Chapter 171 - Harvest Vegetables
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Su Wan didn't know that she was going to have a hard time tonight instead after freshening up and giving Lin Jing a smack on his head for making her late . She carefully supported herself as her legs were much too shaky to walk properly , thus she supported herself against the wall then put on her shoes and slowly walked out of her room.
Gosh , these men were so energetic . She cried inwardly as she dragged herself to the kitchen where Lin Yan had kept her breakfast . Su Wan was having a hard time walking without her legs trembling like they were put on vibration and on the other hand Lin Jing was already up and about chopping firewood in the courtyard .
She suppressed the urge to go ahead and slap him again on the back of his head , then as quickly as she could finished her breakfast and headed to the hot spring room . It has been more than a month and Su Wan was sure that a month was long enough for the vegetables with shorter period of growth to grow up .
Thus , when she entered her private thermal room and picked up the straw thatches that Lin Jing and the others kept over their vegetables to keep them warm , revealing tender , green vegetables seedlings . About seventy to eighty percent of the room was used to plant vegetables and with the help of their natural thermal resource - the growth period of the crops was incredibly shortened . Therefore , Su Wan wasn't surprised when she saw that within half a month vegetables like green leafy spinach , lettuce were already ready to be harvested .
The glistening water droplets and the rays of sun made them appear more lush and verdant ..
Su Wan grinned and hurriedly walked out of the room, Lin Yan and Lin Yu had already left for the town and Lin Chen was at their fields - only Lin Rui and Lin Jing were at home , where as Mother Lin was sitting in the courtyard knitting a sweater for Lin Jing .
According to Mother Lin she always knitted sweaters for her sons and husband , when father Lin was still alive . After that , they didn't have much money to buy wool and Mother Lin had to give up on this hobby of hers but Lin Yan who had made a little fortune at the docks , brought back some colourful yarn for Mother Lin to pick up her hobby again.
" Wan Wan , did something good happen ? You look really happy " Lin Rui was the first one to notice her movements at the entrance of the courtyard . He hastily placed his book down then turned to look at Su Wan , seeing her dirty hands - he immediately understood where she was just now , he picked up the cloth that they use to wipe the dining table and then hurried forward to give it to Su Wan so that she could clean her mud covered hands .
Su Wan took the cloth from Lin Rui 's hand and smiled a bit apologetically . Her husbands really did pamper her a lot , and here she was complaining about them being a little on the passionate side .
Su Wan hastily wiped her hands then said " Its nothing the vegetables in the room are ready to be harvested . I was thinking that I will go with Jing ge to sell these vegetables today but you shouldn't disrupt your studies . Go back and start reading , I don't want to trouble you after all .
" Wan Wan , I have already finished reading and I can help you a little , its fine if I study a little less today . Why don't I help you ? Its won't be much trouble for me "
" Of course not ! " Su Wan immediately refused Lin Rui 's help and said with a pointed glare " studying is more important than harvesting vegetables, won't you be missing on your valuable time if you help around in the fields instead of studying . Ah Rui , let me tell you , you are already late by a month in getting admission in the academy if you start helping around then you will be wasting your time when you can catch up on your studies . Don't think I'm saying too much but the vegetables are already ready to be sold and we only need to harvest it . And we also have the income from our restaurant at the docks - so you can take it easy from now on . If you work yourself too hard , you might end up exhausting yourself ! And when that happens who is going to let out family get an official title ? Our family's expectations are lying on you Ah Rui , so you only need to work hard in your studies and don't worry about anything else "
Lin Rui thought about the vibrant vegetables that were already flourishing in the spring room and the distress of not being able to help out vanished from his heart a little . Su Wan was right , working in the fields and studying together to become the top scholar wasn't easy and it wasn't that Lin Rui didn't try he did - it was just that after only a few days of hard work he got exhausted and fell sick which gave Grandma Lin an excuse to stop Lin Rui from continuing on her studies . She made a scene and said that since Lin Rui can't help around the fields there was no need for him to study - as Lin Che was already studying hard to become a scholar - there was no need to act stubborn and waste both money and manual labour .
Lin Rui was a young man with a faint scholarly aura thus he wasn't as strong as his brothers who were used to working in fields and doing harsh labour . Their father had pampered Lin Rui into giving becoming a weak scholar thus Lin Rui wasn't good at anything but studying ,and Su Wan knew this - the last time Lin Rui had worked in the fields , pustules popped in his hands and he had a hard time picking up hid calligraphy brush for days !
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Chapter 172 - [Bonus ]life Was Good
Lin Rui understood that Su Wan was showing her care for him and smiled a little helplessly "
Alright , I won't trouble you now Wan Wan . But really your idea was really good ! At this time most people have just planted in their seeds but our vegetable field is ready to be harvested and sold ! Once we take these vegetables in the town those rich missies and masters will buy them in a breath !"
In this period there were no greenhouses and the people here didn't know better techniques . The rich masters and madams in the capital though had their own hot springs and could use them to plant vegetables in winter . However , finding a natural geothermal in small village like Dong Tong was a real stroke of luck ! This was why it was near to impossible for anyone to plant vegetables in the winter and sell them .
Su Wan smiled and nodded " that's right , this time we are going to make a big fortune " then she motioned Lin Jing to come over and help her while she pushed Lin Rui to go back and continue studying . Together Su Wan and Lin Jing started harvesting vegetables , because they were working together it didn't take long for them to carefully dig out the greens . Then they took the vegetables and brought them to the courtyard where they started washing them all one by one , Su Wan took the vegetables from Lin Jing as the latter insisted that she shouldn't spend long time in cold water , thus she had no choice but to take the vegetables from Lin Jing, dry them before carefully stocking them in a bamboo basket .
The green lettuce and bok choy looked extremely delicious with water droplets dripping down them . It looked so fresh and juicy that Su Wan had to swallow her saliva - from the past few days she has been eating nothing but meat , mushrooms and radishes - though the village people liked having meat in their meal and considered it as a sign of good times . Su Wan has really started to miss the freshness of leafy vegetables after gnawing on fatty meat for months .
" I think we should have some Buddha's delight tonight " said Su Wan , she could use some of her own home grown bok choy , napa cabbage and snow peas . These were her own home grown vegetables weren't they ? So it didn't matter if she smuggled a small stock for herself and cooked some delicious food for herself and her family . And because Lin Chen liked to eat meat but she could buy some pork while returning from the town , and there were the fish in the kitchen left from morning .
She could prepare so many good dishes ! Just the thought of this was enough to make her drool with anticipation .
" Buddha 's delight ?" said Mother Lin surprised she exchanged a look with her eldest son and sounded a little hesitant. She knew that Su Wan would come with new dishes with the least amount of ingredients ,however Mother Lin was a little hesitant because one look at the juicy vegetables and she knew that they could earn a lot of money from it .
Not only these vegetables were unique because they were being sold in the winter , they looked so lush and delicious that Mother Lin knew that they would fetch a good price .
Lin Jing was aware of his mother's thoughts and he too felt that it was regrettable to keep a batch of such good vegetables at home but he also knew that Su Wan was the one who came up with this idea of growing vegetables - and he also didn't want to upset his wife . So he thought about it and carefully spoke in a manner so that neither Su Wan or his mother would get offended " mother , we are working from dawn to dusk so that we can eat well aren't we ? And there is also the money from the restaurant its not like that we don't have any other earning except these vegetables , right ? We can afford to indulge a little and Wan Wan won't be taking a large stock right Wan Wan ?" He hurriedly asked Su Wan who was both amused and shocked - this was the first time she heard Lin Jing speak so many words .
Su Wan wasn't the only one amused mother Lin was amused , she looked at her son with an incredibly cute frown and said " you child , you won't say a word when your mother wants to talk to you but the second your wife is concerned , you said so many words - alright , alright , your mother is a money grubber ?" However after hearing what her son said Mother Lin came to a realisation that after fighting for every single penny and saving every single cent from eating cornbread to rice gruel - She has gotten used to saving in everything . Her son's words were right they are working so hard because they want to have a comfortable life , where they can sleep with a full stomach and be warm in the winter - if she started to haggle at every inch then how will her children have a good life ?
Lin Jing hearing his mother's words had a speechless expression - what wrong did he do ? Didn't he speak in the most tactful and careful manner ? How come his mother was still offended calling herself a money grubber ?
Su Wan and Lin Rui stared at Lin Jing 's dumbfounded and helpless expression , the two of them exchanged a glance with each other and then burst out in giggles . Even mother Lin who was staring at her son chuckled , leaving Lin Jing even more bemused - but a little while later , he shook his head and laughed as well .
Su Wan who was giggling , looked around at Lin Jing who was laughing and Lin Rui who was chuckling with Mother Lin ,and all of a sudden a thought came in her mind - life was really good .Wasn't it ?
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Chapter 173 - Go With Them
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Though Su Wan and the others engaged in random chat their hands never once stopped , they continued to work busily around . After a while they have filled several bamboo baskets with green vegetables .
Lin Rui looked at the bamboo basket and then jokingly said " I thought that since the room with the hot spring is not that big , we won't be able to grow much vegetables who would have thought that the result would be this good . I have seen my brothers work in the fields before but never did those crops grew this fast - the hot spring is really magical , to think it accelerated the growth of these crops so much "
" what are you talking about , don't say such nonsensical words Ah Rui . "chastised Mother Lin , the people in this era were really superstitious so they didn't say words like magic , ghosts or any word that was related to supernatural beings " Ah Jing remember to take this bamboo baskets carefully , you two are alone and I dare not think how troublesome it will be for the two of you to carry this much to the spot where you can rent an ox cart "
Su Wan too was thinking about this particular inconvenience , the bamboo baskets were a lot and even though she had Lin Jing with her. Su Wan knew she have to carry at least seven to eight bamboo baskets on her back, though it didn't look that heavy but together these bamboo baskets might weigh ton on her back .
However , she had no other choice but to carry these baskets so she could only grit her teeth and let Lin Rui help her load the baskets in a long Kitararu . After they were done loading the Kitararu , Su Wan hoisted it up and almost fell back on her butt if not for Lin Rui reaching to help her on time .
" are you alright ?" asked Lin Rui removing the kitararu off Su Wan 's back and putting it down . Su Wan who nearly fell on her butt because of some heavy basket , was delivered a heavy blow .. There was a time where she could drag her barbecue cart around the entire town but now she couldn't even pick up a small bamboo basket with a few vegetables baskets ? What an embarrassment !
Su Wan was ashamed but Mother Lin didn't think that it was too much of an issue after all Su Wan was still young only sixteen ( i wrote fifteen by mistake in earlier chapters) there was nothing to be ashamed off if she couldn't pick up such a heavy basket , with her small frame and thin arms it was already really good that she was taking responsibility of the entire family.
" Ah Rui , you better go to town with Wan Wan and Ah Jing . The ox cart has already left this morning who knows Wu Cong is back from the town yet or not - if he isn't wouldn't it be troublesome for your brother and Wan Wan to carry such heavy baskets all the way to the town ?" said Mother Lin as she hurriedly took the Kitararu and helped Lin Rui hoist it up .
Originally Su Wan didn't want to disturb Lin Rui with her selling vegetables plan but she clearly understood that there was no way with her physique she would be able to carry such a heavy basket all the way to the entrance of the village without fainting . If that happened wouldn't it be twice as much trouble for Lin Jing and Lin Rui , so she pursed her lips snd unhappily glared at her small hands . Sigh ~ when will she grow up ( Lin Jing , Lin Yan , Lin Chen , Lin Rui and Lin Yu: we are waiting for that too , ya know )
When the three of them reached the place where Uncle Wu usually parked his ox cart , They saw that it wasn't Uncle Wu who was waiting there but instead it was Le Sheng , his son in law . Le Sheng was leaning against his ox cart and smoking pipe ,when he saw the three of them , he nodded then extinguished his pipe " Ah Brother Jing going to the town with sister in law ? " asked Le Sheng genially
" En " nodded Lin Jing , compared to Su Wan and his family , Lin Jing hardly ever conversed with outsiders . Su Wan thought that Le Sheng would be upset but to her surprise he didn't look angry at all , instead he nodded at her with a smile before opening his mouth to continue talking with Lin Jing and Lin Rui .
" this time you are going with your brother and wife , is there something special ?" asked Le Sheng looking at Lin Rui with a smile .
Lin Rui was a bit embarrassed , he didn't know how to deal with over enthusiastic individuals like Le Sheng but he still nodded and answered with an " En "
" Ah sister in law , I heard from Brother Feng that you are really a good cook . I have been looking forward to coming to your house and leeching off a meal but -" he heaved a heavy sigh then patted his ox cart " but the work load is really heavy , I have to drive this ox cart to the town and back to village three times a day and people don't usually come on time either "
Su Wan was shocked at Le Sheng 's jolly and good natured behaviour . She thought that since Le Sheng was related to Uncle Wu by marriage he would be just as nasty and poor temper like his father in law but he was completely opposite to his arrogant , foul temper father in law .
" What leeching off brother Le , we are from one village - and you are my husbands friend , you can always come to our house for a meal , where is the leeching off you are talking about ?" Since Le Sheng was nice towards her Su Wan wasn't going to be stingy either , she generously invited Le Sheng to her house for a meal . After all it was just adding another bowl of rice , not much to act petty over .
Le Sheng smiled then slapped Lin Jing on his shoulder " see , you should learn something from your wife . She is so talkative and good natured , why do you need to be so foul tempered and stone face ?"
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Chapter 174 - [Bonus ]Uncle Wu Broke Lin Ze 's Legs
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Lin Jing casted him a sideway glance and rolled his eyes discretely , then slapping Le Sheng 's arm off his shoulder he asked " where is Uncle Wu ? Why isn't he here ?"
Le Sheng rolled his eyes back at Lin Jing before nursing the sting in his arm" you don't know ? He had a fight with your uncle and is now resting at home because your uncle broke his leg "
When Le Sheng said this everyone in the Lin family was shocked especially Su Wan , didn't Uncle Wu curry favoured with Lin Ze the last time they went to the town , so what happened this time ? How come Lin Ze and Uncle Wu ended up in a fight ?
Because the cart was fairly empty , Le Sheng had a bit of a free time , so he told them about the ruckus that Lin Ze caused a few days ago . Turns out that Lin Ze had actually borrowed money from loan sharks , the people working in usury were ruthless they either took their money with interest or either they took the life of the person they had lend money to .
At first Lin Ze wanted his nephews to work hard and pay back his debt but then Su Wan married over and separated their family before Lin Ze could ask for money . Later on Lin Ze , didn't want to bow his head in front of Su Wan who was in charge of the money in the Lin family - the fact that he knew that Su Wan was actually in charge of the money could only mean that Lin Ze actually went to Lin Yan to ask for money but Lin Yan refused him with the excuse that it was Su Wan 's restaurant that she brought with her in her dowry and he was only responsible to look after the restaurant and nothing else , since Su Wan couldn't leave the house every day .
It wasn't that Lin Ze didn't try to rob Lin Yan off but Manager Wang together with Little Shi and Little Cao , clearly told Lin Ze that if he dared to snatch even a single tael from their restaurant not only will they turn him to the Yamen runner , they will also tell their mistress Su Wan that he actually dared to steal from their shop .
Lin Ze didn't fear Lin Yan or his brothers but he was indeed afraid of Su Wan , who was like a shrew whenever they met . And they also threatened him with Yamen runners , so Lin Ze could only return back home after severely scolding Lin Yan for being a hen pecked husband .
Lin Ze couldn't get the money from Lin Yan and he didn't dare cause trouble in front of Su Wan who would start flailing her cleaver at every possible turn and at everyone .. So , Lin Ze could only turn to those villagers who believed that Lin Che would become an official in the future , these villagers were backing on the hope that one day they will be able to ride on the coattail's of Lin Che that's why everyone gritted their teeth and let Lin Ze borrow a few silver from them .
One of these villagers was Uncle Wu , Lin Ze was his friend and Uncle Wu was a person who liked to curry favour the strong while bullying the weak , so he hurriedly took out a sum of six taels and let Lin Ze borrow it . He didn't even stop to think that how Lin Ze with his lazy mother and wife , an arrogant daughter and a good for nothing son would be able to pay back his money .
His mind was completely set on becoming close pals with Lin Che in the future and living a comfortable life . But when it pours it rains -Uncle Wu 's wife who was at her maternal house returned a month after he gave away his entire family's annual savings and she got so upset with her husband that she ended up having a fever . And Le Sheng who was married to Wu Muan lost his job in the town after the dock leader appointed his brother in law as the team leader instead of him . Le Sheng wasn't an educated youth and didn't know anything else except loading and unloading the luggage - however , the dock leader's brother in law who was newly appointed in his position was afraid that Le Sheng would find trouble with him because he robbed off his position so before Le Sheng could trouble him , The dock leader 's brother in law came to find trouble with Le Sheng , he threatened and scared the other dock workers with their jobs so that they all ended ostracised Le Sheng .
At first they only did it because they were threatened but later on they started enjoying teasing and bullying Le Sheng who had no other option but to be their punching bag . Le Sheng became their stress reliever pole .
Le Sheng was a man with pride even though he couldn't do anything else , he wouldn't let people walk all over him . He was the strength and the most hard working dock worker at the dock , because he had a wife and a daughter , he simply put it up with their bullying first and didn't utter an ' uff ' , and he also completed all his work . Everyone including the dock leader thought that Le Sheng was easily bullied so they didn't care about it .
Le Sheng suffered and suffered but then one day the dock leader's brother in law actually came to him and asked to serve a rich master because he wanted to make that rich master their permanent customer .
The rich master preference was men over women and Le Sheng with his fair complexion and slightly thinner figure looked really fine , thus when the rich master's eyes fell on him , he casually asked the dock leader's brother in law to bring Le Sheng to him .
The dock leader's brother in law didn't think that there was anything wrong after all it wasn't as if Le Sheng would lose his virtue mark or something so he ordered Le Sheng to serve the young master .
Apoplectic with rage at being taken as a low class hooker , Le Sheng went to the dock leader and resigned from his work then onwards . The dock leader who too believed that they weren't asking much from Le Sheng threatened him that he won't get work in town anywhere . And because Le Sheng was adamant to leave he really didn't get a job in the town .
In the end Wu Muan suggested that they should take their daughter to the village where her family lived and buy some lands to farm as they were originally farmers . Thus , Le Sheng and Wu Muan returned to the village with their daughter on the same day , when Mother Wu fell sick .
Uncle Wu felt that sky was falling on his head , his wife got sick and his son in law lost his job . In the end Wu Muan suggested that he should go and ask for money from Lin Ze since it has already been a month and Lin Ze would have already paid back his usury and saved a little money .
Uncle Wu had no other choice he went to ask money from Lin Ze but when he reached the Lin house , forget about the money he didn't even see Lin Ze 's shadow . In fact he met with Grandma Lin who cursed and scolded him for lying , and she also accused that he was actually a fraud asking for money .
Grandma Lin was used to bullying others and if this was any other day Uncle Wu had suffered silently , but his wife was sick and needed money for her treatment . Uncle Wu might have a lot of flaws but he loved his wife very much , thus faced with the predicament of losing his wife , Uncle Wu clearly told Grandma Lin that she either pay his money back or he will do what the usury threatened to do to Lin Ze .
Grandma Lin thought that Uncle Wu was only joking and spat on his face but the second she did Uncle Wu rushed inside her house and broke every single bit of furniture and crockery . He even barged inside the shed where Lin Ze was hiding eating noodles , and broke both his legs before dumping the piping hot noodles right on Lin Ze face .
Seeing that her son was beaten so badly Grandma Lin who was shocked at Uncle Wu 's unusual change rushed inside with a broom and fought with Uncle Wu but Uncle Wu wasn't a pushover either and he didn't have any qualms regarding hitting unreasonable women either so he gave Grandma Lin a tight slap .
The matter of course reached to the village head later on but since the Lin family in the wrong , Village head Luo only deducted two taels off their debts because of their family's injuries and damages , other than that he clearly told the Lin family to pay Uncle Wu the money they owned .
Grandma Lin tried to make a ruckus but nothing happened in the end the two family fought with each other again and received more injuries - which was why Uncle Wu was lying in his house not able to cart his ox cart around .
Thankfully , Wu Muan and Le Sheng had some savings and were able to save Uncle Wu and Aunt Wu 's lives though they too hit their limit and couldn't buy their own land . Now Wu Muan was working in her parents fields while Le Sheng was driving his father in law's ox cart to make an extra income .
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Chapter 175 - Won't Sit Still
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Su Wan heard what happened with the old Lin family , she had no emotions regarding the Lin family and didn't even pity Lin Ze in the slightest . If anything she thought that this was what that greedy man deserved , his own predicament was a predicament but others peril was nothing in his eyes . He was the one who bet all his money on gambling and lost it , yet he had the face to borrow money from Uncle Wu . Borrowing money was one thing but having such a thick face to not to return it was completely different thing . He even had an appetite to eat noodles when Uncle Wu was begging Lin Ze 's mother to return his own money back ! How shameless !
Su Wan didn't have any words to say so she remained silent but her mind didn't stop thinking over what happened in the Lin family . Though Lin Ze didn't have the guts to come and ask for money from her , it doesn't mean that Grandma Lin and Zhang Xiaohua would sit still .
Especially Grandma Lin , that old hag loved her good for nothing son to her bones . She might not have time to come and ask for money because she was treating her injuries as well as taking care of Lin Ze but she didn't believe that the old hag was someone who would retreat back silently after suffering a loss . In fact by Grandma Lin 's usual standard this loss might be big but she was used to bullying her step grandsons into giving her the money - so Su Wan knew that sooner or later that old hag would come asking for trouble .
She didn't express her worries to Lin Jing and Lin Rui while the two of them were chatting with Le Sheng as the latter drove the ox cart to the town . Though she was worried , she still gave herself a mental pat on her back , when she was living she had told Mother Lin not to open the house doors no matter what happened . She warned her that without her , someone might come and find trouble with Mother Lin ..
Though Su Wan was expressing her concerns regarding Luo Chenxi as she was worried that the shameless girl might come and try to change mother Lin 's mind . She didn't think that her careful attitude will come in handy at this moment .
The ox cart went farther and farther away , and took Su Wan , Lin Jing and Lin Rui away from Dong Tong village . However , right after the ox cart drove out of the village entrance , Madam Zhang who was washing clothes at the river , rushed back to her house with the bamboo tub in hand.
" Mother , that dead girl and those white eyed wolves left . It seems they are going to town for something " whispered Madam Zhang in Grandma Lin 's ear .
Grandma Lin showed a happy smile and immediately stood up from her chair , after fighting with that dead Wu family , she received an injury on her butt . Thus , she couldn't move around as easily as she could - the injury wasn't grave or serious but because Grandma Lin wanted to milk it for all it was worth it , she howled piteously and pretended to be injured so that Village head Luo would decrease their debt but that petty man only knocked two silver off the six taels and they still had four taels to pay back .
Grandma Lin has been hiding at home to draw less attention to herself and Lin Ze after what happened between her family and Wu family . Her precious grandson studied at the academy , if someone was to spread rumours about their family how will her grandson survive in the academy ? What face he will be left with ?
" The heavens are helping me !" sighed Grandma Lin with relief " Zhao Lan ( mother Lin 's maiden name ) was always easy to talk to , while those brats and their dead wife is not . Let's go directly to Zhao Lan , I have been her mother in Law for more than twenty years , I don't think she would dare to refuse me . Her dead husband called me mother till the day he died . How can she say no to me ?"
Madam Zhang hurriedly agreed " that's right . Didn't she always listen to you in the past ? So what if her dead daughter in law doesn't listen to us , as long as Zhao Lan listen to you mother what can that dead bitch do ?"
While Madam Zhang was filling Grandma Lin 's ears , Lin Zhi walked inside returning after feeding the chicken in the backyard. Lin Zhi was Lin Ze 's sister by blood yet despite being Grandma Lin 's own daughter she was treated as a slave for Lin Ze and his family . Earlier , she had gone to her grandparents house with Lin Yunxi and only just returned , however the second she came back - Madam Zhang dumped the entire lot of work on her head while let her own daughter Lin Yunxi to go to the town and shop .
Lin Zhi had already heard what went down between her family and her nephews . She already knew that they had no money at their house yet Zhang Xiaohua was letting her daughter squander their family's saving just like that - did these fools still think that they can ask Lin Jing and his brothers to subsidise their family ?
The past was in the past and now was different , her nephews were already married and they had married such a fierce wife . Forget about giving money to the old Lin family it would be lucky if they don't get thrown out of their own house by their wife !
Lin Zhi saw the proud appearance of her mother and sister in law and knew that they had no good plans in their head , so she turned around to go back inside the chicken coop . Staying with the filthy chicks that were covered in poop was better than staying here !
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Chapter 176 - Don't Dare To Tell You The Whereabouts
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Though Grandma Lin had already seen her daughter and shouted " Zhi 'er if you have nothing to do come with us"
Lin Zhi stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her mother , who was mother only in name but did nothing else other than giving birth to her . Lin Zhi turned her head but she didn't smile instead she coldly said " I still have something to do mother , you can go on your own "
Madam Zhang who always wanted trouble and had no thoughts about keeping peace in the family, opened her mouth " what do you have to do at this hour? I think you just don't want to go with us "
Lin Zhi raised a brow and smiled mockingly " sister in law , you really know how to talk without any difficulties don't you ? Since I came back you have dumped the entire house work on my head . Other than eating and washing your husbands clothes you do nothing while I on the other hand , have to be up and about at dawn . I haven't stopped working even for a second , I have already washed the family's clothes and cleaned the house. What about you what have you done ? You only took two piece of clothing that belongs to older brother to the river yet you returned after two hours . With what right you are trying to pick a fight with me ?if you think that I don't do much then let us take a share of work "
Lin Zhi then looked at Madam Zheng from head to toe and added "it seems that your injuries are healed completely , aren't they ? Then why not make a schedule of who will do which work , alright ? You can take the cooking and cleaning and I will take the job of feeding and washing clothes , will that be okay ?"
Madam Zhang 's face colour changed and her eyebrows wrinkled , she unhappily stared at Lin Zhi and said " sister in law you are too much , you talk like I don't do any work at all "
Lin Zhi sneered " when did I say you don't do any work , I'm saying that you work too slow . Who takes two hour to wash a pair of pants and shirts ? I'm telling you that I'm not this family's slave , from tomorrow on you better start preparing breakfast , lunch and dinner on your own because I'm too tired listening to your ' this don't have much salt ,' or ' this taste weird ' alright ?"
Grandma Lin who was already agitated , snapped angrily " alright, why are you two fighting like little kids? Zhi 'er if you have something then you don't need to come with us . And you come with me now " Grandma Lin pulled Madam Zhang out of the house .
Madam Zhang who was being pulled outside looked back at Lin Zhi . She didn't know when this silent sister in law of her changed and started picking up fights with her . However , Madam Zhang was certain that she will clean this sister in law of hers sooner or later !
Lin Zhi stared at the departing back of her mother and sister in law and her sneer deepened even more . She picked up the bucket of pig poop and her mocking smile became even more intense " humph , lets see what you will get this time "
Then she swung her hips and went back inside to manure their vegetable garden .
Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang had to walk a quarter of an hour before they finally reached the Lin brothers house . However , the gates to their house was tightly locked and no matter how many times they knocked no one answered them . Grandma Lin almost lost her patience but then she saw Fang Xiaolin coming out of her house with a bamboo tub full of laundry in her hands .
The second she saw Fang Xiaolin , Grandma Lin smiled and politely asked " Xiaolin,has our family's Madam Zhao gone somewhere ?"
Our family Madam Zhao ? Wasn't that Mother Lin 's maiden name . Fang Xiaolin frowned and hoisted her laundry basket up on her waist before walking towards the two of them step by step .
When she came to a stop at a safe distance away from Madam Zhang and Grandma Lin , Fang Xiaolin raised her eyebrow and said " if I'm not wrong Aunt Zhao and your family have already separated haven't you ? She and her sons are no longer your Lin Family's member "
Grandma Lin whose skin was thicker than China wall , chuckled twice then said " don't say that Xiaolin , we are still family aren't we ? Even a bone were to break , it can still be attached can't it ? Then how come a family relationship be broken with such an ease ? The family just had a conflict at thar time , but now that it's finished , we are totally alright . Sooner or later they will return to the Old Lin family , after all its not a good thing to stay out of one's roots for long "
Fang Xiaolin 's lips curved in a smile that was not a smile . With a family like hers she thought she had seen her fair share of shamelessness but Grandma Lin never failed to freshen her views . At least her mother who was used to bullying her , would still call her a wretched money losing girl when she come at her house to extort money but Grandma Lin sure can change her face without it hurting her even the slightest bit .
Fang Xiaolin looked at Grandma Lin with eyes that were full of admiration and smiled " ohhh , I have seen people with thick faces before but I have never seen an old mother in law with such wonderful dual personalities . Saying such words , aren't you afraid that you will be struck by lightning after what you have done to Aunt Zhao ?"
Grandma Lin 's face sank at Fang Xiaolin words " this is the Lin family's matter you don't have to bother with it too much , just tell me whether Zhao Lan is at home or not !"
Fang Xiaolin sneered coldly " why should I tell you ? Do you think you haven't done enough to Aunt Zhao or the Lin brothers ? I'm their neighbour , if something happened to Aunt Zhao while you were here - How will I answer Wan Wan and The others ? I don't dare to tell you about Aunt Zhao's whereabouts "
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Chapter 177 - Keep Causing Trouble
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Don't dare to tell them about Zhao Lan 's whereabouts then what was she doing here telling them off ? On what grounds was this little slut teaching them this or that ? At least unlike her , the two of them were married respectfully and they only had one husband !
Madam Zhang prepared to go down to a war with Fang Xiaolin but the latter has already put her bamboo tub on the ground and was rolling her sleeves . Madam Zhang who had heard Fang Xiaolin 's fame of beating and fighting with village women at once shrunk her neck and then looked around the road . There was no one here , if she really fought with Fang Xiaolin , she might end up receiving more injuries than she could inflict it on her opponent .
Madam Zhang licked her lips and looked at the closed Lin family's door then whispered in the old lady's ear " Mother , I don't think that Zhao Lan would open the door with this girl here , let us make a small detour and come back again . Only when she is really alone will we able to oppress her into giving in . If we continue talking nonsense with this woman ... it will only be a waste of time "
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Grandma Lin nodded her head and then turned to look at Fang Xiaolin " since she is not at home we will go back. We will come back when she returns , I will bother you to tell her that we came looking for her when she returns , you can do that much right ?"
The mother and daughter in law pair didn't wait to hear Fang Xiaolin 's answer and turned around to leave . They acted as if Fang Xiaolin was their servant that they were ordering around , Fang Xiaolin looked at the pair of them walking towards their house and snorted before picking up the bamboo tub and walked towards the river that flowed behind the Lin family house.
After circling around a little , Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang returned to the Lin family house and once again started knocking and when they thought that no one was going to see them making trouble for Zhao Lan here , they started shouting and wailing like revengeful ghosts ..
Mother Lin who was already irritated because of their incessant knocking , felt her head throb when the two of them started shouting . She knew that her daughter in law asked her not to open the door for anyone , Mother Lin knew her mother in law and sister in law well . She knew that as long as money was concerned the two of them would continue howling like this till the end of the world ! And in her case until her sons and daughter in law returns .
Annoyed mother Lin stood up from her bed with a bang and then stomped outside with a fierce expression on her face . After living with Su Wan she has learned that ignoring these shameless people only causes trouble in the future , its better to teach them a lesson so that they know that she wasn't easy to bully either !
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Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang didn't know that they have agitated the always calm and peaceful Zhao Lan . And they continued with their banging and shrill screaming - Madam Zhang even went so far as to claim that Mother Lin was a good hearted woman and she would definitely help them in the time of need , she dragged the dead father Lin and said that Zhao Lan 's husband , her elder brother in law would have wanted his wife to help his younger brother in the hour of need .
Madam Zhang was going to say some more but the door to the Lin family house was opened - Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang smiled in triumph but before their smile could be fully etched on their face , a tub full of dirty water was poured on their head . The two of them got drenched from head to toe and started resembling two drowned rats .
Mother Lin who was holding the tub looked at the two of them with a surprised expression "oh , its you two ? I thought it was the Su family - they usually come here to cause ruckus at our house . I'm sorry , my eyes have gotten bad after working late hours at night , I can't see well now " though Mother Lin said sorry her face wasn't even the least bit apologetic .
It was clear that even if she couldn't see them well , she could still hear them right ? How can she mistake their voices for someone else after listening to them for so many years ?
Madam Zhang wiped the water of her face and was struck dumb after taking one look at Mother Lin 's face . Unlike before , Mother Lin's complexion was rosy and her sharp chin had gotten a little rounder edge , her worry lines has eased a lot and she looked much healthier , younger and beautiful .
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The subtle pang of jealous that Madam Zhang haven't felt for years finally rose inside her chest once again . Years ago when she first married in the Lin family , Zhao Lan was just as beautiful as she was looking right now - at that time her eldest brother in law , Zhao Lan 's husband was still alive and he doted on his wife the most . Even more than his sons and daughters , Madam Zhang who treated well only for a couple of months before being discarded like an old woman - had always been jealous of Mother Lin 's beauty and luck .
So when , Father Lin died and Mother Lin was trodden down by her mother in law . Madam Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief , with the troubled time mother Lin 's luck and beauty both faded away - who would have thought that after so many years , Mother Lin 's luck would start shining again and she will return to her former glory .
Madam Zhang stared at Mother Lin 's rosy and glowing face then touched her fat covered , dark and tanned face and immediately spoke with spite " sister , you seemed to be doing good . You can even pick such a heavy tub without trouble now "
When Mother Lin was at their home , she would start panting and coughing when they asked her to clean and mop the house . Even when mother Lin brought water from the well to their house for boiling she would pant like she has circled around the village .
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Chapter 178 - My Daughter In Law Is Not Someone Who Would Measure Someone's Heart Like You
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Actually by saying this , Madam Zhang was trying to remind Grandma Lin of the past . She was deliberately making it sound like as if Mother Lin was pretending to be sick all along so that they wouldn't ask her to do more work . As expected , Grandma Lin 's face turned black after listening to Madam Zhang 's words .
Mother Lin didn't say anything at Madam Zhang 's provocation and simply smiled " well , who would have thought that Doctor Gu 's prescription will work so well . A month drinking it and I feel like I have been reborn "
Grandma Lin pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeves and wiped her face . Her face that was already gloomy enough turned even more ugly at Mother Lin's words - wasn't this bitch telling them off for not taking care of her ? Was she trying to say that if they took out hundred taels then she would have always had a healthy body ? Like hell ! If Grandma Lin had hundreds of taels then she wouldn't have to worry about her grandson's studies neither did she have to come here and ask for money for Lin Ze 's treatment !
Who would waste hundred taels on an old widow like Zhao Lan ? At the thought of how , her foolish grandsons were burning hundred of taels over their good for nothing mother like they were burning paper , grandma Lin 's insides were churning with anger .
But when she remembered her intention of coming here , she immediately suppressed her anger in her heart . Because once she gets money from Zhao Lan , it wouldn't be difficult for her to keep leeching on her grandsons again . She didn't even have to bring this jinx and her sons to her house and share her grains with them , Grandma Lin gave herself a mental pat for being so smart .
Grandma Lin smiled and said " we have come to talk to you "
Mother Lin went inside the house and said " come inside then "
Earlier , Su Wan had told her that she should be really careful because someone might come to cause trouble for her . Su Wan told her that since everyone was going out to work , some one might try to take advantage of their absence and cause trouble for her - Earlier Mother Lin thought that Su Wan was thinking too much - but now she realised that it was her , who was too simple minded .
Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang immediately entered the new Lin house and were shocked at the sight that greeted them . The last time they came the courtyard was barren and full of weeds but now in the corner of the garden was small water vat which was filled with fishes so big that they can feed on them for weeks .
On the southern side various flowers like roses , mock oranges and rain lilies were fluttering scattering their scents . These plants were what Lin Jing brought on his second trip to forest , he saw how excited Su Wan was when she saw these flowers- so when he went to the forest the second time , he carefully dug out a few plants and brought them back with him .
Su Wan who wad ecstatic because of Lin Jing 's thoughtfulness , immediately planted these flowers in their courtyard to make it more lush .
Under the shed next to the big tree was an exquisitely designed dining table with seven chairs .And right next to it a few feet away was a small tea table with a pure white china tea set - with a delicate design .
Though it wasn't much compared to the rich missies and ladies of the cities , for poor folks like Madam Zhang and Grandma Lin who had never drank tea in their entire life - this was really something unique and rare .
' My goodness cried ' the mother and daughter in law pair in their heart these brats sure know how to live ! They are actually living a life like that of a rich family !
Madam Zhang who had always fancied the life of the town and cities felt her jealousy worsen even more . Her hot gaze was locked at the tea set but Mother Lin didn't bring them to where the tea set was kept instead she brought them to where she and her sons usually sit down and chat .
Madam Zhang couldn't hide the envy in her eyes , no matter where she looked every corner of the house was decorated comfortably . Even this extra table and chair had pillows on them , so that the person sitting on it wouldn't feel uncomfortable. Inside her head Madam Zhang already started calculating , once they talk it through Zhao Lan and convince her to help them , she would definitely take that tea set and these comfortable pillows with her ! The pillows at her home was too hard and old and they smelled so bad .
On the other hand Grandma Lin 's was full of heartache . She couldn't understand why her grandsons had to spend their money like this without caring a single bit about their financial situation . After all her grandsons money was her , so how could she not feel upset when they wasted their money like this ?
" these - doesn't these cost a lot of money ?" Asked Grandma Lin
Mother Lin shook her head "I don't know , its all Su Wan 's purchase. She is the one who is in charge of the money that comes in the house , I don't know what and how much everything costs "
Actually Mother Lin knew it all , Su Wan always confided with her before she was going to buy a thing . Only when she said yes , did Su Wan asked her sons to buy these things - Su Wan had never made a wasteful expenditure and only purchased what she thought was necessary for their comfort and happiness .
Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang 's eyes almost popped out . Su Wan was in charge of money ? If that was the case what will they be able to get from Zhao Lan ?
Madam Zhang 's mouth couldn't help but move and she blurted out " Zhao Lan you shouldn't let that little girl take charge over the financial situation of your house - today she in charge of your money tomorrow she will be in charge of your sons , who knows what she will do when that happens ? Won't she kick you out of the house because your high expenses ?"
Mother Lin looked at Madam Zhang with eyes full of sarcasm " when you ruthlessly ignored my health and made me work like a bull in your fields and house , I didn't see you worrying- neither of you cared whether I lived or died , as long as my sons brought money in your hands and I cooked warm food for your entire family while you sat back and lazed around . Su Wan has not once wronged me or my sons , she is the reason why I and my sons can live with our heads raised . She took every single coin from her dowry and helped my sons get over their predicament - some people loves to measure someone's heart while they can't measure their own unlike them my Wan Wan is really filial . My daughter in law is caring , loving and respectful towards me - if their is anything good in the house she will give it to me first before my sons . That's enough for me to know what place I have in her heart "
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Chapter 179 - Don't Want To See Her Face Ever Again
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
Madam Zhang was stunned she didn't think that Mother Lin who always acted so soft and honest would actually speak to her like this . Her words full of spikes sounded fairly similar to that of her daughter in law , and Madam Zhang was dumbfounded listening to mother Lin - weren't they mother in law and daughter in law how come they started to act like a mother and daughter pair ?
Zhao Lan way of talking has become just as slippery and poisonous as Su Wan !
Grandma Lin glared at Madam Zheng angrily , silently reprimanding her for talking too much . If she keeps on offending Zhao Lan like this how will they be able to extort money from her ? Was she looking for her husband to die or something ?
Madam Zhang swallowed the words that she wanted to say when she caught her mother in law's glare . Her husband was still waiting for them to collect the money and call a doctor for him , They wanted to call Doctor Gu but the latter was as smart as a clever fox - he knew that Lin Jing and his brothers have separated from the old Lin family and their family had no one who was willing to work hard - so instead of agreeing to treat Lin Ze before taking the money . Doctor Gu was actually asking for advance payment , their family only had three taels , and those taels were still short on Lin Che 's school 's fees - thus Grandma Lin wasn't willing to take those taels out . In the end the matter reached a stalemate , if they failed in getting money from Zhao Lan today - then Madam Zhang knew she could only wait for her husband to become a handicap , so she shut her mouth at once .
Grandma Lin got up and went closer to Zhao Lan , she took her hand then plastered a fake smile on her old wrinkly face and said " Zhao Lan don't talk like that , there is no need for you to be so harsh . We are after all one family , this separation thing that happened was all because I was a little impulsive that time , you are Lin Heng 's wife , and your sons and daughters are his beloved children , how can I be willing to drive you away ?I was only confused a little at that time "
When Grandma Lin mentioned Lin Heng , Zhao Lan 's soft spot got poked and her heart suddenly twisted in pain . She really missed her husband sometimes , even though she has five sons , they all were grown up and married - at night when she laid in her bed alone , she really missed her goofy and good hearted Lin Heng .
Seeing that Zhao Lan face have softened a little , Grandma Lin hastily added " Lan 'er I know that Mother has wronged you and your sons a lot but I swear I won't do it ever again . What's more your little brother in law , Heng 'er younger brother Lin Ze had been badly wounded , I know that I have wronged you thus even if I ask you to return back to the Lin family you won't . So , I won't embarrass my old face by making you feel uncomfortable , but I do hope you will help Ah Ze , he is young and a little troublesome but he is Lin Heng 's younger brother and your husband doted on this little brother of his the most "
The emotions in Zhao Lan 's eyes slowly dissipated and her dark eyes became cold . She glanced at Grandma Lin 's old face and sneered in her heart , in her eyes this old face was even more disgusting than pig slop . In the end this old woman dragged Lin Heng 's name because she wanted money from her didn't she ? How disgusting , she was actually willing to disturb the dead because of her greed . Has she forgotten that her Ah Heng was alive , this old woman made him work until his bones ached ? Now that he was dead , she wouldn't let him rest in peace either - in the end Lin Ze alone mattered to her , And Mother Lin had no problem with Grandma Lin 's baised attitude after all Lin Ze was her biological son but on what basis , was this old woman dragging her dead husband's name ? Wasn't it because of her that she and her sons couldn't even find her husbands corpse ? And had to make grave of his old clothes ?
Mother Lin was really upset , she didn't want to see Grandma Lin ever again .
" what's the use of saying these words now ? If you said these words before we separated - I would have believed on you and these words have worked as well but now its too late . My husband is dead and my sons have separated from your family, whatever happens at your family- it has nothing to do with my family anymore "
Madam Zhang who was anxiously waiting to see those silvers that will save her husband 's life , hurriedly opened her mouth " Sister in law what do you mean ? How is it late ? Didn't it just happened a few months ago ? You already know that when you left , our family was in such busy period of time - we needed to harvest our fields , and there was the matter of cleaning up everything in the house . " then she pursed her lips and spoke in a slightly reproving voice " and how come Ah Ze getting hurt doesn't concern your family ? Are we not one family ? Just because of a letter does it means that your relationship with our family is broken ? You are still the Lin family's widow and Lin Ze is still your dead husband 's brother - it's only right that you help us "
Mother Lin 's eyes widened as she stared at Madam Zhang , her face was full of shock snd amusement . This Madam Zhang can sure speak nonsense the second she opens her - she was really like greedy ghost whenever she opened her mouth , she would ask for either money or food . How despicable !
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Chapter 180 - [Bonus ]Its Your Karma
Name：Shrewd wife of Lin brothers Author：fairytail72
" Really ? You were busy harvesting the fields ? Then how come you were able to come here just a month ago to create ruckus at our house ? Are you sure your face doesn't hurt Zhang Xiaohui ? Or do you have amnesia like the village idiot ? You and your family had kicked my son out of your house without a tael and you didn't even bothered with whether we lived or died , yet you still have the face to say that now that Lin Ze was injured I should miraculously take out some silver for his treatment? Are you really as forgetful or you are just acting ?"
Even if their skin was thick , Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang 's old face still blushed .
Grandma Lin laughed and waved her hand as if trying push the matter aside " Its all in the past , what's the point of bringing up the past ? Isn't your family living well and happy now ? Look at ours we have no one in our family who can work , if Ah Ze doesn't get his treatment on time - How will our family survive through this winter , eh Zhao Lan , my precious Zhao Lan don't be so heartless , please help your brother in law "
Mother Lin sneered at stood up " What do you mean don't be heartless ? When brother in law ran back home after leaving my husband who was drowning in the sea , why didn't I hear you calling him heartless ? Did you or him ever thought about how much my Ah Heng suffered while he was drowning in the sea ? Did you stopped to think how heartbroken I was when I lost my husband and couldn't see him for the last time ? No , you didn't ! Instead you told me and my sons to get over with it , you said that as long as one of them lived it was fine . That I should get on with taking Ah Heng 's responsibilities if I wanted to feed my sons " then she turned to look at Madam Zhang who wore an stupefied expression " and you - you say that we are one family , that if Lin Ze is hurt then it concerns my family as well . Then what about the time my Ah Yu was hurt ? Your husband is still alive and well but my Ah Yu almost lost his life back then ! If not for Ah Jing and Ah Yan who ran around asking people for money and if not Doctor Gu 's kindness , my Ah Yu wouldn't be even here . Back then what did you say when my sons asked for their own hard earned money from you ? Oh yes ! You cursed at them , you even went as far as spitting at Ah Chen 's face saying that my Ah Yu was a jinx , an unlucky star and its only right for him to die , with him dead, your son's path to becoming an official will be cleared , didn't you say that ? Now why should I bother when Lin Ze is hurt ? Don't think that you are the only one who is smart Xiaohui and everyone else are fools ! If you can stand aside watching my son die then I owe you nothing , why should I fork out money for your family ? I will stand idly by the side as well - hell , I say that what happened to your family is nothing but karma !"
Grandma Lin who couldn't withstand listening to anyone bad mouthing her son immediately jumped and pointed at Mother Lin " You are you cursing my son ? How dare you say those words Zhao Lan , you think I won't set you right ! Is that it ?"
Mother Lin sneered and she too stood in front of the two greedy women and rolled her sleeves , today if she didn't pay these two women for all the insults and physical abuse that she suffered under them - then her name wasn't Zhao Lan ! Mother Lin picked up her shoe and said " I didn't curse anyone , I said that if you do something wrong then you have to pay for it .. in this life ! Its not my fault that your family accumulated so much bad karma that it came to bite in your butts !"
Madam Zhang 's face was even more colourful , she never thought that Zhao Lan would bring up the incident from years ago to refuse them . However , she was even more stubborn now that she was here , even if she have to rob - she will be taking away the money with her ! At beginning she just wanted to get a few taels but now she will snatch their entire family's saving , let's see how Zhao Lan would be able to stop them !
She rolled her sleeves too and was ready to rush inside while she winked at Grandma Lin to stop Zhao Lan .. As long as they snatched the things and hid them somewhere in the mountains , what evidence would Zhao Lan have that they were the ones who snatched her family's money , anyway it was her fault that she refused to give them money !
However before Madam Zhang could rush inside , Lin Chen who had caught swamp eels from their rice fields returned . He was happily anticipating giving these swamp eels to Su Wan and having a great lunch but when he entered his house , he saw two uninvited guests .
" what are you doing here ?" At first he was stupefied not believing what he was seeing but then Lin Chen roared loudly , so loudly that Fang Xiaolin who was leisurely walking up the steep slope , rushed up with the bamboo tub - while the clothes in her tub jostled here and there , Feng Dai ' s unlucky underpants flew out and dropped on the side of the road but Fang Xiaolin who was worried that something serious happened , didn't pay attention to it and ran up the steep slope and barged inside the Lin house.
When she rushed inside and saw Grandma Lin and Madam Zhang her face changed and she dropped the tub she was holding in her hand right next to the swamp eel basket that Lin Chen dropped " didn't you two say that you were going back home ? How come you are back here ? " then her gaze fell on Madam Zhang 's rolled up sleeves and Grandma Lin 's fighting stance as if she was preparing to jump at some one ,Fang Xiaolin immediately understood what was happening , she curled her lips mockingly and sneered " Did Aunt Lin refuse to give you money ? So you two decided to rob her off while no one was at home ? Have you gone mad ? Do you think their is no law in the village anymore , are you taking Village head Luo as a wood puppet or something ? Do you think that the Yamen is just for show ? If anyone could just snatch things from someone's house and get away from it , then why will people work so hard ? They will just start snatching things from the rich , Ah !"
Apart from the swamp eels , Lin Chen even caught two fishes because he was in good mood and wanted to drink some fish soup . But when he heard Fang Xiaolin 's words , he angrily slammed the fish in the bucket of swamp eels and snarled " Is she saying the truth , were you trying to snatch things from our house ? "