Shen Yidong had been back at her parents’ home for half a year, and although she was treated with the same love and care as if she had never left, bringing her three children with her and staying for such a long stretch had started some idle gossip in the village. Rumors abounded that she was chased out of her in-laws’ house for only having daughters, or even that she was infertile and her husband had sent her back to prepare for a divorce. Even though she rarely went out, those whispers still reached her ears.
In the past, when her close childhood friends returned to their parental homes, they would drop by to chat. They all had both sons and daughters and smooth lives valued by their in-laws. Seeing her situation, they would advise her, saying that a woman ultimately relies on her parental home. With the backing of her family, her in-laws wouldn’t dare to belittle her. And, considering her own favorable circumstances—though she didn’t have many brothers, those she had were successful—even more so, her current miserable state seemed improper. If she stood up for herself, she should first let her parent’s home apply some pressure, then use some tactics herself to firmly handle her husband, showing softness when needed and keeping her temper in check. This friend spoke confidently, with an air of certainty that slightly offended Shen Yiguang—who didn’t know who?
At first, Shen Yidong couldn’t accept this advice. She felt that apart from not having a son, all other issues were nitpicked by her in-laws. She couldn’t stand it and didn’t want her children to suffer, which is why she returned to her parents’ home; she believed she was in the right. Her friend’s words seemed to merely flaunt her own better days.
However, as time passed and she heard more gossip, she became very agitated. One day, while picking vegetables, she caught the eldest daughter-in-law from the Li Family sneaking two cucumbers from her garden. She couldn’t tolerate it and immediately confronted her. The Li daughter-in-law, caught red-handed and feeling guilty, threw the cucumbers at Shen Yidong’s feet with disdain, "Here, take them back. Unwanted stuff. You even have the nerve to show your face; it’s shameful. The Shen family is unlucky to have a daughter like you. I would have strangled you at birth, to save us the shame of you leeching off your parents at this age!"
Shen Yidong trembled with rage, grabbing mud and stones from the ground to hurl at her. The two ended up scuffling in the field until someone pulled them apart. The Li daughter-in-law relentlessly berated her about being sent back home and unable to bear a son, and the onlookers simply separated them but didn’t try to stop the insults; it seemed everyone shared that view. From their expressions, Shen Yidong could tell she had truly lost face this time.
It didn’t stop there; various busybodies visiting her parents’ home overtly and covertly urged her to return to her in-laws and live properly. She maintained she wasn’t there to stay permanently but to take care of her elderly parents. Although people listened, none believed her, and it irritated her immensely. These issues weren’t avoidable by merely staying indoors; people even came to her doorstep to talk about it.
Increasingly reluctant to go out, she finally took to heart what her friends had said; her situation was untenable. She couldn’t remain at her parents’ home forever. As comforting as it was there, for her children’s sake, she had to find a way to return to the He family, regain control, and have another son to silence the wagging tongues.
That’s when she realized the importance of her parental family, and the significance of having brothers; she couldn’t continue as before, always challenging her sibling in-laws. With her own brothers’ support, dividing the family property might become possible.
Yang PeiMin suggested showing her around inside, saying, "Your brother and your fourth brother-in-law are in there."
Shen Yidong’s eyes sparkled, "Then I should take a look."
But before she could enter, He Dal came out and said to her, "Is everything packed? Let’s go home. We’ll come back the day after tomorrow."
Chen Guizhi came out to greet them and said, "Have dinner here before you go back. Ah Guang will take you there."
Shen Yidong nodded and glanced at He Dal, "Exactly, the kids are getting hungry. And who knows if there’s even a hot meal waiting at their grandmother’s home."
He Dal gave her a stern look, "We’ve eaten there plenty of times. Why worry about one meal now? We have lots to do at home. I haven’t even begun to clean our quilt covers yet. You can smell mold right at the doorstep. If we don’t clean up before the New Year, everything afterward will go wrong... Mother, isn’t that right?"
Chen Guizhi hesitated, then nodded reluctantly, "If you’re not eating, then let’s head back early while the sun is still out to air out some things."
Shen Yiguang also stepped out and said, "Mom, I’ll take my brother-in-law and them back."
Shen Yidong also happily agreed.
It was just that He Dal seemed somewhat unwilling and muttered, "I’ve driven the ox cart over, no need to trouble Ah Guang."
Shen Yidong glared at him, "We are family, why talk like we’re not? Sanni is still young, how can she be exposed to the wind ? Fine, since you drove here, you can drive back yourself. We’ll let my brother drive us."
Shen Yiguang nodded, no objections, took her luggage, and before he left, he said to Yang Peimin, "You don’t need to come out. Go inside and take a nap, I’ll be back soon after I wake up."
Yang Peimin nodded with a smile, told him to drive carefully.
Shen Yidong looked full of envy, then glanced at He Dal, who was hanging his head, lost in thought, feeling a surge of irritation. This man had no knack for catching hints, didn’t help with carrying things, and didn’t even hold the child; how had she fallen for someone ?
Shen Yixiang and Shen Yiyue saw them off at the door, helping to get the child into the car.
Shen Yidong’s in-laws’ home wasn’t far, about ten kilometers, roughly a 15-minute drive.
Shen Yiguang took his place at the driver’s seat, and Shen Yidong and her daughters sat in the back, sister and brother started talking, and Shen Yidong directly voiced her request, "Ah Guang, it’s not going to work for your sister. If you don’t help me, no one will."
"What do you have in mind?"
"I want to split from the family, to separate out on my own. Those two old folks prefer the grandson from their second son, everything good in the house goes to them, might as well let them live together, no need to come seeking trouble here."
Shen Yiguang reminded her, "But your brother-in-law is the eldest."
"I know, and I know it’s not going to be easy. My brother-in-law isn’t happy about it either. Ah Guang, you have to think of something for your sister, I’m counting on you. Whatever you say, your brother-in-law and my in-laws will definitely listen to."