Chapter 72

Seeing Mother Li’s stunned expression, He Zhaodi repeated herself.

“So.” Mother Li swallowed nervously: “is it because of me that you want to adopt Xiao Bao under your name, or was it your own idea?”

He Zhaodi opened her mouth but couldn’t find the words. She thought about the years of neglect she had endured for not being able to give birth to a son, about how Jiang Ailing flaunted her status and bullied her just because she had given birth to a boy, about the deep-seated inferiority she felt for lacking a son. And finally, she thought about Mother Li’s words just now…

Suddenly, a wave of sorrow overwhelmed her, and tears gushed out uncontrollably. She couldn’t speak, only nodding her head frantically in response.

She hadn’t wanted to adopt Xiao Bao either, but she simply couldn’t bear a son.

For a moment, Mother Li’s emotions were complicated. She glanced at Li Dabin and noticed that, because of his wife’s words, his eyes were also brimming with tears.

Looking at the eldest son and his wife crying so weakly, Mother Li wanted to scold them, but the words caught in her throat and refused to come out.

Li Dabin was her eldest son, the one she valued the most.

Honest and hardworking, he had taken on almost all the heavy labor in the family over the years, which had reassured her greatly. She had never needed to worry about him.

As for He Zhaodi, she was the daughter-in-law Mother Li liked the least among her three daughters-in-law. Not only because she couldn’t bear a son, but also because she always wore a sorrowful expression—Mother Li believed that kind of bitterness would drive away good fortune.

So, all these years, she never truly cared for her.

But now, she suddenly realized that she had neglected them for so long.

And though they were only in their thirties, they already looked so haggard and worn.

Mother Li turned to look at Father Li. The old man frowned deeply, but there was a clear understanding in his eyes—he wasn’t surprised that He Zhaodi would bring up this request.  

“Mom, is it possible?” He Zhaodi asked again.  

Seeing the hopeful expressions on her eldest son and daughter-in-law’s faces, Mother Li opened her mouth but hesitated. “The second son’s family won’t agree to this!”  

“Then… can I talk to Second Sister-in-law?” He Zhaodi sensed that Mother Li’s attitude had softened and quickly added: “Second Sister-in-law doesn’t have a daughter. If she likes Dahua, I can… I can…”  

Her voice weakened as she spoke, lacking confidence. Even she didn’t want to give her daughter away, let alone Shen Yiyi.  

She knew how much Shen Yiyi adored the Three Baos.  

Choking up again, He Zhaodi started sobbing.  

Seeing her cry so pitifully, Mother Li couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.  

But right now, the most important thing was to stop He Zhaodi from going to Shen Yiyi.  

How could Shen Yiyi possibly give her son to the eldest branch of the family to raise?  

And Li Chen wouldn’t agree either. Even at his most difficult moments, he had never considered giving away the Three Baos.  

That couple was not easy to deal with. Mother Li recalled how Shen Yiyi had beaten Jiang Ailing this morning and how Li Chen had dragged Li Sanhong out of the house with an axe in hand.  

She shivered. If He Zhaodi really went to them with this request, they might just turn against her on the spot.

The family had already fallen out with the third branch today, so under no circumstances could conflicts arise with the other two branches as well.  

Since the issue stemmed from her, resolving it became much easier.  

Mother Li’s face instantly softened into a gentle smile. “Eldest daughter-in-law, isn’t all this adopting back and forth too much trouble? Actually, I just thought it through—whether it’s a grandson or not, it doesn’t really matter. Otherwise, someone like Li Tiezhu would have driven me to my grave with anger! But look at Sanhua and the others, they are so well-behaved. I just adore them.”  

The light in He Zhaodi’s eyes brightened immediately. “Mother, do you really mean that?”  

“Of course!” Mother Li smiled warmly. “I was wrong before, always thinking that grandsons were better. But now, I believe granddaughters are the best. Eldest daughter-in-law, from now on, your father-in-law and I will live and eat with your family. You won’t mind having us around, will you?”  

“Of course not!” He Zhaodi responded at once, her face finally showing a smile.  

“So you won’t go asking the second branch about this, right?” Mother Li asked again, still uneasy. “You must promise me you won’t. If you really go and ask them, and they turn against you, I won’t be able to help you.”  

Besides, why would Shen Yiyi want Dahua? If she truly wanted a daughter, she could still have one of her own.  

Mother Li didn’t dare to say that last part aloud, fearing it would hurt He Zhaodi.  

“I won’t go.” He Zhaodi assured her.  

“Good. Then go home and get some rest.” Mother Li’s voice was exceptionally gentle as she turned to Li Dabin, who also looked deeply moved. “Dabin, take good care of your wife. And don’t think about adopting Xiao Bao anymore, understand? Remember, no matter what, one’s own children are always the best. If you truly want another child, go to the hospital and have a check-up. You’re both still young—there’s still a chance. But even if it doesn’t happen, it’s okay. I will never blame you for it.  To me, grandsons and granddaughters are all the same now. Do you understand?”

“Got it, Mother.” the honest and simple eldest couple said, once again deeply moved.  

“Then go home and rest. Take this candle with you, be careful on the road.” Mother Li said generously, handing them a candle and personally seeing them to the door.  

Across the way, Jiang Ailing stepped out of her house. Seeing this scene, she nearly thought she was hallucinating.  

Mother Li caught sight of her and shot her a sharp glare before turning back inside.  

The moment she stepped back into the house, she let out a deep breath and muttered under her breath: “Damn it, how could she even have such a thought?”  

Father Li had already taken the opportunity to climb onto the kang while they were outside.

Hearing her words, he let out a couple of snorts and turned over. “Isn’t it because you’ve always favored sons over daughters?”  

Mother Li’s face stiffened for a moment, but she still stubbornly retorted: “How is that my fault?”  

Yet, even she couldn’t quite explain why it wasn’t.  

Blowing out the lamp, she lay down but kept her eyes open for a long time, lost in thought.  

In the end, she made a decision—going forward, she would try to treat her grandsons and granddaughters more fairly.  

Yes, she would be better to the eldest branch, stay out of the second branch’s affairs as much as possible, and as for the third branch… they could do whatever they pleased.