Chapter 370: Punishment – The Daily Life of the Sickly Aunt in the Courtyard

**Chapter 370: Punishment – The Fragile Aunt’s Drama-Filled Days in the Compound**

"Qing Qing, don’t listen to their nonsense! When Xiao Nan married you, our family already knew about your health condition.

The matter of having children is entirely up to you and your husband. If you don’t want kids, that’s fine too—it’s all your decision." After kicking out the nosy busybodies, Cen’s mother spoke earnestly to Lin Qing, sharing heartfelt words.

Lin Qing was genuinely moved. She’d always had this nagging worry—although Cen Xi had previously assured her that his parents wouldn’t pressure them about children, she doubted any parents would actually be fine with their child not having descendants.

But now, Cen’s mother had straight-up said it, and Lin Qing was deeply touched.

"Thank you, Mom!"

"What’s there to thank? Can’t have it all! With such a beautiful daughter-in-law like you, we naturally have to let go of certain things—otherwise, wouldn’t everyone be green with envy?" Cen’s mother joked lightheartedly.

"Hahaha!" Lin Qing cracked up at her words.

"Ignore the busybodies. Whatever gossip flies around doesn’t represent our stance. As long as you know that your dad and I will absolutely never pressure you to have children—you don’t even have to have them at all." She knew Lin Qing’s health might not be suitable for pregnancy, and if there’s any danger, they’d rather avoid it.

Just as Lin Qing was about to speak, Cen’s mother jumped back in. "Qing Qing, we all know your health isn’t the best. Don’t push yourself to get pregnant—what if something happens to you?"

Lin Qing’s heart swelled with each word. "Mm, I understand! Thank you, Mom! But my health has improved a lot. I was on meds before returning, but once I finish the course, I’ll be almost fully recovered. You don’t need to worry so much."

"Good, good!" Cen’s mother was genuinely happy—not because Lin Qing might be able to have children in the future, but because she was sincerely relieved that her health was improving.

...

That evening, Lin Qing and Cen’s mother each filled in Cen’s dad and Cen Xi about the day’s events.

"Do you... really want a child too?" Though Lin Qing trusted Cen Xi, she still asked hesitantly.

"Ah, what are you talking about? Didn’t we already agree? We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now, the most important thing is getting you back to full health. I’ve brought the medicine—we’ll take it twice a day and help you recover as soon as possible."

Lin Qing’s face burned scarlet. "You really don’t care either way?"

Cen Xi let out a tired sigh. "The whole baby talk has to wait until you’re well again. Then, whether or not we have one will be up to you, okay?"

Her heart melted, and she nodded at him.

"Alright, let’s not dwell on those stressful thoughts for now. We’re in no hurry about kids—we’re still young! Whether or not to have them is something to consider much later. Don’t overthink it."

"Mm." Lin Qing gradually relaxed.

"Though having a child isn’t urgent, we can still practice for the real thing a few more times," Cen Xi teased in a low voice near her ear.

Lin Qing went beet red. "You’re impossible!"

"Don’t you like it?"

"Hmph!"

...

Perhaps it was because of their deep heart-to-heart, but the two of them felt closer than ever.

The next day, Cen’s mother, worried that the couple might have been affected by the previous day’s incident, watched them like a hawk.

When she noticed the even sweeter atmosphere between them, she realized the matter hadn’t caused any rift—and finally relaxed.

However, she wasn’t about to let the Sun mother and daughter off so easily. Without some form of punishment, they’d never know their place.

Last night, Mrs. Cen whispered to Mr. Cen.

"That Sun woman is getting more and more out of line! Today she brought her daughter over and had the nerve to stick her nose into our family business. The nerve of her!"

"What happened?" Mr. Cen frowned as he asked.

Mrs. Cen didn’t embellish—she simply told him what happened.

Mr. Cen was instantly annoyed when he heard it. "That’s completely inappropriate. Our family matters are none of her concern. I’ll pull Advisor Sun aside for a word tomorrow."

"Exactly. If she’s not put in her place soon, she’ll probably offend everyone in the housing complex." And indeed, Mrs. Cen's words proved prophetic.

Advisor Sun’s wife had always enjoyed throwing her husband’s rank around, sticking her nose into other people’s affairs. Sometimes, domestic disputes could have been quietly resolved, but her interference just made things worse, stirring up trouble in multiple families and causing tensions to flare.

People in the housing complex had been fed up with her for a while.

True to his word, Mr. Cen wasted no time the next day after arriving at the military base—he immediately pulled Advisor Sun aside for a word.

When Advisor Sun stepped out of the Brigade Commander’s office, his face was stormy. He couldn’t figure out why the commander had summoned him so suddenly.

Turns out his wife had stirred up more trouble—how infuriating!

What gave her the right to meddle in the Brigade Commander’s family affairs?

After work, Advisor Sun chewed his wife out and even dragged Mrs. Sun over to apologize.

Mrs. Sun dug in her heels, refusing to admit any wrongdoing.

"What exactly are you trying to do? Ruin me?"

"What did I even do? Why are you treating me like this?" Mrs. Sun looked completely clueless.

"You don’t know what you did? What were you doing at the Brigade Commander’s house yesterday?"

"I didn’t do anything!" Her eyes shifted guiltily.

"Still denying it? If you did nothing, why would the Brigade Commander personally warn me?"

Mrs. Sun panicked. "Since when is this something to report? Isn't this just women's business?"

"You still don’t get it?"

"It’s the truth! The Brigade Commander’s second son married that woman two years ago, and she still hasn’t gotten pregnant—she’s basically a useless broodmare! I was just giving them some well-meaning advice, but they wouldn’t listen! I even volunteered Yuanyuan as a replacement after their divorce—who needs to hear that anyway?"

Advisor Sun saw red. What kind of nonsense was this?

The Cen family hadn’t said a word, so what was she even doing meddling? If they weren’t unhappy with their daughter-in-law, what business was it of hers?

Never before had Advisor Sun felt so strongly that his wife was completely out of her mind!

"Enough! Why do you care so much about other people’s affairs? You’re marching over there to apologize right now!"

"No! Let me go! I refuse!"

...