Chapter 579 - 573 - _1
Li Family listened to Lin Yue’s words and initially didn’t understand; she hadn’t heard that Erhu had children, let alone several. But as the thought turned in her mind, she remembered that she had heard Erhu’s husband had visited two previous wives, and those children must be left by Erhu’s husband’s former spouses. Given their ages, they should be about the same age as these two children. Her heart found the prospect pitiable, aware that being a stepmother was a challenging role. However, from the look and tone of Erhu, it seemed she was quite fond of those children, treating them as if they were her very own.
Li Family then inquired in detail about the situation at Lin Yue’s husband’s home and found out that Zhao Erhu’s former wife had left not just children, but four sons, all capable of inheriting the family property. Her worries grew, and her smile lessened considerably.
"Erhu, I know being a stepmother is hard, and you’re too kind and soft-hearted. Although we mustn’t treat the previous children unfairly, you also need to be more vigilant and think for yourself. Don’t give everything of yourself. After all, you should bear your own son for your husband soon, for you’ll need someone to rely on when you’re old. Children not borne by you can’t be relied upon."
"Aunt, I am keeping track of it, rest assured. My husband says I’m still young and that having children isn’t easy. He’s thinking of waiting a couple more years. The children at home are quite decent, sensible, and respectful. They wouldn’t be any different if they were my own flesh and blood." Lin Yue knew her aunt meant well, but the more she lived with Dalang and his brothers, the more she saw them as her own children. When it came to the family property, she thought it fair for the brothers to divide it equally in the future. Besides, she had her own skills and properties; even if Dalang and his brothers turned out to be ungrateful in the future, she had nothing to worry about.
Li Family wanted to say more but held back since Lin Yue was a niece by marriage, not by blood. There was a boundary, and after all, it was someone else’s domestic affair; saying too much wasn’t appropriate. All she could hope for was that Lin Yue’s stepsons knew what’s right and wrong, otherwise, they might be a source of headache in the future. It was common even among blood brothers in the village to have disputes over inheritance.
Li Family chatted with Lin Yue for a while, and when it was almost noon, she asked Lin Yue to stay for lunch. Lin Yue thought that eating was necessary wherever she went, and seeing that her aunt was someone who valued cleanliness, she could eat with assurance and not worry about an upset stomach from unclean food, so she readily accepted. "Then I’ll be troubling you at Aunt’s home, but please don’t fuss too much, just prepare a few ordinary dishes. It would make me uncomfortable if you made a whole table of dishes, preventing me from visiting often."
Li Family agreed in front of Lin Yue but went on with the preparations as usual. It wasn’t often that Lin Yue came to visit, bringing so many things with her. If Li Family could not manage to lay out a good meal, it would indeed be laughable. But since both daughters-in-law were out today, she was quite busy by herself.
Li Family, busy in the kitchen, naturally couldn’t look after the two grandsons, so she admonished them to only play nearby and not to run around. The two boys quickly agreed, "Granny, rest assured. We won’t run off."
The boys spoke truthfully, as with such a pretty sister visiting their home and bringing so many tasty and fun things, they had no desire to play outside. Besides, the pretty sister was kind and did not disdain them; they wished only to stick close to her.