Liu Ruyun rarely saw her son in such good spirits, so she was happy too.
Before, Lu Jinghuai had been cheerful, but after his paralysis, he became withdrawn and spoke little. She had worried, yet dared not ask too much, afraid it would sadden him further.
Perhaps Lin Xiyue truly was their family’s lucky star. She had only just arrived, yet many changes seemed to be happening at home.
After finishing her meal, Lin Xiyue let out a satisfied belch—she hadn’t eaten this much in a long time.
Lu Yanqiu had polished off three ribs in one go, and he too was stuffed.
By now, Liu Ruyun had scooped out all the braised meat, pouring the broth into a basin. After rubbing salt onto the remaining pieces and hanging them up, it was already late at night.
Lu Yanqiu and Lin Xiyue, exhausted from the day’s work, went to bed early.
The next morning, Lin Xiyue woke early from sleeping so soundly the night before. Passing by her door, Lu Yanqiu saw her scribbling and drawing at the table, unsure of what she was doing.
“Xiaoyue, second brother’s brushes, ink, and paper are expensive. Don’t break them,” he warned, worried she might damage Lu Wenxuan’s belongings. Lu Wenxuan hated it when others meddled with his things.
“That brush was already broken. I didn’t damage it, and I’m using scrap paper he already wrote on,” Lin Xiyue replied.
Indeed, Lu Wenxuan’s calligraphy was exceptional—truly extraordinary. At such a young age, producing such fine writing was rare and required painstaking practice.
Seeing that she used a broken brush, Lu Yanqiu didn’t comment further. “What are you drawing?” he asked, noticing a strange sketch on the back.
“This is a wheelchair, for your eldest brother. Are there any skilled carpenters in the village? If this chair can be made, he could sit and move on his own,” Lin Xiyue explained.
Although she planned to treat Lu Jinghuai, recovery would take time. A wheelchair was still necessary.
“A moving chair? I’ve never seen one. Xiaoyue, how did your little brain come up with this?” Lu Yanqiu teased, reaching to ruffle her hair—but Lin Xiyue swatted his hand away.
“Don’t mess around. This task is yours. I’ve marked the dimensions and thickness. Have someone make it as soon as possible. If money is needed, wait until Old Madam Lu returns the silver,” she instructed.
“Da Niu’s father is a carpenter. I’ll ask him if he can make it,” Lu Yanqiu said, taking the plans and rushing out—naturally anxious for Lu Jinghuai’s sake.
Lin Xiyue closed the door and entered the space. The plants she transplanted yesterday were thriving.
The wild vegetables, once tiny, had grown rapidly but remained tender and fresh, just a little oversized.
The wild fruits seemed improved, each twice their normal size. Wild strawberries, originally only thumb-sized, had grown to normal size, red and plump—delicious-looking.
The fertile soil not only improved plant quality but also accelerated growth. Confirming the soil’s effect, Lin Xiyue selected some seeds to plant, ensuring they’d have an endless supply of vegetables.
After tending the space for a while, Lin Xiyue returned. When Lu Yanqiu came back, she had already finished preparing.
They planned to return to the mountains to gather firewood. Liu Ruyun took out the mushrooms Lin Xiyue had picked the day before to dry and store for later.
Although Liu Ruyun had never eaten many of these mushrooms, she trusted Xiaoyue’s judgment that they were safe.
Just as Lin Xiyue and Lu Yanqiu were about to leave, a woman with a hostile expression blocked their path, accompanied by a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl.
“Lin Xiyue, get out here! Let’s see what kind of little demon dares stir trouble in our Lu family!”
Lu Jiaojiao, the only daughter of Old Madam Lu, had a high position in the family. She had grown arrogant and domineering. Returning late from town, she’d learned that her mother had been bullied by her sister-in-law and the new daughter-in-law, so she came early to confront Lin Xiyue.
“Little aunt, what brings you here?” Lu Yanqiu frowned—he disliked this arrogant little aunt and spoke with no patience.
“Yanqiu, how can you speak to me like that? I came to see your new wife,” Lu Jiaojiao replied, pretending to be polite.
Lu Qingqing, Jiaojiao’s accomplice, echoed the sentiment.
“We’ve split the family. Our affairs don’t concern you,” Lu Yanqiu said firmly.
Unaware of the tension, Lu Qingqing struck a flippant pose.
Jiaojiao didn’t argue with Yanqiu—she turned her critical gaze on Lin Xiyue.
“So this is the wife your mother bought with two taels of silver for her three sons? Ugly and tiny—how can she serve three sons?”
Having married before, Jiaojiao spoke without restraint.
Angered by the insult, Lu Yanqiu wanted to step in, but Lin Xiyue surprised him.
“I think Xiaoyue is far better than those malicious people who get divorced and still pester their families. You dare insult her? Look in the mirror—you’re the ugly one,” Lu Yanqiu snapped.
Lin Xiyue, realizing Yanqiu defended her after only two days, felt grateful—this little brother was hers.
“I’m your aunt, and you dare speak to me this way?” Jiaojiao’s chest heaved with anger. Though called an aunt, she was only twenty-three, barely older than Yanqiu, and used to being spoiled—she couldn’t take such insult.
Yanqiu tried to speak, but Lin Xiyue pulled him behind her.
“Bullying your nephew’s wife? You call yourself an aunt? Barking at our door so early—what do you want? To show off your status? Or take advantage of no one being home? How dare you insult me? Look at yourself before mocking me,” Lin Xiyue retorted, sharp and fearless.
“Young lady, how can you speak to an elder?” Lu Qingqing tried to intervene.
“You? A sycophant or white lotus spirit? Flattering her, yet don’t know how to respect a sister-in-law. With that face and temper, won’t you have trouble marrying later?” Lin Xiyue snapped.
Qingqing, younger and naïve, was frustrated and ran off crying.
Jiaojiao, shocked by Lin Xiyue’s quick tongue, was also enraged.
“You little wretch! Do you think marrying my brothers gives you power? A cripple, a bookworm, and the useless third son—you’re just a servant bought for two taels of silver! You think you’re the mistress here?”
Jiaojiao aimed to humiliate the brothers, pointing out their uselessness. In a poor family, physical ability mattered—useless men could not support a household.
Lin Xiyue, offended, immediately struck her.
Smack!
Jiaojiao froze, shocked that Lin Xiyue dared hit her.
“You dare hit me? I’ll fight you!” Jiaojiao shouted, but Lin Xiyue kicked her to the ground.
Liu Ruyun, arranging Lu Jinghuai’s room, rushed out, broom in hand, angry to see her niece attacking her daughter-in-law. But it was too late—Jiaojiao was already knocked down.
“Jiaojiao, Xiaoyue is your nephew’s wife. How can you bully her?” Liu Ruyun scolded, her face red with anger.
“You blind? Didn’t you see this little brat bullying your son?” Jiaojiao groaned, clutching her stomach.
“I clearly saw you trying to hit my daughter-in-law. If Xiaoyue weren’t skilled, she’d be hurt. Leave now—you’re not welcome,” Liu Ruyun snapped.
“Leave, or I’ll keep hitting!” Lin Xiyue advanced, fierce. Seeing she couldn’t win, Jiaojiao retreated, vowing revenge.
Lin Xiyue ignored her. Still, she resolved to continue her physical training—if danger struck, her frail body alone wouldn’t suffice.
“Xiaoyue, are you okay?” Liu Ruyun asked, concerned.
“I’m fine, Mother. After Yanqiu and I go out, if they bother you again, go find the village chief. Actually, Yanqiu, you stay home today and keep Mother company. I’ll go alone—if they come again, I don’t want Mother handling it alone,” Lin Xiyue replied.