As Si Nian approached, she overheard the conversation.
Once again, she was left speechless.
So these were Lin Xue’s parents.
Truly, birds of a feather flock together.
One went to the Zhou family to demand five pounds of pork belly.
The other came to the Lin family to claim a pig’s hind leg.
Si Nian stepped forward and bluntly asked, "Excuse me, who are you? Do I even know you?"
The two were taken aback, their faces darkening. "You’re supposed to be from the city, yet you don’t recognize your own uncle and aunt?"
"I’ve been back home for so long, and you, my dear uncle and aunt, haven’t once visited me. How could I possibly know you? Isn’t this just ridiculous?"
"Well, we’re here now! Why are you so petty? You’re nothing like Si Si, who’s so much more generous."
Si Nian laughed. "Oh? So you’re not here for the pig’s hind leg? From the moment you arrived, all you’ve talked about is dividing the meat or taking the leg. Not a single word about me, your niece. If you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d have thought you were just here to split the meat."
Her words sparked murmurs among the villagers who had gathered to watch.
They agreed—this was Si Nian’s betrothal gift. What did it have to do with Eldest Uncle Lin’s family? To demand a share right in front of her, especially when they hadn’t even bothered to visit her since her return, was downright shameless.
Anyone would have lost their temper.
Hearing this, Eldest Uncle Lin flew into a rage. The surrounding whispers flushed his face red with anger as he glared at Si Nian and scolded, "You’re so disrespectful! We’re not asking for everything. Shouldn’t you, as a junior, show some respect to your elders? You’re nothing like Si Si, who knows how to behave!"
"Elders? I don’t even know you. Why should I respect you? Have you ever given me a single penny or shown me any care? If you think Lin Sisi is so wonderful, why don’t you ask her to buy you meat instead of demanding it from someone as ‘disrespectful’ as me? Or are you, as an elder, just as clueless?"
"Oh, wait—aren’t you the father of that Lin Xue who just went to the Zhou family to demand ten pounds of pork belly from me? You two really are cut from the same cloth. One wants ten pounds of pork belly, the other wants a pig’s hind leg. I thought Lin Xue was shameless enough, but you, as her father, are even worse." Si Nian gasped in mock horror, covering her mouth.
The onlookers shook their heads in disbelief. The Lin family’s eldest branch was truly brazen.
Not only did they come to the Lin family to make demands, but they even went to the Zhou family.
Even Si Nian’s own parents wouldn’t stoop so low.
Eldest Uncle Lin’s face twisted with fury at the villagers’ judgmental whispers. He turned to his younger brother, panting heavily. "Second Brother, look at your daughter! Is this any way to speak to her elders?"
Lin’s father had already been furious upon hearing that Lin Xue had gone to the Zhou family to demand pork belly.
This was supposed to be a joyous occasion, and he hadn’t wanted to make a scene in front of the Zhou family.
But his elder brother’s family had crossed the line.
Now, he couldn’t hold back any longer. His expression turned icy as he said, "Big Brother, Si Nian is right. This is her betrothal gift. Even we, as her parents, have no right to decide how it’s used, let alone give any of it to you. Don’t even think about it!"
Lin’s father had always doted on his daughter. Though usually mild-mannered and easygoing, he would never back down when it came to her.
Especially not when it involved the daughter he had failed for over a decade.
He hadn’t fulfilled his duties as a father, so how could he possibly have any say over her betrothal gifts?
His elder brother’s demands were outrageous.
Seeing that her father wasn’t the type to yield easily, Si Nian felt a slight relief.
What she feared most was standing up for herself, only to have her parents pull her back and say, "Let it go, they’re family—just give it to them."
If that had happened, she would have wanted nothing more to do with this family.
For now, she was somewhat satisfied. Though her father wasn’t overly assertive, at least he knew how to refuse.
Watching Eldest Uncle Lin’s face turn purple with rage, Si Nian feigned innocence. "If you’re so desperate for meat, why don’t you marry off your own daughter? Why covet someone else’s betrothal gifts? Is your family so poor you have to go around begging? How pitiful."
The corners of the villagers’ mouths twitched. In truth, Eldest Uncle Lin’s family had only one son and one daughter. When the family property was divided, they got the best share—far better off than Second Uncle Lin’s family.
Yet here Si Nian was, painting them as beggars.
Eldest Uncle Lin and his wife were so furious they nearly fainted, steam practically rising from their heads.
"Fine! If you won’t give it to us, what about sending some to your grandparents? As a daughter of the Lin family, isn’t it only right to send them some food?"
Si Nian nodded eagerly, playing along.
"Of course it’s only right! But it shouldn’t just be me sending gifts, should it? Your daughter should send some too. Whatever she gives, I’ll match it—don’t worry, I won’t fall short. So instead of telling others what to give, Uncle, why don’t you go home and think about what you should be giving? After all, we’re both granddaughters. It wouldn’t be fair if I sent something and Lin Xue didn’t, would it?"
The crowd agreed with her logic. Si Nian had just returned home, and already they were making demands of her. Second Uncle Lin’s family had never been favored, and the grandparents hadn’t even bothered to visit their granddaughter.
How dare they make such requests?
Why didn’t they ask their own daughter to send gifts instead?
"You—you’re going too far! You’re just making excuses because you don’t want to give anything!"
Si Nian pouted. "Uncle, what are you saying? If you, as the eldest branch, don’t set an example, how can we juniors dare to overstep? I’m just worried that if I give too much, people will laugh at your family for being stingy. Then you’d lose face, and it’d be my fault..."
Lin’s father couldn’t bear to see his daughter treated this way. His heart ached as he stepped forward. "Enough, Big Brother. This is supposed to be a happy occasion. Stop making a scene. Si Nian didn’t come back just to suffer your bullying. Mind your own business."
The villagers also chimed in, unable to stomach the injustice.
"Eldest Uncle Lin, don’t be so greedy. This girl just returned and isn’t even familiar with things here, yet you’re forcing her to do this and that. Aren’t you just bullying her?"
"Honestly, your Lin Xue is almost eighteen. Why don’t you focus on her instead of meddling in others’ affairs?"
"Exactly! If you’re so filial, why don’t you send gifts yourself?"
"Aren’t you afraid the Zhou family will laugh at you? I’d be embarrassed for you..."
Eldest Uncle Lin and his wife left in a huff, their faces burning with shame. Before storming off, they spat, "Fine, Second Brother! This is how you treat your elder brother? Just you wait!"
With that, they shot Si Nian a venomous glare and scurried away.
The villagers, well aware of Eldest Uncle Lin’s greed and shamelessness, shook their heads in disgust. They comforted Si Nian, urging her not to take it to heart.
Si Nian thanked them warmly and invited everyone to the wedding feast, her voice gentle and polite.
It was clear she was a sweet, well-mannered girl.
