Chapter 71 - 71 71 At the Critical Moment, One Must Show Determination

Words : 1537 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

71: Chapter 71: At the Critical Moment, One Must Show Determination 71: Chapter 71: At the Critical Moment, One Must Show Determination If Old Granny Zhang had made a fuss with her, Wang Laozhu might have thought that it was just typical for a woman to make mountains out of molehills. But seeing as Old Granny Zhang didn’t say anything at all, Wang Laozhu felt that the issue must be serious. After some thought, he signaled Wang Yongzhu with his eyes, “Go see how your mother is doing? Is she feeling unwell?” Wanting to save face, he found an excuse. Wang Yongzhu curled her lip, psh, as if she hadn’t heard? Playing dumb at a time like this? Nevertheless, she was worried about Old Granny Zhang too and obediently rose to go inside. Old Granny Zhang lay on the kang, facing inward, motionless, unknowable in her thoughts. Wang Yongzhu scooted over and carefully nudged Old Granny Zhang’s arm, “Mom, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” Old Granny Zhang’s muffled voice came through, “I’m fine, just lying down for a bit. You’ve been looking at needles all morning, don’t you look at them again in the afternoon, be careful of your eyes. If there’s nothing else, go out for a walk.” Even upset with Dad, she still thought about her own daughter’s eyes. Wang Yongzhu felt a tender softness within her and moved closer to Old Granny Zhang, “If Mom’s not feeling well, how could I be in the mood to go out? It’s better I stay by your side.” As she sat on the kang, she kept asking Old Granny Zhang if she wanted water, if she felt too hot or too cold. All this coaxing made it impossible for Old Granny Zhang to lie down any longer, and she finally sat up, casting a reproachful glance at her daughter, “You, why won’t you stay put in your room? Why keep fussing over your mother? Behave yourself!” Her tone was reproachful, but her eyes held a smile, apparently thoroughly enjoying her daughter’s attentiveness. “Still comforting, my dear daughter. Alright, we’ve made it through so many years, your mother is fine, don’t worry!” she said and glanced outside the window before leaning closer to Wang Yongzhu’s ear and whispering, “Honestly, my heart’s ill at ease, but it’s been so many years since your grandma passed away, and she’s still holding onto the property. Isn’t it all going to end up in my hands anyway? All of the Wang Family’s sons are my own, what do I have to fear? Your dad was the most guarded against me, but once I had sons, didn’t he obediently listen to everything I said? A woman, after all, must bear sons to secure her standing; you can’t rely on men! Alright, go back to your room and rest, your dad and I are fine, don’t worry!” Seeing that Old Granny Zhang really seemed to have recovered, Wang Yongzhu nodded with relief and left the room. Wang Laozhu, who had been anxiously guarding outside, initially could hear the mother and daughter talking, then it became silent. His heart fluttered uncertainly, too afraid to enter the room, yet hesitant to leave as he worried. After much consideration, he simply pulled out the sour jujube wood he had brought down from the mountains and began doing carpentry work below the window. A good while later, upon seeing his daughter exit, he quickly looked over. While Wang Yongzhu didn’t quite agree with Old Granny Zhang’s notion that a woman needs to bear sons to establish her status, she had to admit that for a woman to be so driven and determined in her era was extraordinarily progressive. Whether as mother and daughter or as women, at this critical moment, it was natural to show resolve and stand with her mother. Therefore, Wang Yongzhu pretended not to see Wang Laozhu’s inquisitive look and went straight back to her room without a glance. In the meantime, Wang Laozhu hesitated outside for a long while before finally entering the room. Whatever the old couple whispered to each other, by evening, Old Granny Zhang’s complexion had returned to normal. Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief. At the dinner table, Jinhua nervously started, “Young Aunt, I went and asked Zhu Ye this afternoon, and Zhu Ye said she’ll have her brother move the gardenia tree over tomorrow.” Wang Yongzhu nodded to show she understood. Turning her head, she said to Wang Yongping, “Fourth Brother, dig a hole in front of my window first thing tomorrow morning, ready for planting the tree.” Wang Yongping had already been brainwashed by Old Granny Zhang to prioritize his younger sister in everything, listen to her suggestions, let her pick the best items first, and to stand up for her if she was bullied. Moreover, Old Granny Zhang incessantly muttered that if it weren’t for his younger sister, she would have ended up as a living widow, and if it weren’t for his younger sister, she almost had to take the blame for the Li Family and things of that sort. He felt that indeed his mother was right—his younger sister was so good, always thinking about him and the Wang Family. Even if she used to be a bit gluttonous, it was because she was still young. Besides, didn’t this ordeal just prove how capable his younger sister was? It was perfectly normal for a young girl to like tasty food, fun toys, and beautiful clothes. Furthermore, after the incident, it was his younger sister who spoke up for him in front of their parents, saving him from the embarrassment of a forced marriage. All his good fortune was thanks to his younger sister, and he felt terribly sorry that she had been implicated by rumors. He resolved to treat her well in the future—yes, he had to treat his younger sister as well as he treated his parents! Wang Yongping was a straightforward man. Feeling that he owed Wang Yongzhu, he was willing to give her his very life if necessary. Now, he wouldn’t even frown if he were asked to dig a pit and bury himself, not to mention just digging a hole to plant a tree. Therefore, he readily agreed. He also casually asked, “I’ve made plans with Song Chongjin to go hunting in the mountains in a few days. When Fourth Brother gets some good game and sells it, I’ll buy you some tasty treats and make you a beautiful dress.” Every time Wang Yongzhu heard the name Song Chongjin, she would get a headache. Ever since that day her Fourth Brother spent drinking and spending the night on the mountain with Song Chongjin, he considered him a bosom buddy and mentioned him multiple times every day. It was fortunate that she wasn’t bothered by it, and even her parents knew this son wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed; otherwise, they would have thrashed him thoroughly. But having heard it so many times, she remained calm and just nodded her head without saying much. After waking up from a deep sleep, Wang Yongzhu, as usual, went to check on her Yellow Pine Mushrooms in the firewood shed. Seeing a few more small mounds had formed, she finally felt some relief. After breakfast, Wang Yongping, along with a few boys, dug a large hole in front of Wang Yongzhu’s window, waiting for the Li Family to deliver the flowering tree. As the sun rose high into the trees, Li Zhuye walked ahead, followed by her two older brothers with grim faces, carrying a Gardenia tree that took two people to wrap their arms around, heading to the Wang Family. Li Zhuye, touched her still slightly aching bottom, feeling wronged. Her mother had shown no mercy the day before, the broom had hurt terribly. Thankfully, after enduring a beating, her mother finally relented and allowed the tree to be sent over. Li Zhuye’s two older brothers, Li Zhugen and Li Zhugan, looked at their little sister’s awkward gait and felt both amused and concerned about what to do once they arrived at the Wang Family and saw Wang Yongping. The two brothers had always been on good terms with Wang Yongping. The prospect of him marrying into their family was a welcome addition of closeness, and they had always been happy to help him out. But now that their own cousin had cuckolded him and called off the engagement, the two brothers felt they couldn’t face Wang Yongping. To make things worse, their sister seemed intent on stirring up more trouble. What would they do when they saw Wang Yongping? Where would they even put their faces? The more they thought about it, the gloomier they became. The three siblings arrived at the Wang Family’s home amidst deep frustrations and sorrows. Although Wang Yongping had a volatile temperament, he was clear about grudges and favors. Li Jinzhi was Li Jinzhi, but Li Zhugen and Li Zhugan were his good brothers. Having avoided them for many days, he knew the two brothers were embarrassed to see him.

Chapter 71 - 71 71 At the Critical Moment, One Must Show Determination

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