That bracelet was a treasure — Zhang Landi was unwilling to let Lin Fengxia keep it forever.
With the bracelet in hand, it could serve as a bargaining chip someday in the future.
The more she thought about it, the greedier she became. Zhang Landi made the decision: “We have to think of a way to get the bracelet.”
Lin Laohan snorted. “Easy to say — how do we get it?”
“That girl guards against us like we’re thieves.”
“Forget taking the bracelet, it’s hard even to get close to her.”
Zhang Landi paced back and forth, then suddenly stopped in front of Lin Laohan.
“If you’d told me earlier, wouldn’t that have solved it? We’ve been husband and wife for years — and you hid something this important from me for so long!”
Lin Laohan was already impatient.
“You’ve said that how many times already!”
“Could I casually talk about this?”
“You think keeping a secret is easy?”
Zhang Landi sat down heavily on the chair opposite him.
“This won’t work, that won’t work — then what do we do now!”
Lin Laohan fell silent again.
The room became so quiet a pin drop could be heard.
Zhang Landi felt extremely irritated. If she had known Lin Fengxia was so valuable, she would never have let Wang Dazhuang have her.
While she was thinking, faint footsteps came from outside.
Zhang Landi’s ears twitched as she carefully listened.
Lin Laohan, who had been leaning against the chair, straightened slightly when he heard it.
They exchanged a glance, then he quickly stood up.
Without asking anything, he tiptoed toward the door.
Zhang Landi whispered so only the two of them could hear, “Could it be Goudan?”
Lin Laohan replied, “If it were him, he’d be knocking by now!”
He signaled to Zhang Landi.
She picked up the shovel in the corner and slipped it into the hand Lin Laohan hid behind his back.
Holding the shovel tightly, Lin Laohan slowly opened the door.
Lin Lanzhi, who had been about to knock, jumped in fright.
After recognizing him, she smiled awkwardly.
“Uncle, I came to visit you.”
She shook the basket in her hand. “I made some flatbread at home and specially brought it for you to taste.”
Seeing the bread in the basket, Lin Laohan grinned.
“So you came to deliver bread.”
He looked her up and down with a scrutinizing gaze, narrowing his eyes meaningfully.
“When did you arrive?”
After stuffing the bread into his hands, Lin Lanzhi smiled. “I just got here and was about to knock when you opened the door.”
Noticing Zhang Landi’s wary expression, Lin Lanzhi hesitated. “Looks like I came at a bad time.”
“I won’t disturb Uncle and Aunt.”
She turned to leave.
Zhang Landi called out, “Lanzhi, thanks for coming all this way. Why not stay and eat?”
Lin Lanzhi waved her hands repeatedly. “No, no, I won’t.”
“My parents are waiting at home for me to eat together.”
Zhang Landi warmly insisted and pulled her inside anyway.
Lin Lanzhi sat stiffly.
Zhang Landi handed her a cup of warm water. “Why so nervous!”
“Here, drink some water first.”
“In our hearts, we’ve long treated you as our own daughter!”
“Just treat this as your home — don’t be polite with us.”
Lin Lanzhi smiled and nodded, holding the teacup with both hands and sipping.
Sitting opposite, Zhang Landi exchanged looks with Lin Laohan.
Lin Laohan coughed lightly and signaled her to ask.
Zhang Landi cleared her throat and smiled. “Lanzhi, when you came, did you hear any sounds?”
Lin Lanzhi blinked, confused. “Sounds?”
“It’s already dark outside — I didn’t hear anything.”
She suddenly thought of something and nervously asked, “Auntie, did a thief come to the house?”
“Do you want me to help call someone?”
Zhang Landi observed her expression and saw nothing unusual.
She became doubtful.
Could it be she really knew nothing?
Footsteps sounded again outside, and Zhang Goudan’s shout came: “Mom, are you and Uncle Lin back?”
“Is there food? I’m starving!”
Zhang Goudan swaggered in.
Seeing Lin Lanzhi drinking tea, his eyes lit up like searchlights.
The carefree attitude instantly turned shy.
“Lanzhi, why are you here too?”
“It’s late — have you eaten?”
“Want to stay and eat with us?”
Just as Lin Lanzhi was about to answer, her mother’s voice called from outside: “Lanzhi, come home for dinner!”
“Oh, sorry — my mom is calling me back.”
“Aunt Zhang, I’ll come again next time.”
Smiling brightly, Lin Lanzhi prepared to leave.
Zhang Goudan immediately stood. “I’ll walk you out.”
Lin Lanzhi refused. “No need.”
“Thank you, Goudan.”
After reaching the door she waved at them before leaving.
Zhang Landi stared thoughtfully at her departing figure.
During their conversation everything seemed normal.
A young girl probably didn’t have that many schemes.
After she completely disappeared from view, Zhang Landi shut the door and dragged Zhang Goudan inside.
Zhang Goudan had still been gazing at Lin Lanzhi when he was suddenly pulled away, dissatisfied. “Mom, what are you doing?”
“She hasn’t even left yet!”
Zhang Landi closed the doors and windows and dragged him to a corner.
“You brat, why did you come back at this moment?”
She even slapped his shoulder.
Zhang Goudan yelped and staggered back.
Rubbing his arm, he looked confused. “Mom, are you crazy?”
“Why’d you suddenly hit me?”
“This is my home — I can come back whenever I want!”
“Or is this house no longer ours?”
Zhang Landi, angry at his ignorance, twisted his arm again, making him howl.
She quickly covered his mouth.
“Stop yelling!”
She looked around and listened carefully.
Only after hearing no movement did she release him. “Goudan, don’t shout so loudly!”
Zhang Goudan was baffled. “Mom, what’s going on with you?”
“Why so secretive?”
Zhang Landi tapped his mouth. “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t ask!”
“Some things are better never known!”
He covered his mouth, still confused.
She pushed him into his room. “Go to sleep!”
Before he could say anything, she slammed the door shut.
Zhang Goudan scratched his head, feeling it all made no sense.
After bolting his door, Zhang Landi went to find Lin Laohan to discuss their next plan.
Meanwhile—
Lin Lanzhi hurried home while pushing her mother along.
Her mother, confused and about to ask, was interrupted.
“I’ll tell you at home — don’t ask so much now!”
As she spoke, she glanced back toward the Lin house and quickened her pace.