Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 281 Sharp Contrast
"I made some snacks at home using imported cream and real milk. They have a light sweetness and are especially fragrant."

She unpacked the snacks, and everyone went over to help.

Xiao Jinlin's two cousins ​​were very supportive and each took one, nodding in unison.

"My second sister-in-law's cooking is excellent; it tastes much better than the food in the British cafeteria!"

Chen Xinyue was amused, "Don't you get tired of eating this abroad?"

Xiao Jinxuan shook her head dramatically, "Second sister-in-law, I don't like sweets. When we're abroad, we buy our own groceries and cook our own meals. Chinese cakes are more to our liking."

Chen Xinyue thought about the problem of meals during her time studying abroad and felt a deep sense of empathy.

I can talk to the two brothers on the same wavelength.

Mr. and Mrs. Xiao were happy to see that they got along so well and were at ease with each other.

Seeing the long-lost peaceful smile on her second grandson's face, she became even more satisfied with Chen Xinyue.

Everyone enjoyed the meal.

Before Xiao Jinlin took Chen Xinyue back, Old Madam Xiao asked, "Are you going to Anshi for the Spring Festival this year?"

The two nodded in unison.

Xiao Jinlin explained, "Xinyue is getting married to me next year. This is the last time she will spend the Lunar New Year at her parents' home as an unmarried daughter, so she will definitely go back."

Madam Xiao quickly instructed the nanny to bring out the things she had prepared in advance, saying, "Take these with you; they are the New Year's gifts we prepared for our in-laws."

Upon hearing that it was for his parents-in-law, Xiao Jinlin did not refuse.

Two days later, Xiao Bai heard about the family gathering at the old house at his workplace. He knew nothing about it and had to find an excuse to cover it up.

Once back in the office, she immediately called Xiao Sheng to question him, "Why didn't you tell us you were going to your parents' house for dinner?"

Xiao Sheng was baffled. "Brother, what kind of question is that! When Jin Xuan and Jin Heng came back, didn't I tell you that I would take them to visit Mom and Dad sometime?"

Jinlin found out and took Xinyue with him. "We're all here, what's the big deal about having a meal? It's such a small thing, why are you making such a fuss!"

Xiao Bai was rendered speechless by the retort, but still couldn't help but continue his unreasonable argument, "Since you've all arrived, couldn't you at least call us to let us know?"

Xiao Sheng was also unhappy. "Why are you calling? My parents didn't bring it up. Do you want me to make things difficult for them? It's the New Year, and I'm just making things harder for them. Do you want me to have a bad time too?"

"What are you talking about!"

Xiao Sheng didn't want to argue with him any further, so he went straight to the point, "Brother, I'm not saying this to criticize you, but you haven't done a good job as a father or a son. Mom and Dad have told you before, don't be biased, be fair to both of you, but you haven't listened at all."

Because of your favoritism, Jin Chen has become arrogant and thinks the whole world should revolve around him. He's over thirty years old and still immature in his thinking and actions, which makes his parents increasingly dissatisfied with him. Otherwise, why don't they ask me to call you over?

Furthermore, you know you owe Jinlin, but you can't bring yourself to say anything to him and choose to run away. Since you don't want to face it, why did you go and join in the fun when Jinlin was there?

You and your sister-in-law should think it over carefully. I have to go to work now, so I'm not going to talk to you anymore.

Xiao Bai was speechless after being scolded, and returned home with his shoulders slumped. In the study, he told Mu Qinglian about how they hadn't been invited to the family gathering at the old house.

Mu Qinglian was so sad that she couldn't even cry anymore. Xiao Bai pondered for a moment and said, "I've thought about it carefully. Mom is right. Jin Chen is not a child anymore. He should learn to stand on his own. Let the couple move out after the New Year and take charge of their own lives so that others won't gossip."

The younger son doesn't live with them, and the older son is so old but still hasn't separated from the family. It's really not right. Back then, he and Xiao Sheng moved out and lived separately as soon as they got married.

Mu Qinglian knew that now was not the time to act on emotion, so she hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

After leaving the study, the couple took the opportunity to tell Xiao Jinchen and his wife about it.

Before Xiao Jinchen could say anything, Guo Lingyue shook her head excitedly in refusal, "Mom and Dad, is there something we did wrong? Please tell me, we can change, please don't send us away, sob sob sob."

Mu Qinglian frowned subconsciously, "Why are you crying! I'm not dead yet! According to the Xiao family's custom, Jin Chen should have moved out right after the wedding. It's our fault for delaying this until now."

Your dad has already spoken to Jinchen's workplace. The original housing allocation hasn't been changed yet. They'll renovate it now, and you can move in after the New Year. You can let them know if you have any requests.

Xiao Jinchen curled his lips in a mocking smile, "If you've already thought it through, is there any need to ask us? Fine! We'll move out after the New Year, and we won't make things difficult for you."

"A grown man speaking like a woman, in a sarcastic and unseemly manner, is this the etiquette and manners you learned in those three years?" Xiao Bai cursed angrily.

He himself didn't realize that he had been speaking to his eldest son more and more rudely lately.

Mu Qinglian was aware of the problem, but she was powerless to intervene or stop it.

Because of this incident, the eldest branch of the Xiao family had a very depressing New Year. In addition, the child cried day and night, which made them feel irritable and restless.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jinlin and Chen Xinyue had already returned to Anshi and were enjoying the care of their elders in Nanyu.

The last time Xiao Jinlin came, he was a guest and Chen Xinyue's boss. Everyone treated him very politely. This time, his status has changed, so everyone naturally treats him as a member of the family.

They became much more casual in their speech and actions, and naturally, they received much more care and attention.

Lin Qin, in particular, after learning that Xiao Jinlin had such unreliable parents, wished she could fill the void of maternal love he lacked, and would make sure that Xiao Jinlin received a share of whatever she prepared for her two sons.

Xiao Jinlin said he wanted to eat the seafood he had last time he came here, so Chen Wenjun and Lin Qin immediately took a boat to Nangang to buy the seafood.

Chen Xinyue was jealous of his favoritism.

Just as she was muttering to herself, Qu Zhiyang and Xue Lingxue arrived.

As soon as Xiao Jinlin saw Qu Zhiyang, he immediately and subtly moved closer to Chen Xinyue, acting like a husband and protecting her tightly.

Qu Zhiyang found it amusing and didn't respond at all.

Everyone entered the living room.

Xue Lingxue held Chen Xinyue's hand apologetically, "I was originally going to your engagement, but it coincided with the wrap-up of filming. The director wouldn't let me take leave during those few days. If I still went even though the director didn't agree, everyone would say I was being arrogant."

Chen Xinyue shook her head, indicating her understanding, "Since you've chosen this path, you definitely have to weigh the pros and cons. You can't do whatever you want like before anymore. Besides, there's the wedding. As long as you can come to the wedding, that's fine!"

Xue Lingxue nodded.

Qu Zhiyang, who was standing nearby, joked, "She even canceled her schedule for February so she could attend your wedding, so there's definitely no problem this time."