If his daughter didn’t make the first move, there would be no match.

So, he had his second son approach Lin Yue to get close to him.

Once they were familiar, he planned to have his daughter get close to Lin Yue and win him over.

He even planned to catch Lin Yue in an affair to make him panic.

Lin Yue was indeed nervous and agreed to everything his daughter said, except for the idea of having Lin Shu marry his second son.

Lin Yue and his family refused.

He then demanded a high bride price from the Sun family.

If they didn’t agree, the marriage couldn’t proceed.

The old lady of the Lin family refused outright.

He advised his daughter to claim she was pregnant.

After all, since they had been intimate once, it was only a matter of time before she got pregnant.

The old lady of the Lin family refused to agree, so he threatened Lin Yue’s parents.

Lin Yue’s mother, being timid, immediately agreed.

Though they were unwilling to marry Lin Shu to his second son, they were willing to pay a high bride price.

The Lin family effectively gave the bride price to the Sun family, solving their urgent problem.

Not only did they help Sun’s second son get a wife, but also helped the fourth son.

Old Sun didn’t think he had done anything wrong.

After all, his daughter liked Lin Yue, and they had married off their sons, which was a happy outcome for everyone.

Therefore, he treated his son-in-law well, often inviting him and his daughter over for meals to build their relationship.

But now it seemed that the Lin family was opposing them?

Old Sun was a bit uncertain.

His sons were many—four in total—but the Lu family had influence in Lu Family Village.

He feared that if the Lin family called for help, many would come to their aid, and fighting would be impossible.

Breaking heads over a sewing machine isn’t worth it.

Men can fight over a matter of pride, but it’s not worth losing face over a sewing machine.

Besides, the sewing machine actually belongs to Lin Shu.

Furthermore, the elder sister’s husband is a martyr. To snatch a sewing machine from the family of a martyr?

Wouldn’t the Old Sun family be questioned by the commune?

Old Sun may seem rough and thoughtless, but he’s actually quite shrewd.

He wouldn’t make a loss-making deal.

He loves his daughter, but it’s not worth offending the Lu family over a sewing machine, especially since this isn’t a major issue for his daughter—it’s just about a sewing machine.

The elder sister-in-law of the Lin family is being unreasonable.

Shouldn’t she show some tolerance for her brother?

The sewing machine has been used by the daughter-in-law for years.

Why does it need to be taken back now?

Isn’t that a bit selfish and thoughtless?

In the end, his daughter has to endure it.

After all, he’s reluctant to spend money on a new sewing machine for her, isn’t he?

Even if he were willing, his son and daughter-in-law wouldn’t be.

Causing a scene at Lin’s village is pointless, as Sun Xiaohong beat her mother-in-law, and she is in charge of the household.

The damage is also her responsibility.

This issue can only be endured by Sun Xiaohong.

Sun Xiaohong didn’t expect that seeking support from her parental home would only result in her having to endure the situation.

She felt even more distressed, crying and lamenting, and wanted to confront Lin Yue, but he seemed to be missing.

Old Sun took her back.

He originally planned to have a talk with Lin’s father and mother to intimidate and scare the honest people into protecting his daughter.

However, as soon as he entered the house, he saw the barefoot doctor giving Lin’s mother a shot.

Sun Xiaohong panicked, “She’s sick? What’s wrong? She was fine when I left.”

The barefoot doctor was called in; doesn’t that cost money?

Seeing Old Sun and Sun Xiaohong, Lin’s father said, “Daughter-in-law, quickly give money to the doctor. Your mother-in-law… oh, she needs an IV drip.”

Sun Xiaohong asked, “What illness requires an IV drip?”

Lin’s father’s face darkened. “The in-laws are here. You should explain it yourself.”

Old Sun said, “Don’t be angry, in-laws. The child is just having a tantrum. It’s nothing serious; she’s still a child.”

Lin’s father told the daughter-in-law to give money, “All the money is in your hands.”

Sun Xiaohong responded, “The money sent by the elder and second elder sisters was not all given to me.”

Lin’s father said, “What’s a few coins worth? The major portion was taken by you. The work points and dividends are all locked in your cabinet.”

In the room, besides the barefoot doctor, there were also Lin’s wife, Zhou Mother, and others.

Two old women came to visit Lin Mu(Lin Mother).

Sun Xiaohong didn’t expect that returning home for help would only make things worse.

The women were chattering and criticizing her, demanding money.

Old Sun felt embarrassed and urged his daughter to quickly give money for her mother-in-law’s treatment.

Sun Xiaohong was reluctant.

She had always thought her in-laws were there just to do hard work and earn money.

She didn’t realize she would need to spend money on their medical expenses.

She had already given twenty to her second brother and was running low on funds.

The barefoot doctor looked at them and said, “Infusions are expensive—one bottle costs fifty cents.”

Sun Xiaohong blurted out, “Why not just give a small injection? It only costs ten cents. Maybe some medicine would be enough. Why prescribe something so costly?”

The doctor got upset, “Are you blaming me for overcharging? Your mother-in-law was first injured by you and then got a heart problem from being upset. Small injections won’t be effective; if you don’t get an infusion, you’ll just have to wait for the worst!”

Sun Xiaohong wanted to argue further, but Old Sun was anxious.

If his daughter’s actions led to her mother-in-law’s death, it would ruin their reputation.

He quickly said, “It’s not her fault. Your mother-in-law has been in poor health for a while. Today, my daughter came back and took the sewing machine, which might have upset her.”

Originally, he was trying to explain away Lin Mu’s poor health, and Lin Father had tolerated it.

Now that Lin Mu’s health issues were blamed on his daughter, Lin Father was also getting upset.

Lin Father said, “The sewing machine belongs to my daughter, and it’s only right she took it. We’re not angry.

But today, the daughter-in-law came back, threw a tantrum, and kicked her mother-in-law on the head. Look at her swollen face.”

The barefoot doctor immediately shone a flashlight on Lin Mu’s forehead and eye, revealing a large swollen area with a broken skin.

It was now covered with some bandages.

Old Sun was speechless, glaring at his daughter, and scolded her, “You’re treating your mother-in-law like this? You’re being too rough and careless.”

Sun Xiaohong still wanted the sewing machine, but Old Sun stopped her. “Use the money to pay for your mother-in-law’s treatment. In the future, take better care of the elderly and serve your in-laws well.”

If word spread that his daughter mistreated her mother-in-law, it would damage the Sun family’s reputation.

Everyone would be asking questions, and it would be embarrassing.

Lin Mu occasionally moaned in pain, saying, “I, I don’t think I’m going to make it. Quickly, send a telegram to my daughter…”

Everyone comforted her as best as they could.

Sun Xiaohong suddenly realized that despite her dominance and behavior at the Lin family, in reality…

The sewing machine was taken back by her cousin, and she couldn’t get it back. Her in-laws and husband were useless in this situation.

She felt helpless; her parents wouldn’t offend the Lu family for her.

In the end, she had to swallow her anger and suffer in silence, didn’t she?

She felt so frustrated.

Suddenly, she missed Lin Yue so much.

Lin Yue was a kind, warm, and good-natured man.

He never blamed her for the past; instead, he listened to her arrangements and married her.

After marriage, he mostly followed her lead.

Although she found him lacking, he never criticized her and always let her make the decisions at home.

Old Sun was still sighing, “Ah, back then, we were poor. It was all my fault. When my son married, I couldn’t come up with the bride price even if I broke my bones. I had to make do with what I had and let the in-laws take the bride price as cash. My daughter didn’t know this, so she thought the sewing machine was hers. She didn’t intend to take her elder sister-in-law’s machine.”

He had to restore his and his daughter’s reputation, and couldn’t let people say the Sun family sold their daughter and that she bullied her in-laws.

He needed to create an image of a father who was unjustly schemed against for his children.

Lin’s father suddenly said, “Since you’re saying that, all four of your sons’ marriage funds were from my Lin family.

We didn’t owe your daughter anything; we gave her a portion of the bride price. Now that you’re well-off, you should return the sewing machine you owe her. It’s not much—just two hundred yuan.”

What?

Old Sun was instantly stunned, unable to speak, and could only make a choked noise.