“My parents lost it? My sister-in-law said it was you who stayed home to watch the door. If you hadn’t gone out playing around, why would any thief dare to break in and steal? To put it bluntly, it’s your own fault. And now you’re blaming my parents? They raised you for eighteen years. After the money was stolen because you didn’t keep an eye on it, they didn’t blame you. Without a single complaint, they’ve been scrambling to gather the money to pay it back. And now you say things like that? If they heard you, their hearts would surely break!”
Those words made it sound like Lin Sisi was some kind of watchdog.
Lin Sisi was so furious her molars were about to shatter from biting down.
Everyone around them was left speechless after hearing that.
“Lin Sisi is truly heartless and ungrateful! She’s an adult, yet still playing around like a child. The money got stolen and she has the nerve to blame the Lin family!”
“The Lin family must be cursed for generations to have ended up with such a thankless wretch!”
“There’s so much money in the family, and she still dares to run off and play? If she were my daughter, I’d probably break her legs!”
“The money got stolen, and she just ran off, leaving the Lin family with a huge mess. And now she still has the face to say such things? Shame on her! Some people have no shame at all!”
“I used to think she was a decent girl, but turns out she’s so selfish...”
Lin Sisi’s face flushed red. She hadn’t expected that these people would completely believe Si Nian’s few words and turn against her with such hatred.
Though she hadn’t interacted much with everyone before, her reputation had always been good.
It must be that Si Nian went around spreading bad rumors about her after coming back home!
It was truly infuriating.
For a while, the Si family was so humiliated they couldn’t hold their heads up.
Fortunately, the banquet started soon after. Everyone was busy, and after spitting on the ground in disdain, they all went to help with the preparations.
Si Nian watched this scene calmly.
Only after everyone finished scolding did she speak up to comfort them, “Uncle, Auntie, no one here means any harm. Maybe it’s all just a misunderstanding. But don’t worry, I’ll help explain everything for you.”
Her caring words silenced any further complaints from Si’s father and mother.
They couldn’t bring themselves to scold anyone else after seeing how much she cared for them, or else they’d probably be attacked by the crowd!
The scene from moments ago was still vivid in their minds. The couple felt like they were about to vomit blood.
Holding back their anger for the sake of their goal, they endured and said, “Enough. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Tell me, where did Director Li and the others go?”
Zhang Cuimei took a deep breath and replied impatiently.
If it weren’t for her husband wanting to build a good relationship with Director Li and the others, she wouldn’t have wanted to stay in this miserable place for even a second.
Si Nian was momentarily stunned.
Director Li?
“Who’s Director Li?” she asked, puzzled.
“Of course, it’s Director Li of the Public Security Bureau. They just came in to eat. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”
Such an important figure would usually be accompanied by the village chief on tours in other villages. Si Nian really didn’t know!
Well, it was probably better she hadn’t seen him. After all, she had met Director Li once before at the Fu family’s place. It wouldn’t be good if Director Li recognized her again.
“Oh, Director Li from the Public Security Bureau?” Si Nian recalled. When Zhou Yueshen went to the bureau to transfer his household registration, the director’s surname was Li.
Could it be that he was here too?
Seeing the relationship between Zhou Yueshen and the others, it made sense that they came here.
No wonder the Si family hadn’t left despite everything.
Turns out they had ulterior motives.
Si Nian’s gaze swept around, then suddenly paused when she spotted Zhou Yueshen’s tall, slender figure. There was no denying it—this man was truly dazzling.
She noticed a few unfamiliar faces standing beside him, so she pointed to a spot not far away and asked, “Is it him?”
Zhang Cuimei glanced back and confirmed. She quickly grabbed her husband’s arm, excitedly whispering, “Honey, look! Director Li and the others are over there! Huh, why is there someone in a military uniform? That uniform... could it be some big shot?”
Director Li, Boss Wang, Chief Zhang, and others were all gathered around him, chatting and laughing.
There were so many people that the Si family’s view was blocked.
Though the man had his back to them, his military-green, impeccably tailored suit, his tall and slender frame, and commanding presence made it clear he was no ordinary person.
Just one glance told you he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.
That military uniform alone spoke volumes about his distinguished status.
Even more telling was the way Director Li and the others surrounded him with warm smiles and laughter—it was obvious he was someone special.
“I was wondering why Director Li and the others suddenly showed up here. Turns out there’s a military officer involved!” Si’s father said, visibly pleased.
“Who is that guy? He looks pretty impressive,” Zhang Cuimei asked her husband, curious.
Si’s father shook his head.
He couldn’t recognize the man from behind.
But he was certain this wasn’t an ordinary person. Without thinking much further, he said, “Let’s go over and take a look.”
Zhang Cuimei nodded eagerly. “Yes, let’s hurry. Maybe we can even have a meal together!” She then looked at Si Nian.
Her tone shifted back to its usual haughty manner. “You don’t need to come with us. We’ll go ourselves.”
Si Nian had intended to go, but hearing this, she stopped in her tracks.
Si’s father noticed her hesitation and wore a stern expression. He worried that if his daughter saw these big shots, she might cause some trouble again.
After all, no matter how well things were in the countryside, having experienced the big city, she was surely thinking about going back.
Besides, Director Li might recognize her as his daughter from the past. He definitely couldn’t let her approach.
If she was recognized, Director Li would realize that the daughter he had raised for over ten years had married into such a remote rural area.
That would be utterly embarrassing!
So he said with a stern face, “Your mother is right. Don’t go over there. You’d just make a fool of yourself.”
Si Nian raised an eyebrow but wasn’t angry.
Feigning innocence, she asked, “Uncle, Auntie, do you know those people?”
Si’s father snorted coldly. “Of course we know them! Those are big shots. See? Next to Director Li is the owner of the department store, then there’s Chief Zhang, and that man in the military uniform is an actual officer... well, never mind. Why are you asking? It’s none of your business. Stop thinking up nonsense!”
He warned her sharply.
Si Nian couldn’t help but smile. “Really, don’t you want me to introduce you? After all, this is my family…”
“No need. I know them better than you do. We’ll go ourselves. You stay inside. The bride’s family doesn’t need to show off,” Si’s father said impatiently, waving his hand dismissively.
Si Nian shrugged and tossed out a casual, “Alright then.” Without another word, he obediently walked away.
Only then did Si Nian’s parents finally breathe a sigh of relief. Their biggest worry had been that Si Nian would insist on going over there.
Si Nian was stunningly beautiful, and today, as the bride, if she went over with them, it wouldn’t just be embarrassing—it would also overshadow Sisi’s moment to shine.
Of course, they couldn’t allow that.
Lin Sisi caught a glimpse of the man’s back and felt it looked oddly familiar, but for the life of her, she couldn’t place him.
Before she could react, her parents pulled her forward, warmly greeting the group.
“Director Li, Chief Zhang, Boss Wang, what a coincidence to see you here again! Oh, and who might this be...?”
Si Nian’s parents smiled brightly, eagerly glancing up at the man in the military uniform.
