CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: A BOLT FROM THE BLUE

"Dajuan! It’s been a while since you last visited your parents’ home, hasn’t it?" someone spoke up at this moment.

Bai Dajuan looked over in the direction of the voice. It was someone from the Fifth Team, and she knew her—it was Aunt Hua, who lived next door to her parents’ home.

"Yes, Aunt Hua, I haven’t been back since the New Year. Things have been quite busy at home! I really couldn’t find the time," Bai Dajuan replied with a smile.

"Daughter-in-law, you should go visit your parents tomorrow! I’ll take care of the chores at home for you!" said her mother-in-law, Mrs. Zhou, standing nearby.

Seeing how her eldest daughter-in-law’s niece was making a name for herself, she thought it might be beneficial to flatter her eldest daughter-in-law a bit. Who knows, she might gain some advantages.

Usually, she looked down on this daughter-in-law, who was not only stingy but also lacked integrity and often manipulated her grandson to go against her.

"You should go back and check things out! But some things have happened!" Aunt Hua added.

Hearing this made Bai Dajuan hesitate about returning. If something had happened at her parents’ place, would she get dragged into it? What if they asked her for money or food? Her mom was quite a handful!

After hearing Aunt Hua’s words, Bai Dajuan’s mother-in-law’s expression changed a bit too.

She had just spoken too quickly; what if her daughter-in-law got into trouble after going back?

What if her family brought their troubles over?

It would be fine if it was good news, but what if it was something bad?

"Th... thanks, Aunt Hua, I’ll go back when I have time!" Bai Dajuan stammered in response.

Aunt Hua paid no more attention to her and walked away on her own.

The commendation ceremony had already ended. Why wouldn’t she go back?

Since the ceremony was held over the weekend, Lin Daliang and their five little ones all came along.

Only Bai Xianglan stayed home to watch the kids. Wang Cuihua also came over.

The couple watched their daughter standing on stage, poised and confident, with a beaming smile and extraordinary demeanor, swelling with pride.

After the ceremony ended, Lin Xue stayed to exchange a few words with Mayor Guo before coming down.

So while others left in a flurry, only their family stayed, waiting for Lin Xue to come over.

At this moment, Bai Dajuan approached them.

Seeing her, Lin Daliang took the initiative to greet her.

After all, though they weren’t direct siblings, she was his older cousin. They were relatives, and even though his mother Bai Xianglan had said they should sever ties with the Bai Family, in public, it wouldn’t do to ignore his big sister and become a laughing stock.

"Big Sis, you’re here too!" Lin Daliang said, stepping forward with a smile.

Seeing her brother dressed nicely and looking vibrant, Bai Dajuan felt conflicted.

She, in her simple clothes, felt inadequate to even talk to them.

Though her heart was uncomfortable, she still had to flatter them a bit.

"Yes! How could I, as her aunt, not come to my niece’s commendation ceremony? Why don’t you come over and sit for a while? Big Sis will make you a meal!" Bai Dajuan said cheerfully. "Sister-in-law, you look younger! What kind of material are your clothes made of? They look so nice!"

"Big Sis, there’s no need to trouble you. We have to hurry back soon! We can’t leave the two kids alone for too long!" Wang Cuihua replied. She hadn’t had direct conflicts with this sister-in-law before. Though she was aware of the little tricks this sister-in-law pulled behind the scenes, they were never too serious, so they maintained a cordial surface relationship.

"Who’s taking care of the two kids? Where’s Xiao Xue? Hasn’t she come over yet?" Bai Dajuan felt relieved when she heard they weren’t going.

Having a family like theirs over would’ve cost them three to four days’ worth of food. She was merely being polite.

"Mom’s looking after them! Xiao Xue should be coming over soon!" Wang Cuihua replied, momentarily forgetting that ’mom’ was no longer the same ’mom,’ blurting it out without thinking.

"Oh, look how good your mom is to you, even watching the kids so you can come out! Daliang! Let me tell you, always treat your parents well! Don’t forget to give them good food and drinks!"

Lin Daliang felt a bit awkward hearing this, but with people occasionally passing by, it wasn’t a good time to say more.

The little ones covered their mouths, chuckling secretly, but didn’t chime in.

"Let’s go! I’m done over there!" At this moment, Lin Xue came over, followed by Zhang Yuan and Li Jianshe.

"Oh, my big niece! You’re really amazing! You’ve brought honor to our family, making me so proud! So young and already a manager, our Bai Family is indeed shining bright!" Bai Dajuan exclaimed as soon as she saw Lin Xue coming over.

Behind her, the not-yet-departed Grandma Zhou and several of Bai Dajuan’s sister-in-laws started fawning over her too.

"Cousin, being a manager can’t bring honor to a declining family nor prestige to the Bai Family. My surname is Lin! Not Bai!" Lin Xue boldly declared.

"Xiao Xue! Stop talking!" Wang Cuihua was the first to voice her disapproval.

Lin Daliang didn’t say anything this time. His expression unchanged, he stood there as if nothing had happened, continuing to chat with Zhang Yuan.

Zhang Yuan held all of his wife’s awards, looking both indulgent and proud.

"No need, Uncle Lin, I can carry them!"

This was said loudly, obviously for others to hear.

Perhaps Lin Daliang had offered to help him carry things.

"Alright! You carry them then! Young people have strength!" Lin Daliang said no more.

"What are you talking about? What surname Lin? What’s going on?" Bai Dajuan was confused.

Well, anyone would be confused in a situation like this.

"It’s exactly as it appears! You’re our cousin! My dad’s cousin, actually! And your parents! BraveSoul Bai and Liu Lanxiang are my dad’s uncle and aunt! My dad was born to my real grandmother, your only aunt, Bai Xianglan! Your mom, Liu Xianglan, shamelessly swapped the babies! Does that make it clear?" Lin Xue explained the situation thoroughly.

Now Bai Dajuan understood, so this was the issue at her parents’ place?

Swapping babies? Her mom was really daring, and now that the truth was out, Bai Dajuan didn’t even dare to ask about her mom’s current state.

She feared that if she asked, she might find out her mom was already in jail, forcing her to step in to handle family matters, spending money and effort.

So she just nodded numbly, lost in her own thoughts.

"Alright! Let’s head back!" Lin Xue grabbed the hand of Wang Cuihua, who was standing nearby with a face full of disapproval, along with a few little ones who were in high spirits.

After they left, Bai Dajuan stood there dumbstruck.

The people who had overheard began to chatter and discuss.

Grandma Zhou rolled her eyes disdainfully, "What a joke! They’ve become prosperous, but what does that have to do with you? You’re not even family anymore!"

After that, she turned around and walked home, losing all interest in fawning over her.

The sisters-in-law exchanged glances, but eventually left too, without greeting their elder sister-in-law.

This showed how unwelcome Bai Dajuan was in her own family.

After everyone else left, Bai Dajuan patted her face to wake herself up, then quickly turned around to go home.

No matter what happened to her family, she needed to live well. Her two sons were growing up, and with a daughter in middle school, if she didn’t plan ahead, who would find wives for her sons?

Whether her mother-in-law liked her or not, or whether the sisters-in-law liked her did not matter. She would go after any benefits relentlessly, regardless of anyone else’s opinion.