Li Qiurong couldn’t be bothered to deal with Old Lady Lin any longer.

She tucked the signed contract into her pocket and, supporting Bai Ji, started to leave. “Zisu, follow us. We’re going home!”

The young one had never entered the Lin family’s gate, and with the contract signed, she could avoid ever coming back.

But not so for Little Zisu. After their death, she’d still have to perform the funeral rites and take them to the mountains for burial.

The infant Bai Guo lay on a salted fish in swaddling clothes.

What a grand show! If only her physical condition weren’t so limiting. She would have liked to see what Old Lady Lin looked like. From the very beginning, she was so disdainful of her—this old woman clearly had no taste.

After all, she was a thousand-year-old salted fish, the one who was fed by Heavenly Dao Daddy.

Hmm! With such poor judgment, no wonder the villainous family wants to split!

…

The onlookers were still there when Old Lady Lin spat with frustration.

She then turned and closed the courtyard gate, cutting off the curious gazes.

Back in the main room, Old Lady Lin began scolding Little Zisu. “A worthless child who can’t be raised. How much did Yongcheng dote on her usually? And now she’s insisting on going with that family!”

She wasn’t afraid that her son would question her when he returned home.

Lin Yongcheng did love Little Zisu, but both Old Man Lin and Old Lady Lin never took her seriously. They thought they had it all figured out, assuming that Lin Yongcheng treated her well only because she was his only child. What did a daughter matter compared to a son? If she left, then so be it!

Besides, even if she went with the Bai family, she was still a Lin by blood.

Old Man Lin impatiently commented about their two granddaughters. “Yongcheng will be home soon. You should nudge the matchmaker and get him to meet some potential brides.”

The sooner they arranged a match, the sooner his mind would be at ease, preventing any future grievances.

Thinking about the Bai family’s large brick house, Old Man Lin still felt a bit resentful.

Bai Zhi used to be a military doctor, and Li Qiurong was a teacher.

They only had one child, Bai Ji.

After Bai Ji married Lin Yongcheng, they invested their entire savings to build a grand brick house in Shanglin Village.

Last year, when Lin Yongcheng retired and returned to his hometown, they both quit their jobs and came to Shanglin Village. Bai Zhi even became the barefoot doctor of the village.

Speaking of the Bai family’s large brick house, who in the village didn’t envy Lin Yongcheng?

Shanglin Village only had three such houses, and now Lin Yongcheng had one of them. He married a city girl, and not only did he have a large house, but his parents-in-law were also young and capable. Even though many secretly resented him for living off his wife, who wouldn’t want such good fortune?

Of course, that was only what outsiders knew.

Only the Bai family and Lin Yongcheng himself knew that the large brick house was actually built with Lin Yongcheng’s own money, and it was merely under the name of his parents-in-law.

They had quit their jobs to return to their hometown for other reasons.

Not just the Lin family, but many others in the village were eyeing the Bai family’s brick house.

That afternoon, two widowed families sought out a matchmaker.

Bai Ji was young and beautiful, both her parents were cultured people, and the large brick house was a good backup. Even though she had two children to raise, it was still a great temptation.

The younger one might not survive, but the older one was already three years old.

Once she grew up, she would be able to help with work and could even bring in a dowry.

Her parents didn’t have to support her and could help for many years to come.

Besides, since Bai Ji couldn’t have a son, she would surely treat her stepchildren well, so there were no worries about a cruel stepmother.

With such good conditions, who wouldn’t be tempted?

Unfortunately, the Bai family’s door was tightly closed. The matchmaker shouted outside for a long time but was not allowed in.

Meanwhile, Old Lady Lin was busy, having met with three matchmakers that afternoon.

Lin Yongcheng had been a soldier and was now the deputy head of the security department at a county mine.

He could drive and repair cars, and he was also handsome and tall.

He had good conditions to begin with, and now that his children had been taken by the Bai family, remarrying him would avoid the need for a stepmother.

He was in high demand.

Many resourceful families had their sights set on him. Even if they didn’t have a suitable daughter, who didn’t have a few relatives of marriageable age?

That afternoon, in addition to the matchmakers, others came to inquire as well.

The more people came, the more it indicated that the son was in high demand, and Old Lady Lin finally felt at ease.

In front of the Bai family, she could never hold her head high, but with a new in-law, she would be revered.

In the past, Bai Ji couldn’t make her work, but now, with a more obedient and hardworking daughter-in-law, she would definitely make Bai Ji feel inferior!

The first day was just for gathering information, but the next day, a matchmaker brought a girl to the Lin family.

Old Lady Lin was floating with excitement. That day, she met with four girls.

Old Man Lin sat in the yard smoking his pipe. Maybe he was being flattered too much, but his standards had risen, and he became more selective.

“Don’t look at country girls anymore. Yongcheng’s last wife was a city girl. Even though the Bai family moved to the countryside, they are still different from country girls. If we are finding Yongcheng a wife, she can’t be worse than his last one, or else we’ll be laughed at by the Bai family!”

Old Lady Lin, who was self-conscious around the Bai family, wasn’t the only one feeling inferior. Old Man Lin also felt it.

Standing next to Bai Zhi, they looked like two generations.

Everything about them, from image to temperament, was inferior.

Even if Bai Zhi wore patched clothes, he had the air of an intellectual.

If Old Man Lin wore new clothes, he would still seem like a peasant. But Old Man Lin hid it well. He usually spoke little, and no one noticed.

Even if their in-laws became enemies, he still wanted to surpass Bai Zhi.

Old Lady Lin couldn’t help but feel excited, “Are city girls that easy to find?”

Old Man Lin gave her a look. “Nowadays, one job per person, city people can’t even find work. Yongcheng has an iron rice bowl, why would he be afraid of not finding a wife?”

The old couple became more enthusiastic as they talked, not considering whether Lin Yongcheng would be willing.

They assumed that Lin Yongcheng thought the same way.

Get rid of a wife who couldn’t bear children and find him a younger one.

What’s there to be dissatisfied with? Old Man Lin, putting himself in his son’s shoes, thought it would be perfect.

Just as they were talking, Lin Yongcheng came back, riding his bicycle.

He encountered many villagers on the way back, all of them giving him knowing smiles.

Some even said he was fortunate but didn’t explain why, leaving Lin Yongcheng confused.

When he reached the Lin family gate, he got off his bike, lifted it over the threshold, and immediately called out, “Bai Ji, I’m back!”

He waited a few seconds, but no one responded.

Not even Little Zisu appeared.

Lin Yongcheng was puzzled, “Where is everyone? Did they all go to my father-in-law’s?”

At that moment, his niece, Lin Liuye, ran out.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the large bundle on the back of the bike and sweetly called out, “Third Uncle.”

Lin Yongcheng parked his bike and began to untie the ropes.

“Liuye, where’s your aunt and Zisu?”

“They were kicked out by Grandma.” Three-year-old Liuye didn’t know how to lie.

She blinked her big eyes and answered seriously, “Grandma said Aunt can’t lay eggs like a hen, so she doesn’t want her. They’re going to find a new wife for Third Uncle.”

“???”

Lin Yongcheng froze for a moment. Did he hear that correctly?

His wife had just been pregnant for seven months, and the baby wasn’t due yet. How could she suddenly be unable to have children?

“When did this happen?”

“Yesterday. And the little sister who was just born… they don’t want her either.”

Lin Yongcheng felt his mind go blank for a moment.

Bai Ji’s baby was only seven months along.

She had been doing well with the pregnancy, and there was no risk of premature birth.

What happened?

While he was away, his parents had kicked out his wife and child?

At this moment, Old Man Lin came out of the hall, hands behind his back.

“Yongcheng is back. Come in. I have something to say to you.”

Lin Yongcheng glanced at him coldly but said nothing as he carried his bike out of the courtyard.

Old Man Lin was anxious. “Where are you going?”

But Lin Yongcheng didn’t listen.

With a long stride, he got on his bike and rode away.

Old Man Lin quickly ran after him, shouting, “Old Three, get back here!”

But he didn’t return. He had gone to the provincial city, and when he came back, his wife and child were gone.

Lin Yongcheng didn’t look back.

Liuye stared at him in confusion.

Her Third Uncle always brought back snacks.

He had been untying the bundle, so why did he suddenly leave?

Old Lady Lin also ran out, only to hear Old Man Lin cursing angrily.

His face had turned red with anger, “This son is worthless! We’re just trying to ensure he doesn’t die out, meeting a few matchmakers. And this is his attitude?”

“And the big bundle he brought, he’s taking it to the Bai family too?”

That was stuff from the provincial city—how could it go to the Bai family?

…

Lin Yongcheng was so worried.

Bai Ji had a seven-month pregnancy and had given birth early.

He didn’t know how she or the child was doing, but he hoped nothing bad had happened!

He pedaled hard, heading to the Bai family’s house at the foot of the mountain.

The Bai family’s gate was tightly closed.

Lin Yongcheng shouted twice from outside the yard, “Bai Ji! I’m back! Dad, Mom, it’s Yongcheng, open the door!”

Bai Zhi and Li Qiurong knew their son-in-law was an intelligent man and hadn’t blamed them.

When he shouted, Li Qiurong came out to open the door.

Little Zisu followed closely behind her grandmother.

When the gate opened, Lin Yongcheng looked at Li Qiurong’s calm face, and his heart finally settled a little. “Mom, how is Bai Ji’s health?”

Li Qiurong was still upset, and her tone was low. “She injured her body and will not be able to have children again.”

As she said this, she quietly observed Lin Yongcheng’s expression. If he showed any sign of rejection, she would immediately throw him out!

Fortunately, Lin Yongcheng’s face showed only concern.

“She can’t have children, but that won’t cause other problems, right?”

The word “only” was well-placed, and Li Qiurong’s doubts disappeared.

“She needs to rest for two months to recuperate. After that, there should be no big issues.” Seeing that Lin Yongcheng was only asking about Bai Ji and not the child, Li Qiurong added, “The child is a premature baby and much smaller than others. She needs extra nutrition. If you have connections, bring back more supplements.”

Lin Yongcheng nodded, “I’ll figure out the supplements. Bai Ji needs to rest, so it will be hard on you and Dad to take care of her and help her recover.”

Seeing that Lin Yongcheng was ignoring her and her sister, Little Zisu became upset.

She grunted and turned away to run off.

She ran inside and said to her baby sister in the swaddle, “Sister, we are so pitiful. Daddy doesn’t like us at all!”

Bai Ji held her head down and pushed her off the bed.

“Sister is sleeping. Don’t wake her.”

“Why does she keep sleeping? She slept yesterday, and today she’s still sleeping.” Little Zisu leaned over the bed, puzzled.

“You used to do the same. Sleeping more helps you grow.”

Alright. Little Zisu stopped bothering her sister.

She hoped her sister would grow up quickly so they could play together and she would listen to her.

A few minutes later, Lin Yongcheng learned from Li Qiurong the details of Bai Ji’s premature delivery, including how Old Lady Lin refused to let her inside and had signed the contract to disown the younger daughter.

He didn’t speak, but in his heart, he had already made up his mind.

When he entered the room and saw Bai Ji’s haggard face, he felt heartache and his eyes reddened. He hugged her, “I’m late. Don’t worry. I won’t let you and the child suffer this injustice. I will definitely get justice for you!”

Protecting his wife and children was his duty as a husband and father.

What made his wife give birth early? Even with his in-laws shielding them, he still had to deal with the first house.

Lin Dayang was still young, but his father wasn’t.

When the son made mistakes, the father acted like a turtle. Lin Yongcheng couldn’t respect his older brother anymore.

Debt of children, repaid by the father.

This debt, Lin Yongcheng would repay for the Lin family.