Chapter 31: Old Chen Family's Ancestral Grave Is Emitting Green Smoke

"You got your marriage license?" Chen Chunmei saw her nephew bring back a pretty girl and was already surprised; she never expected Chen Yang to also tell her and Zhao Donghai: they got their license!

Since her brother-in-law and sister-in-law died in a car accident, Chen Chunmei's only wish has been to continue the Chen family line. These past two months she has already arranged several blind dates, waiting for Chen Yang to come back and meet them. She never expected this kid to be even more eager than she!

Chen Chunmei carefully sized up Lin Wei. This girl is really good-looking, with a fine demeanor, far better than the several she had found. It seems her nephew's taste is still better.

Chen Chunmei pulled Zhao Donghai into the bedroom, and after discussing for a long time she came out again. She called Lin Wei to her side, then took out a slightly bulging red envelope and a bankbook from her pocket.

"Xiao Lin, according to our hometown custom, the bride's family must bring a lucky token on their first visit. This red envelope is our token of goodwill as parents."

"Moreover, this bankbook contains ten thousand yuan that Chen Yang sent back during his college years; I've been saving it for him to marry. Now that you're married, this money is yours to keep."

Lin Wei glanced at Chen Yang, saw him nod, then took the red envelope and bankbook, and respectfully bowed to Chen Chunmei and Zhao Donghai: "Thank you, Aunt, Uncle!"

Seeing Lin Wei had no trace of disdain, Chen Chunmei felt even more fond of this niece-in-law. She walked to the portrait of Chen Yang's parents, lit three incense sticks, said some family matters, then had Chen Yang and Lin Wei perform three bows.

After finishing the rites for Chen Yang's parents, Chen Chunmei and her husband went to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and Zhao Qian followed in to help.

Seeing them leave, Lin Wei leaned close to Chen Yang and whispered: "Does your aunt not know about your prize?"

Chen Yang shook his head and said: "The security around the textile factory is poor; thieves often prowl. My aunt can't keep a secret, which would invite unnecessary trouble."

Lin Wei was well aware of the public security situation in Qingshui City and understood Chen Yang's approach. "Then when are you planning to tell them?"

"Not for now." Chen Yang glanced toward the kitchen, lowered his voice to Lin Wei: "In a bit, cooperate with me and say the house in Xingcheng is yours you bought, so they can move there to keep Qian company."

"No!" Lin Wei firmly refused. "If the Chunmei family all move to Xingcheng to settle, Chen Yang's thoughts will drift there too. Unless you promise to stay in Qingshui and keep me company."

"Don't make trouble!" Chen Yang said earnestly: "The shops in Xingcheng are still being renovated. The housing for my aunt and them, as well as our new home, also need renovation. Plus the supermarket layout, stocking, early promotion and marketing—there's a lot to handle; without me, it won't work!"

Lin Wei retorted: "What about the Twin Forest Market here? You promised in front of my father and sister-in-law—are you trying to renege?"

Chen Yang replied: "Here in Qingshui I can direct things by remote phone."

Lin Wei said: "Then you remotely directing Xingcheng from Qingshui isn't the same?"

Chen Yang said: "Of course it's different! Here in Qingshui, your brother has many friends, and many things can be settled through connections. Xingcheng is a blank slate; every step requires personal effort. Especially the supermarket—that's the foundation for my aunt's family to settle there long-term; if I don't handle it well, how can I rest easy?"

Lin Wei still didn't understand: "Didn't you buy ten storefronts in the Twin Forest Market? The street-facing ones for your aunt to open a supermarket, the inner ones for my sister-in-law and my brother's comrades to sell agricultural produce—doesn't that solve the problem? Your aunt's family has lived here for so many years; they might not want to settle long-term in Xingcheng."

Chen Yang shook his head. In his previous life, after Zhao Donghai was laid off, he brought Chen Chunmei together to Xingcheng to keep Zhao Qian company. There they set up a stall for ten years before buying a house. During Spring Festival, Chen Yang also drove from Deep City to Xingcheng to reunite with them. As for Qingshui, it's mostly just after-dinner reminisces.

Actually, after the real estate boom took off, the whole Dongjiangsheng province developed a strange phenomenon. Rural residents swarmed to the county seat to buy homes and settle; county residents swarmed to the prefecture-level city or provincial capital to buy homes and settle; prefecture-level city residents all went to the provincial capital to buy homes and settle. Every family was influenced by the idea that "people go to higher ground, water flows downward." Even as life grew more exhausting, they could only grit their teeth and persevere.

Of course, this is what will happen in the next ten or so years; Chen Yang can't explain it clearly for now. He can only promise Lin Wei that he'll return to Qingshui immediately after settling the supermarket affairs.

Lin Wei could only half-believe Chen Yang's words; she leaned close and threatened him: "If you're deceiving me, I'll have someone drag you back and beat you to death."

Chen Yang hadn't expected her to have violent tendencies; he immediately reminded her: "Classmate Lin Wei, you're the family member of a Public Security Bureau chief, a future state civil servant—you should think twice before knowingly breaking the law!"

Lin Wei gave Chen Yang an evil smile and softly snorted: "Those intimate things between husband and wife—can they be called illegal?"

"I… you female hooligan." Chen Yang swore, vowing never to allow dangerous items like belts and whips in the house again.

The young couple bickered a while longer, then dinner was finally ready.

While eating, Chen Yang told Chen Chunmei and her husband about his plan to open a supermarket in Xingcheng. Hearing they could go to Xingcheng to accompany Zhao Qian, the couple had no objections.

Then Chen Yang mentioned that Lin Wei had arranged a new residence for them. Unexpectedly, Chen Chunmei refused on the spot.

"Chen Yang, this house is for your wedding; we can't take it."

"Aunt, we still have another new apartment, right across from the one you'll be living in."

"Well… Xiao Lin, do your parents know about this?" Chen Chunmei glanced uneasily at Lin Wei; she didn't want the housing matter to affect her nephew's marital happiness.

Since Chen Yang had already given his guarantee, Lin Wei was happy to play along: "My parents work in Qingshui; they only go to Xingcheng during Spring Festival. You can stay there with peace of mind."

Chen Chunmei still hesitated.

Worrying that hesitation might change things, Chen Yang secretly poked Lin Wei's waist with his finger. After thinking, she said again: "Aunt, Uncle, if you don't move in, Chen Yang won't be happy. If he's unhappy, I won't be happy either. You don't want us newlyweds to start arguing, do you?"

Chen Chunmei and her husband exchanged a glance, then finally agreed.

After Chen Yang and his wife finished dinner and left, Chen Chunmei solemnly told Zhao Donghai: "Get ready; tomorrow I'll go with you to the hometown to pay respects to our ancestors and, by the way, see if the old Chen family grave is emitting green smoke."

Zhao Donghai laughed: "When Chen Yang got into Xingcheng University last time, didn't you also go back to look? There was nothing at all!"

"This time is different! Our Chen Yang not only graduated smoothly from college, but also married a one-in-a-million good wife." Chen Chunmei said firmly: "Our old Chen family's ancestral grave will definitely have smoke this time!"