Lin Xia fully recovered and resumed work.

The electrical engineering exam she had signed up for was approaching, and she had to attend it.

Qian Lisheng also hurried back from Qizhou.

He first went to see his mother, directly telling her that he loved Lin Xia and couldn’t live without her.

If his mother forced Lin Xia to divorce him, he would remain single for life and live in loneliness after his parents were gone.

Qian Mother, who had always favored her two sons and worried about their well-being, had married daughters-in-law with less favorable conditions just to ensure they would take good care of her sons.

She was softened by Qian Lisheng’s sob story. “You care so much about her, but does she care about you? I see that all she thinks about is her family and that she and her sister are involved in deceit.”

Qian Lisheng responded, “Mom, even if you don’t like my sister-in-law, you should at least respect the fact that her husband is successful. If you don’t trust Lin Xia, I’ll take her to a major hospital in Qizhou for an examination. You should trust me, right?”

Reluctantly, Qian Mother agreed but was heartbroken over the money and felt that her son was favoring his wife over his mother.

After Qian Lisheng left, Qian Mother complained to her younger daughter-in-law.

The younger daughter-in-law advised, “Mom, can’t you see who is truly filial? I’m genuinely hoping for more grandchildren for our family. Even though my health isn’t great, I keep having children for you. Mom, I’m risking my life here.”

Qian Mother immediately saw her younger daughter-in-law as a good person and asked if the doctors in Qizhou would be bribed.

The younger daughter-in-law laughed, “The doctors at Qizhou’s top hospitals aren’t so easily bribed. What we should worry about is whether my elder sister-in-law dares to go.”

Qian Mother grew worried again, fearing that if Lin Xia’s condition couldn’t be treated, her eldest son would have no biological children.

The younger daughter-in-law reassured her not to worry.

If Lin Xia couldn’t have children, she would have more children and adopt them into the family.

This made Qian Mother feel a bit more at ease.

It wasn’t that she completely trusted her younger daughter-in-law, but rather she considered herself experienced and wise, believing that her eldest daughter-in-law must be deceiving her with some scheme.

Ultimately, it was her disdain for rural people.

She thought Lin Xia, being from the countryside, was greedy and cunning, trying to climb up by exploiting her son and living off their family’s wealth.

Since she had given Lin Xia a job, she believed Lin Xia should be firmly suppressed.

Now that Lin Xia seemed disobedient, she couldn’t accept it.

She was convinced that Lin Xia was deceiving her.

When Qian Lisheng returned home and saw Lin Shu and the two children still at his house, he felt uneasy thinking about his mother’s claims that Lin Shu had instigated his wife.

However, he smiled warmly on the surface.

“Third sister, it’s really fortunate that you came to help.”

Lin Shu asked, “How’s the training, brother-in-law?”

Qian Lisheng replied that it was just average, “There’s nothing special. I see that Tong Guoqiang, that fool, is still running around.”

Lin Shu noticed that her brother-in-law seemed a bit out of touch, different from before.

It was like some men who, once they have money or status, suddenly become boastful.

She hoped she was just being overly suspicious.

Qian Lisheng played with his two kids for a bit, then talked to Lin Shu before heading to find Lin Xia.

When Lin Xia returned from her exam, the team leader had her check the safety work instead of doing physical tasks.

Seeing Qian Lisheng back, Lin Xia wasn’t too bothered that he hadn’t been with her in bed.

Her younger sister had been right; she only wanted someone to keep her company, not to argue with her husband.

Qian Lisheng bought a red scarf for Lin Xia, helped her put it on, and complimented her, saying, “My wife is really beautiful.”

Lin Xia smiled and replied, “I’m in and out of the workshop every day. Wearing such a nice scarf here would be a waste. It’s better to give it to my sister. She’s been taking care of me and is exhausted.”

Qian Lisheng pretended to be upset, saying, “I bought this scarf for my wife. How can I give it to another woman? My brother-in-law will buy one for my sister.”

Lin Xia thought his comment was strange and said, “She’s my sister, not just another woman. If you were talking about Tong Ailian, that’s a different story.”

However, she didn’t insist on keeping the scarf for her sister, as she wasn’t sure if her brother-in-law would be pleased.

Qian Lisheng assured her that his mother wouldn’t cause trouble again and said he would keep his salary for himself and not support his brother’s wife.

Seeing no one around, he hugged Lin Xia and said with a pained tone, “Wife, no matter what happens, don’t say you want a divorce. If you leave me, I’d rather die.”

Lin Xia responded, “Stop talking nonsense.”

She pushed him away, saying, “Not here. Don’t be so touchy.”

When Qian Lisheng heard someone approaching, he let go of her.

Lin Xia added, “In the future, we need to take care of our own children. You shouldn’t be supporting your brother.”

Her brother had a better job than their father and earned a good salary.

His wife also worked and had expenses, possibly earning more than they did.

Yet, they kept asking for financial help.

Qian Lisheng promised, “I won’t support anyone else; I only support my wife.”

After saying a few more things, Lin Xia told him to stop loitering and go check the workshop.

As he headed to the workshop, he ran into Jiang Weidong, who was inspecting the area.

Qian Lisheng wasn’t happy but put on a smiling face and greeted him.

Jiang Weidong glanced at him and asked, “Qian Team Leader is back?”

Qian Lisheng nodded, feeling a bit guilty.

Jiang Weidong glanced at him and noticed his evasiveness.

He could tell that this person likely wouldn’t come clean.

He turned to leave, but Qian Lisheng hurried after him, “Director Jiang, about that… You wouldn’t…”

Jiang Weidong asked, “What?”

Qian Lisheng was worried that Jiang Weidong might hold a grudge and create obstacles for him when it came time to select the deputy director, or that he might talk ill of Lin Xia behind the scenes.

He hesitated, smiling awkwardly, “It’s nothing.”

He couldn’t bring himself to say more.

Jiang Weidong then left.

After Lin Xia’s husband returned, Lin Shu stayed for another two days, mainly to avoid any trouble from Qian Mu if she saw her son coming back.

However, Qian Mother didn’t show up, and Lin Xia’s husband assured her that he had communicated with his mother, which relieved Lin Shu.

Since Lin Xia was fine, Lin Shu said her goodbyes, “I’ll take the children back tomorrow.”

Lin Xia was reluctant to let them go and tried to persuade her several times, but when Lin Shu insisted, she had to agree, “Then you must come often.”

Tiantian and Panpan smiled brightly, “Mom said we’ll come back when Auntie has a baby.”

Lin Xia was delighted and kissed them all, “Auntie will definitely have a baby as sweet as you.”

Qian Lisheng, with drooping eyes, was relieved that his sister-in-law was finally leaving.

Having her stay at his place for the past few days made him feel uncomfortable, as if Lin Shu’s sharp eyes could see through everything.

It wasn’t just Lin Shu; the two kids also made him uneasy.

The kids seemed to have learned a lot and liked to ask questions.

One moment they would ask, “Uncle, what is deceit? Why does Grandma say Auntie is faking her surgery? We were the ones who stayed with her.”

The next moment, they would ask, “Uncle, did you ever deceive anyone?”

Finally, they were leaving.

Lin Shu took the kids to say goodbye to Old Lady Jiang.

Old Lady Jiang felt embarrassed, having previously tried to introduce her son to Lin Shu, only to find that Lin Shu’s husband was already a fine match.

She was relieved that she didn’t mention it directly, otherwise, it would have been quite a slap in the face.

She felt quite embarrassed, but Lin Shu, understanding her discomfort, remained warm and friendly.

She promised to keep any new medicines for her father-in-law and, with her warm and sweet children, managed to dispel Old Lady Jiang’s awkwardness quickly.

Old Lady Jiang regained her enthusiastic demeanor and, in the evening, took Lin Shu to the textile factory, helping her buy a bag of defective white thread gloves.

These white gloves weren’t very useful for work, but they could be unraveled, dyed, and used for knitting sweaters.

If there isn’t enough fabric, they’ll knit sweaters and pants for the kids.

The knitted clothes will be stretchy, fit well, and keep them warm.

They’re perfect for wearing inside cotton coats during the winter. Lin Shu was very pleased and kept praising Old Lady Jiang for being capable. “Auntie, I’m not staying here, so please take extra care of my second sister. She’s so casual and not as careful as some older women.”

She was referring to Tong’s mother and Qian’s mother.

Old Lady Jiang laughed and said, “Who are you kidding? Casual people can’t be electricians. It takes someone brave and meticulous.”

She was willing to get closer to Lin Xia and assured Lin Shu that she would definitely help take care of things.

Knowing that Lin Shu would be leaving early the next morning, Old Lady Jiang went to the factory office and asked the director to send a car to take Lin Shu and her kids to the bus station.

The director agreed right away.

Old Lady Jiang was pleased; the factory director was easier to deal with than her own son.

Lin Xia had packed some food for Lin Shu, but Lin Shu and the kids declined it.

The kids said that since their second aunt had surgery and needed to take care of herself and their second aunt was going to have a baby and needed to eat well, they wouldn’t take it.

Their grandparents would buy them some.

Lin Xia still packed half a pound of biscuits, a can, and half a pound of sugar for them.

The next morning, a special car took them to the bus station, making Lin Shu and the kids comfortable.

When they got off the bus, Lin Shu gave the driver a pack of cheap cigarettes and two tea eggs.

The driver wouldn’t take money, but he accepted the ordinary cigarettes and eggs.

When the bus arrived at the entrance to Lu Village South Road, before the passengers even got off, they heard the kids chattering excitedly.

“Panpan and Tiantian are back!”

“Panpan, I missed you so much!”

“Tiantian, you look even better!” This was from Huzhi.

Qiu Pozi, who was in charge of the kids, greeted Lin Shu and the others with a smile. “These kids always come out to check if you’re back whenever the bus passes through our village.”

Lin Shu gave Panpan a hint, suggesting that since the kids missed them so much, she should show some appreciation.

Panpan, feeling a bit reluctant, handed out candy.

Instead of dividing it among three people like before, he gave each child a piece, though he felt a bit of a pinch doing so.

The kids cheered, “Yay, Panpan is giving out candy!”

Panpan said, “Don’t wait here anymore!”

Back home, Fang Dihua was preparing dinner and was overjoyed to see her daughter and grandchildren return.

Tiantian and Panpan buzzed around like little bees.

“Grandma, Grandma, we missed you so much! Guess who we saw!”

The two kids flashed their big, shiny eyes, looking extremely proud.

Fang Dihua laughed, realizing that her son probably hadn’t recognized the kids, which was why he had gone to the city in the middle of the night.

She pretended not to guess and let the kids enjoy their moment of triumph for a bit longer, eventually saying, “Did you see your dad?”

The kids nodded vigorously, “Yes! Now, reward Grandma with a candy!”

Panpan was always generous with treats for Grandpa and Grandma, never stingy at all.

He insisted that Grandma couldn’t refuse and directly put the candy in her mouth.

Fang Dihua savored the sweet candy with delight and chatted happily with the kids, asking about their meeting with their father.

Tiantian told the main points, while Panpan filled in the details, their cooperation seamless.

Fang Dihua listened, laughing heartily, her laughter echoing joyfully, with no trace of her previous sadness.

Old Mrs. Chang, who overheard, couldn’t help but scold under her breath, “What a curse, how can you be so happy when your son is dead?”

Fang Dihua felt that she could laugh for a lifetime listening to the kids.

She planned to get her husband home early that evening and share the news with him so they could enjoy it together.

No one expected the clever third child Lu Shaotang to be so silly too.

Ha ha.