Chapter Four: Eldest Sister-in-Law

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Chen Liang dashed to the grocery store and bought a pound of red shrimp crisps, the kind that didn’t require a ration ticket, before scampering all the way home. Ah, in these days, it was the same everywhere in the country—no matter what you wanted to buy, you needed a ticket, and everything was strictly allocated per person. Sometimes, even if ordinary people had money, there was simply nothing to buy.

When Chen Liang went to buy sweets, he actually wanted to get White Rabbit milk candy for his little niece, Chen Hong. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a ticket for the milk candy. Forced to settle for second best, he ended up with a pound of red shrimp crisps, which required no ticket.

That was still pretty good. Though red shrimp crisps weren’t as tasty as White Rabbit milk candy, most families wouldn’t even splurge on a whole pound for the New Year. Thinking this way, Chen Liang felt it was acceptable.

He was genuinely fond of his current life. Though these times lacked computers, lacked mobile phones, and even had no nightlife in the depths of winter, he simply preferred it here.

For Chen Liang, who had spent ten years in the depths of hell, family, friendship, and love were the three things he’d yearned for most across two lifetimes.

So, when he took over Chen Er Leng’s body and felt the warmth of familial affection, he immediately settled down.

As he ran back to his family’s courtyard, he had just stepped through the gate when he heard the heart-rending cries of his little niece, Chen Hong!

“Wah, wah, wah! I never want Mommy again, Mommy is so annoying!”

“Sob, sob, sob! Second Uncle, where are you? Come save me! Why is my childhood so hard?”

Pfft! Chen Liang’s heart was instantly breached. Glancing at his tear-streaked little niece, Chen Liang—trained as an undercover agent—was typically stoic, never laughing unless he truly couldn’t hold it in. This was one of those moments.

Hearing Chen Liang’s laughter, little Chen Hong immediately perked up, as if her protector had arrived. She wiped her runny nose on Grandpa Chen Dashan, then toddled over on her short legs and hugged Chen Liang’s thigh. “Second Uncle, let’s go! I still want your secret grilled fish today!”

In those days, there was no rule that children had to attend kindergarten. Except for Chen Liang, who was unemployed, everyone in the family had their own jobs or studies. So, when everyone else was at work, little Chen Hong was sent off to Red Star Kindergarten.

But after Chen Liang arrived and saw his adorable niece, he endured for two days, got the lay of the land, and then volunteered to take care of her himself.

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Though his sister-in-law eyed him with suspicion for quite a while, she ultimately agreed to let him look after Chen Hong.

After all, Chen Liang was her real uncle—how could he possibly be unkind to the family’s only granddaughter?

So, after a few days of Chen Liang taking Chen Hong out and about, his sister-in-law regretted it! The problem was, Chen Liang was just too wild. Following him, Chen Hong, who had previously been quite well-behaved, grew to be disliked by both people and dogs at a visible pace—her personality became much too lively!

Especially as the bond between uncle and niece deepened, Chen Liang gradually let down his guard, and those cheeky phrases from the future started slipping out.

Little Chen Hong, quick to mimic, picked up these antics in no time. When his sister-in-law heard Chen Hong spouting all sorts of nonsense, she resolved to clip her fragile little wings herself and send her straight back to Red Star Kindergarten.

Having thoroughly unleashed Chen Hong’s true nature, Chen Liang found he could barely keep up—the task was simply exhausting.

So, when his sister-in-law suggested continuing to send her to kindergarten, Chen Liang raised both hands and both feet in approval!

Kindergarten teachers: So in the end, we’re the ones who suffer? May we ask, dear parent, do you even have manners?

Oblivious to her uncle’s betrayal, little Chen Hong continued to chatter about eating grilled fish and climbing mountains today.

Listening to her endless list of plans, Chen Liang gave an awkward smile, then hoisted Chen Hong onto his shoulders for a piggyback ride, and said in a slightly humble, coaxing tone, “Honghong, Uncle has something to do today, so I can’t take you for grilled fish. How about we go next time?”

“Ah? Oh…” Her excitement visibly waned, her voice dropping in disappointment.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Chen Liang was about to grit his teeth and accompany her regardless, when his sister-in-law, having finished the housework, appeared with a small cloth bag slung over her shoulder and signaled him to put Chen Hong down. She stood expressionless, looking at Chen Hong.

Subjected to her mother’s deathly gaze, Chen Hong—teary-eyed and crestfallen—swiftly changed her expression as if performing a Peking Opera face change, rubbed her cheeks, and, to Chen Liang’s stunned amazement, adopted a look of pure delight. She grabbed her mother’s hand, bouncing along without a backward glance.

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Left standing bewildered in the wind, Chen Liang thought: Hey! Chen Hong, you little trickster, bring back my heartfelt emotions!

He was truly exhausted. Forget it, let the world come to an end!

Indeed, every child is a gentle angel, moving you deeply, and always full of surprises!

“Uh, pfft!” He couldn’t keep up the narration any longer.

Reflecting on the mischievous little creature he’d raised, Chen Liang shook his head. Well, being a little eccentric was good—at least this girl wouldn’t be taken advantage of outside.

His sister-in-law worked as an accountant in the department store. Her commute conveniently allowed her to drop Chen Hong off at kindergarten.

Since she was mentioned, a brief introduction is in order.

Chen Liang’s sister-in-law was named Liu Hongyan—a remarkably beautiful woman. Her job as a department store accountant was excellent, she was a master at household management, and carried herself with elegance and generosity.

When she was getting married, matchmakers nearly wore out her family’s threshold. Chen Liang’s elder brother had brought her home thanks to his solid family background, tall and robust physique, handsome and masculine features, and his status as the youngest Grade Five worker in all of Beijing. On top of that, his steadfast, hardworking, and honest nature made him the ideal “good guy.”

Their life together was sweet as honey—couldn’t be better. Alas, after Chen Hong was born, his gentle and beautiful sister-in-law began to evolve into something of a tigress. In the eyes of the Chen family, every gesture she made carried a hint of menace. Often, a single glance was enough to subdue the ever-spirited Chen Hong—it was truly, truly formidable.