Chapter 100

Mother Shen had stayed at Shen Yiyi’s place for 21 days. During these 21 days, she had knitted a sweater for Li Chen and had become very close with Mother Li, as if they were sisters. From time to time, they would go out and chat with the village women, spending more time together than with Shen Yiyi.

Shen Yuxuan, on the other hand, had become the leader of the Three Baos and a little fan of Li Chen. Whenever the Three Baos couldn’t see him for a while, they would ask: “Where is Little Uncle?”

As for Shen Yuxuan, whenever he couldn’t see his Eldest Brother-in-law for a while, he would ask: “Where is Eldest Brother-in-law?”

The 21 days passed in the blink of an eye. Mother Shen and Shen Yuxuan had managed to return home just in time for the Laba Festival, so they had to leave on the 28th.

On the evening of the 27th, when Mother Shen returned to the room, she saw her daughter packing, with big and small bundles making the room look very messy. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m packing some things for you to take home.” Shen Yiyi replied without turning around.

Mother Shen walked in and saw that the bags were filled with many items—dried meat, dried fish, dried chicken and duck meat, ham, bacon, nuts, vermicelli, various beans, cloth, peanut oil, and milk powder, all packed into three large bags.

Mother Shen was left dumbfounded. “Where did you get all these things?”

“These are the things I had planned to take back earlier, but since you came, I didn’t manage to.” Shen Yiyi explained. “It’s a bit heavy, but it’s fine. I’ll have Shen Yuxuan carry it when the time comes.”

Mother Shen’s focus was not on that at all. “No, I can’t take these things from you!”

“Mom, what are you being so polite about?” Shen Yiyi said. “We’re mother and daughter; it’s only right that I show you my respect.”

“But you’re already married, and these are your in-laws’ things. I can’t take them.” Mother Shen replied.

“But you even gave me a dowry; what’s a little bit of stuff compared to that?” Shen Yiyi countered.

When Mother Shen came this time, aside from the bicycle everyone saw, there were also blankets, a kettle, candies, and so on. It had cost at least five hundred, not including the receipts.

“That’s different!” 

“How is it different?” Shen Yiyi asked. “And… do you really think these are my in-laws’ things?”

Mother Shen raised her head to look at her. After staying there for so many days, without her daughter saying anything, she had already noticed something was off.

It wasn’t true that the Li family was wealthy. It was just that her daughter’s side was living well, while the other two branches of the family were living in poverty!

And from her usual chats with Mother Li and the village women, she had learned that Mother Li and the others all thought she was the one supporting her daughter’s family.

She keenly sensed something was wrong but didn’t say anything.

As for where the money came from, Mother Shen had some suspicions, but she didn’t feel comfortable asking directly. Now, with her daughter’s question, it confirmed some of her thoughts. She became both anxious and angry. “You two are really too bold. How could you do something like this? Aren’t you afraid…”

Mother Shen didn’t finish her sentence, but they both understood each other perfectly.

“Mom, this is Brother Chen’s doing, and he has connections. It’s fine.” Shen Yiyi explained.

“No, he can’t be doing such dangerous things. If something really happens, what will you and the Three Baos do?” Mother Shen said, walking out to speak with Li Chen.

Shen Yiyi ignored her and continued packing.

She believed that Li Chen would definitely be able to convince her mother.

Sure enough, half an hour later, her mother returned with a smile on her face, but…

When she saw Shen Yiyi, her expression immediately darkened. She slapped her and, grinding her teeth, whispered: “From now on, you better live well with Li Chen! If I find out you’ve let him suffer any grievances, I’ll hit you!”

Shen Yiyi: “…” She might not be her biological child—Li Chen was!

“Then, can you take these things back?” Shen Yiyi pointed to the packages on the floor.

“Fine.” Mother Shen was not one to be overly coy.

Seeing this, Shen Yiyi seized the opportunity to pull out a wad of money from her pocket and stuffed it into her mother’s hand.

Mother Shen opened it and was shocked, wanting to say something.

“Mom, let me explain.” Shen Yiyi took her mother’s hand. “Although Dad’s condition has improved, he’s not fully recovered. He still needs to go to the hospital, take medicine, and most importantly, he needs nutrition—these all cost money.”

“You don’t have any money right now, but your son-in-law can earn it! Right now, your daughter and son-in-law are helping Dad with his treatment, and you can’t refuse it for him!”

“You don’t need to worry about whether this money is too much or if it will be a burden on us, because I can tell you, your son-in-law is very capable. This money is just a drop in the bucket!”

“You also don’t need to worry about whether it’s appropriate or not, because I believe that as a daughter, and Li Chen as a son-in-law, it’s our duty to show respect for Dad!”

“Of course, if you’re really concerned that this money isn’t earned by your daughter but by your son-in-law, and you think it’s inappropriate to take money from him, you can consider this money as a loan from your son-in-law to you and Dad.”

“When Dad’s health improves, with his skills, ability, and connections, he won’t have trouble making money. When the time comes, your son-in-law can be repaid, and it will be a happy situation for everyone…”

Shen Yiyi couldn’t say that she could earn money too, so she rambled on for a long time. She knew her mother would never feel at ease accepting money from Li Chen directly.

But her words were truly effective, as Mother Shen was persuaded by her daughter.

Seeing that her mother wasn’t accepting the money, Shen Yiyi directly stuffed it into her bag. Then, she leaned on her shoulder and noticed the white strands in her mother’s dark hair. “Mom, I know these past few years have been hard for you, but you have to believe that our family is going to get better and better.”

“Shen Yuxuan will graduate from high school next June, and then he’ll be able to work. As for your eldest brother, he’s only 27, and he’s preparing for a promotion, which shows he’s doing well in his career, and his leaders are paying attention to him. You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

“As for me, you’ve been here for so many days, so you must have seen that I’m living well now. Li Chen treats me very well, and the Three Baos are all very obedient. Dad’s health is also improving little by little. As long as his recovery goes well, the chance of relapse will be very small.”

“Look, everything is indicating that our family’s life is gradually getting better. So, you don’t need to worry so much. For the next two or three years, you can just focus on taking care of Dad at home, and leave the rest to us, okay?”

Mother Shen looked at her sensible daughter, and suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

Over the years, her daughter had gone to the countryside, her husband had fallen ill, she lost her own job, her eldest son had experienced those distressing incidents, and her youngest son was still in school…

Everything, though spoken lightly, had in reality been heavy burdens weighing down on her shoulders.

She seemed unshakable, but in the quiet of the night, she didn’t know how many times she had cried in her dreams.

Now, however, her daughter was telling her that their lives were getting better and better!

Shen Yiyi wiped her tears, knowing what her mother was most concerned about. She said: “Mom, don’t worry, I have a feeling that in a few years, I’ll definitely be able to return to Beijing and live with you.”

Mother Shen, of course, didn’t believe it. She didn’t know whether the college entrance examination would be reinstated in the future, and given the current situation, employment in the city was becoming more and more saturated. Moreover, Shen Yiyi had already married and had children in the countryside. Returning to the city seemed nearly impossible.

But she didn’t want to discourage her daughter and nodded. “Then I’ll wait for you in Beijing.”

“Yeah, and I’ll definitely make time to visit you all in the meantime.” Shen Yiyi said.

“Good.” Mother Shen replied.

That night, Shen Yiyi sent the Three Baos next door to sleep with their father and Little Uncle. She and her mother lay on the kang, having a long, detailed conversation well into the night.