Chapter 87: Then You Can Get Out of the Liu Family House As Well

In the wooden cabin behind the mountain, Liu Yan’er’s cries of surprise never ceased. From grooming the two little animals to tasting Lin Xiaodou’s cooking, she was cheering and squealing the entire time:

“Oh, I’m so happy! The food made by the fairy sister is simply delicious! If I died after one bite, I’d have no regrets!”

Lin Xiaodou pressed her hand to her forehead. “Pick up your jaw and eat, or the dishes will get cold.”

This girl was far too noisy, making her ears ache.

Tender braised winter melon, sweet and sour spare ribs, and savory mushroom and egg soup. Just two simple dishes and a soup—was it really that exaggerated?

Lin Xiaodou herself was used to eating things grown in her spatial dimension and had no idea how delicious they seemed to outsiders. No wonder Zhou Qinglang, who had been away for so long, still thought longingly of her cooking.

Liu Yan’er, for the first time, ate two big bowls of rice, finally stopping only when her stomach was about to burst. Realizing most of the dishes on the table had gone into her mouth, she blushed and said,

“Um... Sister Xiaodou, sorry, did I eat too much?”

Lin Xiaodou replied, “It’s fine, I made it for you. It’s best if you finish it all.”

She herself had a big appetite and enjoyed eating with those who also loved food.

After playing a bit more with the little golden monkey and the brown bear cub, Liu Yan’er reluctantly prepared to leave. Before she left, Lin Xiaodou reminded her,

“You need to keep an eye on your sister-in-law. For her brother’s marriage, she’s capable of anything. If she asks you to do something, tell your parents immediately. Don’t ever go out alone!”

According to what Liu Da’s wife said, her family had scraped together 166 yuan for the dowry and the three big items. Altogether, it amounted to over 400 yuan. If the bride’s family raised the price at the last minute, her family really couldn’t borrow another 100 yuan. In that case, they could use the current sum to buy a wife from another place for the bride’s family.

In these times, 400 yuan was a huge amount—more than enough to buy a bride in the countryside. Back in the capital, Lin Xiaodou herself had almost been sold to a fool for 300 yuan by her foster family. But now, the key point was that Liu Da’s wife’s family didn’t actually want to pay this money! They were willing to spend it for their son’s marriage, but not for anyone else. Such stingy, calculating people only wanted to take advantage.

Lin Xiaodou worried that Liu Da’s wife, already brainwashed by her own family, might target Liu Yan’er. After all, Yan’er was an available little sister, naive and easy to control.

Upon hearing this, Liu Yan’er grew nervous.

Truth be told, she had a bad feeling, which is why she came to Lin Xiaodou today for comfort. Before her sister-in-law got pregnant, Liu Yan’er could trust her parents would choose her. But now, things were different—she didn’t dare to gamble, nor did she want to.

“I know. The day after tomorrow I’ll return to the county to study. I’ll be careful.”

Hopefully, it was all just her imagination. Her parents still loved her dearly.

Thinking of this, Liu Yan’er’s gloom lifted. “Thank you, Sister Xiaodou. I had so much fun today. Next time, I’ll come visit you again!”

Liu Yan’er left, cheerful and light-hearted.

...

Meanwhile, not far away, two young women carrying baskets walked toward the cabin. One was Chu Ling, the other was a female educated youth. The two had agreed to go pick wild mushrooms at the foot of the nearby mountain that afternoon.

Seeing Liu Yan’er come out of Lin Xiaodou’s house, Chu Ling frowned. Why was Liu Yan’er here? How had she gotten involved with Lin Xiaodou?

Liu Yan’er was the brigade leader’s daughter. In her previous life, she’d always competed with her for the scoundrel Chen Guang. Relying on her status, Liu Yan’er had secretly tripped her up who knows how many times. Though Brother Guoqiang had helped resolve most of those troubles, Chu Ling remembered each account clearly.

She hadn’t expected Liu Yan’er to befriend Lin Xiaodou. Both were people she disliked. If possible, she’d rather see them both disappear.

A few days ago, Brother Guoqiang was discharged from the hospital and said he’d find someone to punish Lin Xiaodou eventually. But Chu Ling was unwilling to wait. As long as Lin Xiaodou stayed in Heishi Village, her secret about killing Zhang Lian could be exposed a day early.

For days, Chu Ling had been scheming, thinking of how to get rid of Lin Xiaodou. Now, seeing Liu Yan’er and recalling everything from her past life, an idea suddenly took shape in her mind...

---

That evening, at the brigade leader’s house, Liu’s mother spoke at the dinner table:

“Eldest daughter-in-law, since your brother’s marriage can’t be settled for now, return the 100 yuan to me. When it’s needed, I’ll give it to you again.”

Her daughter-in-law’s family was notoriously stingy, and she truly feared the money would never come back.

Liu Da’s wife paused mid-bite, displeased. “Mom, I just handed the money over to my parents yesterday. Once money is given, it’s not reasonable to ask for it back.”

Liu’s mother said, “That money wasn’t just our savings—it included what we borrowed from your uncle’s house. Your brother won’t be getting married anytime soon, so of course we should take it back.”

Liu Da’s wife said nothing, burying her head in her food. She had no intention of returning the money. Once it entered her family’s pocket, there was no way it was coming out.

“Eldest daughter-in-law, answer me!” Liu’s mother grew anxious.

Liu Da’s brother tried to mediate, “Mom, the money’s already been given to the in-laws. Let it go.”

“Let it go?” Liu’s mother’s eyes widened in anger. “It’s not just a few coins—that’s a whole 100 yuan, the Liu family’s savings for years!”

Liu’s father nodded, “Your mother’s right. We need to get the money back.”

Annoyed by their nagging, Liu Da’s wife blurted out her true feelings. “I can give it back, but for my brother’s marriage, your Liu family has to help!”

Liu Da’s brother grew anxious. “Wife, didn’t we agree yesterday not to bring this up?”

After she returned yesterday, they’d discussed the idea of swapping marriages. He knew his parents would never agree, and told her not to mention it to avoid upsetting them. Unexpectedly, she brought it up in front of everyone.

“Shut up!” Liu Da’s wife scolded him, then swept her gaze over Liu Yan’er. “Anyway, since your sister isn’t much of a student, she might as well skip school and get married. I happen to have someone in mind.”

Liu’s father’s face darkened. “Eldest daughter-in-law, do you know what you’re saying?”

Liu’s mother didn’t quite understand, and asked, “Old man, what does she mean?”

Liu Yan’er, however, understood perfectly. Terrified, she burst into tears.

“Mom, Sister-in-law wants to trade me for her brother’s bride, marry me off to that fool! Mom, I don’t want to marry... I don’t want to marry a fool... Waaa...”

“Utter nonsense! My daughter will never marry a fool!”

Liu’s mother shot to her feet, face livid with rage. “Huang Cuifen, if you dare scheme against my daughter, get out of the Liu family and divorce my son!”

Liu Da’s brother pleaded, “Mom, I won’t divorce my wife. She’s carrying my child!”

Liu’s father slammed the table in anger. “Then you can leave the Liu family too!”