Chapter 131: Lin Lishan Arrives in Beijing

Not long after Li Jianjun left, Old Master Lin gave his wife a meaningful look. “When it comes to finding a partner, this is the kind you want—someone who knows when to advance or retreat, who’s capable. Everything else is just empty talk. Our two sons-in-law may not have much family background, but they’re both outstanding men.”

After saying this, he glanced at the time, frowned, and pointed angrily outside as he spoke to his wife: “Look at that, still not out yet. Doesn’t she know the elders at home are waiting for her? Forget it, let the Yang family take her if they’re willing. I’ve run out of patience. I’m off to work. You just let her be, whatever. With that attitude… sigh, I won’t say any more.”

Only after watching the old man get into the car with Xiao Zhou did Old Lady Lin return to the living room. As soon as she entered, she saw her eldest daughter-in-law glaring angrily at her eldest granddaughter, and looked questioningly at her youngest daughter. What’s going on now?

Lin Liying shrugged, shook her head, and gestured toward Lin Xueling.

After a long while, Chen Jingru slumped into a chair, frowning at her daughter. “So you’ve decided to marry him? At least tell me what you see in him. His family? His looks? His character? I’m doing this for your own good—I need to be sure of his character and temperament. I have to find someone to ask around. It’s almost New Year’s, there’s plenty of time to get married next year. Why the rush?”

Lin Xueling kept a cold face, staring at her. “I’m already 22. I have my own ideas and I know what I want. I don’t want to compromise myself for money in the future. I just want a stable life. Other than being a bit short, his family background and job are both fine. I don’t want to be like my friends in the compound, marrying a soldier and barely seeing him a few times a year, having to shoulder everything alone, suffering in silence, and constantly worrying about job transfers. Why should I leave Beijing and follow a husband all over the country like some army wife? Am I crazy? Yang Liqun is an only child, his father’s a hospital director, his grandfather’s at the Ministry of Health—do you know how many people are eyeing a family like that? What’s not to like?”

Chen Jingru was silent for a moment. Seeing her daughter’s determined expression, she tried to persuade her: “Still, there’s no need to rush. Let me look into his family first. What if something goes wrong if you decide too quickly? And your father’s coming back soon—he should have a say too.”

Lin Xueling shook her head and smiled at her grandmother and aunt. “Grandma, Auntie, you don’t need to persuade me. When Dad comes back, I’ll explain it to him—he’ll support me. Grandma, just get my dowry ready, okay? I don’t want to end up like Zhou Jiao, marrying off with nothing but a sewing machine. The whole compound would laugh their heads off.”

Old Lady Lin smiled. “Let’s not talk about your father’s approval yet. As for the dowry, you’ve already got the ‘three rounds and one sound’—what more do you need? The best dowries I’ve seen in the compound, besides those, are just a wardrobe, new quilts, and a new coat.”

Lin Xueling’s expression changed, but she quickly covered it up. She grinned, took her grandmother’s arm, and stomped her foot playfully. “I don’t believe you won’t give me any jewelry, Grandma. I know Auntie secretly prepared a lot of dowry for Zhou Jiao. And Mom, she says she loves me, but hasn’t prepared anything for me. Grandma, I’m counting on you—you can’t let me lose out to Zhou Jiao. She’s just a country girl, but she’s got two houses in Beijing, not to mention all the things Auntie’s been preparing for years. Why don’t you take me to have a look, so I can see what I need to get ready myself?”

Old Lady Lin’s smile froze for a second, and she looked down to hide it. “Silly child, how can our family compare to Zhou Jiao’s? You’ve got several siblings—who else is getting a dowry? Zhou Jiao’s father left her a private inheritance, and your aunt only has one daughter—who else would she give it to? I’ve saved up a few things, but not much, and I can’t give it all to you. You’ve got three younger brothers who’ll be starting their own families soon.”

Chen Jingru’s face flushed with embarrassment. She sneaked a glance at her sister-in-law, who was indeed looking coldly at Xueling. This child is so foolish—who stares at the elders’ private property like that? Most of the old lady’s things go to the grandsons, not even her own daughters, let alone granddaughters.

Lin Liying let out a cold laugh. When Lin Xueling glared at her, she couldn’t be bothered to heed her grandmother’s warning and said, “Don’t look at me like that. You want to see Zhou Jiao’s dowry? You think no one can see through your little schemes? Better not look—you won’t be able to sleep if you do.

Do you even know what kind of life you’ve had all these years, compared to Zhou Jiao? You call her a country girl, but now that her father’s back, she’s not just any ordinary ‘golden child’. You know what I mean?

Zhou Xiaozheng, Zhou Jiao’s father, only married your aunt after he made something of himself—unlike your little uncle, whom you look down on. He doted on his only daughter like she was his life. The day she was born, he went around telling everyone, shouting that he had a precious baby girl. He wouldn’t let go of her all night, and in his eyes, no one could compare to his daughter—even her farts smelled sweet to him. He and your aunt started preparing her dowry early on, determined she’d be a little princess no one could touch! Now that his little princess has become an orphan, who knows what he’ll do when he comes back!

Are you out of your mind, comparing yourself to her? Good thing you’re only saying this at home. Do you know why your grandfather and aunt went to see Zhou Jiao this time? They’re worried that when Zhou Xiaozheng comes back and finds out no one from our family visited her, and that your aunt abandoned her for 17 years, Zhou Jiao will resent it and Zhou Xiaozheng will hold a grudge and turn away from your aunt.

No one says it, but can’t you use your brain? Do you really think you’re the Lin family’s precious young lady? Don’t be so full of yourself! Even if you glare at me, it’s useless. In terms of status, Zhou Jiao isn’t beneath you. When your dad and Zhou Xiaozheng went on missions together, your dad’s rank was at least two levels lower than your aunt’s husband.

Now Zhou Xiaozheng is coming back with 17 years’ worth of achievements—how many promotions do you think that’s worth? In the Lin family, aside from your grandfather, everyone else will have to call him ‘Chief’. Get it? You really can’t compare to Zhou Jiao. And you’ve got a younger brother—don’t you care about him? If you want to get married, just focus on keeping up with the other girls in the compound, and stop overthinking things.”

Lin Xueling’s face turned bright red—whether from anger or shame, it was hard to tell. She bit her lip and glared at Lin Liying.

Lin Liying rattled off her words, then put down her pointing finger.

Tearfully and aggrieved, Lin Xueling said, “When did I ever look down on Uncle? You just have it in for me, always picking on me. What’s wrong with wanting to see Zhou Jiao’s dowry? It’s not like I said I want some of it—and even if Aunt gave me a few things, Zhou Jiao wouldn’t know. Aunt may only have one daughter, but she’s got three nieces too. The money spent on that dowry isn’t Zhou’s, it’s the Lin family’s, it’s Aunt’s own salary. So what if our Lin family wants it? I can’t even take a look?”

Lin Liying was so angry she stamped her foot, pointing at the old lady and Chen Jingru. “Mom, look at this! Sister-in-law, you listen too—this is what comes from spoiling a child. And she says she’s the one who’s wronged? What a load of crap! Lin Xueling, by your logic, your mom’s salary and the house her work unit gave her all belong to your grandma and your cousin, so why did you object when your mom wanted to buy your cousin a watch? Isn’t your mom your cousin’s only aunt?

You say you don’t look down on your uncle, but every time you see him, you never even greet him. And what do you say to my two boys? ‘Oh, your dad only got out of the sticks because he married your mom.’ You think you’re so smart and my sons are fools? My husband didn’t stay in Beijing just because he married me. And you say I’m picking on you? Don’t you know how much I’ve done for you? You didn’t want to study, wanted to work at the hospital—I had to persuade your mom, pull all kinds of strings, and put in so much effort to get you in there. You were just a little thing, and I took care of you. You little brat, you’re driving me mad.

I think the reasons you gave your mom just now are all made up. Is it just because the Yang family has money that you like Yang Liqun? I really ought to knock some sense into you. The Yang family has money? Nonsense! The richest families in Beijing have all been cleaned out—what money does the Yang family have? The old man was just a country landlord’s son—how much could they have? Director Yang studied abroad on his own merit. You think that five-courtyard house means they’re rich? There are plenty of rich people in Beijing.

Tell me honestly—if you’re marrying him just for money, I’ll skin you alive. Are you stupid? Why not find someone with less baggage and more ability? You have your own salary—find someone with a good income and few burdens, what more do you need? Ugh, you little brat, still glaring at me. If I hadn’t raised you myself, would I even bother saying all this? Do you see me lecturing Xiaoli or Xiaozhen?”

Lin Liying was so angry her hands shook as she pointed at her.

Chen Jingru hurriedly poured her a glass of warm water, feeling sad inside. It was her own fault for spoiling her daughter, afraid she’d suffer without a father, and never properly teaching her. No wonder she always looked down on others. She thought her daughter was just childish, but she understood more than she let on.

Lin Liying gulped down the water, eyes fixed on Lin Xueling, refusing to back down. Today, she was determined to set this child straight! Otherwise, with her sister-in-law’s temperament, she’d just give in again. She really didn’t like the Yang family—their roots weren’t clean. In her mother’s eyes, it was like a concubine running the household.

Every time Mrs. Yang came to see her son, she put on airs, trying to act like a noble lady, but all she exuded was a vulgar, seductive air—like a fox spirit, completely lacking class. Even her own mother-in-law had more dignity! And the Yang family’s background? A department director at the Ministry of Health, soon to retire—what’s so special about that? Nothing to be proud of."