Over at the Lin Family, Lin Fengmian was fussing about going to the county town.
Zhou Xiaomei regretted it endlessly; if she'd known, she wouldn't have mentioned Shen Qingqing in front of her sister-in-law.
See, now someone is going to the county town.
She wants to go too.
Isn't this just making trouble for no reason?
Patiently and helplessly, she said, "I'm going to work later. If you go to the county town, no one will watch Xiao Bao."
"My brother is on vacation; let him watch him."
Zhou Xiaomei quickly suggested, "Why not go tomorrow? Then your sister-in-law will give you ten yuan, and you can buy something you want."
Letting her sister-in-law go to the county town can conveniently avoid meeting Shen Qingqing, killing two birds with one stone!
Ten yuan—almost half a month's salary for many people!
Lin Fengmian was tempted for a moment.
But she still shook her head, "I just want to go today."
Zhou Xiaomei was almost dying of a headache, "You don't have anything urgent, why must you go to the county town today?"
"Why do I not have anything urgent?"
Meeting Shen Qingqing—that's the most urgent matter, isn't it?
She needs to see what this person has that could convince Brother Jiang to marry her.
Brother Jiang doesn't return home to visit; probably because he has a wife like that at home, he doesn't want to meet.
Lin Fengmian thought she's merely exchanging a few words with Shen Qingqing.
She wasn't going to seduce Brother Jiang or break up their marriage.
Therefore, she was not wrong.
No need to feel guilty!
Zhou Xiaomei knew what her sister-in-law was thinking just by looking at her expression.
Firmly forbidding her from looking for trouble.
"It's their couple's business, why are you sticking your nose in? If they end up divorcing, gossip will drown you."
Lin Fengmian stiffened her neck, "When did I say I was butting into their business? Shen Qingqing comes to the compound, and she doesn't socialize with others? Saying a few words to her is outrageously stirring trouble?"
Zhou Xiaomei knew how unreasonable her sister-in-law could be when she was stubborn.
Letting her meet Miss Shen might mean she'd go out of her way to make things difficult.
That's Jiang Zhixun's wife; they'll certainly see her often in the future.
If relations turn sour, how can everyone get along?
Moreover, her sister-in-law's intentions are too obvious; her incompatibility with Shen Qingqing, in outsiders' eyes, is just her not knowing shame, wanting to steal a man from Shen Qingqing.
Then how will she date later?
How will she marry?
"If you hadn't had feelings for Jiang Zhixun, I wouldn't interfere with you wanting to be friends with Miss Shen, assuming she's willing. But look in the mirror; when Shen Qingqing is mentioned, you grit your teeth. People might think she did something wrong to you."
Lin Fengmian felt her sister-in-law was siding with outsiders.
Her tone became sharper, "Is she some formidable character that I must like her?"
Zhou Xiaomei was speechless.
Dully, she said, "I didn't say you must like her. Just interact normally, not explosively like gunpowder."
Lin Fengmian snorted, "I just dislike Shen Qingqing. She dresses up so flamboyantly; one look shows she's not a prudent, housewife kind of woman. I just don't like her ways; it has nothing to do with others."
Zhou Xiaomei rubbed her temples.
The sister-in-law already harbored hostility against Miss Shen, now saying she wouldn't manage a household frugally.
This is clearly prejudice.
No matter how good Shen Qingqing is, under such prejudice, she can't see her merits!
Furthermore, it's her own money she's spending, so outsiders have no say, do they?
Zhou Xiaomei felt that if she continued talking, she'd be angered to the point of spitting blood.
Not wanting to get entangled any further, she picked up her bag and left.
"I'm going to work first. You watch Xiao Bao, and when your brother returns, talk to him yourself. If he agrees for you to go to the county town, then go."
That's Lin Zhidong's own sister. Whatever matter it is, let the siblings solve it themselves.
Zhou Xiaomei didn't want to meddle anymore.
Lin Fengmian didn't give her the chance to leave ahead.
She directly stuffed the baby into Zhou Xiaomei's arms.
"Your own child, you take care of him! Besides, I'm already twenty; going out doesn't need my brother's approval."
"We hired you to help take care of the child. I'm going to work now; how can you mess around?"
Lin Fengmian hesitated for a moment, "Even child care should have days off; today I just want to go to the county town!"
After speaking, she went inside to grab her army green shoulder canvas bag, took her saved private money and tickets, and hurried out of the house.
No matter how much Zhou Xiaomei called her, Lin Fengmian didn't look back.
Before Lin Zhidong got home, he saw his wife holding the baby, standing downstairs, looking anxious.
"At this hour, why haven't you gone to the art troupe?"
Zhou Xiaomei, annoyed, stuffed her son into his arms, "Isn't it because of your sister? She's ditching her responsibilities."
Lin Zhidong looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"Heard Miss Shen went to the county town; your sister chased after her."
Many times, Zhou Xiaomei genuinely couldn't understand her sister-in-law's thoughts.
Shen Qingqing hasn't provoked her. Even if she has feelings for Jiang Zhixun, she can't just hassle people's wives!
Miss Shen not coming to warn Xiao Mian should be considered a blessing.
But she went, causing trouble right in front of them!
Lin Zhidong held his son, opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.
Finally, sternly, he said, "If she dares make trouble, I'll immediately send her back home."
Sending the sister-in-law back home, Zhou Xiaomei was unwilling.
Looking after a child can't be taken lightly; the sister-in-law, though troublesome, has been caring for the baby since the full month celebration steadily.
No bumps or bruises, and she keeps the child tidy daily.
In this aspect, Zhou Xiaomei was satisfied.
"Let's see what happens first. She's not foolish; she should know better than to break up a relationship."
Behavior issues were strictly managed.
Interfering in others' relationships can lead to serious consequences.
Lin Zhidong thought, maybe Lin Fengmian wouldn't break them up, but she would change tactics to bother Miss Shen.
If Shen Qingqing feels troubled and chooses to leave, Old Jiang would have to live separately from his wife.
Their relationship already appeared strained.
Continuing this separation would certainly bring big issues.
Then Xiao Mian would become the culprit!
First letting his wife go to work, "I'll take Xiao Bao to chase after her."
"Okay, hurry up; there's still time."
Lin Zhidong nodded, "She insisted on going to the county town; I'll take her. Just enough time to buy ingredients to host guests tomorrow."
Zhou Xiaomei, anxious about work, couldn't pay much attention.
Having Lin Zhidong there, his sister probably wouldn't cause an uproar.
She kissed her son's little face and went to work.
Lin Fengmian went to catch the bus, unexpectedly meeting Jiang Zhixun.
A bright smile appeared on her face; instinctively she wanted to chat with him.
But thinking Jiang Zhixun was a married man, she had to forcefully restrain the urge to get close to him.
Lin Fengmian told herself she disliked Shen Qingqing not because of Brother Jiang.
She just couldn't stand Shen Qingqing's ways.
Not intending to break them up!
Lin Fengmian didn't talk to Jiang Zhixun, deliberately sitting far away to prove her innocence.
Jiang Zhixun saw Lin Fengmian, just slightly lifting his eyelid.
This was Lin Zhidong's own sister; meeting her, she always hung onto talking with him.
For the sake of friendship, he would respond a few times.
Not coming over to talk had no impact on him.
Lin Zhidong decided to take his son out, unexpectedly the baby wet himself right before heading out.
By the time he cleaned up, it was already too late to chase after Lin Fengmian.