Good Man Operation Guide

Li Lanlan was truly overwhelmed by the favor. She had never seen any gold jewelry in her entire life, let alone had any. Although she had envied her mother-in-law when her husband gave her the jewelry before, she had never thought she would receive a piece herself.

Now, Mother Lin wanted to give her one of them. Li Lanlan was grateful yet fearful and instinctively refused, saying, “No, Mother, these were bought by Husband for you. How can I accept them?”

The eldest daughter-in-law, whose eyes were almost turning green from staring at those golden earrings, could hardly believe what she had heard.

Those were golden earrings!

Made of gold!

Is Li Lanlan out other mind? The golden earrings were practically delivered to her doorstep, yet she refused them!

If it were her, not only would she accept golden earrings, but even silver ones would immediately be worn.

Lin Shiheng, who came out of the house, also agreed with his wife’s words and said, “Yes, Mother, Lan Lan doesn’t need to wear these things. Besides, they were bought for you.”

The eldest daughter-in-law, who was filled with envy, jealousy, hatred, and suspicion, felt slightly relieved upon hearing Lin Shiheng’s words.

The husband was inconsiderate, and her mother-in-law’s false kindness was of no use.

Upon hearing her son’s words, Mother Lin felt somewhat pleased. If her son agreed to give the golden earrings to Li Lanlan, even though it was her own suggestion, she would still feel a little unhappy. Unlike her other sons, she had grown even more attached to the remaining son after losing two.

If Lin Shiheng also wanted to give them to Li Lanlan, she wouldn’t show any displeasure on the surface, but she would feel unhappy inside, as if her son had been snatched away by her daughter-in-law.

However, if Lin Shiheng disagreed, Mother Lin wouldn’t only not be unhappy but also sympathize with Li Lanlan.

“What woman doesn’t love these things? After Lan Lan came here, she’s been working in the fields and taking care of the household without stopping for a single moment. In the past, we didn't have the means, but now that we do, of course, we should let her dress up nicely.”

Li Lanlan truly felt unworthy. Although her family didn’t ask for a bride price, ever since she got married, she could eat eggs almost every day, and yesterday she even had fish. Although she was doing hard work, before getting married, her father was always busy running around helping others, and she did a lot more work back then.

That was a gift my husband gave to Mother; how could I accept it?

“Mother, I really don’t need it. Husband specifically bought it for you. You should wear it yourself.”

The eldest daughter-in-law, leaning against the short wall, almost popped her eyes out.

She couldn’t understand. How could it be that, as daughters-in-law, when her mother-in-law faced her, she had a stern and cold expression, wanting to drive her out of the Lin family. But when it came to Li Lanlan, she was gentle and amiable, even willing to give away the gold earrings?

Moreover, what made her most jealous was that Li Lanlan could easily obtain what she desired but couldn’t have. It was as if she didn’t want it on purpose.

What kind of complete idiot was she?

Mother Lin didn’t think her youngest daughter-in-law was foolish at all. On the contrary, she thought her daughter-in-law was clever, filial, sensible, and thoughtful. If it were any other daughter-in-law in the village, they would eagerly accept such gold earrings if their mother-in-law offered them.

Only our Shiheng’s wife could be like Shiheng, not caring about wealth, being filial to the elderly, and prioritizing our needs.

In Mother Lin’s imagination, she looked even more kindly at Li Lanlan, and her tone softened. She extended her hand wearing a golden bracelet and gently patted Li Lanlan’s hand.

“Look at you, even though I’m getting old, why bother dressing up so nicely? Shiheng is a capable man, and you’re his wife. Of course, you should also dress beautifully. Besides, this pair of golden earrings was originally meant to be passed down to daughters-in-law. I’m giving it to you now, and in the future, when you and Shiheng have a son who marries, you can give it to his wife."

“Come on, put it on quickly. Let me see how it looks.”

Li Lanlan hesitated a bit, but Lin Shiheng, standing beside her, seemed convinced by Mother Lin’s words. “Mother is right. You’re my wife, and you should wear some jewelry. Since Mother is giving you these earrings, go ahead and accept them.”

She was accustomed to listening to her husband’s words, so as soon as she heard that, her previous hesitation disappeared, and she solemnly accepted the earrings, “Thank you, Mother.”

The eldest daughter-in-law wished she could just skip over the earthen wall and snatch the earrings from Mother Lin. The eldest daughter-in-law watched Li Lanlan eagerly accept the earrings, clutching her chest, feeling the suffocating pain. It seemed like she had changed her mind.

Why was she suddenly so willing to accept them?

It must be an act!

But those were gold earrings!

However, Mother Lin didn’t think her dutiful daughter-in-law was pretending. She believed that Li Lanlan was simply obeying her son’s words, which made her even happier.

That's how it should be. A harmonious couple would bear a chubby grandson for her and continue the Lin family line.

As for the grandchildren from the neighboring eldest and second families, the old lady pretended not to remember their existence.

They had already separated, so why bother thinking about such things?

Seeing Li Lanlan holding the precious jewelry with a surprised and bewildered expression, Lin Shiheng smiled and approached her, taking the earrings in his hand. He whispered, “Let me help you put them on.”

With his handsome and fair appearance, always smelling of soap, unlike the sweat odor of Li Lanlan’s father that she had been accustomed to, Lin Shiheng stood before her at that moment. Listening to his magnetic voice, speaking softly, Li Lanlan’s earlobes inexplicably turned red.

She didn’t say a word, just slightly turned her body, exposing her earlobes.

Lin Shiheng reached out and first removed the grass stalk that was serving as an earring stud in Li Lanlan’s ear. Then, he gently and quickly inserted the earrings.

His movements were light and swift, as if in an instant. He then withdrew his hand.

Li Lanlan felt a bit lost and nervously tugged at her clothes. She cautiously glanced at him, her heart fluttering as the earrings swayed with her movements. Even her voice unconsciously became softer.

“How does it look?"

Her husband stood there, revealing a smile to her.

“It looks beautiful.”

A surge of emotions erupted in Li Lanlan’s heart, making her feel peculiar yet sweet. Her earlobes, still tinged with a blush, spread to her fair cheeks.

Mother Lin gazed at her young daughter-in-law, her eyes filled with nostalgia and tenderness, as she blushed shyly from her son’s praise.

“They look better on you Lan Lan. She’s even comparable to those girls in town.”

She had hardly left the village in her lifetime, so she had no idea what the girls in town looked like. But that didn’t stop her from imagining.

Before she had Lin Shiheng, Mother Lin disliked the type of daughter-in-law who was fair, slim, and pretty. In her eyes, they weren’t any good at doing house work and attracted unnecessary attention. However, after her youngest son passed the examination and repeatedly expressed his disinterest in the village women, who were dark, robust, and illiterate, Mother Lin’s aesthetic sense couldn’t help but be influenced.

For instance, at this moment, the more she looked at Li Lanlan, the more she liked her because Li Lanlan was beautiful and filial.

On the other hand, the more she looked at the eldest daughter-in-law, the more she detested her because she was not only ugly but also caused trouble.

Thinking about it, Mother Lin glanced at the eldest daughter-in-law and indeed saw the bulky woman glaring at Li Lanlan’s earrings with envy and desire. Judging by her expression, it seemed like she wanted to snatch the earrings and wear them herself.

Humph, she hasn't seen the world!

Mother Lin, who just gave a pair of gold earrings to her daughter-in-law, felt that her taste had truly changed.

Every time she saw the eldest daughter-in-law, she would think of how she had previously endured all sorts of difficulties for her sons, allowing the daughter-in-law to trample all over her. She also recalled the expressions of her daughters-in-law eagerly wanting to divide the family assets and drive away their in-laws when her husband fell ill.

The more Mother Lin thought about it, the angrier she became. She, who usually listened to her husband and sons, suddenly had a flash of inspiration and came up with a satisfying solution.

With her hands on her waist, deliberately raising her voice, she told Li Lanlan, “It’s your good fortune, Lan Lan. According to the Lin family tradition, these gold earrings have always been passed down to the eldest daughter-in-law. If we hadn’t divided the households, me and my husband living with Shiheng, you wouldn’t have received these gold earrings.”

Lin Shiheng knew exactly what his mother intended by her demeanor. He didn’t even mention that he had bought those earrings in the first place and cooperatively reminded his wife, “Mother is right, Lan Lan. You should thank Sister-in-law.”

Li Lanlan was also clever. She took a glance at her mother-in-law, who was intentionally speaking loudly while casting a sideways glance at the eldest daughter-in-law next door. She knew what her mother-in-law was up to.

Thinking about how her husband had told her about the expressions of the eldest daughter-in-law and the second daughter-in-law when they talked about dividing the households, Li Lanlan naturally didn’t have a good impression of them.

She immediately turned around and cheerfully smiled at the eldest daughter-in-law, “Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law. If it weren’t for you not wanting them, I wouldn’t have been able to have a pair of gold earrings.”

As she said that, Li Lanlan intentionally reached out and touched the earring on her left ear, giving it a slight adjustment. She smiled and asked the eldest daughter-in-law, “Sister-in-law, do you think I look good wearing them?”

The eldest daughter-in-law: “...”

She had already been infuriated before, and now, with her mother-in-law reminding her that the earrings should have been passed down to her, coupled with Li Lanlan’s smug look, she almost fainted from anger.

She was always petty-minded and wouldn’t consider the fact that Lin Shiheng had bought those earrings. Even if they hadn’t separated the households, she wouldn’t have ended up getting them. She only had one thought in her mind:

If we hadn't separated the households, I would be the one wearing the gold earrings!

While her granddaughter-in-law was diligently working, she suddenly looked up and saw her mother-in-law clutching her chest, struggling to catch her breath. Startled, she quickly came up to support her.

“Mother, what’s wrong? Mother??"

“I... I’m fine..."

The eldest daughter-in-law didn’t collapse.

She stood up with determination.

So what if they have gold earrings? Eventually, they would be handed over to the daughter-in-law.

Li Lanlan wearing golden earrings would make others in the village envious, but it would also make others see how wealthy she was.

If her father saw it, would he not come knocking on the door to borrow money?

That was the person who had once borrowed money from his wife's family until all ties were severed. Would he let Lin Shiheng off so easily?!

Absolutely not!

She could wait, wait to see Father Li come and borrow money, and then provoke her mother-in-law.

The next day, Father Li indeed came.

Just as Lin Shiheng was about to greet him, Li Lanlan held him back. She looked towards her biological father, who was walking towards the front gate of the Lin family’s house. With her other hand, she rubbed her eyes until they turned red, appearing pitiful.

Despite looking pitiful, her eyes were filled with determination as if she was preparing for battle.

“Husband, you rest. I’ll handle this!”