Chapter 28: “Starve Rather Than Plow Your Father-in-Law’s Land!”

Chen Shi’s eyes lit up—was this his little wife’s “fortune-bringing” aura at work?

At the Shen family home, Shen Youchu had pampered him with good food, fun, and even new shoes.

Even the Contrast Mission—which he hadn’t figured out how to win—was effortlessly secured by his mother-in-law’s fierce protectiveness and his wife’s gentle care. He’d become the most treasured son-in-law in the village without lifting a finger!

Contrast Mission: Won by Default!

Meanwhile, Jia Dongxu was sweating under the sun, dragging a stone roller to compact the wheat fields.

Chen Shi vaguely recalled from his past life that winter wheat needed rolling to firm the soil, crush clods, and retain moisture. It also insulated the roots against frost.

But Jia Dongxu? This guy wouldn’t even lift a soy sauce bottle at home! Yet here he was, toiling like a farmhand. If Jia Zhangshi found out her precious son was doing manual labor for his in-laws, Qin Huairu would have hell to pay.

And with Jia Dongxu’s weak constitution, overexertion might leave him too exhausted for work—risking his monthly wages.

Tsk tsk. The difference between Shen Youchu’s “fortune-bringing” aura and Qin Huairu’s “energy-draining” one couldn’t be clearer!

Jia Dongxu shot Chen Shi a sour glare. Why does this good-for-nothing get treated like royalty while I’m stuck working?

No one in the Qin family had called him an honored guest, let alone gifted him new shoes. Yet Chen Shi’s mother-in-law had given him a full pair—sole to upper!

Chen Shi caught his stare and smirked. “Hey, Dongxu, you never lift a finger at home. What’s with the sudden enthusiasm at your in-laws’?”

Jia Dongxu puffed up. “I’m hardworking, unlike you, lounging around like a lord!”

He thought this would earn him points in the village. After all, Yi Zhonghai had drilled into him the virtues of diligence and reputation.

I’m a skilled worker, and Chen Shi’s just a jobless loafer. No way he outshines me this time!

But Chen Shi only chuckled and recited an old saying:

“Starve rather than plow your father-in-law’s land;

Perish of hunger before stealing from turnip fields!”

The villagers burst out laughing.

“Huairu, is your man this eager to work your family’s land? Planning to marry into the Qin family?”

“A Beijinger bending his back like a live-in son-in-law? Qin Datian, you’ve hit the jackpot!”

Jia Dongxu’s face darkened. For a Beijinger, pride was everything—being mocked as a “reverse-married” man was humiliating.

He flung down the rope and stormed off, shooting Qin Huairu a venomous glare.

Qin Huairu was mortified. She’d wanted to show off her “superior” city marriage, but now Chen Shi and Shen Youchu had completely upstaged her.

Shen Youchu tugged Chen Shi’s sleeve. “Try walking in them. Make sure they’re not too tight.”

Chen Shi strutted around, making a show of stopping before Jia Dongxu. “Hey, Dongxu, check out my new shoes! Fresh cotton—so warm! Wait… you didn’t get any bridal-return shoes? Not even half-pair?”

Jia Dongxu gritted his teeth. “Don’t push it, Chen Shi!”

Chen Shi grinned. “Aw, don’t be mad. Sure, you missed out on the shoes, but hey—you did spend two million yuan more than me on your wedding! My wife asked for zero dowry, while you coughed up a sewing machine and 300,000 yuan!”

The crowd howled. “Huairu’s man, you’re an embarrassment to Beijingers!”

Qin Huairu whispered tearfully, “Dongxu, ignore them—”

But Jia Dongxu was already seeing red.

Just then, the village loudspeaker crackled to life:

*”Jackets with four pockets, millet and sorghum feasts,

A village shared by kin, visits made on feet.

92% milled rice, 81% wheat flour,

Save every grain for our soldiers’ power!

Nutritious, thrifty, our nation stands tall,

Each grain’s a sweat-drop—cherish them all!”*

The broadcast ended with an announcement: “Tonight’s movie screening at the Qin Village threshing ground! Finish dinner early and come watch!”

As the farmers cheered and packed up, Li Xiulian (Shen Youchu’s mother) passed a nosy neighbor who sneered:

“Xiulian, mark my words—that lazy son-in-law of yours will make Chu’er suffer. You two fled here from Sichuan together; I’ve watched Chu’er grow up. This was a mistake.”

Li Xiulian’s face turned icy. “Auntie Li, I used to consider you family. But if this is how you talk about my son-in-law, we’re done. You’re too high-class for us now.”

The woman scoffed. “Pah! Your daughter married a Beijing layabout without dowry. She’ll regret it!”

Li Xiulian unleashed a torrent of scathing Beijing slang:

“Forgot your meds today? Teeth all grown in?

Head screwed on straight?

You’re a scallop thinking it’s a spice—who’d fry you?

Quit playing the wise old owl when you’re just a glass marble!

My girl’s wedding is joyous—why’s your beak squawking?”

The verbal barrage sent the busybody fleeing.

Chen Shi, impressed, pinched Shen Youchu’s cheek. “Your mom’s a firecracker. How’d you turn out so soft?”

Shen Youchu blinked. “When Papa was alive… Mama was just like me.”