CHAPTER 865: CHAPTER 581: COLD RECEPTION (PART 2)

With only one son, Eldest Uncle Lin and Eldest Aunt Lin sat primly beneath the old man and woman. After the three greeted them, they simply responded with a faint acknowledgment and stopped speaking.

Knowing they had grievances with Lin Yanqiu, Chuxia wasn’t surprised. Anyway, she followed Zhou Mikang and Zhou Xikang, doing whatever they did.

Next, it was the turn of the younger generation of the Lin family.

Today, daughters didn’t need to return to visit, but grandsons and granddaughters came for the New Year greetings, so it was considered the most complete family gathering of the year.

These people were completely unfamiliar to Chuxia. When she got married, not many of the younger generation attended, and most of the elders came. After so long, she could hardly recognize anyone.

Zhou Mikang clearly didn’t intend for her to greet each person, so he and Zhou Xikang simply nodded to the group and took her to an empty table. Zeng Meili quickly moved over.

"Eldest Brother, Third Brother, you’re really lucky. When I came over, the old man and old woman hadn’t yet vented their anger, and they didn’t smile at me."

"What’s the matter on such a big holiday?" Zhou Xikang asked.

"What else could it be, but about Eldest Uncle and Aunt’s work, and also Eldest Cousin’s job. It seems that while making dumplings, things got noisy, then aunt threw them into the room and stopped celebrating the New Year. The old man and woman were furious. Unfortunately, uncle and eldest cousin sided with aunt, so the elderly couple was stewing in anger.

When we arrived in the morning, uncle and aunt had cooked and eaten with their family without inviting grandma and grandpa, which made their anger surpass the roof.

Then, today I realized that old ginger is spicier. Seeing that most of the younger ones had arrived for New Year greetings, the old man and woman announced they made a decision: the family estate doesn’t necessarily have to go to the son. Whoever performs best over the next few years will inherit the family assets.

They also said they plan to have a lawyer write a will, and when the time comes, they will verbally declare who was dutiful or neglectful, with the lawyer filling in the details.

Having said that, uncle and aunt got anxious, stating they are the son and have inheritance rights, while daughters don’t.

The old man and woman said it’s up to them. No one set rules that the estate must go to the son. If they can’t enjoy a peaceful New Year because of them, why should the estate be given to the son?

Grandma added that the names on the property deeds are hers and grandpa’s, and if uncle’s family causes more trouble, she has the right to kick them out.

Seeing the sincerity in the old folks’ words, uncle and aunt had to relent, albeit with an unpleasant expression, not daring to defy grandpa and grandma anymore.

Then, Eldest Cousin exploded. He said he’s the only grandson at home, and if grandparents give the estate to daughters, he’ll have his children carry their mother’s surname, ending the Lin lineage.

Hearing this, grandpa and grandma got even angrier. They said if he dared do that, they’d note in their will that any granddaughter willing to let her child bear the Lin surname could inherit a larger share of the estate.

To sum it up, after a lot of back and forth, Eldest Cousin finally softened, but his gloomy face looked like everyone in the world owed him money.

By the way, I heard he’s interested in the daughter of our city’s deputy mayor and is chasing her hard. Alas, I don’t understand how the Lin family produced a man like him?"

Zeng Meili spoke while Chuxia was busy counting on her fingers. Eldest Uncle is the eldest, Lin Yanqiu is the second aunt, actually the third in the family, and Zhou Xikang is nearing thirty this year. So, this Eldest Cousin should be over thirty. In this era, at this age, is it possible he’s not married?

Seeing Chuxia’s confusion, Zeng Meili whispered to her, "Lin Jianbao has been married, but three days before the wedding, the woman ran off with someone else. Since then, he only dates and doesn’t marry. Uncle and Aunt can do nothing but let him be."

"Oh, oh." Chuxia nodded, indicating she understood.

"Don’t you feel you’re being pierced into a honeycomb coal?" Zeng Meili asked softly.

Chuxia nodded, "Almost. What I find strange is why they don’t just come over and talk, instead of using eye daggers. I don’t owe them money, but I do feel a bit frightened."

"They do want to come and greet, but with Third Brother sitting here, do they dare?" Zeng Meili sneered, "These people, they bully the weak and fear the strong, it’s the worst."

Not knowing who anyone was, Chuxia had no authority to speak, so she shrugged, leaned closer to Zhou Mikang, and avoided those flying eye daggers aimed at her.

"Eldest Uncle’s family has one boy and one girl. You’ve already met Lin Jianbao, and there’s an elder sister, Lin Jianying, who married out and will come back on the third day of the New Year. Jianying’s personality is quite good, and I quite like her.

I’m the only child in my family, as you already know. Third Aunt’s family has two daughters and one son, named Qi Hua, Qi Lan, and Qi Qiang.

Fourth Aunt’s family has three daughters, named Li Aimhei, Li Aifang, and Li Aimei. Among these people, I don’t get along with any of them; they’re all so petty.

I reckon aside from Eldest Sister Lin Jianying, you won’t get along well with others either, especially Qi Hua and Qi Lan from Third Aunt’s family—you definitely won’t like them.

Because they even thought about marrying Third Brother, now that you’ve shattered their dreams, of course, they hate you. So you must have felt some malicious gazes, right?"

"Close relatives, huh?"

Chuxia’s eyes widened in disbelief, seeing Zhou Mikang’s mouth twitching uncontrollably... (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)