MTLNOVEL Chapter 21: The Wealthy Son-in-Law
Chapter 21: The Wealthy Son-in-Law
“Son-in-law of the Su family, what do you do for work? How much do you earn in a month?” one of the villagers asked, already enjoying the Greater China cigarette Lu Yuan had offered.
Lu Yuan smiled. “I work in the Ministry of Industry as a formal craftsman. I just passed the first-level craftsman qualification this year and now earn 23 yuan a month.”
Everyone’s faces showed envy. Such a substantial amount! Indeed, craftsmen earned more than others in similar positions. The imperial court strongly supported workers – a formal first-level worker in other positions would only earn around a dozen yuan monthly, the salary of an apprentice craftsman. But the first-level salary for a craftsman was 23 yuan, equivalent to a second-level salary elsewhere.
This was extraordinary money for country folk. During good years, a family of four or five would struggle to save twenty or thirty yuan. Of course, everyone understood this was Lu Yuan’s earnings, not savings. The imperial city had a high cost of living, though that also meant a better quality of life.
One man, unable to contain his jealousy, remarked acidly, “Only making twenty-some yuan a month, yet daring to smoke cigarettes costing over 2 yuan. How arrogant…”
Before he could finish, Zhao Qiaoer, Lu Yuan’s mother-in-law, jumped to his defense. “And what of it? My son-in-law earns well at his young age, and his prospects are only improving. It’s his money to spend as he wishes. If you think such cigarettes are wasteful, stick to your pipe!”
Jin Meijing, Su Liyan’s stepmother, immediately added in a sweet voice, “Exactly! What nonsense are you spouting?”
Lu Yuan hadn’t expected both elders to protect him so fiercely. It seemed both his mothers-in-law had fiery temperaments. He suspected he’d been previously bullied because of his status. That’s how things worked here – showing weakness only invited more bullying.
Lu Yuan knew he couldn’t hide behind the women. He looked at the man with a calm smile. “This uncle is right. Earning just over 20 yuan monthly while smoking 2-yuan cigarettes is quite an expense. But truthfully, my family doesn’t need to save much right now.
“Our housing is government-provided. With both my parents gone, Li Yan and I live alone in a hundred-square-meter apartment, which is perfectly adequate. I also hold an imperial city residence permit, so when Li Yan and I have children, their future is secure. Without such pressures, I can spend more freely.”
When Lu Yuan finished speaking, the yard fell silent.
Only the three people from Su Liyan’s family knew about Lu Yuan’s circumstances. Su Lina, being young, didn’t fully grasp the significance – she just knew her brother-in-law seemed impressive. The two mothers hadn’t stopped smiling since the matchmaker’s visit last night.
Zhao Qiaoer and Jin Meijing had heard about Lu Yuan’s situation from the matchmaker but had been skeptical. They couldn’t believe someone with such excellent prospects would choose their daughter. Now, hearing directly from their son-in-law confirmed everything was true. They were absolutely delighted their daughter had married such a good man, though they tried not to show their excitement too openly lest they appear opportunistic.
The villagers were completely stunned. They’d been told that Su Liyan’s husband was “a good one” by another village girl who had been rejected by him, but clearly that was a massive understatement.
While everyone processed this shock, Lu Yuan calmly added, “Besides, my parents left me considerable wealth. My family now owns more than a dozen shops. The rent alone provides substantial monthly income, so there’s no need for excessive frugality.”
His words hit like water poured into a smoking oil pan – the crowd erupted.
A dozen shops?! How much would that cost?! Was he actually from a boss family?! How had Su Liyan managed to marry into such wealth?!
Lu Yuan’s mothers-in-law were equally confused. They knew about the public housing and residence permit, but these shops were news to them. The matchmaker had never mentioned this – in fact, she’d implied that Lu Yuan was somewhat poor without parental support, though with good future earning potential as his craftsman rank increased.
A heavy silence fell over the yard. The men found their Greater China cigarettes suddenly tasting bitter, and the women’s wedding candies turned sour in their mouths.
Yet no one doubted Lu Yuan’s claims. His wedding gifts spoke volumes: twenty kilograms each of white flour and fat pork, vanishing cream and Dabao cosmetics for the mothers, and high-quality floral fabric. Even little Su Lina received dolls and pretty clothes. Su Liyan herself had transformed from her simple village attire into a fashionable floral dress with white calfskin leather shoes.
These items alone would cost at least fifty yuan – an impossible extravagance for an ordinary worker.
Everyone in the yard felt a pang of envy. Su Liyan had indeed married extraordinarily well!