"No way, we won't agree to this. You people from Happiness Village, stop eyeing our Lin Family Village's land."
"Exactly, we don't want your lousy money. We will absolutely not sell our land!"
"You'd better give up on that idea!"
At this moment, the crowd looked at Zhou Yueshen as if he were a wicked capitalist.
The children, who had been very happy moments before, were all frightened by them and didn't dare to speak.
Zhou Yueshen's expression remained calm, neither pleased nor angry. "Don't worry, I won't take your land."
Everyone was surprised he was being so reasonable. They exchanged glances. "It's good you know your place!"
After the people left, the woman who had been sitting on the ground, scared stiff for a long time, finally snapped back to reality. Hearing what everyone said, she immediately spoke up, "Don't celebrate too soon. I heard the village chief has already agreed. What use are our opinions?"
"He might be saying one thing to our faces and doing another behind our backs, tricking everyone."
"Now that you've offended him, who knows if he'll target you specifically later."
Hearing this, everyone's expressions changed instantly.
"He... he wouldn't dare!"
"If he really dares to do that, then Lin the Second's family won't be able to stay in our village. I think he's gotten carried away with his recent earnings. Let's find a few people to take him down a peg."
"You're right. While everyone is still home now, let's all go together."
Zhou Yueshen's car hadn't even arrived when he saw Lin's father and Lin's mother running over in a panic.
Si Nian stuck her head out of the car window. "Mom, Dad, where are you going in such a hurry?"
Lin's father and Lin's mother had heard someone at the village entrance saw their son-in-law's car coming and that people were causing trouble. Worried something might happen, they rushed over to check.
Now, seeing their daughter and son-in-law had arrived, their faces were full of concern.
"Nian Nian, are you okay? We heard someone was causing trouble for you at the village entrance?"
A few days ago when their house was being renovated, and after everyone heard their daughter and son-in-law were coming for New Year's, people would pass by every now and then to sneer.
Ever since the Lin family started their business and made money, and after they sent Lin Wei to jail, quite a few people still held grudges against them.
Although they didn't say it outright, they were very disapproving.
Now that their daughter and son-in-law had arrived, they figured some people with foul mouths couldn't keep quiet.
"There was a crazy woman, she looked oddly familiar, talking bad about us everywhere."
It had been quite a while since Si Nian last came to Lin Family Village. Her mother and sister-in-law handled the braised meat deliveries, so she really didn't know this matter was still brewing.
Her mom probably didn't mention it to avoid worrying her.
Lin's mother's face changed.
"Was it Wang Tao?"
"It must be her!"
She said with certainty.
Si Nian was puzzled. "Wang Tao? Who's that?"
"You probably haven't met her. She's your aunt's (father's elder brother's wife) older sister. Our whole situation offended your aunt, and her maiden family got offended too."
"Wang Tao is famously big-mouthed in our village. She grabs anyone she can to tell them how her sister was wronged by us, how miserable she is."
Si Nian understood.
No wonder she looked somewhat familiar but she hadn't met her before.
So she was Wang Cui's sister.
"She didn't cause any trouble for you, did she?"
Lin's mother asked, full of worry.
Si Nian nodded, then shook her head. "No, seeing Da Huang scared her so much she fainted. She didn't say a word."
They had all left, and that old woman was still sitting on the ground, unable to get up.
Lin's mother breathed a sigh of relief.
"That's good. Our Da Huang is so great! Such a smart, good dog! Come here, Grandma will give you a bone."
Lin's mother really liked Da Huang now. Da Huang had protected them before!
Da Huang was both well-behaved and protective, a dog with spirit.
She treated him like a grandson.
Da Huang sat up straight, stretching his head out for Lin's mother to pet.
You know, he really looked like a proud little kid being praised.
"Grandma, Grandma, and us, we've come to celebrate New Year with you!"
The Second Child struggled to squeeze his head out from behind Da Huang.
Lin's mother was overjoyed.
"Oh my, who is this? So adorable. Come, let Grandma see. Whose precious little grandson is this?"
Zhou Yueshen simply let the children get out of the car first.
Lin's mother held one child's hand in each of hers, with Da Huang wagging his tail behind them.
Lin's father, following behind, felt a twinge of jealousy.
Couldn't she leave one for him to hold?
"Wait for me, wife! My dear grandchildren, Grandpa prepared some delicious treats for you..."
These two little ones really did look well, much cuter than their own two naughty boys, and they seemed obedient and likable.
Heard the Eldest Child's grades were excellent too.
My, such children are truly hard to find.
Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian followed them into the house.
Lin's mother gave the two children some candy and looked at Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian. "Xiao Zhou, is your factory work all wrapped up? Won't this delay you too much?"
Zhou Yueshen shook his head, his voice gentle. "No, it's all arranged. Don't worry, Mom."
Hearing her son-in-law's words, Lin's mother's entire face lit up with a smile, completely unable to close her mouth from joy.
Lin's father had already taken out his prized '72 vintage liquor, insisting he and Zhou Yueshen wouldn't stop until they were drunk.
As the son-in-law, Zhou Yueshen naturally had to accompany him.
Si Nian and Lin's mother went into the kitchen to help.
Seeing Lin Xiao killing a chicken nearby, Lin's mother shooed him out. "Alright, alright, we know you dote on your wife. Your brother-in-law is here, shouldn't you go entertain him? I'll handle this."
Her son-in-law had helped her son, and Lin's mother was extremely grateful to him.
Naturally, she now had to give Zhou Yueshen the highest treatment the Lin family could offer: her personal cooking.
A look of embarrassment appeared on Lin Xiao's honest face. He glanced at his sister and said, "Nian Nian, I was just about to go out."
Si Nian covered her mouth and laughed. "No need to be polite, Big Brother. You rarely get a break too."
Lin Xiao looked at his wife.
Zhou Suisui turned to look at him and smiled gently. "Go ahead, Xiao. Mom and Little Sister-in-law are both here."
Lin Xiao nodded and then turned to leave.
Si Nian looked at Zhou Suisui.
It seemed the things she had said before had some effect.
Zhou Suisui had changed quite a bit.
Lin Xiao had just stepped outside when he saw a group of people marching towards his house with a menacing air.
...
—I have sinned, wuwuwu, I have sinned. I spend over ten minutes every day correcting typos.
