Chen Lishu’s heart was a tangled mess. She wasn’t so strong that she could simply ignore the issue. The inability to have children felt like a thorn in her heart, something she tried her best to avoid touching.
As time passed, her hopes dwindled, and she slowly began to try and accept it. But today, having it thrust into the spotlight was like having a raw wound ripped open without mercy. She felt as if she had been slapped hard across the face.
Sensing her low spirits, Gu Xingdong pulled her shoulders into a strong embrace, his tone softening unconsciously. “So what if we don’t have children? I’ll just spoil you into being my child.”
This statement was not only directed at Cheng Xifen and her daughter, but also a declaration to his family. If they were destined to never have their own children, then he and Chen Lishu would spend their lives together.
“What is all this commotion? It’s Mom stirring up trouble with these two. What about children? Ruirui is my grandson,” Li Xiulan said, feeling uncomfortable seeing Chen Lishu’s unhappy expression.
“Hurry up, you two, get out. Don’t wait for me to chase you out with a broom.”
She truly regretted how she ended up with such disgusting relatives. Li Xiulan’s intestines were already green with regret.
“Third cousin-in-law.” Hearing that they were being kicked out, Wang Qiao’e couldn’t help but step forward, looking at Gu Xingdong pitifully.
As she approached, a pungent odor assailed her nostrils. Chen Lishu felt her stomach churn violently. Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed Gu Xingdong away and ran outside to vomit.
Seeing this, Gu Xingdong’s expression changed. He anxiously followed her. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell? I’ll take you to the hospital right away.”
Finally spitting out the discomfort, Chen Lishu felt much better. Hearing Gu Xingdong’s words, she waved her hand. “It’s just that Wang Qiao’e’s smell is too overpowering. Once I can’t smell it, I feel much better.”
Gu Xingdong thought about it and agreed; even he found that smell revolting.
Zhang Qin, however, looked at Chen Lishu’s state with contemplation.
She had given birth to three children. Wang Qiao’e’s smell was indeed strong, but not so strong as to make someone want to vomit. Suddenly thinking of something, a glimmer of light flashed in Zhang Qin’s eyes.
Li Xiulan saw this and exclaimed, ‘Good heavens, she actually made my daughter-in-law sick! Without another word, she went back inside, grabbed their shabby bundles, and threw them directly at Cheng Xifen’s face. At the same time, she pushed Wang Qiao’e out.
“Get out! This branch of the family is severed. Don’t come back again. I won’t receive you even if you do.” She was truly sick of their bad luck.
Seeing her firm stance, Cheng Xifen and Wang Qiao’e wanted to say a few more words, but their peripheral vision caught sight of the grim-faced Gu Xingdong. They dared not hesitate and could only grudgingly grab their bundles and get up to leave.
Widow Liu had just returned from outside and happened to run into Cheng Xifen and her daughter. Knowing they were relatives of the Gu family and had previously inquired about the Gu family, she saw them carrying bundles and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Are you heading back?"
“Ah, with the New Year approaching, it’s not good to stay at someone else’s house for too long.” Naturally, she couldn’t say they were kicked out, so Cheng Xifen found another excuse.
Widow Liu’s gaze fell upon Wang Qiao’e. She saw that although she was ordinary-looking, her figure was quite good. Even in thick clothes, one could tell her chest and hips were ample, and she was sure to be fertile.
Yue Hongmei, that hen that couldn’t lay eggs, no, it was just that her eggs had all been laid by her side. Ever since she married her, her belly had never shown any signs of pregnancy.
Liu Xiaobao was also of marriageable age. She had been pondering it for some time, but whenever the topic of marriage for their Liu Xiaobao came up, everyone would shake their heads with a look of distress.
Widow Liu looked at the mother and daughter in front of her. Wang Qiao’e was dressed reasonably well, but Cheng Xifen looked like she was fleeing a famine. Knowing their conditions were likely not good, she thought it would be better to let them see her family, perhaps the matter could be settled.
“It’s almost dark, and I don’t know what the Gu family is thinking. It’s not safe for you two to travel at night. Why don’t you come to my place? We can squeeze out a spot, and you can leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
Although Widow Liu wasn’t much to look at, she was quite eloquent. Cheng Xifen and Wang Qiao’e exchanged glances and hesitantly agreed.
“Sister, you are truly a good person. Good deeds are rewarded.”
Hearing her flattering words, Widow Liu beamed with joy. “It’s nothing. Everyone encounters difficulties when they’re out and about.”
“By the way, did you two fall out with Li Xiulan?” Having been neighbors for so many years, even though Li Xiulan wasn’t a great person, Widow Liu was sure they had fallen out if she kicked her relatives out.
Cheng Xifen didn’t know how to reply. Wang Qiao’e said娇娇气气 (delicately and affectedly) from the side, “My mother just heard that their daughter-in-law couldn’t have children and kindly asked about it. As a result, she was scolded by my mother.”
“Peh.” Widow Liu spat on the ground. “She can’t have children, and no one’s allowed to mention it? That family is just like that.”
As they talked, the three entered the house. Yue Hongmei was cooking at the stove. She only glanced up once when they entered before turning her head back.
After the mother and daughter-in-law had a few arguments, the relationship between them was completely broken. They were now essentially separated, living their own lives.
The mother and daughter followed Widow Liu into the inner room. Seeing that their house was quite spacious, they immediately felt that the conditions were not bad.
What’s more, with a common target to complain about in Li Xiulan, their relationship deepened as they talked.
Before long, Liu Xiaobao returned from outside. He had good luck today, winning some money, and also bought half a pound of meat.
Liu Dabao’s eyes almost fell out from greed upon seeing this. After being glared at by Yue Hongmei, he had to obediently sit back and tend the fire.
Men were like children. Once they were scared, they became obedient. Now, whatever Yue Hongmei said, he didn’t dare to make a sound.
“Oh, look at this child, how filial he is to me,” Widow Liu praised Liu Xiaobao profusely to the mother and daughter. Cheng Xifen and Wang Qiao’e somewhat understood Widow Liu’s intentions.
They couldn’t go back to their hometown, and it was better to stay at their place than to be out on their own, not knowing what would happen.
Thus, one party was willing, and the other was willing, and the mother and daughter settled in at the Liu’s.
On the other side, after sending the people away, the door was left open for a while longer, and finally, there were no other strange odors in the air. Chen Lishu also let out a sigh of relief.
When cooking dinner, Chen Lishu felt Zhang Qin’s gaze on her intermittently. She finally couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Eldest sister-in-law, have you received your period this month?”
Chen Lishu was surprised by the question and paused for a moment. “I was taking traditional Chinese medicine for conditioning. I only stopped taking it two months ago, so my menstruation might be irregular. I haven’t received it yet this month.”