Seeing Fan Shuting's attitude, Nan Sheng's response was even more decisive.
"Father-in-law, you see for yourself—Mother-in-law disagrees with your approach. In that case, don’t blame me later for not treating you two with respect."
Lin Guozheng glanced at his wife, but Fan Shuting stood her ground. On this matter, the couple found themselves at odds for the first time.
Eldest Brother Lin’s family dared not intervene, fearing the situation would escalate further, though Zhou Wei supported sending their sister-in-law back home. She couldn’t shake the feeling that if Lin Xue stayed any longer, their family’s food supply would be in danger.
Nan Sheng looked at the teary-eyed Lin Xue. "Da Wa (eldest son) said today that he wants nothing to do with you from now on. Not only do I support him, but I’ll also write to your second brother and explain what happened today.
"Since everyone’s here, let me make this clear: Whether Lin Xue starves or freezes to death in the future, it has nothing to do with our branch of the family.
"And if her long stay causes you two to run out of food, don’t expect me to step in!"
The elderly couple’s hearts twisted at her words. They had witnessed Nan Sheng’s filial piety all this time, and now her harsh ultimatum left them deeply hurt.
Fan Shuting retorted stubbornly, "Don’t worry, we won’t burden you!"
Nan Sheng stared at her mother-in-law, thinking, Just wait until your dear relatives bring their whole family to live here—let’s see if you can still act so tough then!
With that, Nan Sheng turned to leave. Sicheng followed, gently urging her not to take it to heart.
After escorting her home, Sicheng saw his younger siblings’ swollen, tear-streaked eyes and felt a surge of anger. No wonder Second Aunt was furious enough to argue with Grandpa and Grandma.
When he returned, he told his parents how pitiable Second Aunt’s family was and how unfair it was for their grandparents to favor their aunt—she should’ve been sent away long ago.
Eldest Brother Lin silenced him but didn’t scold or hit him. Truthfully, he too was disappointed in his sister.
Back at the main house, Lin Guozheng argued with his wife, insisting Fan Shuting had mishandled the situation. "We should’ve punished Lin Xue right in front of our daughter-in-law.
"If you’re worried she’ll starve, just give her two bags of grain to take home! Do you think you’ve only offended Nan Sheng today? Mark my words—Lin Han and Da Wa will resent you for being unfair too!"
Fan Shuting’s heart ached with frustration. Normally, she’d side with Nan Sheng and send Lin Xue away, but these weren’t normal circumstances!
Lin Guozheng made it sound so simple—just give their daughter some grain. But did he even consider how many mouths that grain would have to feed back home?
Fine, if they resent me, so be it. For my daughter’s sake, I’ll bear it…
After dinner, Nan Sheng tucked Siqi into bed and took out stationery, heading to the west room. Sizhe, troubled by the day’s events, was still awake.
"Son, get up and write a letter to your father. Tell him how Lin Xue bullied you and your sister, and how your grandparents refused to stand up for us!"
Sizhe hesitated. "Is that… appropriate? Won’t Dad get mad at Grandpa and Grandma?"
Despite his words, he felt a flicker of curiosity. Would Lin Han react like Nan Sheng—fiercely determined to seek justice for them?
"Don’t overthink it. Write what you want!"
Nan Sheng placed the paper on the kang and ruffled Sizhe’s hair affectionately.
"Son, death can’t sever love or memory. Even though your mother left early, she’ll always live in your heart.
"I won’t replace her. In fact, you and Qiqi are luckier than most—you have two mothers, don’t you?"
Sizhe stayed silent, nodding obediently, though tears threatened to spill again.
Nan Sheng offered an idea. "Whenever you miss your birth mother, come to me for some paper. Write down everything you want to say, then burn the letters at her grave. Who knows? Maybe she’ll receive them."
Sizhe choked back a laugh mid-sob. "Mom, I’ve never heard of burning letters at a grave before."
Nan Sheng shrugged. "So what? It’s not like she can refuse delivery. Whatever we send, she’ll have to accept it down there!"
Sizhe: Well… he was kind of tempted.
So he followed Nan Sheng to the east room and took three more sheets of paper. Only then did Nan Sheng realize—Wait, did Bai Xiu even know how to read?
Eh, hopefully she does!
Meanwhile, Nan Sheng penned her own letter to Lin Han, detailing Lin Xue’s actions and her children’s feelings.
She even included a threat: If he didn’t agree to cut ties with Lin Xue, she’d take the kids and leave him to live alone!
Nan Sheng chuckled after writing it. As if I’d actually stay with him… But the truth was, she couldn’t bear to part with the children. They’d grown too dear to her.
Honestly, aside from the hypothetical five million, nothing in the modern world held much appeal. If she could earn enough here, staying might not be so bad…
The next morning, Sizhe had already cooked breakfast by the time Nan Sheng woke. His spirits seemed restored.
He handed her the letter for Lin Han, then asked sheepishly, "Mom… do we need to put stamps on the letters we burn?"
What an excellent question!
Nan Sheng pondered seriously. "Better put them on. How else will the postman deliver them?"
Sizhe’s eyes lit up. Of course! Mom made perfect sense.
At the town post office, Nan Sheng couldn’t suppress a smile while mailing the letters. Her son seemed mature and clever, but deep down, he was just as easy to fool as his sister.
At the government office, Du Tang brought news: The town mayor had been transferred back to the local clinic the previous evening. Did Nan Sheng want to visit him at noon?
Absolutely—and she couldn’t go empty-handed!
Learning Nan Sheng had no ration coupons left, Du Tang took her to the black market, where a contact sold her two cans of food and a tin of powdered milk.
"This street’s black market is one of the more orderly in town. If you’re ever short on supplies, come here."
Nan Sheng pretended it was her first time, nodding along while inwardly mourning the thirty-plus yuan she’d just spent.
The mayor had been given a private hospital room. Pale and frail, he brightened upon seeing Nan Sheng and Du Tang, eagerly asking about government affairs.
He fully endorsed the Xiaoling Village poverty alleviation plan.
"Nan Sheng, regardless of my relationship with the Party Secretary, forge ahead if it benefits the people. I’ll be waiting for your good news!"
The mayor’s magnanimity had a reason: During his hospitalization in the county, the County Party Secretary had visited, revealing that the Vice County Magistrate was under investigation for corruption.
Once convicted, the mayor would be promoted to fill the vacancy.
