CHAPTER 969: CHAPTER 654: CONSEQUENCES OF ENVY

Lin Baojuan and Luan Qingshu, Luan Xiaoxiang hadn’t returned by noon, making Lin Baohe a little restless. He was worried about his sister and hadn’t eaten much for breakfast, so by now she must be hungry.

A fire had burned most of Lin Baohai’s household belongings, and Lin Baojiang, bound by social courtesy, had to help with meals, probably just offering dishes like sweet potato leaves and coarse grain buns.

How could such food sustain a hardworking laborer after a whole morning of work? Zhao Yulan noticed his thoughts and quietly signaled him to drop it; she didn’t want him to worry unnecessarily, upsetting their daughter and son-in-law.

Chuxia and Zhou Mikang couldn’t miss the couple’s exchanged glances. Chuxia, who understood Lin Baohe’s personality well, knew why he was upset, so she deliberately stayed quiet to see how long her father could hold out.

However, Lin Baohe, who initially planned to mention something, gave up altogether after a glare from his wife. He had just agreed not to worry unnecessarily, so who would believe him if he brought it up again?

"This morning really wore me out." Fat Auntie entered the room and plopped down on the heated brick bed, panting heavily.

"Mom, what on earth tired you?" Luo Xiaoqiong asked, eyeing her with confusion. "Did you help build the straw hut too? With so many strong workers, why would they need you for that kind of work?"

"Shoo, shoo..." Fat Auntie waved a dismissive hand at her daughter. "Do I need to worry about building straw huts? It was your dad who asked me to take a few wives to the main storage to find food supplies.

Even though Chuqiu started the fire herself, the whole family still needs to eat. Your dad, being in the position he is, can’t just ignore it. Besides, if your dad doesn’t handle it and delegates it to someone in the village, it would only cause more complaints."

"Cha Xiang, Gangshun did it for our sake..." Zhao Yulan said, looking at her gratefully, "otherwise, we would be dragged into the mess."

"Yulan, you can’t say that. This matter shouldn’t fall on you guys anyway. Those who try to involve you in it are narrow-minded and envious folks.

You guys were the poorest in the village, barely having a place to stay after being kicked out. But look at you now, your daughter found such a good family and built a grand red brick tile house, isn’t jealousy natural?

Jealousy is one thing, but in this matter, we’re not afraid of anyone trying to argue. Honestly, you’ve already been extremely forgiving by not holding the old couple accountable for what they did back then. What more could they want?"

"That’s true, but many people won’t see it that way..." Zhao Yulan sighed, "even if everyone heard it clearly today and had nothing to say at the time, they’d still find fault with us afterward."

"Why care what they say?" Fat Auntie shot her a glance, "Let them talk all they want, you continue living your own life. Eventually, they’ll get nothing from it and stop babbling."

"Exactly..." Old Master Zhao looked at his daughter and son-in-law, "You two are just too concerned about others’ thoughts and opinions. The more you care, the more they’ll try to upset you. If you choose to ignore them, they’ll lose interest."

Fat Auntie gave a thumbs-up: "Uncle, you see things clearly."

Old Master Zhao wore a proud expression: "Of course, did you think I’ve lived all these years in vain?"

"You really can’t take a compliment..." Old Lady Zhao gave him a look, "The older you get, the more shameless you become."

Old Master Zhao then turned to his daughter: "Fix lunch, summer doesn’t hold off hunger."

Zhao Yulan acknowledged and turned towards the main room.

Seeing the confusion on her mother’s face, Luo Xiaoqiong chuckled and said, "Mom, there’s good news you don’t know yet, our Chuxia is going to be a mom."

"What?" Fat Auntie widened her eyes at Chuxia, "Chuxia, I couldn’t quite believe Meiying’s words, can you say it again for Auntie?"

Chuxia nodded at her with a smile.

"Heavens have eyes, heavens have eyes indeed..." Fat Auntie spun around and went to the main room, "Yulan, you and Baohe are truly blessed, about to become grandparents. I and Gangshun still have no idea when we can hold a grandson or granddaughter."

Luo Xiaoqiong rubbed her forehead in exasperation. She wasn’t even married yet; could her mom stop thinking so far ahead?

Old Lady Zhao, smiling, chimed in, "Cha Xiang, if you and Gangshun are willing, we can quickly arrange a wedding for the two kids?"

After a brief silence, Fat Auntie came in with an awkward smile, "Auntie, I do want to hold a grandson or granddaughter early, but isn’t it inappropriate for the younger sister to marry before the older brother?"