Lin Guodong squatted on the ground, grabbing his hair hard a few times.

He looked up at his mother and said, “Forget it. Let’s not talk about the past anymore. You and Xiaoyu can go home. Our family should live peacefully and not let others laugh at us.”

“Heh…” Li Shuping scoffed.

Lin Guodong thought that since he realized he had wronged her, that was enough—no need to mention the past, but there wasn’t even an apology.

She said seriously, “I’ve made myself very clear—I’m not going back. Maybe you all think that my divorcing your father and taking Xiaoyu away was just me throwing a tantrum, waiting for your father to swallow his pride and beg me to come back.”

“The truth is, my divorce from your father isn’t just because of him. It’s because I see through him and both of you brothers. I see no respect or care for me as a mother in either of you. I don’t want to waste the rest of my life on you.”

Lin Guodong frowned. “When did we disrespect you?”

“When have you ever respected me?” Li Shuping shot back.

“…” Lin Guodong opened his mouth but couldn’t find a single example.

But Li Shuping could give examples. “Not long ago, just half a month ago—I was preparing things for your younger brother’s wedding and taking care of Junjun at the same time. Junjun was playing with other kids in the yard and accidentally fell, scraping his knee a little. There wasn’t even any blood.”

“Your wife came back, saw it, and asked what happened. I said kids bump and bruise themselves, it’s normal. What did your wife say?”

“She pointed at my nose and said I was a disgrace—couldn’t even take care of a child properly, so what good am I alive for?”

“Your wife said that, and I couldn’t even raise my head. I was hoping you’d say something to support me, but what did you do?”

“You said with a straight face that I should be more careful taking care of the kid and that I can’t even handle watching a child at home.”

Lin Guodong: “That’s because…”

“Because I didn’t take care of Junjun well?” Li Shuping cut him off. “I passed my work to your younger brother, so am I just at home taking care of Junjun?”

“Don’t I have to prepare for your brother’s wedding? Don’t I have to clean the house? Wash clothes? Cook meals? Can I watch Junjun twenty-four-seven?”

“I’m helping you and Zhang Jiao take care of the child. The child is yours and Zhang Jiao’s, not mine. Even if it’s my fault the kid fell, shouldn’t you be polite to the elder who’s helping you raise your child?”

“But you and Zhang Jiao treat me like a servant, with no gratitude or respect! Like I’m just a babysitter you’re scolding.”

“Babysitters get paid, you haven’t paid me anything! I buy all the food and supplies myself!”

Lin Guodong found no words to argue because all along, he thought grandmothers just naturally take care of grandchildren.

Zhang Jiao’s words were harsh, but that’s because she’s a mother who cares deeply about the child.

His words to her came from worry, not malice, but Mom held onto it and argued with them over it—it was petty.

“Mom, you’re really too petty,” Lin Guodong muttered softly.

“Petty?” Li Shuping shook her head speechlessly.

This is the Lin family’s men: never admit they’re wrong, always blame others.

“Forget it. I’m wasting my breath on you. You go. From now on, we live separate lives, no more bothering each other.” After saying this, Li Shuping was about to leave.

“Mom.” Lin Guodong called after her, “I’m still giving you a way out today. If you miss this chance, no one else will invite you back. Think about whether you want to go back now with dignity or sneak back later begging Dad.”

Li Shuping sneered, “That’s great.”

Lin Guodong’s eye twitched.

She was just being stubborn.

“There really won’t be another chance! If you want to come back, begging Dad, he might not even agree.”

Li Shuping held out her hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not that pathetic to beg and jump into the fire pit again.”

Lin Guodong: “…”

How did their home turn into a fire pit?

She was speaking too harshly.

“Got anything else to say? If not, I’m leaving. It’s cold tonight.” A gust of wind blew, making Li Shuping shrink her neck.

Lin Guodong looked dark. “Don’t set up your stall again tomorrow.”

“I will.” Li Shuping said. “I want to, I love it, and I’ll do it every day.”

Lin Guodong: “Can’t you think about me and my younger brother? If relatives, friends, and colleagues all find out we have a mom selling stuff on the street, how can we face people?”

“Why should I think about you?” Li Shuping shot back. “Have you ever thought about me all these years? If you think having a mom who sells on the street is shameful, then just pretend I’m not your mom.”

Lin Guodong frowned hard. “Aren’t you afraid that your brother and I will disown you?”

He thought saying this would scare her—after all, she’d rely on him and his brother for support when she’s old.

Li Shuping wasn’t afraid at all. “Whether you acknowledge me or not, when I turn sixty, you’ll pay me alimony every month. If not, I’ll sue you in court.”

She gave birth to them and raised them, got them married.

The two brothers should support her in her old age.

Of course, she won’t live with them when she’s old, but the support money can’t be missing.

Lin Guodong’s eyes widened.

She was threatening to sue him and his brother?

Li Shuping turned and left as Lin Guodong stared in shock.

Lin Guodong lowered his head and walked into the house.

Outside the main gate, Lin Yongnian, who had been watching for his return, saw him come back and proudly snorted, “Go persuade your mom to come back. She must be so happy, right?”

“Is she packing to move back tomorrow with Xiaoyu? I see the furniture in that room is pretty nice, maybe she can swap beds and cabinets with me. The desk can go in the living room, for Junjun when he starts school.”

Lin Yongnian had already started planning the furniture for Li Shuping’s move.

Lin Jianshe smiled broadly, “My older brother gave her that way out, Mom should take it.”

Liu Qin curled her lips, the old lady still hadn’t apologized to her.

If she doesn’t apologize and make a big red envelope compensation after returning, don’t expect her to call her Mom or treat her as a mother-in-law.

By the way, the day after tomorrow is Saturday, she’s arranged time off from the supply and marketing cooperative to go with Lin Jianshe for the post-wedding visit gift.

This gift should be generous.

Originally, the post-wedding visit should have been on the third day after the wedding, but because the factory and supply cooperative wouldn’t give time off, they had to wait until Saturday.

Inside the house, Zhang Jiao heard Lin Guodong return, came out holding the child.

“How did your mom respond?”

Lin Guodong shouted impatiently, “How did she respond? She said she wouldn’t be so stupid as to jump into the fire pit twice! She said if your brother and I feel ashamed to have a mom who sets up a stall, we can just not recognize her!”

“She even said that even if we disown her, when she’s sixty, we’ll still have to pay alimony, or she’ll sue us!”

Lin Yongnian and the others were stunned.

Zhang Jiao came to her senses and snapped at Lin Guodong, “Why are you venting your anger on me because your mom upset you? I’m not your punching bag!”

She had to work every day, come home to take care of the child and cook.

Tonight Liu Qin deliberately made egg spinach soup, and she still had no place to vent her frustration.