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Su Zhi could only respond to Sun Shi’s request with silence. Was Sun Shi too clever or simply confused? How could she be so certain that her wishes would be fulfilled? Her audacity was remarkable! Su Zhi was certain that regardless of their decision, it wouldn’t end well.
If they refused, Sun Shi would accuse them of being unkind and not helping.
If they agreed and things didn’t work out, she would blame Shen Zi’an for lack of effort.
Su Zhi thought through the situation, realizing that they were in a no-win scenario. Shen Zi’an also understood this and had no intention of granting Sun Shi’s request. He believed the opportunity was meant for the three children and would not give it up for them. Despite not being their biological father, he cared for them as his own, showing them extra compassion. He wanted to provide them with a good life and ensure they didn’t suffer.
“Third Sister-in-law, I’m just a farmer with limited means. The Sacred Beast resides with us, but I can’t use it to show off. Li Zheng is in charge of selecting the young participants, and I won’t interfere. If he doesn’t choose our three children, we won’t be upset. If he does, we will give it our all. After all, this is a significant matter, reflecting positively on Riverside Village’s reputation.”
Su Zhi thought to herself, “Husband, you are truly remarkable!”
Sun Shi’s face fell immediately upon hearing this. She had already pleaded with them, yet Shen Zi’an and his wife still refused. It seemed like they were as stubborn as a rock in a pit—both stinky and unyielding!
“Fourth Brother! Your heart is truly cruel! I begged you to save face for all of us, yet you refuse. Do you enjoy seeing your older brother and me falling ill constantly? What kind of heart is this? You’ve truly lost your conscience! All you care about is yourself, disregarding brotherly love! My goodness, your brother used to share his food with you when you were young, and now you’ve grown taller and stronger than him. Yet now, when we ask you for a favor, it’s so difficult. You truly lack conscience—”
Sun Shi shouted loudly, hoping to pressure Shen Zi’an into giving in.
Su Zhi was astonished, not by Sun Shi’s outburst but by her words. Could Shen Ziping really be as generous as Sun Shi described? Would someone so opportunistic have shared their food with Shen Zi’an in their childhood? It sounded more like a story about someone else.
Shen Zi’an furrowed his brow, feeling a strong aversion to Sun Shi’s shouting. He took Xiaori and Xinger by the hand and had Su Zhi carry Yueyue as they walked towards the main house, choosing to ignore Sun Shi.
However, Sun Shi blocked Shen Zi’an’s path again, removing the hand that had covered her eyes earlier, seemingly as if she was wiping away tears. Upon closer inspection, there were no tears, no redness—just what seemed like a bit of moisture on her face, leading Su Zhi to suspect it was saliva, causing her to furrow her brow. Sun Shi’s tactics were truly cunning.
Seeing Sun Shi blocking him, Shen Zi’an narrowed his eyes and coldly stated, “Third Sister-in-law, step aside. If you don’t, I will have our parents mediate, or do you want me to leave without seeing them?”
Sun Shi, intimidated by Shen Zi’an’s gaze, typically bold with her younger brother-in-law, but wary when he was angry, pleaded, “Fourth Brother and Sister, have some compassion for your older brother and me! We are frequently unwell. My health is already fragile, and I had a difficult childbirth. Your older brother has been struggling with back pain and is currently bedridden. If Wulang becomes a young participant, not only will he benefit, but we, as parents, could also share in that fortune! Please, help us out by letting Wulang participate!”
Sun Shi then turned to tug at Su Zhi, hoping that if Shen Zi’an disagreed, Su Zhi might speak up. In Sun Shi’s mind, if Su Zhi agreed, Shen Zi’an would likely follow suit.
Su Zhi, holding Yueyue, almost had her hand pulled away by Sun Shi’s forceful tug. Yueyue cried out in her arms, frightened, clinging tightly to Su Zhi’s neck.
“Third Sister-in-law, let go! Yueyue almost fell!” Su Zhi, upset by Yueyue’s fright and the pain in her hand, demanded.
Xiaori and Xinger quickly rushed to Su Zhi’s side, pushing Sun Shi aside, glaring at her. They understood Sun Shi’s intentions—to secure an opportunity for themselves to participate in the Rain Worship Festival as young participants by having one of them give up. Although they didn’t fully comprehend the festival’s significance, they knew it would bring joy to their parents. Seeing their parents unwilling to yield the chance, and Sun Shi pressuring them, they felt displeased.
“Aunt Sun, we want to participate in the Rain Worship Festival as young participants! Please stop pressuring our parents!”
Xinger’s delicate face creased in displeasure; he truly disliked Sun Shi.
Xiaori, with his dark eyes, stared at Sun Shi. While he remained silent, his gaze was more powerful than words. Such a strong look from a child was quite uncommon.
Seeing Sun Shi attempting to pull Su Zhi again, nearly causing Yueyue to fall, Shen Zi’an grew even more displeased. He went over, gently took Yueyue into his arms, and addressed Sun Shi, “Third Sister-in-law, I’ll say this once more: go talk to Li Zheng. If he agrees, then we’ll agree. We won’t intervene in recommending Wulang to Li Zheng, nor will we persuade others on your behalf. We simply don’t have that kind of influence.”
Shen Zigui interjected, “Third Brother and Sister-in-law, please stop pressuring Fourth Brother and Sister. This isn’t something they can decide.”
Sun Shi retorted sharply, “Second Brother, it’s easy for you to say. Your family doesn’t have anyone eligible to be a young participant. Don’t think you’re off the hook. Didn’t your Chunyun just turned five? If she haven’t, you might find yourself in the same situation, seeking help from Fourth Brother!”
Li Shi had also stepped out just now and upon hearing Sun Shi’s comments, she intervened, “Third Brother and Sister-in-law, you can’t say that. If my Chunyun had the fortune, it would indeed be wonderful. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been chosen in the past two years. This year, I won’t insist, unlike you. Knowing Wulang’s health isn’t great, and understanding they wouldn’t select a child with health issues as a young participant, you still insist on taking this opportunity from Third Brother and Sister!”
At that moment, Shen Ziping emerged as well, stating, “Wulang isn’t in good health. It’s precisely because of his health issues that we wish for him to have that opportunity. Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister, please don’t be too harsh. Kindly allow our Wulang this chance! You are now wealthy and influential. With a word from you or a nudge from the Sacred Beast, why worry about not being able to secure a spot for Wulang as a young participant? Even if you call all the children from our family, they would still qualify!”
Su Zhi couldn’t help but think that Shen Ziping’s ambitions surpassed even Sun Shi’s.
Sun Shi shot a glare at Shen Ziping, thinking to herself about this foolish man. If everyone from their family went, would the opportunity still hold the same value? Of course, the fewer who went, the more prestigious it would be.
Su Zhi remarked, “Third Brother and Sister-in-law are eager for their child’s well-being, believing that benefiting from the Rain Goddess’s blessings will improve their health. Why insist on Wulang going? Wouldn’t it be the same regardless of who goes? As long as they bring back some blessings for you. I’ve heard that Zhu’er also wishes to participate in selecting the Rain Goddess. If she is chosen, the blessings will be much greater than being young participants. With her there, why worry about lacking blessings? Please stop this commotion. If it continues, others will catch wind of your plans. Our family may not just lose out on young participants but even on the Rain Goddess.”
Li Shi added, “Exactly. Your loud voices can be heard not just by us but likely by the neighbors too. They also have someone aspiring to be the Rain Goddess. If word spreads in the village, the Rain Goddess might end up coming from someone else’s home.”
“Fourth Brother and Sister, you’ve arrived. What are you discussing outside? Come inside and talk,” Shen Zhu said cheerfully as she lifted the curtain at the door. She glanced at Sun Shi and Shen Ziping, a hint of frustration in her eyes. She had overheard Su Zhi and Li Shi’s conversation and if Sun Shi’s disturbance cost her the opportunity to become the Rain Goddess, she wouldn’t make it easy for them.
Su Zhi thought to herself that Shen Zhu’s timely appearance was perfect. She was confident that Shen Youfu and the others must have been listening to their conversation inside, even if they remained silent. They might have considered having Wulang participate as a young participant. However, once it involved their daughter, Shen Zhu, they had no choice but to let her speak.
Sun Shi and Shen Ziping had to reluctantly step aside.
Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi entered the room with the children. Sun Shi and Shen Ziping attempted to follow, but Shen Zhu stopped them, still a bit upset with them.
In the end, only the fourth household went into the main room.
Shen Zhang Shi gestured for the three children to come up to the kang (heated platform bed). However, the children stood obediently next to Shen Zi’an and Su Zhi. Eventually, Shen Zi’an allowed them to sit on the edge of the kang. Shen Zhang Shi praised the children’s good behavior and offered them melon seeds from the table, although they politely declined, understanding it was merely a gesture of kindness.
“Father, why did you call us here?” Shen Zi’an asked Shen Youfu. He knew it was about Shen Zhu becoming the Rain Goddess, but he still wanted to confirm. He wasn’t eager to assist with this task—it was no easy feat!