C13 My Biological Father Is Here

Lim Tianyang's little brow furrowed with concern. "Auntie really doesn't know how to take it easy. If she gets too tired, Uncle will definitely be upset. And... the little baby in her belly might not feel too great either. Sigh... if only Auntie could learn a thing or two from those laid-back women in the village."

Shen Shuling chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her nephew's fluffy hair, releasing a sigh of relief after being caught by the "little supervisor." With that, she headed back home.

As she pushed open the gate, she immediately spotted a middle-aged man with a square face and a long beard sitting in the yard. Oh, it was her father who had come by. After collecting the dowry for marrying off his daughter, he quickly arranged a marriage for his younger son, Shen Zhong, who was already expecting a child.

Shuling searched her memories for any signs of fatherly love but found none. Since she could remember, her parents, Shen Dazhuang and his wife, had always doted on their younger son, treating Shuling more like an afterthought, a bonus that came with the package.

Ever since she got married, Shen Dazhuang had subtly conveyed a message to her: "You're married now, part of someone else's family. Don't keep coming back home to leech off your brother. If you can help your brother succeed, you'll benefit too. Everything in the family is meant for Shen Zhong, so don't get any ideas."

A while back, Lim Fuqing went missing, and Lim Shan fell seriously ill. Shen Shuling even reached out to family for help. She didn't dare ask for money, just a bit of rice and eggs to get by. She promised to repay double once Fuqing returned. But her message seemed to vanish into thin air, with no response at all.

Now that Fuqing was back and Lim Shan had pulled through, the Lim family was the first in the neighborhood to have electric lights. And here came Shen Dazhuang knocking at their door again. Shuling couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Shen Dazhuang gave Shuling a once-over, his frown deepening with obvious disapproval. "How can you let your husband do the dishes and mop the floor? Look at you, wandering around in slippers like it's nothing."

Shuling was speechless, thinking how old-fashioned and rigid he was. Fuqing put down the mop and walked over to support Shuling by the arm. "My wife is expecting, so I do more while she does less. It's my choice."

His words were a subtle jab, and Shen Zhong felt like he'd been hit in the chest. Was his brother-in-law implying he didn't care for his wife? But in the village, whose pregnant wife made the husband do the chores like his sister did?

Shen Dazhuang took a deep breath, taking a moment to mask his anger. After the small talk, he finally got to the point of his visit.

"Fuqing, you're so focused on making money that you haven't even taken good care of my daughter. That's just not right!"

Shen Dazhuang took the lead, accusing Lim Fuqing of being so money-driven that he neglected his family, leaving Shen Shuling exhausted and nearly causing her to miscarry.

This was true, and Fuqing admitted it without arguing back.

"Besides, you don't have any brothers, but our Zhong is a loyal kid. Once he makes something of himself, he'll definitely look after his sister."

"I heard Hong Kong is pretty far, and the journey can be quite chaotic. Since you're used to traveling, why don't you take Zhong along to sell the goods once you bring them back?"

"After all, there's money to be made together, right?"

"Together, huh? So you mean we share the good times, but we handle the tough ones on our own?" Shuling sat down in a chair, casting a disdainful glance at her clueless brother.

"You're a grown man, turning twenty-one next year, about to have a child, and you still can't earn a living. Living off your parents all the time. It's all because you've spoiled him."

"Running to Hong Kong to get goods is tough, and the journey is risky. This time, Fuqing almost didn't make it back. You want my husband to risk his life to help him make money?"