Having set the date for the wedding banquet, Qin Chang Chun couldn't help but ask, "Son-in-law, does Huai Ru work in the same workshop as you at the factory?"
Earlier, Qin Huai Ru had casually mentioned her four-day vacation and her job at the steel mill, without realizing she had let it slip.
Seeing her father's question, Qin Huai Ru quickly answered, "Dad, I got a temporary job at the factory. Brother Li has a stomach ailment and needs to rest at home for a few years.
The three storefronts Grandpa left us are rented out, bringing in one hundred and thirty-five yuan a month."
"That much money? Adding your salary, how can you spend it all?"
Qin Chang Chun was amazed. Such a good family was hard to find even with a lantern.
After calming down, he quickly asked with concern, "Son-in-law, is your stomach ailment serious?"
"It's nothing serious. It's just that my mom passed away early, and my dad was always at work. I didn't eat regularly when I was young, which caused the stomach problems.
But now it's alright. Huai Ru cooks for me and does the housework, so I can just focus on taking care of my stomach.
In a couple of years, Huai Ru will be in her third year as an apprentice. We'll have a child then. Pregnancy check-ups and everything will be covered by the factory, so she can skip the assessment and directly become a permanent worker. She'll also get maternity leave.
My stomach problem will likely be cured by then. I'll look for a job. Our family will be a dual-income household. We'll probably have to trouble Mom to help take care of the child."
Li Wu Wei simply explained everything. As for finding a job, he would just procrastinate. There was no way he would work.
Qin Huai Ru added, "Brother Li helped me negotiate a salary of twenty-seven yuan and five cents with the factory. It's calculated based on a third-year apprentice, which is a good deal.
Once the wedding is done, I'll transfer my hukou to Beijing. I'll be a city dweller from then on."
"Good, good!"
The Qin family pondered. Once the son-in-law started working, their monthly income would reach two hundred yuan. What a wonderful life that would be.
Even now, this income was something to brag about.
After clarifying everything, Li Wu Wei felt relieved. The same situation in the courtyard had made him a despicable villain because he was poor.
But in the Qin family, it was perfectly acceptable. After all, he was young and rich.
Qin Huai Ru and her mother then busied themselves preparing dinner.
"Guang Ming, don't just stand there. Go make some tea for your brother-in-law."
Qin Chang Chun gave his son a call. This son of his was a bit foolish and lacked common sense.
"Okay!"
Qin Guang Ming hurriedly went to work, leaving Qin Guang You sitting there, wanting to help but unsure what to do.
Li Wu Wei took out cigarettes and lit one for his father-in-law. Then, he took the little Qin Jing Ru from his arms and let her play on her own, so she wouldn't disturb his smoking.
"Dad, Guang Ming is sixteen this year, right?"
He had to find some topics to avoid awkwardness. He had gotten up early today, so he could take a nap in the afternoon.
"He's sixteen. He didn't get into high school. Guang You is thirteen and in the first year of junior high, but his grades aren't good either."
Qin Chang Chun thought about his two sons. This was a headache. They didn't have the same luck as their daughter. Maybe they would have to rely on their son-in-law in the future.
"Brother-in-law, tea."
Qin Guang Ming brought over a cup of tea, a new enamel mug. The Qin family was treating Li Wu Wei with great importance.
"Good, Guang Ming. Just stay in the village for now. In a couple of years, when you turn eighteen, Brother-in-law will find you a job and you can move to the city to work. No matter what, it's better than farming in the village."
Li Wu Wei suddenly thought of an escape route. In two years, he could say he was giving up his job to his younger brother and then he could play around for a few more years.
Two years after that, he would be older and could just quit working. How nice that would be.
"Thank you, Brother-in-law!"
Qin Guang Ming immediately ran to the kitchen to tell his mother the good news.
"Oh, what a good son-in-law! Huai Ru, you have to take good care of him. He has a stomach problem. Don't let him work too hard. If there's good food, make sure the man gets his fill first."
Qin Mother instructed her daughter on how to serve her husband, but her mind was filled with thoughts about her two sons' futures, which would depend on their daughter's influence over her husband.
"I know, Mom. I'll definitely be good to Brother Li."
Qin Huai Ru felt like her heart was filled with honey. Her husband was capable, and she was proud.
At noon, Li Wu Wei sipped half a cup of wine, claiming it was good for his stomach. Wine was refined grain. He would take a nap in the afternoon.
The Qin family went out to notify everyone in the village about the wedding banquet.
They wanted a grand wedding, so they decided to hold three meals. Starting the day after tomorrow, they would have a simple meal at noon. In the evening, it would be a half-banquet with both meat and vegetables.
Then, on the morning of the next day, the full banquet with all meat would be held. After that, Li Wu Wei would take Qin Huai Ru away.
Normally, Li Wu Wei would take Qin Huai Ru to his own home and have another banquet at noon, but they would skip that step.
"Brother, are you asleep?"
"No. Why did you come back, Huai Ru?"
Li Wu Wei was a bit confused. Why was she coming back?
"Brother, our village has a custom. The son-in-law can't stay overnight at his in-laws' house. The house is empty now, so I came to keep you company."
Qin Huai Ru was a bit embarrassed, but it was a custom, after all.
"Oh, why didn't you say so earlier? It's been a few days already."
Li Wu Wei felt numb. If he knew this would happen, he would've just held the banquet today and returned to the city that afternoon. He didn't want to waste a single day.
"It's okay, Brother. I'll find opportunities during the day."
Qin Huai Ru made a decision that went against tradition. She lifted the quilt and got in.
"Okay! Special situation, special treatment. We can always find a way. It doesn't matter if it's during the day, right?"
Li Wu Wei suddenly wasn't tired anymore. Daytime doesn't know the blackness of night!