After making his decision, Song Xin started acting out the very next day. He looked unhappy during meals and refused to speak to Xu Shengnan.
Xu Shengnan, a newlywed, dressed beautifully in a Lenin suit, couldn't bear this humiliation. She immediately slammed down Song Xin's rice bowl and questioned him, "Song Xin, we're married now, we're going to spend our lives together. I've shown you enough sincerity. What about you? Are you going to never speak to me again?"
Song Xin shook off her hand, disgustedly wiping her hand on her trouser leg, which made Xu Shengnan's face turn red with anger!
Xu Shengnan slammed down her chopsticks and ran back to her room, but once back there she felt this wouldn't do, so she simply took out the clothes she had previously ordered for the Song family and presented them to them with a smile.
"We didn't get along very well before, and this is my apology to everyone. I'm young and spoiled by my parents, so I've done many things wrong. Please feel free to teach me, and I will definitely change."
The sewing machine, bicycle, and radio I brought belong to our family; whoever wants to use them can use them.
"Dad, Mom, eldest brother, sister-in-law, now that I've married Song Xin, I'll live a good life with him and won't cause any more trouble. Don't worry."
The Song family members still wore cold expressions, but they felt a little better after hearing her clear words. The main reason was that by bringing out so many items, the Song family not only saved several hundred yuan but also gained three major items, instantly elevating their financial situation.
Although Song's mother said not to touch her things, things naturally changed over time.
To be honest, even if Xu Shengnan stole all the cash from his family now, these things would be enough to offset the loss, so I really don't think Xu Shengnan is after his family for anything. There are only two reasons why she would do this.
One reason is that she likes Song Xin, but Song Xin doesn't like her, yet she shamelessly insists on marrying into the family.
Even if she loses her innocence, she could find Song Xin to take over. All they need to do now is prove they aren't the latter, and they can live a good life together.
Seeing their expressions, Song Xin slammed his chopsticks on the table and said coldly, "Take your things back. Our Song family is clean and honest, and we don't need anything of dubious origin. Otherwise, if someone really investigates you one day, our whole family will be implicated."
Xu Shengnan laughed and said, "Song Xin, why are you so angry? I earned my money honestly and uprightly. I just met two benefactors. I'll introduce you to them when we have the chance to meet. Maybe they can even arrange jobs for us. If we're lucky, my brother, sister-in-law, and I can all become workers. Then we'll all be city people."
Song's mother's expression changed slightly. "Are you serious? You know people who can arrange jobs for you?"
"Of course, but I just got married and haven't settled into my new home yet. Once I do, I'll ask someone to help me out." Xu Shengnan smiled, her implication clear: accept her, treat her well, and she'll arrange a job for you—a huge temptation for them!
Before they could speak, Song Xin directly rejected the idea, saying, "Go by yourself if you have the chance. You're beholden to those who feed you, and we Song family have a clean reputation. We can't easily listen to you."
He had already emphasized "clean and innocent" twice, which put the Song family on high alert. A few years ago, when the situation was tense, even the slightest misstep could be fatal, so they really had to live cautiously. Xu Shengnan, a mere young girl, knew such influential people and made so much money; it was hard to believe she was involved in something like speculation and profiteering. They really didn't dare to get involved.
Thinking of her son's plan, Song's mother said coldly, "Song Xin is right. Our Song family has always lived an honest and down-to-earth life. Since you haven't been going out these past few days, don't just sit around doing nothing. You've almost finished eating, so go pick up the dishes, wash them all, and clean the kitchen."
Sister-in-law Song chimed in, "Sister-in-law, feed the chickens too. Remember to clean the chicken coop and boil some water for everyone to wash their feet."
Xu Shengnan finally couldn't hold back her smile any longer. Despite her best efforts to suppress it, her face still looked grim. "I just got married today..."
Song's mother asked in surprise, "Aren't you eager to integrate into the new family? We do this every day, how can you integrate if you don't experience it?"
Xu Shengnan was speechless. That's how it is in the countryside. It's only natural for a wife to do chores. No family takes a wife and treats her like royalty. No matter how rich she is, she can't hire a nanny. That's just how it is.
Song Xin lowered his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. As he stood up, he deliberately gave Xu Shengnan a cold look and then left.
Song's mother said angrily, "Look at my son! He was such a good young man, but you've driven him to the point where he doesn't even want to talk anymore. He barely eats anything, and he's even taken leave and missed so many work points. You've ruined a perfectly good person. If you don't want to stay at my house, then go back to your parents' house!"
Mother Song turned and went back to her room, and everyone else naturally followed, leaving Xu Shengnan alone with the clothes in front of a table littered with cups and plates. She took a deep breath, put on a stern face, took the clothes back, changed her clothes, and started working.
She didn't bring any old clothes with her when she got married; all she brought were beautiful new clothes. She had just taken the dishes to the kitchen when she accidentally splashed them with dirty water!
She gasped and hurriedly grabbed a towel to wipe it, but no matter how much she wiped, stains remained, and her spirits plummeted.
But she still wanted to try her best to erase the Song family's dislike for her and win Song Xin's favor, so she could only endure it, rolling up her sleeves and burying herself in work. By the time she finished all the work they had assigned her, she was covered in sweat and it was inconvenient to take a shower, which made her feel a strong sense of disgust for this era.
She also had to boil water for the whole family to wash their feet and sit and wait for it to boil.
At that moment, she suddenly felt like she looked just like a maid from the Song family.
Why is it that Xu Jingwei enjoyed a life of luxury after marrying Song Xin in her previous life, but she has to become a maid after marrying Song Xin?
She had never done so much work in the Xu family, yet on her wedding day she was exhausted with a sore back and aching arms. Why should she?
She took a sip of the spiritual spring water and felt better physically, but she couldn't control her anger. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Could she really endure it until Song Xin became successful? Would she die of anger first?
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, while Xu Shengnan was still asleep, Song Xin knocked hard on her door.
Xu Shengnan woke up with a start, her heart pounding. She got dressed and came out, only to find that Song Xin had asked her to cook.
Xu Shengnan glanced at the empty courtyard. "Where are Mom and my sister-in-law?"
"Of course they should rest. They're really annoyed by you, how can they possibly have the energy to cook? Since you insist on marrying into this family, then you should clean up this mess, cook the meal, and feed the chickens. Later, you'll come with us to the fields to earn work points. No one is allowed to be idle in the brigade."
Xu Shengnan's eyes widened suddenly. "What? Go to work in the fields? I herd cattle in the fourth team..."
"I saw you worked quite well last night, earning all your work points in the fields." Song Xin pulled her into the kitchen and then went back to his room for a nap.
The early morning chill sent a shiver down Xu Shengnan's spine. Looking at the sparsely stocked kitchen, she felt incredibly irritated. She started cooking, but her anger only grew stronger. She had married Song Xin hoping for a better life, but what had she gained these past few years? She had to be a servant to the Song family, toil in the fields, and eat meager rations—why should she be treated this way?!
By the time she finished cooking, the whole family came out as if on cue. Song's mother even grumbled a few complaints, not because she was looking for trouble, but because Xu Shengnan's cooking was just too awful. Before her rebirth, she used modern kitchen appliances to cook, and now she couldn't control the heat at all with the old stove, so naturally it tasted bad.
But in Xu Shengnan's eyes, it was just her being deliberately picky.
At the dinner table, Song Xin asked again, "Brother and sister-in-law, how much of your earnings do you usually give to our parents?"
Brother Song said, "We pay 80% of the cost. We mainly eat and live at home, so it's convenient for my parents to use. We don't have many other expenses."
Song Xin nodded, "Then we'll pay 80% as well."
He looked at Xu Shengnan, who immediately became wary. "What do you mean? You want me to pay money? That's my dowry."
Song Xin frowned, "You're not going to make money anymore?"
Xu Shengnan gritted her teeth and said, "Money isn't that easy to earn. I was just lucky. I've spent all the money I earned. If I don't have the chance to earn it again, I won't be able to."
Song Xin glanced at her disdainfully, "You're really useless. You don't even have this one good point."
Xu Shengnan felt a lump in her throat. What did this mean? Making money was her only redeeming quality? Did Song Xin have his eye on her money? A grown man coveting the money in her possession?!
While eating, Song Xin laughed and said, "Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Sister-in-law, I've thought it through. It's not so bad to be forced to marry such a wife. All the money she earns will belong to our family. I won't have to work anymore. I can just rely on her to support me."
Mr. Song frowned and scolded in agreement, "What are you saying? Is this how I taught you?"
Song's mother also looked worried. "Son, don't scare your mother. What are you saying? Aren't you the most ambitious?"
Song Xin scoffed, "Everyone says I'm too outstanding, which is why shameless people are targeting me. This is the first time in my life I've realized that being outstanding is a mistake. I'll have to be more careful in the future, otherwise, if another shameless person comes along, our family won't be able to make a living. It's fine as it is now. From now on, let Xu Shengnan support the family, and I can enjoy a leisurely life. She doesn't want to go back to her parents' home."
Xu Shengnan, who had been holding back her anger for so long, finally couldn't contain herself any longer. She slammed her chopsticks down and yelled, "Song Xin! Don't try to scare me by saying I have to support the family? Have you no shame?"
"You're not as good as me. You look like a painted mask, it's scary." Song Xin looked at her with disgust. "I've always only liked pretty girls. I can't sleep when I see you looking like that."
Xu Shengnan's mind flashed with Xu Jingwei's delicate face, and she knew he was telling the truth. She was even more furious. "Song Xin, you said I'm shameless, so what am I afraid of? If you continue to enslave me, I'll make a scene and let the whole village know, so everyone can see the true colors of your Song family."
Mother Song slammed her hand on the table and said, "You've gone too far! You troublemaker, you've only been here one day and you've already turned the house upside down! Get out!"
Xu Shengnan said arrogantly, "Why should I? I am Song Xin's rightful wife. Wherever he is, I will be there too."
Song Xin's eyes flashed, and he said angrily, "Then I'll separate from you. Dad, Mom, I'm going to live on my own. If she wants to come with me, let her. It'll save her from causing trouble at home!"
Xu Shengnan was overjoyed. Separate the family property? She wanted to separate too! She absolutely couldn't miss this opportunity! She immediately declared, "Fine, I'll go! I refuse to believe I can't live a good life!"
Brother Song and his wife hurriedly tried to stop them. Song Xin gave his parents a look, and Song's mother angrily put down her chopsticks and left. Song's father was silent for a moment, then sighed, "Let them separate. We can't let the second son's wife make everyone's life miserable."
A smile flashed in Song Xin's and Xu Shengnan's eyes, each with their own expectations for the future.