Chapter 437: Lively – Daily Melon Eating at the Sickly Aunt’s Compound

Chapter 437: Lively—The Frail Sister-in-Law’s Daily Drama in the Compound

"They're back, they're back! The Jiang family is back!" Lin Qing spotted the Jiang family out of the corner of her eye and darted to the door.

Cen Xi tagged along.

Mom Lin was a beat slower. Watching this pair moving in sync, she felt puzzled—why were these two becoming more energetic?

Lin Qing: Hah! Life and death? Whatever!

Cen Xi: Wherever my wife goes, I’ll be there.

Truthfully, after coming through that life-and-death ordeal with Cen Xi, Lin Qing had let go of many former burdens.

It wasn’t that she’d become more lively—she’d just carried a constant burden of worry about her health. But after surviving that crisis and returning from her in-laws’, she’d released those old anxieties.

Cen Xi didn’t overthink things—his role was simply to accompany her. With little time at home, he just wanted her to enjoy herself.

The three of them huddled by the door, eyes glued to the west wing. Even though the show hadn’t started, they remained cool as cucumbers—after all, patience is key for drama-watching!

The Jiang father and sons walked back together, their stormy faces making it clear none were happy.

"Did all three already find out?" Lin Qing whispered.

She lacked self-awareness about her reputation. As the factory beauty, being cornered at noon by someone had become the talk of the plant within hours.

If not for Cen Xi leaving early for lunch with coworkers, he’d have heard too.

Other workers quickly pieced together the drama behind the woman who’d confronted Lin Qing. Soon, news spread that Lin Shu had asked her mother to take over her shift.

Old Man Jiang managed the warehouse, while Jiang Hai and Jiang Yang worked the factory floor. Friends who heard the news snuck them word.

Unfortunately, afternoon work had already started—they couldn’t ditch work and rush back.

They arrived later than Lin Qing and Cen Xi because warehouse and floor workers needed end-of-day inspections. Truthfully, they’d hurried.

The three Jiang men marched into the west wing’s central room, their moods obvious to Mother Jiang.

"What’s wrong? What happened?" she asked immediately.

Old Man Jiang snorted. "Jiang Yang! Fetch your wife!"

Jiang Da Sao had been cooking when her father-in-law’s sharp command made her jump.

What was happening?

Why was Father-in-law so angry?

Call Lin Shu?

Had she done something?

Her heart raced—with curiosity, excitement, and secret delight.

She shot Jiang Hai a look: What’s going on?

Jiang Hai's expression wasn't much better, but he still gave Jiang Dabo a look, and she immediately understood through their marital rapport.

Just wait and see!

Jiang Yang, with a stern face, went to the next room to call Lin Shu.

"Brother Yang, you're back?" There was still a hint of unease in Lin Shu's expression.

Jiang Yang looked down at the woman lying on the bed from his towering height, "Is it comfortable lying in bed?"

"What?"

"I'm asking if you found it comfortable lying in bed today?"

Lin Shu's face immediately changed. Did Brother Yang know?

"I..."

"Don't say anything, come with me to explain to the others!"

"I... I won't go, I won't go!" Lin Shu knew that if she went, she would surely be criticized by the whole family.

She hadn't done anything wrong, why should she?

A trace of stubbornness appeared on her face!

Seeing her clutching her stomach and refusing to get up, Jiang Yang had no choice. But now, without an explanation, he couldn't swallow his anger, "Why did you have your mother take your shift?"

Lin Shu knew that pretending to be ignorant wouldn't work, and she felt her reason was entirely justified, so she said confidently, "It's so cold outside, and it's snowing! Do you think it's safe for me to go to work in such weather?"

"Then why did you ask your mom to cover for you?"

Lin Shu: Duh! No one else would be as convenient as my mom!

"That's because my mom actually cares about me!"

"Hmph!" Jiang Yang snorted. "Yeah right, like I'd believe that."

Lin Shu explained, "My mom said she’ll cover my shifts until after I give birth. She's only asking for half the pay. Yang, think about it—I don’t have to work, but I still get half my salary every month. Pretty sweet deal, right?"

Jiang Yang looked at Lin Shu with an indescribable expression. Was she really this dense or just pretending?

"Did you have to ask your mom? Don't we have other family members sitting around doing nothing?"

Lin Shu's face contorted with rage as she shouted, "Who are you talking about? Your sister-in-law? Or your mom? It's my job! I decide who covers for me, and it definitely won’t be either of them!"

If there was anyone Lin Shu despised the most, it was Mother Jiang and Jiang Da Sao, always trying to take advantage of her. She would never let them succeed!

Jiang Yang’s expression darkened. "What do you mean? Your mom is fine, but mine isn’t?"

"No means no! If your mom took over, do you think I’d ever see that money? I’m not that stupid!"

Lin Shu's look said it all: *Do you think I’m an idiot?*

Jiang Yang and Mother Jiang were two peas in a pod—equally tight-fisted. Before, Lin Shu’s salary at least stayed in her own hands, but now that half had to go to her mother-in-law, he wasn’t having it.

He’d rather the money end up in his own mother’s pocket than his mother-in-law’s. At least that way the money stays where it belongs!

"And what makes you so sure your mom would hand over half to you?"

Lin Shu’s heart skipped a beat, but she refused to back down in the heat of the argument. "Mom promised, so she will! She’d never lie to me!"

"Yeah, right!" Jiang Yang was furious. "Then I’ll believe it when I see your mom hand over the money!"

"She will! She’ll definitely bring my wages!" Even if she didn’t, Lin Shu would make sure her mother did.

"Whatever!" Jiang Yang was too annoyed to stay in the room any longer.

"Ugh, couldn’t catch all that," Lin Qing muttered under her breath.

Cen Xi nodded. "But his face looks even grumpier—bet he lost."

"Too late now—the shift’s done." Lin Qing thought to herself.

Lin Shu’s mother, whose hearing wasn’t as sharp as the younger ones’, stood by the door with a spatula for a while but couldn’t make out anything. She went back to flip the food—barely saved it from burning!

Chaos was about to hit the Jiang family. Mother Jiang had already learned about the situation from Jiang Hai, and her anger was steadily growing.

Meanwhile, Jiang Da Sao was rooting for a brawl—Go on, throw down!