Chapter 97: No Regrets

Chapter 97: No Regrets

From an early age, Lin Zhaodi had harbored the idea of establishing their own household.

But back then, when she first brought it up, how did Zhao San respond?

He declared that he would never separate from the main family unless his parents passed away. He told her to disregard the provocations of her sisters-in-law, to carry on as usual, and assured her he would never let her suffer.

Zhao San had indeed kept his word. Wherever he was present, he would protect her, ensuring she wasn't bullied. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law treated her kindly, and relations among the siblings and their wives were harmonious.

But how could this honest man know that everyone in this household wore two faces? Behind his back, the parents he so dutifully served made no effort to conceal their dissatisfaction with her. The brothers he respected treated her like an outsider, and as for her sisters-in-law, they ganged up against her, always seeking to gain an advantage.

At first, Lin Zhaodi simply wanted to live a peaceful life, enduring what she could. But when she realized her patience only invited more malice, she stopped holding back. Her refusal to tolerate their behavior made her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law perceive her as disrespectful and unfilial.

After years without bearing a child, her father-in-law and mother-in-law grew increasingly displeased. No matter how diligently she served them, it couldn't compare to the pleasing flattery of her Second Sister-in-law. If that was the case, why bother trying?

She knew Zhao San loved her, but after years of marriage, she also knew he couldn't abandon his parents and brothers.

After he rejected her suggestion to split from the family that one time, she never brought it up again.

Zhao San valued familial ties deeply. Even if he cherished her, the closest bonds in this world were always with blood relatives; a wife, however, could always be replaced.

Last night, she and Zhao San had a huge fight. She had made up her mind—she no longer wished to be a Zhao family daughter-in-law. With nothing left to lose, she unleashed all the pent-up bitterness she had accumulated over the years, cursing everyone in the Zhao family, whoever came to mind.

She just needed to lose control once.

After her outburst, she begged Zhao San for a letter of repudiation—she didn't even ask for an amicable separation, just a letter of repudiation.

Zhao San refused outright, repeatedly insisting that he would make things right for her.

Lin Zhaodi didn't believe him, but to her surprise, the very next morning, Zhao San took her to kneel before his parents and announced their intention to move out and live independently.

After all the commotion, they actually managed to separate.

"...San Lang, after causing such a scene, even if we've split from the family, will you be happy?" Lin Zhaodi asked, tears welling in her eyes.

She never expected Zhao San to go to such lengths for her, but after turning against his parents and brothers, could he truly find happiness in the future?

Zhao San was silent for a long time before saying, "I don't know if I'll be happy after leaving the family, but I know that staying in this household, I won't be happy, and you'll be even less so. Zhaodi, I only just found out how much suffering you've kept bottled up all these years. I am so sorry."

Hearing this, Lin Zhaodi’s eyes grew even more sore, tears streaming down her face. She choked out, "San Lang, I thought I could endure for your sake, but I... I really don't want to endure anymore. Your parents aren't bad people—they don't want you to be without an heir, they're doing it for your good. Your brothers aren't bad people either; if they didn't trust and respect you, they wouldn't even consider adopting a child. So, wouldn't it be better if you divorced me and remarried?"

"Lin Zhaodi, what kind of foolish talk is this? In this lifetime, I only recognize you as my wife. No one else, no matter how good, will do! If we can't have children, then we won't. Anyway, Mom and Dad have Big Brother and Second Brother to carry on the family line—they don't need ours."

Zhao Laosan gripped her hand and promised, "Zhaodi, don't worry. From now on, I'll work diligently in the fields. Life might not be luxurious, but I'll never let you go hungry!"

"Before, I didn't want to split from the family because I didn't know Second Sister-in-law was like that behind my back, and I didn't know Mom and Dad had other intentions. I'd told them before—if we don't have children, then we don't. Don't pressure you. They agreed to my face, but behind my back..."

Zhao San clenched his fist.

The parents he remembered weren't like this. His brothers had treated him very well too. But after the scene this morning, he realized that his brothers’ priorities had long shifted to their own families. Compared to their own households, he, as a younger brother, mattered less.

Big Brother listened to whatever Big Sister-in-law said. Second Brother could still be reasoned with a bit, but as soon as Second Sister-in-law shed a few tears, he'd soften again.

He hadn't been completely unaware before, but he just didn't want to think about it.

He didn't blame his brothers—all the men in the Zhao family were like this, doting on their wives. It was his own fault for not seeing clearly, always thinking his brothers were still the same as before. As a result, he made Zhaodi endure and suffer everywhere.

So today, he didn't care about saving face for his brothers. He slapped Second Sister-in-law right in front of Second Brother because it was this gossipy woman who made Zhaodi so upset.

"Zhaodi, don't be afraid. From now on, if anyone talks behind your back, tell me. I'll go reason with those nasty women. I won't care about whether they're women or not anymore—if anyone dares to gossip about you, I'll go straight to their door. I'll even slap a woman if I have to!"

Lin Zhaodi finally couldn't hold back anymore. She threw herself into his arms and wept bitterly. "San Lang, after splitting from the family, don't regret it. Please don't regret it!"

"I'm a man of my word—no regrets! We'll also build a new house at the end of the village. Don't you like Second Brother Lin's daughter? We'll build our house next to theirs. From now on, you can visit them every day!"

Lin Zhaodi smiled through her tears, nodding vigorously. "Okay, okay! San Lang, in my next life, I'll still be your wife. In the next life, I'll definitely give you a big, healthy son! No, we'll have a whole bunch!"

...

Lin Dashan only found out about the Zhao family's affairs after returning from working in the fields. After dinner, drinking a bowl of loose tea brewed by Lin Shu, he sighed repeatedly.

"It's better to split off and live separately, but from now on, Brother Zhao will probably bear the reputation of being unfilial."

He Guixiang also sighed. "Our family has more people, and with A Ye helping out, you're much more relaxed. Living alone isn't easy—without the support of parents and brothers, it's very difficult."

Lin Shu massaged He Guixiang's shoulders. "Mom and Dad, why worry so much? Third Aunt's family only has Third Uncle as the able-bodied man, and they have a son studying. They managed to get by too. Aunt Lin is a straightforward person. Before, she had no hope, so she just muddled through. Now that they've split off, with her spirits lifted, she'll definitely make her life better and better."

Lin Xiaopu nodded in agreement. "Big Sister is right. I think Aunt Lin and Uncle Zhao San living alone will definitely be better than before the split. Every time I saw Aunt Lin, I felt she wasn't happy. At least after splitting off, she'll be happier than before."

"You little follower, whatever A Shu says, you just echo it. What do you know?" He Guixiang laughed, poking her forehead.

"I do know! I'm studying the classics with Big Sister now. From now on, I'll only know more and more," Lin Xiaopu said proudly.

"Oh, Mom, Brother A Ye is also learning to read with Big Sister now. Brother A Ye is so smart! Today, Big Sister taught him more than ten new characters, and he remembered them all!"

Hearing this, He Guixiang's smile softened even more. "It's good to learn to read. Both of you, learn more characters from A Shu. Alright, everyone wash up and go to bed early. Tomorrow we have to go to town."

Even as she said this, after He Guixiang returned to her room, she couldn't fall asleep for a long time, tossing and turning several times.

"Wife, something on your mind?" Lin Dashan asked.

He Guixiang sighed softly. "Husband, if Zhao Laosan comes to borrow money from us, how much do you think would be appropriate to lend?"

"Hey, I thought it was something serious, but it's just this. If our family has spare money, lend as much as we can. The period right after splitting from the family is the hardest, as you know. Zhao Laosan is reliable—if we lend him money, he'll definitely pay it back later. No need to worry."

He Guixiang wasn't worried about Zhao Laosan not repaying; she just didn't know how much was appropriate to lend.

"I heard the old couple didn't give him a single copper coin. Tell me, how can you build a house without a single coin? Pots, pans, bowls, and dishes all need to be bought. Tables and chairs are also necessary..."

As He Guixiang spoke, Lin Dashan's snoring started from beside the pillow.

She shook her head. Fine, we'll lend it. At most, we'll put off buying land for a while.

Early the next morning, He Guixiang got up to cook coarse rice porridge and baked several flatbreads. The porridge was for Lin Dashan; everyone else in the family was going to town and wouldn't have time for breakfast. She set aside two flatbreads and took the rest as dry rations.

The pharmacy they were going to had an old physician in attendance. Most townsfolk with injuries or illnesses went there, and people from nearby villages with difficult ailments also preferred it. Thus, the pharmacy had many customers, and they needed to go early to queue.

Zhou Ye had long made arrangements with Old Man Liao for an ox cart. Since the cart was only carrying them today, Old Man Liao drove it right to the courtyard gate.

He Guixiang counted out fifteen copper coins for him, but Old Man Liao pushed five back. "Ten coins are enough. Xiao Pu is small and thin; she doesn't take up much space."

He Guixiang: "This... this is too kind."

Lin Xiaopu pouted. "Old Man Liao, I'm not small and thin!"

Old Man Liao heard this, looked at her carefully, and suddenly exclaimed, "Is this really the Xiao Pu girl? I see her face has filled out quite a bit. She's plumper than before and even prettier."

Lin Xiaopu was delighted upon hearing this.

Zhou Ye watched as He Guixiang and her two daughters boarded the oxcart, then followed behind carrying an empty basket.

This time, without someone like Gao Shi—a bad apple—on the cart, Lin Shu felt perfectly comfortable during the ride.

Lin Xiaopu, needless to say, was even more thrilled, looking around excitedly with a beaming face.

Old Man Liao was usually quiet while driving the cart, and Lin Xiaopu tended to be reserved too, but this time, she unusually initiated a conversation with him: "Old Man Liao, why haven't you asked what I'm going to town with my mother and sister for?"

Old Man Liao responded, "Well then, little Pu, tell me, what are you going to town for?"

Lin Xiaopu declared loudly, "I'm going to the town's doctor's office to see the doctor! My sister says I'm much better now and won't have to take any more medicine!"

Old Man Liao wondered, "You haven't even seen the doctor yet—how do you know?"

Lin Xiaopu raised her head proudly and said, "My sister said so, and she's really smart. Everything she says is right! If she says I'm much better, then I am! Today's doctor visit is just for show!"

Old Man Liao grinned and played along, "Well then, Uncle here congratulates you on your recovery. When you get back, tell your mother to cook a chicken to celebrate."

Hearing this, Lin Xiaopu's eyes instantly lit up. "Mother, Sister, we still have a pheasant at home! Since Old Man Liao said so, can we cook it when we get back?"

"Pfft, you little foodie! If the doctor says you don't need medicine anymore, we won't need Old Man Liao's reminder—I'll cook you a big feast as soon as we're back!" Lin Shu promised with a laugh.