Upon hearing Wu Xiuxia’s words, Lin Yuzhen’s expression instantly darkened:
“Sister-in-law, that sounds all nice and sweet. But why don’t you mention that Captain Qin is still scheming to have his foolish son marry Wanwan, trying to double the family ties!”
Wu Xiuxia froze at Lin Yuzhen’s sudden remark, secretly cursing Captain Qin in her heart.
From her perspective, Captain Qin’s son was a fool, and Captain Qin himself wasn’t necessarily that sharp either. Why reveal so early that he wanted his foolish son to marry Wan?
Couldn’t he just have Lin Yuzhen married off first? Then, once Wanwan and Lin Yuzhen stepped into the Qin family’s home, everything would still be under his and his son’s control.
Regardless, she had to persuade Lin Yuzhen to marry Captain Qin.
Not to mention the benefits Qin Dabao had already given her, once Lin Yuzhen married Captain Qin, the house belonging to the Lin family would be promised to her!
After all, both of their sons were approaching marriageable age. Their family had few houses; if both sons married, there wouldn’t be enough space to live in.
Thinking this, Wu Xiuxia’s eyes darted, and she forced a laugh before continuing with her smooth tongue:
“Yuzhen, you can’t look at this that way. Think about it—if you marry the captain, you won’t have to work anymore. Wanwan and Xiao Nian won’t have to suffer alongside you. You’ll be running things at the Qin house, everything under your control.
Besides, even if Wanwan marries that Qin Dazhu, she’ll still be under the same roof as you. With you around, how could she possibly suffer?
It’s far better than marrying someone you don’t know and struggling in their house!
And remember, Wanwan has already been rejected by the Qin family. Finding a good family later won’t be so easy!”
Lin Yuzhen trembled with anger, her voice rising involuntarily:
“Sister-in-law, what are you saying! Pushing my daughter into a pit of fire—does your conscience allow it?
That Qin fool drools all day and gets handsy whenever he sees a girl. If Wanwan marries him, her life will be ruined.
And don’t think I don’t know what schemes you and my eldest brother are plotting. Don’t force me to expose it—then it won’t end well for anyone!”
In this world, her relatives on her mother’s side were basically just this cousin’s family. So, whenever possible, she tried to tolerate things to avoid a fallout.
Yet, no matter how much she endured, this cousin’s family showed no genuine familial concern for them.
Wu Xiuxia chuckled nervously at Lin Yuzhen’s words, about to speak again, when the door to the inner room suddenly opened.
Seeing Su Luowan step out, Wu Xiuxia was slightly startled, but quickly forced a smile and greeted her:
“Wanwan’s home!”
Looking at Su Luowan’s striking appearance, she couldn’t help but curl her lips in disdain.
No matter how pretty she was, she’d still been abandoned and rejected. In the future, she’d probably only end up with someone like the Qin family’s fool. Who would want someone once rejected?
Su Luowan’s cold gaze fixed on Wu Xiuxia. She had heard every word just now.
Wu Xiuxia shivered under Su Luowan’s stare and laughed awkwardly, asking:
“Wanwan, why…why are you looking at me like that?”
Su Luowan replied coldly:
“If you think so highly of the Qin family, then why don’t you just divorce my eldest uncle? Marry Captain Qin yourself—wouldn’t you be such a grand lady?”
She paused, then continued:
“Oh, and my cousin Dahua could marry that fool in the Qin family too, so you’d have someone to accompany you for life—how wonderful!”
Su Luowan’s words hit Wu Xiuxia like a slap. Her face flushed red with anger as she pointed at Su Luowan:
“You little wretch! How dare you curse me to divorce—what are you plotting?”
Hearing Wu Xiuxia insult her daughter, Lin Yuzhen’s anger flared. She stepped forward, shielding Su Luowan, and sternly said:
“Sister-in-law, I don’t care what benefits you got from Qin Dabao. I warn you—stay out of our family affairs in the future, or don’t blame me for ignoring familial ties!”
Su Luowan looked at Lin Yuzhen, standing protectively before her, and felt deeply moved. She stepped forward and said:
“Mom, why bother talking about family ties with her? She doesn’t see us as relatives. Do you know what Captain Qin promised her this time?
It’s the only Worker-Peasant-Soldier University slot in our Lin family bay, and the captain promised it to my cousin Dahua!”
Wu Xiuxia’s pupils shrank suddenly. How did this girl know?
Because the deal wasn’t finalized yet, she hadn’t even told her own two children. How could Su Luowan have found out?
Did the captain discuss it in her presence, and Su Luowan overheard?
Lin Yuzhen, hearing her daughter’s words and noticing Wu Xiuxia’s subtle change in expression, felt a surge of anger and disappointment. This was the familial concern she had always cherished?
In the beginning, she had guessed that Wu Xiuxia spoke for Qin Dabao because he promised her cousin something.
But now that it was confirmed, she couldn’t help feeling hurt. She looked at Wu Xiuxia with disappointment and said:
“Wu Xiuxia, from now on, our families are separate—no more dealings! I know your family has been coveting our house, and you’d go so far as to lose your conscience over it.
But you must understand, this house was never yours. Don’t daydream about it anymore. My three children will inherit it in the future!”
Hearing Lin Yuzhen’s words, Wu Xiuxia was both embarrassed and furious. Her support for Qin Dabao wasn’t just for the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University slot—it was for this courtyard.
After Lin Yuzhen’s parents passed away, she was still working at the city’s textile factory. Without siblings, she had assumed this courtyard would naturally go to their family.
But then Lin Yuzhen returned with her three children, and the courtyard she thought she would inherit was gone. How could she not be angry?
She cursed Lin Yuzhen for being incompetent. Married off, yet her husband disappeared without reason. If she had been more capable, she’d still be at the factory, and the house would have been hers.
A few days ago, when Qin Dabao suggested she persuade Lin Yuzhen to marry him, she and her husband had felt hopeful.
But now, Lin Yuzhen had ripped that hope away.