Volume 1, Chapter 20: Aunt Was Doing It On Purpose

Cuckoo’s cries rang out louder than usual, drawing neighbors to peek out and see what was happening.

“What’s going on here?”

Her sobs were heartfelt, and the anxiety etched on her face was unmistakably genuine.

She kicked the wooden gate of Shen Lingshuang’s courtyard fiercely twice, crying and shouting, “Ziqiang is escorting Xiao Chuan to the clinic now!”

“Li Lanfang! You’d better pray Xiao Chuan is okay!”

“Otherwise, I’ll never let your whole family off the hook for the rest of my life!”

“It’s ridiculous how, back when the family split, my second brother had nothing, yet insisted on building a wall for his daughters’ courtyard...”

“Turns out he foresaw that his daughters would cause big trouble someday, and feared they’d be beaten to death if caught by others, so he built those high walls!”

“When my second brother was still alive, our families were close. His elder brother was worried he wouldn’t get by after the split and even lent your family his own money to build that new house!”

“But my second brother has been gone for four years, and not a single person in your family has mentioned repaying that debt… and that’s not all!”

“You, Shen Lingshuang—born of a father but without a mother’s guidance! You actually passed your bad luck onto my son!”

“Don’t blame me then if I forget the brotherly bond between the Shen family!”

“Li Lanfang! I’m giving you seven days! Within seven days, you must repay the two hundred yuan borrowed for the house construction!”

“And all the medical expenses for our Xiao Chuan’s treatment! Your family must pay for it all!”

After finishing her outburst, the courtyard gate finally swung open.

Shen Aodong stood firm, blocking everyone’s view inside.

“Our family does owe uncle two hundred yuan. Since aunt says it must be repaid within seven days, we’ll abide by her word.”

Before Cuckoo could speak again, Shen Aodong cut her off, “Aunt, if you want the debt, consider it delivered! You’ve wronged my sister Lingshuang and insulted my mother. Isn’t that enough? If you make more trouble, it won’t just be a family matter! I won’t hesitate to ask the village captain to intervene!”

A neighbor woman tried to ease the tension, “Xiao Chuan is sick at the clinic, so surely he can’t manage without you, the mother… Since Aodong promised to repay you in front of all of us, why don’t you first go look after your child?”

Cuckoo immediately accepted the neighbor’s gentle suggestion, “Shen Aodong! You promised yourself! Repay the money within seven days! If you don’t bring the money by then, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

With that, she hurried away.

Though Cuckoo left, the neighbors lingered, curious whether there would be any further developments from Shen Aodong’s side.

Yet Shen Aodong said nothing more except thanking the neighbor woman.

The neighbor sighed with concern, “The New Year is coming soon, every family is tight on money, and you agreed to repay so quickly… I’m afraid your aunt won’t just let this go…”

“We’ll pay as much as we can,” Shen Aodong’s face hardened like frost. “No matter what, we’ll do our best to repay as soon as possible. We can’t let Mom and my sister suffer injustice for nothing anymore!”

Sigh...

Every family has its troubles, and the neighbors didn’t press further.

After closing the door again, Shen Aodong couldn’t even eat his lunch.

Shen Yingxue’s eyes were red and swollen from crying, her anger evident, “Aunt is doing this on purpose! Xiao Chuan went back so early—there’s no way he just happened to fall ill right at mealtime!… She just wants everyone to know and make a fuss!”

Li Lanfang picked up the chopsticks and firmly handed them to Shen Yingxue, “Stop crying, eat!”

“Mom, don’t worry. I’ll figure out a way to handle the money,” Shen Aodong said solemnly.

Song Qiuran glanced at Li Lanfang and then at Shen Aodong, speaking softly, “Mom, Aodong, don’t be so anxious. I have one hundred yuan here. After we eat, I’ll write home. The money problem will definitely be solved on time.”

One hundred yuan?

Li Lanfang’s heart tightened.

Did they marry a money goddess?

She could swallow her pride and borrow from the new daughter-in-law, but with Aodong’s proud temperament…

How miserable would he feel owing his wife money?

Yet as a mother, she truly had no means.

If she didn’t pay this debt, she couldn’t protect the children in this house.

“Tonight, we’ll head up the mountain early to hunt more! On the twenty-sixth, we’ll go to the town market to sell what we catch and raise some money. It’ll work!” Gu Xianglin offered enthusiastically.

After speaking, he suddenly stood up, looking very apologetic toward Li Lanfang.

“Aunt, actually, this is partly my fault.”

“I was too impulsive that day and hit Shen Xiao Chuan, which caused all this trouble.”

“So, in the next few days, I’ll hunt with Aodong and do my best to help you all!”

Li Lanfang quickly pressed him back down, “I’ve already heard from Aodong—you only acted to protect our Lingshuang… Aunt thanks you.”

“Mom, we’re all family. No need to be so formal!” Shen Lingshuang tried not to smile too broadly. “I’m already well now. Tonight, I’ll go up the mountain with my brothers—”

“No!” The entire family spoke in unison.

Shen Lingshuang was left speechless.

Why such distrust?

She was perfectly fine!

Since her physique had improved, she didn’t even feel cold wearing less than before!

But no one believed her.

This was when Shen Lingshuang truly began to worry.

If she couldn’t join the two of them up the mountain, she wouldn’t be able to release larger prey.

Otherwise, if things went wrong, her brother and Gu Xianglin would be in danger.

She had already exchanged her blessings to prepare wild rabbits and raccoon dogs.

When the timing was right, she instructed A-Fu to release them on the mountain.

After finishing all this, she cuddled up with her quilt and fell fast asleep.

Unexpectedly, that night, the other three women in the house tossed and turned without rest.

Li Lanfang worried about money, while Song Qiuran and Shen Yingxue feared that Shen Lingshuang might sneak out.

After all, on the two nights she hadn’t gone up the mountain, Shen Aodong and the others had returned empty-handed!

Though unspoken, they sensed it was Shen Lingshuang’s unusual luck at play.

Right now, when the family desperately needed money, Shen Lingshuang must be hoping to catch more on the mountain.

So, she was very likely to join the night hunt!

But that was too dangerous!

Money could wait; life was far more important!

That entire night, Shen Yingxue barely slept a wink.

Every time she closed her eyes, she feared Shen Lingshuang would try to sneak away.

She’d sleep a little, then wake again, nearly on the verge of a nervous breakdown by dawn.

Meanwhile, Shen Lingshuang slept soundly and peacefully, not dreaming a single dream.

“Yingxue, you didn’t sleep well? Why are your eyes so red?”

Saying this, Shen Lingshuang pulled her big floral quilt over and covered Shen Yingxue.

It was still dark outside, but faint noises stirred in the courtyard.

Thinking her brothers had returned, Shen Lingshuang quickly got up.

To her surprise, the whole family was awake.

As the gate opened, the four women rushed out, directly meeting the men whose hands were full of game.