Help others? It's better to help yourself - Chapter 15

When Xu Jing’an got home, she took advantage of the empty house to arrange the bed, boxes, and cabinets in the space, lay out the bedding, and organize both frequently and infrequently used items.

It’s said that “where the heart is at peace is home.” For Xu Jing’an, the space was her spiritual sanctuary.

Lying on the bed, she closed her eyes and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

The new year soon ushered in 1965.

The day of Xu Jingping’s wedding arrived quickly.

On that day, Xu Jingping, dressed in new clothes, carried a newly bought basin filled with two new towels and a set of new clothes. Surrounded by relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues offering their blessings, children laughed and played around.

Baggage containing old clothes and bedding was also carried away with help. Amidst the bustling noise, Xu Jingping was escorted out of her home.

On the way to her in-laws’ house, Xu Jingping looked back several times. She had a persistent feeling that she had left something behind at her parental home, but she knew in her heart that the things at her parental home no longer concerned her.

With cheers ringing in her ears, Xu Jingping clutched the only 10 yuan she had in her pocket, carrying a stomach full of reluctance and determination as she headed toward her future.

As soon as Xu Jingping left, Xu Jing’an felt the space shift. She knew her guess was correct: as long as she changed matters related to herself in the book, she would receive rewards. Simply put, it meant living well!

That night, Xu Jing’an eagerly entered the space. While the overall size remained unchanged, a 10-square-meter bathroom had been created within it.

The bathroom was equipped not only with basic facilities such as a toilet, shower, bathtub, washbasin, and washing machine but also stocked with essentials like toilet paper, sanitary napkins, towels, bath towels, and toiletries.

Turning on the faucet, warm water flowed out immediately. What was there to wait for?

After washing for a full two hours, Xu Jing’an felt completely relaxed.

She lay on the bed, letting out a comfortable sigh.

With Xu Jingping gone, and now the room being solely hers, Xu Jing’an took the opportunity to enter the space and use the fabric she had bought earlier. She made several sets of clothes with the sewing machine. Everything from inside out was new, but unfortunately, she couldn’t wear them outside just yet.

Xu Jing’an put on the new cotton clothes she had bought earlier, layering them with her old outer garments. Only then did she truly experience warmth in the winter.

…

Before Xu Jianguo’s wedding, the house was tidied up, the furniture was arranged, and the new bed was made with freshly sewn mattress pads and sheets.

Fourth brother Xu Jianshe glared at the items and then at the eldest brother’s smug face, fuming with anger.

Xu Jing’an also officially started sleeping in the living room.

The night before the eldest brother’s wedding, Xu Jing’an walked into Xu’s father and mother’s room.

“Third child, is something wrong?” Xu’s father and mother were quite surprised. After all, Xu Jing’an was like a transparent person at home, doing a lot but speaking little.

“Dad, Mom, my elder brother is getting married soon. But after the marriage, it doesn’t seem appropriate for me, as his younger sister, to keep helping with the laundry.”

In the Xu family, everything from bed sheets and quilt covers to underwear and socks was all Xu Jing’an’s responsibility.

Xu’s mother then realized, “Yes, yes, yes, I’ve been so busy I didn’t think about that.”

Thinking about the gossip and rumors people might have when they see the situation, Xu’s mother is a bit dazed.

Xu’s father responded, “The eldest getting married means starting a family. It’s not appropriate for you, a girl, to manage their matters.”

“Alright, Dad and Mom, you should rest early too.” After leaving, Xu Jing’an’s steps were much lighter. Who wouldn’t be happy to avoid washing clothes for several people?

On the day of Xu Jianguo’s wedding, Xu Jing’an’s space was upgraded again.

This time, a 30-square-meter kitchen was partitioned out from the remaining 90 square meters.

Inside, the overall kitchen cabinets gleamed brightly, with storage cabinets, a gas stove, various pots and pans, and several cutting boards of different sizes. There were also several knives, a steamer, a refrigerator, and a dishwasher—everything needed for daily use was here.

A dining table with four chairs was set up; this meant freedom to eat in comfort!

The day after Xu Duoduo’s wedding, Xu’s mother called her early in the morning.

“Eldest brother’s wife, you two can’t just live at home and leave everything to others. You and your husband need to wash your own clothes.”

Xu Duoduo, who had just married yesterday, looked shy.

Before she could speak, Xu Jianguo, rubbing his eyes, took over: “Mom, how cold is the water in winter! Isn’t it the third sister who washes the clothes at home?”

“Just because my daughter-in-law is here, third sister-in-law can’t do it anymore, can she?”

Xu Duoduo hesitated, looking at her husband.

Xu’s mother looked at her eldest son and daughter-in-law: “What’s the problem? If you’re not embarrassed, let the neighbors see how the younger sister-in-law washes your underwear.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Jianguo fell silent, and Xu Duoduo said nothing as well.

The small water room, no larger than a palm, had several faucets. It was impossible to avoid the crowd!

Anyone who cares about their reputation and dignity wouldn’t dare to do this!

Xu Duoduo tugged at Xu Jianguo. “Mom, don’t be angry. Jianguo is just not used to it yet.”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll take care of washing your and Dad’s clothes. It’s the duty of a daughter-in-law to be filial to her in-laws.”

Since her younger brother-in-law was older, as a sister-in-law, she needed to avoid any suspicion, so she didn’t mention Xu Jianshe at all. There was no need to even bring up Xu Jing’an!

Xu’s mother, after hearing this, only slightly twitched her lips. “No need for sweet words. Cooking and cleaning in the house are your responsibilities.”

She dared to make Xu Duoduo wash clothes, but then she had to deal with the gossip about her treating her daughter-in-law badly.

“Since you’re awake, don’t just stand around. No one here is idle!” Xu’s mother said, turning and heading back into the room.

After Xu’s mother and Xu Duoduo’s brief exchange, Xu Jing’an, who was sleeping in the living room, woke up early. But she had no intention of helping in the kitchen.

Help? Why would she lower herself?

Moreover, this was a battle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law; anyone who got involved would just become cannon fodder.

She lay in bed with her eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

Xu Duoduo, dressed and ready, quickly prepared breakfast.

For the first time, Xu Jing’an had a ready-made meal.

…

A year had passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now February 1966.

After Xu Duoduo married into the Xu family, she and Xu’s mother, the head of the household, began a mother-in-law versus daughter-in-law battle.

Xu Duoduo, who controlled Xu Jianguo, used a soft approach—subtle but effective. In contrast, Xu’s mother, the mother-in-law, used her authority to assert dominance—forceful and uncompromising.

Every time Xu Jianguo watched his mother and wife clash, he was at a loss for what to do. When pushed to the limit, he would cover his head with his hands, squat down, and sigh heavily.

Every time the fourth brother, Xu Jianshe, saw this, he would sneer at his elder brother and then go comfort Xu’s mother, playing the role of the considerate younger son. It was evident that Xu’s father and mother were gradually favoring their younger son more.

In such a family environment, Xu Jing’an found that this past year had been easier compared to before, as household chores were now shared.

She was beginning to understand why there were so many troublemaking younger and elder sisters-in-law. As long as the main conflict remained at the forefront, other issues could be easily ignored.