Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 144 Respect the fate of others

After the wedding date was decided, the Fu family left. Compared to the excitement of Si's father and mother, Lin Sisi wasn't as happy. As soon as the Fu family departed, her smile faded.

This was because Fu Yang had not touched her that day.

When Lin Sisi heard the name "Nian Nian" from Fu Yang's lips, her heart was filled with panic and fear. In their past life, at least in the first three years, Fu Yang did not love Si Nian. But in this life, even though Si Nian left when he hated her the most, this man, who should have been relieved and happy, called out Si Nian's name when he was drunk.

It's often said that drunken words are sober thoughts. Even if Fu Yang might not have fallen in love with Si Nian, it was clear from the current situation that she still occupied his thoughts.

The only consolation was that Si Nian had already married Zhou Yueshen. Fu Yang's pride would never allow him to ruin someone else's marriage.

Still, Lin Sisi was bitter. Despite all her efforts, she still couldn't win Fu Yang's heart.

Lin Sisi's face darkened. She wasn't the only one in the Si family with a gloomy expression. Liu Dong, wearing an apron, stood in the kitchen, her face pale as she leaned against the counter. She hadn't expected Lin Sisi and Fu Yang's wedding to be arranged so quickly, leaving her at a loss.

Thinking about that tall, handsome man who shone like a light and was about to marry another woman, Liu Dong's heart felt as if it was being torn apart.

Si Nian was completely unaware of the storm brewing in the military district compound. She slept until three in the afternoon. With nothing to do, she decided to take Yao Yao for a bike ride to get some fresh air.

Initially planning just a quick ride, she was surprised to see a crowd gathered ahead. Curious, she followed the onlookers and saw a commotion coming from the Zhang family's courtyard. Recognizing the place as the home of Aunt Zhu, who had previously bought mung bean cakes from her, Si Nian stopped her bike and, holding Yao Yao's hand, went to see what was happening.

At the entrance of the Zhang family's house, Aunt Zhu, Zhu Yun, was sitting on the ground, disheveled and crying, holding two young children. Her hair was messy, and the children, both girls around three or four years old, were crying heart-wrenchingly. The crowd around them murmured in hushed tones.

"I heard Zhu Yun was secretly saving money for her family," one person whispered.

"Her mother-in-law and sister-in-law found out, searched her pillow, and took the money. Now they're making a scene and want to divorce her, leaving her with the two daughters and taking the son," another added, shaking their head. "What a tragedy."

"No way, Zhu Yun is usually so timid. How could she dare to hide money? And where did she even get it?" a skeptical voice interjected.

"Who knows? Maybe she secretly saved it. Her husband, Zhang Xiong, works as a mover in town and earns quite a bit. Maybe she managed to stash some away," someone speculated.

The scene was chaotic, with Zhu Yun's sobbing and the children's cries blending into a heartbreaking cacophony. Si Nian watched with a mixture of curiosity and sympathy, wondering what had led to such a desperate situation.

At the Zhang family's entrance, Zhu Yun cried desperately, "Mom, I didn't give any money to my family."

"Then where did the money under your pillow come from? My son hasn't divided the family assets yet, and you dare to hide private funds? No wonder our money has been dwindling this past year. It turns out you, this ingrate, have been secretly taking it. My grandson didn't even get to buy pastries, and you dare buy so many good things for those two worthless girls of yours. Do you have a death wish?" Zhang Shi, Zhu Yun's mother-in-law, poked her forehead forcefully, and Zhu Yun didn't even dare to dodge.

A young woman, who resembled Zhang Shi and stood by with a gloating expression, chimed in, "Sister-in-law, stop pretending. I saw you give money to your family. My brother works so hard, and you spend his earnings on others. It's heartbreaking."

The Zhang family had three sons and a daughter. The sons all worked outside and hadn't divided the family assets, so they managed to save a considerable amount each month. They were relatively well-off, at least considered middle-class compared to others. However, Zhu Yun's two older sisters-in-law had better financial conditions and stronger personalities. Zhang Shi, who bullied the weak and feared the strong, vented all her frustration on her youngest son's wife, Zhu Yun.

Zhu Yun dared not talk back and, having given birth to two daughters in succession, was even less favored.

In a family where even the grandchildren were denied candies, Zhu Yun had the audacity to buy expensive mung bean cakes for her daughters. Zhang Shi was livid, wishing she could beat this ingrate.

Hearing her daughter's words, Zhang Shi's rage intensified, and her sharp eyes seemed ready to devour Zhu Yun. Among the crowd, Si Nian observed the scene, realizing that the commotion was due to her mung bean cakes. She knew that many households in the village had strained relationships between daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law.

Seeing Zhu Yun's plight, Si Nian felt a pang of sympathy. She understood that Zhu Yun's act of buying mung bean cakes, a rare treat, was a gesture of love for her daughters in a life otherwise filled with hardship and neglect.

But she never expected it to be so terrifying. Watching Zhang Shi's harsh face, so similar to Aunt Liu's, Si Nian couldn't help but shiver. In that moment, she felt a strange sense of relief that Zhou Yueshen's parents had passed away early.

Zhu Yun was trembling like a leaf, her face pale. "I... I didn't, I didn't. The money was from my needlework. I haven't taken a single cent from Lao San."

She had saved that bit of money intending to use it for her daughters' schooling, but it got noticed by her sister-in-law after she bought the mung bean cakes. Now, not only was her money taken, but her mother-in-law was also demanding a divorce. Zhu Yun was terrified. With three children, how could she survive if she got divorced? Her husband treated her well, and though she was not favored in her in-laws' house, she always hoped they would eventually split the household. She had been waiting for that day, carefully and patiently. Who could have thought that something would go wrong at this crucial moment?

Zhu Yun felt like her world was collapsing. "You're lying! How much money can you make with that lousy needlework? Shameless wench, we're getting a divorce. Go back to your mother's house today!" Zhang Shi yelled.

Si Nian frowned and was about to step forward when Zhu Yun suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud, begging, "Mom, Mom, I was wrong. Please don't make me leave. I won't save money secretly anymore."

Si Nian paused. She had initially wanted to explain about the mung bean cakes, but sometimes explanations are useless. While she felt pity for people like Zhu Yun, she also believed that if someone doesn't love themselves, it's hard for others to help them. Respecting others' destinies was a principle she lived by.

Observing the scene, Si Nian decided it was better not to intervene directly. She knew that interference might not only fail to help but could also exacerbate the situation for Zhu Yun. Instead, she resolved to find a subtler way to assist, respecting Zhu Yun's choices while acknowledging the complexities of her predicament.