Chapter 116: Er Bao Said Father Was a Good Man

A single sentence awakened the dreamer. Li Da Ya’s eyes widened in an instant. “Sister-in-law, y-you mean…?”

Shen Yiyi waved her hand. “Sometimes, the one who can’t conceive is not necessarily the woman.”

However, people were used to blaming women for infertility. Just like how the determination of a child’s gender lay with the man, yet in the end, it was the woman who was labeled as a “hen that couldn’t lay eggs.”

Mother Li immediately grasped Shen Yiyi’s meaning and exploded. “Second Daughter-in-law, you mean the one who actually can’t have children is Chen Jianjun?”

“Not necessarily. This is just my reasonable speculation.” Shen Yiyi said. “Otherwise, why is it that in their family, Chen Jianjun is the only son? Knowing that Big Sister couldn’t conceive, and that she was almost beaten to death by Brother Chen due to domestic violence before, why did he still not divorce her? And why didn’t he come to our family seeking justice? Don’t you all think there’s something suspicious about this?”

!!!

Everyone carefully thought it over—and it did seem odd!

Shen Yiyi looked at Li Da Ya and said: “So, I think if you want to know the truth, you should go to the hospital for a check-up. Hospitals have professional doctors and proper medical equipment. Checking whether one can conceive is the most scientific way.”

Li Da Ya opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.

Li Chen looked at Li Da Ya. “If you want to get checked, I can take you.”

Li Da Ya’s long-held beliefs had been completely shaken. She stood there in a daze and nodded blankly.

“Wife?” Li Chen turned to Shen Yiyi.

“Go ahead, but ride your bike slowly and wear an extra layer.” Shen Yiyi paused for a moment. Noticing that Li Da Ya’s clothes were a bit thin, she added: “Take one of my coats and let Big Sister wear it.”

Li Da Ya, who had been following behind Li Chen numbly, stopped in her tracks upon hearing this. She turned back and glanced at Shen Yiyi. Her eyes were already brimming with tears, and at that moment, they poured down uncontrollably. She choked out a “thank you” before quickly turning her head away.

The others, affected by her emotions, couldn’t help but feel their eyes moisten as well.

Er Bao didn’t quite understand what his eldest aunt had been through, but seeing her cry so pitifully, he wiped his own tears and quietly asked his mother: “Why is Big Aunt crying?”

“She went through some bad experiences.” Shen Yiyi comforted him.  

“Then can we help her?” Da Bao also asked. He was not as expressive as Er Bao, but it was clear he felt uneasy as well. “Aunt has been good to us.”  

“Your father is helping her right now.” Shen Yiyi patted their heads.  

“Father is a good man.” Er Bao said seriously.  

Hearing him express such a heartfelt sentiment for the first time, Shen Yiyi couldn’t help but smile.  

Among everyone present, only Jiang Ailing remained unmoved. Instead, she ruined the moment by asking: “It’s the New Year. Isn’t it bad luck to go to the hospital?”  

She immediately received piercing glares from Mother Li and Li Erya. Li Erya scolded: “Third Sister-in-law, this is not the time to say such ominous things.”  

Jiang Ailing was momentarily silenced by Li Erya’s reprimand. Though she laughed awkwardly on the surface, inside, she was deeply anxious.  

She absolutely did not want Li Daya to go to the hospital. If something really got diagnosed, then Li Daya would most likely get divorced.  

If she got divorced, she would have to return home. But then—what would she eat? Where would she live?  

She was already at this age, looked weathered, and was a divorced woman. It was uncertain if any man would be willing to take her in.  

If that happened, she might have to stay at home for the rest of her life. Wouldn’t that mean Li Sanhong and his brothers would have to support her?  

Jiang Ailing had no intention of providing for Li Daya for free. However, she couldn’t think of a way to prevent it at the moment. She glanced at He Zhaodi, who was crying the hardest among everyone present, and felt nothing but disdain.  

That fool still hadn’t realized how serious this was.  

She made up her mind—whatever happened to Li Daya was none of her business. Since the eldest and second branches wanted to interfere, they could deal with it themselves.  

Meanwhile, Li Chen and Li Daya had gone into town. Shen Yiyi did not stay behind either and took the Three Baos back home.  

Li Chen and Li Daya had been gone for a long time. After sending off Li Erya and her family, Mother Li grew restless and went over to Shen Yiyi’s house to wait.  

Shen Yiyi paid her no mind, continuing to read while teaching Da Bao and Er Bao how to recognize characters. When it was time, she went to cook dinner, setting aside food for both Li Chen and Li Daya.  

It wasn’t until 9:30 in the evening that Li Chen and Li Daya finally returned home. Li Daya’s eyes were swollen red, clearly from crying her heart out.  

Mother Li immediately stepped forward and asked anxiously: “How did it go?”  

At the sound of her voice, Li Daya could no longer hold back her emotions and began sobbing again.  

Seeing her distress, Mother Li grew even more anxious. It was Li Chen who finally spoke: “My sister’s health is fine!”  

Then that meant the problem was with Chen Jianjun.

Mother Li cursed furiously, and after venting her anger, she held her daughter and wept bitterly.  

Shen Yiyi had already expected this outcome, so she was not too surprised. Seeing that Li Chen’s ears were red from the cold, she quickly went into the kitchen to bring out the brown sugar ginger tea she had prepared. She also brought a bowl for Li Daya.  

Since Li Daya was crying too hard, Shen Yiyi handed the tea to Mother Li, letting her comfort her daughter while she took Li Chen back to the room and prepared hot water for him to soak his feet.  

It took Li Daya more than half an hour to calm down.  

Shen Yiyi brought over the warmed food and set it in front of her and Li Chen.  

Aside from the younger children, the rest of Old Li’s family had come over after hearing the commotion. Once they learned the test results, they were all furious. Father Li furrowed his brows deeply, holding his tobacco pipe in his hand. He wanted to smoke but, remembering that this was his second son’s home, he restrained himself.  

Mother Li looked at her daughter, who had lost her appetite, then glanced at her husband, the eldest son and his wife, and Li Sanhong. Finally, her gaze settled on Li Chen and Shen Yiyi, who were both eating heartily.  

Unable to hold back any longer, she asked: “Everyone, tell me… what should we do about Daya’s situation?”  

Jiang Ailing was afraid that Li Sanhong would speak first, so she quickly interjected: “Mother, Second Sister-in-law was the one who noticed something was wrong. Why don’t we ask her for advice?”  

Hearing this, Shen Yiyi glanced at Jiang Ailing, who avoided her gaze, clearly feeling guilty.  

Shen Yiyi smirked slightly and looked at Li Daya. “This isn’t something you should be asking me. You should be asking Eldest Sister what she wants to do.”  

Li Chen had already tried to pull Li Daya out of the fire pit, but she herself had refused to leave it.  

In the end, the most important thing was that she had to come to terms with it herself. Otherwise, no matter how much others wanted to help, it would be useless.  

Father Li put down his tobacco pipe, his clouded eyes settling on Li Daya. “Daya, what do you think?”  

“I…” Li Daya’s voice was hoarse, and it was clear she was still hesitating.  

Father Li understood her concerns. He looked at his three sons and asked: “Eldest, Second, Third—if your sister divorces and returns home, do you have any objections?”  

“I don’t.” Li Chen replied carelessly.  

Li Dabin followed suit without hesitation. Just as Li Sanhong was about to respond, he suddenly let out a sharp hiss of pain.  

Everyone turned to look at Jiang Ailing, who had just pinched Li Sanhong.  

Father Li’s gaze darkened. “Third Daughter-in-law, do you have any objections?”  

At this point, Jiang Ailing knew that the divorce was inevitable. Gritting her teeth, she said: “Father, I don’t have any objections either. But let me make it clear—Eldest Sister can get a divorce, but there’s no extra room in the house for her to stay in. If she needs a new house built, I can’t afford to contribute. As for food, Sanhong and I don’t earn much to begin with, and we still have to provide for Tiezhu and the others. We won’t be able to help with that either.”  

In other words, if Li Daya got divorced, Jiang Ailing had no intention of supporting her.