"Don’t talk nonsense." Before Luo Dashan could finish, Zhou Yunmei glanced at him, immediately took the money, and even said with a smile to Luo Zhiyong, "Zhiyong, since you gave it, I will accept it. Honestly, our family doesn’t have much money this year, and we are just relying on money from you all to celebrate the New Year. Look, I haven’t bought anything for the New Year." Luo Zhiyong always knew that Zhou Yunmei was never one to refuse money, so he didn’t say much, just nodded his head. But he had agreed with Fang Pingying on a certain amount, even if Zhou Yunmei complains more, he definitely won’t give more. Meanwhile, Luo Honglan, hearing Zhou Yunmei’s words, plus earlier Luo Cuilan mentioned that their parents were having a hard time at home, initially did not plan to give money, yet she took out five yuan and handed it to Zhou Yunmei, "Mom, I won’t buy anything for home this New Year, you keep this money." Zhou Yunmei, seeing this, was immediately thrilled, wishing she could hug Luo Honglan and kiss her, "This daughter of mine is so good, unlike Cuilan who only thinks about taking advantage of our family." Speaking of Luo Cuilan, Luo Honglan remembered what happened in the morning and immediately told Zhou Yunmei, "Mom, big sister just came back." Upon hearing this, Zhou Yunmei’s face immediately turned sour, "Did she come back to ask you for money?" "Not... really." Actually, even the not-so-smart Luo Honglan knew Luo Cuilan came back to ask for money, but seeing Zhou Yunmei’s unhappy face, she hesitated and didn’t speak out. "I’m telling you three, no matter what Cuilan says, none of you should give her money privately." Even without Luo Honglan mentioning, Zhou Yunmei had guessed it and immediately told the present Luo Zhiyong and Luo Honglan, "I have talked to Cuilan, if the Zhang family holds the banquet according to our village’s customs, and the cash gift is not less, then we will properly prepare her dowry as usual. If they really want to save on the banquet, then we will also save on the dowry, the least we will do is just a few sets of clothes for her, our face is already lost anyway." "Just now she said the Zhang family will invite only family members for the banquet and not the villagers." As they talked about the wedding banquet, Luo Dashan also relayed what Luo Cuilan said just before. Zhou Yunmei, after hearing this, didn’t make a fuss but discontentedly said, "Let them be, we will see how much cash gifts they bring, and we will match it with the dowry. The money from you three siblings can additionally get her something, and I will arrange it in the end." When Fang Xiu heard Zhou Yunmei mention her and her siblings, she immediately pouted and said, "Mom, I have no money. I won’t contribute to second sister’s dowry, just tell her directly, anyway, she and I don’t get along well." Ever since Luo Cuilan last slandered Fang Xiu causing her miscarriage, these two have been fighting whenever they meet, deeply resentful of each other. Hearing this, Zhou Yunmei’s face darkened, thinking if it weren’t for Fang Xiu being pregnant, she would not have let off Fang Xiu, but today she held back and then said with a stern face, "Do as you see fit." Lastly, feeling uneasy about Luo Cuilan’s matters, she instructed Luo Honglan, "Forget it, Honglan, go prepare lunch, I will personally go to the Zhang family to inquire." After Zhou Yunmei left, Luo Zhiyong and Luo Zhiming also followed Luo Dashan out to fetch liquor. Luo Honglan went to the kitchen to cook, Fang Pingying was just about to follow when suddenly Fang Xiu grabbed her. Fang Xiu looked around, then pulled Fang Pingying into her own room. But once inside, Fang Xiu didn’t speak, just walked around the room with a somewhat unpleasant expression, looking quite agitated. Fang Pingying, puzzled, asked, "What’s wrong?" Fang Xiu looked anxious, "I’m pregnant, what should I do?" "What do you mean what to do?" Fang Pingying thought for a moment and immediately understood why she was so anxious, "Is the child in your belly not Zhiming’s?" Fang Xiu, feeling guilty, glanced at Fang Pingying and stammered, "I... I don’t know." "You didn’t know about this?" Fang Pingying felt Fang Xiu was beyond help, wondering how chaotic her life must be for her not to even know who the father of her child is. Seeing her this way, Fang Pingying couldn’t help but yell, "As a woman living , you really..." But Fang Xiu, afraid that Fang Pingying’s loud voice would be heard by people outside, quickly grabbed her, asking her to lower her voice. Then she looked at Fang Pingying with a pleading face, "Sis, I know I’m wrong, but the situation has already happened, please help me think of a solution." Such a matter, even if Fang Pingying were a deity, she might not be able to resolve it. She looked at Fang Xiu helplessly, "How can I think of a solution when you yourself aren’t even sure who the child’s father is?" Fang Xiu thought for a moment, extremely unsure, and said, "It should be Zhiming." After saying this, she opened her mouth as if she wanted to say more, but ultimately held back. Seeing her struggling to speak further, Fang Pingying continued for her, "Or it could also be that damn Liu Junting’s." Fang Xiu lowered her head and lightly nodded. "You..." Fang Pingying didn’t want to deal with her anymore and started walking out of the house, "I don’t want to bother with you, figure it out yourself." But Fang Xiu immediately pulled Fang Pingying back, her voice tearing up, "Sis, please, help me figure it out, just tell me whether to keep this child or not." "I can’t decide on this matter, you’re not even sure who the father is, who dares to make this decision for you." If she suggests terminating the pregnancy, Yun Mei will swallow her alive, especially since Yun Mei doesn’t know the full story about Fang Xiu and would surely assume the child is Zhiming’s, her precious grandson. Who dares to harm her grandson, Yun Mei would definitely fight tooth and nail. Fang Pingying looked at her and continued, "It’s better you decide it yourself, and do it quickly, don’t hesitate." "I..." Fang Xiu thought for a while and finally hesitantly said to Fang Pingying, "Maybe I should just have the baby. If it’s Zhiming’s, everyone will be happy; if not, no one will know since I myself don’t." "This matter, you should decide on your own. I don’t want to get involved." Regardless, Fang Pingying felt it was still best to keep herself completely out of it, hence she said, "Just pretend you never discussed this with me, and if something happens later, don’t say I knew anything." Fang Xiu felt increasingly good about her idea and reminded Fang Pingying, "Alright, then you mustn’t tell our older brother and the others." Fang Pingying glanced at her, "I don’t know anything, what is there to tell." Fang Xiu made a decision and seemed to relax a lot. She touched her belly and casually asked Fang Pingying, "When are you visiting mom and dad?" "In a few days, I’ll go during the new year." Fang Pingying looked at Fang Xiu, sighed softly, her heart seemed nervy. The world has no wall that does not leak; could this really be kept a secret? The two chatted for a while until they heard Yun Mei calling from outside, "Pingying, Xiu’er, what are you talking about inside? Look what I’ve bought for you." Fang Pingying responded and started walking towards the courtyard, Fang Xiu immediately pulled at her, reminding once more, "Elder sister, remember ..." "I know." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote on Qidian (qidian.com), or get a monthly ticket, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)