Chapter 21 Song Lingzhi
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Hearing his daughter’s heart–wrenching crics, Song Zhenyu hurried into the room, cradling her in his
arms.
As soon as Song Shuying felt the warmth of his embrace, her sobs began to subside, though her tear- streaked face still wore a look of deep sorrow.
Her large, expressive eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her small mouth quivered in a delicate pout, her soft whimpers hinting at a lingering sense of grievance,
Song Zhenyu’s heart melted at the sight. He soothed, “Shuying. Daddy’s here now. No more tears, okay?”
Shuying’s gaze flickered to Zhang Yingyue, a faint whimper escaping her lips, before she turned her teary eyes back to her father, letting out another soft cry.
Song Zhenyu seemed to grasp the situation immediately. He looked at Zhang Yingyue with concern and said, “Yingyue, you’ve been working tirelessly for quite some time now, haven’t you?”
Zhang Yingyue let out a soft sigh. “I was just thinking I’m almost finished with my sewing, so I let Ruying
comfort her first…”
Song Zhenyu turned to Zhang Yingyue, his gaze soft with sympathy. Speaking gently, he said, “Yingyue, understand your worries, but it’s not that cold yet. There’s no need to rush. You’re weak–you need proper rest. Shuying is just concerned about you and doesn’t want you to overexert yourself.”
After calming Song Shuying, he carefully placed her beside Zhang Yingyue. As expected, the little girl’s tears stopped, and she nestled close to her mother.
Turning to his older daughter, Song Zhenyu said, “Ruying, while I’m not home, keep an eye on Mom, okay? If she refuses to rest, let me know right away.”
Song Ruying nodded earnestly. “Mm, I’ll listen to you and make sure Mom takes good care of herself.” Zhang Yingyue sighed in resignation, but a soft smile lit her eyes. “All right, all right, I’ll behave.”
Song Zhenyu’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “That’s more like it.”
He then called out, “Tianheng, Tianqi! Time to get up. Let’s have breakfast, and then you can help me out.”
Hearing their father’s voice, Song Tianqi and Song Tianheng quickly sprang out of bed, eager to start the day. Song Ruying also rose, heading straight to the kitchen to help with the cooking
After a hearty breakfast, Song Zhenyu led his two sons to the backyard to till the land.
Song Ruying watched attentively as Zhang Yingyue took her medicine, then assisted her mother in changing Song Shuying’s diaper. Once the task was done, she took the soiled diaper to wash it.
After finishing her chores, she darted off to catch bugs to feed the chickens. Not far away, Song Zhenyu observed her from the field. He noticed her making several quick trips back and forth to the chicken coop in a short span of time. He couldn’t help but wonder, Are there really that many bugs near the well? Shaking off his curiosity, he turned back to the task at hand. He didn’t have time to dwell on that. Spitting
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Chapter 21 Song Lingzhi
into his calloused palms, he began digging into the soil with steady determination.
By early afternoon, a figure appeared on the path leading to the house, carrying a basket.
Song Zhenyu recognized the newcomer as his younger sister, Song Lingzhi.
“Lingzhi, what brings you here?” Song Zhenyu set down his hoe and stepped out of the soil.
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Nearby, Song Ruying paused her bug–catching to glance at her aunt. Shyly, she offered a sweet smile and greeted her, “Hello, Aunt Lingzhi.”
Song Lingzhi returned the smile warmly. “What a good girl,” she said, her tone affectionate.
Her smile faded slightly as she turned back to Song Zhenyu, a shadow of worry flickering in her eyes. “Zhenyu, how are you all managing?”
Seeing her concern, Song Zhenyu let out a hearty chuckle, waving dismissively. “Lingzhi, it’s rare for you to visit. Come inside and have some water. And while you’re here, you must meet my youngest–she’s an absolute treasure.”
Song Lingzhi watched the optimism in Song Zhenyu’s demeanor, and her heart ached for him. His unwavering resolve only made his struggles more poignant in her eyes, yet she felt powerless to truly help. As she followed him inside, she hesitated before speaking. “Zhenyu, why not apologize to our parents? Take the kids and go back home.”
Winter was always merciless, and she knew how little their parents had offered him in terms of support. The thought of how his family would survive the bitter cold gnawed at her. Despite knowing the injustice Song Zhenyu had endured, she couldn’t help but urge him to reconsider. Sometimes, lowering yourself, even when you’ve been wronged, is better than risking everything
“Zhenyu, please listen to me,” Song Lingzhi pleaded, her tone both earnest and worried. “Go home and apologize to our parents. I know you’re upset, but think about the children. As they grow up, things will get better.” She followed closely behind Song Ruying, her words tinged with desperation.
Song Zhenyu’s steps slowed, and for a moment, he seemed to hesitate. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy with emotion. “Lingzhi, let’s not talk about that anymore. My family and I are doing fine now. You don’t need to worry about us. Just focus on living your own life.
The weight in his solemn tone sent a shiver through Song Lingzhi’s heart. She couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired to extinguish her brother’s hope for reconciliation with their parents.
She knew his temperament well–once Song Zhenyu made up his mind, there was no turning back. With a sinking heart, she realized that any further attempts to persuade him would be in vain.
She followed Song Zhenyu into the house, gently placing the basket on the table. “This is just a little something. It’s for your wife to regain her strength.”
luside the basket were forty fresh eggs and a hundred in cash.
Song Zhenyu quickly shook his head. “Lingzhi, I can’t accept this. Take it back, I-”
Before he could finish, Song Lingzhi cut him off firmly. “If you don’t accept this, it’s like you’re rejecting me as your sister. Zhenyu, if it weren’t for you back then, I wouldn’t have the life I have today. My
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Chapter 21 Song Lingzhi
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husband’s family treats me well, and I owe that to you. You stood up for me when no one else did. Please, let me do this much for you in return.”
Song Lingzhi’s thoughts drifted back to a decade ago, when she had reached marriageable age. Her parents, Wei Zhilan and Song Shengdong, had narrowed down two potential suitors for her. One came from a family that had offered a substantial betrothal gift, but their reputation was dubious at best. The other suitor belonged to a family of modest means, but they were humble, sincere, and well–regarded.
Wei Zhilan and Song Shengdong, driven by greed, were intent on marrying her off to the suitor with the most generous offer, disregarding the character of the family.
It was Song Zhenyu who had stood up for her, defying their parents with unwavering resolve. He had even confronted the son of the wealthier family, giving him a sound beating. Facing their domineering mother, Song Zhenyu had declared with unyielding determination, “If you dare marry off my sister to them. I’ll dare to take her back myself.”
His fierce and unrelenting stance left both Wei Zhilan and Song Shengdong momentarily speechless. In the end, Song Lingzhi married into the modest family. Though they weren’t wealthy, the past ten years had been stable and peaceful, with her never experiencing hunger or cold.
Whenever she reflected on that time, her heart swelled with deep gratitude. As she grew older, she came to fully grasp how rare and precious Song Zhenyu’s act of standing up for her had been.
Hearing the earnestness in her voice now, Song Zhenyu could no longer refuse her gesture. With a sigh, he relented. “All right, but consider this money a loan. When I have the means in the future, I’ll pay you back.
Song Lingzhi said with a smile, “All right.”
As long as Zhenyu is willing to accept it, that’s all that matters
As Song Lingzhi gazed at the renovated straw hut, she couldn’t suppress a sigh.
Song Zhenyu, noticing her unease, offered a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Lingzhi. I’ve already tilled the soil and plan to plant vegetable seeds in a few days. On top of that, I’ve set several traps in the forest behind the mountain. They’re good for catching wild chickens and rabbits. In fact, we caught some just a few days ago and sold them to buy fabric and cotton. Yingyue is inside, cutting the fabric to make new clothes for the family.”
With that, he guided Song Lingzhi into the house to show her. The sight of fabric neatly stacked on the table and partially finished garments eased some of the tension in her chest. Still, a faint shadow of worry lingered in her heart, knowing how difficult it must be for her brother to keep the family afloat.
Seeing Song Lingzhi, Zhang Yingyue offered a gentle smile. “Lingzhi, you’re here. Thank you for taking the time to visit us.”
With a warm smile, Song Zhenyu said, “Why don’t you sit and chat with Yingyue while I prepare dinner?”
He turned and headed to the kitchen, leaving the two women alone.
Song Lingzhi sat down beside Zhang Yingyue, gently taking her hand. Her voice was soft but tinged with concern. “Yingyue, what really happened? Why did things come to this?”
She couldn’t understand how such a situation had spiraled so far out of control. Having another daughter
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Chapter 21 Song Lingzhi
and enduring a few harsh words from Song Shengdor These things, though unpleasant, usually passed with
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11:45 Wed Mar 26
Chapter 21 Song Lingzhi
and enduring a few harsh words from Song Shengland Wei Zhilan should have been manageable. These things, though unpleasant, viually passed with time.
C
