Chapter 36: Do I Really Have to Get Married?

“Grandma, let me tell you, Erbao is so mature, like a little adult. He came back with no expression, and this is the first time he smiled at someone. Even my mom never got that treatment!”

Though her son was boasting, Cheng Hongying kept playing along.

“That’s right. Erbao is usually so indifferent to everyone. Mom, looks like our little one really likes you. He’s been holding your hand and hasn’t let go!”

Shao Xingchen: … His country bumpkin little brother had unintentionally hit the mark. Well, that worked out; he was getting tired of smiling.

Grandma Qiu’s smile grew wider as she lifted Erbao, clearly cherishing him.

Though her granddaughter wasn’t very likable, the children she had were certainly something to treasure.

The elderly couple each held one child, teasing them and making them laugh, leaving Qiu Yinuo forgotten at the side.

At that moment, outside the door, the sounds of arguing and things being thrown could be heard. Aunt Qiu occasionally shouted a few sour remarks. “No matter how good they are, they aren’t from the Qiu Lao’er family. The children still carry the Shao surname.”

At this point, Grandpa Qiu, already not fond of his eldest daughter-in-law, pressed his lips together in anger, his face darkening.

Cheng Hongying couldn’t stand seeing her vent her frustration on the children. After tolerating her for so many days, she couldn’t hold back anymore.

“Sister-in-law, don’t act like a sour grape just because you can’t eat the fruit,” she fired back. “If I wanted, I could make the kids take the Qiu surname, but would you want them to share your family’s money?”

Aunt Qiu’s eyes turned red with fury. “Who are you calling a sour grape?! You’re mocking me for not having a son, aren’t you?”

“Did you have a son?” Cheng Hongying snapped.

The argument escalated quickly.

“Cheng Hongying, I swear I’ll slap that rotten mouth of yours shut! It’s all your fault—I bet you cursed me behind my back, that’s why I can’t have sons!”

“Blame me all you want, but you being barren is your own bad luck. Unlike my daughter, she gave birth to two sons in one go. Doesn’t that just kill you?” Cheng Hongying shot back.

Qiu Yinuo: … So what’s the big deal about having a son?

Aunt Qiu’s face was red with anger, and her hand was shaking as she raised it to slap Cheng Hongying. But Cheng Hongying didn’t back down and slapped her hand right back.

“Who do you think you’re hitting? I can’t beat Qiu Lao’er, but I can sure as hell beat you.” With that, the two women started pulling and shoving each other.

Qiu Yinuo stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. The next moment, Qiu Qianjin whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry. Our mom may be small, but her explosive power is incredible. She’s never lost a fight.”

“After all, it’s an older generation issue, and we juniors shouldn’t interfere,” Qiu Qianjin continued, scratching his chin. “I guess I inherited the ability to fight from our mom.”

Grandma Qiu handed Erbao to her granddaughter and ran out to break up the fight.

Cheng Hongying, sensing that things were getting out of hand, stopped. But Aunt Qiu, blinded by rage, didn’t care. Her slap didn’t stop and landed straight on Grandma Qiu’s arm.

Seeing her mother-in-law’s face darken to the point of dripping with anger, Aunt Qiu snapped out of it.

“Mom, I didn’t mean to hit you. I was aiming for Cheng Hongying’s filthy mouth.”

Grandma Qiu, with a bitter expression, responded, “Why would you hit her? Isn’t what she said true? You didn’t have a son after all.”

Aunt Qiu collapsed in tears, feeling utterly wronged. “Mom, why are you so biased? Just because she had sons?”

“Right, if you had a son, I’d spoil you too,” Grandma Qiu replied.

Aunt Qiu let out a howl and stormed out of the house.

When Grandma Qiu returned inside, the house was oddly quiet with five adults and two babies.

Finally, Grandpa Qiu sighed, reaching into his pocket and pulling out five yuan. “Yinuo, this is a gift for the children’s first meeting.”

Five yuan!

Mother and son were utterly shocked. They never expected the usually generous Grandpa Qiu, who only ever spoiled his grandson, to give five yuan as a gift for his great-grandchildren.

When she didn’t move to take the money, Grandpa Qiu thought she might be too shy. “Take it, it’s for you. This is all we can do to help. As for your husband… he’s a good man. If you raise the children well, things will get better little by little.”

Cheng Hongying shot her daughter a look, wondering why she seemed so indifferent to the money.

Her father-in-law had finally shown some generosity. She couldn’t let this pass, especially since she was in need of money right now.

Qiu Yinuo took the money, dryly saying, “Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma.”

Grandma Qiu then spoke up, “By the way, your mother told us about your husband’s sacrifice, but she hasn’t mentioned it to anyone in the village. I wanted to ask what you’re thinking. Raising two kids alone is hard. If you’re considering remarrying, it’s best if your mom lets it slip.”

Widows often found themselves surrounded by gossip, and she didn’t want any unnecessary trouble.

Moreover, in a few years, Shao Chengyuan would return. Her standards for a future partner weren’t too high—Shao Chengyuan was decent, good-looking, and well-mannered. He fit the bill, and he could give her a comfortable life. She couldn’t resist the urge to hold onto a big shot.

Most importantly, she had found that dream quite memorable. (T/N: See first chapter)

She firmly refused to acknowledge how impressed she was by Shao Chengyuan’s stamina and eagerness to learn—those were the things that had really touched her.

For now, the main characters were still progressing with their story, and she didn’t want to get involved in their messy business. No matter what, the people in the village couldn’t find out.

“In a few years, when the children are older, we’ll see. For now, I just want to focus on raising them properly.”

“That’s not wrong. In a few years, no one in the village will say anything,” Grandpa Qiu agreed.

Qiu Yinuo was at a loss for words. The old society was so unfair—men could remarry right away, but women were expected to dedicate their lives to raising children as a noble act.

On the way back, Cheng Hongying asked, “Are you really not considering remarrying, or is that just what you’re saying?”

“Of course, I mean it.”

“What if Ding Zixu comes looking for you? Would you go back to him?”

Qiu Yinuo frowned. “Do you think your girl is that cheap? After all that yelling and humiliation from his family, I’m supposed to forgive and work myself to the bone for them?”

According to the memories of the original owner, the two families had discussed marriage before, but due to their respective ulterior motives, it never went through.

She remembered that Ding Zixu’s mother had said some very harsh things, and the original owner had cried about it several times during the night.

Hearing her response, Cheng Hongying felt relieved. “It’s better if the villagers don’t know about my son-in-law. Saves us the trouble of Ding Zixu’s mother coming around to stir up drama. The two years you weren’t in Ping’an Village, Ding Zixu took leave twice and came to visit us several times. Each time he left, his mother came over to curse us out.”

Qiu Yinuo frowned. “And Ding Zixu didn’t stop her?”

“Stop her? That boy nearly got scratched bloody trying.”

“Then he really is useless. All that military training for nothing, and he can’t even deal with one old woman.” She thought the male lead was truly pathetic.

Qiu Qianjin stole a glance at his sister. Did that mean she didn’t like him anymore?

His sister must really like her brother-in-law. Thinking about her late brother-in-law made Qiu Qianjin feel down for a moment. His sister’s life had been so tough.

“I didn’t tell you before because I was worried you’d start thinking about it. Now that you don’t, it’s for the best. But once the kids are a little older, I’ll go to the matchmaker and see if there’s a suitable man who can treat you well and also take care of our little ones.”

Qiu Yinuo was speechless. “Do I really have to get married?”