Chapter 21: Jiang Mi, Do You Trust Me?

His words certainly sounded pleasant.

Hearing him speak this way, the Jiang family’s doubts began to fade. Father Jiang made the final call: "If you intend to attend school, then by all means, do it properly. Your parents-in-law support it, and of course, our family wants you to continue your education as well. Actually, Xiao Mi was a very good student. The only reason she didn't continue on to exams back then was..."

Father Jiang left the rest unsaid. At that time, Jiang Mi’s mother had been hospitalized, and the family’s savings were completely drained. Jiang Mi had withdrawn from school on her own initiative, without even consulting the family, just to stay at the hospital and care for her mother.

Had it not been for that, Jiang Mi would have been taking her exams this very year, and the matter of her marriage would never have come to pass.

With that settled, Jiang Yao’s attitude toward Wen Zongfu softened a little more. As long as he was willing to support his sister’s education, he could accept this brother-in-law.

Before leaving, Jiang Yao pulled Wen Zongfu aside and pressed several dozen yuan into his hand, looking somewhat embarrassed. "I don't earn much yet, but you should save this for my sister’s tuition. Our family won't just stand by while she pursues her studies."

Wen Zongfu pushed the money back instantly. "No. My wife's tuition is naturally my responsibility." It wouldn't be right for his brother-in-law to pay; Wen Zongfu wasn't so unmanly as to allow that.

Jiang Yao was taken aback, and by the time he recovered, Wen Zongfu had already strode away. As the car drove off, Mother Jiang couldn't help but wipe away tears of longing. Once a daughter is married off, it feels as though something is missing from the home.

By the time they reached the Wen residence, the sun had not yet set. Madam Wen invited Xiao Gao to stay for dinner, but he politely declined with a smile and drove away.

At the dinner table, Madam Wen couldn't resist asking about the homecoming visit. For once, Wen Zongfu patiently chatted with her, and his willingness to engage made Madam Wen’s eyes sparkle with joy.

When the young couple went upstairs, Madam Wen remarked to Father Wen, "He’s become so sensible since taking a wife. In the past, he never would have had the patience to chat with us like that."

Father Wen also believed that settling down before building a career was the right path. He pondered, "Perhaps we should arrange a position for Zongfu at the factory? Now that he's married, he can't go on drifting and messing around every day."

"Do you think it will work?" Madam Wen asked, worried. It wasn't as if they hadn't arranged work for him before, but the brat would always quit after a couple of days.

"Have Xiao Mi ask him. If his wife wants him to settle down, he'll take it seriously for the sake of his pride."

Madam Wen agreed it was a good plan. That night, after Jiang Mi finished washing up in the bathroom, she brought the matter up.

Jiang Mi didn't know exactly what line of work Wen Zongfu was in, so she didn't give Madam Wen a firm answer, promising only to talk it over with him.

So, as they lay in bed, Jiang Mi wondered how to broach the subject. Wen Zongfu spoke up lazily, "If you have something to say, just say it. You've been brewing over it for a long time."

Jiang Mi sat up, looking at the man resting his hands behind his head with a languid air. "You... you said during the day that you weren't cut out for school. Then, what do you want to do?"

"My mother put you up to this, didn't she?" He glanced at her, guessing correctly in an instant.

Jiang Mi: ...

"Regardless, do you have any plans? Are you looking for a job or...?" She knew that in this era, many factories would soon face poor performance and mass layoffs; even an "iron rice bowl" was bound to shatter.

She didn't truly care whether Wen Zongfu went to the factory or not, but she did feel he should take advantage of the changing times to build something for himself, avoiding the tragic fate he had suffered in her past life.

Wen Zongfu sat up with equal gravity, staring into her eyes as his voice dropped slightly. "Jiang Mi, do you trust me?"

"Do you trust that I can provide for you?"

He couldn't stand rigid, conventional work; a settled desk job felt like a death sentence to him. But even if he wasn't a traditional husband, he could certainly support his wife and ensure she lived a good life.

"I do." Jiang Mi didn't hesitate. Wen Zongfu had his own ways of making money; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to buy her a bicycle, and the fact that he could procure foreign exchange certificates proved his capability.

"Never mind. You're a grown man; you know what you're doing. I won't nag." Jiang Mi gave up, deciding not to ask further, and prepared to sleep.

Seeing her carefree demeanor, Wen Zongfu couldn't help but curve his lips into a smile. How had he ended up with such a delightful wife? Clever and obedient, she was truly endearing.

He lay down beside her and said, "Rest assured, your husband will make sure you live well."

"Mm."

"But don't keep me waiting too long. I'm over twenty years old; if word gets out that I took a wife only to live like a monk, people will laugh themselves to death. I'm not in a desperate rush, but it can't go on forever."

"Hey, Jiang Mi..."

"Say something. Are you asleep? Go ahead and hide if you want, but let's see how long you can keep it up." He ground his teeth slightly and let out an annoyed huff.

Jiang Mi, turned away from him, curled the corners of her lips in a smile.