Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 691 - 566: Affecting Future Generations

Lin Dingsheng pretended not to notice, walked to the jujube tree in the courtyard, circled it with interest, and looked up at the lush fruits on the tree.

"There are quite a lot of jujubes, we should have a good harvest if we pick them later. Grandpa, do you know any family with a pomegranate tree? We should plant one too, the meaning is good."

Mr. Lin nodded happily and said, "Sure. I’ll ask around when I get back."

Xuezhen ran to her big brother’s side, jokingly said, "Haven’t even found a wife yet, and already thinking about having kids so soon? Aren’t you embarrassed?"

"What’s there to be embarrassed about? Getting married is all about branching out the family line."

Xuezhen rolled her eyes and muttered, "Really not romantic, no wonder you’ll end up a bachelor for life."

After speaking, she darted over to Jiang Jiangyu, glanced at the elderly people over the past two days, and softly asked her, "Mom, how much does the cheapest courtyard in the city cost?"

"Why are you asking? With your eight yuan monthly salary, don’t bother, go find a good man instead."

"None of your concern, if you don’t tell me, I can still find out myself." Xuezhen retorted defiantly, her gaze turning to her big sister, "Sis, how much private savings do you have? We can pool together and buy a small courtyard."

Xue Li flatly refused, "Not interested. Your brother-in-law, as a squad leader, doesn’t earn much, it’s just enough for us two to spend."

"Doesn’t your mother-in-law give you money? Isn’t she always spoiling the youngest grandson? And you got quite a sum from marriage gifts when you got married." Saying this, Xuezhen tugged at her, gesturing to Jiang Jiangyu who was about to speak.

The two sisters left the courtyard, Xuezhen looked around, found an empty spot, pulled her over, took out a handkerchief from her pocket, dusted off some stones, and sat her down.

As the sun set, a streak of light remained in the west, and the evening breeze brought some coolness, but unfortunately, the stones under them were still slightly warm. However, Xuezhen was too preoccupied to care.

She scrutinized her big sister’s expression, "Are your in-laws mistreating you? Or is there something wrong with your brother-in-law? How come we haven’t seen him visit these past days?"

She had her reasons for saying this.

In her eyes, Xue Li’s marriage should not have been so rushed; at least observe for a year or two before proceeding.

When Mrs. Lin had a stroke and was feared not to survive, Jiang Jiangyu, from far away in the Northwest, hastily wrote a letter asking her eldest sister and sister-in-law to help arrange the eldest daughter’s marriage.

As a result, Xue Li chose Wu Tianbao, a soldier, from among a few people and got married in less than three months. This had always left Xuezhen resentful towards her mother’s decision.

Xue Li laughed and shook her head, "How dare they mistreat me? I have a job and money, and your brother-in-law is just a squad leader. He can’t take leave easily from the military."

Xuezhen suspiciously eyed her, "There’s still something that feels off. We sisters are still close despite being apart, can’t you confide in me?"

Xue Li bitterly smiled and patted her head, "What nonsense are you saying?"

"Really. Sis, don’t you find your relationship awkward? Look at Jiao Jiao and Xiao Min, they’re nothing like you. Even Little Aunt, her husband comes to pick her up right after work."

Xue Li looked up at the sky and sighed, "We’re different from them. I’m in the communications room every day, he’s in the military camp. Plus, our relationship isn’t as strong. Xuezhen, listen to me, start looking for a partner now, date for a while if things go well, don’t rush into marriage."

"Sis, do you regret it? If you don’t want to continue, you should separate while there are no children. I won’t marry either; let’s live together, just us sisters."

Xue Li was amused by her, "What silly talk. Your brother-in-law treats me well. I have no intention of leaving him, I plan to have a child."

Xuezhen still worried, pressed on, "Did Grandma’s incident make your in-laws treat you differently?"

Xue Li glanced at her worried sister and, after a moment of thought, nodded. Some things, even if it worries her sister, must be said because she might encounter them in the future too.

"My mother-in-law was never satisfied with me, but it was your brother-in-law who chose me. His grandma adored him and agreed when he insisted. I was considered marrying up. These past two years, since I haven’t gotten pregnant, and both my sisters-in-law have only given birth to daughters, my in-laws’ attitude has shifted slightly.

When you find a partner, make sure you choose one whose family doesn’t favor sons over daughters, and pay close attention to the mother-in-law. No matter how nice the man is, if he has a difficult mother, don’t marry him."

Xuezhen stood up in anger, "I’ll go find Mom and confront your mother-in-law; didn’t she promise to treat you like her own daughter?"

Xue Li quickly pulled her back, "Sit down. Do you want me to have a bad life? Don’t you know Mom? What can she do?"

Xuezhen stomped her foot, "Sis?"

"Okay. Who do you think your sister is? Do you think I’d let them bully me? I specifically chose your brother-in-law, didn’t listen to Grandpa’s advice to find a high-status family, because I anticipated this might happen. No matter how unreasonable my in-laws get, they can’t do anything to me. I don’t deal with them, staying at the base all the time, what can they do?

As long as your brother-in-law treats me well, there’s no problem. I’m not after their family’s property, nor do I want their help for anything. Just living our own lives."

Xuezhen asked worriedly, "Really nothing happened?"

"Nothing, this is just how life is. You’re 22 this year, you should quickly find someone, don’t hesitate, find someone you like and start building a relationship. I’m somewhat regretting listening to Mom back then about not finding someone in the Northwest. If I’d started dating someone then, it wouldn’t matter where they were."

Xuezhen covered her mouth and snickered, "Didn’t you complain about boys being unhygienic back then? I remember you saying the smell of boys’ sweat in summer was enough to turn your stomach."

Xue Li laughed too, recalling, "Exactly, that’s why I’m quite satisfied with your brother-in-law. It’s getting late, we should head back, or they’ll come looking for us."

The two sisters stood up, arms linked, heads leaning close, whispering secrets.

Xue Li listened to her sister’s joyful laughter, internally sighing.

Being young and naive, unaware of social dynamics. Now, she tangibly felt the series of troubles the old lady caused had brought so much trouble to their marriage prospects and her siblings.

Whenever two families consider uniting in marriage, they first investigate family teachings and values.

It doesn’t matter much when her brothers marry; as long as they lower their standards, good girls are easy to find. But it was different for her and her sister.

With the old lady’s actions and Lin Xuelin’s troubles, plus their troublesome mother, her younger sister’s marriage would become increasingly difficult. If she doesn’t start looking soon, the only option might be a second marriage.

Along the way, Xue Li pondered her circle of familiar friends, planning to find some matches for her sister, so she wouldn’t rely on their unreliable mother who could ruin her chances too.