Chapter 481 - 469: Unresigned

Many people didn’t sleep well that night.

In Harbin, Lin Shan tossed and turned. He never expected that his past attempt to help would lead to this. If he had known this would be the outcome, would he still have offered his hand?

’Yes, I still would have,’ Lin Shan thought, rolling over. ’But my methods might have been different. I wouldn’t have gotten involved personally. If I had let my subordinates handle it back then, maybe none of this would have happened.’

But what was done was done. There was no use dwelling on it. This whole affair was a lesson for him. In the future, he would have to think things through more carefully and handle them properly to ensure nothing like this ever happened again.

Meanwhile, Chen Fengjiao cried alone until midnight. The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, and the more aggrieved she felt, the more the tears flowed. She couldn’t understand how things had turned out this way. ’What is Lin Shan thinking? Does he find me old and repulsive now? Does he really want to keep Liu Fang and find a younger woman?’

’No, I won’t allow it. I absolutely will not allow it. When Lin Shan comes back, if he really dares to do this, I... I’ll fight him to the death.’

Elsewhere, Lin Sui’er had tried to comfort Chen Fengjiao for a long time, but seeing her mother still crying, she eventually gave up and returned to her own room. Lying in bed, her mind was in turmoil. ’What exactly is this thing called love? Why is it so sweet for some, yet so hurtful for others?’

She thought of Li Zhi. He had been her first love. Back then, she had truly loved him, feeling that life wouldn’t be worth living if she couldn’t have him. She had tried all sorts of schemes and even forced her mother to help her. ’In a way, I was a bit like Liu Fang is today. But I wasn’t as extreme as her. Besides, our situations were different. Li Zhi was single, whereas Dad... Lin Shan... has a family.’

She had acted foolishly back then, but she had never forgotten her feelings for Li Zhi. When she found out that he had fallen for Feng Ling, she had been jealous and resentful. In the end, though, she gave him her blessing, hoping he would find happiness. When Li Zhi and Feng Ling later broke up, she didn’t gloat. She felt sorry for Li Zhi. But when it comes to matters of the heart, who can say for sure how things will turn out?

’Things are impossible between me and Li Zhi now. So where is my own true love? When he appears one day, will I be happy like my big sister and Sun Jiaming, or will my life be thrown into turmoil and pain?’

Lost in thought, Lin Sui’er slowly drifted off to sleep.

In the living room, Liu Fang hugged Chun Ya, her eyes wide open for a long time. She hadn’t rested well for two days. She should have been exhausted, but she couldn’t sleep. Perhaps it was a trace of reluctance and anxiety from leaving home. Perhaps it was the discomfort and excitement of a new place. But more than anything, it was her anticipation for the future. She fantasized that this was her home now. The master bedroom would be hers, where she and Lin Shan would sleep. Chun Ya would have her own room. Everyone else would be gone. Then she would bear Lin Shan a son. ’Wouldn’t that be a perfect life?’

The more Liu Fang thought about it, the more excited she became, and the less sleepy she felt. In the darkness, her eyes gleamed with a light that was unsettling to behold.

Meanwhile, Gu’er and Sun Jiaming also spoke in low voices for half the night before slowly falling asleep.

That night, perhaps the only ones who slept well were Jiji and Chun Ya, who knew nothing of the turmoil.

The next day, Sun Jiaming left after breakfast. Speaking of breakfast, Gu’er had gotten up to make it. When it was ready, she called for Chen Fengjiao, but Chen Fengjiao ignored her and refused to eat.

Sui’er ate and then left for school. Sun Jiaming and Gu’er ate at the dining table. Liu Fang and Chun Ya didn’t eat at the table; the two of them ate at the coffee table. Liu Fang wasn’t like she was yesterday. When Gu’er served her a bowl, she and Chun Ya started eating immediately. She wasn’t about to actually let herself starve.

"Where did Jia Ming go?"

Liu Fang asked as Gu’er came out after washing the dishes.

"There’s something at the department store he needs to handle. It’s almost the New Year, so it’s a busy time."

Gu’er said coolly.

"You two are so capable."

Liu Fang’s eyes held a hint of envy. ’I’m not capable at all,’ she thought. ’I can only depend on a man to survive. As long as Lin Shan is well, I’ll be content to stay home and take good care of him.’

Gu’er glanced at her but said nothing.

She went to check on Chen Fengjiao, but Chen Fengjiao just lay in bed and ignored her.

"Do you two want to go out for a walk?"

Gu’er asked Liu Fang after closing the door again.

Liu Fang instinctively hugged Chun Ya tighter and shook her head frantically. ’I’m not familiar with the city. It took me a huge effort just to find the Lin family’s home. I’m not going out. What if Gu’er takes us somewhere deserted and has someone get rid of us? Who could I even complain to? Even if I could find my way back, it would be a huge hassle. So, no, I’m not leaving this house.’

"Suit yourself, then."

Gu’er said, then ignored Liu Fang and went back to her room to check on her son.

Gu’er made a simple lunch. She called for Chen Fengjiao, but Chen Fengjiao just groaned from her bed and didn’t get up.

"Is your mother sick? Seeing her like this makes me feel awful. I don’t think I can eat either."

Liu Fang looked at Gu’er, her face a mask of sincerity and her eyes filled with worry, as if she were genuinely concerned about Chen Fengjiao.

"My mom isn’t sick. If you were truly concerned for her, Sister-in-law, you would leave our house and go back to your village. Then my mom would be fine."

Gu’er couldn’t stand Liu Fang’s act. ’If you’ve made up your mind, then at least stop pretending.’

"I have no choice. If I don’t stay at your house, I can’t survive."

Liu Fang said, her eyes welling up with aggrieved tears.

"Just eat."

Gu’er frowned, then picked up her chopsticks and started eating. She still had to feed her child; she couldn’t afford not to eat.

Seeing Gu’er’s reaction, Liu Fang knew she wasn’t welcome. She silently picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.

Sun Jiaming returned in the afternoon. Gu’er asked if he had eaten, and he said he had.

"How are things at the department store?"

Gu’er asked casually.

"Don’t worry, everything’s fine. It was crowded, but I’ve got it all arranged."

Sun Jiaming also replied casually.

Gu’er nodded. Sun Jiaming’s words meant that everything had been taken care of.

"Mom has been in bed for most of the day and hasn’t eaten anything. Can you go buy a chicken? I’ll make some chicken soup with ginseng slices for her tonight. Otherwise, her body won’t be able to take it."

Gu’er said, looking toward the master bedroom with a flicker of worry in her eyes.

"Alright."

Sun Jiaming nodded and left without another word.

"Your husband is so good to you."

Liu Fang remarked with envy in her tone, watching Sun Jiaming’s departing back.

At the mention of Sun Jiaming, Gu’er’s expression softened. ’I’m so lucky to have him. No matter what trouble I’m in, he’s always by my side. He’s even more dedicated to caring for our child than I am. Most nights now, he’s the one who gets up. So few men would do that. He’s just worried I’ll get worn out. He really cherishes me.’

Seeing the look on Gu’er’s face, Liu Fang felt a surge of resentment. ’The only reason Sun Jiaming is so good to Gu’er is because she’s pretty and because of her connection to Lin Shan. If Gu’er didn’t have a father like that, who knows how Sun Jiaming would treat her? Seeing that blissful expression on Gu’er’s face just makes me sick. Why does she get to have all the good things in life while I have to suffer? It’s not fair!’ This only strengthened Liu Fang’s resolve to stay with the Lin family.

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Thank you to Mo Xiaoyan for the peace charm and monthly ticket. Thank you to Huli Fan’er, Maomao Yu 2011224, Doudouzui, and Wuji Buqi for the monthly tickets. Thank you all for your support.