Lin Dequan whispered to Old Mrs. Lin, "Ma! This is no place to talk. I’ll explain everything when we get home. I promise it’s good news."
Old Mrs. Lin did not believe him at all. "Good news? Then why is your wife in the hospital? I saw a wound on her belly. Son, tell your mother the truth—did you lose the grandson? Just tell me! I can handle it."
As she spoke, tears began to stream down her face. She had spent the day at the neighborhood office delivering matchboxes, and when she returned, she found her husband missing and Liuni asleep at home. Night was falling, and not only was her husband gone, but her son and daughter-in-law had also been out all day without returning. Her heart was in her throat, filled with a deep sense of unease. She had been about to set out with Dani to find them when she happened upon a neighbor who told her that her daughter-in-law was in the hospital. Her heart felt as if it had been dropped into a pan of hot oil, scorching and painful. She had inquired everywhere until she finally reached the hospital, only to be shooed away by her son and daughter-in-law before she could even ask a single question. How could she not be angry? How could she not be heartbroken?
"Ma! Let’s go home first! I’ll tell you everything once we get back. There’s too much to say all at once. Besides, Dad is probably home by now. Let’s go back, put our heads together, and decide how to fight this battle tomorrow. How about that?"
Lin Dequan coaxed her with kind words for a long time before he finally managed to mollify her. *Sigh!* Even if he didn't say it, she knew—all hope for a grandson was gone. The roots of the Lin family were severed for good. The old lady’s heart burned with resentment; even if her son didn't say it, she could guess that this incident was undoubtedly linked to the Li family.
It was no wonder people said the Lin family were all sharp as tacks. They could discern the whole from a mere glimpse; their intelligence was truly not to be underestimated. In her past life, except for Dani, who had married early and lived an average life, the aunts' other daughters had all done quite well. In their later years, their daughters and sons-in-law had competed to support the elderly couple, making them the envy of every village for miles around. In this life, because of the variable that was Ke Xiaohong, many things had quietly shifted. She wondered if they would still meet the same fate as in the past.
***
When Ke Xiaohong returned, she found only her aunt in the hospital room; the uncle was gone.
"Aunt! Where’s Uncle?"
Li Youfeng replied, "Oh! Dani and the others came over just now, so I didn't want to worry, and I asked your uncle to take them home first. I’m afraid I’ll be putting you to work tonight."
Ke Xiaohong said, "Aunt! What are you saying? Isn't this what I should be doing? You’ve helped me several times over the past few years, and I’ve kept it all in my heart, waiting for a chance to repay you. Now that you aren't feeling well and need care, I’m duty-bound to help. Just leave it to me; I’ve looked after Grandpa and Grandma before, so I have plenty of experience."
Watching her busy niece-in-law, Li Youfeng thought back to her own parents, who had ended up bedridden in their final years. Everyone else had found them a burden, but only this "silly" child had been willing to clean them and care for them, allowing them to pass their final years with some dignity. Deep down, she was truly grateful for her efforts. *Maybe I should give her a bit more when the time comes! It won't be easy for her alone in the provincial capital.*
Ke Xiaohong had no idea that her aunt's scales were slowly tipping in her favor. If not for the experience of working in the shop in her past life, she would still be stuttering and unable to get a single clear sentence out. Being able to listen well and subtly invoke sympathy—none of her past struggles had been in vain.
Li Youfeng said, "Alright, I trust you to handle things. Don't worry, I’ve already talked to your uncle about it. Once this is all over, he’ll call his older brother and ask him to help buy a house."
Her aunt was always thoughtful, and Ke Xiaohong had no complaints whatsoever; she could only serve her with even greater care to show her gratitude.
The next morning, just after the doctor finished his rounds, Li Youqing arrived alone, carrying fruit and pastries. He had spent the whole night growing increasingly uneasy. Li Youqing hated the feeling of things spiraling out of his control, so he had come early to visit his sister, hoping to do some "ideological work." He knew that as the big brother, he still held a lot of weight with his own sister.
Ke Xiaohong had just finished washing her aunt's face and was about to pour out the water when she turned and saw Li Youqing walking in.
"Dad! Why are you here?"
Li Youqing said, "I came to check on your aunt! How is she today? Any better? What did the doctor say?" He asked Ke Xiaohong, but his eyes were fixed on Li Youfeng. Seeing that she was focused on her meal and didn't care about his arrival at all, he felt a flicker of irritation.
Ke Xiaohong ignored her father-in-law's pointed gaze and said coolly, "Aunt is much better today. The doctor just came by for rounds and didn't say much. She just needs to keep up her nutrition."
Seeing that the two had things to discuss, Ke Xiaohong tactfully prepared to withdraw. She turned to her aunt and said, "Aunt, there’s no hot water in the thermos. I’ll go to the water room to get some."
Li Youfeng nodded, silently giving her permission.
With no one paying him any mind, Li Youqing rubbed his nose in embarrassment. After watching Ke Xiaohong leave, he placed the fruit and pastries on the table, pulled up a stool, and sat down.
Li Youqing said, "Youfeng, how are you feeling today?"
Li Youfeng replied, "How else could I be? I’m not dead yet, for the time being."
Li Youqing said, "Youfeng, why have you become so cynical? I know you’re angry, but we’re family after all. Besides, Dequan almost killed your sister-in-law yesterday, and she’s still in shock. Our two families are close relatives; for my sake, don't hold it against them too much. If you’re still not satisfied, I’ll have your sister-in-law come over and let you beat her to vent your anger. How about that? As for the rest, don't worry—I’ll cover the lost wages, nutrition expenses, and hospital bills. Is that alright? Before Mom and Dad passed away, the only thing they worried about was us siblings. You’re a member of the Li family; you can’t side with the Lins and point your gun at your own blood, right? You want to have family on your side who will stand up for you, don't you?"
His mouth was growing dry from all the talking.
He watched as Li Youfeng slowly finished her meal and wiped her mouth. She looked up slowly at the brother she had known for decades. In this moment, he seemed like a complete stranger. Throughout the entire ordeal, he hadn't offered a single apology; instead, he had tried to distance himself from the situation and even threatened her time and time again.
She said coldly, "Big Brother! Do you know that I can never have children again? The doctor performed a tubal ligation on me yesterday while they were at it. I can never have a son again. The roots of the Lin family have been completely severed at my hands. Did you know all of this, Big Brother?"
Li Youqing was shocked by her words. He had thought it was just a simple miscarriage; if this pregnancy hadn't worked out, couldn't she just get pregnant again? How had she ended up getting sterilized? His heart pounded wildly in his chest. *This is going to be a blood feud!* If he had known! If only he had known, he would have dragged that damned woman here first thing this morning. *Sigh! A miscalculation, a huge miscalculation!*
Li Youqing said guiltily, "Little sister! I truly didn't know it was that serious. It’s my fault for not keeping your sister-in-law in check. I’m to blame. If you want to hit me or kill me, I won't say a word."
With that, he slapped himself across the face three times, his cheeks swelling up instantly.
Li Youfeng watched his actions with cold eyes. "Big Brother, are you trying to force me? Do you want me to die?"