Su Xiaofeng certainly wasn't speaking casually. Having just arrived, she needed to establish herself and secure the life of the child in her womb, but most importantly, she had to make her family accept her pregnancy.
Su Peng was the son He Ximei brought with her when she remarried. Previously named Zhang Peng, he had taken the Su surname after the marriage.
At the age of eight, Su Peng had fallen severely ill, which left his mind addled. Outraged, his previous family had cast He Ximei and Su Peng out. Through the matchmaker's efforts, they were matched with the widowed Su Laukui, forming a new household.
If Su Laukui's family had been in a better condition, arranging a mediocre marriage for Su Peng wasn't out of the question. However, the Su family was the poorest in Lihua Village, and no one sensible would marry their daughter into such a household.
Coincidentally, the Li family in their village had expressed their willingness to swap relatives in marriage.
Of course, this news excited He Ximei, but before she could discuss it with Xiaofeng, Xiaofeng had become pregnant.
Hearing Su Xiaofeng's words made Su Laukui frown, "What nonsense are you spouting? How can a girl not marry in her lifetime?"
Not marrying could lead to ridicule from the villagers, saying Su Laukui's daughter couldn't find a husband and had become an old maid at home.
"If you don't reveal who the father is, then abort the child," he said sternly. "A child with an unknown father brings disgrace to our family." Abortion seemed to be the best solution at the moment.
Although it would harm her reputation, it wouldn't affect future marriage prospects, and who she could marry depended on her own luck.
"Su Laukui, why don't we consider Xiaofeng's own wishes?" He Ximei intervened upon seeing Su Laukui become agitated.
She was still hoping Xiaofeng could bring a new bride home for her son, so naturally, she would help handle Su Laukui at this crucial moment.
Su Laukui slapped the table decisively, "Marrying Xiaofeng to the idiot from the Li family? Are you trying to make the villagers laugh at me? Rest assured, I am capable of finding a bride for Pengzi, but Xiaofeng cannot marry that idiot from the Li family. I cannot afford to lose that much face."
He understood He Ximei's thoughts clearly, but he would not agree.
Listening to Su Laukui, He Ximei's face twisted in anger, "Su Laukui, if you can arrange a marriage for Pengzi, then do it! He is twenty-one already, and despite my efforts in talking to many girls, not one is willing—even the mute girl from the dam thinks our house is too poor to have a new room."
He Ximei grew more agitated as she spoke, "You want Xiaofeng to abort the child, and after that, marry her off to some old bachelor or a man with disabilities, or even to someone worthless like Liu An. Su Laukui, this isn't you arranging a marriage; you're ruining your daughter."
After all, the younger Li brother, despite his shortcomings, was still better than those men.
Thinking this, He Ximei resolutely supported Su Xiaofeng, "Xiaofeng, have you really thought this through? We're all family here, and I'm not speaking out of turn. If you want to keep the child, then keep it. Your aunt will support your decision. If you don't want to, aborting is also an option. Of course, your aunt won't force you. I just want to ask if you'd be willing to help your elder brother secure a marriage in return."
Su Xiaofeng finally understood when she reached this point; He Ximei wasn't planning to marry her to her simple-minded son but was hoping she'd help secure a new marriage arrangement for her elder brother.
It seemed the other party was also simple-minded.
Internally she sighed, wondering if this era was full of simpletons.
"The child must be aborted; we can't keep it," Su Laukui had made up his mind to abort the child, a child with an unknown father was only an embarrassment to keep.
"Xiaofeng, what do you think?" He Ximei looked at Su Xiaofeng, guessing whether she would be willing.
Su Xiaofeng didn't look at He Ximei; her eyes were fixed on Su Laukui's left hand, which had been injured and couldn't be used for heavy labor. In essence, Su Laukui's left hand was as good as useless, unable to do strenuous work and incapable of earning money, which was a reason why they were the poorest household in the village.
According to the original host's memories, her father was not bad, aside from being unable to provide financially; he truly cared for her in every other aspect.
She walked up to Su Laukui, slowly took his left hand, and spoke her mind calmly, "Dad, I don't want to abort this child; I want to keep him. Dad, I want to stay by your side and take care of you for the rest of my life."
Su Laukui felt a touch of moisture in his eyes as his daughter willingly held his hand, something she rarely did since becoming sensible.
"Dad, I know the timing and circumstances of his arrival are not ideal, but the child is innocent. Dad, I also don't want to marry anymore. I'll stay and look after the child and our home, and we can be happy together." Su Laukui was very angry at that moment, so Su Xiaofeng could only appeal to his emotions.
Confrontation would only strengthen Su Laukui's resolve to abort the child. The child definitely couldn't be aborted; in her past life, her desire for a child had inadvertently brought her here.
Thankfully, she had been blessed with a child upon arriving here, and she intended to protect him well.
He Ximei twitched her brows upon hearing Su Xiaofeng's words, "Xiaofeng, you need to think this through. If you decide to keep the child, you will definitely face harsh criticism."
Of course, if she were willing to marry the younger Li brother, He Ximei helping out with the child was not out of the question.
The condition was that Su Xiaofeng had to agree to the marriage.
Su Laukui cared greatly about appearances; he definitely wouldn't agree to Xiaofeng marrying the younger Li brother, so it was up to Xiaofeng to agree.
Su Xiaofeng clearly understood the implications of He Ximei's words, "No need to think about it; I will keep the child, and I won't marry the younger brother from the Li family."
Upon hearing her response, a smirk appeared on He Ximei's face, knowing the stubborn girl wouldn't agree.
Su Xiaofeng lowered her head, contemplating that if Su Laukui truly couldn't accept keeping the child, she would leave this place. After all, she was quite capable herself, and finding a way to sustain herself here wouldn't be difficult.
Seeing her determined expression, Su Laukui felt his anger rising again.
This stubborn girl, what was she trying to do? Drive him to his grave with anger?