WRS – Chapter 80

By the time they finished eating, it was already two or three in the afternoon. The villagers didn’t leave but gathered together chatting.

Zhu Ying and the others hadn’t eaten at all; they were too busy entertaining guests. The children were the happiest—before they even finished their food, they ran off wildly. Especially Liuliu—she had been dressed in a clean little gray cotton jacket that morning, but in the blink of an eye she was dirty in patches, sleeves and pant legs soaked, hat missing, hair a messy bird’s nest.

Fu Yanyan chased her twice but couldn’t catch her, so she simply let it go. Fanfan was also there; the two children hadn’t seen each other in a long time, so now they stuck together wherever they went.

Fang Min was telling Jin Xiuzhu, “My mom wrote this year and told me to bring Fanfan home for the New Year. I wrote back saying we weren’t going, that we’d spend it with my in-laws instead. I didn’t explain much more. Fanfan even asked me who they were—he has no idea he still has grandparents.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded. “You live so far apart and rarely visit. It’s normal he feels distant.”

Fang Min said, “We never talk about that side at home. They rarely write anymore, so it’s normal that Fanfan doesn’t know. But this year they not only wrote to me, they even sent two hundred yuan, saying it was a red envelope for the child.”

Jin Xiuzhu raised her brows. “What’s gotten into them?”

It didn’t sound like something her parents would normally do.

Fang Min explained, “They’re afraid I won’t go back again. They sent another letter later saying my older sister has been getting close to her biological mother’s family and keeps sending money to them. Whenever she needs money, only then does she return home.”

Jin Xiuzhu let out a small laugh and sipped her tea.

So they had raised an ungrateful wolf. Quite amusing.

Fang Min continued, “Her biological mother—my former adoptive mother’s older sister—claimed the baby switch was an accident, but who knows. Anyway, they gave me to the younger sister. She didn’t have children at first, but after adopting me she gave birth to two sons. People in the countryside said I brought the fortune over. They didn’t dare throw me out, but they resented having another mouth to feed, so they made me work every day. When my grandparents found me, they said I was skin and bones.”

Jin Xiuzhu knew. Fang Min’s body had always been weak, with a poor stomach—clear signs she had suffered as a child.

“They said in their letter they regret not treating me well and want to make up for it. They even said they’d leave the old family house to me. But I don’t need any of that anymore. They’re probably just afraid no one will take care of them when they get old. And my sister treats them badly. My father was hospitalized and she only visited once—came just to ask for money, then left when she didn’t get any. Her kids aren’t close to them either.”

Fang Min suddenly laughed. “Isn’t it ridiculous? I’ve already made peace with it. I don’t owe them anything. I didn’t grow up with them. I’m not going to force a relationship. If they get sick or something later, I’ll send some money, but that’s all I can do.”

In her heart, the only family she acknowledged were her grandparents. Those two so-called parents were not.

They were struggling now, but she wouldn’t kick them when they were down. Whatever sweetness or bitterness they experienced was the result of their own choices—after all, they were the ones who abandoned her.

Jin Xiuzhu sighed. “Your sister’s family has problems. Your parents ending up like this isn’t surprising. As long as we live well, that’s enough.”

Fang Min hummed in agreement.

After chatting a while longer, she held her belly and went to lie down.

Jin Xiuzhu saw that Bai Jingzhi and the others were still busy, so she continued sitting and nibbling on snacks. Fu Yanyan sat beside her. “Aunt Fang’s parents aren’t clueless at all. They know exactly what they’re doing. Back then they didn’t get close to Aunt Fang because they saw she was sensible. No matter how close they got, she couldn’t compare to the daughter they raised. Now that the adopted daughter is unreliable, they want to pull Aunt Fang back, even using the house to bait her.”

They weren’t foolish—far from it.

Jin Xiuzhu said, “Most parents love their children, but there are exceptions.”

Fu Yanyan muttered, “Dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes; the child of a rat knows how to dig holes.”

Jin Xiuzhu laughed, knowing she was insulting Fang Min’s older sister’s family. She tapped her daughter lightly on the forehead. “You little rascal.”

Fu Yanyan rubbed her head and smiled. She loved how warmly Jin Xiuzhu treated her—it made her feel cherished.

The banquet lasted until a little after three. When it was over, the villagers helped tidy up. Bai Jingzhi and Zhu Ying walked Jin Xiuzhu to the edge of the village, and Ji Ling with several comrades rode their bicycles to escort them back to the county.

The banquet ended, and Jin Xiuzhu’s family would be leaving tomorrow. Bai Jingzhi was reluctant to part with them. She held Jin Xiuzhu’s hand tightly, eyes red. “Sister-in-law—”

Jin Xiuzhu patted her hand. “Today is a happy day. Don’t cry. It’s not like we won’t see each other again. We’ll meet again at the end of the year—and you might even be holding a little one by then.”

Bai Jingzhi laughed. “It won’t be that fast.”

Jin Xiuzhu gave her a meaningful look. “You never know.”

Thinking of Ji Ling, Bai Jingzhi blushed.

Ji Ling and the others took Jin Xiuzhu’s family to the county guesthouse. After spending one night, they went to the bus station early the next morning.

They had left early, but Ji Ling still showed up on his bicycle with Bai Jingzhi to send them off.

Sitting by the bus window, the three children waved wildly at the pair outside. He Yan yelled fiercely, “Uncle, you better treat my aunt well! Otherwise I won’t let you off! I’m going to military school next year!”

Ji Ling laughed. “Say that again when you actually get into military school.”

He Yan snorted and waved his fist.

As the bus drove away, Ji Ling said with a laugh, “Your family is really something.”

Bai Jingzhi’s eyes curved. “Of course. They dote on me.”

She hadn’t dared say such words before, but now she could say them naturally. Her family truly spoiled her like a child.

Ji Ling pinched her cheek. “Because you deserve the best.”

Bai Jingzhi’s smile grew brighter.

Jin Xiuzhu’s family reached the city, then transferred to a train back to Province G. After riding the train for two days and two nights, they arrived home around nine in the evening.

Liuliu had fallen asleep in Jiang Mingchuan’s arms. Jin Xiuzhu was exhausted too, but still went to the kitchen with He Yan to heat water for a bath.

By the time everyone finished bathing, it was already past ten. Early the next morning, Jiang Mingchuan left for the army. Jin Xiuzhu slept in; when she got up, He Yan had already gone to school for self-study. Only the two daughters were in the living room eating steamed buns.

Seeing her, Fu Yanyan explained, “Brother bought them this morning. They’re still warm.”

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, washed up in the kitchen, and grabbed a bun herself.

Fu Yanyan said, “I just heard arguing from Aunt Li’s place next door. Should we check?”

Jin Xiuzhu frowned. “Who was arguing?”

“Not sure. The other voice sounded like a woman—she was cursing terribly.”

After finishing two buns, Jin Xiuzhu clapped her hands. “You two do your homework. I’ll go take a look.”

Fu Yanyan wanted to go, but seeing her little sister’s curious gaze, she stayed put—best not to set a bad example.

Jin Xiuzhu picked up some local specialty foods they brought back and went next door. The door was closed. She knocked twice, and when no one answered, she called out, “Li Yun, it’s me.”

Footsteps approached quickly, and soon the door opened. Li Yun’s eyes were red and swollen. She forced a smile. “Master, when did you get back?”

“Last night around nine or ten.”

Li Yun nodded. “Come in. I’ve been struggling with a few parts of the Internal Classic and wanted to ask you.”

“Alright.”

Jin Xiuzhu entered, the layout was similar to her own home. She casually glanced around and immediately noticed shards in the corner—looked like a broken cup.

She didn’t ask. She put the specialty foods on the table. “These are some specialties from my sister-in-law’s hometown. Try them. The cured sausages are great steamed or stir-fried, and the rice cakes can be cooked with tangyuan.”

Li Yun poured her tea. “Thank you, Master.”

“No need for thanks.”

Taking the cup, Jin Xiuzhu asked directly, “I heard yelling earlier. Did something happen?”

Li Yun didn’t hide it. She gave a bitter smile. “What else could it be? That so-called friend’s sister of his came over claiming she’s pregnant, telling me to divorce him.”

Jin Xiuzhu lifted her eyes. “Didn’t your husband say nothing happened between them?”

Li Yun looked numb. “Who knows.”

Jin Xiuzhu said sharply, “Didn’t I tell you before to have your husband send her away? Why is she still here?”

Li Yun pursed her lips. “He said he sent her away. I thought he did.”

Jin Xiuzhu hummed. “What are you planning to do now?”

Li Yun touched her stomach. “I was thinking… once the baby is born, I’ll divorce him. I won’t leave a single cent behind.”

“It’s his fault. And since that woman came claiming she’s pregnant, that’s evidence. Don’t soften your heart. Use it. Make him convert everything he’s earned over the years into money for you. Otherwise threaten to report him to the army—let him lose both money and reputation.”

Li Yun wiped her tears and nodded hard. “Master, I understand. I won’t be soft again.”

Her chaotic heart calmed instantly. Someone was standing behind her, telling her what to do—she wasn’t afraid anymore.

Jin Xiuzhu always had a low opinion of men like Li Yun’s husband. She knew there were good and bad people everywhere, but this still disgusted her.

Li Yun suddenly said, “Master, I want to go to the army this afternoon. They’ve gone too far.”

Jin Xiuzhu glanced at her belly. “If you want to go, I’ll go with you.”

Li Yun gave her a grateful look and said firmly, “I’m going to divorce him.”

Jin Xiuzhu: Men like this… really astonishing. I have to see this.

Jiang Mingchuan: My wife is busy as always.

He Yan: Mom is the best.

Fu Yanyan: Is it possible she just wants to watch the drama?

Liuliu: Even if Mom watches drama, it’s righteous drama-watching.