Chapter 61

**Chapter 61**

Jiang Lingxin had been married to Gao Zean for years without bearing a child. Whenever Old Lady Lu had a bone to pick with Lingxin, she’d put on a show of wailing, claiming that Lingxin was barren and dooming Zean to die without an heir, insisting they separate if he refused.

She’d hurl every cruel insult imaginable.

Neighbors and acquaintances whispered behind her back constantly about Lingxin’s inability to conceive.

Fortunately, Lingxin had a strong will, and Zean always stood firmly by her side. Over the years, despite the malicious gossip, she endured with resilience.

She armored her heart like a fortress.

Yet even so, she was still wounded.

Because they truly had no child.

Childlessness gnawed at Lingxin’s heart.

Though there were plenty of wicked mothers-in-law, none were quite like Old Lady Lu—a mother who wished her own son to remain alone and childless for life.

“You’re spouting nonsense! Who else is to blame if your sister can’t bear a child?”

It was Lingxin’s own body that failed her.

Of course, Old Lady Lu was delighted that Lingxin and Zean couldn’t conceive.

Jiang Yiwei knew that whenever Old Lady Lu argued with Lingxin and couldn’t win, she would resort to this tactic. Every time, Lingxin’s face would darken.

And the old hag ate it up.

“I dare you to swear—swear that you truly wish for my sister to bear Zean’s child?”

Did she really want Lingxin to have Zean’s baby?

“Of course! As a mother, I naturally hope Zean has children. Who knew he’d marry a barren hen, just dead weight taking up space without laying eggs?”

Old Lady Lu sneered at Lingxin.

“Oh really? Then how come I heard you telling Chunlan and the others that it’s best if Lingxin never has a child? Could I have misheard?”

A woman sitting by the door of the neighboring house gave Old Lady Lu the stink eye.

“Everyone knows damn well you’ve got your fingers crossed for Lingxin to stay barren.”

“My sister, don’t listen to her,” another voice chimed in. “I caught her telling Auntie Chicken-Beak from the front yard that it’s best if Lingxin never bears a child.”

In such close quarters, nothing got past these walls.

Who didn’t see through Old Lady Lu and Gao Hongan’s little game?

They had dollar signs in their eyes over Zean’s paycheck and wanted his entire income to end up in Hongan and Daan’s pockets. If Zean and Lingxin remained childless, it played right into their hands.

If Zean and Lingxin had no children, they’d be forced to spoil their nephews rotten, ensuring that every last cent Zean earned would go to their brothers’ kids.

Besides, Hongan’s wife, Xu Qian, couldn’t keep her mouth shut. She couldn’t help running her mouth in front of others, and the news got around.

So yeah, the whole block knew.

"Old lady Lu, everyone knows what you and your two sons are thinking," Jiang Yiwei mocked.

If she could see through their intentions, how could the neighbors not?

It was bad enough they had such thoughts—worse still that they were so obvious about them.

"Hmph! Your sister can't have kids, so Hong’an and Da’an’s sons will be Ze’an’s future caretakers."

So what if people know? Old Lady Lu wasn’t afraid of anyone finding out.

Gao Ze’an and his wife couldn’t have children, so naturally, Hong’an and Da’an’s sons would be the ones to support him later. Ze’an had no choice but to be good to them—otherwise, who else would take care of him when he got older? His nephews, of course.

"We don’t need Hong’an and Da’an’s kids to support us."

Suddenly, Gao Ze’an’s voice came from behind. Everyone turned and saw him with Jiang Lingxin.

When Jiang Yiwei saw Lingxin, she rushed over and hugged her arm. "Big sis!"

"Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?"

If we’d known you were coming, Lingxin and I wouldn’t have gone out—we’d have stayed home and cooked for you.

"I had a last-minute thing to talk to you about, so I came straight after work."

Jiang Yiwei had just remembered something important she needed to discuss with Lingxin, which was why she showed up unannounced.

"Let’s handle my mother-in-law first, then we’ll talk in detail."

Lingxin pulled Yiwei behind her while Ze’an stepped forward to face Old Lady Lu.

He said seriously, "Mom, Lingxin and I don’t plan on relying on Zhengsheng and Chensheng."

Ze’an knew his nephews well—he understood their real character, and he knew exactly what Old Lady Lu and the others were plotting.

Old Lady Lu glared at him. "If you don’t rely on them, who else do you have? Who’ll look after you out of kindness in your old age?"

If they didn’t depend on her darling grandsons, who else could they turn to? She wouldn’t allow it anyway—they’d have to rely on her grandsons in the end.

"Mom, whether or not we have kids in the future, we won’t need them to take care of us. Don’t worry about it."

Gao Ze’an and Jiang Lingxin didn’t need their help, and they certainly weren’t counting on it.

"If you’re not going to rely on Zhengsheng and Chensheng, are you planning to depend on Lingxin’s nephews instead? Over my dead body!"

The idea of being supported by that barren woman’s nephews made Old Lady Lu furious.

Letting Lingxin’s family take care of them meant giving away the Gao family’s money to the Jiangs—she’d never allow it.

"If Zhengsheng and Chensheng can support us, why not Lingxin’s nephews and nieces? They're family too."

If his mother could insist on having his own nephews support them, why couldn’t Lingxin’s family do the same? After all, they were just as much his family.

"It’s not the same! Your nephews are your flesh and blood. What connection do Lingxin’s nephews have with you? None! Strangers won’t ever truly care for you."

Without blood ties, they were strangers. How could he expect strangers to treat him well?

Only his brothers’ sons could be trusted.

"So," Jiang Yiwei cut in, "*outsider*, is it?" Old Lady Lu's words only proved what she really thought of her own sister-in-law.

Jiang Yiwei found Old Lady Lu’s words hard to swallow.

What she was really saying was that even though Jiang Lingxin married into their family, everyone else in the house was unrelated by blood—leaving her the odd one out.

Jiang Lingxin wanted her own blood-related nephews to take care of them when they’re old, but that was out of the question since they had no ties to Gao Zean.

"My sister married my brother-in-law. They’re husband and wife, and it’s their call who takes care of them."

Jiang Lingxin married Gao Zean, not the Gao family.

They should be free to choose who supports them—it’s not up to Old Lady Lu to forbid it.

"Over my dead body!" Old Lady Lu shot back.

"Let’s get one thing straight," she snapped. "Your sister married into our family. Since she’s part of our household now, she plays by our rules."

Jiang Lingxin married into their family, so she had to abide by their rules.

"Rules? Aunt Lu, do you think this is the old society, where a woman must obey her husband and then her sons after he dies?"

As if this were still the old days, where women had to submit like that.

Those outdated customs, especially those imposed on women, made Jiang Yiwei’s skin crawl.

"I won’t hear of it," Old Lady Lu declared. "You can’t let her nephews take care of you. You’re a son of the Gao family—you can only rely on Zhengsheng and Chensheng. And I forbid you from giving so much as a dime of our family’s money to them!"

There was no way she would let Jiang Lingxin take even a fraction of the Gao family’s wealth.

Gao Zean massaged his forehead, his eyes filled with disappointment.

"Mom, I’m not even dead yet, and you’re already counting my money."

All her arguments boiled down to one thing—she was salivating over his paycheck.

He was still young and capable, yet she was scheming over his earnings. How could he possibly rely on them for support later?

"I’m doing this for your own good. If you’re going to depend on your nephews, of course your money should go to them."

If he was going to rely on them, naturally his wealth had to go to Gao Zhengsheng and the others—who else would it go to?

"All this talk just means you’re after Zean’s paycheck."

"No wonder you won’t let Lingxin’s nephews help—you insist on Zhengsheng and Chensheng because you don’t want Lingxin’s family to benefit at all."

"Who in their right mind gives their family’s money to the wife’s relatives?"

"Zhengsheng and Chensheng are already eight or nine years old, with bratty antics like that. You’d be giving them too much credit if you think they’ll ever take care of Zean."

"Relying on those two? Forget it. I’d even worry they might lay a finger on Zean and his wife."

Gao Zhengsheng and Gao Chensheng were Old Lady Lu’s precious grandsons, coddled beyond repair since birth. Their bratty ways might have been straightened out a year or two earlier, but now at eight and nine, they are who they are—good luck changing them now.

Most people had zero faith that Gao Zhengsheng and Gao Chensheng would lift a finger to take care of Gao Zean in his old age.

Listening to the neighbors’ murmurs, Gao Zean dropped a bombshell.

"Mom, Lingxin and I have decided—we’re going to adopt a child. That way, we won’t need to rely on Zhengsheng and the others for our old age."

His words hit like a bomb, leaving everyone stunned. Once they processed it, you could hear everyone exhale at once.

Jiang Yiwei quickly glanced at Jiang Lingxin, who remained perfectly calm.

To adopt a child.

However, some people felt that given Jiang Lingxin and Gao Zean's current situation, adoption would be perfect for them.

"We don't want outsiders in our family."

Old lady Lu hated Jiang Lingxin’s guts.

She was sure Jiang Lingxin had put him up to this—otherwise why would Gao Zean want to adopt a child?

But Gao Zean brushed her off. "Mom, this is a decision Lingxin and I have made. Your approval doesn’t matter."

Whether or not to adopt a child was between him and Lingxin—it had nothing to do with his mother.

Then he turned to the onlookers and said loudly, "Everyone, go home!"

Seeing there was no more drama and out of deference to Zean, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Then Jiang Lingxin pulled Jiang Yiwei past Old Lady Lu and Wang Chunlan, making for the side room, while Gao Zean followed them inside.

Old Lady Lu made to follow them into the room to try to talk Gao Zean out of adopting a child.

But Gao Zean blocked the doorway and said coldly, "Mom, whatever you and Hong An are plotting, cut it out. We’ve decided to adopt. I’ve already chosen one, and next month we’ll bring the kid home to live with us."

Old Lady Lu’s jaw dropped.

What?! They’d already picked someone?

Without another glance at her, Gao Zean shut the door.

Inside the room.

Gao Zean and Jiang Lingxin were already prepared to bring their adopted child home next month.

The sudden news left Jiang Yiwei gobsmacked, unable to believe her jiejie and jiefu were really going to raise a child.

Gao Zean and Jiang Lingxin exchanged a glance.

They knew Jiang Yiwei was still trying to wrap her head around it.

After a long pause, Jiang Yiwei cautiously asked, "Jiejie, jiefu, you’re really going through with this? You’re sure you’re bringing the adoptive child home next month?"

"Yes," Jiang Lingxin replied, her whole face softening. "We’ll bring the kid home next month, and once he settles in a bit, we’ll introduce him to his auntie."

"What's the rush?"

Actually, Jiang Yiwei knew they wanted to adopt—she just hadn’t expected it so soon.

"At first, I didn’t want to rush. I thought I could still have my own baby. But seeing Xiao Hua was so adorable, I just couldn’t say no anymore."

She'd always figured she'd have her own child eventually, but after all these years of trying without success, maybe this was meant to be.

Besides, Jiang Lingxin truly loved children.

She also remembered how Zhang Cuifen and Gao Zean had been there for her,

always talking her through things and helping her make peace with it.

So, Jiang Lingxin made this decision.

"Big Sis, Brother-in-law, you really want to adopt a child? No matter what their personality is like, he's a real person—can you truly love him as your own?"

Yiwei didn't object to them adopting. But the child was a living person; if they adopted, they had to treat him well and truly love him as their own.

"Yiwei, since your sister and I have decided to adopt, we'll love that child as our own."

From the moment they decided, Gao Ze'an and Jiang Lingxin would love the child as their own.

"Don't worry, Yiwei—we'll treat him right," Jiang Lingxin added. "We'll love that child as our own."

Jiang Lingxin would love the child as her own.

She and Gao Ze'an would never do something so heartless.

"Since it's your decision, Big Sis and Brother-in-law, I support it." Since it was Jiang Lingxin and Gao Ze'an's choice, Yiwei backed their decision.

Jiang Lingxin and Gao Ze'an shared a look and smiled.

"By the way, Yiwei, why didn't you go home after work today and came here instead? Did you argue with Mom yesterday?"

Yiwei hardly ever visited right after work; today was the first time she'd come straight to her place after finishing her shift.

So Jiang Lingxin figured Yiwei must've argued with Zhang Cuifen and not want to go home, so she came to her place instead.

"What do you take me for—Yuexin?" Yiwei asked.

Yue Xin might pull something like that.

As for her, she'd never do such a thing.

"You're right—it does sound like something Yuexin would pull." Yeah, that's not Yiwei's style at all.

It sounds more like something Yue Xin would do.

"Big Sis, I came today mainly to ask—if you want it, the job's yours."

Yiwei knew Jiang Lingxin could use a sewing machine, so she could take over her position and work as a seamstress in the garment factory.

"I completely forgot you're starting college." Jiang Lingxin had indeed forgotten that Yiwei was going to university, which meant her position could be taken over.

Yiwei gave a nod. "Big Sis, I'm offering—if you want it, the job's yours."

"Wait—you're offering me your job?"

She wanted her to take over Yiwei's job?

After a pause, Jiang Lingxin shook her head. "I can't do that, Yiwei."

"Why?"

Yiwei was confused. Why couldn't she take the job? What's the problem?

"Sister, is it because it's just temp work?"

Yiwei's job was temporary—if Jiang Lingxin took the job, she'd also be a temporary worker. Was the temp status putting her off?

"Of course not."

Jiang Lingxin would never mind a temporary job.

"Yi Wei, your sister isn’t turning it down because it’s temporary."

Gao Zean understood Jiang Lingxin well—he knew she definitely wasn’t rejecting it for that reason.

"Exactly, even your brother-in-law gets me better than you do." After all these years as sisters, her own husband still understood her better.

Jiang Yiwei pouted, "You two just keep rubbing your love in my face!"

They were quietly showing off their affection right in front of her.

"Stop talking nonsense." Her cheeks turned slightly pink.

This girl, always saying the most embarrassing things.

Seeing Jiang Lingxin’s shy expression, Jiang Yiwei dropped it.

But she still wanted to know why Jiang Lingxin wouldn’t fill in for her.

Reading Jiang Yiwei’s thoughts, Jiang Lingxin explained.

"Your little nephew is coming to our house next month. Since he’s new here and doesn’t know anyone, I’ll have to look after him."

With the child arriving next month, Jiang Lingxin would be too busy to stay anywhere for long.

She couldn’t just not work, so she couldn’t take over Jiang Yiwei’s job.

"Besides, your brother-in-law makes enough that I can stay home comfortably. Of course, I won’t go."

The most important reason, though, was that she didn’t want to. Gao Zean gave her his whole paycheck every month—it was plenty. Otherwise, why would Old Lady Lu and the others go to such lengths to stop Gao Zean from getting married? Why would they stir up trouble between them as a couple? Why did they make such a big fuss when they heard about the adoption?

It’s all about the money.

Plus, with Gao Zean earning so much, it didn’t matter if she worked or not.

"You’re not wrong."

Jiang Lingxin was right.

Who’d want to work hard outside if they had money?

Poor me.

Jiang Yiwei wiped away a tear.

"Yi Wei, why not just sell your job? For a temp job, you could probably get a couple hundred yuan for it."

Jiang Lingxin suggested Jiang Yiwei sell her position.

She could make a few hundred yuan.

"I’ve been thinking the same thing. At first, I figured I’d just give it to you if you wanted it. If not, I’d sell it the way Shao An did."

Originally, that’s what Jiang Yiwei had planned—if Jiang Lingxin wanted it, she’d gift it; if not, she’d sell it like Shao An.

A temp job obviously won’t go for as much as a permanent one.

It wouldn’t sell for as much as a permanent position.

“Want us to ask around for you?”

Gao Zean knew a lot of people and could help Jiang Yiwei find someone interested—surely there’d be someone willing to buy it.

“Alright, brother-in-law, please help me ask around then.”

Jiang Yiwei trusted Gao Zean’s referrals.

Gao Zean hesitated briefly and glanced at his wife. “Yiwei, have you talked to Mom and Dad about selling your job?”

Jiang Yiwei and Jiang Lingxin both froze for a moment before looking at each other.

Jiang Lingxin could tell from her face that Jiang Yiwei hadn’t said anything to their parents.

“You haven’t talked to Mom and Dad about it?”

“I got this job on my own. Can’t I decide what to do with it?”

Now that it was mentioned, Jiang Yiwei realized she hadn’t even considered telling Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen about giving the job to Jiang Lingxin or selling it.

She figured since she’d landed the job herself, she had the right to make the decision.

“I know you’re still mad at Mom and Dad. I am too.”

“But something as big as your job should still be discussed with them.”

This girl was just like her—holding a grudge, even if she didn’t say or show it.

Jiang Yiwei scowled. “I don’t. I just don’t see why I need to talk to them about it.”

She didn’t resent them—it was her job, and she wanted to handle it how she saw fit.

“You say no, but your actions say yes.”

Still saying she wasn’t mad at them, yet refusing to talk to them? That wasn’t the behavior of someone without resentment.

She just didn’t want them playing favorites again.

“I’ll come home with you later. I’ll talk to Mom and Dad myself and see what they think.”

Jiang Yiwei massaged her forehead. Better to talk to Mom and Dad first, so she wouldn’t get blamed later.

“She really ought to ask her parents.” It made sense to consult them—it was just that this girl couldn’t stand the thought of letting Yue Xin get the job.

“I’ll stay over tonight.”

Jiang Lingxin wasn’t comfortable letting her go alone, so she decided to go back with her that evening. If things got tense, she could step in.

Jiang Yiwei stopped, resting her chin in her palm.

“Sis, I’m a grown woman. You don’t have to babysit me.”

She knew exactly what Jiang Lingxin was up to.

Isn't it that she's afraid of getting into arguments with Zhang Cuifen?

"Who said I'm worried about you? I just miss home—I want to move back. Once I have kids, I won’t be able to drop by all the time."

For now, Jiang Lingxin can still come and go as she likes, but once she has children, it’ll be hard for her to go back so freely.

"Sis, you can bring your little nephew back. It’s not like there’s no room for you at home."

If there weren’t room, Jiang Yiwei wouldn’t bring it up—but there is, so Jiang Lingxin’s always welcome.

And that old lady Lu? She’s the kind who’ll jump at any chance to throw shade or chew you out—just to feel better about herself.

If Jiang Yiwei had a mother-in-law like that, she’d have moved out long ago. She’d never live with them—heck, she wouldn’t even want to be neighbors.