As Lin Fang had anticipated, Li Cuilian truly intended to adopt Lin Xia. She arrived with her mother-in-law, Lin Shuzhen. When they stated their purpose, before Erlang and Li Cuihong could react, Granny Tong flatly refused without hesitation.
Li Cuilian pleaded anxiously, “Second Aunt, my husband and Second Cousin are close cousins, and Cuihong and I are like sisters. Xia is my own niece. Please rest assured, I would never mistreat her.”
“That’s right, Second Sister-in-law,” Lin Shuzhen chimed in. “Xia is my own grandniece. We would only dote on her—there’s no question of mistreatment.”
Granny Tong shook her head. “I will take care of my own granddaughter. There’s no need for the Zhou family to trouble themselves.”
Li Cuilian, tears streaming down her face, knelt and begged, “Second Aunt, I swear to heaven I would treat Xia as my own daughter.”
Granny Tong sighed but did not ask Li Cuilian to rise. Instead, she asked, “Let me ask you this: if you were to have children of your own, would you still adopt my Xia?”
Li Cuilian fell silent. The answer was obvious—if she had children, she wouldn’t be kneeling here.
“Let me ask you another question: if your husband’s concubine bore a child without any mental deficiencies, would you still adopt my Xia?”
Li Cuilian had no reply.
“One more question: when Zhou Xiaosuo brought that concubine home, did he ever say it was to compensate for your lack of noble upbringing?”
Li Cuilian sobbed.
“From this, it’s clear that adopting my granddaughter is merely a way for your Zhou family to find a temporary fix for your unstable household. A temporary fix is just that—temporary. Your past as a maid cannot be changed. Since Zhou Xiaosuo has already strayed, this ‘fix’ will eventually unravel. When that happens, where will my granddaughter be?”
Li Cuilian wept uncontrollably.
“Given this, how could I possibly subject my granddaughter to such unnecessary suffering?”
Li Cuilian collapsed to the ground, weeping.
Lin Shuzhen also wiped her tears and interrupted Granny Tong’s sharp questioning. “Second Sister-in-law, don’t blame Cuilian anymore. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place. I’ve thought about everything you said, but I still held onto some foolish hope.”
“Ah, Third Sister, don’t think me heartless,” Granny Tong softened her tone. “When I married into the Lin family, you were still a maiden. Our bond is special. Of course, I want you to live well. But the feelings of our generation shouldn’t burden the children. Do you understand?”
Lin Shuzhen smiled bitterly and shook her head. “Hah, even at our age, Second Sister-in-law’s words still cut deep.”
“Precisely because we’re old that we must protect our descendants. Who knows when we’ll close our eyes for the last time? We must guard them while we can. Cuilian, get up.”
Li Cuilian, weakened by crying, struggled to rise. Li Cuihong stepped forward to help her up. Lin Shuzhen gestured for Li Cuihong to take Li Cuilian outside to freshen up before continuing the conversation with Granny Tong. “Second Sister-in-law, you mustn’t let my Second Brother hear such words.”
“I know. Marrying him was my choice. I wouldn’t make his life uneasy. Third Sister, Cuilian is a pitiable child. No matter what Xiaosuo does in the future, I hope you’ll treat her kindly.”
“You don’t need to remind me, Second Sister-in-law. I understand.”
Last year, Li Cuihong’s small eatery was just a temporary structure, dismantled when Dalang built the fishery. Now, with major construction underway, a three-story building dedicated to dining was planned adjacent to the fishery. The first floor would be a dining hall with scattered tables, the second floor private rooms, and the third floor fewer but larger rooms with beds and simple furniture, serving as guest rooms or resting areas for travelers. The sign read: “Lin’s Cuihong Home-style Cuisine.”
Next to the eatery was Liulang’s carpentry workshop, with a courtyard behind it half the size of Dalang’s current residence. Liulang planned to live there after his wedding. The cost of the land and construction was deducted from the funds Granny Tong allocated for the project, with any shortfall to be repaid from his future wages.
Liangping Town had four main roads leading out in each cardinal direction. Granny Tong purchased land on the east, south, and north sides. Dalang’s inn and fishery were on the east. According to the plan, aside from the three-story eatery, the east side would be entirely small courtyards. The north and south sides would have shops, buildings, and courtyards. Winter would halt construction, so only the east side courtyards were prioritized, with the rest postponed until spring. By then, finances would be more stable after a season of operation.
During the New Year, Lin Zhongsi mentioned that his daughter Lin Cuili and her family would visit once the weather warmed. But spring passed into summer, and as winter approached, Granny Tong received a letter from her daughter announcing her three-month pregnancy, making travel impossible this year.
If she gave birth next year, the infant would be too young to travel, and if she became pregnant again the following year, Granny Tong might never see her daughter in her youth. By middle age, with a large family, travel would be even harder. Would they never meet again in Granny Tong’s lifetime?
The more she dwelled on it, the darker her mood grew. The usually cheerful Granny Tong was gloomy for days.
Li Cuihong suggested, “Mother, if you miss Sister, why not visit her for a while?”
“Exactly, Mother. Cuihong and I can manage things here,” Erlang added, though usually taciturn, his mother’s sorrow pained him.
Granny Tong sighed. “If you two could truly manage, I wouldn’t be so worried. Erlang, I’ve never seen you take initiative in your life. Cuihong is decisive but impulsive and impatient. It’s my fault for setting up such a large venture all at once. I thought this estate would secure your future, but now it’s become a burden.”
Her words shamed the couple into silence. They had always acted on impulse, rarely planning ahead. But regret was pointless now—they couldn’t let their mother suffer. Li Cuihong, quick-witted, added, “Mother, if you don’t trust us, surely you trust Dalang and Sister-in-law. They’re steady and capable. They wouldn’t want you to grieve like this.”
“Right, Mother! You can rely on them,” Erlang agreed.
“No,” Granny Tong shook her head. “Your brother has his own affairs. Your sister-in-law helps him and cares for seven children, including Cuie. They’re stretched thin.”
At dawn the next day, Li Cuihong rushed to town and pounded on Dalang’s gate. The gatekeeper informed her the family was still abed, but she barged in, calling for “Third Sister” to discuss urgent matters.
Dalang and Li Cuimei, fearing disaster, relaxed when Li Cuihong explained. Li Cuimei chided her, “When will you learn calmness? No wonder Aunt worries.”
After washing up, the three returned to the village. Though they’d urged Granny Tong to stay in town for convenience, she preferred the quiet of the countryside.
Dalang knelt before Granny Tong. “Aunt, I’ve seen you cry countless times since childhood. When your parents died, you couldn’t even see them one last time due to family duties. Now Eighth Sister faces the same. If you hesitate, both you and she will suffer. I may lack your talent, but I can maintain what you’ve built. Please, visit her without worry.”
Li Cuimei also knelt. “Aunt, money can wait, but regrets cannot. Don’t let Eighth Sister repeat your pain. We’ll manage here.”
Li Cuihong pulled Erlang down. “Yes, Mother! We promise not to cause trouble.”
Granny Tong chuckled. “Even if you did, your brother and sister-in-law would handle you easily.”
Relieved by her laughter, they knew she’d agreed to visit.
Granny Tong decided to take Lin Meng along. With Erlang hopelessly passive, Lin Meng, as the sole male heir, must learn responsibility. His recklessness needed tempering, and the long journey would broaden his perspective.
Long after Granny Tong and Lin Meng had departed, Lin Fang still gazed after them, yearning for the day she too could travel freely.
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