Because Mother-in-law and Elder Sister arrived, bringing a child with them, Cheng Su and her husband gave up their own room for them to stay in, and Cheng Su slept on the bivouac bed in the guest room, while Qi Taiguo made do on the sofa for the time being.
By ten oāclock in the evening, people in the countryside usually went to bed early, so Mother-in-law and Elder Sister had already turned in for the night. The light in Cheng Suās room was still on.
Seeing that there was no intention of the light going out, Qi Taiguo could no longer restrain himself. He walked to her door and knocked gently. "Susu, are you asleep?"
Cheng Su opened the door and looked at him, "Why arenāt you asleep? Iāll sleep after I read for a bit!"
"I canāt sleep. I wanted to talk to you!" Qi Taiguo walked in, closing the door behind him.
Cheng Su pursed her lips.
Qi Taiguo pulled her to sit down on the bivouac bed and asked, "Are you still upset? You hardly spoke all evening!"
"Thatās not true," Cheng Su murmured, playing with her fingers as she looked down.
"How can you say itās not? Is it because of what Mom said?" Qi Taiguo asked.
Cheng Su didnāt speak.
Qi Taiguo turned her face towards him, saying, "Susu, we are husband and wife. Havenāt we agreed that we should discuss everything together? Keeping it all inside, arenāt you worried itāll make your heart suffer?"
"Really talk?"
Qi Taiguo nodded.
"Then Iāll say it!" Cheng Suās teeth grazed her lip as she said, "Actually, I wasnāt too happy when your mom abruptly suggested Elder Sister work at my restaurant!"
Qi Taiguo frowned.
"Itās not that I donāt like Elder Sister. Sheās very virtuous and open-minded. I know that your mother always finds fault in me," Cheng Su covered his lips as he tried to retort, "Donāt be unconvinced. Every mother-in-law is the same; none of them are completely satisfied with their daughter-in-law. Iām not blaming her; itās quite normal."
"Mom doesnāt approve of my actions, and Elder Sister mediates, for which Iām genuinely grateful. But on the other hand, when it comes to them working in the shop, I really hadnāt considered it."
"Susu, what are you afraid of? You donāt trust Zhang Jisheng, but canāt you trust Elder Sister?" Qi Taiguo said, "Having your own family look after things can be trusted, right?"
"I know. Itās just that peopleās hearts are the most unpredictable, and I donāt mistrust Elder Sister. I just fear that later on, out of self-interest or for money, family ties could be torn apart, leading to estrangement. Qi Taiguo, I donāt want you to blame me in the future," Cheng Su sighed.
In her previous life, she had seen too many conflicts erupt over interests, between fathers and sons and amongst brothers. She feared involving relatives for this reason, as one mistake could lead to the same result. It didnāt much matter to her; after all, she was just a sister-in-law. But what about Qi Taiguo?
"Arenāt you overthinking it?" Qi Taiguoās brows were deeply furrowed. "Elder Sister isnāt like that."
"Perhaps," Cheng Su smiled faintly, always thinking a step ahead, perhaps because of what she had seen in her previous life.
"Susu, Elder Sister was kind to me when I was young. To support us siblings, she stopped her education after primary school, leaving the opportunities for us. So... her life hasnāt been going well lately, and Iāve been thinking, if she left that household, maybe her life would get better," Qi Taiguo said with some difficulty, "But if you really donāt want to, itās fine. Finding something to do in Flower County isnāt hard; I just wanted them to get away from the Zhang family, to feel more at ease!"
Cheng Su nodded and said, "I know, it hasnāt been easy for her." After a pause, she added, "Iāll find time to ask Elder Sister about what she wants."
Qi Taiguo nodded gratefully and embraced her. "If what you said ever happens, Iāll definitely stand by you. You can be sure of that."
Cheng Su gave a small smile and leaned against his chest, but she didnāt hold much optimism for his promise.