Chapter 114: Shen Yiyi Would Not Indulge Her

Li Daya paused for a moment but said nothing. She played with the Three Baos while chatting and joking with He Zhaodi.

Shen Yiyi noticed Li Daya’s submissive demeanor and glanced around, realizing that Li Daya seemed to have returned alone.

She knew that this eldest sister-in-law had married into the Chen family in the neighboring commune. However, after so many years of marriage, she had not borne any children, and her husband’s family had continuously tormented her. In addition to working in the fields, she was responsible for all the household chores.

At thirty-four years old, she looked even more haggard than Mother Li, who was in her fifties.

Li Daya was Mother Li’s eldest child. When she was younger, whenever Grandma Li and Mother Li were too busy, it was she who took care of Li Chen. Li Chen’s attachment to her was even deeper than to Mother Li. When he had learned about her suffering, he had gone and beaten up her husband.

However, deeply influenced by feudal traditions, Li Daya ultimately chose not to divorce, leaving Li Chen helpless.

Shen Yiyi felt a sense of gratitude towards Li Daya. Besides the affection from when she had taken care of Li Chen in childhood, there was also the time when Shen Yiyi had neglected the Three Baos. Li Daya had secretly made a set of clothes for each of them despite her husband’s family’s disapproval.

Of course, there wasn’t much more she could do for her, given that she herself was struggling in dire circumstances.

Shen Yiyi wanted to exchange a few words with Li Daya, but seeing that Li Daya seemed to be avoiding her, she decided to let it go. Instead, she pulled Da Bao and Er Bao over to play with string figures.

As they played, a loud and boisterous voice suddenly rang out.

“Dad! Mom! Third Brother! Third Sister-in-law! I’m back! Come out and help me carry my things—I’m exhausted!”

“Erya is back!” Jiang Ailing’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly ran outside. “Coming, coming!”

“What are you yelling about? Can’t even carry a few things yourself? Do you think you’re made of gold?” Mother Li glared, kicked a stool aside, and walked out.

He Zhaodi and Li Daya both stood up.

Shen Yiyi glanced over but quickly turned away. She took the string from Er Bao’s hands, twisted it into a new pattern, and held it up in front of Da Bao.

“Da Bao, it’s your turn.”

Da Bao thought playing with string figures was childish, but seeing his mother so eager, he sighed like a little adult. Resigning himself to it, he reached out his small hands and changed the string figure in his mother’s hands.

Nestled in Shen Yiyi’s arms, Xiao Bao was eating candy. He stretched out his hand, wanting to play too.

He didn’t know how to play at all—every time he tried, he would tangle the string into a mess. Shen Yiyi didn’t want to play with him.

She stuffed a biscuit into his hand instead. Xiao Bao, delighted with his new treat, immediately forgot about the string figures and started munching away with a crisp “crunch, crunch.”

Er Bao kept his eyes on the door and leaned close to his mother’s ear. “Mom, Little Aunt is back.”

“Let her be.” Shen Yiyi held up the string figure in front of him. “We don’t care about her. Come on, it’s your turn.”

Hearing this, Er Bao took the string from his mother while whispering: “Mom, do you not like Little Aunt? She doesn’t like us either. She prefers Tiezhu and the others. She used to always give Tiezhu candy, but she never gave us any!”

“Then we don’t like her either.” Shen Yiyi patted his head. “We don’t need her candy. If you want candy, just ask Mom.”

Hearing this, Er Bao was overjoyed and focused on playing string figures with his mother.

As Li Erya entered, surrounded by Li Sanhong and Jiang Ailing, this was the scene she saw.

A wave of being ignored washed over her, making her somewhat displeased. She raised her voice again.

“Dad! I came back with Zhiming, and your grandson too!”

“What are you yelling about?” Mother Li scolded gruffly. “So what if you’re back? Do you think you’re some noble lady that everyone has to rush out and greet?”

“Mom!” Li Erya called out angrily.

Her husband, Xu Zhiming, spoke up for her. “Mom, Xinyan didn’t mean it that way. She’s just excited—it’s been a long time since she came home.”

Mother Li snorted. She knew exactly what kind of people her youngest daughter and son-in-law were.

Her son-in-law was a county elementary school teacher. He appeared mild-mannered on the surface, but deep down, he was arrogant and looked down on rural folk like them. Every time he visited, he would bring large bags of things, but his attitude always carried an air of condescension, as if he were bestowing charity upon them.

As for her youngest daughter, she was vain. Marrying a teacher and gaining access to rationed goods, she thought she had soared to a higher status, completely forgetting her roots. Every time she came home, she acted all high and mighty.

Jiang Ailing, who always liked flattering Li Erya, chimed in: “That’s right, Mom. Erya is just really happy to be back.”

“I am happy.” Li Erya echoed, then emphasized: “But Third Sister-in-law, I’ve changed my name to Li Xinyan now. You all have to call me Xinyan. I’ve told you so many times already! If outsiders hear you calling me by my old name, I’ll be laughed at again.”

“Alright, alright, Xinyan.” Jiang Ailing said with a smile.

Mother Li rolled her eyes and reached out to pull Li Erya’s four-year-old son, Xu Jinxuan, closer. However, as soon as Xu Jinxuan saw Mother Li’s hands—rough, darkened, and calloused from years of labor—he recoiled in disgust and hid behind his father.  

“Dirty~” he whined.  

Xu Zhiming let out an awkward chuckle but made no effort to scold his son.  

Mother Li felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart. Furious, she turned back into the main room and picked up Xiao Bao, seeking comfort from the little one.  

Li Erya entered and glanced at Shen Yiyi. Despite Shen Yiyi’s casual and relaxed attire, there was something about her that effortlessly drew people’s attention.  

A wave of insecurity washed over Li Erya. Instinctively, she straightened her back and sucked in her stomach. For some reason, she decided to show off the things she had brought with her—two bags of White Rabbit Creamy Candy, a tin of malted milk powder, two pounds of sponge cakes, and various yarn and fabric.  

In the countryside, during these years, bringing such an abundance of goods to one’s parental home was considered a luxury.  

Take Li Daya, for example—she had only brought a few eggs back.  

Li Erya was smug, chattering away about who would receive what.  

In the end, Jiang Ailing received the most, while He Zhaodi also got a share. When it was Shen Yiyi’s turn, Li Erya paused for a moment before smiling.  

“Second Sister-in-law, I figured you wouldn’t need these things, so I didn’t bring anything for you. You don’t mind, do you?”  

Before Shen Yiyi could respond, Mother Li spoke up.  

“Of course, your second sister-in-law doesn’t need these things.”  

She knew she couldn’t control Shen Yiyi, and ever since Mother Shen had started seeing Shen Yiyi through the lens of a doting mother, Mother Li’s attitude toward her had softened as well.  

Now, watching her youngest daughter openly favor some sisters-in-law over others—especially Jiang Ailing—Mother Li was utterly exasperated.  

On one hand, she wanted to put her daughter in her place. Just because she had married a teacher didn’t mean she was superior. There were always people better than her in the world. While Mother Li, as her mother, wouldn’t hold it against her, Shen Yiyi certainly wouldn’t indulge her behavior.  

On the other hand, she also worried that Shen Yiyi might actually take offense. Although Mother Li disapproved of Li Erya’s conduct, she was still her daughter. She didn’t want her to become enemies with Shen Yiyi.  

So, pointing at her own clothes, Mother Li said: “Do you think everyone would care about your little gifts? Look at what I’m wearing—this was given to me by your second sister-in-law!”  

Li Erya knew quality when she saw it. One glance and she could tell that her mother’s clothes were made of fine woolen fabric.  

Her grip tightened on the bag she was holding—the very bag that contained the clothes she had bought for Mother Li.  

However, her purchase paled in comparison to what Shen Yiyi had given. Her expression soured.  

Mother Li immediately realized that not only had her words failed to get through to Li Erya, but they had also made her feel even more unbalanced. Frustration bubbled inside her, but she decided to let it go.  

Instead of handing out the gifts for Father Li and Mother Li in front of everyone, Li Erya took the bag directly to their room.  

Meanwhile, her conversation with Jiang Ailing grew even livelier, while Xu Zhiming and Li Sanhong also seemed to be getting along well.