned that the dried shrimp and golden threadfin bream were picked up and caught by Jiang Xia, he immediately went to the kitchen to steam the fish himself.
During dinner, Jiang Xia’s father noticed Zhou Chenglei peeling shrimp and crab for Jiang Xia. Unlike the last time, she didn’t refuse or frown. He smiled, relieved.
This time, his daughter’s attitude toward her husband had changed significantly. There was an invisible intimacy in their conversation, and he was at ease.
His daughter had finally come to her senses. He had been worried that they might really get divorced when she came home last time, demanding a separation.
Zhou Chenglei was handpicked by him for Jiang Xia. He had known from the beginning that Zhou Chenglei had a bright future in the military. Even if he was forced to retire, he wouldn’t have made a mistake in his judgment. Jiang Xia wouldn’t truly suffer after marrying him. Even if they weren’t wealthy, their life wouldn’t be bad.
Besides, Zhou Chenglei was loyal, responsible, and determined, with strong capabilities. Such a man was hard to come by.
He might be a wounded tiger now, but he was still a tiger.
Jiang Xia’s father laughed, “In the past, I used to peel shrimp for Xia Xia. Now I can finally retire from that duty.”
Jiang Dong also served Jiang Xia a piece of braised beef. The beef was far from Jiang Xia, but he immediately said, “And me! Dad, when you’re not around, I take care of my sister. Finally, someone else can take over!”
Jiang Xia personally served her father, mother, and Jiang Dong the dishes they liked the most.
Ye Xian watched Zhou Chenglei peel shrimp and crab for Jiang Xia but thought he was only doing it because of Jiang Xia’s family background, trying to win her favor.
Seeing the two of them getting along well, Jiang Xia’s mother was also relieved. She smiled, “You two should think about having a child soon.”
Jiang Xia’s father nodded, “Yes, it’s better to have a child sooner. Xia Xia, when do you plan to have a child?”
When his daughter and Zhou Chenglei got engaged, she had just graduated from high school and didn’t get into college. She was stubborn and insisted on getting into college, so she took the exam three times before giving up.
Zhou Chenglei waited for her for two years. Otherwise, they would have gotten married much earlier, considering he was already twenty-six and a half when they got engaged.
If they had married earlier and had a child, Zhou Chenglei wouldn’t have been injured and forced to retire, and his daughter wouldn’t have thought about breaking off the marriage.
Jiang Xia didn’t want to have a child so soon. “We’re not planning to have a child right now. We want to wait until I finish college.”
Hearing this, Jiang Xia’s mother’s temper flared, and her voice became sharp. “What? You still want to go to college?! You’ve already failed three times, and you still haven’t given up? No more exams!”
Jiang Xia’s father kicked his wife’s foot under the table.
Ye Xian looked at Jiang Xia in surprise. Failed three times? How stupid could she be?
Jiang Xia looked at her mother in astonishment.
Zhou Chenglei squeezed Jiang Xia’s hand. “Mom, I don’t want a child right now either. We’ve moved out and live in the old house, which is too small and old. We’re thinking of waiting until we build a new house before having a child.”
Jiang Xia’s father nodded. “As long as you have a plan.”
Jiang Dong added, “Mom, Sister and Brother-in-law have their own plans. They’ve only been married for a short time, so there’s no rush to have a child. Besides, what’s wrong with Sister going to college?”
He couldn’t understand why his mother always got so worked up when his sister mentioned going to college!
Jiang Xia’s mother suppressed her anger and said as gently as possible, “You can have a child later, but don’t wait too long. If you want to go to college, don’t choose one too far from home. You can go to a university in the city. It’s close, and it won’t affect your relationship with A-Lei or your plans to have a child.”
Character Name Changes:
Jiang Xia -> River Chiang (maintaining a similar sound and meaning)
Zhou Chenglei -> Joe Chow (common Chinese-to-English transliteration)
Jiang Dong -> River East (maintaining a similar sound and meaning, with "Dong" meaning East)
Ye Xian -> Yvonne Ye (common Chinese-to-English transliteration)
Rewritten Text:
"You can still come back and live at home, and your father and I can help take care of the child. Plus, we have a nanny to assist."
River Chiang's father nodded, "That’s an option, River. Do what makes you happy."
River Chiang thought her mother’s reaction was a bit over the top but nodded subtly, "I’ll consider it."
River Chiang’s father added, "It’s good that you have your own plans. Your mother and I are just giving suggestions. The important thing is that you and your husband can communicate and work things out without arguing!"
Joe Chow replied, "We will."
Then, River Chiang’s father changed the subject, "What about that letter? Who was imitating your handwriting?"
River Chiang explained the situation, and the conversation shifted, easing the tense atmosphere.
After dinner, River East escorted Yvonne Ye to the guesthouse.
He had initially planned to stay in the study and let Yvonne Ye use his room, but the family’s mood seemed off. He was worried that his mother and sister might argue again about the university exams, so he decided to take Yvonne Ye to the guesthouse.
As they walked downstairs, Yvonne Ye saw River East pushing his bicycle and casually asked, "Your family has a car. Have you learned to drive?"
River East replied, "Yes, my sister and I both learned to drive after we finished high school."
Yvonne Ye said, "Is driving easy to learn? I was really scared when I learned to ride a bicycle. I still have a phobia of riding bikes! It feels so much safer in a car, just sitting there."
"It’s not difficult, but it’s harder to learn than riding a bike, and it’s more dangerous. You won’t fall, but improper handling can lead to accidents."
Yvonne Ye smiled, "Is that so? I’ve never been in a car before. I thought it would be really comfortable and safe."
River East said, "Riding in a car is more comfortable than a bike, and once you learn to drive, it’s safer too. When I start working and can afford a car, I’ll take you for a drive."
He explained further, "My parents’ car is provided by their workplace. They only use it for work-related matters. When we were in school, it just so happened that our school was on the way to my mother’s workplace, so we got rides. After I started middle school, the routes were different, so we had to walk. But my sister, who went to a different middle school, could still get rides with my father."
Yvonne Ye smiled, "I see. But I can tell your father is quite good to your sister."
River East said, "My father believes that girls should be raised in comfort, while boys should be toughened up."
Yvonne Ye asked, "Has your sister really taken the university entrance exam three times and failed each time?"
River East found this strange too, "Yes, my sister usually has good grades, but something always goes wrong during the exams. Maybe she just doesn’t have good exam luck. That’s why she’s so determined, because she has the capability to get into Kingston University."
Yvonne Ye pursed her lips: No exam luck? Failing three times proves she lacks the ability!
As for River East’s claim that his sister usually had good grades, Yvonne Ye thought it was just his bias. She also felt that River East was being too kind to River Chiang and seemed to have an odd admiration for his brother-in-law.
...
Back at the Chiang residence, River Chiang’s parents continued chatting with Joe Chow. After Joe Chow and River Chiang finished their showers and returned to their room, the couple also retired to their room.
River Chiang’s father whispered to her mother, "River wants to take the university entrance exam. Don’t stand in her way. If she gets in this time, don’t interfere."
River Chiang’s mother’s eyes flickered, "I don’t know what you’re talking about!"
River Chiang’s father stared at her intensely.
He was also puzzled by his daughter’s excellent grades and why she had failed the university entrance exam three times. He had someone investigate.
What he found was shocking!
"Why don’t you want River to get into university?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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