Chapter 191: Missing – Daily Melon Eating at the Sickly Aunt’s Courtyard

Chapter 191: Missing - The Daily Life of the Sickly Aunt in the Courtyard Watching Drama

"What is it?" Lin Qing raised her hand to stop him. "Are you also trying to get me to stop supporting my parents?"

"I..." Having his intentions laid bare, Jiang Yang was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Don't even think about it! If your in-laws don’t support my parents, I, as their daughter, am not so unfilial!"

Jiang Yang's face turned pale and then flushed. His in-laws weren't him; how could he know they were so unreliable?

"I've already said this to your wife once, but considering you might not be aware, I'll kindly reiterate it to you seriously!

Your wife Lin Shu's parents, my elder brother and his wife, since their marriage, apart from covering their family of four's living expenses, have not contributed a single penny to the household, let alone providing support money for my parents. So, I don’t expect them to understand filial piety, but you can't expect me not to be filial either?

Don't say that Lin Shu is being pressured by her mother to give because I give to my parents. That can't be blamed on me! Her mother isn't me, and giving support money isn't something I forced her to do. She can give if she wants, and not give if she doesn't. What does that have to do with me?

Anyway, don't even think about stopping me from supporting my own parents!

Have you not seen how old my parents are? They’re ten years older than your parents. At their age, should I really rely on my unfilial brother and sister-in-law to take good care of them?

Moreover, my parents have already separated from your wife's parents. Whatever their own ideas are, they shouldn't always drag me into it."

Lin Qing spoke at a calm and steady pace, making it very clear that Lin Shu shouldn’t drag her own issues onto her.

Jiang Yang felt so ashamed he could hardly lift his head.

There was nothing wrong with what Lin Qing said. Should she really need others’ approval to support her own parents?

"I've made myself clear enough! Do you have anything else?"

Jiang Yang shook his head. Lin Qing glanced at him, then at the Jiang family behind him, and turned back into her room.

Lin Shu’s parents were once again brought up for criticism, and Lin Shu also felt utterly ashamed!

Every word Lin Qing said was about how unfilial Lin Shu's parents were. She had to take such measures because her brother and sister-in-law failed to be filial and provide for their parents. Otherwise, why would she, a married daughter, need to do this?

Mother Jiang remained unusually silent while Lin Qing spoke. As people age, they worry about whether their own children will be filial!

They feared that what happened to Lin Shu's parents might also happen to them. Why did Mother Jiang always cling to the family’s authority?

It was because she feared such a situation might befall her. Without money in hand, she felt insecure. In their old age, they were truly worried about falling into such a predicament.

Mother Jiang’s feelings towards Lin Qing were quite complex. If Lin Qing were her daughter-in-law, she would certainly not want such a daughter-in-law. But Lin Qing, because of her brother and sister-in-law's inaction, took on the responsibility of providing for her parents, which she greatly admired.

If she had such a daughter, she would be very happy!

So Mother Jiang’s feelings were particularly complicated at this moment.

The Jiang family, too ashamed to argue at the door, all went inside after Jiang Yang returned.

After sitting down at home, Mother Jiang said with a cold face, "Anyway, I don't care. Lin Shu, if you dare to give money to your parents, don't blame me for turning my back on you."

No matter how complex Mother Jiang's feelings towards Lin Qing were, it didn't stop her from protecting her own interests.

"This... Is it up to me whether I give or not?"

Lin Shu didn't know what to do anymore.

"If you just handed your salary over to me, wouldn’t there be fewer problems?" Mother Jiang tilted her head and said.

Lin Shu lowered her head and pursed her lips, thinking that handing over her money to Mother Jiang would be like throwing good money after bad—there would be no return!

Old Man Jiang also chimed in, unwilling to let his daughter-in-law keep supporting her parents. "Your parents are still young; it's not time for you to give them retirement money. Besides, don't you have a younger brother at home?"

"Exactly! A married daughter is like water under the bridge—there's no going back!" Mother Jiang added.

Jiang Yang watched Lin Shu, head down, wondering what she was thinking.

"Mom, Dad, let us deal with this ourselves."

"How can that be?" Mother Jiang was reluctant, fearing they might decide without her.

Father Jiang gave Jiang Yang a steady look and stopped Mother Jiang. He knew his son well—he wasn’t one to let others take advantage. "Alright!" He decided to trust him again.

"Honey..." Mother Jiang was still reluctant.

"Don't worry! Our son will handle it well."

Mother Jiang finally shot Lin Shu a glare and reluctantly agreed.

Jiang Da Sao had stayed silent, clenching her fist in frustration. Why didn’t it work out?

Well, it wasn’t just a matter of time.

Jiang Yang took Lin Shu back to their own room.

"Be honest, what are you thinking?" Jiang Yang asked Lin Shu.

Lin Shu’s eyes darted. "My parents are still young; it’s not time for me to give them retirement money."

"Alright, I understand. If your mom asks again, just say you’ve handed over your money and have none left."

Lin Shu frowned.

Jiang Yang sighed. "Don’t overthink it. These are just excuses; I’m not asking you to actually give it!"

Lin Shu sighed in relief. "That’s good!"

...

Back home, Lin Qing put them out of her mind. She missed Cen Xi and wondered if he’d return tonight.

Cen Xi was still working hard at his desk, surrounded by stacks of blueprints—some old, some new. The drafts were filled with data he had spent days calculating.

He was so engrossed in his work that he rarely thought of Lin Qing, only during breaks.

Lin Qing watched as the sky grew darker. It seemed Cen Xi wouldn’t be coming home again today.

Recently, with Cen Xi being so busy, not coming home had become the norm. Sometimes, she could only see him briefly during lunch, and on particularly busy days, he didn’t even have time to go to the cafeteria, making it impossible to meet.

Lin Qing tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. She missed Cen Xi. Although his embrace was warm, she just felt a longing for him now.

She closed her eyes, ready to sleep, but suddenly felt the urge to use the bathroom.

She hesitated for a moment.

Well, better go out and use it.

She had eaten a bit too much at dinner and needed to go for a longer visit.

Lin Qing grabbed the flashlight from the shelf and quietly opened the door. She hugged her arms, suddenly feeling as if she had become braver.