To make up for the debt owed to Lin Qingping and Gu Juncheng

In some matters, outsiders can only offer advice, not force people to make decisions.

Moreover, it's very difficult to persuade someone about their fundamental beliefs; you have to experience it yourself to understand it.

However, Lin Qingping still told Gu Youlian a story about her past life, embellished as a tale of a distant relative. Gu Youlian seemed thoughtful but remained silent.

Lin Qingping knew that Gu Youlian couldn't make the decision herself and had to discuss it with Du Gen, but there was one thing Lin Qingping had to remind her of: "Big sister, no matter what decision you make, there's one thing you must keep in mind: your money must be in your own hands."

Gu Youlian's eyelids twitched.

"Does Du Gen manage the money in your family?" Lin Qingping didn't distrust Du Gen, but she had doubts about the character of Du Gen's family.

Gu Youlian remained silent.

Well, Lin Qingping thought she might have oversimplified things.

"If you don't want to talk about it, then forget it." Lin Qingping simply decided not to get involved.

“The bottle…” Gu Youlian grabbed her hand, “I… I couldn’t help myself and showed it off to my mother-in-law…”

Lin Qingping understood. "You gave your money to your mother-in-law?"

“A…part of it…” Gu Youlian explained with her head down, “My mother-in-law has always looked down on me, saying that I’m a barren hen. I wanted to show off in front of her, so I told her about the money I made, hoping she would respect me. She wanted to keep the money for us. Du Gen said that he was the only one in the family, and that it would eventually be ours anyway, so I gave her a portion…I also wanted to shut her up.”

Lin Qingping laughed, “Big sister, relationships between people are not built on flattery, but on mutual liking and appreciation. If someone doesn’t open up to you, the better you treat them, the more they will take advantage of you and assume that your kindness is a given.”

Lin Qingping didn't know if Gu Youlian could understand these words at this moment. If not, the Du family would make her understand one day.

As they walked and talked, they arrived at the village where Dugen's family lived.

Lin Qingping led Zhiyuan by the hand, with her second sister beside her, Gu Youlian led Xiaomai by the hand, and the two elders of the Gu family walked in front as they entered the Du family's gate.

Mr. and Mrs. Du came out to greet them with great joy. They were happy to see so many people.

It's a birthday celebration, and everyone wants to have a good time. Today, relatives from Du Gen's mother's side of the family have also come, and the house is already full. There are also several children running around in the house.

The house became even more lively as soon as the Gu family members entered. The elderly greeted each other, exchanged pleasantries, and praised each other's children.

Without a doubt, Zhiyuan and Xiaomai are the most outstanding among the children in this room.

Lin Qingping dressed them up specially. Both of them wore bright red cotton-padded wool coats with white fur trim on the hats and cuffs. She also applied children's cream to their faces, making them look fair and rosy, which was especially endearing.

Du Genniang was a little envious and laughed, "No wonder our Xiaomai always likes to go to her maternal grandmother's house. Her in-laws really dote on their child."

Here comes the conversation...

Du Genniang began to sigh, "What a pity! Over the years, Lian hasn't conceived. We feel sorry for her and don't want to pressure her. The child is something that's destined to be born; you can't force it..."

Feeling sorry for them? Not pushing them?

The Gu family members were inwardly scoffing.

Du Genniang continued, "But a family always needs a son, otherwise Genzi and Youlian won't even have someone to break the pot. Luckily, my brother has three sons. I pleaded with him and he agreed to adopt one for Genzi. He'll then take the surname Du. Jinbao, come here."

A chubby boy of about six or seven years old came over.

Du Gen's mother pointed at Du Gen and said, "Do you remember what we're going to call him from now on?"

Jinbao sniffed, "Dad."

Du Genniang was overjoyed, "That's right!"

Dugan remained calm, neither happy nor unhappy.

Then, Du Genniang pointed to Gu Youlian and said, "This is Mother."

Jinbao must have been taught by someone long ago. After hesitating for a moment, he promptly called out "Mother".

Gu Youlian was torn between agreeing and disagreeing, her eyes red with emotion.

Du Gen's mother didn't care about any of that. She directly made Jinbao kneel down to serve tea to Du Gen and Gu Youlian. She served Du Gen first, calling him "Father." Du Gen accepted the tea and took a sip.

Seeing him like this, Gu Youlian could no longer hold back her tears, and they streamed down her face.

Lin Qingping couldn't stand it anymore and was about to speak when her mother-in-law, Liu Fen, held her down firmly.

Jinbao knelt on the ground, handed the tea to Gu Youlian, and called her "Mother".

Gu Youlian was still staring intently at Du Gen when Du Gen grasped her hand. "The child has already cried out, so just drink it."

Gu Youlian's eyes were filled with deep disappointment, but she still accepted the tea in the end.

That completes the ceremony.

Du Genniang was overjoyed and dragged Du Jinbao around, changing his address to everyone. They even came to the Gu family, pointing at Gu's father and telling him to call him maternal grandfather, and pointing at Liu Fen and telling her to call her maternal grandmother.

According to local custom, such a change of address also requires giving a red envelope.

The two elders of the Gu family gave it to them.

When she reached Lin Qingping, Du Genniang smiled and said, "This is your aunt."

Lin Qingping remained silent, feeling annoyed, while her mother-in-law, Liu Fen, kept pinching her leg.

She understood what her mother-in-law meant. This was a matter for the Du family, and they couldn't get involved. Moreover, for Gu Youlian's sake, they had to maintain appearances.

What kind of ridiculous custom is this?!

She's going to be so angry!

Lin Qingping took a penny out of her pocket and gave it to Du Jinbao.

Du Jinbao, not knowing right from wrong, was getting money anyway, which made Du Genniang's face fall.

Not enough!

She had a pretty good reason.

What she was thinking was: It's all thanks to her son's talent; he's making a fortune at the factory, and he even managed to get some wages from that lazy, good-for-nothing daughter-in-law of the Gu family along with him! She's ungrateful! The Du family has such a big event involving their son, and they only give her a penny! No wonder everyone says she has a bad reputation! The Gu family really married a jinx!

People who are family-oriented are all jinxes!

Gu Youlian too! Otherwise, why would she have caused the Du family line to almost end?

Du Gen's mother, leading Du Jinbao, went off arrogantly, completely oblivious to the fact that it was actually Lin Qingping who was helping Du Gen make money. In her eyes, there was no such possibility! Did that lazy, spoiled daughter-in-law of the Gu family really have that kind of ability? Bah! She'd rather believe a dung beetle doesn't eat dung! It was only through the Du family's ancestral business acumen that they had such foresight and skill!

After the adoption ceremony, they began to eat.

It was both Du Genniang's birthday banquet and a celebration for the Du family that they had a son.

They sat at two tables, one for adults and one for children.

Du Genniang was in high spirits when she had a happy occasion, and she was so happy that she boasted the whole time.

"Genzi is working in a factory in the city now, and he even took Youlian with him. The couple is making a lot of money outside!"

Her family has heard her brag about this many times, but they still support her and ask her how much she earns in a month.

Du Genniang was beaming with pride. "You can't say that!" But as soon as she saw Lin Qingping was there, she immediately added, "Pingzi is here too. Our Genzi is so kind-hearted. He doesn't just want to make money for himself, he wants to make money for the whole family. He brought Pingzi along too."

After saying that, he said to the Gu family elders with a smug look, "Although Pingzi is not good at working and can't earn much money, it's still better than staying at home idle. At least he can earn a little to supplement the family income. Pingzi, don't mind it, and don't compare yourself to Genzi. In fact, in the city, making money only depends on your ability. The more capable you are, the more money you earn. In the future, I'll ask Genzi to take good care of you!"