An Jing pondered for a moment before continuing, "As for your worry that Brother An Fu won’t give you Yu Yu and Niuniu, there’s no need to fret. I have a way to make them agree to give you Yu Yu and Niuniu."
Shi Xiaolan immediately asked, "What way?"
An Jing didn’t reveal her plan, but simply said, "Just stay here with me and wait for Brother An Fu and the others to come looking. When they do, you insist on divorcing Brother An Fu, and leave everything else to me."
Seeing An Jing so confident, Shi Xiaolan couldn’t help but believe her, and nodded firmly, "Mhm!"
Then, with Niuniu in her arms, Shi Xiaolan knelt before An Jing.
An Jing was startled and quickly stood up to help Shi Xiaolan, but she wouldn’t get up, instead saying, "An Jing, I know I’m helpless, but I trust that you really can help me, so I can take care of Niuniu and Yu Yu. Once Niuniu and Yu Yu grow up and get married, I’ll repay you by working like an ox or horse! If I can’t repay your great kindness in this life, then in the next life, I’ll also work like an ox or horse to repay you!"
An Jing had always known that Shi Xiaolan was a good mother and now, seeing her suddenly become so determined for the sake of her daughters’ well-being, An Jing was even more convinced of Shi Xiaolan’s worthiness as a mother.
An Jing again tried to help Shi Xiaolan to her feet, and it was only after she had clearly stated her attitude that Shi Xiaolan agreed to get up.
Only then did An Jing say, "I don’t need you to repay me. As I’ve said before, I will help you, but what’s more important is that you become self-reliant and strong. If you leave that family, Yu Yu and Niuniu will only have you to rely on... Do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand you!" Shi Xiaolan nodded again, firmly, "But your kindness is too great, I must repay you."
"But to work like an ox or horse is too much. Raising Niuniu and Yu Yu won’t cost much. Friends should help each other, shouldn’t they? You’re in trouble now, and of course, I’m going to help you. If you really feel uneasy, once Niuniu and Yu Yu are grown up enough to work, you can start to repay me little by little."
Listening to these words, Shi Xiaolan was deeply moved and choked up, "Thank you, An Jing..."
"Enough, don’t cry in front of me." An Jing teased with a smile.
Shi Xiaolan immediately followed with a smile.
Seeing Shi Xiaolan finally smile, An Jing hesitated, but still added, "Xiao Lan, there are only these three options. Take advantage of the fact that Brother An Fu hasn’t come looking yet, and think it over carefully to avoid future regrets."
Shi Xiaolan shook her head, "I won’t regret it."
After a pause, she gave a bitter smile, "An Jing, I never had the heart to tell you, but when my parents married me off to Fu Zi, they told him to only take me as his wife, regardless of whether or not I could bear him sons and daughters, saying it was because my family was too poor, unable to take in a son-in-law, that they sent their only daughter away."
"Although at the time my father’s wish was very selfish and excessive, Fu Zi had agreed. I was truly happy then."
"But..." Shi Xiaolan began to choke up again, but her face still wore a smile, looking very desolate. After a long while, she managed to continue, "Now you see, he..."
Suddenly inhaling sharply through her nose, Shi Xiaolan struggled not to cry again, "An Jing, I don’t hate him, I don’t even hate myself for not being able to have children, I don’t hate anyone. Now, I don’t want anything else, I just want to raise Yu Yu and Niuniu well."
Listeting to Shi Xiaolan’s words, An Jing felt a knot in her heart. Just as she was about to offer comfort, they heard the voice of An Fu—