Chapter 179: Chapter 179: The Truth Comes Out

Yan Lijun listened nervously to her mother-in-law and the others chatting, her heart pounding, but she didn’t dare to come clean herself, afraid she’d be thrown out before even getting through the door.

The bride had arrived. Xu Huaizhi carried Xu Huaiyu out from his room and settled him on a bench in the main hall. A group of men gathered around, joking and teasing Xu Huaiyu.

Yan Lijun sat among the women, listening to their small talk, feeling like she was sitting on pins and needles.

By nearly eleven thirty, the kitchen was ready, most of the guests had arrived, and the courtyard and main hall were packed with a dozen tables, everyone waiting for the meal to start.

The delicious smells wafting from the kitchen made everyone’s mouths water and their eyes linger longingly.

Liu Guifang asked Yan Lijun, “Lijun, where are your family’s bridal escorts? It’s been half an hour and they still haven’t shown up.”

Yan Lijun’s palms were slick with sweat. She knew the longer she waited, the worse things would get.

She steeled herself and said, “There’s no one escorting me from my family. My younger brother is getting married today too, and everyone at home is too busy.”

Her words caused an uproar.

“What? No one came with you?”

“You came all by yourself?”

“Didn’t you say there’d be the ‘three rounds and one sound’? Are they bringing them over later?”

...

Everyone started talking at once.

Liu Guifang’s face darkened. Seeing Yan Lijun’s uncomfortable expression, she had a very bad feeling.

“If no one’s coming, what about the bride price? What about the ‘three rounds and one sound’ we sent over? When are you bringing those?”

Yan Lijun looked at her apologetically, deciding to tell the truth and hope for leniency.

“Mom, I’m really sorry. My younger brother is getting married, so my family kept two of the ‘three rounds and one sound’ from the bride price, and only sent me back with a wristwatch.” God knows, as she said this, she was shaking all over.

She had a feeling that with these words, today’s wedding was as good as ruined.

Sure enough, Liu Guifang nearly fainted from rage and had to be revived by Yang Fengmei pinching her philtrum.

It wasn’t just the women; the men were in an uproar too, everyone discussing heatedly.

This was the biggest joke in Xujiatun this year, hands down—even more dramatic than Xu Meiling landing Chen Jianghe, the golden bachelor.

The Xu family never expected this. They’d always been so shrewd, but today the tables were turned.

Liu Guifang had always bragged about her youngest son marrying such an outstanding city girl, but it turned out she was from a fallen family, and they’d even used the daughter’s bride price to marry off the son. Wasn’t that just selling their daughter?

Everyone had something to say.

Most people outwardly told Liu Guifang to let it go, but inside, they were delighted by the spectacle.

Xu Huaiyu, already unwell, had forced himself to attend the wedding. Now, his fiancée had stabbed him in the back, leaving him utterly humiliated. Already weak, the shock was too much—he fainted on the spot.

Luckily, the barefoot doctor was there and checked him over. “It’s nothing serious, just a fit of rage. He’ll be fine after a rest.”

He’d fainted at just the right time, avoiding everyone’s ridicule.

Xu Mingshan, face ashen, had no choice but to step up and calm the guests.

Xu Huaizhi hadn’t expected this twist. He didn’t know what to feel—after all, it takes two to tango.

He’d warned Xu Huaiyu before: city girls aren’t easy to get. If you want her city status, she’ll want something from you too.

Otherwise, why would anyone willingly marry into your family?

Most relationships are about weighing pros and cons—there’s no such thing as love for no reason.

Liu Guifang didn’t care about losing face anymore—the financial loss hurt her far more. She grabbed Yan Lijun, determined to beat her up.

“You Yan family are a bunch of deadbeats! Using your daughter’s bride price to marry off your son? I don’t care—you must return every bit of that bride price, or I’ll take you to court!”

“Mom, I’m sorry. I had no choice.”

Yan Lijun apologized humbly, all alone in a crowd, with Xu Huaiyu unconscious and no one to speak up for her. If he were awake, he’d probably be leading the charge against her.

A few women close to Liu Guifang joined in, hurling insults—especially Yang Fengmei, who was particularly vicious.

Yan Lijun cried and apologized, feeling utterly humiliated, helpless, and miserable.

Chen Fengqin, seeing the scene devolve into chaos, had originally wanted to leave. But watching this young woman surrounded and berated by a group of older women, she felt uneasy. As the women’s committee director, she knew she had to speak up.

“Enough! Watch your mouths. She’s just a young girl—she can’t control her parents. Who would willingly give up their own bride price?

If you ask me, the only way to solve this is to talk to her parents. Liu, you need to discuss this with your in-laws. Yelling at the girl is pointless.” Chen Fengqin spoke up for fairness.

People nearby nodded. “She’s right.”

“That makes sense.”

“Chen Fengqin, it’s easy for you to talk when it’s not your problem. The Xu family are the real victims here, don’t you see? As women’s committee director, you’re siding with the wrongdoer!” Yang Fengmei, still holding a grudge from a previous argument, snapped back.

Chen Fengqin ignored her.

Liu Guifang was swayed by Chen Fengqin’s words. Yes, the priority was to get the bride price back from the Yan family and minimize the loss.

Because of this mess, the place was in chaos. The kitchen helpers asked if the banquet should go on.

Of course, the food had to be eaten—Yan Lijun and Xu Huaiyu were already legally married, and there was no returning her now.

With all the food cooked, they couldn’t just let it go to waste.

But no one was in the mood to sit down and eat properly. After what happened, the Xu family was in disarray and couldn’t host the guests.

Xu Mingshan, suppressing his anger, told everyone to grab a bowl, go to the kitchen, and take a big serving home to eat.

This suited everyone just fine—they could enjoy the food with their families.

Today’s dishes were all big stews. It was the dead of winter, and stir-fried dishes would go cold in minutes, so they’d made several big pots of stew, which was perfect for taking home.

A wedding banquet where everyone took food home—this was a first.

A Slap

Everyone’s attention quickly shifted from the Xu family’s drama to the food.

Nothing is more important than eating.

Even Xu Meiling, heavily pregnant, rushed to get food. She didn’t care about Xu Huaiyu—feeding herself came first.

Chen Jianghe hurried after her to protect her. Didn’t this woman realize she was pregnant? He found himself increasingly embracing the role of father.

He’d once thought about not keeping the child, but lately, he’d started looking forward to it. Maybe that’s just what becoming a parent feels like.

Liu Guifang temporarily let Yan Lijun go and hurried to discuss with Xu Mingshan how to get the bride price back.

Yan Lijun shot a grateful look at Chen Fengqin, who just shook her head and left—she had no appetite for this meal.

Yan Lijun felt a wave of bitterness. Liu Guifang had been so kind to her before, and she’d thought she would understand her difficulties. But as soon as the truth came out, she turned on her instantly, even threatening to hit her.

Thinking of this, Yan Lijun gave a bitter smile. Let them do whatever they want—make a scene at her parents’ house or come looking for trouble—she didn’t care anymore.

If the Xu family did show up, she’d even feel a bit vindicated. Let her useless brother get a taste of what she was going through.

What should have been a lively wedding was now total chaos, everyone scrambling for food, afraid they’d miss out.

Yan Lijun, carrying her luggage, hid in Xu Huaiyu’s room—the only place in the big Xu house where she felt a shred of safety.

The room was decorated with red paper cuttings, festive and bright, making her eyes sting with tears.

Thinking of how good Xu Huaiyu had been to her before, she felt both guilty and afraid.

Xu Huaiyu slowly woke up and saw Yan Lijun sitting at the bedside. Remembering what had happened before he fainted, he was instantly furious, forgetting all about his illness.

“Yan Lijun, after all the trust I put in you—did you know all along your parents would do this? Were you in on it?” He sat up and demanded.

Yan Lijun, flustered, grabbed his hand. “Huaiyu, listen to me—I didn’t mean for this to happen. Please don’t be angry. My brother got a girl pregnant, and her family demanded the ‘three rounds and one sound’ for the wedding, or they’d send him to labor camp.

My family had no choice. Can’t you just let it go for my sake? We can work hard together and buy those things back in the future, okay?”

Yan Lijun finally told him the whole truth, hoping he’d understand her difficulties and pleading humbly.

Little did she know, the Xu Huaiyu who had always been so attentive was just putting on an act. The real Xu Huaiyu was a reckless troublemaker who cared little for others.

*Slap!*

A loud slap landed on Yan Lijun’s face, leaving her stunned.

Xu Huaiyu, when angry, would hit even his own sister and sister-in-law, let alone his wife.

“Yan Lijun, listen up! Your family must return the bride price in full, or I’ll make sure your whole family suffers.

Why should I pay for your brother getting a girl pregnant?

You took the bride price and ruined my wedding—how could you do this?

I even injured my foot hunting in the mountains just to give you a grand wedding, nearly dying from the pain. Do you think this is fair to me?” Xu Huaiyu shouted.

He was genuinely hurt. Sure, he’d been after Yan Lijun’s city status, but they’d been classmates and had feelings for each other. Being betrayed by someone he trusted, even a scoundrel like him, was hard to take.

The grand wedding he’d dreamed of had become a complete farce. He could already imagine being the butt of gossip for decades to come.

He couldn’t stand the thought.

Yan Lijun stared at Xu Huaiyu in disbelief.

She’d expected him to be angry, to demand the return of the bride price, but she never imagined he’d hit her—right in the face.

He’d always smiled at her, painted rosy pictures of their future, promised to treat her well after marriage, never let her work, and so on. She’d heard it all so many times, she’d started to believe it.

They’d never even had a real argument—every time she got upset, Xu Huaiyu would always give in and coax her.

In her mind, Xu Huaiyu wasn’t ambitious, but he was gentle, reliable, never hit her, and was generous with money—a man she could rely on.

She never thought he’d show his true colors on their wedding day. Yes, she was at fault, but that slap woke her up completely.

Men’s words are nothing but lies.

Even your own parents can’t be relied on—how could a man be? She’d been naïve.

She knew she had no way out. She was already married to Xu Huaiyu, had accepted the bride price—she could only grit her teeth and carry on, or face utter ruin.

She remembered something from her textbooks: “A man’s mistakes can be remedied, but a woman’s cannot.”

Once a woman makes her choice, there’s no turning back.

Her in-laws must hate her now, and if Xu Huaiyu didn’t support her, she’d have no place in this family.

No matter how much she hated it, she could only swallow this bitter pill.

“Huaiyu, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean for this to happen. This is my own wedding—I didn’t want it to turn out like this. I had no choice. If I didn’t agree, they wouldn’t let me marry you. I just wanted to be with you.

If you’re really angry... then send me back! Let’s just end it here...”

Yan Lijun threw herself into Xu Huaiyu’s arms, sobbing her heart out.

It was a risky move—vulnerability is a woman’s best weapon. With someone like Xu Huaiyu, fighting back would only make things worse. Retreating might just work.

Xu Huaiyu was a normal man. Seeing his wife so heartbroken and seeking comfort, his protective instincts kicked in. He sighed and hugged her back.

They were already married—there was no undoing it. Besides, he’d weighed his options and Yan Lijun was the best he could hope for.

“Get up. What’s going on outside? Help me out there.”

Xu Huaiyu calmed down, ready to discuss with his parents how to handle this.

He couldn’t just let the Yan family get away with this.

Yan Lijun had no choice but to help him out to the main hall.

The Xu family courtyard was empty—everyone had left, and the place was a mess.

After dividing up all the food, everyone had gone home to eat, even forgetting to leave a portion for the hosts.

The borrowed tables and benches were scattered everywhere, the ground littered with sunflower seed shells and peanut husks.

Yan Lijun looked down at her stomach in frustration. She hadn’t eaten a bite all day. Neither her own family nor her in-laws cared about her.

Xu Huaiyu, too busy being angry, didn’t notice any of these little things."

"Here’s a fluent, natural English translation of your text:

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A Slap

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Everyone’s attention immediately shifted from the Xu family’s mess to the food in the pot.

No matter how big the world is, eating comes first.

Even Xu Meiling, heavily pregnant, rushed over to fight for food. She didn’t care whether Xu Huaiyu lived or died—filling her own stomach was what mattered most.

Chen Jianghe hurried after her to protect her. Didn’t this woman know she was carrying a child? To be honest, he was starting to get into the role of a father himself.

Although he’d once thought about getting rid of the child, lately he’d started to look forward to it more and more. Maybe this was what it felt like to be a parent for the first time.

On Liu Guifang’s side, she temporarily let go of Yan Lijun and hurried off to discuss with Xu Mingshan how to get the bride price back.

Yan Lijun shot a grateful look at Chen Fengqin, but Chen Fengqin just shook her head and left. She didn’t even want to eat anymore.

Yan Lijun felt a wave of bitterness in her heart. When she first arrived, Liu Guifang had treated her so well that she thought Liu might understand her hardships. But as soon as things fell apart, Liu turned on her instantly, even trying to hit her.

Thinking of this, a bitter smile appeared on her face. Let them do whatever they want—make a scene at the Yan family, come to her door, whatever. She couldn’t care anymore.

If the Xu family really did come to make trouble, she might even feel a twisted sense of satisfaction—let that useless younger brother of hers get a taste of what she was going through now.

The wedding, which should have been lively and festive, had turned into utter chaos. People swarmed to grab food, afraid they’d miss out if they were too slow.

Yan Lijun, carrying her luggage, hid in Xu Huaiyu’s room. In this big Xu family house, it was the only place she felt even a shred of safety.

The room was decorated with red paper cuttings, full of festive cheer, but looking at them made her eyes sting with tears.

Thinking of how good Xu Huaiyu had been to her in the past, she felt both guilty and afraid.

Xu Huaiyu slowly woke up. Seeing Yan Lijun sitting at his bedside, and remembering what had happened before he passed out, he was instantly furious, forgetting even his pain.

“Yan Lijun, after all the trust I put in you, did you know all along what your parents were planning? Were you in on it with them to trick me?” He sat up abruptly, questioning her.

Yan Lijun anxiously grabbed his hand. “Huaiyu, listen to me. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Please don’t be angry. My younger brother got a girl pregnant, and her family demanded the ‘three rounds and one sound’ as a bride price, or else they’d send him to a labor camp.

My family had no other choice, so we came up with this desperate plan. Can’t you let it go for my sake? We can work hard together in the future and buy all those things back, okay?”

For the first time, Yan Lijun told Xu Huaiyu the truth, hoping he’d understand how hard things were for her, humbly begging for his forgiveness.

She had no idea that the attentive, considerate Xu Huaiyu she’d known was just an act. The real Xu Huaiyu was a reckless, unruly troublemaker who didn’t care about anyone else.

*Slap!*

A loud, resounding slap landed on Yan Lijun’s face, leaving her stunned.

Xu Huaiyu, when he lost his temper, wasn’t afraid to hit even his own sister or sister-in-law—let alone his legitimate wife.

“Yan Lijun, listen up. Your Yan family must return the bride price to me, every last bit. If you don’t, I’ll make sure your whole family suffers for the rest of your lives.

Why should I pay for your brother getting a girl pregnant?

You took the bride price and ruined my wedding—does your family even have a conscience?

I went hunting in the mountains and hurt my leg just to give you a grand wedding. I was in so much pain I nearly died. Do you think you’ve treated me right?” Xu Huaiyu shouted, not caring what he said.

He was genuinely hurt. Sure, he’d mostly wanted Yan Lijun for her city-girl status, but they’d been classmates for years and had real feelings. Being betrayed by someone he trusted—even a scoundrel like him couldn’t help but feel bad.

The grand wedding he’d dreamed of had turned into a complete joke. He could already imagine that for decades to come, whenever anyone in the village talked about weddings, they’d gossip about him.

Just thinking about it was unbearable.

Yan Lijun stared at Xu Huaiyu in disbelief.

She’d imagined he’d be angry, maybe force her to return the gifts, but she’d never thought he’d hit her—right in the face.

He’d always been all smiles with her, painting rosy pictures of their future, promising to treat her well and never let her lift a finger. She’d heard it all so many times.

He’d lied so much that Yan Lijun had started to believe it was true.

They’d never even had a real argument. Whenever she got upset, Xu Huaiyu would always give in and coax her.

In her mind, Xu Huaiyu wasn’t ambitious, but he was gentle, reliable, never hit her, and was willing to spend money on her—a man she could depend on.

She never expected that on their wedding day, his true colors would show. Yes, she was at fault first, but that slap woke her up completely.

A man’s words are nothing but lies.

If even her own parents couldn’t be relied on, how could she trust a man? She’d been foolish to think otherwise.

She knew she had no way out now. She’d already registered the marriage and held the wedding, and her family had taken the bride price. All she could do was grit her teeth and carry on, or else she’d be ruined forever.

She remembered something she’d learned in school: “A man’s mistakes can be explained, but a woman’s mistakes cannot.”

Once a woman makes her choice, it’s almost impossible to turn back.

Now her in-laws must hate her, and if Xu Huaiyu wouldn’t help her either, she’d have no place in this family.

No matter how much she hated it, all she could do was swallow this bitter life.

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"Chapter 181: Discussion and Fainting

In the main room, Xu Mingshan and his wife finally managed to send everyone away, hastily bringing an end to the farce. Now, together with their eldest son Xu Huaizhi, they were discussing what to do next.

Liu Guifang looked at her son expectantly. “Eldest, you’ve always been the clever one—think of something! Our family is being bullied to death! If we don’t get back at them, the Yan family will think we’re scared of them.”

After everything that had happened lately, Xu Huaizhi had long since lost faith in his parents, and any brotherly affection for his younger brother had vanished as well. Honestly, he was just glad not to be secretly laughing at their misfortune.

“What do you expect me to do? You two made this mess, you figure it out.”

“If you ask me, eldest, why don’t you just gather a few guys from the village and go to the Yan family’s place to snatch the bride price back!” Xu Mingshan said angrily, clearly at his wit’s end.

“Your father’s right!” Liu Guifang chimed in.

Xu Huaizhi gave a helpless smile. “Dad, you’ve been the village secretary for years—you know how this works. The bride price is a gift to the bride’s family, to thank them for raising their daughter. Once it’s given, it’s theirs to do with as they please.

If they’re willing to return it, that’s their kindness. If not, that’s their right. No matter how much you argue, you can’t just go and take it back. I’m not about to end up in a labor camp over this.”

Xu Huaizhi was right, and this was exactly why the Yan family dared to keep the bride price. Legally and customarily, it belonged to the bride’s family. If they wanted to return it, fine; if not, there was nothing the Xu family could do.

Unless they got divorced.

But to be blunt, the marriage certificate was already signed, and the wedding had already taken place. If they split up now, both sides would lose out. No one wanted to go down that road unless absolutely necessary.

Most families would keep part of the bride price and return the rest. The Yan family, though, was shameless—they kept almost all of it.

Xu Mingshan took a hard drag on his pipe, his brow furrowed tight.

“If that won’t work, and nothing else will either, then let the third daughter-in-law go get it herself! If she can’t get it back, she shouldn’t bother coming home!

We’ve lost so much face today. If we don’t get back those few hundred yuan worth of gifts, people will laugh at us for the rest of our lives,” Liu Guifang said, refusing to let it go.

“It’s already a huge joke,” Xu Huaizhi said coolly.

Yan Lijun was helping Xu Huaiyu to the door and happened to overhear their conversation.

She gripped Xu Huaiyu’s arm tightly, drawing strength from him.

Yan Lijun, hang in there. Just get through this.

“Third, why are you up?” Liu Guifang hurried over to help her son, shooting Yan Lijun a fierce glare.

Xu Huaiyu sat down in a chair in the main room.

“Third daughter-in-law, did you know about all this from the start? I’m telling you, if you don’t get that bride price back, don’t expect to have a peaceful life in this house!

You married into the Xu family, you’re one of us now. Because of you, our family has suffered a huge loss—so what are you going to do about it?

And your parents are something else! They claimed it was all for your own good, but I don’t think they ever saw you as a real person.

Not only did they swallow the bride price, they didn’t even give you a proper dowry. Just sent you off with a broken old trunk. How worthless can you be?” Liu Guifang raged.

Because Yan Lijun was the third son’s wife, Liu Guifang was actually holding back—if it had been the wife of her eldest or second son, she’d have torn into them even worse.

But Yan Lijun had never experienced anything like this before. She’d never seen the ugly side of a rural mother-in-law. Tears streamed down her face, no matter how hard she tried to wipe them away.

“What are you crying for? Am I wronging you? You’re a jinx! Ever since you got engaged to my son, nothing good has happened to our family!”

Yan Lijun sobbed even harder.

“Mom, that’s enough. She didn’t want things to turn out like this either,” Xu Huaiyu finally spoke up, seeing his mother go too far.

“And you! Of all the girls you could have chosen, you picked her? I told you to find a local girl we know, but you insisted on marrying some city girl. Now look, you’ve ended up with a shameless nobody. Are you happy now?

Do whatever you want. The family’s split anyway—spend your own money, embarrass yourself all you like. But if you end up broke and starving, don’t come running to me.”

Liu Guifang was furious that her son had let a woman cloud his judgment. She lashed out at him too—something she’d never done before.

Xu Huaiyu quickly patted Yan Lijun. “Hurry up and apologize to Mom and Dad!”

Yan Lijun caught on immediately, wiped her tears, and said with a thick, tearful voice, “Dad, Mom, I’m sorry. My parents raised me, but I really had no choice in all this.

I promise, once I start earning money, I’ll support the family and be good to you. Please don’t be angry with me.” With that, she knelt down heavily, looking as sincere as she could.

She never would have thought of this herself—it was Xu Huaiyu’s idea.

Seeing her so earnest, Xu Mingshan and Liu Guifang’s anger did subside a little, but they were still resentful.

“Don’t give me this nonsense. If you want my forgiveness, there’s only one way—go back to your parents’ house and bring back the bride price, in style!” Liu Guifang said stubbornly.

“Mom, don’t make things harder for her. Let’s just figure out how to get it back,” Xu Huaiyu said, exhausted in both body and spirit.

“How? Tell me how? Your in-laws are shameless enough to keep every penny of their own daughter’s bride price. Am I supposed to beat their daughter up and send her back?

You think I want to make things hard for her? It’s her family making things hard for us!

That was the ‘three rounds and a sound’—not just a piece of candy or a pound of flour. Once it’s given, it’s gone.

I see you’ve married a wife and forgotten your mother. You’re so blinded by love you don’t know right from wrong.”

Liu Guifang had always had a possessive streak toward her youngest son. In the past, no matter who she argued with, he always took her side. Now that he was married, he’d actually argued with her for his wife’s sake. She felt a deep sense of loss.

Losing the “three rounds and a sound” (the standard big-ticket wedding gifts) was nothing compared to the pain of realizing her son would no longer defend her, but would instead talk back for another woman. The thought left her feeling empty inside.

Xu Huaiyu didn’t realize how hurt his mother was.

“I have an idea, Mom. But you have to help me.”

“What idea?”

“Mom, you’re the best at making a scene. Just go sit at the Yan family’s door and shout about all the awful things they’ve done for three days and nights. I don’t believe they could stand it. Sooner or later, they’ll have to give something back,” Xu Huaiyu suggested slyly.

Normally, Liu Guifang might have listened.

But today, with Yan Lijun right there, the comparison stung.

Why should she, the mother-in-law, have to clean up the mess her daughter-in-law made?

So Yan Lijun was too embarrassed to make a scene, but she could?

In this freezing weather, she’d be sitting out there until she turned into an icicle and no one would care.

In short, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law are natural enemies.

Liu Guifang couldn’t hold back anymore. She grabbed a feather duster and started swinging it at Xu Huaiyu. “You ungrateful brat! I raised you for nothing. Just like your brother, you’re a white-eyed wolf—married a wife and forgot your mother!”

“Ow! Ow! Mom, I’m still sick!”

Xu Huaizhi saw Liu Guifang’s anger turning his way and slipped out like the wind.

Xu Mingshan just rubbed his forehead and puffed on his pipe, wanting nothing to do with this ridiculous mother-son pair.

Yan Lijun saw Liu Guifang was really going to hit someone and quickly got up to intervene. But because she’d been kneeling, she stood up too fast, felt dizzy, and collapsed right into Xu Huaiyu’s arms. Luckily, he caught her.

Just before she fainted, she wondered if it was because she hadn’t eaten all day."

"Chapter 182: Yan Lijun is Pregnant

“You move aside! I’m disciplining my own son—who are you to act all high and mighty?”

Liu Guifang had thought Yan Lijun was just pretending, so she grabbed Yan Lijun’s arm and pinched her hard—only to get no reaction at all.

Xu Huaiyu could feel Yan Lijun’s whole body go limp against him. Sensing something was wrong, he quickly pinched the pressure point under her nose, but still got no response.

What followed was a scene of utter chaos.

The barefoot doctor visited the Xu family for the second time that day.

“From what I can feel, it seems like a pregnancy pulse, but I can’t say for certain yet.”

“Pregnancy pulse? Are you sure?” Liu Guifang asked, half in shock, half in delight.

“It seems like it!”

Liu Guifang couldn’t help feeling a pang of regret—this child had come too late. If it had come earlier, she could have used it as leverage.

Xu Mingshan’s gloom also lifted, and he was a little happy. It had been a long time since a new life had come into the family—this was good news.

Xu Huaiyu stood to the side, not quite sure how to react. He was going to be a father? He still felt like a kid himself.

But he was still worried about Yan Lijun.

“Uncle, why did she faint? Is she all right?”

“She fainted because of spleen deficiency and blood loss—in short, she was starving. Do you have any sugar at home?”

“Sugar? Yes, yes!” Liu Guifang was too worried to be angry now, and quickly dug out the leftover wedding candies from the cupboard.

“Dissolve the sugar in water and feed her half a bowl. She’ll be fine in a bit. Prepare something for her to eat when she wakes up—this is what happens when you’re too hungry. You need to pay more attention from now on, or it could affect the baby.”

“Okay, okay, thank you, uncle,” Xu Huaiyu nodded.

Liu Guifang went to make the sugar water, and Xu Mingshan personally saw the barefoot doctor out.

Xu Huaiyu sat by Yan Lijun’s side, lost in thought.

After Yan Lijun drank the sugar water, Liu Guifang leaned over and whispered in her son’s ear, “Third, are you sure that baby is yours? Don’t end up wearing a green hat without even knowing it.”

Of course Xu Huaiyu was sure the child was his—he and Yan Lijun had only slipped up that one time before marriage.

Based on the doctor’s estimate, the timing matched exactly—it must have happened then.

“Mom, what are you talking about? Of course it’s mine! Who would dare cheat on me?” Xu Huaiyu replied in a low, annoyed voice.

“That’s good! I just don’t want you to get fooled by this woman. Don’t forget about the bride price—you already got taken for a ride once. Let me tell you, just because she’s pregnant doesn’t mean we’re letting the past go. No way. What’s owed is still owed.”

“Mom, enough already. Go make some food, I’m hungry too. I only ate a little this morning and I’m starving now.” Xu Huaiyu shooed his mother away.

Hearing this, Liu Guifang hurried off to the kitchen. Not only Xu Huaiyu, but she and Xu Mingshan were hungry too—they’d been busy since morning.

But when she got to the kitchen, she found it had been completely ransacked. Who started it, she didn’t know, but all the food, vegetables, and meat she’d put out earlier had vanished without a trace.

The kitchen looked like it had been robbed—everything was a mess.

Even the huge pots of stew had been divided up, and not even a drop of soup was left.

Cursing under her breath, Liu Guifang started making food.

When Xu Huaizhi got home, he told Lin Xiaomeng everything that had happened in detail.

Lin Xiaomeng felt a sense of satisfaction and immediately cooked dumplings for Xu Huaizhi—she’d made them in advance while resting in bed the past couple of days, and kept them frozen outside for convenience.

When Yan Lijun woke up and learned she was pregnant, she was overjoyed—not just because she longed for a child, but because the timing couldn’t be better. The baby had come just in time to get her out of trouble, and at least her days in her husband’s family wouldn’t be so hard now.

Xu Huaiyu told her to focus on her health and said he’d handle the bride price issue. He also reminded her that she was now part of the Xu family, and shouldn’t side with outsiders.

Liu Guifang and Xu Mingshan’s attitude toward her also softened noticeably.

They’d already discussed it: just as Xu Huaiyu suggested, Liu Guifang would take the lead and make a scene, embarrassing the other family. From now on, the two families would probably be at odds for good.

Yan Lijun knew that once this matter came to light, there was no way the two families could remain on good terms. If she wanted to have a place in the Xu family, she had to stand with them.

Her own family’s actions had left her deeply disappointed, so she didn’t hesitate to side with Xu Huaiyu. Let them fight—if she had to suffer, it was only fair they tasted it too.

After lunch, Liu Guifang went to her eldest son’s house next door and asked Xu Huaizhi to give her a ride to the county. She wanted to strike while the iron was hot and confront the Yan family.

Xu Huaizhi didn’t want to get involved, but giving his mother a ride was fine—he had to go back to work that afternoon anyway, since he’d taken the day off.

Liu Guifang, always good at getting under people’s skin, let slip—whether on purpose or not—that Yan Lijun was pregnant, looking completely satisfied at the prospect of a grandchild.

Lin Xiaomeng, standing nearby, clenched her teeth in anger when she heard about Yan Lijun’s pregnancy, biting her lip hard to keep her feelings from showing.

Why? Her own child was gone, but Xu Huaiyu’s child got to live?"

"Chapter 183: Liu Guifang Comes Knocking, All Pretense Shattered