Chapter 4: The Child Bride

Seeing that Zhou Zhaodi was still weak, Wang Cuilan suggested, "All you need to do now is take good care of my precious granddaughter. Don't do any work until your confinement is over. I'll take care of Sanfu for a while; you and Lin Yuannan just focus on her, alright?"

Seeing Wang Cuilan shut the door behind her like a gust of wind, Zhou Zhaodi couldn't help but feel dazed. She lowered her head to open the swaddling clothes, her fingers gently brushing against Lin Xiangrong’s cheek.

What was going on?

Her attitude had done a complete one-eighty overnight. Could it be that her mother-in-law was planning to give the baby girl away to someone else?

It wasn't as if this hadn't happened in the village before; to make room for a boy, newborn girls were often sent to other families.

Could her mother-in-law really be considering this?

Her heart tightened, and she felt a deep, visceral resistance to the idea.

Just as she was thinking about waiting for Lin Yuannan to return so she could talk it over with him, she heard a milky, childish voice ring out

【Wow, finally full. I was starving just a moment ago, but Mom is so gentle.】

【Even though I can't see her face clearly, Mom’s voice is so soft and sweet. It’s so nice.】

Lin Xiangrong had grown up in a single-parent household; having a stepmother meant having a stepfather, and she had never enjoyed maternal love, having very few memories of her mother.

She had assumed the mother of this cannon-fodder supporting character would be sharp-tongued and mean, but she hadn't expected her to be so caring with every little movement.

【I wish she could be my mom forever.】

The cannon-fodder supporting character’s family was obsessed with sons and looked down on daughters.

Giving birth to a girl was like committing a heavenly crime; let alone eating an egg, even drinking an extra sip of water would earn her a scolding. Zhou Zhaodi was a sensitive person, and unable to let go of these thoughts, she had fallen into depression and died at a young age.

【It’s just giving birth to a girl, Mom, you mustn't lose hope. You have to stay happy always.】

Having just finished breastfeeding, Zhou Zhaodi thought she was hallucinating when she heard the first sentence. But now, hearing several sentences in a row, she couldn't bear to interrupt and remained motionless, listening quietly to that ethereal voice.

Praising her for being gentle?

Praising her for her soft, sweet voice?

And saying she wished she could be her mom forever?

The only one who could call her "Mom" was the baby girl in her arms.

Zhou Zhaodi stared at Lin Xiangrong, her eyes sparkling with surprise and joy.

She wasn't overly obsessed with having a boy, but due to the environment, having a son was ultimately better—it allowed one to stand tall when speaking to others.

She had been somewhat disappointed that this child was a girl.

But she never expected that this daughter of hers was truly a treasure, just like the golden light she had seen entering her womb in her dream...

"Little Ni?" Zhou Zhaodi called out tentatively, "Are you hungry?"

【Not hungry, not hungry, just ate my fill. Oh, oops, I forgot that Mom can't hear what I'm thinking.】

Lin Xiangrong pursed her lips and used her tiny hand to grab and shake Zhou Zhaodi’s finger.

Zhou Zhaodi’s heart softened. She lowered her head and gently nuzzled her daughter, taking a deep breath. "Don't be afraid. Mom won't let your grandma give you away to anyone."

Meanwhile, Fang Hongying walked in one breath to the old Cui family’s house at the east end of the village. As soon as she knocked the door open, she smelled the scent of alcohol in the courtyard. She paused, peered inside, and called out in a low voice, "Sister-in-law Cui?"

"Who is it?" Sister-in-law Cui, dressed in old clothes, came out and asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

"Well..." Fang Hongying felt a lump in her throat. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "I heard you're looking for a child bride for your second son, right?"

"What do you think of the little girl my third sister-in-law just gave birth to?" Fearing that Sister-in-law Cui wouldn't be interested, Fang Hongying quickly gestured, beaming with excitement. "That baby girl was born fair and tender, she’s so pretty. Her big eyes are like black grapes, just beautiful. She’s bound to grow up to be a real beauty."

"What, you want to give her to us?" Sister-in-law Cui wiped her hands on her clothes and walked over, clearly tempted. "Let’s be clear, the money won't be much."

She knew about that baby girl; the midwife had said she was born well—fair and delicate—but it was a pity she was born into that family.

She hadn't expected an opportunity to bring her into her own home.

At first, Sister-in-law Cui had only intended to buy a girl from a poor family in the village; after all, the price was low, and she wouldn't have to worry about the girl running back home. Once she grew up to the right age, she would marry her to her son.

This way, she could save on the bride price, and since the girl would grow up right under her nose, she would know exactly what she was getting. It was a win-win.

"This... how much are you offering?" Fang Hongying asked hesitantly.

Sister-in-law Cui held up a finger.

Fang Hongying was delighted; it wasn't a small amount. Thinking it could work, she said happily, "Deal. I'll go back and talk to my mother-in-law about it."

Sister-in-law Cui’s eyes darted around, and she asked in return, "What, your mother-in-law doesn't know yet? If she doesn't agree, I don't want her. Don't go bringing me trouble for nothing."

"Oh, it’s just a girl, what could happen? Everyone in the village knows how my mother-in-law favors boys over girls. Just wait for my word." Fang Hongying swayed her hips and turned to leave.