10. Delivering by Cesarean Section: Ten

Zhang Yingying repeatedly insisted that she was kind-hearted and would never harm anyone, and she could not bear to see Li Hualin hurt others. Yet Chu Yunli believed that after Luo Meiniang’s death, if Li Hualin truly came to formally ask for her hand, even if she suspected foul play in Luo Mei’s death, she would likely not pry further and would happily don her wedding dress to enter the household.

Putting aside other matters, even if Zhang Yingying had been unaware of Li Hualin’s misdeeds before, after becoming a wet nurse in the Luo family, she should have guessed some of the truth. Yet she still pretended to be innocent and ignorant, claiming she knew nothing. To Chu Yunli, she was merely feigning ignorance and foolishness—taking advantage whenever possible and dodging when it was inconvenient.

Such a person was the most detestable.

Zhang Yingying was left speechless and instead began to weep over her innocence.

Chu Yunli had come to watch the drama unfold. After observing for a while, her curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, “Earlier I heard you planned to adopt her child, but there’s been no news. What happened?”

That was also Zhang Yingying’s purpose for coming today. Seeing that someone finally brought up the real issue, she wept, “The matter has escalated. My husband said he wants to kill the child… If the child truly dies, all of you will be executioners.”

The Li family’s faces darkened.

“No adoption!” Madam Yang knew better than anyone how much effort raising a child required. She had no patience to raise someone else’s child, especially since it wasn’t her own. It was always wrong to raise another’s child. She said matter-of-factly, “Our family isn’t short of children, nor are we wealthy. We don’t have the heart or money to raise someone else’s child.”

She was extremely unwilling and feared the in-laws might relent, so she emphasized, “Second brother has his own bloodline. Why adopt another?”

Li’s father agreed. After all, Luo Meiniang’s biological child was healthy and well-raised. There was no need to raise another. Moreover, if they brought in the child Zhang Yingying bore, it would invite gossip.

Li’s mother had a different view. Her son already had a child, but more descendants were always better. She disliked the child from the Luo family. The enmity between the two families was deep; seeing that child reminded her of how the child’s mother had caused her son to be imprisoned. Besides, adopting the Luo family’s child would sever ties with them, harming business interests. To leave an heir for her son, the only option was Zhang Yingying’s child.

Madam Yang lived under the same roof with the in-laws for years and could read their expressions. Seeing their faces, she understood their intentions. She said again, “Zhang Yingying is someone else’s wife. She claims the child is second brother’s, but when lips meet, who knows what’s true?”

Zhang Yingying couldn’t bear this and promptly retorted, “Li Hualin knows best whose blood the child carries.”

“He’d do anything for you; I don’t trust him!” Madam Yang glared. “Anyway, I won’t raise your child. If you insist on sending the child here, it won’t grow up. Try me if you don’t believe it!”

Zhang Yingying’s face turned pale. Biting her lip, she shed silent tears. She realized that if anyone in the family was soft-hearted toward the child, it was only Li’s mother. She shifted her position and knelt before Li’s mother, pleading, “Aunt, if the child stays with the Zhou family, he will surely die. No matter what the adults have done, the child is innocent. Please save him.”

As she spoke, she began bowing her head repeatedly.

Chu Yunli watched coldly and suddenly said, “By the way, that child is even a month older than mine. Li Hualin is truly something. If you dare take him in, I’ll petition the court to intervene.”

Zhang Yingying whipped her head around, glaring fiercely, “Why are you so cruel? Do you only want to see us mother and child dead?”

Chu Yunli smiled wryly, “Li Hualin isn’t forcing anyone; he really wants me dead. I’m just pushing back a little, haven’t laid a hand on anyone. So who’s really cruel here?”

Zhang Yingying was not a good-tempered woman. She had kept her tone low, fearing the Li and Luo families, but hearing this, she could no longer suppress her anger and shouted, “I did not kill you! How many times must I say it for you to understand?”

Chu Yunli looked puzzled, “I just don’t want your husband’s family to raise a mysterious child. Why are you so angry?”

Zhang Yingying was speechless.

She was utterly lost, helplessly trembling on the ground as she wept.

No one felt sorry for her!

Li’s mother wanted to take the child back to care for him but never considered caring for the mother. She hated Zhang Yingying, blaming her for driving her son to desperation and murder.

With Chu Yunli present, Zhang Yingying’s trip was in vain. No matter how she begged, the Li family would neither relent nor dare to.

Stumbling away, Zhang Yingying collided with a pillar in the corridor before pounding it and cursing, “Even you bully me… boo hoo…”

Still, no one paid her any mind. The crowd watched coldly as she cried and then disappeared despondently into the garden.

Li Huaping frowned as he watched her leave, “I hope nothing happens.”

Madam Yang said coldly, “If you’re so worried, why don’t you bring the child here and keep him under your eye?”

Li Huaping sensed the sarcasm in his wife’s voice and disapproved, “What kind of talk is that?”

“What kind?” Madam Yang stomped angrily. “Second brother has a woman on the side; you want to learn from him? After all, father back then…”

“Enough!” Li’s father roared. “This is getting out of hand.”

Yang was not afraid. She glanced at her mother-in-law’s dark face and said, “Just telling the truth. If Li Huaping dares to mess around, I’ll take the children back to my family... Your family’s reputation is ruined; keeping the children here won’t do them any good. If you really want what’s best for them, you shouldn’t stop me.”

Her words hinted at a desire to leave.

Li Huaping’s face darkened. He wanted to argue with his wife but was restrained by Chu Yunli’s presence.

This sister-in-law had once been family. But now... she was an enemy to be wary of.

An enemy indeed!

She had caused second brother to be imprisoned and sullied the Li family’s good name. What else could she be?

Li Hualin was at fault, but as long as Luo Meiniang was alive, they were husband and wife and family. They should tolerate his mistakes instead of clinging to grievances and refusing to forgive. To the Li family, Luo Meiniang was full of faults.

“Anything else?” Li Huaping was utterly impatient with his sister-in-law and bluntly dismissed her, “It’s late. You hate Hualin so much—surely you don’t intend to stay the night?”

Chu Yunli lowered her eyes and smoothed her sleeves. “He is still my husband. This is still my home. I come and go as I please. What right do you have to tell me otherwise? You, as the eldest brother, kicking me out—is it because you’re afraid I’ll take your family’s wealth?” Her eyes brightened. “The child is Hualin’s. This family should have a share for him. Rather than wait for a better time, let’s discuss how much Hualin deserves. After all, the child is young and can’t survive on thin air.”

She glanced toward the direction Zhang Yingying had left, “Her child’s paternity is unknown, but mine is definitely Li blood.”

The Li family was speechless, exchanging uneasy glances.

Dividing the family fortune was out of the question.

What they wanted to ask was, after Luo Meiniang sent a man to prison, how could they possibly divide the family estate?

Regarding the family wealth, Madam Yang had long made plans. To her, everything belonged to her children. Why share?

She immediately protested, “If you hate Hualin so much, you shouldn’t want his things...”

Compared to her agitation, Chu Yunli remained calm. “I do hate him, even dislike the child. But the child is mine. As his mother, I must fight for what belongs to him. Li family wealth inherently includes a share for the child.”

“We don’t want this child!” Madam Yang shouted. She knew the child was Li blood and unlikely to be rejected by the family. Her eyes shifted quickly as she formed a new idea. “Hualin isn’t the type to kill. He didn’t even dare kill a chicken when he was young. If he attacked you, you must have done something to wrong him. That child… must be someone else’s!”

Li’s mother chimed in, “Right! Hualin wouldn’t hate someone without cause. You ruined my son like this and still dare to come claim Li family wealth? Get out!”

Chu Yunli smiled coldly, “Are you sure you want me to leave?”

If she left now, there would be no chance of reconciliation between the two families.

Li’s mother immediately regretted her words and quickly turned away, signaling Li’s father to smooth things over.

The Li family truly disliked Luo Meiniang. If possible, they wished the marriage had never happened. But now was not the time to sever ties. Li Hualin was still in prison. To get out, he needed the forgiveness of the Luo family.

Madam Yang’s words reminded the couple that while they could slander Luo Meiniang behind her back, they could not openly snub her in front of her.

Li’s father awkwardly said, “No, your mother is hot-tempered. Don’t take it personally. Meiniang, I just want to say, no matter what happens to Hualin, as long as the child is here, you are my daughter-in-law. We are family. Whenever you return, the door will be open.” He looked at his son and daughter-in-law. “Don’t ever chase Meiniang away again. If you don’t listen, I’ll kick you out first.”

Madam Yang was displeased but guessed the father-in-law’s true intentions and remained silent. Li Huaping said nothing.

After all, promises could always be broken.

Chu Yunli knew they never truly regarded Luo Meiniang as family, but so what?

She never intended to treat the Li family as her own. Today she came just to watch the drama unfold. Seeing them disdain her yet feign politeness was initially amusing but grew tiresome.

She stood up. “It’s late. I should go. My child is waiting at home.”

Li’s father personally escorted her out. “You’re weak. Later, I’ll send someone to bring the child here for a few days...”

“No need!” Chu Yunli didn’t look back. “If you bring him here, don’t send him back. Your family’s values... full of lies and quick to take lives. I can’t trust my child to grow up with such people.”

Li’s father was speechless with frustration.