Chapter Fourteen: The Grandmother Who Wouldn’t Let Go

None of the family inside the house had any inkling of what was happening outside. Within those four walls, the three of them were already preparing to eat their meal.

Liao Shuxia, unable to wait any longer, quickly picked up a piece of braised pork. The meat, perfectly balanced between lean and fat, was tender and smooth, melting in her mouth with a subtle sweetness—simply exquisite.

Lin Hongda, on the other hand, went straight for the spicy chicken. The first bite was crisp and numbing, with the heat of chilies and the savor of chicken dancing wildly across his taste buds—utterly satisfying.

Paired with a spoonful of rice or a bite of steamed bread, the joy was almost overwhelming.

Lin Sangqian, pleased with her own cooking, watched as all three of them ate until sweat beaded on their foreheads—the spicy chicken packed quite a punch, and Liao Shuxia found herself reaching for water more than once.

By the end of the meal, only a handful of chilies remained in the large bowl of spicy chicken, while not a trace of the braised pork was left. Even the sauce was wiped clean, with Lin Hongda using his steamed bun to soak up every last drop.

“I’m so full!” Liao Shuxia declared with satisfaction.

“This special meal—did it live up to the occasion?” Lin Sangqian asked with a smile.

“Absolutely!” Lin Hongda licked his lips, though a trace of disappointment lingered in his eyes. “It's just a shame your three brothers aren’t here.”

“Yes…” Liao Shuxia’s expression softened with concern. “We’re enjoying a feast, while they’re probably still eating plain buns and pickled vegetables at that miserable inn.”

“I’ll make more food to sell in town tomorrow,” Lin Sangqian said. “I’ll bring some to my brothers too. Once we’ve earned a bit more, we’ll get them out of that inn for good! They’ll come home and join us in business, and together we’ll build a life bustling with prosperity.”

“Mmm!” both parents agreed.

While Lin Hongda and Liao Shuxia cleared the table and washed the dishes, Lin Sangqian didn’t rest just yet.

Earlier, she had set aside a bowl of braised pork and two buns, keeping them warm in the pot, and now she took them out.

“There’s still some meat left?” Lin Hongda’s eyes lit up at once.

“That’s not for us,” Lin Sangqian said. “I’m bringing this as a gift.”

Lin Hongda immediately understood. “You’re taking it to Aunt Wu?”

“That’s right. She gave us the white cloth and sewing kit before. We owe her our thanks. Besides, Aunt Wu is someone worth befriending,” Liao Shuxia added with a smile.

Placing the meat and buns in a small basket, Lin Sangqian was just about to head out when she suddenly heard a fit of coughing at the door.

She stepped into the courtyard and saw an old woman entering through the gate.

The old lady’s hair was streaked with white, but her body was still sturdy, her eyes sharp and shrewd, her face devoid of any warmth.

From the original owner’s memory, Lin Sangqian recognized her: this was her grandmother, Lin Zhangshi.

At sixty-two, Lin Zhangshi’s health was still quite good, her teeth strong. After her husband passed away and the family was split among the three sons, she had stayed with the second. The only reason Li Fulan, her second daughter-in-law, tolerated her was because she knew the old woman had money stashed away, money she desperately wanted to lay her hands on.

But Lin Zhangshi was no fool; she guarded her money closely and never let Li Fulan find it.

In the original memories, Lin Zhangshi had always treated Lin Hongda poorly, and by extension, disliked his entire family. During the division of the family’s assets, she watched as the other sons took their shares and never once spoke up for Lin Hongda.

Lin Sangqian could never understand it—how could a mother favor her children so blatantly?

“Ahem! You little brat, what’s wrong with you? See your grandmother and don’t even greet her?” Lin Zhangshi looked at her, displeased.

Lin Sangqian snapped out of her thoughts and gave a sweet smile. “Hello, Grandma.”

Lin Zhangshi eyed her, then fixed her gaze on the basket in her hands. “What are you carrying?”

“Just some scraps to throw away,” Lin Sangqian replied with a straight face.

Lin Zhangshi snorted. “Little liar—daring to deceive your own grandmother! Bring it here, let me see.”

Lin Sangqian hid the basket behind her and answered coolly, “It’s really not convenient, Grandma.”

“What’s so inconvenient? I’m your grandmother!” Lin Zhangshi moved to snatch it, but Lin Sangqian deftly dodged, not retaliating.

After all, Lin Zhangshi was elderly—and her grandmother, at that. If she pushed her and caused injury, others would see it as a monstrous crime.

Especially in these times, filial piety was everything.

“Well, you little wretch, trying to play tricks in front of me? Just watch if I don’t beat you!” Lin Zhangshi raised her hand, intent on striking.

But Lin Sangqian would never let that happen. Having just eaten, she was full of energy and ran circles around the courtyard. Lin Zhangshi, who hadn’t eaten yet and was old, quickly grew breathless after just a few steps.

Lin Sangqian finally stopped, watching her with calm composure.

“You…” Lin Zhangshi trembled with rage. “Hongda! Get out here this instant!”

Lin Hongda and Liao Shuxia, who had been scrubbing pots in the kitchen, heard the shout and hurried out, quickly piecing together what had happened.

“What are you doing here?” Lin Hongda asked.

In his own memories, Lin Zhangshi had never treated him kindly. He’d been scolded and beaten since childhood, and any treats always went to his elder brothers. If he asked for a taste, Lin Zhangshi would berate him, calling him lazy and gluttonous—a worthless parasite.

He’d carried that bitterness for years, drowning it in wine, and gradually fell into alcoholism.

So now, Lin Hongda felt no filial affection for Lin Zhangshi.

“So this is the daughter you’ve raised? No manners at all—she doesn’t even respect her own grandmother!” Lin Zhangshi snapped.

“The children of my elder brothers are respectful enough, aren’t they? Why not go to them?” Lin Hongda replied coolly.

“How can you say such a thing?” Lin Zhangshi exclaimed, eyes wide. “I am your mother!”

“Oh, so you remember that?” Lin Hongda let out a cold laugh.

“You…” For a moment, Lin Zhangshi was at a loss. The second daughter-in-law had said that Hongda’s family had changed, and she hadn’t believed it. But now, it was clear—her third son was like a different person, and that Sangqian girl was crafty as well!

What about the third daughter-in-law? That timid, submissive woman had always feared her most.

Lin Zhangshi turned her wrath on Liao Shuxia, cursing, “You filthy wretch! Is it you who’s corrupted my son and granddaughter?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Liao Shuxia shot back without a trace of politeness.

Lin Hongda’s face darkened. “Who gave you the right to insult my wife?”

Lin Sangqian, too, was angry, but beneath her rage was an uneasy feeling—and rightly so. For in the next moment, Lin Zhangshi suddenly dropped to the ground and began wailing.

“Hongda, you heartless beast! I’m your mother! I gave birth to you, raised you, and now you treat me like this? Has a dog eaten your conscience? Someone come quickly—come see this ungrateful son!”

Though old, Lin Zhangshi’s voice was loud and shrill. Her cries quickly drew the attention of the neighbors, who soon gathered around.