WBSGVS Chapter 133 V2

Before the birth, she had advised them to terminate the pregnancy. But now that the child was alive, he was a living being. She wouldn’t take care of this younger brother due to past-life karma, but as parents, they had no choice.

Yang Qing’s face grew even darker. She placed a hand on her stomach, her surgical wound still aching faintly. She was beginning to regret it.

Having a baby was nothing like she had imagined.

She had given birth to her first child in her early thirties, which was already considered late. They had married late, and her health had also been a factor.

Years of malnutrition had disrupted her cycles—she hadn’t been physically capable of having children.

It wasn’t until she turned thirty that her body finally recovered, allowing her to conceive.

Back then, she had given birth naturally, and by the second day, she was already up cooking for herself. Although her in-laws were disappointed she had a daughter, they still helped care for the baby since both she and her husband had to work.

As their daughter grew, she became independent and started school, making their lives much easier.

Starting over from scratch was overwhelming, and it had only been a month.

Especially since… their savings were running low.

Qingli gave Yang Qing a sympathetic look, then took her empty soup bowl to wash it. On the way, she tossed their laundry into the washing machine and started a cycle. Finally, she gathered the trash, took it out, and closed the door behind her.

As a broke college student, this was all she could do to help.

During the baby’s illness, Xia Yong came to believe in the old saying that children with “cheap” names are easier to raise. So, instead of affectionate nicknames like “Little Treasure” or “Heavenly Treasure,” he renamed the baby “Goudan” (Dog Egg).

Then, on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, the Xia family held a full-month celebration for Goudan.

Even though her body hadn’t fully recovered, Yang Qing forced herself to attend. Relatives and friends gathered, offering loud congratulations, filling the house with lively chatter. The energy lifted Xia Yong’s spirits, which had been dampened by his son’s illness.

Raising a son was tough, and at his age, it was even more exhausting.

But he had a son now!

Yang Qing felt the same way—otherwise, she wouldn’t have forced herself to be there.

Back when she only had a daughter, people constantly mocked her for failing to bear a son, blaming her for Xia Yong not having a male heir.

But now, she could finally hold her head high.

Since she had given birth at an older age, many women her age gathered around her, eager to hear about her experience. Some were even considering trying for a baby themselves.

Yang Qing encouraged them enthusiastically. “Of course you can! I’m two years older than you, and I still managed.”

“Yeah, but… I’m just scared,” one woman hesitated. “There are a lot of risks at our age. So many things can go wrong.”

Just as Yang Qing was about to continue persuading them, Qingli walked by and casually asked, “Mom, I’ve always been curious—what were you thinking about when you were hemorrhaging in the delivery room? Were you worried that your son would end up with a stepmother right after being born? Or maybe that you’d never live to see him get married?”

Yang Qing: “…”

The other women: “…”

They all shivered involuntarily, their enthusiasm instantly cooling.

Yang Qing shot her daughter a glare and tried to laugh it off. “Well, there are risks, but my situation was different. I went into labor earlier than expected. If I had been admitted to the hospital sooner, it wouldn’t have been so bad.”

“Yeah, no thanks,” the woman said, waving her hands. “If something happens to me, my husband will just remarry and let some other woman mistreat my kids!”

Just moments ago, she’d been tempted to try, but after Qingli’s blunt remarks, it was like having a bucket of cold water dumped over her. She quickly gave up on the idea.

Qingli was in a great mood after successfully preventing Yang Qing from leading others down the same tragic path.

As a twenty-year-old college student, she had no responsibility to oversee the celebration. She refused to stress over it. Sitting at a table with distant relatives, she acted like just another guest.

But even if she saw herself as an ordinary relative, others didn’t. Seeing her sitting quietly, a family member couldn’t resist striking up a conversation.

“Ah, Li, how’s it been now that you have a little brother? Do your parents still dote on you like they used to? Or are they more focused on him now?”

Many adults loved making such comments—not necessarily with bad intentions, but their words could have serious consequences. Especially in families where favoritism was already an issue.

Qingli, however, remained unfazed. She simply nodded. “Yeah, they don’t love me as much anymore. After all, he’s a boy, and in their eyes, a son has to inherit the throne or something.”

The relative was dumbfounded, momentarily at a loss for words. He stared at her, speechless.

Qingli sipped her soda—room temperature, not great—then resumed eating as if she hadn’t just dropped a truth bomb.

The relative forced a dry laugh, trying to smooth things over. “Well, it’s not exactly like that… But your little brother is still young. You had your parents’ love for twenty years, didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” Qingli said with a faint smile, nodding. Then, with an almost pitying expression, she added, “That’s why I don’t need my parents anymore. They can focus on him. He’s only got about twenty years of love ahead of him. After that, my parents will be seventy, and he’ll have his problems to deal with.”

The entire table went silent.

Even Qingli’s aunt, who had been helping entertain guests, overheard the conversation and jokingly chimed in, “Oh, come on! Isn’t that what big sisters are for?”

Qingli grinned and held out her hand expectantly. “Good point! Auntie, my dad is your younger brother, so why don’t you chip in, too? He’s struggling to raise a second child at his age. He’s already lost weight from the stress.”

Her aunt: “…”

A chill ran down her spine. She quickly stood up, laughing nervously. “Oh, I need to go help with the toasts. You guys enjoy your meal!”

The rest of the table exchanged uneasy glances, suddenly too wary to joke with Qingli any further.

This girl…

Her words were sharp.

And she was completely shameless about it!