CHAPTER 300: CHAPTER 300: BEARING GRUDGES

After waiting for quite a while, the family finally came out. However, by this time, the couple had already composed their expressions, while the two children reluctantly followed behind. Zhang Ting looked pale and seemed listless, which made Lin Xue feel a bit empathetic.

How could someone be so weak, and wasn’t she a reeducated youth in the countryside? Is the countryside really unbearable for her? She’s been vomiting without end, could it be...

It was just a passing thought for her. She then considered, how could she be pregnant when she doesn’t even have a boyfriend? It’s probably just motion sickness.

She didn’t dwell on the idea any further and walked ahead with Zhang Yuan, ignoring the family of four walking behind them.

They might be a bit unwilling now, but once at home, as long as they don’t make a fuss about leaving, it’ll be fine.

Someone like Lin Cuifen and her daughter is definitely capable of making a scene.

It’s true, if it weren’t for the old lady glaring at them, the two of them really wouldn’t want to leave.

As they reached the doorstep, Lin Xue turned back to speak to the others, "Uncle, Auntie, we’re home!"

Lin Cuifen looked at the seemingly nice courtyard, first glancing at Lin Xue investigatively, before coming to an understanding. She had heard that this Xiao Xue was a girl from the countryside, and now she could afford to live in such a nice house in town; it must have been bought by Zhang Yuan.

How is she any different from herself, both relying on men to live? The old lady regards this girl so highly, yet has looked down on her for so many years.

Isn’t it just favoritism, those two old fools favor their grandson Zhang Yuan and don’t consider her own children as grandchildren?

She refused to reflect, but if it weren’t for her, Zhang Haijun could have been the only son of the old couple. How could there have been such a gap with her own son for so many years?

"Xiao Xue, you live here? This house looks nice! It wasn’t cheap to buy, right?" Lin Cuifen asked with a smiling face, not forgetting to take a good look.

"Hmph, it must have been bought by big brother for them!" blurted out Zhang Yang, that thoughtless one, unaware of the consequences of his words.

Lin Cuifen felt as if she had swallowed a fly, uncomfortable. This single-minded son of hers, it’s better to let him stay at the guesthouse. He only embarrasses her. She only wanted Zhang Haijun to think that way, not to say such embarrassing things outright.

Even if Zhang Yuan had bought it, it was still the old couple’s money, which she wouldn’t get her hands on for now. Right now, all she could do was be agreeable; otherwise, if they fell out openly, she wouldn’t get her hands on the money after the old couple’s death.

"Xiao Yang, shut up! What nonsense are you talking about?" she scolded him with a stern face.

"But it’s true, wasn’t I right? I..."

"Xiao Yang, doesn’t your mouth hurt? Hurry inside! Sister-in-law’s house might have some medicine, and your sister will take you to apply it," Zhang Ting stepped forward, pulling her brother along, and when they reached Lin Xue, she didn’t forget to ask, "Sister-in-law, do you have any medicine?"

"Ah... actually, we don’t have any. People in our family rarely get injured, so we haven’t kept any medicine at home," Lin Xue replied a bit embarrassedly.

Hmph, as if the house won’t have any medicine, but she wouldn’t let Zhang Yang use it. She’s a resentful person; while she usually avenges grudges immediately, those she can’t avenge, she remembers. How could she let it go so easily?

"Alright, go inside quickly!" Zhang Haijun saw that his wife and daughter were put in their place and spoke in a deep voice, angrily glaring at Zhang Yuan. However, the latter didn’t even offer a glance in response.

Lin Cuifen remained silent and stepped forward to support her son, but Zhang Yang brushed off his mother’s hand with a humph and walked inside.

He was a bit angry with his mom today. Clearly, he was defending her, speaking up for her, yet she kept blaming him, which left him very displeased.

They weren’t like this before. Previously, if their mother had an argument with a neighbor aunt, he would always be the one to help her get back at them, sometimes even throwing rats into the neighbor’s house.

His mom always praised him, saying he did well and that he cared for his mom. But today, he didn’t know what had happened. Even though he still defended his mom, he was scolded; how could he feel good about that?

"Uncle, Auntie, please go to the main room!" Lin Xue stepped forward to lead the way, while Zhang Yuan went straight to the kitchen upon arriving home, intending to help with the dishes.

Zhang Yu rested for a while in Zhang Yuan’s room before coming out, looking around in amazement.

His sister-in-law’s place was nowhere like an ordinary rural family; it was far better than their own home, clean and tidy everywhere, with coal being used, albeit not much on display, but still it amazed him.

Coal was not easy to come by, and their family only managed to get some through connections.

He never thought all of this could be due to his big brother, as he knew his big brother had been in the Capital City for the past three years, though he didn’t know what exactly he was up to, he knew he hadn’t left the Capital City.

The first glimpse of Lin Xue had left him in awe, but because she was his big brother’s girl, he restrained his feelings, intentionally keeping his distance. Yet, seeing her this time, she was even more stunning, though unfortunately, she was also about to marry his big brother.

Although he was internally overwhelmed, he showed nothing on the surface, wandering around the yard curiously yet politely.

He saw that every room was exceptionally well-decorated, especially the furniture. Knowing a bit about wood, he recognized how expensive some of the furniture was, further confirming his belief that this sister-in-law was not simple.

Observing that her siblings were still just children and her parents only ordinary workers, it was astounding that his big brother saw value in this family. Undoubtedly, his sister-in-law must have qualities that attracted his big brother.

He always believed his big brother was somewhat conniving, unlike himself, who liked what he liked purely for appearances. He thought his big brother must have seen qualities in his sister-in-law worth noticing.

As soon as Lin Cuifen entered and saw such a splendid yard, then entered the main room to see the sofa and coffee table in the living room, she realized these furnishings were even more upscale than theirs, causing some regret.

Their home was so clean, and yet she had dismissed it, opting instead for something as broken down as the guesthouse and feeling satisfied with that.

It was no wonder that Zhang Yuan, that ingrate, had so easily taken them to the guesthouse without hesitation and even paid the money himself.

Reluctantly, Zhang Yuan introduced both sides, and after greetings were exchanged, Wang Cuihua took the initiative to speak with Lin Cuifen for a while. Seeing the lack of interest in the conversation, she refrained from further discussion and, noticing that the dishes were being served, quickly went in to invite the five elders to the table first, then called Zhang Haijun and his wife to join.

The table got full with the nine elders.

Today, the younger uncle’s family didn’t come, so taking care of the children fell to Lin Yun, Lin Xia, and Lin Shuang, but the younger uncle’s son was sleeping, meaning Lin Feng and Lin Cai could join the table, making it a total of twelve for the younger generation’s table.

However, Zhang Ting’s expression showed displeasure when she saw Xiao Cai sitting next to her.

She got up and squeezed between Zhang Yu and Zhang Yang, pushing both brothers aside and sitting in between.

Lin Xue observed everything but didn’t say anything.

Their family’s Xiao Cai was so adorable, she had been dressed by her sisters to look like a little fairy from a painting.

Even at such a young age, it was already evident she’d grow up to be a beauty, not losing out to her sisters.

Furthermore, she wasn’t at all the unkempt rural child with snot running down their face.

In those days, every household had many children to look after, often ending up untidy, but Bai Xianglan kept her two children clean and neat.