In the city, at a restaurant, the Fu Family and the Si Family were having a gathering to discuss the upcoming wedding.
Their son would turn twenty-six next year. At that age, most people already had children in sixth grade. Father Fu and Mother Fu couldn't help but feel anxious.
Though Lin Sisi wasn’t as beautiful as Si Nian, she was, after all, the Si Family’s true daughter.
They couldn’t very well cancel the engagement.
They figured it didn’t matter if she wasn’t as stunning—as long as she had a good personality.
Seeing her sitting there obediently, Mrs. Zheng, Fu Yang’s mother, enthusiastically served her more food.
"Sisi, eat more. Don’t be shy. Look how thin you are—you must have suffered a lot before."
Lin Sisi blushed and replied softly, "It wasn’t so bad. Even though I lived in the countryside for eighteen years due to unforeseen circumstances, I believe it was all fate testing me. Now that the test is over, I’ve been blessed with such wonderful parents and… Fu Yang."
Hearing this, Mrs. Zheng felt even more satisfied with her future daughter-in-law.
Truly, educated people spoke differently. How refined her words were!
Beside them, Fu Qianqian made an exaggerated gagging expression.
Lin Sisi: "..."
Mrs. Zheng shot her daughter a sharp glare, wondering what was wrong with her.
Before, she had constantly complained about disliking Si Nian and wanting her replaced.
Now that she had been replaced, Fu Qianqian seemed even more displeased.
Si Nian had grown up with Fu Qianqian in the same compound, and after years of being compared, their rivalry was understandable.
But what had Lin Sisi ever done to her?
Lin Sisi was also frustrated. She had tried hard to win over her future sister-in-law. At first, Fu Qianqian hadn’t liked her, but she hadn’t been hostile either.
However, ever since Si Nian sold her job to Fu Qianqian, Fu Qianqian had changed completely. She now treated Lin Sisi with open disdain, often mocking her, which infuriated Lin Sisi.
She was sure Si Nian had been badmouthing her behind her back, poisoning Fu Qianqian against her.
Thinking of Si Nian, Lin Sisi suddenly brightened and deliberately said, "Oh, right. A few days ago, when I went back to the village with my parents, I ran into Si Nian."
As expected, the entire Fu Family, including Fu Yang, turned to look at her.
Mrs. Zheng paused, her expression complicated.
"Nian Nian… It’s been so long since we last saw her. I heard she went back home—I wonder how she’s doing?"
After all, Si Nian had once been a frequent guest in their home. Pretending not to care would seem heartless.
Lin Sisi answered innocently, "She’s doing well! Just like Fu Yang and me, she’s getting married soon. We even promised to go wedding dress shopping and pick out rings together."
"But her family doesn’t have a car, and she’s marrying into a remote area. She asked if Fu Yang could give her a ride…"
As she spoke, she glanced at Fu Yang.
Sure enough, his brows furrowed slightly.
Lin Sisi inwardly rejoiced.
The others exchanged uneasy looks.
Si's Father and Si's Mother were stunned. "She said that?"
Lin Sisi lowered her head and whispered, "Yes. She told me privately and made me promise not to tell you. But since we’re all here today, I thought it was a good opportunity… Please don’t be angry with her."
Her words painted Si Nian as someone still clinging to Fu Yang, using Lin Sisi as a bridge. Meanwhile, Lin Sisi came off as naive and kind, willing to help despite being taken advantage of—truly a saint.
Lin Sisi herself felt she had played the role of the pure-hearted girl perfectly.
As expected, Si's Father and Si's Mother’s expressions darkened.
Though they felt some guilt toward Si Nian, their suspicious natures took over. After all, they had sent Si Nian away to marry in their daughter’s place within a month—hardly the actions of loving parents.
Only Fu Qianqian looked skeptical. From what she had seen, Si Nian clearly disliked Lin Sisi. And knowing Si Nian’s pride, she had never once tried to win Fu Qianqian over for Fu Yang’s sake in all these years. Why would she suddenly grovel to Lin Sisi?
Others might buy it, but Fu Qianqian didn’t.
Yet even Mrs. Zheng and Father Fu frowned, clearly disapproving of Si Nian’s supposed behavior.
Still, they knew their son despised Si Nian and would never agree to such a request, so there was nothing to worry about.
Still, their impression of Si Nian soured instantly.
She had seemed so well-behaved before—who knew she’d scheme behind their backs?
Their future daughter-in-law might be naive enough to be manipulated, but they weren’t fools.
Now they pitied Lin Sisi and quickly reassured her, "Sisi, this isn’t something we should meddle in. Fu Yang would never go. Asking him to personally fetch her? How inappropriate!"
"You two aren’t even married yet—it wouldn’t be proper for him to be alone with another woman. Not that we’re being cruel, but there’s just no need for Fu Yang to get involved."
Mrs. Zheng then turned expectantly to her son, who had been silent. "Right, son?"
Fu Yang, snapping out of his thoughts, met Lin Sisi’s hopeful gaze and replied indifferently, "It’s not a big deal. I’ll go."
Mrs. Zheng: "?"
Lin Sisi: "?"
Everyone: "?"
---
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Si Nian, who had just woken up, sneezed twice.
One sneeze means someone’s thinking of you, two means they’re cursing you, and three means you’re catching a cold.
Who was badmouthing her this early in the morning?
Rubbing her nose, she pushed open the window, letting the morning sunlight pour in.
There was nothing better than waking up naturally, with no alarms or obligations.
Her days now consisted of cooking, playing with the dog, and enjoying life. No matter the era, money solved ninety percent of marital problems.
For now, Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen had no conflicts.
She turned on the radio, hearing Fu Qianqian’s strong, clear voice.
It wasn’t the most melodious, but her precise Mandarin and earnest tone were oddly endearing.
Humming, Si Nian headed to the kitchen.
Yesterday’s trip to the city with Zhou Yueshen—her personal pack mule—had yielded a bounty of fresh produce.
Now, the kitchen was neatly stocked with vegetables, fruits, and dried goods.
She had even bought some fruit.
In a pot on the stove were the mung beans she had soaked before bed. With summer’s heat bearing down, she planned to make chilled mung bean soup to beat the heat.
Indoors was fine, but stepping outside felt like being roasted under the sun.
The Zhou Family had a refrigerator, thanks to their pork business.
But Aunt Liu hadn’t known how to use it properly, leaving it a mess.
It had taken Si Nian a while to clean it out and get it running.
Now, she set the mung beans to boil. Once they reached a rolling boil, she reduced the heat to medium. When the water nearly evaporated, she added a fresh batch, covered the pot, and let it simmer for another twenty minutes until the beans were tender and the broth a vibrant green—perfect mung bean soup.
