The outcome was, predictably, an unpleasant parting.
Cheng You didn't care about Cheng Tianhua as a person, so she naturally wouldn't care if he and Song Yulian had children.
After all, with Cheng Tao already in the picture, having a second child wasn't anything surprising.
"Sister, you really don't mind them having another child?" Cheng Wenyu asked.
"I don't mind, but if they want to have a child, they have to compensate us."
Cheng You was incredibly rational now, already calculating the money in Cheng Tianhua's hands.
Splitting the family was out of the question; she was just saying it for effect, as Cheng Tianhua still had some pride to maintain.
"I still have to go help Uncle Li. You stay home and study. Remember, don't go out these few days, understood?"
Cheng Wenyu knew he was in the wrong and obediently replied, "Got it."
Cheng You left for Uncle Li's. On the way, she ran into some people from the educated youth point.
They all knew that Qi Chengyan and Cheng You were dating, and their expressions were teasing.
Cheng You asked, "Where are you all headed?"
The man most familiar with Qi Chengyan was Song Jingtang, a man of similar character to Zhao Yunlin.
However, he was more handsome, wearing a pair of glasses that concealed his seemingly affectionate but actually indifferent peach-blossom eyes.
He smiled and said, "We're going to the commune. They said we're handing over the grain rations today."
Cheng You nodded and glanced at Qi Chengyan's leg. She wanted to say a few words, but didn't know how.
He seemed indifferent, but was actually very proud and disliked being treated as a special case.
"Then you all go ahead."
Qi Chengyan gave a slight nod. Those dark eyes only softened visibly when they met Cheng You's gaze.
When Cheng You arrived at Uncle Li's, she saw Zhou Yunru.
After such a short time apart, her complexion was even worse than before.
Uncle Li reprimanded her sternly, "You're not listening to me. No matter how much medicine you drink here, it will be useless."
Cheng You walked over, "Sister-in-law, what happened to you?"
Zhou Yunru's expression was pitiful, too complicated to put into words.
"Why isn't Brother Zhao with you?"
Zhou Yunru said in a low voice, "He's gone to work at the lumberyard."
Yongcheng was vast and abundant, with a particularly developed forestry industry.
The lumberyard hired strong workers, paying a few mao a day and providing food and lodging.
Ever since he learned of her pregnancy, Zhao Jianguo had been working tirelessly.
He hoped that even if Wang Hongxia disagreed with splitting the family, they would have the means to leave.
But the lumberyard was too far away, and Zhao Jianguo, to save money, could only return once every ten days.
Wang Hongxia didn't believe Zhou Yunru was pregnant, and with Cheng Tao's instigation, she thought Zhou Yunru was just shirking work.
As soon as Zhao Jianguo left, she found ways to torment Zhou Yunru.
Uncle Li shook his head subtly, "This is your family's business, and I shouldn't interfere. But you are my patient. It's best if you split the family, otherwise, this child will be lost sooner or later."
Zhou Yunru's face turned ashen, and she sobbed with trembling shoulders.
She truly had no other options.
When Wang Hongxia caused trouble, they couldn't bear it.
Uncle Li gave her a prescription and asked Cheng You to fetch the medicine.
"Boil it and let her drink a bowl first."
Cheng You nodded. While boiling the medicine, she secretly added two drops of Condensed Dew.
"Sister-in-law, don't think too much. Focus on recuperating first."
Zhou Yunru gave a bitter smile and drank the medicine, a sip at a time.
The medicine Uncle Li prescribed smelled nauseating.
But no matter how bitter it was, it wasn't as bitter as her life in the old Zhao family.
"Cheng You, thank you."
Cheng You smiled, "Just treat me like Uncle Li. This is what we should do."
Zhou Yunru slowly shook her head, "You're a good person. Zhao Yunlin was blind."
"No! Sister-in-law, thank goodness he was blind. I don't care to enter the doors of the old Zhao family."
Zhou Yunru laughed. At the time, she hadn't known the old Zhao family was like this.
If she hadn't taken a liking to Zhao Jianguo, she wouldn't have married in.
Zhou Yunru was filled with worry. She knew the root of all her troubles lay with the old Zhao family.
But she was powerless, not knowing how to split the family.
...
Cheng Tao slowly walked away from the doorway, covering her mouth for fear of attracting the attention of those inside.
Wang Hongxia had originally sent her to find Zhou Yunru, intending to see if she was being lazy.
As she inquired, she discovered that Zhou Yunru had come to Uncle Li's.
If she hadn't followed, she wouldn't have known that Zhou Yunru was actually pregnant!
She slowly exhaled. If Zhou Yunru gave birth to a son, he would be the eldest grandson of the old Zhao family.
At that time, no matter how much Wang Hongxia disliked Zhou Yunru, she would treat her kindly for the sake of the grandson.
In other words, if Wang Hongxia discovered Zhou Yunru was truly pregnant, she definitely wouldn't let her continue working.
Then the housework would fall on her.
Cheng Tao found the thought irritating. She had married in to enjoy a comfortable life, not to serve a large family like a servant.
"Tao'er, what are you thinking about!"
Zhao Yunlin walked over. Seeing her unhappy expression, he thought she was ill.
Cheng Tao asked, "Yunlin, did Sister-in-law ever miscarry before?"
Zhao Yunlin hesitated for a moment, "Why do you suddenly ask this?"
"Did Mom have anything to do with Sister-in-law losing her child?"
"Of course not!"
Zhao Yunlin frowned, "Why would you say that?"
Before Cheng Tao could speak, a sinister voice from behind them said, "What are you talking about behind my back? Why ask Yunlin? Isn't it clearer to ask me?"
Cheng Tao's eyes widened, a chill rising on her back, making her hair stand on end.
"Mom, it's not..."
"Not what? Aren't you speaking ill of me behind my back, gossiping?"
Although Wang Hongxia told everyone that Zhou Yunru's miscarriage had nothing to do with her, she still felt guilty.
Therefore, this matter was strictly forbidden in the household.
Zhao Yunlin quickly shielded Cheng Tao behind him and explained, "Mom, we're not gossiping. Tao'er's sudden question must be something she heard from someone else."
Cheng Tao quickly nodded and said timidly, "Mom, I heard it from Sister-in-law. I was looking for her just now and happened to see her at Uncle Li's, planning with Uncle Li to trick you."
Wang Hongxia narrowed her eyes slightly, "Trick me with what?"
"Sister-in-law said..."
"Don't stammer, speak quickly if you have something to say!"
Cheng Tao shrunk her neck and mumbled, "Sister-in-law said that her first child was miscarried because of Mom's torment, and she asked Uncle Li to help her trick Mom, saying she was pregnant. Then our old Zhao family would have to dote on her, so she wouldn't have to work."
Wang Hongxia's veins bulged with anger. She rolled up her sleeves and walked out, intending to settle the score with Zhou Yunru.
Cheng Tao quickly stopped her, "Mom, calm down! She hasn't finished speaking yet. If we go confront her now, she'll definitely deny it, and then it'll seem like I'm falsely accusing her!"
Wang Hongxia was so enraged she was dizzy. She couldn't think that far ahead.
She pushed Cheng Tao aside and said, "If she denies it, then I'll beat her until she admits it!"
Cheng Tao signaled Zhao Yunlin with her eyes to go help.