Chapter 17

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Ding Ling was also a daughter. She was already more than ten years old, so she could be exchanged for a portion of the dowry money. Although she was too young to receive the marriage certificate, she could first settle the marriage and hold a wedding banquet. Thinking of this, Mother Ding’s eyes instantly lit up. She looked at Ding Ling as if she saw Hope. Ding Ling was startled by mother Ding’s gaze.

Mother Ding adjusted her emotions and looked at Ding Ling as she said lightly, “Your second sister is right. You should thank your second sister.”

“Oh right, you’re in your third grade this year, right? After you graduate, you don’t have to go to school anymore. Work hard for your family and find a good man to marry. I’ll help you look for someone in the next two days. You can get engaged first.”

Ding Ling felt as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water on her head. She was instantly dumbfounded, like a bolt from the blue. When she thought of Ding Jun marrying an old man in a small village and becoming a stepmother to a group of children, she felt a lingering fear. She did not want it! She did not want such a fate!

Ding Ling’s heart was burning with anger. She looked at her mother with a hint of hostility, but there was a hint of pleading and eagerness in her tone. “Mom, I don’t want it. I want to go to school. When I’m successful in the future, you and dad will also enjoy a good life.”

Ding Ling’s mother raised her eyebrows, thinking of Ding Ling’s mediocre results, she pursed her lips. “Your second sister is married. No one will pay your tuition fees anymore. You can’t even go to school if you want to. Don’t talk empty talk. Why don’t you do something for the family and get your brother the four big things first.”

Ding Ling was so angry that she was fuming. She frowned. She knew that no matter how much she talked to Mother Ding, she would not get any results. She was even more afraid that they would tie her up and not let her go to school. They would just marry her off. Ding Ling was so angry that she packed her things and immediately went back to school.

At night, at the Chen family home.

After the two troublesome incidents in the afternoon, they enjoyed a quiet night. Ding Jun packed her things in the house. Just as she was about to go out, she saw a small head swaying behind the door, peeking at her. Ding Jun smiled, and there was some tenderness in her tone. “Third Brother, what are you doing?”

Seeing that he had been seen through, Third Brother stuck out his tongue in embarrassment and hugged Ding Jun’s waist. His eyes were shining, he was looking forward to something. He said in a soft voice, “Mom, tomorrow is Sixth Brother’s birthday.” 

Ding Jun’s eyes also lit up. She said in surprise, “Really? Do the other brothers know?”

Seeing Ding Jun’s attitude, Third Brother was also happy. He raised his voice and said proudly, “They all know. I told them.”

Ding Jun patted Third Brother’s head lovingly and said with a smile, “Then let’s make a birthday cake for Sixth Brother, okay?”

A hint of confusion flashed in Third Brother’s eyes, but he answered repeatedly, “Okay!”

Ding Jun smiled. Accompanied by the children who were busy running around, she prepared the ingredients overnight and made a big cake for Sixth Brother.

At noon the next day, Ding Jun brought the cake she made for Sixth Brother to the table. The children gathered around the table and looked at the cake eagerly. They could not help but swallow their saliva when they smelled the sweet smell. Third Brother took the lead in cheering. The room instantly became lively. The children’s laughter drifted far away with the sweet smell of the cake.

Ding Jun smiled and distributed the cake to the children. While they were eating happily, Ding Jun accidentally saw two boys standing at the door looking at them eagerly. They were the two daughters of Chen Zhijun’s family.

Ding Jun looked at the half-eaten cake on the table and walked out with it. Only then did she realize that there were three children hiding around the corner. They were from the third Chen family. At this moment, they were all staring at the cake in Ding Jun’s hand. They looked at Ding Jun with fear in their eyes..