Li Hongmei dismissively curled her lip, “Who knows, it must be his wife who’s stirring up drama.”
Old Mrs. Li got out of her kang bed to put on shoes, “I’ll go have a look.”
Even the barefoot doctor charges for a visit.
Li Dongmei and Li Hongmei followed closely behind, clearly in the mood for some excitement.
The barefoot doctor of Xiaoqingshan Village was a female physician who examined Lin Jiayi briefly, asked some questions, and seemed to have an idea in mind, “She’s pregnant.”
Old Mrs. Li, who had just entered, caught the words, “Pregnant with what?”
The female physician was about to cheerfully speak, “Aunt Li, your daughter-in-law seems to be pregnant. It’s still early so I can’t be sure, but in a while, have Guangyuan take her to the hospital for confirmation.”
Upon hearing that Lin Jiayi was pregnant, Old Mrs. Li’s earlier displeasure vanished like smoke, slapping her palm with joy, “Ah, I knew it! They’ve been married for several months; it’s about time for some news.”
“Yes, it’s early days now, you need to be careful,” the female doctor advised.
Old Mrs. Li waved her hand with a smile, “I know, I know. I’ve had three children myself, I’m quite aware. Besides, us country folks aren’t so delicate.”
Li Guangyuan was also visibly thrilled to hear Lin Jiayi was pregnant.
After sending everyone off, he held Lin Jiayi’s hand with a guilty face, “I was wrong today, and I made you suffer. If my sisters took the money, let them have it. As their brother and sister-in-law, we should give them something when we earn money. Anyway, you have the final say over our finances. Please, don’t argue with them over this. Next spring, I’ll work hard to make more money for you.”
Lin Jiayi, whose tears of grievance were falling, heard Li Guangyuan’s words, “We can’t wait until next spring. You need to find some other business to do as soon as possible. We can’t rely on selling vegetables forever.”
How long would she have to sell vegetables before she could drive a car and live in a big house?
Li Guangyuan nodded hastily, “Okay, whatever you say.”
“Also, it’s time for your two sisters to find husbands; they’re not getting any younger. Last time I went home, I asked my mother to help look around. I’ll ask her again soon, and if there’s a suitable match, we should set it up.”
Those two sisters-in-law at home are only good at causing trouble, especially Li Hongmei. Marrying her off early would save trouble at home.
Li Guangyuan paused then nodded after a moment, “Okay.”
Knowing she was pregnant made Lin Jiayi feel her spine straighten with pride.
In her past life, she had been a forsaken widow for half a lifetime, and eventually she came around. If Qin Yang could be unkind to her, she would not be blamed for being unjust to him.
He could have a child and expect her to be a stepmother; she could make him wear a cuckold’s horns.
But no matter how much she messed around with others, she never dared to get pregnant.
This was the first time she had been pregnant in her two lives, as if the resentment suppressed in her heart for two lifetimes was now released.
Furthermore, she realized that even Li Guangyuan’s mother treated her more politely since she became pregnant, and those two sisters-in-law began avoiding her, which gave Lin Jiayi an indescribable sense of superiority.
After resting at home for two days, she packed up and went back to her parents’ home in Daqing Mountain Village.
Daqing Mountain Village and Xiaoqingshan Village were very close to each other, just a short distance apart. Li Guangyuan wanted to accompany her out of concern, but Lin Jiayi refused him. Internally, she couldn’t help feeling smug.
Upon entering her parental home, her face was full of happy and smug smiles.
Mother Lin was also unspeakably delighted to see her daughter return.
Seeing her daughter’s sun-darkened face, even thinner than when she got married, her heart ached once again.
“You really weren’t thinking straight, leaving behind the good life at the Qin Family, insisting on marrying Li Guangyuan, selling vegetables every day under the sun and wind, living such a tough life.”
She didn’t know what life was like for Lin Chuxia after marrying Qin Yang, but seeing Lin Chuxia’s skin during the Mid-Autumn Festival, so pale and delicate, even more radiant than when she was at her mother’s home, she could tell Lin Chuxia had not suffered.
Lin Jiayi nonchalantly pursed her lips, “What good life could there be marrying into the Qin Family? It’s no different from being a widow. Mom, I’m… pregnant…”
She gently caressed her belly with a look of happiness on her face.
Mother Lin was also full of surprise, “Pregnant? That’s wonderful.”
Isn’t the life of a woman all about getting married and having children?
Lin Jiayi had been married for half a year without getting pregnant, her mother was also anxious for her.
Now that she was pregnant, the heavy stone in her heart finally fell to the ground.
Finally, she could stand tall and speak confidently in her husband’s family.
In their village, if a woman didn’t get pregnant within three months of marriage, there would be gossip.
During this time, listening to all the whispers, she too was anxious for her daughter.
Lin Jiayi also felt very good about it; no matter what, she was stronger than Lin Chuxia in this respect.
Even if Qin Yang was home for three days after the wedding, what would it matter? It’s not certain that the two even slept together.
Next year, once she has her own child, and Lin Chuxia brings back an illegitimate child, that will be her time to hold her head high.
“Right, Mom, how’s the thing I asked you about last time? Remember, we must find someone suitable for Guangyuan.”
Upon hearing this, Mother Lin knew that the Li Family’s younger sister was causing trouble again. She patted her daughter’s hand, “Don’t worry, I’ve found someone already. One of your aunt’s relatives, nearly thirty years old, grew up without a mother. He moved out after his father remarried and had another son. Now he lives alone; I think marrying him would be good, as it means not having to deal with in-laws. Besides, the young man is quite capable; he’s raised two pigs.”
Seeing her daughter frown slightly as if not quite satisfied, Mother Lin lowered her voice, “Those two pigs are being raised for his father. When the time comes to sell the pigs, the money will go to his father. His house is an old one left by his grandparents, and his uncles have their eyes on it.”
Lin Jiayi’s face then showed satisfaction, smiling, “I think it’s a suitable match. Hongmei has no dad, and the other party has no mom, seems like a match made in heaven.”
In her previous life, Lin Chuxia had married off these two younger sisters splendidly. They became city dwellers working for grain rations. She transformed into a city person overnight.
She certainly wouldn’t be as foolish as Lin Chuxia had been; crossing her wouldn’t end well.
…
As the weather cooled, Lin Chuxia fell ill.
Ever since drinking the spiritual spring water, her body had been very healthy, not even bothered by a cold. But Old Master He encountered her, took her pulse, and even prescribed her some traditional medicine.
She originally had no intention of taking it, but hearing from Su Wensong that Old Master He had not treated patients for a long time and had made an exception for her, she gratefully accepted the medication.
Having drank lots of traditional medicine to improve her health in her previous life, she didn’t find it hard to drink anymore.
Worried about contagious illness, she hadn’t gone to the Bun Shop these days while sick. It was only after she got a bit better that she learned her master had also not been to the Bun Shop during this time.
Wondering what the old man was up to, Lin Chuxia took some fruits and pastries and went to her master’s house.