After four years of living alone after marrying far away, he went back to his parents' home and

"I heard that you don't need a household registration book to get a marriage certificate anymore, just your ID card. Why don't you two go and get your marriage certificate replaced after the New Year?"

On New Year's Eve, as Lan Yujuan brought out the last dish from the kitchen, she overheard her mother-in-law and husband talking.

"Mom, let's talk about it later!"

"I'm busy with work, so I have to go back on the first day of the Lunar New Year. I've already booked my high-speed rail ticket."

The husband buried his head in his food, clearly not taking his mother-in-law's words to heart.

After arranging the dishes, Lan Yujuan sat down silently, pretending not to have heard. Then she picked up the baby's bowl and fed her three-year-old daughter.

"Bang!" Mother-in-law Tian Xiuhua slammed her chopsticks on the table and angrily put down her bowl.

"Leaving on the first day of the lunar month again?"

"It's been like this for three years in a row. So, when you go home for the New Year, you just turn around and leave?"

The father-in-law, who had been silent, glared at his son and began to smooth things over.

"Look how angry you've made your mother!"

"During the Lunar New Year, when the whole family is having a reunion dinner, why can't we talk things out properly?"

Taking advantage of the situation, Tian Xiuhua, the mother-in-law, said, "The Civil Affairs Bureau will be open on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year. Don't leave until after the eighth! Take advantage of the time now and quickly change your tickets!"

Having finished eating, Liu Zhiyuan, the husband, reluctantly put down his chopsticks.

"Mom~, Yujuan and I are an old married couple. We've had a proper wedding banquet, and our daughter is already three years old."

"Isn't a marriage certificate just a piece of paper? What difference does it make whether you get it or not?"

"Grandpa and Grandma lived their whole lives without ever getting a marriage certificate, but they still had children, didn't they?"

Tian Xiuhua slammed her hand on the table in anger, "Nonsense! How can they be the same?"

"If you two don't get a marriage certificate, where will my grandson be registered when he's born?"

Liu Zhiyuan said irritably, "Mom! There's still no sign of your grandson!"

"Which is more important, my job that pays over ten thousand a month, or your nonexistent grandson's household registration?"

"You have no idea how hard it is to find a job these days! What if I get fired again? Where am I supposed to find a good one?"

Tian Xiuhua pursed her lips, and her anger immediately subsided when the topic of earning over 10,000 yuan a month came up.

"You're never home, no wonder your wife can't get pregnant!"

While the mother and son next to her were arguing heatedly, Lan Yujuan was focused on coaxing her daughter to eat.

The adorable little girl sat in her high chair, her big, round eyes wide open, eating obediently while watching everything with her tiny hands twirling.

Seeing that the argument had come to an end, the silent father-in-law picked up his wine glass in a muffled voice, "Come on, let's drink!"

Father and son clinked glasses and drank together contentedly.

Although Tian Xiuhua was unwilling, she picked up her rice bowl and continued eating.

Then, while eating, he muttered, "Zhiyuan, how about this!"

"You're busy with work, so you can leave on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Yujuan, hurry up and grab a ticket. Pack your bags tonight and we'll go back to Beijing together."

Lan Yujuan frowned upon hearing this arrangement.

However, before she could retort, Liu Zhiyuan immediately objected, "Mom! What are you talking about?"

"I share an apartment in Beijing with others, crammed into a tiny cubicle, less than ten square meters in total. The kitchen and toilet are shared!"

"You're letting Yujuan bring the child and come with me to Beijing? How will we find accommodation?"

"Besides, you all know how expensive things are in Beijing!"

"By then, let alone sending five thousand home every month, I'm afraid even ten thousand won't be enough to live on, and I'll have to live off my savings!"

Upon hearing that he wasn't sending money home and would instead rely on his family's savings, Tian Xiuhua immediately became anxious and quickly said:

"Zhiyuan, you've misunderstood your mother!"

"Mom means that the money-losing girl can stay at home, and Mom and Dad will help look after her. Yujuan will accompany you back to Beijing!"

"You're a grown man, it'll be lonely staying in Beijing all by yourself. If Yujuan goes back with you, it'll not only be easier to get our marriage certificate, but she can also take care of you in daily life."

"Besides, you and Yujuan are classmates, and she's a college student too. Once we get back to Beijing, she can find a job."

"Mom knows you young people have high expenses. When the time comes, just send ten thousand or so yuan home every month, and Mom will save it for you. Keep the rest for your own use."

"Once Yujuan gets pregnant with her second child, we'll go back to our hometown to rest and give birth, just like before. Mom will help take care of her!"

Upon hearing this, Lan Yujuan calmly replied, "I'm going to Beijing alone."

"I'll raise my own child!"

"Clang!" Liu Zhiyuan slammed down his glass, stood up impatiently, and said, "Fine, I can't be bothered to talk to you!"

"I'm full, I'm going out for a walk!"

After saying that, he took out a cigarette, lit it, and walked outside.

Tian Xiuhua glared at Lan Yujuan, then quickly chased after her and gave her some instructions:

"Zhiyuan! It's New Year's Eve tonight. We're waiting for you to set off firecrackers at home, so come back early!"

Lan Yujuan was already used to this scene.

She picked up her rice bowl and finally began to eat. Unfortunately, even the most delicious food loses its flavor when it gets cold.

"Eat, eat, all you ever do is eat!" Tian Xiuhua turned around and began to scold her.

"Your man rarely comes home all year round, and you don't even bother to win him over!"

Tian Xiuhua gave her a cold once-over and said with disdain:

"I feel nauseous just looking at you. When will you ever have a grandson?"

"Look at Liu Meiling next door. She dressed herself up so beautifully for the New Year. Other men couldn't take their eyes off her, let alone the man in her own bed!"

While carefully picking out fish bones, Lan Yujuan said, "Liu Meiling's husband hands over all the money he earns to her to manage."

"What about me? I only get 500 yuan a month for groceries. How can you compare?"

Tian Xiuhua choked, then gritted her teeth and said, "I knew it! You're just after my son's meager salary!"

"Bah! Your father and I aren't even dead yet, and your wife already wants to manage the household? Dream on!"

Tian Xiuhua bent down and picked up her little girl, saying coldly, "Tonight, the good-for-nothing will sleep with us!"

"Once you're full, hurry up and clear the table, wash the dishes, clean everything thoroughly, and then go back to your room and wait!"

After saying that, Tian Xiuhua carried her little daughter back to her room, muttering to herself:

"I just don't believe that such a big ass can't give birth to a son..."

After everyone left, only Lan Yujuan remained in the hall.

She glanced down at her drab clothes and blank expression, then ate quickly.

She and Liu Zhiyuan started dating in college; they attended an ordinary second-tier university.

After graduating from university, she disregarded her parents' objections and resolutely decided to stay in Beijing with Liu Zhiyuan to work hard.

Back then, she was young and naive; she wanted both bread and love!

At 22, she lived with Liu Zhiyuan in a shared apartment, but she had a job she loved and a man she loved.

She felt like the happiest person in the world! As long as they worked together, the future was bright!

However, an unexpected pregnancy disrupted the balance of their lives.

She was filled with joy and anticipation after learning she was pregnant.

After learning the news, her parents flew to Beijing overnight and took turns persuading her for three days and three nights to give up the child.

Furthermore, they firmly opposed this marriage.

But she was blinded by love and went her own way. After a big fight with her parents, they broke off all ties.

After throwing down a bank card, the parents stormed back to their hometown.

Lan Yujuan wiped away her tears and began to discuss with Liu Zhiyuan about moving to a two-bedroom apartment so they wouldn't have to share after getting married. They also planned to prepare a room for the baby in advance so it would be convenient to hire a nanny later.

Liu Zhiyuan verbally agreed, but hesitated and kept delaying.

When she was seven months pregnant, Liu Zhiyuan suddenly informed her that he had failed his internship and that someone with connections had taken his place, so he was eliminated.

The cost of living in Beijing is high, so he wants to take her back to his hometown to get married. They can then find jobs in their hometown county, and his parents can help take care of the children.

Lan Yujuan panicked and secretly called home to discuss it with her mother.

As a result, Lan's father snatched the phone and said decisively, "You can have this child if you want, or we can send it back to raise it."

"That Liu Zhiyuan, he's obviously no good! Get me to agree to your marriage? Absolutely not!"

"If you dare to marry someone from far away, don't even think about getting a household registration certificate!"

"From now on, don't call me Dad! If you dare bring that man back, I'll break your legs!"

"Your mother and I will pretend we never had a daughter like you!"