Chapter 13: Yue E Speaks to Protect Her Husband: This Time, I Trust You!

"Dad! Don't…"

Lin Yue'e finally couldn't hold back and cried out. Her voice was as thin as a mosquito, yet like a needle it pierced the stalemate in the courtyard.

She held Xiao Xue and stepped forward. Each step felt like treading on a blade's tip.

Her gaze pleaded as she looked at her father. Her lips were whitened by her incisors, almost bleeding.

Xiao Xue seemed to sense her mother's trembling and sorrow, and her crying stopped.

Her body still in her mother's arms, she sobbed repeatedly. Her tiny shoulders quivered like an injured little beast, clinging tightly.

Sneakingly, she poked her head out from her mother's shoulder.

Timidly, she glanced at Lu Qingshan kneeling on the ground.

Grandfather's snarling face, the burning stick in his hand, the familiar, disheveled figure in the snow…

Fear still rose like a tide. Yet deep within that Fear, there seemed a hint of childlike curiosity and confusion.

Why was that fierce father kneeling in the snow, like a child who had done something wrong?

Lu Qingshan heard Lin Yue'e's "Don't", trembling with desperation.

Deep in his heart, as if an ice‑frozen seed finally cracked the soil and sprouted a tender shoot.

A glimmer of hope, faint yet real.

He slowly lifted his head; his forehead, stained with blood‑soaked snow water, reflected Lin Yue'e's tearful eyes.

In those eyes still swelled fear and resentment. The scar of years of domestic abuse was hard to erase.

But this time, beneath the cold base, he caught a trace.

A faint looseness, almost blown away by the wind and snow, and an unwillingness.

He read that gaze.

He understood deep in her heart the wounded yet lingering hope for him.

He said nothing further. A thousand words clogged his throat. At this moment any words seemed pale.

He simply bowed his head again, and once more, he hammered his forehead hard against Lin Huainian.

Thud!

This time, his forehead struck the icy ground. The sound was deeper and duller.

It seemed to imprint all his remorse and resolve deep into the cold earth.

On the ground, a piece of Roe Deer meat wrapped in oiled paper lay alone in the snow.

Like a silent promise, yet also a humble plea.

Blood threads seeped out, stark against the pure white snow, especially striking and mournful.

"Yo ho, on this big weekend, what tragic drama are you performing?"

From inside the house, a discordant voice came, breaking the suffocating silence.

A man stepped out of the house: Lin Yueqiang, Lin Huainian's younger son, Lin Yue'e's brother, who works at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative in Wan Gou Zhen.

His old cotton coat was faded from washing, his hair a mess. He looked as if he had just risen from a hot kang, a hint of drowsy sleep in the corners of his eyes.

He emerged with a contemptuous gaze, scanning Lu Qingshan kneeling on the ground. A mocking curl lifted his mouth corner.

"Lu the Lousy, you have today too?" he said sarcastically.

His voice was sharp and vicious. Every word was forged with poisonous ice shards, striking the countless wounds in Lu Qingshan's heart.

"Don't think that getting the Roe Deer meat, putting on a few shows, will win people back! Who knows if you're still holding onto bad water! The meat might even be stolen!"

He deliberately raised his voice, fearing others wouldn't hear.

Each word was provocative, stoking the fire.

"Dad, don't be foolish! Lu Qingshan is a worthless clod that can't be propped up, his nature won't change! If you're soft today, you'll surely regret tomorrow! By then it'll be too late to even cry!"

Lin Yueqiang's words were like ice water, dousing the flicker of doubt that had just ignited in Lin Huainian's heart.

His weather‑worn face flushed purple‑red in an instant. His chest rose and fell violently.

His hand gripping the burning stick throbbed with blue veins. He wanted to rush forward and beat Lu Qingshan half to death.

Lu Qingshan slowly lifted his head.

His gaze was icy, like shards of ice on the ninth cold day, staring straight at Lin Yueqiang.

This little brother‑in‑law was a troublemaker even in his past life!

He was gluttonous, lazy, and idle. Relying on his second uncle's connections in Wan Gou Zhen, he got a sales clerk job at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and became arrogant and overbearing. He loved to make sarcastic remarks behind people's backs, sowing discord. He often gave him and Yue E trouble.

His chest boiled with anger. His temples throbed.

He could barely hold back the urge to throw a punch.

But he clenched his teeth hard, forcibly suppressing the violent impulse.

Now is not the time to argue with a scumbag.

The top priority is to bring Yue E and Xiao Xue home!

Lin Huainian's face turned iron‑blue. His chest heaved violently, like an old bellows emitting heavy breaths.

He stared intently at Lu Qingshan kneeling in the snow. His gaze was extremely complex.

Hatred, disappointment, fury, and a barely perceptible tremor…

Various emotions intertwined in his eyes.

It made him feel like a taut bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.

On one hand, he despised Lu Qingshan's past shady deeds, wishing he could immediately drive him out of the Lin family forever.

On the other hand, Lu Qingshan's performance today was indeed surprising. Every word was a blood‑tinged confession, his forehead marked with blood.

It forced him to admit that this former scoundrel seemed truly changed.

But years of accumulated resentment and disappointment—could they be easily resolved?

Finally, he never raised the stick again.

Perhaps because of his spouse's and daughter's face.

Perhaps deep in his heart, a lingering hope that Lu Qingshan would truly reform.

Or perhaps simply because he does not want Xiao Xue to be frightened again.

Yet his attitude remains resolute.

His tone is icy, like winter ice shards: "Want to take Xiao Xue? There's not even a door!"

"Unless you completely turn over a new leaf and become a proper man! Let me see you truly become good, so Yue E and the child can live a stable life."

"Otherwise, don't even think about stepping into the Lin family gate in this lifetime!"

After speaking, he let out a heavy hum.

He turned, leaning on a fire‑brand, storming into the house.

His hunched back was stubborn, like an insurmountable mountain.

Lu Qingshan's heart instantly sank to the bottom of a valley, cold as ice.

He knew his father‑in‑law was set on drawing a clear line with him.

Today he wanted approval, wanted to bring Yue E and Xiao Xue back home.

Unfortunately, it truly is as hard as scaling heaven.

Just as he felt desperate and his whole body was cold, a warm hand gently grabbed his coat edge.

The hand was light and soft, yet like a beam of sunlight piercing the gloom over his heart, bringing a hint of warmth and hope.

He snapped his head up and saw Lin Yue'e. She stood before him.

Her gaze was firm and resolute, fixed on him.

Xiao Xue was also placed on the ground by her mother, one hand tightly holding her mother's hand, the other small hand anxiously tugging at her mother's coat.

She sniffled softly, like a frightened little rabbit.

"Dad, Mom, I married Lu Qingshan; I am his wife and also Xiao Xue's mother."

Lin Yue'e's voice was soft, carrying undeniable firmness and resolve, she stood sideways like a plum blossom standing proudly in the cold wind, emitting a faint fragrance.

"I believe Qing Shan can be good for this family. Please also believe in him, believe in me."

"Today, I will definitely go home with him. Don't be angry. In a few days, we'll come to see you both again."

After speaking, she supported Xiao Xue, turned and walked to Lu Qingshan's side.

Kneeling side by side with him.

Facing Lin Huainian and Li Cuilian, she bowed deeply.

"Father, Mother, we're leaving."

Then, she grabbed Xiao Xue, wiped her tears, did not look back, and walked toward the courtyard gate.

Her steps were firm, without any hesitation.

Lu Qingshan watched Lin Yue'e's steadfast silhouette, feeling an indescribable surge of emotion and warmth.

He knew that making this decision required almost unimaginable courage.

She would have to face parental reproach, endure gossip from relatives and neighbors, and bear the risks that might lie ahead.

But it was clear that Lin Yue'e believed in Lu Qingshan; she could stand with him, facing the future's storms together.