The atmosphere at the dining table was heavy, with only the sound of chopsticks clattering against the bowls and plates.

Su Mingqiang sensed his in-laws' unfriendly attitude, but thinking that his wife needed to be in a good mood during her pregnancy, he forced a smile and tried to start a conversation.

"Dad, how's the harvest in the village this year?"

"good."

Li's father didn't even look up, his tone indifferent.

Li's mother kept staring at her daughter, her eyes full of reproach.

Li Jinhua felt extremely uncomfortable under their gaze.

Finally, Su Mingqiang looked at the wall clock.

"Dad, Mom, I have to go to work now. Please sit a while longer; I'll buy a chicken tonight."

"Go."

Mr. Li waved his hand, his tone full of impatience.

Su Mingqiang walked to the door, turned back to look at his wife, and gave her a comforting look.

Li Jinhua forced a smile and watched her husband leave.

As soon as the door closed, Li's father slammed his hand on the table.

"Jinhua, when exactly do you plan to get a divorce?"

Li Jinhua's hand trembled.

"Dad! What are you saying?"

"Stop pretending to be confused!"

Li's mother said in a shrill voice.

"Didn't we agree on this before? What? You're planning to spend your life with that good-for-nothing?"

Ever since that failed attempt to divide the family property, which resulted in a famine, Mr. and Mrs. Li were completely disappointed in their son-in-law, Su Mingqiang.

Tell Li Jinhua to get a divorce as soon as possible.

Li Jinhua did the same, but she never expected the child to come so suddenly.

Li Jinhua's face turned deathly pale.

She couldn't very well say that she was pregnant, the child wasn't Su Mingqiang's, and now there was no one else willing to take her in except Su Mingqiang!

Helpless, Li Jinhua could only desperately try to say good things about Su Mingqiang.

"Mom, Mingqiang...he's doing well now, he works hard, and he's good to me too..."

"fart!"

Mr. Li interrupted her.

"What's so good about a good-for-nothing who doesn't even have a proper job? Look at your family's current situation, how is it comparable to before?"

There's really no comparison.

Previously, they were considered dual-income families, and even in Beijing, such families had very high incomes.

Helpless, Li Jinhua had no choice but to continue.

"Dad, Mingqiang is really hardworking. He's working at a lumber mill now and has also learned carpentry..."

"That's enough!"

Mr. Li suddenly stood up.

"I don't care what he's like now, I'm just asking you, why haven't you sent money home for the past two months?"

Li Jinhua was stunned, and only then did she understand the real reason for her parents' sudden visit.

Before this, Li Jinhua would send half of her salary home every month, which was a major source of income for the Li family. Suddenly losing it was worse than killing them.

"Your brother needs money for school, and the house needs repairs, and all you're doing is living a life of leisure?"

Li's mother's voice grew louder and louder.

"We raised you all these years, and you turned out to be an ungrateful wretch?"

Li Jinhua's tears finally fell.

"Mom, I didn't... I just..."

"Just what?"

Li's father said sternly.

"Is it that good-for-nothing who's preventing you from sending money home?"

Li Jinhua shook her head, her voice choked with emotion.

"No, it's me... I want to save some money. Mingqiang isn't earning as much these days, and we're also planning to have a child..."

"child?"

Li's mother sneered.

"Are you out of your mind? You actually plan to have that good-for-nothing's child?"

Mr. Li grabbed his daughter's wrist.

"Divorce him tomorrow! We've already found you a new boyfriend. Butcher Zhang in the village just lost his wife. He has a house and savings. You can sell your job, go back to the village, and ask for another dowry. Isn't that a hundred times better than what you're doing now?"

Li Jinhua broke free from her father's hand, took two steps back, and leaned against the wall, looking at her father in disbelief.

"Dad, you, you actually want me to go back to the village? And that butcher Zhang, he's only two years younger than you, right?"

"Smack!"

A resounding slap interrupted Li Jinhua's words.

Mr. Li was so angry that he trembled all over.

"You unfilial daughter! We've come all this way, and what, you still won't agree?"

Li's father's voice was as sharp as a knife.

Li's mother also stood up and pointed at her daughter's nose, cursing.

"Do you know that without your money for the past two months, we've almost gone hungry! I haven't smelled meat for a week!"

Li Jinhua covered her face, tears blurring her vision.

She suddenly realized that in her parents' eyes, she was never a daughter, but just a tool to make money.

"Dad, Mom..."

Li Jinhua's voice trembled.

"Listen to me..."

"What are you saying!"

Mr. Li rudely interrupted her.

"Let's get a divorce tomorrow! I've already made arrangements with Butcher Zhang; he'll give us 300 yuan as a bride price!"

Li Jinhua's heart sank to the bottom.

Three hundred yuan?

Did your parents sell you for just 300 yuan?

"I won't get a divorce!"

Li Jinhua suddenly raised her voice; this was the first time she had so resolutely defied her parents.

"I...I'm pregnant!"

These words exploded like a bomb in the small room.

Mr. and Mrs. Li were stunned at the same time. The expressions on their faces changed from anger to shock, and then from shock to a strange calculation.

"Are you pregnant?"

Li's mother narrowed her eyes.

When did this happen?

Li Jinhua bit her lip.

"It's been...more than two months."

Li's father's expression suddenly turned ferocious.

"Oh! So that's why you suddenly stopped sending money home—you're pregnant with that good-for-nothing's child!"

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