Chapter 85: Can He Hold On Until the End?

TL: Etude

By the time Chen Jianghai got home, it was almost seven o’clock.

At the mouth of the alley, Lin Wanqiu, slightly anxious, sighed in relief upon seeing Chen Jianghai’s return.

“Jianghai, why are you back so late?” she asked.

Chen Jianghai got out of the car and responded, “I was held up by some matters. Wanqiu, why are you out here?”

“I just came out to see if you had come back.” While speaking, Lin Wanqiu took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from Chen Jianghai’s forehead.

Chen Jianghai inquired, “What about mom and dad? Have they gone back after dinner?”

Lin Wanqiu replied, “Mom and dad said they would wait for you to come back so we could eat together.”

“You haven’t had dinner yet?” Chen Jianghai asked with a hint of surprise.

Lin Wanqiu smiled brightly, “Dad said he wanted to wait for you to come back so we could eat together.”

No wonder she was happy; Lin Jianguo’s attitude showed that he had accepted Chen Jianghai as his son-in-law.

As for Xue Chunli, it might take a bit more time.

However, Lin Wanqiu was confident that in the near future, her mother would surely change her view of Chen Jianghai and fully accept him.

Chen Jianghai also showed a smile and naturally wrapped his arm around Lin Wanqiu’s waist, “Then let’s hurry in, we shouldn’t keep mom and dad waiting.”

“Okay!”

Lin Wanqiu tenderly snuggled up to Chen Jianghai.

Entering the house, Lin Jianguo and Xue Chunli were engrossed in watching television.

The show airing was a domestic classic series, “Stories from the Editorial Department.”

The appearance of this TV series pioneered Chinese television comedies and filled a void in the variety of TV series in New China.

Especially in an era lacking entertainment options, it brought countless laughs and joy to the audience.

Of course, it also made celebrities out of a host of entertainment heavyweights, like the well-known ‘Ge Lao.’

As Chen Jianghai and his wife entered, Xue Chunli and Lin Jianguo were still occasionally discussing the plot.

Of course, Xue Chunli dominated the conversation, while Lin Jianguo could only agree obediently, not daring to argue.

“Mom and Dad, Jianghai is back. Let’s eat!” Lin Wanqiu called out loudly.

Lin Jianguo stretched his neck, “Wait a bit, just after this part, just after this part.”

“What’s there to watch? Come and eat!”

Xue Chunli glanced at Chen Jianghai and couldn’t help but frown slightly as she commanded.

Lin Jianguo hurriedly shifted his attention from the TV screen, then thought better of it, stood up, turned off the TV, and dutifully sat down at the dining table.

Seeing this, Chen Jianghai did not hesitate to say, “Mom and Dad, take this TV back with you when you go home.”

“Really? You guys don’t need it?” Lin Jianguo looked at his son-in-law with a face full of surprise.

Xue Chunli also looked at Chen Jianghai with astonished eyes.

A television was not cheap.

Even a second-hand, assembled black and white TV would cost several hundred yuan.

Chen Jianghai nodded, “Of course it’s true, I’ll just assemble another one for our home.”

“Mom and Dad, listen to Jianghai. This way, you can watch TV in the evenings as well.”

Lin Wanqiu also said happily.

What was most important was that Chen Jianghai could go to such lengths, clearly indicating he hadn’t taken the previous grudges to heart.

Xue Chunli, seeing Chen Jianghai’s serious tone, was surprised but managed to squeeze out a smile.

This was a television, after all!

For other things, Xue Chunli might have refused.

Ever since the Lin family got a color TV, Xue Chunli had been so irritated by their smugness.

Although this was only a black and white TV, it was still a TV!

In Lin Family Village, the number of households with a television could be counted on one hand.

This temptation was too much for Xue Chunli to resist.

Seeing that Xue Chunli did not object, Chen Jianghai knew that this matter was settled.

After dinner, Chen Jianghai originally wanted to drive Lin Jianguo and his wife to their rental place, but they refused. Xue Chunli’s reason was quite simple: the way wasn’t far, there was no need, surely they couldn’t get lost, could they?

Chen Jianghai didn’t insist and went back to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Now Lin Wanqiu and Chen Jianghai had an arrangement: one would cook and the other would wash the dishes.

After finishing the dishes, Chen Jianghai returned to his room, where Lin Wanqiu hesitantly said, “Jianghai, I think I’ll just stay home and eat with my parents tomorrow, you should focus on your important business.”

“You can’t not go. Everyone else is bringing their families. If I don’t bring you, how would that look? People who don’t know might think we are having a dispute,” Chen Jianghai shook his head as he spoke.

Lin Wanqiu looked at Chen Jianghai with some hesitation, “Do I really have to go?”

“It’s okay, if you really don’t want to go, I’ll just tell them to cancel the meal tomorrow,” Chen Jianghai said, placing his hands on Lin Wanqiu’s shoulders.

Truth be told, he really hoped to bring his wife along for social engagements.

She would have to get used to such occasions sooner or later.

Hearing Chen Jianghai say this, Lin Wanqiu indeed became anxious and quickly said, “No, no, no, I’ll talk to my parents about it tomorrow. Isn’t it fine if I go with you?”

Chen Jianghai leaned down slightly, embracing Lin Wanqiu, “That’s more like it, my good wife!”

Lin Wanqiu seemed to realize something and frowned at him, “Are you… mmph…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Lin Wanqiu’s mouth was silenced by Chen Jianghai’s kiss.

…

Returning to the rental, Lin Jianguo’s face was adorned with a smile, looking very pleased.

“What are you laughing at?” Xue Chunli asked.

“It’s just that we can bring a TV back home, aren’t you happy?” Lin Jianguo said as if it was obvious.

“You really think this Chen Jianghai could have changed so much?” Xue Chunli asked with a pulled face.

Lin Jianguo smirked, “I tell you, wife, you’re hard to please. When Chen Jianghai was no good, you despised him. Now that he’s turned over a new leaf, you’re suspicious. What do you really want from him?”

Confronted with Lin Jianguo’s words, Xue Chunli found herself at a loss for words.

After a moment, she stamped her foot, “I’m just worried about our daughter!”

“If Chen Jianghai really did something illegal or disorderly, who will suffer in the end if not our daughter?”

Lin Jianguo threw up his hands, “You’re overthinking it!”

“We must clear this up!” Xue Chunli said, her eyes stern and insistent.

Of course, Lin Jianguo didn’t dare argue too much with Xue Chunli and tried to persuade her patiently, “Well, you’ve been to the warehouse, you’ve seen how the money is made, and his craftsmanship goes without saying. What else is there to doubt?”

“I’m doubting where his capital came from. There’s definitely a problem there!” Xue Chunli persisted.

Lin Jianguo couldn’t help but try to convince her, “I think Chen Jianghai has really changed for the better. Stop fussing over nothing!”

Seeing Lin Jianguo, who usually supported her, now singing a different tune, Xue Chunli’s heart wavered.

Could it be that she should no longer view her son-in-law with the same old skepticism?

Had he truly turned over a new leaf?

But could he persist to the end?

And if he really made a fortune, would he still treat her daughter well?

Xue Chunli’s thoughts became more tangled the more she pondered.