Chapter 173: Chapter 173: The Xu Family’s Affairs

Xu Family Village

A lot had happened in the Xu family village lately.

The old Xu family had made a real spectacle of themselves.

First, Xu Huaiyu was in a panic, insisting on getting married.

Since they’d promised the bride’s family the “three rounds and one sound,” the whole Xu family got busy, ordering the eldest to run around everywhere looking for ration coupons.

When Lin Xiaomeng found out that Liu Guifang was actually going to prepare the “three rounds and one sound” for Yan Lijun, and was even making her husband run around for it, she was absolutely furious.

Back when she got married, her family had only given her a men’s bicycle, and she barely even rode it—Xu Huaizhi used it most of the time.

So basically, she’d planted the tree, and now others were enjoying the shade.

It’s not like the family was struggling back then—the second son was even sending his stipend home every month. But the old couple just couldn’t bear to part with anything.

Now, with the youngest son getting married, suddenly nothing is too good for him. “Three rounds and one sound”? Why don’t they just reach for the stars!

Even the cheapest set would cost at least five hundred yuan, and that’s if you had the coupons.

Without coupons, you’d have to go to the black market or buy privately, and the price would go up by several hundred more.

What, so only Yan Lijun counts as a daughter-in-law? What about Lin Xiaomeng? How is that fair?

Turns out the saying is true: “The emperor loves his eldest, but commoners dote on the youngest.” Not a word of it is false.

If Gu Qinghuan were here, she’d at least drag her along to argue with the old Xu family, but unfortunately, she wasn’t.

People don’t mind having less, but they do mind being treated unfairly.

This incident stirred up a huge storm in the Xu family—it was like the sky had fallen.

Xu Huaizhi wasn’t happy about it either, but as the eldest, he was used to giving in to his younger siblings and didn’t want to clash with his parents over this.

But Lin Xiaomeng wasn’t about to let it go.

The third son lazed around every day, eating and doing nothing, just spending the family’s money. To be honest, all the money in the house was earned by the eldest and second sons, but now the third wanted to blow a huge sum on his wedding.

What really bothered her was that this was just the beginning. The family hadn’t split up yet, and once the new daughter-in-law moved in, who knew how much more favoritism the old couple would show?

She just couldn’t stand the idea of the third son’s family getting all the benefits.

So she started making a scene at home.

“I don’t care. Whatever I got back then, the third daughter-in-law should get the same. If you insist on buying them the ‘three rounds and one sound,’ then you’d better make it up to me too. Those are your only two options—take your pick.”

Of course, Liu Guifang didn’t want to make it up to her—how much extra would that cost? Her purse was already shrinking.

But the third daughter-in-law’s family had specifically demanded those things, and it hadn’t been easy for the third son to find a city wife. She didn’t want to disappoint her son.

“How can you compare then and now? It’s been years—the market’s changed. Besides, you and the eldest married for love; I didn’t force you. Back then, I was very satisfied with you. Now what, you see someone else getting something and you want it too? You’re not right in the head.” Liu Guifang’s words were harsh and unfiltered.

The implication was clear: you were the one who was eager to marry in.

It was true that Lin Xiaomeng had taken the initiative back then, though Xu Huaizhi liked her too—it was a love match.

She’d made her plans early because her own family’s situation wasn’t good.

But now her mother-in-law was throwing it in her face in front of the whole family. Lin Xiaomeng felt utterly humiliated.

She felt like all her years of effort had been wasted—this family was just a pack of ungrateful wolves.

She rushed over, ready to fight Liu Guifang, and Xu Huaizhi, the so-called “nice guy,” didn’t try to stop her.

He was upset too, so he just let his wife make a scene to show where they stood. Otherwise, his mother would just keep bullying them.

Xu Huaiyu, the mama’s boy, snapped. His sister-in-law was making things hard for his mom and blocking his marriage—he started to really hate Lin Xiaomeng, and ran over to kick her hard.

Liu Guifang watched Lin Xiaomeng fall to the ground with satisfaction. See? Her youngest son was the best. No wonder she doted on him—he’d always protected her since he was little.

He was better than all the others put together, who only ever brought her trouble.

Xu Huaizhi glared at Xu Huaiyu, unhappy: “Third, are you looking for trouble? You dare hit your sister-in-law?”

Then he hurried over to help his wife up.

Liu Guifang sneered, “The third did right. This so-called good daughter-in-law even dares to hit her mother-in-law. If we don’t rein her in, she’ll be out of control.”

“Exactly,” Xu Huaiyu chimed in.

Xu Mingshan sat in the house, watching the drama unfold, saying nothing either way—after all, Liu Guifang was leading the charge.

“What are you pretending for? Get up already!” Liu Guifang barked when Lin Xiaomeng stayed on the ground.

Lin Xiaomeng felt a sharp, unbearable pain in her belly—she couldn’t straighten up.

When Xu Huaizhi came over, he saw blood seeping from under Lin Xiaomeng, and was startled. “Xiaomeng, what’s wrong?”

Normally, a kick from someone as weak as Xu Huaiyu wouldn’t do much, especially since he’d kicked her in the belly, a soft spot. But bleeding was a big problem. Xu Huaizhi didn’t have time to think—he scooped her up and rushed to where the bicycles were parked.

Halfway there, he remembered the roads were bad with all the snow, and he couldn’t ride. Gritting his teeth, he carried her back inside and laid her on the bed.

“Xiaomeng, wait here. I’ll go get the doctor.”

Lin Xiaomeng was in so much pain she could only moan, unable to speak. Dacheng stood by the bed, terrified.

“Mom, are you okay?”

Liu Guifang and Xu Huaiyu had thought she was faking it, but when they saw the blood on the floor, they realized it was serious.

When Xu Huaizhi came out, he saw the two of them nervously peeking in at the door.

“Xu Huaiyu, you’d better pray your sister-in-law is okay, or you’ll be sorry,” he threatened before rushing out.

Xu Huaiyu shrank behind his mother, not daring to say a word.

Liu Guifang didn’t dare speak up either.

“Third, do you think your sister-in-law might be… pregnant?” she asked nervously.

After all, bleeding after a kick like that—what else could it be but a miscarriage?

Xu Huaiyu panicked. If she really was pregnant and he’d kicked the baby out… he didn’t even want to imagine how angry his brother would be.

After Dacheng was born, they’d wanted a daughter, but Lin Xiaomeng hadn’t gotten pregnant again for years. If she finally was, and now…

Xu Huaiyu immediately started packing.

“Mom, I just remembered I have something to do at the canteen. I’ll head back first. Tell big brother to help me with the coupons, okay? I’ll be back in a couple of days. Lijun’s mom says it’s bad luck to get married at the start of the year, so we need to get things settled before New Year.”

Liu Guifang was stunned. “Son, what about me? If your sister-in-law really miscarried, she’ll go crazy at me!”

Xu Huaiyu was scared too.

“Mom, you’re the mother—big brother won’t dare do anything to you. But I was the one who did it. If they go nuts, they’ll kill me. I’m leaving. Remember to put in a good word for me.”

He grabbed his bag and left. The snow was too thick for bikes, so he walked. He had to get back to the county today or his life wouldn’t be safe.

When it rains, it pours. He’d finally found a city wife, but now trouble was piling up.

Outside, Liu Guifang’s offhand comment set off alarm bells in Lin Xiaomeng’s mind. She hadn’t even considered the possibility.

In her previous life, she’d only had Dacheng and never got pregnant again, so she’d just assumed she wouldn’t have any more children in this life either.

But thinking about it, she realized she hadn’t had her period for two months. She’d been so busy she’d forgotten, and honestly, not having it was convenient, so she hadn’t paid attention.

Could it really be…?

Lin Xiaomeng’s heart ached.

The snow was heavy, but Xu Huaizhi managed to find a barefoot doctor to come take a look.

This barefoot doctor was actually quite skilled—he’d studied Chinese medicine. He took Lin Xiaomeng’s pulse, shook his head, and said, “What a pity. Two or three months along, and now it’s gone.”

In that instant, Xu Huaizhi felt his heart shatter.

Gone? What did that mean?

He hadn’t even known about the child, and now it was gone.

Lin Xiaomeng’s suspicion was confirmed. Ignoring her pain, she sat up in a frenzy. “Xu Huaiyu! Liu Guifang! I’ll fight you both to the death!”

Xu Huaizhi tried to hold her back, but she shook him off. “Xu Huaizhi, you’d better not stop me, or I’ll divorce you. If I’d known this would happen, I’d never have married you, never stayed here.” She was hysterical.

“Mama!” Dacheng grabbed her hand, frightened.

Xu Huaizhi’s heart ached too.

“Xiaomeng, I know you’re hurting, but your health comes first. There will be more children in the future. I promise I’ll get justice for you this time.”

“I don’t want justice—I want my child. You don’t understand. There won’t be another… there won’t be…” Lin Xiaomeng seemed lost in grief.

This child had been a wonderful surprise from heaven. She had a feeling she’d never have another.

The barefoot doctor gave some instructions for her recovery and quickly left—better not to get involved in other people’s drama.

Xu Huaizhi paid him and saw him out politely."