Chapter 7

In the end, it was the strong and energetic Lin Dong who got up and prepared a simple meal.

During dinner, Lin Jiayi was still busy discussing the planning of the space with him.

“Dad, we need to get grain, vegetable seeds, and young livestock ready. They’ll need time to grow. Even though the handkerchief says they’ll mature faster, we don’t know exactly how fast.

By the time they’re ready, I’ll probably already be in the northeast. I’ll send you a telegram, and you can arrange for a truck to pick up the goods. Also, we need to store some ready-made food like steamed buns, dumplings… oh, and braised pork.

Otherwise, when I’m too tired to cook, won’t that mean I can’t even eat? That won’t do. Absolutely not. People are iron, food is steel—miss a meal, and your heart goes weak.”

Watching Lin Jiayi eat while speaking so animatedly, Lin Dong felt great joy.

“Alright, alright, Dad will prepare everything for you. Don’t worry, you don’t need to concern yourself with these things. Seeds and livestock are already being arranged, though it’s difficult, so I asked people to check the black market for me.

As for food, can your space store it? Won’t it spoil?”

Lin Jiayi proudly patted her chest. “Of course it can!” She pulled out the porridge she had placed inside that morning and handed it to Lin Dong.

Lin Dong was amazed—the porridge was still hot. This space truly was magical.

The two of them were happily planning their future life when the banging of fists on the door and loud shouting interrupted them.

“Lin Dong, are you back? You didn’t even bother to fetch your mother? Running around with that jinx of a girl every day. I heard you even bought her a lot of things? Stupid son! Hurry up and hand them over. Wasting them on that wretched brat…”

Lin Jiayi sneered inwardly. The old woman hadn’t even entered yet, and her insults were already flying nonstop. She was truly hateful.

Hearing the noise outside drag on, Lin Dong stood up to open the door. Sooner or later he’d have to face it—better now than have them cause trouble at the new house.

Lin Jiayi sat on a stool, arms crossed, a mocking half-smile on her face as she stared toward the door.

Soon, a plump old woman with graying hair and a face full of wrinkles walked in. Lin Jiayi thought to herself, This old lady must eat well—no wonder she’s so fat and round.

The moment Zhang Yun walked in and saw the “wretched girl” sitting there without standing up to greet her, her temper flared instantly.

“Hmph! Ill-mannered jinx! I didn’t believe Qingqing when she said you were insolent, but now I see that when I’m not home, you think you can run wild? Just wait—I’ll beat you to death.”

But before her raised hand could come down, Lin Dong caught it and pressed it down.

“Old Madam, the reason I came back this time was specifically to see you. From now on, I’ll discipline my own daughter. You and your… family can go back now. Also, if I ever hear anyone insult my Jiayi like this again, don’t blame me for being rude.”

Zhang Yun, long used to being domineering, naturally didn’t take Lin Dong’s words seriously. Lin Dong was a soldier, after all, and the thing soldiers feared most was being accused of unfilial conduct. For years she had behaved however she liked, and Lin Dong had never dared say a word.

“Pah! Rude? What can you do to the mother who gave you life and raised you? Ungrateful wolf! You’re not fit to be a soldier. Better hurry back and farm the land where you belong!”

Lin Jiayi was so furious she burst out laughing.

“Heh, Old Lady, let me remind you: people have brains to use, not just to carry around for show. If my dad really came back to farm, where would you get the money to feed yourself into this fat, pig-headed state?

And as for that pig-like eldest grandson of yours—do you think his father can actually afford him? Every day he eats, he wears, he goes to school—acting so high and mighty for a village boy. And why is that possible? Only because of my dad.

And yet you dare to talk to him like this? Have you no shame? Oh no, correction—you do have a face, but it’s as thick as a pancake, so thick even a knife couldn’t cut it!”

Her words nearly made the old woman faint. Yao Qingqing and Yang Xuehua quickly rushed to support her, scolding and accusing Jiayi harshly. The whole scene felt oddly familiar.

Afraid his daughter might be bullied, Lin Dong immediately stepped in front of her.

“Old Madam, I’ve already retired from the army. I’m no longer a soldier—are you satisfied now? And for the sake of my daughter’s safety and future, I’ve decided to sever ties with you.”

As he spoke, he pulled two documents from his pocket. Jiayi peeked from behind and saw them. One was a Statement of Severed Relations, and the other seemed to be a Public Security Bureau judgment result, though she didn’t see clearly.

Lin Dong laid the documents before Zhang Yun.

“You have only two choices. Either we sever ties—you sign this statement, and tomorrow I’ll publish it in the newspaper.

Or, if I remain your son, then your second son will spend the rest of his life in the labor camp.”

Zhang Yun, who had once been a companion reader for a landlord’s daughter, could read. After going through both documents, her vision spun. If not for the women supporting her, she might have collapsed then and there. This time, it was clear she wasn’t faking.

After weighing the situation carefully, Zhang Yun signed the severance statement. Calming down somewhat, she spoke with more restraint.

“Lin Dong, I gave birth to you and raised you. Even if you sever ties, you can’t erase that fact. Don’t think you can escape. As for your younger brother, he’s always been filial to me. I must help him. And as his elder brother, you should too.”

With the signed document in hand, Lin Dong no longer held back.

“When you die, I’ll pay for your funeral. Beyond that, you have no right to come to me or my daughter again. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other.

As for Lin Qiang, I’ll be working at the Public Security Bureau from now on, keeping a close eye on him. If he behaves properly in the village, we’ll leave each other in peace. But if not, I have plenty of ways to send him to the labor camp.

That’s all I have to say. From now on, your family should never come again. Leave now—I won’t see you out.”

Neither Yang Xueqin nor Yao Qingqing had expected such a result. They had thought today would be an easy win. The old woman had always been unstoppable, but somehow Lin Dong had suddenly changed into a completely different man.

Zhang Yun was seething inside, but with her second son still at home and her grandson’s future at stake, she dared not continue making trouble. The three of them had no choice but to slink away in defeat.

Lin Jiayi sighed. With Lin Dong around, she truly had no chance to show her skills. She felt almost useless.

“Old Lin, you’re hindering my progress. I didn’t even get a chance to make a move, and you already settled everything. How am I supposed to live this down?”

Seeing her genuine sadness, Lin Dong scratched his head, puzzled, and tried to comfort her. “Then… should I try to hold back a little next time?”

“That’s more like it! Crushing scum and tormenting the shameless—that’s my specialty. You’ve got to trust your daughter’s ability.” Lin Jiayi waved her soft, delicate little fists, which looked anything but intimidating.