Lin Xiaolan was much quieter than before and seemed to have changed a great deal.

Zhang Yuxi, despite her cool exterior, had a warm heart and couldn't resist asking, "So, what's the situation with you and Song Yi?"

Lin Xiaolan shook her head. "His wife keeps dragging her feet and refuses to finalize the divorce."

Song Yi had a small villa in Meicheng and another house in his hometown. His wife was demanding a one-million-yuan settlement fee, plus half the value of the small villa. Since the villa's value had doubled, she wanted to be paid according to the current market price. Song Yi disagreed, insisting he would only pay based on the original price. They had been arguing over this for nearly six months.

Zhang Yuxi didn't say anything more, just a simple "Oh."

With a troubled frown, Lin Xiaolan asked, "What do you think I should do in this situation?"

Zhang Yuxi thought for a moment before replying, "It all boils down to money. Frankly, I don't think Song Yi is a good man."

Lin Xiaolan's expression immediately darkened at her words, but Zhang Yuxi didn't seem to care.

She continued calmly, "Actually, in my opinion, his wife's demand isn't excessive.

"They bought that villa with both of their money. Now that the property has appreciated, why shouldn't it be split according to the current market value? Anyone in her position would be unhappy, right?

"Besides, from my perspective, it doesn't sound like she's trying to cling to Song Yi. She's just fighting for the benefits she's rightfully entitled to, which is perfectly normal.

"I'll say something you might not like to hear, but this whole affair makes me think Song Yi is unreliable, cold-hearted, and disloyal."

She let out a small laugh before adding, "However, that's just my speculation. I've never interacted with him personally; I'm just voicing my opinion based on this situation. It might be a bit presumptuous, so don't be angry."

Lin Xiaolan pursed her lips, her face somber. She was clearly unhappy.

Since the conversation had already gone this far, Zhang Yuxi wasn't afraid to add a little more.

"I remember you already knew Song Yi had a wife and child when you first found out you were pregnant, right?

"You were still in the early stages of pregnancy then, before the fetus was fully formed. It was rash of you to decide to have the child before this matter was sorted out."

Having said her piece, Zhang Yuxi smiled and stood up. "I'm going to check on the kids."

She took a sweat towel from her backpack to check if the babies' backs were sweaty and then picked up her thermos. Winter had arrived, and it was important for them to drink more water.

The moment Zhang Yuxi left, Lin Xiaolan also stood up and walked away, clearly in a bad mood. However, her mood didn't affect anyone else. Life is your own, after all; there's no need to be miserable over people who don't matter.

This scene did not go unnoticed by the three elder women of the family.

The Second Aunt frowned. "Xiaolan's temper is getting worse and worse."

Although she didn't know what Zhang Yuxi had said to Lin Xiaolan, she knew Zhang Yuxi wasn't the type to say anything too harsh. The problem had to be Lin Xiaolan's temper.

The Third Aunt sighed. "Just ignore her. That's just how she is these days." Talking about it gave her a headache.

As they were speaking, Song Yi finally made his appearance.

"My apologies, everyone, my apologies!" he boomed. "I got held up in traffic. As punishment, I'll drink three cups! No, six!"

A single glance was enough to tell he was a seasoned socializer.

After he had downed six cups, Lin Rui smiled and said, "Song Yi, Xiaolan, come over here."

Lin Xiaolan's face lit up, knowing her brother was about to stand up for her.

Lin Rui addressed them both directly.

"Song Yi, my sister is going to give birth in a month or two. When are you going to sort out this mess of yours?

"When this child is born, it will need a birth certificate and a household registration! Are we supposed to write 'father unknown' on it?

"Besides, you're a grown man. Be more decisive and get things done."

Lin Xiaolan glanced at Song Yi.

Song Yi chuckled awkwardly. "Brother, I want to settle this quickly, too! But I have my own difficulties. Don't you think I want to marry Xiaolan soon and give her proper standing?"

To his surprise, Lin Rui's expression turned hostile.

"What difficulties could you possibly have? It's just about the money, isn't it? If you just paid your ex-wife, this would all be over!"

Song Yi fell silent, his head hung low.

Lin Jiajun added, "You want to keep your money and still have a wife and child? There's no such free lunch in this world. Xiaolan is our sister, after all. Even though some of her actions weren't exactly proper, it's already come to this. What more can we say?"

Song Yi nodded. "Yes, yes, you're both right. I handled this matter poorly."

Lin Rui waved his hand dismissively.

"Cut the nonsense. Just tell me, when will this be resolved? Give me a straight answer!"

Song Yi declared, "I will definitely have this settled before the child is born!"

Lin Rui, being an old hand at life, found Song Yi's words completely unbelievable.

"Are you sure?"

Song Yi nodded firmly. "I'm sure! Brother, you have to believe me."

Lin Rui turned to Lin Xiaolan. "Do you believe him?"

Lin Xiaolan didn't. Song Yi had made that same promise to her countless times.

Lin Feng, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up. "How about this? Let's call his wife over and settle this face-to-face."

Everyone was startled by the suggestion. On second thought, however, it seemed like a viable solution. Instead of letting Song Yi handle it alone, it would be better to resolve it in front of everyone.

Lin Rui slammed his hand on the table. "Alright, it's settled. Call that woman. Tell her to meet us here. No ulterior motives, we just need to clear up the matter of the house and get it resolved quickly."

Song Yi hesitated. "This… this isn't very appropriate, is it? It's still the New Year holiday…"

Lin Rui's brow furrowed. "What do you mean 'New Year'? It's the sixth day of the month! People have been back to work since the third or fourth! Make the call now and stop wasting time."

In the end, Song Yi relented and made the call.

When he hung up, Lin Rui asked, "Is she coming?"

Song Yi nodded. "She said she'll be here in half an hour."

Lin Feng said coolly, "We should find a private place to meet. This room is full of our family. She might think we're trying to bully her with our numbers."

Lin Rui nodded. "Done!"

As Lin Xiaolan's brother, Lin Rui felt he had to go. Lin Jiajun, however, showed no interest, and Lin Feng didn't volunteer either. In the end, only Lin Rui, Du Yan, and the Third Aunt went to handle the discussion.

Wang Lu sighed.

"If Xiaolan were a bit more appreciative, maybe we'd all be more invested in helping her," she lamented. "But she can't tell when people are trying to help. I don't want to get involved in such a thankless task, only to end up pleasing no one."

Half an hour later, a woman arrived. Although her looks weren't particularly striking, she carried herself with an impressive, businesslike air. Even though they were all Lin Xiaolan's relatives, they had to admit that compared to this woman, there was a world of difference.

The woman was carrying a bag and had brought people with her.

As for how the negotiations went, the others didn't know. They simply went on with their meal, eating and drinking as if nothing was happening.

By now, the babies were getting sleepy. Lin Dashan and his wife decided to take the children home for their afternoon nap.

Lin Feng and Zhang Yuxi remained, planning to have a proper get-together with their cousins once everything was resolved.

The babies began to doze off one by one, and Zhang Yuxi felt the urge to go home with them. However, this negotiation was a major family affair. Seeing that Wang Lu hadn't left and Du Yan was still there, she decided she should wait as well.