Chapter 29: The More a Mother-in-Law Looks at Her Son-in-Law, the More She Likes Him!

Chen Shi fell silent. Before the founding of the People’s Republic, the country was torn by war, and life was bitter. Without a man in the household, no matter how gentle a woman once was, Li Xiulian had to toughen up for her daughter’s sake.

A woman may be soft by nature, but motherhood makes her strong. That was exactly the case here.

Li Xiulian walked over. “Son-in-law, let’s go home. I’ve prepared a lot for you two!”

Though her health was poor—likely due to mild asthma—Li Xiulian could still manage farm work when her condition wasn’t acting up.

Besides, now that the land belonged to the farmers, the family had enough supplies, even if money was tight.

Once home, Shen Youchu pulled Li Xiulian aside. “Mom, Little Chen Shi specially asked his father to get this medicine for you from the Railway Ministry hospital!”

Li Xiulian’s expression darkened at the sight of the medicine. “Silly child, my illness isn’t serious. Why trouble your in-laws like this? You shouldn’t think of your birth family the moment you marry into another!”

Seeing Shen Youchu lower her head, on the verge of tears from the scolding, Chen Shi quickly intervened.

“Mom, now that I’ve married Youchu, you’re family too. Your concerns are mine! Dad didn’t mind at all—he even said if the medicine doesn’t work well, you should go to the Railway Ministry hospital. He’s already spoken to the doctor!”

Li Xiulian’s face softened with gratitude. “Chen Shi, I’ve caused you trouble. Come inside—I made some dishes earlier and kept them warm. Take whatever’s left back with you.”

She lifted the lid of the pot, revealing a steaming plate of braised pork with preserved vegetables, stir-fried cabbage with cured meat, and a whole chicken.

In this era, such a spread was a feast—something many families couldn’t even afford during New Year’s.

Chen Shi could tell: Li Xiulian genuinely approved of him.

Since they still had to return to his grandparents’ place, Chen Shi and Shen Youchu didn’t stay long. Before leaving, Chen Shi discreetly tucked the 50,000 yuan under the quilt on the kang.

Meanwhile, Li Xiulian bustled about, packing garlic from her garden, homemade cured meat, and the freshly slaughtered chicken into a basket for them.

“Mom, that’s too much! Don’t pack any more!” Chen Shi protested.

“Almost done! These are dried apricots I made from wild mountain apricots—sweet and sour, perfect for Little Chen Shi to snack on!”

As the saying goes: The more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him!

In no time, Li Xiulian was already calling him “Little Chen Shi”—as if he were her own child.

Once everything was packed, Shen Youchu hoisted the basket onto her back, and they stepped out—only to run straight into Jia Dongxu and Qin Huairu.

Their basket had been full when they arrived, but now it was empty—except for a handful of garlic Qin Huairu carried.

She even chased after Jia Dongxu with a scrap of pork fat, urging, “Dongxu, rub this on your lips before we leave—or the villagers will talk!”

Chen Shi nearly laughed out loud. Deliberately steering Shen Youchu closer, he feigned shock and announced loudly:

“Wow, Dongxu! How did you know my mother-in-law made me cured meat and stewed chicken? How did you know I even had scrambled eggs today? And look at this—a whole basket of goodies!”

He gestured at his oil-stained clothes. “Here, smell my breath—proof of how well I ate!”

Jia Dongxu shot Qin Huairu a glare. “Let’s go home!”

Qin Huairu’s eyes welled up, her disdain for Chen Shi growing. Thank goodness I didn’t marry him—what a ruffian!

Humming, Chen Shi taunted:

“Little cabbage, yellow in the field~

Married a man whose in-laws won’t yield~

No treats, no feast, just garlic to wield~

Ahhh~”

Jia Dongxu snapped. He scanned the ground for a stick, ready to fight. “What’s there to boast about?! My wife’s prettier than yours!”

Chen Shi smirked. “Sure, sure. She also cost you two million, and you’re practically her family’s live-in son-in-law.”

“That’s a lie! I’m not a live-in!” Jia Dongxu’s eyes reddened with fury, tears spilling.

Chen Shi waved him off, still humming. “Alright, alright, you’re not. Hurry home—I’ve got a feast waiting at my grandparents’!”

Jia Dongxu stomped in frustration but quickly stopped—he was too hungry. He’d only eaten one egg all morning.

Watching Qin Huairu’s meek demeanor, Chen Shi felt smug.

Oh, he’d noticed—the way she looked down on him, as if Jia Dongxu were superior in every way.

Just wait. Once he joined the Railway Ministry, rising from stoker to train driver, and then climbing the ranks—Qin Huairu would be Widow Qin by then.

The thought amused him.

His father had competed with Old Jia his whole life, only for Old Jia to die young.

Now he and Jia Dongxu were set for a lifelong rivalry—except Jia Dongxu’s fate would be “Jia·Die-Young Dongxu.”

Shen Youchu tugged his sleeve gently. “Hurry, we still have to go back. Don’t stomp so hard—you’ll hurt your feet on the stones!”

Chen Shi gazed at her, chest swelling with pride. Say his wife wasn’t pretty?

Just wait. Once she was well-fed, she’d outshine every woman in the courtyard.

As they approached the Chen household, they heard a cacophony of children’s voices:

“Mom! Dad! We’re starving! When do we eat?!”

“Wait for your Sixteenth Uncle to come back!”

“We’ll die if we wait any longer!”

To the kids, an hour past mealtime with bowls of meat dishes sitting untouched was torture. Normally, families would’ve left leftovers for those returning late.

But Chen Shi was Chen Bold and Grandma Chen’s treasure.

The old man had decreed: “No one eats until Little Chen Shi returns!”

And so, everyone waited.

“Grandpa, just one bite! Please!”

“Great-Grandpa, Great-Grandma, we’re withering away!”

“You brats! Your Sixteenth Uncle is still walking home with an empty stomach—think about him!”

“But Sixteenth Uncle ate at Sixteenth Aunt’s house!”

“We want food! Waaaah—!”

One child’s wail set off the rest.

Standing at the gate, Chen Shi’s eyes burned. In both his past and present life, this was the first time he’d ever felt so loved.

Shen Youchu noticed his mood. “What’s wrong? Are you unwell?”

Chen Shi rubbed his eyes. “Nothing. A drop of water bit my eye. A kiss will fix it.”

Her cheeks flushed. “Stop joking! Let’s go in—it’s rude to keep elders waiting.”

Swallowing the lump in his throat, Chen Shi strode inside. “Uncles, your grandkids are starving—you should’ve started without me!”

“Nonsense! They’re just being spoiled. A good beating will fix that!” Grandma Chen pulled Chen Shi and Shen Youchu to her side. “Sit next to me!”

Chen Bold glared at Chen Lao’han. “Why are you still standing there?!”