Chapter 23: Valuing Her

As a result of certain circumstances, the next day Mrs. Fang told Li Sheng to inform Tang Xin not to come by for the time being. Fearing her future daughter-in-law would misunderstand and think she wasn’t welcome, after some thought, she decided to bring her foolish son along and deliver the betrothal gifts to the educated youth point herself.

Li Sheng was somewhat opposed. “Mother, she’ll find out about our family’s situation sooner or later. I said from the very start that my younger siblings are my lifelong responsibility. If you keep hiding things from her now, are you going to keep it up after she marries in?”

“Once she’s married, she’ll be your sister-in-law. She’ll be able to manage your siblings however she likes,” Mrs. Fang replied resolutely.

She had already made up her mind—once her daughter-in-law entered the household, she would hand over the management of the house.

Li’s father was an honest man, taciturn like Li Sheng. Especially after the incident years ago, he kept to himself, working in silence, and the entire family relied on Mrs. Fang’s support.

She was not like other old women who feared their daughters-in-law would take over their authority—she longed for someone to share the burden. The other children in the family were manageable, but her youngest daughter and second son were the real troublemakers.

Especially her youngest daughter, who had thrown a tantrum in her room because Mrs. Fang was making new clothes for the new daughter-in-law. The second son, meanwhile, stood by making snide remarks.

Li Xiyue’s outburst was so severe that Mrs. Fang, worried about frightening her future daughter-in-law, reluctantly decided to ask Tang Xin to stay away for the time being.

Nothing in the world was more important than her eldest son’s marriage. No matter what, getting Tang Xin through the door came first.

Li Sheng still wasn’t pleased. “Mother, why don’t we ask Third Aunt to help explain things?”

What daughter-in-law hasn’t married yet and the mother-in-law is already paying a personal visit?

He didn’t want to wrong his wife-to-be, but he understood his mother had suffered more than enough for a lifetime. Outside, she was always cautious and meek; he didn’t want her to bow her head before his wife in the future.

But Mrs. Fang was annoyed by his suggestion, shooting him a look. “Usually you complain that I talk too much, so why are you so long-winded today? I’m your mother, if I want to visit my daughter-in-law, that’s my business. Do you have a problem with that?”

Li Sheng immediately fell silent.

Then Mrs. Fang continued, “When you’re in front of a young woman, you need to be more perceptive and speak sweetly. For her to publicly declare she wants to marry you—imagine the courage that took! I’m your mother, so of course I think you’re wonderful, but anyone else would think the girl must be blind to want you.”

She went on admonishing, “Frankly, you’re to blame. You’re a grown man, yet you need the girl to take the initiative. You’re embarrassing me! If you want to marry her, shouldn’t you be the one pursuing her?”

In short, Mrs. Fang worried that her son was too wooden, too cold-faced, and might upset the girl.

All her hard work—wasn’t it for him? She only wanted Tang Xin to think well of her son.

After years of family life, Li Sheng had long since mastered the art of appeasement from his father. He replied sincerely, “Mother, it’s my fault.”

His father had taught him: in front of your mother and wife, admitting fault is nothing. Whether you’re right or wrong, if they say you’re wrong, you’re wrong!

She might scold him, but in Mrs. Fang’s heart, her son was the best of all. The girls who had refused to marry him before were simply blind.

Her fondness for Tang Xin wasn’t just because Tang Xin was the first to propose to her son; it was because the girl’s eyes were bright and pure—she was, without a doubt, a kind and good-hearted person.

“Your wife is from the city, it’s only natural she’s a bit delicate. As a man, you should indulge her, be patient, and help her adjust to rural life. If she has a temper, it’s only normal. Help her more at home.”

Still uneasy, Mrs. Fang added, “If your wife says one thing, you can’t contradict her. Do as she says, understand?”

Li Sheng was speechless. Was he marrying a wife or welcoming an ancestor into his home?

But then Tang Xin’s clever, mischievous, and beautiful face flashed in his mind, warming his heart. A wife brought home should be cherished and spoiled.

So he kept nodding.

Mrs. Fang continued her endless instructions, and before long, the two of them reached the educated youth point.

Li Sheng listened patiently to his mother’s admonishments along the way. The little old lady was in high spirits, head held high and proud.

Who said her son was hard to marry off? He simply hadn’t met the right girl before. Now, he was about to bring home a fairy.

Which young man in the brigade wouldn’t be envious?

As Mrs. Fang led her son toward the educated youth point, Tang Xin was busy with preparations inside her room.

Li Sheng, ever thoughtful, had already sent word to Tang Xin, letting her know he and his mother would be coming.

Tang Xin first found a way to send Meng Jia off. On a day as important as meeting her future mother-in-law, she didn’t want any troublesome woman spoiling her mood.

She busied herself around the room. Perhaps her farm had adapted to the era, because the recent upgrade gifts had been quite marvelous: malted milk essence, canned meat, powdered milk—all rare commodities in these times.

Luckily, the malted milk essence she had gotten from Meng Jia was already open; she’d have a little herself when she had the time. The flavors of this era, unadulterated and without additives, were quite pleasant.

No wonder Meng Jia had looked as if she’d lost a loved one when Tang Xin took the malted milk essence, treating her as a mortal enemy.

After a moment’s thought, Tang Xin prepared the canned meat and malted milk essence, saving the rest. She valued Mrs. Li greatly and respected the Li family.

But after these days, she’d come to understand the average household’s purchasing power in the early seventies. The gifts she was offering, along with some sweets and snacks, were already more than enough.

Hearing voices outside, Tang Xin hurried out.

Sure enough, Li Sheng and the Li family’s matron had arrived. In fact, Mrs. Li wasn’t all that old; in her youth, she must have been a great beauty. Even now, she was still a striking woman.

Perhaps her humble background had made her keep a low profile for years—dressed in black, with her hair in a bun, she looked ten years older than she was.

Seeing the bright smile on Tang Xin’s face, the old lady felt reassured.

Once inside, Tang Xin quickly invited Mrs. Li and Li Sheng to sit, and made tea for them. Fortunately, she still had a box of good tea among her possessions, so she wasn’t embarrassed when hosting guests.

When the old lady saw the fine items arranged on the side table, she knew at once that Tang Xin had prepared them specially for their visit. To bring out such good things showed not only Tang Xin’s generosity but also her genuine regard for the old woman.

PS: I’ve always wanted to write a mother-in-law who is understanding and truly wonderful, and I’ve finally done it with Mrs. Li. For a woman, marriage is like a second life—meeting a kind family is incredibly, incredibly important!