Never mind!

Though she hadn’t married as well as Liu Fen, she had a good son.

Thinking about her son going to study abroad, Big Sister Chen’s mood improved.

Somehow, this meant Chen Qing had closed the gap with Xia Xiaolan from their college entrance exam. Though Huaqing University was prestigious domestically, it couldn’t compare to foreign schools. Plus, Chen Qing was a son while Liu Fen’s Xia Xiaolan was a daughter – natural differences existed between men and women. Big Sister Chen felt she still had the upper hand.

She refused to think about Xia Xiaolan’s prospects with Tang Hongen as her stepfather.

Mid-life marriages were just partnerships, would he truly care about a stepdaughter?

Big Sister Chen consoled herself this way, while also harboring thoughts about social class differences.

They could have introduced Liu Fen to someone stable, but she refused.

How did she catch an official’s eye?

With so many choices for marriage, why choose Liu Fen? Was it because rural women were hardworking, wanting a housekeeper to serve them?

Must be it!

Big Sister Chen thought sourly: old sayings warn about matching social status, marrying up comes at a cost, having to carefully serve the husband’s family. Marrying such a person only looks good on the surface!

Just as she found some mental balance, Big Sister Chen heard her father-in-law asking about Xia Xiaolan’s situation.

She couldn’t help but eavesdrop.

“Xiaolan probably can’t come back for New Year’s this year. She’s going to America for a year-long exchange program, leaving this February…”

What?

Xia Xiaolan was going abroad too!

Big Sister Chen couldn’t listen anymore. This mother-daughter pair seemed born to vex her, never letting her feel content.

A mere girl, wasn’t university enough? She had to go abroad too?

Going abroad was such a rare opportunity, that Chen Qing had struggled to get it, why did Xia Xiaolan have it too?

Old Chen pulled her clothes from behind, dragging her to the kitchen:

“How can you have no sense? A-Fen and they just returned to the village, you couldn’t even think to prepare some food!”

Old Chen’s expression showed nervousness mixed with a hint of Ferning.

He didn’t dare join the conversation.

Liu Yong had recruited so many villagers to work in Peng City, gaining prestige. His future as village chief didn’t even depend on A-Fen’s powerful husband but on Liu Yong’s support.

How could this woman have no sense, not quickly attending to guests, just eavesdropping!

Big Sister Chen gritted her teeth.

She wasn’t sure if Liu Fen’s marriage was just for show, but she definitely couldn’t even maintain appearances.

She had no authority in the Chen family, her husband wouldn’t even help start a fire in the kitchen.

Just as Big Sister Chen lit the kitchen fire, Chen Wangda called her.

“Dad, what is it?”

Chen Wangda pointed at Liu Fen, “A-Fen’s family is staying overnight. Their house has been empty for months and is too cold to stay in. To help start the kang bed stove.”

Big Sister Chen thought, why should she? Was she Liu Fen’s maid?

But she dared not defy her father-in-law’s authority.

Tang Hongen declined a few times, but Chen Wangda insisted it wasn’t treating them as outsiders, helping each other was natural.

Tang Hongen thanked Chen Wangda and let Big Sister Chen and some villagers help prepare the bedding and warm the rooms.

Not accepting Chen’s family’s help might make Chen Wangda overthink.

Since others were willing to help, why should Tang Hongen tire himself?

He didn’t mind doing work, but worried about tiring Liu Fen.

At his insistence, they prepared two separate rooms.

Big Sister Chen couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly left. Fourth Sister Chen followed, whispering: “He’s so good to A-Fen, she’s finally found happiness after hardship. Don’t you agree, Big Sister?”

Big Sister Chen waited until they were far from Liu’s house before sneering:

“How do you see he’s good to her?”

Fourth Sister Chen looked at her like she was stupid, “A high official specifically coming here, giving out wedding candy everywhere – isn’t he telling villagers he’s marrying A-Fen properly?”

Not quietly getting married.

Not giving villagers a chance to gossip.

Liu Fen was truly remarrying properly!

Her man respected her too. With the marriage certificate ready, just needed civil affairs bureau formalities, yet he insisted on two separate rooms… afraid others might think A-Fen was frivolous.

Big Sister Chen couldn’t argue.

Her self-consoling reasons were self-deception.

Facts showed Liu Fen had married well, probably not just superficially but truly happy – men like Official Tang, they wouldn’t even have a chance to meet, let alone live with rural women like them!

Big Sister Chen felt desolate.

Losing in every comparison felt terrible.

After everyone left, Liu Fen hesitantly spoke:

“You don’t like Big Sister Chen?”

Tang Hongen had always been polite, this was Liu Fen’s intuition.

Tang Hongen was slightly surprised, “How did you notice?”

Others said he was inscrutable, few could read his thoughts.

Tang Hongen hadn’t expected Liu Fen to sense his emotions – was it a guess?

“I don’t know, just felt it… really?”

Tang Hongen usually wasn’t so aloof, yet he made Big Sister Chen busy with bedding and room preparation. Liu Fen sensed his displeasure.

“You’re very clever but have no guard against others. But you won’t have to deal with her anymore, no need to mind her thoughts.”

A village chief’s daughter-in-law, if not from A-Fen’s hometown, Tang Hongen wouldn’t even notice.

Small temples breed strong spirits, shallow waters breed many turtles.

The village’s overall atmosphere was good, but not entirely harmonious.

Some like the Tian family showed their bad nature openly, like Big Sister Chen harbored internal jealousies, unwilling to see others do better.

Regardless of whom she introduced to A-Fen, Big Sister Chen might show kindness within limits, but absolutely wouldn’t want to see A-Fen’s family surpass hers.

Comparing husbands, and children – rural women were all so trivial.

Why not compare themselves?

Being good to oneself could inspire partners to excel, set examples for children, broaden horizons, and be confident and cheerful!

Tang Hongen thought women like Big Sister Chen would never understand why he chose A-Fen.

“A-Fen, rest early tonight. Tomorrow morning I’ll sweep your parents’ graves, then we’ll go to Anqing Civil Affairs Bureau. Then we’ll truly be husband and wife.”

Tang Hongen left these words and entered the adjacent room.

Liu Fen stood there, slowly processing his words, her cheeks burning.

– Being true husband and wife meant they wouldn’t sleep in separate rooms anymore!