At fifty, she remarried into a wealthy family; her ex-husband knelt down and begged for reconciliati

Chapter 14 Parting on bad terms

After a nine-day, nine-night trip, the group returned home laden with various souvenirs and wonderful memories.

He Qiaoyun went with one suitcase and came back with an extra suitcase, all of which she bought on impulse, some for her daughter-in-law, some for her daughter and son-in-law, and some for her grandchildren.

She gave two hand-embroidered bags to her two daughters-in-law. The eldest daughter-in-law, Lin Liu, received the bag with a big smile and said, "Thank you, Mom."

Compared to her eldest daughter-in-law, the second daughter-in-law, Ji Ying, was indifferent, saying, "Is it really worth traveling so far for a bag? You didn't even have a proper New Year."

Ji Ying was still dissatisfied because she didn't get to experience the lively family reunion she had been looking forward to, feeling that it was a very bad start.

He Qiaoyun smiled, "I had a very good New Year."

Ji Ying's expression darkened, clearly showing her displeasure, feeling that He Qiaoyun didn't care about them at all.

At first, she quite liked He Qiaoyun, her mother-in-law, because she was gentle, generous, and easygoing. But everything changed after she gave birth.

Before giving birth, she subtly mentioned wanting to stay at a postpartum care center that cost 100,000 yuan a month, and He Qiaoyun immediately agreed, telling her to relax and have the baby.

She was overjoyed for a while, and boasted in her small circle that she had met a good mother-in-law and was about to move into a monthly care center that cost 100,000 yuan a month!

Unexpectedly, after giving birth, just as she was looking forward to enjoying 100,000 yuan worth of postpartum care services, Xu Xiucheng said: "I'm not staying at the postpartum care center anymore because Mom didn't give me any money."

Unable to stay at a postpartum care center, she had to hire a postpartum nanny. However, she failed to keep her promise and was secretly criticized by her friends.

She held onto this resentment from her postpartum period for several years, and still harbors a deep grudge against He Qiaoyun.

During the Lunar New Year, she actually went on a trip without regard for everyone, which was selfish and infuriating!

Xu Xiucheng walked over, interrupting their conversation, "Mom, where's my gift?"

He Qiaoyun, sensing the situation, didn't want to continue the awkwardness with Ji Ying. She turned to Xu Xiucheng and said, "I didn't buy anything for you two brothers. You know I'm not good at buying men's things. I was afraid you wouldn't like them and it would be a waste of money, right?"

Xu Xiucheng forced a smile, inexplicably feeling that He Qiaoyun had become much colder towards them, and wondered: It's been so long, why hasn't she calmed down yet...?

He Qiaoyun put down the gift she brought for her granddaughter and then left.

After she left, Ji Ying picked up the exquisite embroidered bag, put the other gifts He Qiaoyun had given her inside, and threw it to Xu Xiucheng, saying, "Does your mother have any sense of responsibility as a mother? The family is falling apart and she still has the leisure to go on a trip. What kind of junk is this? Take it away."

Xu Xiucheng slapped the thing that had been thrown into his arms away, his tone somewhat impatient, "Take it or leave it."

Ji Ying stood up irritably. "What kind of mess is this? A perfectly good New Year has been ruined..."

*

He Qiaoyun went to see her daughter. She had been on duty at the hospital during the Spring Festival and finally had time to rest after the holiday.

She went shopping with her daughter, happily sharing her experiences and observations from the trip.

Finally, she suddenly asked, "Kazumi, what have you thought about what I told you before?"

Xu Hemei was taken aback. "What is it?"

He Qiaoyun gently slapped her, "What else could it be but pursuing a doctorate, of course."

Xu Hemei smiled helplessly, "Mom, didn't I already say that I don't want to pursue a doctorate? I'm thinking of quitting my job. Working at the hospital is too tiring and it's really affecting my health."

He Qiaoyun asked in alarm, "What's wrong with your health? Is it...?"

Xu Hemei quickly interrupted, "Of course not, what I mean is that working at such a high intensity for a long time is affecting my ability to conceive and have children."

He Qiaoyun's brows remained furrowed. "You want to quit your job for this? What about all those nearly twenty years of schooling?"

"Oh dear, I'm still thinking about it."

No one knows a daughter better than her mother, and He Qiaoyun had already figured out most of her daughter's thoughts.

Having said all that, I just wanted to prepare her mentally.

"Did you decide to resign yourself, or was it Duan Fei and your mother-in-law's idea?" He Qiaoyun asked.

Xu Hemei's eyes darted away, clearly feeling guilty. "Of course it was my own decision. I have to consider my own health."

He Qiaoyun saw through it at a glance and said righteously, "You can't resign. Either pursue a doctorate or continue working. We can talk about the child later."

What she really wanted to ask was: Is it possible for my son-in-law to not live past these two years? Is it absolutely necessary to have a child within these two years?

My daughter is still young and can't see the future clearly, but I, as her mother, have been through it all. She had to quit her job after only six months of work, and if she wanted to continue working after giving birth, she would definitely be turned away.

Given her age after giving birth and her only six months of work experience, anyone would choose the latter over a recent graduate.

This society is so realistic.

Seeing He Qiaoyun's serious expression, Xu Hemei was a little unhappy. Actually, she had been feeling anxious and irritable lately, but He Qiaoyun's attitude only made her more upset.

"Mom, why can't you understand me? I really want to quit my job."

He Qiaoyun poked her head angrily: "Did you win the lottery or did Duan Fei win the lottery? Now he says he'll take care of you, but if you quarrel in the future, he'll arrogantly say that he's the one who took care of you. Then you'll be inferior to him and won't even dare to cry loudly."

“If you’re pursuing a PhD while having a baby, I’ll support you financially and emotionally. But if you dare to quit your job to have a baby, don’t call me Mom anymore. Just call your mother-in-law Mom.”

Xu Hemei stood there, stunned. "Mom! You've changed ever since you divorced Dad."

He Qiaoyun said helplessly, "Whether you like it or not, I'm saying all this for your own good. Think it over carefully."

Xu Hemei was so deeply in love that she couldn't get out of it, and said angrily, "You're just too controlling."

In the end, the mother and daughter parted on bad terms.

He Qiaoyun returned to the store. Today was the day her part-time job ended. Xiao Ye brought a large bag of homemade New Year's goods to the store to hand over the shift to the two girls.

"Sister Qiaoyun, these are cured meats and sausages that my parents asked me to give you, along with some dried goods. They're all homemade." Xiao Ye handed a bag of New Year's goods to He Qiaoyun.

He Qiaoyun smiled and accepted the heavy bag. "Please thank your parents for me."

"Oh, right, I also brought you a gift, and gifts for both of you, I have them all."

The four of them happily shared the gifts.