Chapter 5: The Point of No Return

These words were spoken by Lin Junsheng on his last visit to Liu Chuangen’s home.

He had casually mentioned his family matters to the old village secretary.

After gaining the old secretary’s consent to intercede, Lin Junsheng revealed this little “trick.”

Lin Junsheng knew very well that ordinary persuasion was like scratching an itch through one’s shoe for his mother’s stubborn nature.

Even if the old secretary personally intervened, it might not move her an inch.

His mother was skilled at playing the emotional card, always finding reasons to reject any advice.

Therefore, Lin Junsheng deliberately brought up the newly revised Marriage Law.

He hoped that the authority of the law, combined with the old secretary’s influence, would make his mother realize the seriousness of the matter.

In this era of strict enforcement, any illegal act could become a cautionary example, paraded through the streets, or face even harsher consequences.

Though Li Aimei usually appeared strong-willed, the mere thought of being shot or imprisoned made her shudder inside.

“I’m leaving. Think it over yourselves,” said the old secretary before turning to leave.

“Xiaowan, no more switching. We won’t exchange spouses,” Li Aimei said, clutching her daughter tightly, her voice choked with emotion.

“Mom, boohoo!” Lin Junwan held her mother just as tightly, the two of them weeping together.

Standing aside, Lin Junsheng watched this scene but did not fully relax.

He knew his mother too well; this crying, tantrum-throwing, and threatening to hang herself was only just beginning.

Once she regained composure, she would resort to desperate measures.

If she insisted on free love, then she would force her daughter to freely exchange spouses.

All this was because his leg had failed him at the worst time.

As someone reborn, not born with a disability, limping was a torment to himself as well.

He had to hurry to earn money, get his leg cured, and repay the family’s debt of over two thousand yuan.

At dusk, a brilliant sunset painted the horizon, casting a golden glow over the small village.

Lin Junwan stood at their courtyard gate, her clear voice piercing the evening stillness.

“Brother, dinner’s ready!”

Villagers were accustomed to eating early, for once darkness fell, they would have to light their dim kerosene lamps.

In this era, electricity had yet to reach this small village; only the bustling city enjoyed the convenience of electric lighting.

—

Lin Junsheng spent the entire afternoon lost in troubled thoughts, unable to focus on writing.

Hearing his sister’s call, he finally walked back from the field ridge to their home.

He slowly made his way to the kitchen.

Lin Junwan had long been busy, deftly setting the table; the bowl of gleaming white rice looked especially tempting.

To the Lin family, this rice was like a rare treasure.

Since his rebirth, he had nearly lived on sweet potatoes and corn daily.

He had not tasted such rice in a whole month.

Lin Junsheng’s gaze swept over the table: the fresh aroma of green lettuce filled the air.

What surprised him more were two golden, bright fried eggs resting on a plate.

Such luxury was beyond his wildest dreams before.

“Mom, has our family become wealthy? This meal is way too sumptuous!” Lin Junsheng joked half-heartedly, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.

Lin Junwan shot him a sharp glare.

Seeing this, Lin Junsheng immediately stopped smiling and spoke seriously, “Mom, come eat now. Don’t keep busy.”

Hearing this, Li Aimei walked slowly to the round table and sat down.

She carefully placed one fried egg into Lin Junsheng’s bowl, and the other into Lin Junwan’s, her eyes full of maternal love.

Lin Junsheng looked at the egg in his bowl.

Though he had eaten well these days at Liu Chuangen’s—fish and meat every meal—he had not forgotten the hardship his family endured.

Pushing the bowl gently, he said, “Mom, you should eat. I’ve been eating well lately.”

Li Aimei shook her head, “It’s my fault these days. As long as you two are fine, what’s a little hardship to me?”

She bit into her rice, hiding the tears of grievance welling in her eyes.

Lin Junsheng could feel his mother’s love, but sometimes it was tinged with ignorance.

The family shared a meal together.

Afterward, while Li Aimei was washing dishes, Lin Junsheng called Lin Junwan into his room.

Their home had only two rooms; Lin Junwan shared a bed with their mother.

This was the only chance for a whispered conversation.

In Lin Junsheng’s somewhat cramped room, Lin Junwan sat leisurely on his slightly worn wooden bed, swinging her legs gently.

—

Suddenly, Lin Junsheng asked, “Xiaowan, what exactly are you and Li Yonggang planning? Have you thought about marriage?”

A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Junwan’s face, then she looked at him teasingly, “Brother, why ask all of a sudden?”

Lin Junsheng sighed, his eyes revealing a trace of helplessness. “I’m afraid Mom will bring up switching spouses again. Even I or the old secretary won’t be able to stop her then.”

Lin Junwan grew tense at once.

“Huh? Why? Didn’t Mom already agree not to mention switching spouses?”

“If she’s already agreed, she can’t just go back on her word, right?”

Lin Junsheng shook his head, his tone serious. “You’re too naive. What if Mom insists I marry someone else and forces you to switch spouses? What will you do then?”

Confused, Lin Junwan’s expression clouded.

She didn’t quite grasp her brother’s deeper meaning.

Seeing this, Lin Junsheng hurried to explain, “You can threaten with death, why can’t Mom? If she forces you to switch spouses, wouldn’t you be doing it voluntarily?”

Only then did Lin Junwan realize: that wouldn’t be illegal, it wouldn’t be coercion.

So she would have to go through the spouse exchange?

Suddenly, terror showed on her face. “Brother, what do we do? I can’t be switched! I promised Gangzi I’d be his wife. Maybe I should just elope with him.”

Lin Junsheng looked at her anxious expression, imagining her planning to elope with Li Yonggang.

Before that day came, this foolish sister would surely give in.

He comforted her, “Don’t worry, I’ve already thought of a way. We need to act quickly and make Mom completely give up on this idea.”

In the previous life, when Li Yonggang heard Lin Junwan was being switched, he even tried to poison himself for her.

He went to her home to make a scene, but it was Lin Junwan’s resolute words that angered him away.

Later, Li Yonggang married another girl.

Within a few years, he made a fortune raising pigs.

He had several strong sons and lived far better than Lin Junsheng, the screenwriter.

Lin Junsheng planned to make theirs a binding relationship so his mother could no longer threaten Lin Junwan.

He could then focus on earning money in peace.

“Xiaowan, are you home?”

Li Yonggang’s urgent voice came from outside.

Speak of the devil, and he appears.