Chapter 53

Of course, although Chen Jiayi liked Lin Jiadong, she neither admitted nor denied it at the time. It was merely Shen Yiyi’s statement. However, as the rumors spread, it eventually became accepted as the truth.  

As for whether the two were in a relationship, some people gossiped about it, but the matter did not stir up much trouble.

First, Lin Jiadong denied it.

Second, everyone assumed that neither of them had a partner, so even if they were seeing each other, it was nothing to make a fuss about.  

However, Lin Jiadong became anxious. Others might not have known, but he was well aware that he had a partner. So, early the next morning, he rushed to the county.  

Jiang Wanrou was working as a temporary female worker at the county’s textile factory. He went to her to admit his mistake and seek forgiveness.  

That was another matter.  

After all the commotion, the sky was already darkening. Li Chen and Shen Yiyi placed the collected firewood onto the wooden cart. Seeing that there was still plenty of space, they loaded the firewood Mother Li and the others had gathered as well before pulling the cart back home.  

The group descended the mountain in an imposing procession.  

Mother Li walked behind Shen Yiyi, hesitating several times as if she wanted to say something.  

She wanted to tell Shen Yiyi that she should not be so generous to outsiders in the future.

However, on second thought, the money belonged to Shen Yiyi, and she had no position to lecture her. In the end, she swallowed her words.  

When she returned home and saw her husband, she could not hold back and muttered to him about it.  

“…The second daughter-in-law is too extravagant. Even if she has money, she shouldn’t spend it so recklessly. The Three Baos will need money for their future weddings, and there will be plenty of expenses. Old man, do you think I should remind her about it?”  

“What is there to remind her about? Even if her spending is extravagant, she’s not using your money. Just mind your own business.”  

After Father Li finished speaking, he glanced at her and continued. “What’s wrong with you lately? Back when the second daughter-in-law ignored the second son and the children, you never dared to say a word about her. So why are your expectations of her suddenly so high now?”

When Father Li pointed it out, Mother Li also realized the change in her own attitude.  

In the past, Shen Yiyi had been the way she was, and even if Mother Li had wanted to interfere, she couldn’t.

But now that Shen Yiyi had changed for the better, she had unconsciously started demanding more from her…  

After decades of marriage, Father Li immediately saw through Mother Li’s thoughts. He scolded: “The second daughter-in-law has her own mind. The fact that she now brings things over from time to time to show filial respect to us is because she acknowledges that we are the second son’s parents and the Three Baos’ grandparents.”  

“The way she used to be so close with that Educated Youth Chen, yet today she could turn on her and even send her to the Public Security Bureau—doesn’t that tell you she’s not some soft-hearted pushover? Don’t be foolish and provoke her. You know how the second son treats her. If she turns against you, the second son won’t take your side.”  

Hearing Father Li’s warning, Mother Li suddenly felt a lingering fear. “I understand. I won’t interfere with her anymore.”  

Father Li nodded. His wife had her little schemes, but at least she was reasonable and easy to guide. “By the way, I asked you to go to the neighboring village yesterday to exchange some cotton for the second daughter-in-law. Did you go?”  

“I did.” Mother Li replied. “She gave me the money for it, and she even gave me a few bundles of yarn, telling me to knit a sweater for both you and myself.”  

Father Li felt comforted. Then, remembering something, he added: “Even though the second daughter-in-law has been generous, you still shouldn’t be biased. If you favor her too much, the third daughter-in-law will start complaining. She’s already been expressing dissatisfaction lately.”  

At the mention of Jiang Ailing, Mother Li became annoyed.

Earlier today, when she had gone to the neighboring village to exchange cotton for the second daughter-in-law, Jiang Ailing somehow found out and went to the eldest son’s wife to stir up trouble, accusing her of favoritism. Mother Li had happened to overhear it when she returned.  

“The third daughter-in-law has the nerve to say I’m biased? If anyone has been favored all these years, it’s her family! Her husband and son have always gotten the best food and drink in this household! And when she secretly gave our grain to her sister, when have I ever said a word about it?” Mother Li spat angrily.

“Then be fair about it.” Father Li said gruffly. “Especially with the eldest daughter-in-law—pay more attention to her too. I feel like she’s been preoccupied with something lately.”  

Thinking for a moment, he asked: “Do we still have some cloth tickets at home? Winter is coming, and I heard it’s going to be colder than previous years. Go to town tomorrow and buy a few bolts of fabric so everyone in the family can have a new set of clothes.”  

Mother Li hesitated. Making new clothes for everyone—how much money would that cost? She hesitated before asking: “Even the girls in the family?”  

“Everyone gets one!” Father Li made the final decision, seeing through his wife’s reluctance. “The girls haven’t had new clothes in two years. Favoring the grandsons is one thing, but you can’t be completely unfair. If the cloth tickets aren’t enough, trade something for them!”  

Mother Li dared not argue and simply agreed.  

Father Li then asked: “Did Tiezhu go with you all to gather firewood today?”  

Originally, everyone in the family who wasn’t working in the fields was supposed to go up the mountain to collect firewood. But after breakfast, Li Tiezhu had disappeared.  

Mother Li, having become disappointed in Li Tiezhu, was no longer as indulgent toward him. She, too, was angry at his behavior.  

However, he was still her grandson, and Father Li was someone who would actually follow through with punishments. Instinctively, she tried to cover for him. “He went…”  

“I saw him wandering around the village today.” Father Li said, his sharp gaze fixed on his wife.  

“He didn’t go.” Mother Li had no choice but to admit.  

Father Li was furious. “He’s already nine years old—he doesn’t go to school, doesn’t do any work, and spends his days idling around. Do you plan to support him like this for his entire life?”  

Mother Li felt wronged. It was true that she had been too indulgent with Tiezhu, but the real culprit was Jiang Ailing!  

Father Li made up his mind. “Tomorrow, the autumn harvest will be over. You go buy fabric, and I’ll go chop firewood. If he dares to slack off again, I’ll break his legs!”  

Mother Li did not dare to say a word. By now, even she had begun to realize that spoiling Li Tiezhu like this was not an option.

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The family of five returned home.  

Shen Yiyi began preparing dinner, while Da Bao was in charge of tending the fire. Li Chen split the firewood they had brought back, and Er Bao, along with Xiao Bao, carried the chopped wood into the kitchen.  

Shen Yiyi made braised soybeans with pig stomach. The dish simmered for quite a while, and by the time they sat down to eat, the sky had already turned dark. The family dined by the light of an oil lamp.  

The pig trotters were soft and glutinous, melting in their mouths, and the atmosphere was warm and blissful.  

After dinner, their usual routine for digestion involved moving the chopped firewood into the kitchen and stacking it neatly. Only after that did they bathe. As usual, Li Chen was the last to wash up. When he returned to the room, he found Shen Yiyi sitting with the Three Baos, looking at a picture book.  

As soon as Er Bao saw his father enter, he declared: “Dad! As punishment for kicking Mom out to sleep next door last night, from now on, you have to sleep next door!”  

???  

Li Chen glanced at his wife, but Shen Yiyi only looked up at the ceiling with an innocent expression.  

Li Chen turned his gaze back to Er Bao and suddenly said: “To be precise, last night, I went to sleep next door with my wife. And, my wife was willing!”  

Er Bao took a moment to process his father’s words. When he finally understood that the “wife” his father was referring to was his mother, his eyes widened in disbelief. He could not accept the betrayal. “Mom, is that true?”  

Shen Yiyi let out an awkward laugh.  

Er Bao immediately looked heartbroken and accused: “Why did you choose to sleep next door with Dad? Do you like Dad more than you like us?”  

Da Bao and Xiao Bao stared at their mother with big, round eyes, as dark as black grapes.  

Xiao Bao even crawled onto her lap, his voice soft and sweet as he said: “Like Xiao Bao~”  

Shen Yiyi: “…”  

Holding Xiao Bao in her arms and feeling the weight of their expectant gazes, Shen Yiyi racked her brain for a way to handle this crisis fairly.

After struggling for a long time, she finally squeezed out a response: “I like you all… I like everyone…”

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