32: Chapter 19: Turns Out_2 32: Chapter 19: Turns Out_2 Shen Zhangming heaved a silent sigh.
His son, he feared, might never change for the better.
Having returned to the county town, Luo Yufang and Shen Xiu had already put away the groceries they had bought and were waiting at the door.
The two parties exchanged courteous greetings for a while before entering the house.
Facing so many unfamiliar people, Shen Xiu was somewhat shy, but she managed to overcome her nervousness and served the tea she had prepared in advance.
Shen Zhangming also handed out cigarettes to the men.
Unlike the confrontational atmosphere in the old house yesterday, the Lin family members were very amicable this time.
Lin Xiaoguai sat with the guests for a while, was about to go help in the kitchen but Lin Xiaoxi pulled her outside.
“Little brother?” Lin Xiaoguai looked at him quizzically, not understanding what he was up to.
Lin Xiaoxi reached into his pocket for a cigarette but then thought better of it because his little sister was pregnant.
He touched his nose and said, “Are…
Lin Xiaoguai was momentarily startled, then smiled faintly, “I’m fine.”
Her smile was serene, with a tranquility that wasn’t there before.
Lin Xiaoxi’s heart ached as he watched her; he bowed his head to hide the tears in his eyes and forced a cheerful tone, “Then that’s good.”
His little sister had grown up, but what came to his mind was that such growth had been purchased with what kind of pain.
If she had expressed resentment towards him, perhaps he would feel a bit better.
“Very good,” Lin Xiaoguai continued to smile.
Lin Xiaoxi stroked her head as he had when they were younger, his voice choked with emotion, “This time, your big brother was useless, but from now on…
trust me, I won’t let anyone hurt you again.” Perhaps he was the only one who understood the reluctance in Lin Xiaoguai’s heart.
Trust, how could she not?
Her big brother had proven to her in a previous life that a middle school graduate from the countryside could forsake his half-learned carpentry skills to go into business, starting from selling tea and eventually becoming a wealthy tycoon in the city.
[Little sister, I’ve made money now, and I’ve set up a trust fund for you.
Even if I die before you, you don’t have to worry about who will take care of you.]
Thinking back to what her not-so-young big brother had said to her, Lin Xiaoguai felt a sting in her eyes.
She realized that her former self wasn’t as “pitiable” as she had thought.
Perhaps deep down, she felt sorry for herself.
No matter how open and liberated she appeared on the surface, her heart had not truly let go.
She believed she was fully enjoying her life, yet she had overlooked so many beautiful vistas.
“Don’t worry about me, big brother,” Lin Xiaoguai said softly with a smile, “I will live a very good life.”
Her tone was earnest, almost like a vow, causing Lin Xiaoxi to smile.
He had always thought that, while his little sister was a good person, she was too naïve.
Pure as a scholar but too tender-hearted on the inside, always considering others, such a disposition was not a good thing.
But now, it was different.
His little sister had learned to love—not others, but herself.
To provide hospitality to the in-laws, Luo Yufang spared no effort.
Although the table didn’t have stacked dishes like in later eras, there were nearly ten, most of which were meat dishes.
Be it the dishes served or the gifts given, both showed the importance each family placed on the meeting, and naturally, everyone was pleased.
Knowing that the Lin family certainly wanted to speak alone with their granddaughter-in-law, Luo Yufang didn’t wait long after the meal to take Shen Zhangming for a stroll.
Shen Xiu went to the school, leaving space for the group.
Li Fangmei repeatedly stroked Lin Xiaoguai’s hair, nodding vigorously with joy, “It’s good that the child is fine.”
Although they had been told the baby was safe, doubts lingered in their hearts.
After all, they had heard from the people of Yuanjiazhuang that their niece had bled profusely.
The baby was alright for the moment, but what guarantee was there for the future?
“Don’t speak of such unlucky things,” Lin Nianqiang said with impatience and pulled Lin Xiaoguai closer, “Wanwan, you must tell us, did that Shen kid ever bully you?”
“No,” Lin Xiaoguai chuckled, a bit exasperated at her uncle’s unchanged ways after so many years.
Lin Nianqiang was skeptical, only reluctantly dropping the subject upon seeing that his niece didn’t seem forced.
“By the way, there’s something I need to tell you,” Li Fangmei suddenly remembered to say, “The reason we came yesterday was actually Shen Chi’s doing.”
Lin Xiaoguai blinked in surprise, “What do you mean?”
Lin Nianqiang gave a dismissive snort, and Zhou Fengqin chuckled, “We went to Yuanjiazhuang before and came back empty-handed.
That old woman Wang Zhaodi has such a foul mouth; she gave me and your aunt such a hard time that your aunt fell ill afterward.
Once she recovered, we were thinking about going with your Xiao Ping to see you, when your nephew-in-law showed up at our door with two bottles of liquor.
He gave us those IOUs and told us about your near miscarriage when he returned, asking for our help in separating you two.
Otherwise, we wouldn’t have waited until now to visit.”
“But concerning the money, he said to see what you wanted to do; if you wanted to take it back, take it back, if not, then don’t.”
At first, Lin Xiaoguai was a bit stunned, then she understood why Shen Chi had done it.
The money was his; it was natural for him to take it back, but if he had been present, the villagers wouldn’t have thought much at the time.
Given time or a spark, others might bring up the issue, feeling he was heartless, using filial piety to condemn him.
However, it would be a different story if the in-laws revealed the truth.
Lin Xiaoguai gave a bitter smile.
Shen Chi had been this calculating so early on.
But then again, he had once enticed her brother and sister-in-law to sell her with money—so what was this in comparison?
Seeing her reaction, Li Fangmei thought she was regretting the decision about the money and felt awkward.
She suddenly became reflective; although they had intended it for Wanwan’s good, the money belonged to Shen Chi, and by extension, Wanwan.
They had made the decision without consulting her, generously giving it away to others.
Especially since Wanwan was married now, she should be considered an adult.
The old lady, who had been strong-willed her whole life, particularly with the younger generation, felt for the first time that she was in the wrong.