A year flew by quickly, and it was New Year's again. Last year, because of Qingshan’s family needing to borrow money, although the Lin family’s New Year was better than usual, they still scrimped and saved. This year was different. Although the household expenses had increased, so had the income. They had their own fields, their own pond, and chickens, piglets, ducks—all raised at home. This year was truly a bountiful one.

This year’s New Year's feast wasn't limited to just ten bowls; a huge table was laden with fifteen or sixteen dishes, all prepared by Lin He using recipes she recalled from her previous life. The flavors were remarkably good. The fish from their own pond had been deep-fried and set on the table. Old Mrs. Huang said they should save it until after the New Year's Eve dinner, so they could have "surplus every year."

However, this Lunar New Year was much livelier than the last, with quite a few things happening. First, on the second day of the New Year, after visiting their maternal grandmother's house, Er Niu went to pick up people from his two sisters' homes. When he arrived at Hongyun’s place, her mother-in-law’s face had bloomed into a smile because Hongyun was pregnant this year.

Hongyun was several months along, and her "belly" was slowly beginning to show. As she got onto the ox cart, Hongyun’s mother-in-law kept holding her carefully, constantly murmuring cautions, her expression as if Hongyun’s belly were some fragile treasure.

Er Niu watched, an unreadable mix of feelings stirring within him. Since becoming "pregnant," Hongyun’s life had certainly improved; she was likely being treated better by her in-laws than she had been in years. But what would eventually come from that belly remained unknown, a genuine worry for Er Niu.

After fetching Hongyun and the child, Dajiang, who had gone to fetch Hongxia, had not yet returned. Mrs. Zhao immediately sent Er Niu driving the cart again to collect them. Once Er Niu left, the whole family sat in the courtyard. Song Yuemei’s pregnancy was also showing now. Perhaps due to her recent conception and the much-improved diet at home, Song Yuemei had gained significant weight, her face radiant. Though her stomach wasn't very large yet, she deliberately held it out as if afraid no one would know she was pregnant—a sight that amused Lin He.

Surprisingly, Mrs. He had completely changed towards Song Yuemei, attending to her needs with great care and smiling warmly. Seeing Hongyun was also pregnant, Mrs. He showed a flicker of disdain in her eyes. She said to Mrs. Zhao, "Mother, didn't you have that fortune-teller check in town the other day? Didn't she say only one of the pregnant women in our family would bear a boy? Mother, which one do you think it is? I suspect it’s our Yuemei’s belly; look how pointed it is—it must be a boy."

Mrs. Zhao glanced at Mrs. He and replied, "We shouldn't put all our faith in fortune-telling. I just hope all these bellies result in sons. If the fortune-teller was right, it doesn’t matter who bears the boy; they’ll all be grandsons and maternal grandsons of our Lin family either way."

Mrs. He’s face fell slightly. "Mother, that’s not quite right. Though they are all the Lin family's, a grandson and a maternal grandson are worlds apart. Our Yuemei’s belly carries the very first great-grandson of the Lin family."

Mrs. Zhao did not reply. She knew the truth about Hongyun’s pregnancy. If the fortune-teller was correct that only one could be male, she would rather Hongxia’s child be the boy. After all, Song Yuemei was young and would have many more chances to conceive later, whereas Hongyun’s opportunity was slim; this one was likely self-engineered and might not come again.

Seeing Hongyun looking distracted, Mrs. Zhao didn't notice that Mrs. He was growing displeased, feeling her mother-in-law was being unreasonable. It was one thing to favor her daughter with resources normally, but now she was even taking sides on this matter. Since her daughter-in-law became pregnant, the old woman had only visited once at the very beginning. Yet, she frequently visited her two sisters-in-law who were also pregnant, and now she showed such obvious bias when discussing the matter.

Mrs. Zhao paid no mind to Mrs. He’s displeasure. Noticing Hongyun’s pale expression, she told her to go inside and rest instead of staying in the courtyard. Hongyun obediently went indoors. Lin He observed Hongyun’s ashen face and poor spirit. Perhaps things were a little easier when she was at her parents’ house, as they understood the situation and wouldn’t deliberately say or do anything to upset her, allowing her a temporary respite from worry.

But back home, no doubt her in-laws and everyone else would fuss over her pregnancy, causing her internal guilt. Coupled with the constant need to be vigilant, the physical and mental pressure must be overwhelming. With worries weighing on her mind, she naturally couldn't be happy, and unhappy people rarely maintain good spirits.

If it were someone else, perhaps they might find solace in accepting the concern and attention bestowed by her in-laws, given how poorly she had been treated previously. But her eldest sister-in-law was too kind; how many people could truly understand the torment she endured? Lin He genuinely feared her sister-in-law might collapse before the child was born. Fortunately, after the New Year, her eldest sister-in-law’s family would return, and with the comfort from her own parents, things should ease somewhat.

Meanwhile, Er Niu set off to fetch Hongxia and the others, keeping an eye out so he wouldn't miss them on the road, thinking that even if they were slow, he could intercept them halfway. But Er Niu walked the entire distance without spotting them. He only heard voices when he reached the doorway of Hongxia's rented room.

Er Niu immediately rushed in upon hearing the considerable commotion inside. The courtyard was a mess of scattered belongings. Dajiang stood aside, glaring at Zhou Dafa. Hongxia, slightly pregnant, sat slumped in a chair, her hair disheveled, with what looked like bloodstains around her lips. Zhou Dafa, sober today, looked wide awake. When he saw Er Niu enter, his eyes visibly flinched.

Seeing the scene, Er Niu sensed something was seriously wrong. He asked, "What kind of trouble is brewing on New Year’s Day? And Hongxia is injured—what happened here?"

Hongxia remained silent, her gaze distant, not seeming to focus on anything in particular. Dajiang, grinding his teeth, spoke up: "Er Niu, we’re taking Hongxia back. This bastard hit her. His own wife is so heavily pregnant, and he still resorts to violence!"

Er Niu looked at Hongxia, who still hadn't moved. Dajiang then explained to Er Niu that early that morning, Hongxia had packed her things, intending to take the child to her parents' home. But Zhou Dafa stopped them, saying she could go, but only if she brought out the deeds to the few acres of fields so he could sell them.

Hongxia naturally refused. What would become of the child if the fields were sold? Recently, Hongxia had stopped caring about Zhou Dafa’s antics outside, as long as he didn't ask for the deeds. Hongxia intended to keep those few acres for Yuanbao when he grew up, ensuring he would have a means of living. But Zhou Dafa was utterly relentless in pursuing her.