Inside Jiang Yunling’s drawer was a thick stack of notebooks.
She had kept accounts since she was young. Once the notebooks were taken out, every expense—year, month, day, purpose, and amount—was recorded clearly.
“I’ve been married into the Lin family for so many years. I believe I’ve done nothing wrong to your family,” Jiang Yunling said as she flipped through the ledger.
“All these years, how much I earned, how much your Lin family took, and who actually raised Qiqi—you all know it in your hearts. And it’s all written clearly in this book.”
The Lin family hadn’t expected that Jiang Yunling—who seemed the easiest to bully—would suddenly become so forceful.
The three brothers were speechless, only Yang Sufen still tried to argue.
“So what?”
“You’re our family’s daughter-in-law. Taking your money is only right.”
“And what if you made up everything in that ledger just to cheat us?”
“You couldn’t even give Zhengxian a son all these years. We won’t return a single cent of that 2,000 yuan!”
“If you have no food or shelter in the future, don’t think you can rely on the Lin family!”
Jiang Yunling ignored her and looked at Lin Zhengxian.
“Lin Zhengxian, after the divorce, I only want Qiqi.”
“What?!”
Hearing that Jiang Yunling didn’t want the 2,000 yuan, Yang Sufen was overjoyed.
Lin Qiqi, that “worthless girl,” wasn’t even worth 2,000 yuan—probably not even if she married an old widower.
She poked her eldest son. “Zhengxian, what are you waiting for? If she signs that agreement, she can’t go back and ask for money, right?”
“Hurry and sign it!”
“Mom!” Lin Zhengxian pushed her hand away and looked at Jiang Yunling. “Yunling… I didn’t mean—”
The Jiang Yunling who used to respond to him instantly now only looked at him coldly.
Lin Zhengxian then turned to Lin Qiqi. “Daughter… Dad…”
He still expected Lin Qiqi to take care of him in old age—how could he cut ties?
Jiang Yunling knew exactly what kind of person he was. She pressed further.
“Lin Zhengxian, you must write a guarantee.”
“After our divorce, you will sever the father-daughter relationship with Qiqi. And no one from the Lin family is allowed to come to my house again.”
“Otherwise, not only will you return the 2,000 yuan, we’ll settle every account from the past.”
“If we can’t settle it, then forget about the divorce. And that unborn son of yours? He’ll never get registered—he’ll be an illegitimate child for life.”
In the eyes of the Lin family, Jiang Yunling had always been soft and easy to bully.
But today, she was unyielding.
To Yang Sufen, nothing mattered more than her future grandson and the 2,000 yuan.
If Lin Qiqi was gone, so be it—just cutting ties with a useless girl.
What future could a girl possibly have?
She shoved Lin Zhengxian aside.
“Then sign it!”
“That worthless girl—whoever wants her can take her.”
“But you must promise never to ask our Lin family for that 2,000 yuan again, and never step into our house!”
“There are officials here today—let them witness it. You’re not allowed to go back on your word!”
“Fine,” Jiang Yunling agreed decisively. “Officer, please witness this for us.”
With Secretary Wang came a mediator from the neighborhood office.
She stepped forward. “I’m a mediator from the textile factory residential office. I can handle this agreement.”
With her help, the agreement and guarantee were quickly completed.
Jiang Yunling and Lin Zhengxian signed and pressed their fingerprints, agreeing to go to the Civil Affairs Bureau the next morning to finalize the divorce.
As for the 2,000 yuan in medical expenses—
Until now, it had only been rumors, with no proof.
But today’s confrontation made it undeniable.
Lin Zhengxian felt utterly humiliated.
“The Lin family is rotten to the core. It’s good that Jiang is divorcing him.”
“That scumbag got away cheap—took so much money and bullied her together with his whole family.”
“Sigh, people like that are so narrow-minded. Qiqi is promising—cutting ties is worth it. That 2,000 yuan can be considered money thrown to dogs.”
Aunt Zhang was even more furious, her insults sharp and creative.
“If Lin Zhengxian doesn’t have a son, I don’t think it’s Jiang’s fault. A useless coward like him—how could he father a son?”
“And that woman he’s keeping? Who knows whose child she’s carrying!”
The Lin family had arrived arrogantly—
but left in disgrace amid curses.
Secretary Wang comforted Jiang Yunling briefly, then left with her team.
Outside the courtyard, she asked her staff member, “Is the factory report finalized?”
“Not yet.”
“Add today’s incident,” she said, shaking her head. “Especially the matter of Lin Zhengxian and the 2,000 yuan. Make it clear.”
“Our textile factory cannot take the blame for him.”
“Yes, Secretary. I’ll ensure accuracy.”
The neighborhood mediator added, “This Lin Zhengxian is a potential risk.”
“I’ll report this to the district and have them keep an eye on Jiang’s household—to prevent future trouble.”
“And I’ll notify the Civil Affairs Bureau as well—if Jiang goes, they should process it quickly.”
Back in the village, the Lin family erupted again after holding back all the way.
Since returning, Lin Zhengxian had been staying in Lin Zhengrong’s room.
Lin Zhengrong had taken Lin Zhengguang’s room.
The worst off was Lin Zhengguang—he and his wife were now living in a drafty shack next to the chicken coop.
They smelled like chicken droppings every day.
As soon as Lin Zhengrong entered, he stormed into Lin Zhengxian’s room and yanked off the bedding.
“Brother, when you said you couldn’t stay in the city, we gave you the best room.”
“My daughter is still sleeping on the floor in our mother’s room!”
“And you? You have all that money but don’t support our parents or help your brothers!”
Lin Zhengguang chimed in, “Exactly!”
He grabbed his clothes and shoved them under Lin Zhengxian’s nose.
“Smell it! Smell the chicken manure on me!”
Lin Zhengxian, who had been suppressing his anger all day, finally exploded.
He pointed at the room.
“How much money can you two make farming?”
“Everything here was bought with my money!”
“I deserve the best room!”
“If I hadn’t supported this family, would you even have wives?”
Lin Zhengguang’s wife couldn’t hold back anymore.
After living in that stench for over a month, she was at her limit.
“Big brother, that’s not fair.”
“You only supported the family because of that woman named Jiang,” she said, glancing at Shui Lian. “Now with this one, what can you possibly support?”
Why should this woman get the best room the moment she arrived?
She acted delicate, avoided work, and barely did anything beyond light chores.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
“Since you’re living here now, then take out money to build another house. Wouldn’t that make things better for everyone?”
The younger generation began arguing loudly, even shoving each other.
Old Master Lin slammed his pipe against the table.
“Enough! All of you, stop!”