Chapter 105: Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child – 37

Just as Shen Xiuyan’s gaze swept over, Zhou Guiying, with a strong will to survive, immediately raised the lunchbox in her hand.

“I knew my daughter-in-law was coming, so I went to the state-run restaurant and had a few dishes freshly made. That’s why I was a little late. Mingyue, are you hungry? Come, let’s go eat.”

Shen Jianguo widened his eyes like a startled dog—he hadn’t expected this from his own wife. When disaster struck, everyone really flew their separate ways.

Perhaps his expression was too shocked, because Zhou Guiying gave him a helpless little smile in return.

One escaping is one less to deal with.

Better this than letting the daughter-in-law think their family didn’t value her. What if she got angry, had a falling-out with their son, and their son grew distant from the family?

This son had only just come home!

Seeing this, Shen Jianguo’s mind spun rapidly, trying to come up with an excuse.

But being tongue-tied and not the sharpest, all he managed to squeeze out was: “There’s something I need to check on at the factory…”

Shen Xiuyan sighed.

Shen Xiuyan crossed his arms.

Shen Xiuyan finally looked at the three of them and lightly said just three words: “Tell the truth.”

The three of them immediately straightened up. Truly his parents and brother—he saw right through them at a glance.

Zhou Guiying was the first to weakly raise her hand. “I just couldn’t take it anymore hearing the neighbors always saying I’d found a country girl for a daughter-in-law. What’s wrong with a country girl? Did she eat their rice? Since you two are so outstanding, of course I had to go brag about it a little. But once I started, I lost track of time…”

Noticing Shen Xiuyan’s expression grow darker the more she spoke, she decisively chose to sell out Shen Jianguo.

“Don’t look at me—I just bragged a bit to the neighbors. Your dad was worse. He rode three li and notified every one of our relatives.”

Shen Jianguo jolted. So his wife wouldn’t back him up anymore, huh?

He quickly deflected, “Well at least the people I told were blood relatives! I just wanted everyone to share in the joy. But look at your brother—he told all his friends around here. Isn’t that even more outrageous?”

Shen Yuanming: “…”

He was indignant. What had he done? This was his younger brother and sister-in-law getting into Q University! Such exciting news—what’s wrong with sharing it with friends?

Shen Xiuyan rubbed his forehead. What kind of wild bunch was this?

Su Mingyue, standing behind Shen Xiuyan, widened her eyes slightly. So what Xiuyan-ge said earlier hadn’t been exaggerated at all. If anything, he’d been putting it mildly…

She couldn’t help but giggle. What a lively, adorable family. She was in love with them already.

Her laugh drew everyone’s attention.

Zhou Guiying immediately latched onto it like finding backup. “See, our daughter-in-law’s laughing! She’s not even mad. What are you so upset about?”

Shen Yuanming nodded in agreement, “Exactly, you’re the only one being uptight.”

Shen Jianguo chose not to look at Shen Xiuyan and instead called out warmly, “Mingyue, come, let’s go eat. Ignore this petty man. Wife, check if the food needs reheating.”

Zhou Guiying took Su Mingyue by the hand and said, “No need, no need. What I said earlier was all true. I saw I was running out of time, so I went straight to the state-run restaurant. The dishes are freshly cooked and still warm. Let’s eat!”

Shen Xiuyan watched all this unfold, stunned.

He didn’t get it.

They were just going to ignore him now???

Why did it suddenly seem like he was the one in the wrong…

Surely getting a daughter-in-law didn’t mean he’d lost his place in the family, right…?

Su Mingyue, being pulled toward the table by Zhou Guiying, saw Shen Xiuyan hadn’t followed and quickly turned her head to call out, “Xiuyan-ge? Come eat~”

“Ai, coming!” Shen Xiuyan shook his head helplessly. These heartless people… In the end, only his wife was on his side!

Zhou Guiying and Shen Jianguo exchanged a knowing smile.

Their daughter-in-law was a sweet, caring girl.

Su Mingyue had the most enthusiastically served meal of her life. The dishes were delicious, the rice fragrant, and Shen Xiuyan’s family was even more passionate than she had imagined.

Maybe because they felt guilty about not accompanying her earlier, the way they vied to serve her food left her in the dust.

The three competed like it was a race, chopsticks flying so fast they almost left afterimages.

Holding a bowl piled high with food, Su Mingyue was overwhelmed. Her in-laws and brother-in-law were just too enthusiastic—she couldn’t possibly eat all this.

In the end, she looked pitifully at Shen Xiuyan, and he immediately stepped in to rescue her.

Under his stern gaze, the three quickly pretended to behave themselves, and the meal finally proceeded more normally.

After finishing the leftovers in his wife’s bowl, Shen Xiuyan collapsed on the couch and let out a full belch. That was too much food—if he ate any more, his stomach might burst.

This only strengthened his resolve: he must live separately with his wife. He had to rent a place.

This kind of family “enthusiasm” was fine for a few days—but any longer, and no sane man could take it.

After dinner, Shen Xiuyan voiced his thoughts.

The three members of the Shen family didn’t object—in fact, they nodded in agreement.

Mother Zhou said she understood—she’d been through it herself. No matter how well a mother-in-law treats her, what daughter-in-law wants to live together?

And besides, the house was small. One more person squeezed in was still manageable for now…

But soon it might not just be one more person. Thinking of her future little grandson or granddaughter, she couldn’t help but beam with joy.

Yes, for the sake of her future grandchild, they should live separately!

Zhou Guiying eagerly added, “You can rent anywhere you like. If money’s tight, just tell us. We have money at home.”

Shen Yuanming: “Exactly, bro’s got money.”

Su Mingyue smiled softly, “It’s okay. Q University gives Xiuyan-ge a thirty yuan monthly stipend. That’s more than enough for us to live on.”

“Oh wow, that much?” Shen Jianguo looked stunned.

As expected of his son—his schooling not only didn’t cost money, the country even paid him. He now had more bragging rights for tomorrow’s gossip session. Sweet!

Su Mingyue nodded, “Yes, so we can support ourselves. We don’t need any help from home.”

“Mingyue is truly sensible.” Zhou Guiying affectionately patted Su Mingyue’s cheek.

Her daughter-in-law was nothing like those flashy vixens from outside. Take Old Feng’s household across the street, for example—they married a pretty city girl, but in her opinion, what good was that? That little fox was just waiting to drain their life savings.

Now look at her daughter-in-law—so sensible, so independent, not even thinking of taking a cent from the family.