Chapter 71

Jiang Ailing was shocked and turned pale upon hearing those words.

In this era, divorces were still extremely rare, especially in rural areas.

For a woman, divorce was automatically assumed to mean that her husband’s family had rejected her and sent her back home—a deeply shameful matter.

Moreover, Jiang Ailing’s parents had passed away long ago. If she got divorced, she might not even have a home to return to.

Jiang Ailing clearly understood this as well. With a thud, she fell to her knees. “Dad, no! I can’t get divorced! I’ll apologize to Mom. Mom, I’m sorry! I was wrong, I was really wrong…”

Mother Li looked at her with utter disgust.

Jiang Ailing clutched Li Sanhong’s sleeve. “Sanhong, say something! I’ve given you two sons and two daughters. How can I get divorced? Hurry and talk to Dad and Mom!”

Mother Li also turned to look at Li Sanhong.

“Mother…” Li Sanhong was in a dilemma. On one side was the mother who had given birth to him, raised him, and spoiled him; on the other side was his wife and children.

No matter which side he protected, he would end up hurting the other.

Mother Li understood.

She was utterly disappointed.

“Then let’s divide the family.” Father Li said.

As soon as he finished speaking, his gaze swept over Li Dabin and He Zhaodi.

At this point, having them live together with Li Sanhong’s household was no longer an option.

According to their customs, after the family was divided, the parents usually lived with their youngest son. However, in special circumstances, they could also stay with the eldest son.

But Mother Li’s gaze quickly turned to Shen Yiyi, her intentions crystal clear.

Of course, it wasn’t because she particularly liked Shen Yiyi, nor was it because Shen Yiyi’s household had better living conditions. It was simply because Shen Yiyi’s household had a son, while the eldest household did not.

Her movement was rather obvious, and the eldest household naturally noticed it. He Zhaodi’s hands, resting on her lap, unconsciously tightened.

Shen Yiyi… remained silent.

She did not dislike Father Li or Mother Li. If Li Chen had been the eldest or the youngest, and according to tradition, they were supposed to live with her, she would not have refused. After all, since she had married Li Chen, she should accept his parents as well.

However, if this responsibility was not meant to fall on her shoulders, she would not take it upon herself voluntarily.

Li Chen was also well aware of these customs. Moreover, he had never been particularly close to his parents.

Compared to himself, he felt that his parents had a better relationship with his eldest brother, so he naturally remained silent.

Just as Mother Li was about to say something, Father Li had already taken over the conversation. “Eldest son, your mother and I will live with you. Do you have any objections?”

Li Dabin, of course, had none. “Father, Mother, living with you is something Zhaodi and I would be happy about. We have absolutely no objections.”

Father Li then looked at He Zhaodi. “Eldest daughter-in-law, what about you?”

He Zhaodi glanced at Mother Li, hesitated for a moment, and then said: “Father, I have no objections either.”

And just like that, the matter of where the elderly couple would stay was settled.

As for the division of property, the main allocations had already been decided back when Li Chen had initially separated from the family.

It was only the eldest and third households that had not yet separated.

As for the belongings both households had accumulated over the years, they would have to discuss and divide them among themselves.

Next, they arranged the elderly couple’s retirement provisions.

Once everything was settled, Shen Yiyi and Li Chen took the Three Baos and went home.

Now that the matter was resolved, Mother Li naturally did not move in with Shen Yiyi.

However, as she watched their departing figures, she seemed as though she wanted to say something but ultimately held back.

At Old Li’s household, Dahua had already finished preparing dinner, so for that night, they all ate together as usual.

Only after dividing their belongings the next day would they officially separate their meals.

After dinner, Father Li returned to the room and saw Mother Li sitting on the bed, sighing deeply.

“What are you sighing about now?” Father Li asked.

Mother Li gave Father Li a resentful glance. She held back her words for a moment, but in the end, she couldn’t resist and hesitantly said: “Old man, can’t we live with the second household instead?”

“No!” Father Li immediately replied. “It’s already been decided—we’re living with the eldest household!”

“But, but…” Mother Li stammered. But the eldest household had no son!

Having been husband and wife for so many years, Father Li naturally knew what his wife was thinking. Frustrated, he scolded: “Look at you! Why do you always remember what you want and forget the lessons you’ve learned? Have you forgotten about Tiezhu? Just because it’s a grandson doesn’t mean he’ll be good, and just because it’s a granddaughter doesn’t mean she won’t be! Can’t you change your preference for boys over girls?”

“The Three Baos are really good!” Mother Li muttered.

“…” Father Li felt his breath catch in his throat. “Did I say the Three Baos weren’t good? What I meant was that Sanhua and the others are also good!”

“I know, but it’s different.” Mother Li mumbled. She knew that Sanhua and the others were great, but she still preferred grandsons.

“…” Father Li rubbed his forehead in frustration. His wife could be reasonable about everything—except when it came to her favoritism for boys over girls.

Just as he was about to say something else, he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye near the doorway. Instinctively, he turned his head—and saw a shadowy figure.

Even Father Li, who had seen much in his life, was startled. He took an unconscious step back.

Just as he was wondering if something supernatural had appeared, a familiar voice called out: “Father, Mother…”

Mother Li snapped out of it and quickly grabbed the kerosene lamp to shine it toward the door. The light illuminated a familiar face—He Zhaodi, looking deeply hurt and disappointed.

It was clear that she had overheard everything they had just said.

Father Li rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on. This family—every day, there was something new to deal with!

Mother Li was timid in front of Shen Yiyi and Li Chen, but when it came to the rest of Old Li’s family, she was still fierce. She immediately cursed: “He Zhaodi, you damn girl! Are you trying to scare someone to death in the middle of the night?”

“Father, Mother.” He Zhaodi looked uneasy. “I have something I want to talk to you about…”

“Whatever it is, can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Mother Li snapped, still shaken from the scare. But despite her scolding, she still let He Zhaodi inside, lit a candle, and made the room a bit brighter.

After lighting the candle, she sat down on the kang, her tone impatient. “Speak! What is it?”

“Wife!”

Before Mother Li’s words had even settled, Li Dabin rushed in. Seeing his wife there, he let out a sigh of relief and quickly pulled her aside. “Wife, it’s late. Let’s not disturb Mother. Let’s go back and rest!”

“Dabin, we should talk to Father and Mother about this.” He Zhaodi held onto him.

“This won’t work! Even if Father and Mother agree, Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law won’t!” Li Dabin said. “I spent days over there digging the well. I know better than you do.”

“But how will we know if we don’t try?” He Zhaodi insisted. “What if it works out?”

The couple was speaking in riddles, leaving Father Li and Mother Li completely confused. And it involved the second household?

Annoyed, Mother Li scolded: “What nonsense are you two talking about? Can’t you just explain it clearly? Li Dabin, shut up. Eldest daughter-in-law, you talk!”

Being put on the spot, He Zhaodi hesitated again. “Mother, I… I wanted to say…”

“Hurry up and say it!” Mother Li urged, growing impatient with her stammering.

Seeing her mother-in-law’s impatience, He Zhaodi took a deep breath and blurted out: “Mother, since you don’t want to live with us because Dabin and I don’t have a son, then… then could Xiao Bao be adopted to us?”

???

Mother Li was struck as if by lightning, her eyes wide with shock. “What did you just say?”