The eldest brother was honest and simple, a man of few words who didn't know how to refuse others.
Coupled with his own mother-in-law's mix of intimidation and pressure, he had been troubled quite a bit.
This small amount of money was of little use to Si Nian, but it was enough to upset Granny Zhou for a while.
Si Nian hated being taken advantage of the most. She had always been the type of person who would only be good to you if you were good to her.
Zhou's Mother had suffered a loss and was deflated for a long time.
Her daughter was complaining beside her, looking like she was about to cry from frustration.
However, Si Nian paid them no more mind. After all, they were her sister-in-law's maternal family, so she couldn't go too far.
She certainly had to provide them a meal, lest they go back and gossip, if not about her, then probably plenty about her sister-in-law.
She didn't want to cause trouble for her family.
Si Nian went into the kitchen to cook.
Lin's mother and Zhou Suisui went in to help.
They made rustic country dishes, just with more meat.
Lin's father also very much enjoyed being at his daughter's house. Coming here, he could watch TV and listen to the radio.
Right now, he was holding his little granddaughter, swaying his head as he listened to opera.
Lin Xiao sat silently, not speaking either.
Zhou's Mother and Zhou Ping had ugly expressions on their faces, yet no one stepped forward to comfort them.
In this awkward atmosphere, it was finally time to eat.
The mother and daughter pair ate like starving ghosts reincarnated, not holding back at all.
Si Nian didn't mind.
Zhou Suisui's face didn't look good, and she even lost her appetite.
Lin Xiao beside her didn't understand all these subtleties, but he knew his in-laws were in the wrong, so he served her some food.
In the afternoon, Lin Xiao and Zhou Suisui were about to leave.
Lin's father and Lin's mother were going to stay a couple more days.
Si Nian planned to take them to buy some clothes and shoes.
Lin Xiao still had work, and there were also his two younger brothers at home, so they had to go back.
Zhou's Mother grew more and more unwilling as she thought about it and wanted to stay too.
Zhou Suisui hurriedly said, "Mom, Fourth Sister, let's go home."
"What do you mean go home? This house is so big, is it not enough for us to sleep in?"
Zhou's Mother was not at all polite to her, feeling this daughter was very useless.
Her in-laws were so well-off, yet she couldn't squeeze out any benefits. Her face was full of frustration at her daughter's perceived incompetence.
"This... this isn't appropriate..." Zhou Suisui didn't like her own family members and was clear that the Lin family certainly didn't like them either.
They just hadn't said anything out of consideration for her.
But staying overnight when the relationship wasn't good, how could she have the nerve?
"Also, it would be hard for you to find a ride back later." This wasn't the county town; this was the city center.
It took three or four hours by car, and the fare was terribly expensive.
"Can't Lin Xiao just come pick us up?" Zhou's Mother said as if it were the most natural thing. "He has a car anyway."
"Sister-in-law, she's right," Si Nian spoke up. "My brother drives deliveries within the county range. When the time comes, the aunties can take a taxi back to the county town, and my brother can go pick them up there."
Si Nian continued, "From here back to the county town, a taxi might cost just over two yuan. For two people, haggling a bit, four yuan should get you there. Chartering a car might be more expensive, since our area is remote, fewer cars go there. You usually have to buy tickets in advance, otherwise you'd have to charter."
"Yeah..." Zhou's Mother instinctively agreed, then realized something was wrong and said anxiously, "Wait, isn't he coming to pick us up in the city? Why would we take a taxi back to the county town?"
Si Nian feigned surprise, "Auntie, didn't you know? My brother now only delivers within the county area. He doesn't run routes to the city center anymore; it's too far, wastes gas and is hard on the car."
"It can't be like that! I'm his mother-in-law, what's wrong with him picking me up?"
"It's not that he can't pick you up, but this car isn't my brother's. If you want my brother to pick you up, you could buy him a car. Then he could pick you up wherever you go."
Zhou's Mother was so angry her chest heaved.
After saying this, and not waiting for her to explode, Si Nian pushed her brother towards the car, "Brother, you should hurry back. It'll be too late if you wait, and you have deliveries in the morning. Don't worry about the aunties, I'll show them the way to the bus station."
Lin Xiao got into the car dazedly, said okay, and started the engine.
Zhou's Mother immediately panicked, hurriedly pulling her daughter and running over.
Making her spend money on a ride was worse than asking for her life.
Zhou Ping had made a trip for nothing, not only failing to buy clothes but also losing the money she had brought for them. She was so angry she cried.
They finally managed to see off that whole family.
With Lin's mother and Lin's father here to help look after the children, Si Nian had some free time.
Having the time, she thought about making some pastries and marinated delicacies for Fu Qianqian and the Jiang family to send over.
Between working and taking care of the children, she really hadn't had time to make these things.
Si Nian rolled up her sleeves and got busy.
Northwest Military Region.
As soon as Yang Yujie returned to the military region, she was assigned a lot of work.
When she finally took a break, she overheard people gossiping.
"Did you hear? Commander Zhou is back."
"Commander Zhou? Who's that? Do we have such a commander in our region?"
"Ha, you wouldn't know. This Commander Zhou is quite something. He was one of the major figures known as the 'Three Outstanding Men' of the military region, alongside Brigade Commander Wang back in the day."
"Didn't I hear he retired early?"
"Not too clear. Anyway, the situation back then was quite complicated. There was one more of the Three..."
"What are you talking about!" A cold female voice interrupted the two men's conversation.
The two turned around, startled, and hurriedly saluted, "Commander."
Yang Yujie gave them a cold glance and turned to leave.
The men felt baffled. "What's going on with the Commander? Just came back and she's already in such a bad mood?"
"Shh! Don't say anymore. What we were just discussing is taboo. Do you know who the other one of the Three Outstanding Men was?"
"Who?"
"Commander Yang's own older brother..."
...
"Commander Zhou, there's a letter for you." Zhou Yueshen's door was knocked on.
