After being reminded by Lin Laoyao's wife, Old Lady Lin's face finally lost its gloom.
She no longer insisted on entering the house, but instead, headed straight to the living room and sat down, commanding Mother Lin with the air of a matriarch.
"Lin Jie has not yet found a formal job. You should speak to Gu Zi and ask Su Shen to arrange a truck driving job for Lin Jie. The salary should be high, as Lin Jie plans to start working after his wedding."
Upon hearing this, Mother Lin was at a loss for words.
She found it utterly absurd. Not only did they demand a job, but they also had many requirements, specifying the job position and working hours.
Just as Mother Lin was unsure of how to refuse this request, there was a commotion in the courtyard outside. Before long, Father Lin entered the house.
Upon seeing his mother, whom he had not seen for a long time, sitting in the living room, he was taken aback for a moment before calling out to her.
Mother Lin walked over to him and whispered something in his ear. Father Lin seemed to understand what had just transpired and, after glancing at his wife, managed to keep his composure.
He addressed his mother and siblings, "We have been providing for your retirement every year, there's no rush. As for Lin Jie's job, we can mention it to Gu Zi and her family."
Seeing her husband handling the situation, Mother Lin finally relaxed and went to the kitchen to make tea.
Father Lin had merely mentioned the job issue, without making any promises. Lin Jie's forced smile froze on his face, unable to laugh.
Old Lady Lin, noticing her son's return and considering his current status as the father-in-law of the village's big boss, quickly changed her unreasonable demeanor. She swallowed her complaints about her daughter-in-law's tardiness in serving them hot tea.
Mother Lin and Lin Laoyao's wife changed their tune, "There's no rush for these matters. We came today to invite you to Lin Jie's wedding next week."
Lin Jie wanted to say something, but a glare from his mother silenced him. His expression turned cold.
Had they come today for nothing? He had rented a wedding car, how was he to pay for it without money? He couldn't rely on women to get things done!
Father and Mother Lin did not expose the truth, but went along with Mother Lin's words.
It was only after they had sent off the three uninvited so-called relatives in the evening that Father Lin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
He apologized to his wife, "Since you married me, I have not been able to provide you with a good life. I am not very capable and have made you suffer for so many years. I will not let our daughter be used by them anymore."
He had only temporarily dealt with them. First thing in the morning, he would go to Gu Zi and ask her to take the thousand yuan at home and save it. It was not safe to keep money at home, as there were always people coveting it.
Mother Lin poured him a cup of hot tea and said, "We're an old couple, there's no need to say such things. But you're right, Old Lin, our daughter should not suffer because of them. We need to talk to Gu Zi about this, so she can be prepared."
Mother Lin knew well that her husband was a man who valued family ties. He had always been understanding of his parents' hardships since he was a child, always doing the most work and eating the least, never complaining about anything.
But if he couldn't see his position in the hearts of the people in the Lin family after all these years, it would be too unjust.
Fortunately, judging from his words, he would not be as blindly loyal and filial as before. Mother Lin felt this was a good thing.
When Li Hua returned with the thermos, she saw Mother Lin, her aunt, and Lin
Jie leaving their house from a distance. She instinctively hid, waiting for them to leave before she approached the house with a nervous heart.
Although the Lin family had separated many years before she married Lin Cheng, and Old Lady Lin did not live with them, Li Hua had to accompany Lin Cheng to visit Old Lady Lin during festivals.
Li Hua was particularly afraid of Lin Cheng's grandmother. The first time she met her, she realized that Old Lady Lin, like many older women in the village, not only favored boys over girls but also hated girls.
Li Hua didn't understand why she, being a woman herself, hated girls so much. Therefore, Li Hua always kept her distance from her.
On the Su family's side.
After Li Hua left, Gu Zi and the three children made seven vibrant rainbow flowers with rope and unused cloth strips. One was the largest, and the other six were half its size.
Su Li picked up the largest flower and placed it on his sister Su Let s head.. He examined it carefully for a while before curiously asking Gu Zi, "Mom, what are these rainbow flowers we made for?"
...