CHAPTER 497: 478: MOTHER-IN-LAW (SECOND UPDATE)

Ye Qian wasn’t in a good mood, so she naturally didn’t go home. Inevitably, she went out drinking with Si Daochen again in the evening, while over at the Li Family’s side, Shen Bin hadn’t returned yet, but Mrs. Shen had come over.

Mrs. Shen came alone; the proper in-law wasn’t home. She was stopped at the gate of the courtyard, and Ye Ling couldn’t pretend not to know. She had no choice but to have her brought in; otherwise, standing there would attract more attention. As soon as Mrs. Shen came in, she warmly took Ye Ling’s hand.

"Oh, look at your belly; it’s gotten so big. My husband and I had wanted to come see you ages ago, but you know, this courtyard isn’t a place we can just come to like that. I waited outside for so long today before they let me in." Mrs. Shen smiled kindly, but her words were off-putting.

She was clearly implying that Ye Ling was disrespectful to elders, keeping her waiting outside.

Looking at her benevolent yet sinister manner, Ye Ling wasn’t about to show mercy, "Look at what you’re saying. You two are Shen Bin’s adoptive parents, just pay attention to Shen Bin. I’ve got my proper in-law concerned for me. Besides, it’s good she’s not here today; otherwise, with her temperament, you know she wouldn’t let anyone come in and disturb me."

After speaking, Ye Ling gently patted her stomach and withdrew her hand from Mrs. Shen’s grasp.

Mrs. Shen thought that out of respect for Shen Bin, Ye Ling would show her some consideration. Seeing her behave this way and recalling her daughter’s words, she dared not speak harshly anymore, smiling, "Look at you, such a good-natured child. Now you’re about to give birth, so how could I not come by to check on you."

She handed over her little bundle, opened it up, and placed the small clothes and quilt on the sofa, "Your mother-in-law is a city dweller; she wouldn’t make things like this. My daughter and I made these. Chun’er said she caused you quite a bit of trouble over at Da XingAn Ridge, and later there was the hospital incident, so she was embarrassed to come over. We made these for you; I hope you won’t mind?"

The last sentence directly kept Ye Ling from refusing.

Ye Ling was alright with what she said before, but the last sentence was assertive, making her less willing to give face, "Look at what you’re saying. You’ve already made them; how could I not take them? But we have plenty at home; we won’t use these immediately. Just keep them for someone else."

She handed the items directly to the aunt sitting beside her, "Aunt, see if there’s anyone suitable, give them away. Otherwise, they’re wasted."

The aunt was happy to do so, smiling as she accepted them.

Mrs. Shen couldn’t keep her composure, "I tell you, Binzi’s wife, these cost over ten yuan. It’s half a month’s salary for Chun’er. I know you guys are well-off and have money, but it’s a pity to just give them away like this."

Especially doing it right in front of her; how humiliating!

"I’m not working now; I’ve taken leave, so I don’t have a salary. It’s just Shen Bin earning money on his own; he only makes thirty-something yuan a month, buying cigarettes for himself, so how much could be left? Besides, I’ve never heard of using parental money; it’s just putting on a brave front. Luckily, living with my father-in-law and mother-in-law means they cover living expenses, so there’s nowhere for us to spend money. Right, you came over for something, didn’t you? It’s getting late; do you want to say it now, or wait for Shen Bin to come back?" Ye Ling had no intention of sparing face for such shameless people.

"I don’t have much; your cousin is getting married, and I thought I’d come to let you know. The wedding’s at the end of the month. Now your cousin has someone; it’s just Chun’er left. I also want to ask if Binzi has found anyone suitable for her?" Mrs. Shen knew that if the argument continued, they’d leave with tensions escalated, and she’d fail to accomplish anything, so she suppressed her anger. "Although we’re Shen Bin’s adoptive parents, they say nurturing grace is greater than birthing grace, and Binzi calls us mom and dad. You, as his wife, should call us that too. But I know your city folks look down on us rural people, so if you won’t call us that, fine. But Shen Chun’s matter must be resolved; Binzi owes Chun’er that."

Couldn’t hold back anymore?

If Ye Ling didn’t know the inside story, she might have been cornered by her words. But knowing the truth, Ye Ling found her antics like a clown, "Oh, is it that thing?"

With a stretched tone, Mrs. Shen’s expression suddenly changed.

Ye Ling laughed, "Don’t worry about it. It was just a temporary measure back then. People in the village wouldn’t know, so you can explain, and it won’t spread. Plus, even if Shen Bin finds someone for Shen Chun now, he must make these things clear to the man, or else if something comes up after marriage, how would he think? That would only seem guilty, validating those things. Isn’t that reasonable?"

Without waiting for Mrs. Shen to speak, Ye Ling added, "I’m living with my in-laws now, and here comes another mother-in-law. I’m just afraid of upsetting my real mother-in-law, so I’ll call you that out of consideration. You should also be understanding of us juniors."

The aunt beside held back her laughter until Mrs. Shen was sent out with a dark face. When she returned, she couldn’t stop smiling. Ye Ling didn’t mean anything other than she disliked the Shen Family’s demeanor. Shen Bin owed them, but they also owed him. If they had any conscience and wanted Shen Bin to help, how could he refuse? But they preferred to act superior as if Shen Bin owed them.

Shen Bin felt embarrassed to say anything, but Ye Ling didn’t care about this. With these people being thick-skinned, they thought they could manipulate her. If she was soft and didn’t voice, they’d truly believe they had control.

When Shen Bin came back in the evening, he saw his mother happily chatting with Ye Ling. Seeing him, she beckoned, "Your adoptive mother came over and said Gao Xique is getting married at the end of the month, even came by to reproach Lingzi for not treating her as her mother-in-law."

Ye Ling saw how excited her mother-in-law was and couldn’t help but smile, even casting Shen Bin a rare glance. Shen Bin noticed and didn’t change his clothes, sitting down first, "Getting married so soon?"

He then told Ye Ling, "You don’t need to bother about what they say. If you don’t want to see them, just tell the front gate not to let them in."

Shen Bin’s assertive attitude made the two women in front of him content. He knew he had done the right thing again and tried to seek praise from his wife with a glance, but she just gave a light snort, completely ignoring him, leaving him feeling a bit disinterested.

Since the New Year, his wife had returned and been cold towards him until now. They’ve spoken less than ten sentences, and mostly he was speaking while she listened, making him increasingly impatient.