The next day was Sunday, a designated rest day. The Lin family arrived at the Yan family’s home in the afternoon for a visit, as Aunt Yan had invited them to come early.
The Yan residence consisted of a single-story house with a courtyard, which was considerably more spacious than the Lin family’s home. Uncle Yan was a Section Chief in a municipal government department, Aunt Yan was a doctor, and Cousin Yan was a soldier, so their living conditions were much better than those of the Lin family. Originally, the Yan family had one son and one daughter. Now, with Yan Yingshu still at home and Yan Qing recognized and brought back, they had two daughters and one son.
As soon as Lin Yingxian sat down, she saw Aunt Yan leading a delicate-looking girl out from a room, smiling as she introduced her to everyone. “This is Qingqing. Let’s all get to know each other, so we don’t pass by on the street without realizing we’re family.”
Following Aunt Yan’s introduction, Yan Qing sweetly greeted everyone. Mother Lin gave Yan Qing a red envelope, and Yan Qing promptly sat down beside her, striking up a conversation. Even Mother Lin, who was usually slow to warm up to others, found herself growing somewhat fond of Yan Qing under her charming influence.
Lin Yingwan, who had shifted her seat, thought to herself that her cousins from Aunt Yan’s family were anything but simple.
Zhou Donghong casually picked up a candied fruit from the tea table and began eating it. The kumquat, coated in powdered sugar, burst open as she bit into it, its juice blending with the sugary outer layer to create a delightfully sweet and tangy flavor. A flicker of amazement crossed Zhou Donghong’s eyes, and she instantly took a liking to this candied kumquat.
Lin Yingwan glanced at Zhou Donghong, who kept eating the candied kumquats. Could they really be that delicious? It was as if she were addicted to opium. Without thinking, Lin Yingwan also reached for a candied fruit to try and was equally surprised by its taste.
The two of them reached for the candied kumquats so frequently that everyone turned to look at them.
Lin Yingwan didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed. “Auntie, where did you buy these candied fruits? They’re delicious.”
Zhou Donghong, feeling awkward, quickly tried to explain herself. “I’m experiencing morning sickness and crave sweet and sour things.”
Aunt Yan congratulated Zhou Donghong. “Our family has been blessed with good news lately—Donghong is pregnant, and Qingqing has returned to my side.”
Then, she placed the small bowl of candied kumquats in front of Zhou Donghong and Lin Yingwan. “These were made by Qingqing. If Donghong and Yingwan like them, feel free to have more.”
Yan Qing warmly offered, “If my sister-in-law and cousin enjoy them, I’ll pack some for you to take home later.”
Everyone praised Yan Qing for her skill and ingenuity.
Lin Yingxian knew why Lin Yingwan and Zhou Donghong were so fond of Yan Qing’s candied fruits.
Yan Qing had originally been a well-known food blogger online. Later, she traveled back to the 1970s and obtained a Spatial Dimension. This Spatial Dimension was special—the fruits, vegetables, and poultry raised within it tasted far better than those from the outside world. With her existing culinary skills enhanced by ingredients from the Spatial Dimension, the food she prepared became exceptionally delicious and irresistible.
Yan Yingshu poured tea for the Lin family. She remained as poised and gracious as ever. If not for the scar on her wrist, no one would have known she had once resorted to such extreme self-harm.
Not long after, Uncle Min and his family arrived. After exchanging greetings, Mother Lin pulled Uncle Min aside to speak privately. “Let me ask you, how did Zhong Shucen find my house?”
Uncle Min was utterly confused. “What Zhong Shucen?”
“The man from the marriage arrangement Mother made before she passed away—he came looking for us. If you didn’t tell him my address, who else could have? Mother always lived in the old house, and now your family occupies it. If he were to come looking, he’d go to your place.”
“I really don’t know anything about it.”
Mother Lin saw that his expression didn't seem fake, then she looked toward Aunt Min, who was sitting chatting with others. "It must have been your wife who said it."
Aunt Min felt guilty under Mother Lin's gaze and turned to speak with Yan Qing.
This made Mother Lin even more certain. "You need to discipline your wife properly—she loves stirring up trouble. With the defective fabric from the textile factory, even if I sold it cheaply to others, I'd at least get some goodwill and have them remember me in their hearts. Your wife is an ungrateful wretch who can't be tamed."
Most of the defective fabric from the textile factory was taken by the employees. Mother Lin would also bring some home for her family to make clothes, and Aunt Min would get some of the low-priced defective fabric as well. As for Aunt Yan, she looked down on such flawed fabric and wouldn't take any.
When Mother Lin saw Zhong Shucen show up at her door claiming to be Lin Yingxian's fiancé, her heart skipped a beat. She was terrified that Lin Yingxian would find out and hate her even more as a mother.
Over the past year or so, Mother Lin had felt Lin Yingxian's distant politeness toward the family. She knew there was resentment in Lin Yingxian's heart. Back then, Lin Yingxian had genuinely wanted to die—unlike Yan Yingshu, who was just putting on an act. She had drunk an entire bottle of pesticide and was rushed to the hospital, where she was barely saved after a long struggle. Her health had grown even weaker since then.
Mother Lin admitted she was biased—she cared more about Lin Yingwei and Lin Yingwan, whom she had raised since birth. But she had never wanted Lin Yingxian to die; Lin Yingxian was also a piece of her own flesh.
After Lin Yingxian woke up, she continued trying to end her life, which made Mother Lin both anxious and heartbroken.
Over the past year or so, Mother Lin had tried her best to treat everyone equally, showing no favoritism.
Uncle Min, scolded by Mother Lin, felt his wife had acted improperly. "There are many people here; I'll talk to her when we get home. I'll make sure she doesn't do this kind of thing again."
The Yan family didn't have any relatives visiting today—they had already gathered two days earlier. Today, it was all relatives from Aunt Yan's side.
Aunt Min had originally wanted to ask about Lin Yingxian's marriage situation, but seeing Mother Lin's attitude toward her today, she thought it better not to pry. Neither of her two sisters-in-law was easy to deal with, and she always felt a step lower whenever she saw them.
After Grandmother Lin passed away, Mother Lin, no longer restrained, became less accommodating toward Uncle Min's family and grew more assertive. In the past, Mother Lin had sympathized with Grandmother Lin's hardships—a widow struggling to raise three children alone, doing her best to provide them with the best food, clothing, and education. She had also tried to be lenient with Uncle Min's family, hoping they would treat Grandmother Lin well.
As evening approached, Yan Qing said she needed to go to the kitchen to cook and couldn't continue sitting with everyone.
Aunt Min, eager to please the Yan family, praised Yan Qing to Aunt Yan when she saw her volunteering to cook. "Qingqing is so diligent and filial. Today is her special day, yet she's still willing to work hard in the kitchen. Come to think of it, I've never tasted my niece's cooking."
Aunt Min's remark was meant to flatter one while slighting three—she subtly criticized Lin Yingxian and Lin Yingwan for never cooking for her, and she outright excluded Yan Yingshu from the category of nieces.
Lin Yingwan, the master of exposing hypocrisy, chimed in, "How come I remember Yingshu cooking for everyone when we visited Auntie before?"
Hearing this, Aunt Yan and Yan Yingshu's expressions darkened. Aunt Min's attempt at flattery had backfired.
"I'll go help my sister in the kitchen. As an outsider, it's not right for me to sit here idly." With that, Yan Yingshu went into the kitchen.
Aunt Yan didn't even glance at Aunt Min and spoke directly to Uncle Min. "Tell your wife to watch her mouth—she's always talking nonsense."
After saying this, Aunt Yan went to comfort Yan Yingshu.
Uncle Min shot a glare at Aunt Min; her mouth had managed to offend both his eldest and second eldest sisters.
Cousin Min Qi glared at Lin Yingwan, who glared back without backing down.