The Zhou Family had always been wealthy, and while there were those who envied them, their extravagant spending had never been so blatant before—they had been too low-key. So, while people might have admired them, there wasn’t much to gossip about.
After all, the Zhou Family was so busy that they were practically invisible, leaving no room for idle chatter.
But now, things were different. Si Nian’s arrival had dragged others into the picture.
And not just anyone—people from the neighboring village. In these rural areas spanning ten miles and eight villages, very few families could afford to run businesses. Wealth was something people talked about in hushed tones, circling back to it again and again.
Yet now, Si Nian’s marriage had brought prosperity to her own family.
If her family had been from the city, people might not have had much to say.
But they were from Lin Family Village—the poorest village in the area, right next door.
The two villages were so close that many knew the Lin family well.
And everyone knew they had too many children and were dirt poor.
But now, thanks to Zhou Yueshen’s connections, they had started a business and were making money.
Not just selling pastries—now they were even branching into marinated meat!
Pastries were one thing; they weren’t worth much.
But meat? That was how the Zhou Family had made their fortune.
Now the Lin family was getting into it too—they were bound to strike it rich.
People saw it with their own eyes, and jealousy festered in their hearts.
On top of that, they noticed Zhou Yueshen taking Si Nian into the city every few days, stirring up even more mixed feelings.
Zhou Yueshen’s previous wife hadn’t gotten along with him, so everyone had assumed he was cold and indifferent—that he had no interest in women and only married to have someone care for his children.
While people envied his wealth, they weren’t keen on sending their daughters to live like widows while raising another woman’s children.
At first, they thought Si Nian must have lost her mind.
But now, seeing how Zhou Yueshen treated her, they were green with regret.
Unable to hold back, they started gossiping, and once someone egged them on, their words grew harsher.
Just as they were getting carried away, a mocking voice cut in from the roadside:
"Well, if it isn’t the Old Liu Family! Didn’t your daughter go to Si Nian to learn how to make mung bean cakes? What happened—couldn’t figure it out?"
Everyone looked up to see Aunt Zhang, a basket hooked over her arm, staring at them with undisguised scorn.
The group stiffened in embarrassment.
It was true—several families in the village had shamelessly sent their relatives to learn pastry-making from Si Nian.
But who knew the recipe would be so complicated? Besides mung beans, it required expensive ingredients like honey and sugar.
Most households barely used sugar at home, let alone for pastries.
Who could afford such extravagance? And honey was even harder to come by—where would they even buy it?
The method wasn’t the hard part—it was the ingredients.
So after one attempt, they gave up.
They had assumed no one in the village would manage it. But then the Lin family turned around and started a business—and made money.
How could they not regret it? But they couldn’t bring themselves to muscle in on the trade.
"I just heard you calling Si Nian selfish, saying she only taught her own family how to make money. I thought your family hadn’t gotten the chance to learn. Turns out you did—you just couldn’t do it! And now you’re cursing her for succeeding? What kind of person does that?"
No one dared to speak.
They loved to gossip, but only behind closed doors.
Aunt Zhang lived close to the Zhou Family—if word got back to Si Nian…
Elder Sister Liu flushed red with shame.
Defensively, she muttered, "But what I said was true! That was her own uncle’s family. How could she be so heartless? Shouldn’t she have taught them too?"
The others nodded in agreement.
Aunt Zhang sneered. "She was willing to teach you, but not her uncle’s family—doesn’t that tell you how shameless they are? Last time, they had the nerve to demand ten pounds of pork belly! And here you are, worse than them—learning from her and still taking their side!"
"Now her mother’s lying in the hospital, beaten half to death, and you’re still stabbing her in the back? I hope karma catches up with you, you wretched woman! When Little Zhou gets back, I’ll make sure he hears about this!"
Aunt Zhang’s scathing words left no room for argument.
The mention of Zhou Yueshen sent a ripple of panic through the crowd.
They weren’t related to the Zhou Family, but since Zhou Yueshen’s pig farm was in the village, he sold meat to them at discounted prices.
Thanks to him, every household in the village could afford meat—something other villages could only dream of.
If Zhou Yueshen found out they’d been badmouthing his wife and her mother behind their backs, he might cut off their supply.
The thought turned their faces pale, and they quickly distanced themselves.
"Sister Zhang, don’t misunderstand! We were just listening to Elder Sister Liu’s nonsense—blame her!"
"Exactly! Elder Sister Liu has no shame. We thought you were angry because your family didn’t get to learn!"
"Yeah, and we actually believed her!"
Cornered, Elder Sister Liu: "…"
Aunt Zhang, victorious, lifted her chin like a triumphant rooster and strode off.
Leaving Elder Sister Liu at the center of the crowd, surrounded by pointing fingers.
——
Meanwhile, in the city, at the police station…
Director Li was just about to clock out and head home for dinner when his office door swung open.
He frowned, settling back into his chair.
"What now?"
"Director, the Si Family is here again. They’re inviting you to their daughter’s wedding."
"Again? Don’t they ever quit?"
Director Li was thoroughly annoyed.
The Si Family had come to him before, trying to pull strings, but he’d brushed them off.
After two rejections, they’d stopped—until he attended Zhou Yueshen’s wedding and ran into them there.
Ever since, they’d been showing up every few days like they were old friends.
Now they were even inviting him to a wedding at the station? Were they out of their minds?
Suppressing his irritation, he asked, "Any progress on that dowry investigation Zhou Yueshen asked about?"
The officer shook his head. "That’s Captain Li’s case. I wouldn’t know."
Then he gave Director Li a strange look—wasn’t Captain Li his own son? If even he didn’t know, how would anyone else?
Director Li smacked his forehead. "Right, my kid’s handling that. Send him in…"
——
Outside, Si’s Father had been waiting for half an hour, his face darkening by the minute, when Director Li finally emerged.
He immediately put on a fawning smile. "Director Li!"
Director Li took a drag from his cigarette and clapped him on the shoulder. "Old Si! Your daughter’s getting married—such a big occasion! You should’ve told me sooner."
His overly familiar tone drew curious glances from those nearby.
Zhang Cuimei’s younger sister, Zhang Xiaoyun, was among them, her eyes burning with envy.
So it was true—the Si Family really was close with the director.
With connections like that, and yet every time she begged Zhang Cuimei to help her get a promotion, she’d been brushed off. Clearly, she just didn’t want to lift a finger!
Zhang Xiaoyun’s chest tightened with resentment.
And now Lin Sisi was set to marry Fu Yang, the young master of the Fu Family—just the thought had been eating at her for days.
