Chapter 149: Chapter 118: Lin Family of Beijing (Part 3)
Lin Liyin thought for a bit and cautiously said, "Could it be that she knows you’ve been there and feels she has support?"
Beside her, Li Jianjun immediately rebuffed, "No way, even if Dad hadn’t gone, just based on the things she said, she could already have determined it for many people. Support in what? A job? Didn’t Dad say it? That child doesn’t want to be a soldier.
Money doesn’t mean much for a couple like them. I think the key is that sentence, ’my maternal grandfather in Beijing,’ whose grandfather, that’s something we need to clarify; otherwise, it could lead to trouble. This might be her bottom line; to be prepared, it’s better to take the initiative. People who are good at chess think about the endgame. By making such a scene in public, who would dare mention her again in the future?
On the contrary, she can’t let Dad and Big Sis be her support. She has to portray herself as a pitiful creature oppressed without a father, enduring silently for her family and Old Zhou’s family, holding in her grievances.
As for those final three kowtows, who can say she is heartless and without feelings? Even if she becomes successful later, her departure from the oppressive Old Zhou’s family wouldn’t be questioned. It’s killing three birds with one stone. Doesn’t she know her father is alive? She’ll take this opportunity to end this relationship with him. Who’d dare speak ill of her father then? It also spares him the trouble of everyone holding him back. There are many benefits; you figure it out, and you’ll understand. The question is—did she set a trap to draw the other side out?"
Mr. Lin sighed and nodded, "At that time, the three of us watched the entire scene live, and Zhang Guoqing saw us but acted as if he didn’t. The entire affair between the couple was coordinated. Eight or nine times out of ten, they set a trap to lure people in.
Zhou Jiao’s nature doesn’t like to speak ill of people, and it’s rare to hear anything unpleasant from her about the Zhou family. But on that day, it just happened so coincidentally. If she hadn’t been calculating, she’d have been chewed up to the bone remnants at Old Zhou’s family by now.
Fortunately, the couple is good-natured; otherwise, it would have been a disaster. Zhang Guoqing is known for his righteousness; he’s famous in the county. Regardless of age, everyone who’s dealt with him speaks highly of him. Even before we arrived, the county’s public security bureau director had already reserved a spot for him to go to work. He even figured out a way to plan to enter the armed forces.
What are we supporting him with? Jiao Jiao isn’t interested. The couple’s ambition doesn’t lie here. Besides, they’ve guessed that Zhou Xiaozheng has returned; what do they need us for?
Jiao Jiao maintains her composure very well. Zhang Guoqing listens to her opinions. Some things are not easy to say out loud; Zhang Guoqing is not just a simple rural boy. Soon, you will see, watch that couple, you’ll find out I am not exaggerating; even Xiao Zhou has praised them several times."
Xiao Zhou listened and nodded seriously. He thought to himself, what’s the use of the old man wanting the family to understand Zhang Guoqing and his wife’s nature? The ones who needed to understand have long since understood, like Li Jianjun. Those who don’t will roll their eyes in secret.
He glanced at the eldest daughter of the Lin family beside the old lady, and heh, she really is a young lady; she still refuses to accept it. Not even a single strand of her hair compares to Zhou Jiao. Watching her sit without any form, lazily, he shook his head secretly. Who outside would know that Lin Xueling, who always professes equality, is like this at heart? He himself came from the countryside and has seen many such people who say one thing but mean another. It seems the director’s efforts are all in vain.
Mrs. Lin opened her mouth several times but closed it again in the end. She held back and finally asked, "Old man, does Zhou Jiao really look like me? Did she really learn ’Three Character Classic’ and ’Thousand Character Classic’ at the age of three? Does she really have a photographic memory?"
"Didn’t you see the photo and say she looked like you? To be honest, she really does. But, after getting to know her more, she feels more like Zhou Xiaozheng. Whether she actually has a photographic memory I don’t really know. Even if she does, she’d keep it hidden and wouldn’t say.
Hey, old lady, didn’t you notice that you actually look quite like Zhou Xiaozheng, to the point that those who don’t know might say you’re mother and son. How did I not notice that before? Probably because Zhou Xiaozheng always had a stern face and I didn’t pay attention. No wonder the first time I met him, I felt he looked familiar," he said, looking at her with a curious glance.
Mrs. Lin avoided his gaze, lowered her head, lost in thought.
Lin Liyin nudged Chen Jingru, gave her a strange look, and softly asked, "Big sister-in-law, why are you so quiet? Scared? Relax. Even if she wants to blame someone, it won’t be you; after all, you weren’t even at home, with no word. That child doesn’t seem to be the petty type; if she were, wouldn’t she have driven Big Sis out with a broom? I’m not worried anymore; when I first got back, I thought Big Sis would be crying and heading back to Beijing tomorrow."
Chen Jingru forced a smile, looked at her daughter beside her, and sighed internally. Then she looked at the absent-minded old lady and felt even more distressed. Recalling her husband’s impending return recently, she felt both excited and happy. But now she was slowly calming down, and the joy in her heart gradually faded when she thought of the days to come.
Lin Xueling rolled her eyes and lounged on the fabric sofa in boredom. She wondered where to go tomorrow on her day off. Listening to the old man and her uncle chatting and laughing, it was truly aggravating. What was there to talk about in that Northeast place?
With National Day on the one side and Xiao Wu on the other, someone who doesn’t know would think they’re something extraordinary. No matter how much they hype it up, she doesn’t believe it. Just reading a few broken books, and they’ve become characters? Who doesn’t read books? She couldn’t stand the bookworms, nerdy people who liked to read, what use is that? Those top students in her class, where are they now? As far as she was concerned, nothing was more useful than the right background and connections.
Which companion in the big courtyard isn’t like this? They get a good beating every day, but their parents secretly have job arrangements in place.
Coming from the countryside and thinking about flying high? It’s just pure luck they suddenly found a birth father, otherwise, would her big aunt even think about going back to that village in the Northeast?
Forget it; she’d better sleep in tomorrow. Just see what her big aunt brought back, probably local specialties from the countryside, like sweet potatoes or dried vegetable leaves. Last time Xiao Xiu’s relatives brought a large bag of dried sweet potatoes over and went back with a whole sack of rice.
The night fell, and the Lin family courtyard was brightly lit. The maid served the dishes, and Mr. Lin led his family to the table, where Mrs. Lin consistently enforced the principle of not speaking while eating or sleeping at home. Apart from saying a few words to her husband and son-in-law, everyone was busy eating. Today, with the old man back, a few dishes were added to the meal, making it much richer.
Lying in bed late at night, Mrs. Lin tossed and turned, unable to sleep, disturbing her husband beside her.
Mr. Lin was startled awake in a daze and mumbled, "Don’t think about it; whatever it is, say it in the day," turning over and continuing to snore in slumber. This old man, having been through a long journey, was already exhausted and slept soundly.
Listening to his snores, Mrs. Lin smiled silently. This rough man was still a rough man in his old age. Her mind wandered to that jade-like gentleman as she sighed softly.