“Second daughter-in-law, what exactly are you thinking?”
The Su family had more or less heard about the Shen family arranging a new match for Shen Yunzhi.
“I will stay in the Su family and raise my two children to adulthood.” Shen Yunzhi’s voice was firm and decisive.
The two elders of the Su family exchanged a glance. Old Madam Su spoke gently, “Being a widow isn’t easy. You must think this through.”
“Aren’t you still here?” Shen Yunzhi smiled faintly. “In three years, Ci-ge will be seventeen. Once he marries, I’ll have endured the hardest part.”
“As long as you’ve made up your mind.” Old Madam Su felt relieved.
“This is the compensation money from the court.” Shen Yunzhi handed the retrieved silver to the two elders.
“That won’t do. It was given to you — you keep it.” Old Madam Su pushed it back. “Besides, you’re starting a business. You’ll need money.”
“Father, Mother… thank you.” Shen Yunzhi felt genuine gratitude.
After she left, Old Madam Su couldn’t help asking, “Do you think she’ll truly stay?”
“Whether she has other plans or not, even if she doesn’t, we can still raise the eldest branch’s two children ourselves.”
Old Master Su had been disappointed too many times before. He wasn’t fully convinced she would remain.
Liu Lihua had been waiting outside. When she saw Shen Yunzhi come out, she hurried over.
“Did Father and Mother give you the compensation money?”
“Why are you asking?” Shen Yunzhi looked at her curiously.
“I just wanted to discuss something with you.” Liu Lihua glanced in Su Jingci’s direction. “Your eldest is clearly meant for studying. If the family has no money, that’s one thing — but now that there is some, you should send him back to school.”
Su Jingci had attended private school for two years. His teacher had said he was exceptionally bright — anything he learned, he grasped after hearing it once.
Back then, the Su family had placed all their hopes on him, planning to pool their strength to support his education.
When the Shen family learned of this, they insisted that Shen Yunhai must study as well and pressured Shen Yunzhi for money.
Shen Yunzhi handed over the funds meant for Su Jingci’s schooling. After that, the Shen family only grew more excessive, coming again and again under various excuses to demand more.
The Su family had been drained completely.
And Su Jingci’s education was cut off.
“The teacher who taught him said he would definitely pass the provincial examination. Even if not, let him study a few more years, learn more characters — becoming an accountant would still be good, don’t you think?” Liu Lihua genuinely liked Su Jingci.
Seeing her wholeheartedly planning for her son — more than she herself ever had as his own mother — Shen Yunzhi understood why Su Jingci had always felt closer to Liu Lihua.
Afraid she might refuse, Liu Lihua added quickly, “I’m not asking you to pay everything. Our two households can pool money together. What do you think?”
“I’ll speak to Ci-ge. If he wants to study, I’ll send him.”
Only then did Liu Lihua finally relax.
These past few days, Su Jingci had been busy helping Shen Yunzhi with the stall. But every time students walked out of the academy, a trace of longing would appear in his eyes.
Shen Yunzhi knew how much he yearned to study.
But he had already passed the age of basic education. How to arrange things now would require consulting the teacher.
The teacher had been particularly fond of Su Jingci. When he heard the boy had given up his studies, he had come several times to persuade them — only to be scolded away by Shen Yunzhi. Eventually, whenever he saw her, he would avoid her.
Now, Shen Yunzhi bought some gifts and went to the teacher’s home.
Hearing her voice outside, the teacher’s anger flared instantly. He sent a student to turn her away.
The foolish things she had done in the past surged into Shen Yunzhi’s mind. Feeling ashamed, she said to the student:
“Please tell the teacher… I’m here about Su Jingci returning to his studies.”