Si Nian narrowed her eyes. "Stolen?"
Such a claim was indeed too far-fetched. Unless one knew the Lin family’s character well, it would be hard to believe.
After all, three thousand yuan was a considerable sum in this era.
"That’s right. I... I don’t know how to explain it to you, but I’m truly sorry..."
Though Zhou Suisui knew apologies were useless, at this moment, she had nothing else to say.
Fortunately, upon hearing that Zhou Yueshen had arrived, the Lin family hurried back from the fields.
Because of the heat, farmers started work early, heading out before dawn. By nine in the morning, the entire family was covered in dust.
As Lin's father and Lin's mother approached their home, they saw a crowd of villagers gathered outside, buzzing with gossip about the dowry.
Clearly, in just this short time, word of Zhou Yueshen’s visit had spread.
And why not? Taking three thousand yuan as dowry without sending their daughter over, then claiming the money was stolen—no one would buy that.
Now that Zhou Yueshen had finally come knocking, those who had once envied the Lin family felt a twisted satisfaction.
"Who said the Lin family was honest? Look at them now, blinded by greed. Thought they could keep the money just because Zhou didn’t come after them? Well, now he’s here—let’s see how they handle it!"
"Exactly. Zhou used to be a soldier. You think he’d let them get away with this?"
The murmurs and pointed fingers made the Lin couple flush with shame. Without a word, they hurried inside.
Their reaction only made the crowd more convinced of their guilt—that they had indeed hidden the money.
In the countryside, just like in the city, the poor were looked down upon. The Lin family was no exception.
Before, people had only whispered behind their backs. But now, the insults were out in the open.
No one wanted to see the poorest family in the village suddenly rise above them, all because they’d latched onto Zhou Yueshen, the factory director.
Si Nian finally got a clear look at her biological parents.
They were much older than she’d imagined. Logically, they should be around the same age as Si's father and Si's mother—in their forties. Yet they looked well into their fifties.
Their hair was half-gray, faces deeply lined, their entire beings marked by hardship.
The man wasn’t short, but life’s burdens had bent his back and left him with a limp, making him seem elderly.
The woman, though slightly better off, was painfully thin, her body worn down.
But a closer look revealed features strikingly similar to Si Nian’s. In her youth, she must have been a beauty.
Si Nian sighed. Though she wasn’t skilled at reading faces, these two seemed genuinely honest and simple.
The three thousand yuan had likely been stolen.
But something about this situation felt too convenient.
"Comrade Zhou, you’ve come... We’re so sorry." The couple shuffled forward, their postures almost begging as they approached Zhou Yueshen.
Zhou Yueshen quickly stood, stopping them before they could kneel. His voice was heavy. "Uncle Lin, Aunt Lin, what are you doing?"
"That money... We’re not refusing to return it. We just don’t have it right now..." Lin's father said guiltily.
"We don’t ask for forgiveness—just a little more time. We’ll pay you back, we swear."
Zhou Yueshen sighed softly. "Uncle Lin, Aunt Lin, I didn’t come here about the dowry."
"What?" They froze, exchanging stunned glances.
Only then did they notice the large basket beside Zhou Yueshen, filled with pork, rice, and other fine goods.
And standing next to him—a radiant young woman.
The moment they saw Si Nian, their breath caught. Then their eyes widened in shock.
Though they’d never met their biological daughter, blood called to blood.
In that instant, they knew: this graceful, poised girl was their true child—Si Nian!
The daughter they’d tried three times to meet in the city, only to be turned away.
Si Nian spoke first. "Mom, Dad... I suppose that’s what I should call you now."
The address left Zhou Suisui dumbfounded.
This stunning, fairy-like girl was calling her in-laws "Mom" and "Dad"?
After a beat, realization struck.
Could this be... the real daughter, the one switched at birth?
She’d assumed the girl was Zhou Yueshen’s relative.
She hadn’t dared look too closely—someone so dazzling belonged in the city, far beyond her own humble world.
"Y-you... You’re Nian Nian?" Lin's mother choked out, tears welling.
They’d thought this daughter would never acknowledge them. Yet here she was, standing in their home.
Si Nian nodded. "Yes, I’m Si Nian. You came to see me before, but I was too stubborn to meet you. I’m sorry."
Lin's mother covered her mouth, barely holding back sobs. "No, no... It was all so sudden. We understood—our family’s situation... We’re sorry we couldn’t give you a better life."
"It’s alright. I’m doing well now, thanks to the good marriage you arranged for me." Si Nian smiled warmly.
The words made not just the Lin couple but even Zhou Yueshen glance at her, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.
"W-what? You and Comrade Zhou...?" Lin's father and Lin's mother were bewildered.
They’d wanted their daughter back—but never imagined marrying her off.
If Lin Sisi had refused, they’d planned to return the money.
But then the cash was stolen, Lin Sisi returned to her birth family, and they’d been left scrambling to repay the debt.
The thought of sending Si Nian instead had never crossed their minds.
Their confusion told Si Nian everything.
The Lin family had known nothing about the substitution—this was Lin Sisi’s scheme alone!
She’d convinced Si's father and Si's mother but kept the Lins in the dark. What was she planning?
Was this revenge?
But aside from the switched identities, they had no real grudge.
When reading the novel, Si Nian had seen Lin Sisi as the heroine and herself as the villainess—a fitting role, given how the original Si Nian had clung to her stolen life.
But now, when it was her turn, she began to sense something was off.
