Mother Lin didnât want to pay him any attention and simply rolled her eyes, âAsk your wife!â
âBack when we divided the family, you and your second brother insisted on taking a larger share of the items and didnât want to support me and your father. That was shameless of you. Now that the family has split, you still want to take advantage of us. If youâre so capable, why donât you ascend to the heavens?!â
She looked at Eldest Brother Lin with a mixture of injustice and disbelief, showing no mercy.
They had treated them, who were supposed to be like parents to them, so poorly. Why should she be polite anymore?
âLet me tell you, if this troublemaker dares to come to the third family and cause trouble again, donât call me mother anymore. I donât have a son like you. If you anger me, Iâll directly go to the county officials and report you for being unfilial!!â
With that, Mother Lin pushed the shocked eldest daughter-in-law out and slammed the door behind her, holding the vegetables.
It was truly shocking to see a person with such a good temper get angry, especially with the heartless things Mother Lin said.
Both Eldest brother Lin and Second Brother Lin, had gloomy expressions. They used to have no shame and relied on the fact that their parents wouldnât force them into a dead-end. What made mothers attitude change so drastically?
Looking at this situation, if they truly angered her, she might actually go to the county officials and file a complaint.
The yard fell into a terrifying silence for a while.
The people from the eldest and second households gradually began to wake up, and some stood at the door, but whether they were adults or children, no one dared to speak.
The eldest daughter-in-law walked back to her own yard, looking at her husbandâs unpleasant expression, and attempted to explain, âI donât know why Mother got angry, I just...â
However, Eldest Brother Lin didnât want to listen to his wifeâs explanation at all. With a grim face, he coldly interrupted, âDonât go to Third Brotherâs place anymore. Are you still unsatisfied with how much our parents resent us?â
With that, he turned around and entered the house, not even sparing a glance at his wife.
She could only stand in the yard, watching her own son, daughter-in-law, and even grandson, all lowering their heads and not speaking to her out of fear of Eldest Brother Lin, the head of the eldest family.
In the eldest daughter-in-lawâs mind, an inexplicable image of Lin Shiheng helping Li Lanlan carry things flashed, causing her eyes to well up with tears.
They both married into the Lin family so why was there such a stark difference?
Lin Shiheng and Li Lanlan had no idea what had happened in the Lin family.
Although they were from the same village, the Li family was indeed a bit far from the Lin family. As they walked for a while and were about to arrive, they passed by a bamboo forest when suddenly they heard the sound of a woman sobbing.
It was still early in the morning, and villagers were either having breakfast or on their way to the fields. With few people around, the sudden sound of a woman crying startled Li Lanlan, and she instinctively stood in front of her husband, feeling alert.
Lin Shiheng found it somewhat amusing. His young wife seemed to genuinely believe that he was completely powerless.
âWife, Iâve heard that those unclean things love to appear in places with fewer people. Letâs not go and see, and letâs not listen. Just keep moving forward.â
Li Lanlan didnât know what her husband was thinking, but she was still pale with fear and continued to analyze the situation seriously.
Lin Shiheng, however, didnât feel any fear. He looked around in the direction of the sobbing and pointed to the bamboo forest, saying, âLan Lan, itâs a person crying, not a ghost.â
In the early morning, who would hide in such a secluded place to cry?
Li Lanlan didnât believe it, but before she could express her opinion, she heard a womanâs voice filled with sorrow and sobbing, saying, âBrother Li, I really have no other choice. Now that my mother-in-law has passed away, we need a lot of money for the funeral...â
She was still wondering who this Brother Li was when Father Liâs voice came, âMiss, itâs not that I donât want to help you, but I canât borrow any more money. The autumn harvest is still a while away, and I really canât come up with enough money for you right now.â
As he spoke, the sound of coins jingled. It was obviously him taking out money, âThese past few days, Iâve been doing odd jobs in town, exhausting work, and I managed to earn this bit of money. Take it and use it for the funeral.â
The sobbing sound resumed, followed by a mournful voice, âThis is the money you worked hard for. How can I accept it...â
Father Li was a straightforward person, and seeing her refusal, he could only reluctantly take the money back with a pained expression.
âAh, Miss, I canât help you because of my incompetence. How about this, when the day for the funeral comes, call me to help, and you might be able to save some money.â
The sobbing of Widow Zhang, who had been crying softly, paused.
/ was just trying to be polite, but he won't give me anything?
Thinking that the money she had was far from enough to send her son to the best school, and her mother-in-law, who could earn money through sewing, had passed away, she gritted her teeth and leaned her body against Father Liâs shoulder.
âIâve heard that Scholar Linâs family is quite wealthy...â
âIsnât your daughter coming home for the first visit today? Her husband is a scholar and must be well-off. Since itâs a âfirst visitâ day, Scholar Lin will surely give you some face, as his father-in-law. If you ask for a loan...â
Father Li hesitated, âMy son-in-lawâs family isnât doing well either. Their family had split, and his father is bedridden and needs care. My son-in-law is a scholar and canât do physical work...â
Widow Zhang lowered her head and started sobbing again.
With her crying, Father Liâs heart softened.
âFine... When my son-in-law comes, Iâll ask him.â
Outside the bamboo forest, Li Lanlan listened, her teeth clenched in anger. Her once beautiful face contorted in fury, and she bent down, picking up a bamboo branch, ready to rush in and fight.
Lin Shiheng held her back, stopping her.
âHusband, donât stop me... Mmm!â
Concerned that her loud voice would disturb the people inside, Lin Shiheng gently covered his wifeâs mouth with one hand and pulled her outside.
Once they were outside, he released his grip, revealing Li Lanlanâs tear-streaked face.
Her eyes were bloodshot, and she was enraged, choking on her words, âHow could he do this! How could he!â
âHush...â
Lin Shiheng gestured for silence, leaned in close to his young wifeâs ear, and whispered softly, âDonât cry for now. I have a plan... When we go to your fatherâs house, weâll do this...â
Meanwhile, Father Li comforted Widow Zhang for a while in the bamboo forest before returning home with a heavy heart.
Shortly after he sat down upon returning, his daughter and son-in-law arrived.
âFather.â
Li Lanlan called him gently and tenderly, surprising Father Li. When had my daughter ever been so gentle towards me? Could it be that getting married really changes someone?
As Lin Shiheng handed over a basket of things to him, Father Liâs mind turned.
To be able to give me so many good things, it seemed that my son-in-law's family wasn't without money
âCough...â
He cleared his throat, about to speak, when Li Lanlan interrupted, âHusband, go outside and see if the melons Iâve been growing in the yard are ripe.â
Without any hesitation, Lin Shiheng went outside.
Father Li was still a bit puzzled. He hadnât even discussed borrowing money from his son-in-law yet.
In the next moment, Li Lanlan held his hand, tears streaming down her fair face. She cried so pitifully that it tore at his heartstrings.
She had always been a beauty, and her tears made her look even more pitiable. Especially since Li Lanlan used to hide her sadness even when she felt terrible, but now she openly displayed her sorrow, which left Father Li completely bewildered.
âFather... Your daughter is suffering. Husband is good to me, but life in his family is extremely difficult. Father-in-law is ill, and mother-in-law is getting old...â
Blah blah blah, blah blah blah.
After about 15 minutes, when Lin Shiheng returned with the melons, he saw Li Lanlan wiping away her tears with her head bowed.
Meanwhile, his father-in-law was stuffing money into her hands.