The last rays of sunset stretched into the Yuan family courtyard, casting a warm glow across Yuan Dewang’s weathered face as he smoked his pipe.
After dinner, the old man sat on the steps, satisfied as he looked at the two pigs in the pen that had finally put on some weight.
One would be handed over to the production team as the quota pig. The other would be kept for New Year’s. This year’s harvest had been decent—looks like they’d have a fat year-end feast.
“Wuuu~ wuuu~ Mother—!”
A loud wailing drifted into Yuan Dewang’s ears.
He frowned. Bad luck! It was nearly dark—who was mourning at his doorstep?
Before he could send someone to check, Lin Qiao kicked open the gate and burst in, howling as she stood at the entrance.
She wore a loose white mourning outfit, tied with a hemp sash that accentuated her slender waist. A simple white mourning cap sat on her head, and she waved a white funeral banner.
The oversized clothes made her face look palm-sized. Dressed in mourning, she looked especially pitiful—
Until she opened her mouth and bellowed at full volume:
“Mother! Stepmother! How could you just leave like that!”
Yuan Dewang, sixty-five this year, hated such ominous displays.
This drag-along granddaughter brought by his son-in-law dared show up dressed for a funeral? Was she cursing him to die?
His breathing grew rapid. He pointed at her, finger trembling. “You… you…”
His lips quivered, but no words came out.
Lin Qiao was startled. She wasn’t here to mourn him—no one should be trying to claim that!
She hurried behind him and gave his back a hard smack, nearly knocking him over.
Then quickly steadied him. “Old Master, don’t get excited! I’m not here to mourn you.”
Yuan Dewang felt his blood surge. Since when did this wretched girl have such strength?
After a few deep breaths, he finally recovered and roared, “Who told you to dress like that?!
Wait—weren’t you married off today? Why are you back?”
Lin Qiao waved dismissively. “Oh, don’t mention it! The Liu family got into a huge fight! My sister-in-law fancied her cousin. I thought they wanted to keep it in the family, but a bunch of young men objected.
A group of men started brawling over Liu Meili. Everyone got hurt. My husband was injured the worst and got sent to the county hospital.”
Yuan Dewang tensed. “Xiangyang’s hurt? Is it serious? Why didn’t you go with him?”
Lin Qiao’s face fell instantly. “I was going to. But then I remembered Mother-in-law told me to come home and mourn my mother.”
“I thought maybe Stepmother had complications with the pregnancy—two lives gone at once?”
“Aiya—my stepmother—!”
As if recalling her purpose, she slapped her thigh and ran toward Yuan Mingzhu’s room.
“Stepmother! How could you abandon my father like this! How will he live off a woman now!”
People from every room emerged—including Yuan Mingzhu, heavily pregnant.
Thirty-five years old, Yuan Mingzhu’s face was blotched with pregnancy spots. Once delicate features were now swollen by weight. After multiple childbirths and seven months pregnant, she looked as solid as a black bear, shaking the ground as she walked.
When she understood Lin Qiao’s tune and outfit, she exploded. “You damned little slut! How dare you curse me to die!”
She lunged to slap her—but even without the pregnancy she couldn’t catch Lin Qiao, who darted about like a monkey.
After failing repeatedly, she panted and screamed, “Lin Juncai! Look at the money-losing daughter you raised! She’s cursing me and the baby!”
Lin Juncai’s gentle voice drifted from inside. “Didn’t Lin Qiao just get married? What did she do now? You’re heavily pregnant—don’t upset yourself.”
He emerged slowly.
Lin Qiao finally got a clear look at her father.
Indeed, he was handsome—fair-skinned, refined, tall, with brows resembling hers.
He held a broom, apron tied at his waist.
But the slightly ingratiating smile ruined his otherwise fine features.
No wonder he could seduce a married woman even after fathering multiple children.
Lin Qiao thought he had serious issues.
He’d abandoned Su Peilan—gentle, cultured, devoted—for lazy, vicious Yuan Mingzhu.
Back then, after Old Master Su cut ties, Su Peilan had taken on every hardship to spare Lin Juncai suffering. She never let her own father endure hardship either.
Even so, Lin Juncai’s wandering heart couldn’t be warmed.
Now he saw Lin Qiao leaping atop the stone table in mourning clothes. Was this really his timid daughter?
No matter his shock, his smile vanished.
“Lin Qiao, what are you doing? Get down!
Have you angered your mother again? How many times have I told you—respect your elders! Did you feed your education to the dogs?
If I’d known you’d turn out like this, I’d never have brought you to the Yuan family.”
The original host had been timid partly due to Yuan Mingzhu’s abuse.
But more because of this father’s long-term psychological manipulation.
If it were before, Lin Qiao would’ve burst into tears and apologized.
Instead, she jumped down and ran to him.
“Dad! Judge fairly! I heard Stepmother had an accident and rushed all the way from Songzi Mountain Village without even minding my own husband!
Your wife tried to hit me without asking why!”
Yuan Mingzhu’s face twisted. “You little brat—still twisting the story!”
She lunged again.
Lin Qiao dodged behind Lin Juncai, using him as a shield. Yuan Mingzhu’s slap landed squarely on her husband.
You chase, she flees, he can’t escape.
Several heavy slaps landed on Lin Juncai’s face and body. He clutched his head, pleading, “Wife, stop—stop!”
He dared not push her away, yet Lin Qiao clung to him tightly, preventing escape.
Finally, Yuan Dewang barked, “Mingzhu, stop! Look at yourself!”
Though furious, Yuan Mingzhu had no way to grab the slippery girl and could only glare daggers at her.
Yuan Dewang then turned kindly to Lin Qiao. “Child, take off that mourning outfit. Your mother was only joking.
Tell Grandpa—what exactly happened to Xiangyang?”
Hm?
She’d angered Yuan Mingzhu this much, yet the old man wasn’t upset—and even spoke so gently.
There was definitely something she didn’t know going on here.