Chapter 5: Zhao Lili’s Marriage

Zhang Xiulian felt a sharp pang in her heart, tears nearly welling up. She pulled her daughter close and softly said, “Mom’s words count. I promised you I wouldn’t let you marry the village chief’s son, and I definitely won’t go back on that!

You don’t need to worry about your little brother’s bride price; your father and I will handle it.

You are his sister, not his parent!

If he dares to mess up again, Mom will throw him into the well!”

After hearing her mother’s words, all of Zhao Lili’s doubts and worries vanished.

Tears slipped quietly down her cheeks uncontrollably, a few even trickled to the corners of her mouth.

She was surprised to find that this time, her tears were no longer bitter; they even mixed with a taste of happiness.

Zhao Lili hooked her arm around her mother’s neck and leaned on her shoulder like a little kitten seeking comfort from its owner—obedient and adorable.

Zhang Xiulian’s rough skin felt the warm breath from her daughter’s nose, bringing peace and happiness to her heart.

It was truly good that her daughter was still alive!

“Mom, can you give me two yuan?”

A timid voice came from the corner of the room.

Zhao Lili loosened her hold and turned to wipe her tears.

Only then did Zhang Xiulian realize her youngest daughter, Zhao Pingping, was still in the room.

Her mind had been so full of thoughts about her eldest daughter that she hadn’t noticed the youngest was quietly doing homework on the other side of the room.

Zhang Xiulian beckoned for her daughter to come over.

Zhao Pingping put down her pen and slowly walked toward Zhang Xiulian. Her small face, no bigger than a palm, looked serious, her young brows always furrowed.

“Pingping, why do you need two yuan? Is it some school fee?” Zhang Xiulian took her youngest daughter’s hand and asked tentatively.

“Mom, the teacher wants me to buy a ‘Xinhua Dictionary.’ All the classmates have one, but I’m the only one who doesn’t.”

Zhao Pingping lowered her head; her eyes were red as if she was about to cry.

Only then did Zhang Xiulian remember—something like this had happened in her previous life.

The school required them to buy a dictionary, and Zhao Guang and Zhao Pingping were in the same grade.

Because Zhang Xiulian favored sons over daughters, she thought buying two was a waste of money and only bought one for her youngest son.

She told her youngest daughter to borrow from her brother whenever she needed it.

“Didn’t I tell you to share your brother’s dictionary? Didn’t he let you use it?” Zhang Xiulian’s voice rose several tones as she mentioned her unreliable youngest son Zhao Guang.

Zhao Pingping saw her mother get angry and thought it was because she asked for money and had upset her. Her face instantly turned pale, and her hands and feet went cold.

“My brother won’t let me use his dictionary. Every time I try, he hits me.”

Feeling her daughter’s cold little hand, Zhang Xiulian realized she had scared her and quickly softened her tone, “Pingping, Mom isn’t mad at you. Don’t be afraid. It’s Mom who didn’t think things through. I should have bought you your own copy too.”

With that, she reached into her pocket, took out two yuan, and put it into her daughter’s hand.

“Mom promises from now on, whatever your brother has, you’ll have too. No more favoritism.”

Zhao Pingping looked up at Zhang Xiulian with wide eyes filled with surprise and joy. The gloomy look on her small face instantly brightened.

“My daughter’s smile is truly beautiful. You’re already pretty; you should smile more often,” Zhang Xiulian said with a smile as she touched her youngest daughter’s forehead.

Zhao Pingping’s heart pounded wildly—this was the first time her mother had praised her.

Before, she had only seen her mother look at her three brothers with gentle eyes. She and her sister had never been looked at properly.

Now that her mother was getting better and better, Zhao Pingping hoped she would always stay like this and never go back to how she was.

After comforting her two daughters, Zhang Xiulian turned and left.

Having been busy most of the day, Zhang Xiulian felt a bit exhausted.

After a simple wash-up, she quickly walked back to her room to rest.