The days passed, and soon, winter arrived.

Han Jing continued to keep in touch with Li Qinglang. The Han family did not mention the proposal from the Wang family anymore. Han Jing had safely navigated this difficulty.

During this period, Father and Mother Han stopped forcing her to get married. Wang Xiaoqin had already left the home for more than a month and was adjusting well to her workplace.

The weather grew colder and there was no more work to be done in the fields. At the moment, Han Shu was not looking for a job in the city because he knew that the moment he left, Han Yu would have a terrible time at home. She would be forced to serve the whole family.

Anyway, they had already carried on like that for so many years. He did not mind waiting a few months more. He stayed home and waited for Han Yu’s winter break to begin.

The winter break was two weeks away. Last month, Father and Mother Han received 30 yuan from Wang Xiaoqin and spent it happily. They no longer mentioned Wang Xiaoqin coming back to wait on them.

But when they saw Han Yu, who was slowly growing up, they had an idea.

“The fieldwork is done. Aren’t you going to the city to look for a job?”

Mother Han asked Han Shu.

Han Shu replied, “Um! I’ll tidy the house a little more, and then I’ll go and look for a job. I’ll make a little money so that Chuanzong can attend a better school and marry a better wife.”

His parents liked to hear this kind of talk. Han Shu was used to it.

Mother Han nodded. “As his elder brother, this is your duty. You must work hard. Chuanzong will have many expenses in the future!”

Han Shu heard her but did not reply.

He bowed his head and whittled some wood.

Mother Han looked at him and said, “Little Yu will be 13 years old after the New Year. A girl doesn’t need to study so much. Keep her home next year! The two of you can go and work in the city.”

Han Shu’s hand paused. He suppressed his rage and said, “No. Yu’er is still young. I will let her continue studying as long as her grades are good enough. I provided for Younger Sister so that she could complete university. There’s no reason for my own daughter to drop out of school.”

“You…” Mother Han was furious. “Your sister is intelligent. Besides, hasn’t she found a rich man now? She hasn’t lost out. She brought some things back a few days ago. Look at them. They’re all expensive items. The Lis are a rich family.”

Han Shu focused on his work and kept quiet.

“Why don’t you say something? Why are you so absorbed in your work? Are you thinking of marrying Han Yu into a noble family? She’s a useless creature. In the future…”

Han Shu violently raised his head and looked at his mother. He glared at her sternly.

Mother Han was frightened by his expression. “You… why are you glaring at me? Have I said anything wrong? She’s a village girl, why study so much?”

“Once you and your wife have left, who is going to do the housework and take care of us old folks? All of you…”

“So? You want a 13-year-old child to wait on you?”

Mother Han: “…”

She pursed her lips for a long time before she ground out, “Shouldn’t she? I worked so hard to raise all of you. What’s the matter? You don’t want to support us now that we’re old? Supporting us is your duty. You…”

“I didn’t say that I wouldn’t support you. You’ve not done any work for years. Didn’t you say that a son can carry on the family name? That only having a son will bring you hope and a future?

“So? Now that you have Chuanzong, why don’t you work hard? Why are you always at home, eating and sunning yourselves? Don’t you want to earn more money so that your darling son can build a house and take a wife?”