Chapter 80

Chapter 80

By the time they finished eating, it was already around two or three in the afternoon. The villagers didn’t leave but gathered together to chat.

Zhu Ying and the others hadn't eaten either, busy greeting people. The children were the happiest; before they even finished eating, they ran off wildly. Especially Liu Liu, who had been dressed neatly in a gray cotton jacket in the morning, soon had patches of black and white on her clothes. Her cuffs and pant legs were all wet, and she had taken off her hat, leaving her hair messy.

Fu Yanyan chased after her twice but couldn't catch her, so she let her go. Fan Fan was also there; the two children hadn't seen each other for a long time and now stuck together wherever they went.

Fang Min said to Jin Xiuzhu, "My mother wrote to me this year, asking me to bring Fan Fan back for the New Year. I told her we wouldn't be going back and would celebrate at my in-laws' instead. I didn't elaborate much. Fan Fan even asked me once who they were—he doesn't know he has grandparents."

Jin Xiuzhu nodded, "Living too far apart, there's not much interaction, so it's inevitable that they become distant."

Fang Min continued, "We don't mention them at home either. They stopped writing as often later on, so it’s normal that Fan Fan doesn't know. But this year, they not only wrote to me but also sent us two hundred yuan, saying it was a red envelope for the child."

Jin Xiuzhu raised an eyebrow, "What's going on?"

It didn't seem like something her parents would do.

Fang Min explained, "They probably feared I wouldn't respond, so they wrote another letter, saying my sister is now close to her biological mother's family and only comes home when she needs money."

Jin Xiuzhu chuckled softly and took a sip from her teacup.

So they had raised a white-eyed wolf—it was quite amusing.

Fang Min continued, "Her biological mother, my former foster mother's sister, claimed it was a mistake when they switched babies, but no one knows for sure. Anyway, they gave me to her sister, who initially had no children. After adopting me, she had two sons. People in the countryside say those children were brought by me, so they didn't dare abandon me but resented having to feed me, making me work every day. When my grandparents found me, I was skin and bones."

Jin Xiuzhu knew this. Fang Min was very frail, with poor health, clearly having suffered a lot as a child.

"They said in their letter that they regretted not treating me well and hope to make amends. They offered to leave the old house to me, but I need nothing now. They probably fear no one will take care of them when they're old and sick. They also mentioned that my sister treats them poorly; my father was hospitalized, and she only visited once, demanding money and leaving when she didn't get any. Their grandchildren aren't close to them either."

Fang Min suddenly laughed, "Isn't it ridiculous? I've come to terms with it. I owe them nothing. We never lived together, so I won't force it. If they get sick or anything else happens, I'll send some money, but that's all."

In her heart, her only family were her grandparents; those two nominal parents weren't.

Even if they were struggling, she wouldn't kick them while they were down. Whatever their fate, it was their own choice, as they had abandoned her.

Jin Xiuzhu sighed, "Your sister's family is problematic. Your parents' current situation isn't unexpected. We should just live our lives well."

Fang Min hummed in agreement.

After chatting for a while, Fang Min went back to her room to rest, holding her stomach.

Seeing Bai Jingzhi and the others still busy, Jin Xiuzhu continued sitting and eating. Fu Yanyan sat beside her, "Aunt Fang's parents know everything. They were clear about not being close to Aunt Fang because they knew she was mature. Now that their adopted daughter is unreliable, they want to reconnect with Aunt Fang, using the house as leverage."

The couple wasn't confused at all.

Jin Xiuzhu remarked, "Most parents love their children, but there are exceptions."

Fu Yanyan added, "Like mother, like daughter; like father, like son."

Jin Xiuzhu laughed, knowing her daughter was cursing Fang Min's sister's family. She playfully tapped Fu Yanyan's head, "You, you little imp."

Fu Yanyan touched her head, her lips curving slightly, enjoying Jin Xiuzhu's affectionate treatment, feeling pampered.

The feast lasted until past three in the afternoon. Afterward, the villagers helped clean up. Bai Jingzhi and Zhu Ying escorted Jin Xiuzhu to the village entrance. Ji Ling and his comrades rode their bikes to send them back to the county town.

With the feast over, Jin Xiuzhu and her family were leaving the next day. Bai Jingzhi couldn't bear to see them go, tightly holding Jin Xiuzhu's hand, her eyes red, "Sister-in-law—"

Jin Xiuzhu patted her hand, "Today is a good day; don't cry. It's not like we won't see each other again. We'll meet again by the end of the year, maybe even with a little one."

Bai Jingzhi smiled, "That fast?"

Jin Xiuzhu looked at her meaningfully, "Who knows?"

Bai Jingzhi blushed, thinking of Ji Ling.

Ji Ling and his comrades sent Jin Xiuzhu's family back to the guesthouse in the county town. After staying overnight, the family of five went to the bus station early the next morning.

They left early, but unexpectedly, Ji Ling rode his bike with Bai Jingzhi to see them off.

Sitting by the bus window, the three children waved vigorously at the two outside. He Yan sternly said, "Little Uncle, treat my aunt well, or I won't let you off. I'm entering military school next year too."

Ji Ling laughed, "Wait until you're in military school to say that."

He Yan huffed and waved his fist threateningly.

As the bus drove away out of sight, Ji Ling smiled at Bai Jingzhi, "Your family is not easy to deal with."

Bai Jingzhi's eyes curved, "Of course, they adore me."

She used to hesitate saying such things, but now she could say it naturally, knowing her whole family truly doted on her.

Ji Ling pinched her cheek, "Because you deserve the best."

Bai Jingzhi smiled even wider.

Jin Xiuzhu and her family traveled to the city and then took a train back to G Province. After a two-day train ride, they arrived home around nine in the evening.

Liu Liu had fallen asleep in Jiang Mingchuan's arms. Jin Xiuzhu was also tired but still went to the kitchen with He Yan to heat water for baths.

By the time everyone had bathed, it was already ten o'clock. The next morning, Jiang Mingchuan got up early to go to the military base. Jin Xiuzhu woke up late, and by the time she rose, He Yan had already gone to school for self-study, leaving only the two daughters munching on buns in the living room.

Seeing Jin Xiuzhu, Fu Yanyan explained, "Brother bought these this morning; they're still warm."

Jin Xiuzhu hummed in acknowledgment, first going to the kitchen to wash up, then taking a bun to eat.

Fu Yanyan added, "We heard arguing from Aunt Li's house next door. Should we check it out?"

Jin Xiuzhu frowned, "Who are they arguing with?"

"I don't know. The other voice sounded like a woman too, and she was cursing quite nastily."

After Jin Xiuzhu finished eating two buns, she clapped her hands. "You two focus on your homework. I'll go next door to check on things."

Fu Yanyan wanted to go as well, but seeing her younger sister's curious gaze, she nodded in agreement instead. She couldn't corrupt the child.

Jin Xiuzhu took some local specialties with her and went out. The door next door was closed, so she knocked twice. Seeing no one answer, she called out, "Li Yun, it's me."

Soon after her words faded, footsteps approached from within, and then the door opened. Li Yun, with red and swollen eyes, forced a smile. "Master, when did you return?"

"Last night around nine or ten o'clock."

Li Yun nodded. "Come in and sit for a while. I've been struggling with my internal medicine studies lately and have a few questions for you."

"Sure."

Jin Xiuzhu entered carrying the items. The layout of both homes was similar, so she walked straight into the living room. She casually glanced around and noticed some broken shards in the corner, possibly from a cup.

Without asking more, she placed the items on the table. "These are specialties from my sister-in-law's hometown. Try them; they're quite good. This sausage is delicious whether steamed or stir-fried, and the rice cakes can be cooked with glutinous rice balls."

Li Yun poured her a cup of tea, smiling. "Thank you, Master."

"What's there to thank me for?"

Jin Xiuzhu took the cup and directly asked, "I heard some commotion here earlier and was worried. Did something happen?"

Li Yun didn't hide it from her, saying with a bitter smile, "What else could it be? His friend's sister came over, claiming she's pregnant and demanding that I divorce him."

Jin Xiuzhu looked at her. "Didn't your husband say they were innocent?"

Li Yun looked numb. "Who knows?"

Jin Xiuzhu said irritably, "Didn't I tell you before to have your husband send her away? Why is she still here?"

Li Yun pursed her lips. "He promised he would send her away, and I thought he had."

Jin Xiuzhu hummed. "What are you planning to do now?"

Li Yun touched her belly. "I originally planned to wait until the baby is born and then file for divorce. I won't leave anything for him."

"This is all because of your husband's actions. Since that woman came to claim she's pregnant, it gives you leverage. Don't be soft-hearted. Use this leverage to make him give you everything he's earned over the years. Otherwise, threaten to report him to the military and leave him penniless."

Li Yun wiped away her tears and nodded firmly. "Master, I understand. I won't be soft-hearted anymore."

Her chaotic heart gradually calmed upon hearing these words. Having someone stand by her side and offer advice made her feel less afraid.

Jin Xiuzhu had always looked down on men like her husband. Although she knew there were good and bad people everywhere, she still found it disgusting.

Li Yun suddenly said, "Master, I want to go to the military base this afternoon. They've gone too far."

Jin Xiuzhu looked at her belly. "If you want to go, I'll accompany you."

Li Yun gave her a grateful glance and then said firmly, "I want to divorce him."