In an instant, the two families who had been partners turned on each other, descending into chaos.
Wang Cui was no pushover, relying on the influence of her own family. She had enjoyed smooth sailing in her husband's household for many years.
Even her mother-in-law had always fawned over her—when had she ever been beaten like this before?
Snapping out of her shock, she refused to back down. The two women, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, grabbed each other’s hair, clawed at each other’s faces, and rolled on the ground in a tangled mess.
By the time the police pulled them apart, their hair and clothes were in complete disarray, making them look like a pair of madwomen.
"Enough! This is a hospital—what kind of spectacle is this? If you want to fight, I’ll take you to the station!" the officer barked.
Both women were all bark and no bite at home, but the mention of the police station instantly silenced them.
Si Nian watched the whole scene with an amused smirk, finding it utterly ridiculous. "See? Even my grandmother can’t stand what Uncle Lin’s family has done. Pay up or go to jail—it’s your choice, Uncle and Aunt."
"Pay? No way! A child’s words can’t be taken seriously! You just can’t stand to see our family prosper!" Wang Cui exploded at the suggestion.
As long as she stubbornly denied it, she refused to believe they could actually do anything to her.
Si Nian scoffed. "What does your family have that I’d envy? If anything, your son just admitted that it’s you, Auntie, who can’t stand others doing well."
Wang Cui’s face turned livid with rage. "That’s nonsense! How dare you be so vicious? No matter what, Xiao Wei is your own cousin! You’re dead set on sending him to jail—what kind of heart do you have?"
Si Nian replied coolly, "The kind that can’t bear to see someone ruin their own son. After all, who sends their own child to commit crimes? Isn’t that just handing your son a prison sentence? Anyone would think you were his stepmother."
Wang Cui nearly choked on her fury. "I—I didn’t!"
"Then it’s even worse. If it wasn’t you, then your son came up with the idea to harm someone all on his own. At such a young age, he already has such twisted thoughts—he needs to be taken in for reform, don’t you agree, officers?"
"Grandma, you heard it yourself. Your daughter-in-law says she didn’t order him to do it, which means your own grandson tried to kill your own son. This time, it was your second son—next time, it might be your eldest. He’s trying to cut off your family line!"
Old Lady Lin: "..."
Dizzy from the fight with her daughter-in-law, Old Lady Lin wheezed in outrage, half-collapsed against her husband, looking like she might faint from anger.
Wang Cui glared at Si Nian through gritted teeth. "What do you want?!"
She would never admit to it—but if she didn’t, her son would go to prison!
She itched to tear Si Nian apart, but didn’t dare act out in front of the police.
Si Nian remained perfectly calm. "Like the police said—jail or compensation."
"You have so much money, yet you still demand payment from us? Have you no conscience?"
Si Nian shrugged. "What does my family’s wealth have to do with you? I wasn’t the one who assaulted anyone."
Wang Cui choked on her words, but before she could retort, Si Nian waved her off impatiently.
"Alright, enough. My mother is a patient and needs rest. Sort out the rest among yourselves."
With that, she shooed them out.
The police prepared to take Lin Wei in for questioning.
Wang Cui panicked. "We never said we wouldn’t pay! Why are you arresting my son?"
"Then we'll talk after you bring the money. For now, he still needs to cooperate with the investigation until the plaintiff withdraws the lawsuit."
The officer delivered the bureaucratic response matter-of-factly before escorting Lin Wei away.
The hospital finally quieted down, with the whole family gathered together.
Lin's mother, having won a rare victory over her in-laws, couldn't hide her satisfaction as she watched her sulky mother-in-law and sister-in-law stew in frustration.
Even injured, her complexion glowed with vitality.
With her entire family by her side, she felt utterly content.
There wasn't enough space in the hospital for everyone to rest, and with nightfall approaching—along with work and school obligations the next day—Lin's mother urged everyone to go home.
Originally, just Lin's father and Zhou Suisui were supposed to stay behind to keep watch, but Si Nian worried that Uncle Lin's family might cause trouble again.
She wanted to stay as well.
But when she turned around, she saw the exhausted children staring at her with pleading eyes.
It was Zhou Yueshen who stepped in. "Brother Lin, you stay. I'll drive the kids home later. Take tomorrow off—I'll handle the deliveries."
Lin Xiao, already guilt-ridden for not being there when his family needed him earlier, felt even more apologetic at his brother-in-law's offer.
"Thank you, Yueshen. Sorry for the trouble."
"No problem." Zhou Yueshen, a man of few words, didn't elaborate.
Night had fallen, and the children were worn out.
Concerned about leaving her younger brothers alone at home, Si Nian suggested to Zhou Yueshen, "Let Little Feng and Little Yu stay at our place tonight. They can come back tomorrow to see Mom."
Zhou Yueshen gave a slight nod, showing no objection.
Hearing this, the kids—already familiar with each other—perked up with excitement.
Zhou Zehan even generously declared, "Mom, I can share half my bed with them!"
Zhou Zedong, though usually uncomfortable around new people, didn’t want to make things difficult for Si Nian. Since they were her brothers, he kept his reservations to himself.
Si Nian ruffled both boys' hair affectionately. "So thoughtful. I'll make you something delicious when we get home."
The group piled into the truck.
Si Nian sat in the front, holding the well-behaved Yaoyao.
The window was rolled down, letting in a strong breeze that tousled her hair. She brushed the strands aside and glanced at Zhou Yueshen. "Will keeping my brother here delay your work? Will you be too busy handling everything alone tomorrow?"
"No." He glanced at her briefly before rolling up the window.
In the back, the four kids clambered in and settled down, wide-eyed with curiosity as they explored the unfamiliar vehicle, touching everything in sight.
"Dad, we're ready!"
The corner of Zhou Yueshen's mouth lifted slightly. "Good."
With the window closed, the cabin grew warmer.
Zhou Yueshen started the engine, his muscular arms flexing as he gripped the steering wheel.
The children, their initial excitement spent, soon grew drowsy.
Si Nian gazed out at the passing scenery, the world outside the window flowing by like frames from an old photograph—vivid yet dreamlike.
She tilted her head to study the man beside her.
Zhou Yueshen turned at the same moment, their eyes meeting.
"What?" he asked.
Si Nian studied him for a moment before smiling. "Nothing."
He arched a brow but said nothing more.
Today, he had seen a side of her he hadn’t witnessed before—the quiet strength beneath her gentle exterior.
A girl who seemed fragile but struck back without hesitation when pushed.
Zhou Yueshen’s lips curved faintly.
A spirit that refused to be trampled—he liked that.
...
Today, the Lin Family was embroiled in chaos—their daughter-in-law was beaten and hospitalized, a vicious fight between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law shattered their relationship, and their grandson was arrested by the police.
Old Lady Lin was so furious she collapsed at home, groaning in bed, unable to get up.
The villagers watched the drama unfold, some gloating, some sighing in pity, while others thought Si Nian’s family was making too big a deal out of things.
Uncle Lin (eldest) and Old Man Lin only returned home the next day.
Lin's mother’s injuries were severe, costing nearly a hundred yuan in medical bills, and she still needed hospitalization for observation. The expenses for continued treatment, medication, and check-ups would add up to a staggering sum.
All in all, they wouldn’t get off without paying at least three hundred yuan.
Uncle Lin’s family had some savings, but only a meager amount.
Three hundred yuan was what they managed to save in an entire year—now it would vanish in an instant. How could they possibly accept that?
They didn’t want their son to go to jail, but they couldn’t bear to part with so much money either, leaving them grim-faced and conflicted.
Old Man Lin, though he pitied his grandson, was so enraged at the thought of his own daughter-in-law scheming to harm his own son that his heart ached with anger. He washed his hands of the matter, telling his eldest son’s family to figure it out themselves. After all, if they had to pay compensation, it wasn’t coming from his pocket.
Besides, the money would go to his second son—still his own flesh and blood. Paying the family was like paying himself, so he saw no loss in it.
After much deliberation, the couple found no way out—until, at this critical moment, Lin Sisi returned.
"Dear niece, your aunt begs you—please talk to your parents and ask them to spare your cousin! Xiao Wei grew up right before your eyes! Your parents dote on you the most—if you speak up, they’ll surely let him go!"
Just when they had resigned themselves to paying to settle the matter, Lin Sisi arrived.
Wang Cui’s eyes lit up, and she immediately dragged her husband over to plead with Lin Sisi.
Lin Sisi stared in surprise at the family suddenly fawning over her, then quickly realized what was happening.
Her eyes flickered with disdain.
Lin Wei—that disgusting cousin who had always been handsy with her since childhood.
She had no intention of saving him.
Uncle Lin and Aunt Wang were no good either, always looking down on her with their noses in the air.
Now that she had money, they were groveling like dogs.
Though Lin Sisi despised them, she couldn’t help but relish the feeling.
Feigning concern, she said, "How did things get so bad? I only heard from others that my mother was hurt, so I rushed back. I had no idea it was this serious."
"It’s all because of that Si Nian, making a mountain out of a molehill and turning our Lin Family upside down! Sisi, you must help us!"
Lin Sisi put on an indignant expression. "No matter what, Xiao Wei is her own cousin—how could she send him to jail? Nian-jie is really going too far. Don’t worry, Uncle, Auntie, I’ll talk to my mother for you."
Lin Sisi had returned with her parents. Though she and Fu Yang weren’t planning a grand wedding, they still intended to invite their relatives.
She had hoped to mend fences with the Lin Family by bringing them along.
But before she could even approach them, this mess erupted.
And she never expected Si Nian to be so ruthless as to send Lin Wei to prison.
Shocked as she was, she also thought Si Nian was being incredibly foolish.
Uncle Lin and his wife were the type to hold grudges, and Lin Wei was no saint either. If they let him off this time, who knew when he’d come back for revenge?
She was more than happy to watch it unfold.
Besides, Lin Sisi believed that no matter what, Uncle Lin’s family was still her father’s elder brother. They’d had their share of conflicts and arguments in the past, but they always managed to tolerate it and move on. After all, they were family—some face had to be saved for the sake of future interactions.
She had been bullied before too, but she never made a fuss. So why was Si Nian acting like this?
Thinking that Si Nian had never lived in the countryside and didn’t understand these kinds of interpersonal relationships and social etiquette, Lin Sisi figured that by making such a scene, Si Nian would only end up alienating everyone and possibly even turning them against her.
When Si’s Father and Si’s Mother, who had come with her, heard that Si Nian had caused trouble again, their expressions darkened.
After all, they had raised Si Nian since childhood. If she was stirring up trouble now, didn’t that reflect poorly on their parenting?
They were losing face in front of the whole village!
What would people think of them from now on?
Originally, they had come to invite Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen to Lin Sisi’s wedding, knowing that Zhou Yueshen had connections with the police chief and Boss Wang.
But the moment they arrived, they heard about this incident and immediately scowled.
Seeing how pitiful Uncle Lin and his wife looked, they quickly said, “Don’t worry, we’ll help you with this. That child doesn’t know any better—we’ll apologize on her behalf.”
Wang Cui wailed as if mourning a dead son: “Now that she has the Zhou family backing her, she doesn’t even see us as family anymore! I’m afraid even if you go, it won’t make a difference. Wuwuwu… my poor son~”
Si’s Father and Si’s Mother turned livid. “How dare she!”
…
That day, Si Nian had ridden her bicycle to the county town with Yaoyao, bringing plenty of homemade food along.
Just as she reached the hospital room door, Uncle Lin’s family and the Si family stormed in after her.
“Si Nian, stop right there!”
Si Nian turned and saw the furious group.
She frowned slightly.
Why were Uncle Lin’s family and the Si family together now?
She pulled the frightened Yaoyao closer into her arms.
Before she could even speak, the crowd began hurling accusations at her.
“You wretched girl, how could you send someone to jail like that?”
“Go to the police station right now and bring your cousin back! Apologize properly to your Uncle and Aunt, and let’s just drop this matter. Making such a big scene—have you no shame?”
“Yes, Sister Nian, this is too much. No matter what, he’s still your own cousin. Even if you’ve never spent time together, you’re still family—blood is thicker than water. How could you sue him? Couldn’t you have just talked it out?”
Wang Cui, who had been so arrogant the day before, was now crying buckets, looking utterly pitiful. “Nian’er, Auntie will kneel for you—please let your cousin off this once. He really didn’t mean it!”
Faced with their baseless accusations, Si Nian lowered her gaze slightly, her dark lashes veiling the coldness in her eyes.
“Auntie Wang, that’s not what you said yesterday.”
Wang Cui clenched her teeth. “I was being foolish then. I’ve realized my mistake now.”
Lin Sisi stepped forward, shielding her. “Sister Nian, Auntie is an elder. Even if she said something wrong, it wasn’t intentional. There’s no need for you to be so petty.”
Si Nian scoffed. In the novel, although Lin Sisi had been doted on by the Lin Family early on, she had also faced no shortage of disdain from Uncle Lin's wife and her family. Yet now, she was speaking up in their defense.
On the other hand, the Lin Family, who had treated her so well, had now become the villains.
"Mom and Dad were beaten so badly they ended up in the hospital. And this is the kind of thing you, who they raised for eighteen years, would say?"
Lin Sisi had already heard about the incident on her way over. Feigning concern, she replied, "I know, but I believe Auntie didn’t mean it. Mom and Dad have such kind hearts—they surely wouldn’t want to hold it against them. If you act so aggressively, you’ll only make things harder for them."
