Chapter 273: Anything Is Possible

Liu's mother slapped the hand of her little daughter that was clutching her arm, her face stern as she said, "Speak properly."

Seeing her mother had no intention of speaking up for her, Chunxiao stamped her foot and said, "Oh, it's just that Second Sister kept some dried fish she made and asked me to save some for you; I couldn't help eating a bit more, and Second Sister got unhappy."

Hearing this, Liu's mother knew her little daughter was in the wrong, but they were adults; how could they fight a child for food? "You were wrong, and you were wrong to talk back to your Second Sister. Apologize to her at once."

Chunxiao was somewhat unwilling, but she dared not disobey Liu's mother. "Second Sister, I was greedy. It won't happen again."

Chuxue saw her expression and couldn't help frowning. To teach her a lesson, she gave her no face at all. "If you could rein in your expression, I might believe you truly know you were wrong."

Having finished speaking, she picked up the basket and headed for the private plot.

Liu's mother happened to see the expression Chunxiao hadn't managed to hide in time. "Chunxiao, it's not that Mom is scolding you, but you've indeed been acting strangely lately. Why do you keep opposing your Second Sister?"

Chunxiao kept her head down upon hearing the question.

Liu's mother had worked a full day and was already exhausted; she had no patience to waste on her there. She grabbed her and dragged her into the room. "Speak. What exactly is going on?"

Before letting go, she pinched her.

Seeing that Liu's mother was truly angry, Chunxiao spoke in a very small voice, revealing the reason. "The villagers say our family has no son, and now we've quarreled with the old house. Big Sister is already married, and Second Sister will marry into the city as soon as she graduates. Only I am expected to take in a son-in-law."

Hearing these words, Liu's mother grew angry too. What kind of nonsense was spreading? "Who told you that? Don't say we never planned to take in a son-in-law. Even if we did have such a thought, do you feel wronged?"

Chunxiao's expression was very stubborn. "Big Sister and Second Sister are both married out. Why must I stay home to take in a son-in-law?"

Hearing her words, Liu's mother's expression was deeply hurt. "You, you, you..."

Chuxue returned from picking vegetables just in time to hear this. She stood at the doorway, staring at her with a hostile gaze. "What a fool, being used without even realizing it. Don't say you're unwilling to stay home to take in a son-in-law; even if you wanted to, we wouldn't let you. On what grounds should the large blue-brick, tiled house I paid to build go to your benefit?"

This left not only Chunxiao but even Liu's mother stunned.

Fearing Liu's mother might overthink, Chuxue said, "Mom, after giving birth to Chunxiao, you didn't conceive again because your body was severely depleted. Once your health is restored, perhaps a younger brother will come."

As a modern person, she felt no shame in saying such a thing; she simply wanted to rebuild Liu's mother's confidence. "Anything is possible. And recently, have you felt any changes in your body?"

Liu's mother, who had been standing stiffly, grew excited upon hearing this. "Indeed, there has been improvement. No, I should say a great deal of improvement. The problem of cold hands and feet is gone, and this month my monthly period came silently. Could there truly still be hope?"

Chuxue did not give her a guarantee. "Mom, now that our days are good, let's just let nature take its course. Do not swing from one extreme to another. Do you understand what I mean?"

Hearing these words, Liu's mother finally calmed down. "Indeed, it was Mom being fanciful."

Chuxue approached Liu's mother. "Mom, if fate has it, it will come; if fate does not, do not force it. Let us keep a balanced mindset. Even if Heaven truly does not favor us, isn't there still me?"

(End of this chapter)