Chapter 27: The Countryside Path is Slippery, and Human Hearts are More Complex!

Goudan and Gousheng found themselves surrounded, on the verge of having their snacks snatched away. The entire Chen household was in chaos, the ruckus from the kids nearly lifting the roof.

Realizing he’d stirred up trouble, Chen Shi grabbed Shen Youchu’s hand and hurried outside. “Let’s go!”

The sweet but naive Shen Youchu glanced back worriedly. “Is it alright for us to leave like this?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine!”

Chen Shi hadn’t forgotten his important mission today—to outshine Jia Dongxu during the bride’s return visit and prove himself the better man.

“Oh my, Sixteenth Grandpa, you just got back and you’re already leaving?”

Chen Shi looked up to see a guy around his own age addressing him as “Sixteenth Grandpa.” A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Right—the Chen family’s seniority in Qin Village was ridiculously high.

Of course, high seniority wasn’t necessarily a good thing. It just meant their ancestors had been too poor to marry early, causing each generation to lag behind others.

Eight generations of tenant farmers—of course they were dirt poor!

The fact that the Chen family had survived this long without their bloodline dying out was nothing short of a miracle.

Chen Shi cleared his throat. “I’m taking my wife back to her parents’ place.”

“Bride’s return visit? Wait—isn’t this the Shen girl from West Village? I heard the ‘Flower of Qin Family’ married a city worker. Thought it’d be you. But hey, Sixteenth Grandpa, your dad’s a worker, but you’re just a loafer, right? Shouldn’t the son of a hero be a hero himself?”

Chen Shi smirked. “Listen here, you little runt—I also heard your ancestors were landlords. What’s your family’s class status now? Come on, let’s go to the commune and straighten out your family tree. See what label you should really have!”

The guy paled and bolted.

Chen Shi picked up a rock and hurled it after him.

“THUD!”

The satisfying sound of the guy tripping and falling lifted Chen Shi’s mood instantly.

Hmph. Trying to mess with a street-savvy loafer? What an idiot!

Ever since regaining his pre-transmigration memories, Chen Shi had lived by one principle: Live freely, live boldly!

Shen Youchu carried a small bamboo basket filled with gifts Tian Xiulan had prepared for the visit.

Hidden in Chen Shi’s underwear pocket was 50,000 yuan from Chen Lao’han. His father believed that since Shen Youchu was devoted to Chen Shi, the family shouldn’t treat her side poorly.

They might not splurge like the fool Jia Dongxu, but they could at least offer mutual support.

Chen Shi sauntered behind Shen Youchu as they entered Qin Family’s West Village.

The villagers were busy working the fields.

Coincidentally, the Qin family’s plot was right next to Shen Youchu’s mother’s land.

And there, in the middle of Qin Huairu’s field, was Jia Dongxu—sweating buckets as he swung a hoe.

Chen Shi burst out laughing. “Hey, Jia Dongxu! They say a son-in-law before marriage works harder than a donkey. But you’re already married—why are you still plowing your in-laws’ fields?”

Jia Dongxu’s face stiffened.

He hadn’t wanted to work, but Qin Huairu had begged him with teary eyes, saying it would reassure her parents.

Still in the honeymoon phase, Jia Dongxu had reluctantly agreed—only to get caught red-handed by Chen Shi.

Villagers gathered to watch the spectacle.

“I knew that guy looked familiar! He’s Chen Bold’s youngest grandson from East Village!”

“Oh my—Xiulian, your daughter married Chen Bold’s grandson?!”

Li Xiulian nodded. “Yes.”

“Oh dear, Xiulian, you’ve made a mistake! That boy might be a city dweller, but he’s a troublemaker! Lazy, jobless, can’t even farm properly!”

“I heard he runs with a gang of good-for-nothings in the capital, always picking fights! Your gentle Youchu married a hoodlum—her future looks bleak!”

Chen Shi listened quietly. So his delinquent reputation was this solid, huh?

Li Xiulian, though soft-spoken, stood firm. “Neighbors, today is my son-in-law’s first visit. I won’t tolerate unkind words.”

“We may be a widow and orphan, but we’ve got nothing to lose. Push us, and I’ll push back.”

With that, she set down her tools and hurried toward Chen Shi, slightly out of breath.

Studying him, her eyes lit up. “What a handsome young man! Truly impressive!”

Chen Shi, unused to such sincere praise (given his usual “neighborhood nuisance” status), actually flushed—briefly.

But his thick skin quickly reasserted itself. Of course he was impressive!

“Mom, I’ve brought Youchu home!” he announced loudly.

Li Xiulian beamed at the address. “I knew you’d come today! We’ve just got a bit of work left. Sit here—I prepared some food.”

She pulled out four pairs of handmade shoes.

“These are ‘Full Hall Shoes’—one for each of your family members. Youchu, help your husband try them on. May you two grow old together in harmony!”

Chen Shi’s eyes gleamed.

In old Beijing customs, brides sewed “Return Visit Shoes” for their in-laws after marriage.

“Full Hall Shoes” meant one pair for every family member—a sign of utmost respect.

Li Xiulian had even made a pair for Chen Maihua.

Chen Shi was touched. No wonder Shen Youchu was so meticulous—she’d learned from the best.

With a sharp-tongued but capable mother like Li Xiulian, plus her generous curves and fortune-bringing aura, Shen Youchu was truly a treasure.

Li Xiulian might be frail, but she was a force in the fields and fiercely protective. Her warning silenced the gossips.

It made sense—without a man in the house and as outsiders who’d fled to the village before Liberation, the Shen women had to be tough.

If even a relatively well-off urban courtyard could produce vultures preying on the helpless, the countryside—with its slippery paths and complicated hearts—was far worse.

Shen Youchu unpacked the basket—scallion pancakes, two boiled eggs, and the shoes.

She knelt to help Chen Shi try them on.

Chen Shi lounged against a haystack, humming as he ate, while Shen Youchu attended to him.

Villagers murmured.

“Xiulian, your daughter treats her man like an emperor!”

Li Xiulian lifted her chin proudly. “Of course! A son-in-law is an honored guest—he should be served!”

[Contrast Outcome:

Chen Shi’s Bride-Return Prestige VS Jia Dongxu’s Bride-Return Prestige—

Chen Shi wins. Reward: +1 Attribute Point.]