When Lin Wan gave birth to a daughter, she secretly rejoiced for quite some time.
This joy lasted less than two days; after the whole family returned, she began to understand clearly. Her husbandâs family didnât mind at all.
Her husband cherished her, and her mother-in-law was delighted. They treated the daughter, who was considered a money-losing asset, like a treasure, calling her Little Star lovingly every day, afraid that sheâd melt if held in their mouths.
Lin Wan seemed to have some inexplicable luck, marrying into such a good family soon after arriving in the city.
It would have been great if her family had come here for business back then. She also wanted a family like that, especially with a man like Han Yi; she wished he were hers. The past few days, Zhang Dandan increasingly felt Han Yi was better than Lin Yinghui.
"Dandan? Dandan?"
"Ah... Aunt, you called me.""Hmm, Iâve called you several times, why are you staring at Sister Xiao Wan and your brother-in-law, are you in a daze?" Liang Hongmei came in and saw Zhang Dandan zoned out, staring at Xiao Wan and her husband. It took a few calls to get her attention. Lin Wan and Han Yi were dressing the child at the time, and hearing Momâs words, Han Yi looked over, his sharp eyes glancing at Zhang Dandan. He had noticed the gaze earlier but was too busy with his daughter to pay it any mind.
Han Yiâs gaze frightened Zhang Dandan, making her quickly lower her head in guilt "I was just thinking of offering help to Sister Xiao Wan, but seeing my cousin and brother-in-law fully focused on the child, I got curious and dazed." They had been so busy with Lin Wanâs affairs these days that Zhang Dandan had been neglected. Luckily, her son reported to his job yesterday and successfully took the position.
He mentioned before going to work today that he wouldnât return for lunch in the future because the unit has a canteen.
With her son out early and back late, Zhang Dandan didnât have contact with him, so perhaps she aimed her thoughts at her son-in-law?
Thinking of this, Liang Hongmei frowned slightly.
"Youâre a guest in the house; how can we let a young girl like you busy herself with chores, all tasks like washing diapers. They arenât suitable for you, with your brother-in-law and cousin here, there isnât much to help," said Liang Hongmei, telling the truth. Other than washing diapers and cooking for Xiao Wan, there really wasnât much to do. With Han Yi around, she didnât even need to wash diapers and mainly just played with the child every day.
"You must be bored at home. Over the next couple of days, Iâll take you to see the shop."
"Not really." Zhang Dandan smiled awkwardly, pretending to be happy, but in reality, she didnât want to go. Without needing to work and still able to eat delicious food every day, who wouldnât want that?
If she went to the shop, sheâd have to work every day, and then she wouldnât get to interact with Han Yi, let alone Lin Yinghui.
She didnât come here to earn money.
"If youâre really bored, take a walk around, but donât wander far. However, given the hot weather these days, itâs better to stay inside with the fan cooling. There are plenty of comic books at home and also some story books your cousin subscribed to. If youâre feeling bored, read them to pass the time," Liang Hongmei said, telling her where the books were located so she could pick some out herself.
Zhang Dandan answered her, smiling as she turned to go to their study.
Itâs Zhang Dandanâs first time entering her cousinâs study.
As soon as she walked in, she was attracted by an archaic and strange large desk. Even the study was this nice. Han Yiâs family sure was wealthy. The envy in her heart grew even more. The in-laws didnât live together, and the new house was right next to her parentsâ. Lin Wan truly had great luck; who knows how she garnered such blessings over lifetimes?
Though Zhang Dandan felt unsatisfied, she didnât dare to be too presumptuous and didnât randomly touch the things inside. However, she did glance curiously at two large bags piled in the corner.
They turned out to be new clothes â various styles, seemingly hundreds of pieces. How long would it take to wear them all? Where did they get so many clothes?
While Zhang Dandan had many questions, she dared not stay long or ask them. She grabbed a few books and left the study immediately, returning to her room.
Liang Hongmei came over to discuss with Han Yi about whether to hold the childâs banquet at home or at the shop.
"If we do it at the shop, Xiao Wan and the child wonât be able to come, but if we hold it at home, itâll be slightly bothersome with the need to hire someone to cook and set up the stove."
"Mom, we donât have many people here, just a few friends. Han Yiâs army comrades arenât coming, just relatives and friends. Not many tables, so letâs have it at home," Lin Wan said, glancing at Han Yi, "Ai Yi, what do you think?"
"Yes, letâs hold it at home," Han Yi knew. His elder generation had experienced cooks who specialized in banquets and rentals for tables and chairs. He could find people over the next couple of days.
"Great, letâs have it at home; our place is spacious."
After Liang Hongmei finished discussing with her son-in-law, Grandma, Big Aunt, Aunt Jin, and the cousin-in-law came with the children, bringing plenty of eggs, snacks, canned goods, and all sorts of packages.
The child was only a few days old and spent most of the time sleeping aside from eating, so despite barely being awake, she was surrounded by people who adored her.
The cousin-in-lawâs Da Ming was already over a year old. He climbed onto the bed, waving a small toy in front of Little Star, babbling words that adults couldnât understand.
Though he didnât amuse Little Star, he ended up entertaining himself, laughing so hard that his saliva almost dripped onto the daughterâs face.
Han Yi frowned beside them, full of disdain, and quickly wiped it clean.
His daughter was fair and tender; how could she tolerate getting the bratâs saliva?
"Children change every day; look, Xing Yue looks just like Xiao Yi when he was little, so lively," Grandma inserted her finger into Little Starâs tiny hand, absolutely enamored.
This comment made Lin Wan, lying beside, a bit embarrassed as her grandma spoke so exaggeratedly; how was she lively when sheâd only just opened her eyes for a moment, now sleeping soundly?
It didnât stop there; Aunt Jin and Big Aunt joined in the praise.
Holding Da Ming, Tan Aixiang laughed toward Lin Wan, saying, "Grandma is certainly biased."
"Saozi, itâs because we have a daughter."
"Alright, alright, daughters in our family must be cherished," Having been married into the family not long, Tan Aixiang naturally knew Grandma favored the girls in the family. Donât even mention the little aunt; Shen Jie and Shen Rong didnât do much work as kids either.
Talking about Shen Rong, Tan Aixiang quietly told Lin Wan, "Rongrong is pregnant too, just conceived last month."
"Oh... havenât seen her in a while," Lin Wan hadnât seen her since she got married.
"Those two are glued together like honey, why would they feel like going home? During the New Year visits, they brought lots of things," Tan Aixiang could see it clearly. Her little sister-in-law had swapped places with her mother-in-law.
The mother-in-law was stingy, with a personality of taking and not giving, which hadnât been passed down to Shen Rong. Shen Rong was turned tightly by her lover, and it wasnât just Shen Rong; even the in-laws were praised to lean towards her.
Upon leaving, the in-laws received more good things than what they brought when they came.
At that time, she felt uncomfortable; her son and grandson werenât cherished, biased towards her daughter.
She hardly thought about whoâd take care of them when they were old.
Lin Wan could hear the hint of sourness in the cousin-in-lawâs tone but remained silent. Household affairs were better left unspoken.\p>
Lin Wan looked at Big Aunt, radiant and carefree, living in a new house and not needing to care for the grandchild or elderly, seemingly living well.
Since Big Aunt didnât say anything sour towards her and Han Yi this time, it was quite pleasant.
It seemed the previous targeting of them was due to the house.
If theyâd known, they would have moved out earlier.
This visit from a few people brought many meeting gifts for their Little Star.
Grandma gave twenty, Big Aunt five, Aunt Jin five, and the cousin-in-law two.
After sending them off, Han Yi kissed the little sweetheart and went out to find someone.
Lin Wan felt energetic in the mornings these days, eager to go out and stroll. Initially, her mother-in-law and mother wouldnât even let her outside for using the restroom, directly bringing her a potty.
She resisted for two days before being allowed to go outside to use the restroom.
"Itâs just dawn, do you want to sleep a bit more?" Han Yi asked as Lin Wan got up, urging her.
Lin Wan shook her head, "I canât sleep, I slept well since you took care of the baby at night, the one who should rest well is you."
"Iâm not tired; staying up like this isnât much. While training, we often donât sleep for days and nights; do you want to use the restroom, Iâll accompany you," Han Yi said, glancing to the side.