Rebirth Counterattack with Space

Even though Xie Changgen’s mind was still a bit muddled at this time, it seemed that he had begun to understand something.

He certainly needed more time to sort out the confusion, but it did not prevent him from realizing that if he did not coax his wife back now, the consequences would definitely be something he did not want to face.

Lu Aimei bit her lower lip and stared at Xie Changgen, her mind racing with countless thoughts. In fact, her heart had already started to waver early in the morning when her father-in-law decided to split the family.

The person she was yesterday would impulsively slap Xie Jiabao, the precious darling of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and not endure as she used to. Aside from her personality, it was more importantly an outburst of pent-up frustration.

Children are always the most perceptive. If Xie Jiabao dared to throw his milk bottle on the ground in front of her, wasn’t the message behind it already very clear?

And everything that happened afterward only made her suspicions a reality. What she never thought would make her feel so cold, however, was Xie Changgen’s attitude at that time.

Once the family was split, she would no longer have to please her mother-in-law. Perhaps, away from her mother-in-law and her elder sister-in-law’s household, Xie Changgen would slowly change...

The words her father-in-law and mother had said earlier had also given her a great shock. She admitted that after her rage subsided, her initial determination to leave had weakened significantly.

The decision to divorce indeed felt gratifying at that very moment. But what about the children if she really divorced? A bad reputation could follow them for life. They might even face scrutiny and rejection for their parents being divorced when they seek to marry in the future...

Lu Aimei’s eyes were cold as she looked down, thinking of her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. If she got divorced, those two would probably be the happiest! They could then genuinely take Xie Changgen into their hands, making him work tirelessly and contribute as a part of their household.

Why should it be so?

"Aimei,"

Xie Changgen looked at her pleadingly and reached out to hold her hand.

"If you can truly do what you promised, then I am willing to trust you once more, if only for Dabao and Xiaobao’s sake."

Lu Aimei finally spoke with difficulty, a bitterness spreading in her heart. When she looked at the man in front of her, she felt she had become much more hard-hearted. Something had really changed.

Trust between people is not easily established, but destroying it often only takes a moment. And once broken, rebuilding that trust not only requires a very long time but even when mended, is never as strong as before.

Xie Changgen was utterly unaware of this, still immersed in the joy of having regained something precious. Xie Lao Si also breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Er Bo and his wife exchanged a glance and sighed softly.

Lu Aijiao stood up and said resolutely to Xie Changgen, "Brother-in-law, don’t forget the pain once the wound is healed. If you forget what you promised Aimei today and fall back into old habits, you’d better think through the consequences beforehand."

"Big sister, don’t worry, I won’t make the same mistake again."

Xie Changgen’s attitude in admitting his mistake was particularly sincere. Xie Lao Si also came over, nodding and smiling, "Elder sister, you can rest assured. If he dares to make a foolish mistake again, he is just asking for his own doom, and even I won’t speak up for him then."

"Uncle, with your words, I will be relaxed for the time being," said Lu Aijiao, satisfied to see Xie Lao Si step in. After all, she didn’t actually plan to make things harder for Xie Changgen. Her warning was just to remind him once more.

After all, it was not her wish to see her younger sister divorce just like that.

Throughout one’s life, especially in marriage, to some extent, it’s about continual compromise and mutual exploration. Of all relationships, the bond between husband and wife is the most intimate yet also the most detached.

Only with a certain degree of age does one deeply understand that not all marriages develop as everyone imagines. What saddened and guilt-tripped her was that if it weren’t for her selfish matchmaking, her younger sister might not have ended up with such a man. Perhaps, like her mother or herself, her sister could have found a man who truly cherished her from beginning to end.

-- 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Just past two o’clock, nearly three, and more than an hour before the agreed time, the Party Secretary and Brigade Leader of Yushu Village had already entered the courtyard of Xie Lao Si’s home.

Upon hearing them, Xie Lao Si came out to greet the men and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t even four o’clock. Although he had considered seeking out the village officials earlier, he wasn’t sure they would oblige. To his amazement, they had taken the initiative to visit.

"Secretary, Brigade Leader, you’ve come. Both our families have arrived, and I was just debating whether to trouble you with an early visit. I didn’t expect you to be so considerate of the people..."

Xie Lao Si began with a few words of polite banter, only to be playfully interrupted by Yushu Village’s Party Secretary Xie Jianye, "Stop the nonsense, little fellow. We didn’t come early for your sake. Quickly, call Lu Eldest Brother out. Everybody is here; why is he hiding like a maiden?"

"Exactly. Lu Bro has finally come, and tonight he must have a drink at my place. How often do we get the chance to gather like this? I’ve even instructed the wife to prepare some liquor and dishes at home," Brigade Leader Xie Dahhu said with a hearty laugh.

"What have you been saying about me behind my back? What maiden? You really think I’m too old to deal with the two of you?" Lu Erbo and his wife came out together, with Lu Erbo glaring at them disapprovingly.

"Brigade Leader, look at what you’re saying. If we’re going to drink, it’ll be here. Tonight everyone is staying for dinner. Why would we need to trouble my sister-in-law at your place?" Xie Lao Si quickly intervened. It was customary for the families involved in the settlement to share a meal with the witnesses, and his family certainly wasn’t planning to break the tradition.

"Sister-in-law."

"Good to see you, sister-in-law."

Xie Jianye and Xie Dahhu didn’t bother with Xie Lao Si anymore, for they had also noticed Lu Erbo’s wife. They quickly adjusted their overly casual demeanor to a more pleasing one as they greeted her.

"We’ve troubled you to make the trip today. Next time you come to Yushu Village, sister-in-law, I’ll treat you to a good meal," Lu Erbo’s wife said, happy to see them.

"Certainly, certainly," they responded, nodding eagerly like chicks pecking at grains.

"A drink is certainly in order, but let’s handle the official business first. After that, we’re staying right here. Today there’s a matter in my second daughter’s home, how can I possibly impose on my brother’s wife? It just so happens that I’ve received a bottle of Moutai liquor recently, let’s drink that today," said Lu Erbo as he took out a bottle of Moutai he had kept at his side and gave it a shake. The sound of the liquor instantly elicited a couple of hefty gulps.