Drama Couple in the 80s

Chapter 53

He Cheng hadn't returned yet, and Yanyan and Quanquan had spent these past few days at their grandmother's house, already asleep by now. Jiang Ya had prepared rice porridge simmering on the stove and cooked two simple side dishes, inviting Shao Chunhong to sit down for dinner.

Apparently, there was no space for Shao Chunhong at Shao Chunlai's place. Jiang Ya initially thought Shao Chunhong would stay with Bao Lanxiang, considering it was only three days since Shao Baokui's burial, and as her daughter, she should accompany her mother during this period.

However, it seemed that Shao Chunhong wasn't particularly close to her mother, Bao Lanxiang.

Thus, Jiang Ya arranged for Shao Chunhong to sleep in the west room and went there after dinner to make up the bed for her.

"Big sister in law, I'm causing you extra trouble by staying here," said Shao Chunhong.

Jiang Ya smiled warmly, "Not at all! He Cheng is your elder brother, not just anyone else. When you come to your own brother's home, it's like being at your own place; feel free to stay as long as you wish."

"Big sister in law, I know how good you've been to me," Shao Chunhong replied. "I still remember when you first got married to big brother before we separated households, you'd often give me sweets and even saved chicken meat for me. Once, while I was away at school, you set aside a whole bowl of chicken meat just for me to enjoy upon my return."

After so many years, Jiang Ya couldn't believe Shao Chunhong remembered such small gestures. "I don't recall that," Jiang Ya said. "And it might not have necessarily been me who saved the chicken meat for you. Whenever our family managed to slaughter a chicken, we wouldn't forget to save some for everyone."

"I knew it must have been you who saved those for me," Shao Chunhong continued. "No one else in this family would do such a thing."

Jiang Ya paused, feeling somewhat uneasy inside. She looked at Shao Chunhong and decided to sit down on the bed edge, saying, "Chunhong, these past few days have been busy with Uncle Shao's matters, leaving little time for us to truly talk. Tell me honestly, what exactly happened with the injury on your face?"

Shao Chunhong lowered her head without responding.

Realizing the situation, Jiang Ya asked gently, "Was it Yang Guo who hit you?"

"The night before, I argued with his mother over our crying child, and then he..."

"I didn't ask why he hit you," Jiang Ya interrupted Shao Chunhong. "Regardless of the reason, there is no justification for domestic violence. No matter what, he should never have laid a hand on you."

"Does he often beat you?" Jiang Ya questioned.

"A few times," Shao Chunhong admitted, keeping her head bowed. "My relationship with his mother is strained also he always takes her side, and I can't defend myself against him."

It was evident without needing further explanation. Mrs. Yang appeared immediately untrustworthy upon first glance, indicative of a dysfunctional family dynamic. A respectable household wouldn't hide a teenage girl just to bear their children.

As expected, dealing with a typical rural shrew like her mother in law must have been effortless for someone as young as fifteen or sixteen year old Shao Chunhong. Especially since she had eloped, leaving her without any support from her own family.

"Now, what do you plan to do?" Jiang Ya asked. "Chunhong, I'm unsure if I should interfere with your family matters. On one hand, it breaks my heart to see you suffer after all, you're He Cheng's younger sister. But on the other hand, my husband and I hesitatingly acknowledge that this is ultimately your home and your husband. We don't know how you truly feel about everything."