Li Yunlan didn’t think much of it—in fact, she was quite pleased. “Becoming godparents sounds lovely, but your father has his reservations. Maybe we should talk to him again tonight.” After all, Zhou Zhennan was a cautious man.

Zhou Huai’an shook his head. “It’ll be fine. They’ve been approved to return to the country, which means they’ve already passed strict background checks. Besides, there’s nothing in our house that they could possibly take advantage of.”

There were no confidential documents lying around, and no one in the family was careless with their words.
There were many things even Li Yunlan and Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t know, so there was no risk of sensitive information slipping out.

Li Yunlan thought it over and agreed. “How about New Year’s Day? It’s only a few days away. We could celebrate together and make it a happy occasion.”

Lin Xiaoxiao nodded. “That works. I’ll let them know tomorrow on my way to school.”

“I’ve really grown fond of little Duoduo,” Li Yunlan mused. “If we become their godparents, he could grow up alongside Qianqian and the others.”

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. “Yes, it would be wonderful if they could all grow up together.”

Later, when Li Yunlan went to the kitchen to check on the meal, Lin Xiaoxiao moved to sit beside Zhou Huai’an. “What made you think of becoming godparents?” she asked quietly.

Zhou Huai’an turned to her. “Didn’t you say you wished you had a mother like Teacher Linda? Since you two get along so well, formalizing the relationship would make it easier for you to spend time together.”

Lin Xiaoxiao looked at him in surprise. She glanced toward the kitchen—Li Yunlan was still out of sight—then leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth. “Zhou Suo, you’re too good to me. I really do adore Teacher Linda. Since I can’t repay you, how about I pledge myself to you for life?”

Zhou Huai’an chuckled and pinched her nose gently. “The children are right here. Have you no shame?”

Lin Xiaoxiao grinned mischievously before leaning over to kiss An’an, Xuanxuan, and Qianqian.

Unnoticed by them, Lin Zihao observed the scene from behind, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

That evening, Zhou Liyun suddenly returned home unexpectedly. She came carrying a bundle, her face tear-streaked, and broke into sobs as soon as she stepped inside.

Li Yunlan and Lin Xiaoxiao were startled. They quickly guided her to a seat, trying to comfort her. “What’s wrong? What happened back home?”

“Sister-in-law, tell me—did I owe them in a past life? Is that why they’re tormenting me like this?” Zhou Liyun cried. “When I got back, Yumei wouldn’t even look at me. I put up with that. But even my own useless son ignored me.”

“I became a widow so young, worked myself to the bone to raise my two sons, found them wives… I never expected them to repay me, but I didn’t think they’d treat me like this!”

Li Yunlan tried to soothe her, urging her not to upset herself and to try to stay calm.

Lin Xiaoxiao hurried to fetch a damp towel and gently helped wipe the tears from Zhou Liyun’s face.

From her fragmented account, Lin Xiaoxiao pieced together the story. Neither of Zhou Liyun’s sons nor their wives wanted her back—they didn’t want the burden of supporting her. They even insinuated that since she was working as a nanny for the Zhou family, she should just stay there to avoid embarrassing them. Unless, of course, she handed over whatever money she earned.

As soon as she arrived, Da Kui’s wife, Wang Yumei, started complaining about how hard life was—how the children didn’t even have decent winter coats. She scorned the gifts Zhou Liyun had brought, saying they were just flashy trinkets and that cash would have been better.

Furious, Zhou Liyun turned to Da Kui, who was crouched on the ground in silence. “Is money all you care about? Have you forgotten who’s responsible for the life we have today? Da Kui, think back—when we had nothing to eat, I took you to the Zhous. Did Auntie Zhou ever turn us away?”

“All our other relatives avoided us. But the Zhou family—every time we went, they’d give us whatever they had, even if it meant scraping their flour jar empty. If it weren’t for them, we would have starved.”

Wang Yumei bristled. “Mom, that’s not fair. They had plenty to spare! And don’t tell me they’re not paying you a single cent for all the work you’re doing for them—who would believe that?”

Zhou Liyun ignored her and kept her eyes on Da Kui. “Is that what you think too? That the Zhous owe us?”

Da Kui said nothing, just crouched with his head in his hands—a silent agreement.

Zhou Liyun pointed at him, her voice shaking. “Qiu Da Kui, you’ve got no conscience. If I’d known you’d repay kindness like this, I would never have taken you to their door begging for food.”

Humiliated, Da Kui shot to his feet. “I’m not ungrateful! If you want to help them, fine—help for a day or two. But it’s been almost a year! How many times have you come home? How much money have you brought back? And you still expect us to support you in your old age?”

“If you choose to be their servant, then let them take care of you. We want no part of it.”

Wang Yumei nodded in agreement. “Exactly! The Zhous are shameless, exploiting you without paying. Unless… Mom, are you hiding the money to give to your older son’s family?”

Zhou Liyun was too angry to speak. After a long moment, she said coldly, “Think whatever you want. Even if I had money, I wouldn’t give you a cent.”

Wang Yumei crossed her arms and sneered. “In that case, don’t ever expect us to support you. Dream on!”

Unable to take anymore, Zhou Liyun grabbed her bag and left. But at the gate, Wang Yumei snatched away the liquor, milk powder, and pastries she was carrying, hurling insults after her.

Zhou Liyun trembled with rage the whole way back to the Zhou residence, crying as she walked.

After hearing her out, Li Yunlan sighed heavily. “What a nightmare… You walked all that way?”

Zhou Liyun nodded. “I thought about just ending it all. I stood by the river for a long time, thinking how easy it would be to jump in. What’s left for me to live for?”

Li Yunlan grasped her hand. “You mustn’t think like that. If they won’t take care of you, then come live with us. We’ll look after you.”

Lin Xiaoxiao was furious—not just at the injustice, but that Zhou Liyun had endured such humiliation without even standing up to her ungrateful son. “Auntie, we’re here for you. Zhou Huai’anand I will make sure you’re cared for.”

As the mood in the room remained heavy, Lin Zihao suddenly perked up and exclaimed cheerfully, “Sister’s back!”