Chapter Thirty-Nine: Seeking the Wealthy

The men inside had long caught the scent of the cooking, and none of them felt like chatting anymore. They craned their necks, waiting eagerly for the meal to be ready. Lin Wenyan led his two younger brothers to help carry the dishes over, and Lin Hongda invited Qin Zhengde and the coachman to take their seats. Then, his family prepared to head out to the yard, giving their guests space to eat.

Seeing this, Qin Zhengde quickly called after them, “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, with so many dishes and such generous portions, the two of us could never finish it all. Please, all of you, sit and eat with us.”

“We've already had lunch,” Lin Hongda replied. “You go ahead.”

Qin Zhengde laughed. “With a spread like this, I doubt any of you could resist, even if you’ve already eaten.”

Indeed, the dishes were a feast for the senses, and anyone would be tempted to drool at the sight.

Lin Hongda did not insist further and had his family sit down. The table was crowded, the air carrying the festive spirit one might find during the New Year.

Qin Zhengde had not been this happy in a long while. As they ate, he chatted with everyone, filling the room with laughter and warmth.

...

In contrast, a storm brewed in the Lin family’s eldest branch.

“I won’t accept this! Why, why!” Lin Shuimei sobbed in her room, throwing things—pillows and blankets all landing on the floor.

Lai Ruyu stood at the doorway, furious. “You little brat, what’s the use of smashing things? Useless girl! If you have the guts, go to Lin Sangqian’s house and seduce that rich man! Useless thing, can’t even match a ten-year-old girl, and yet you dare throw a tantrum!”

“What’s so special about Lin Sangqian?” Lin Shuimei retorted, wiping her tears. “He’s just an old man! He looks older than my Third Uncle! Lin Sangqian is shameless, flirting with such an old man!”

Lai Ruyu sneered. “So what if he’s old? He’s rich!”

“One day, I’ll find a rich, handsome young gentleman!” Lin Shuimei declared.

At this, Lai Ruyu’s expression softened. “It’s good you still have the ambition. Enough with this drama. You’re pretty. You won’t marry poorly. Once you become the wealthy lady of a rich family, you can show off to Lin Sangqian all you like.”

Lin Shuimei nodded, though her spirits soon flagged.

Where would she find a rich man?

Lai Ruyu saw her worry and said, “Starting tomorrow, you should spend more time wandering around town. That’s where the wealthy men are! Who knows, maybe some gentleman will take a liking to you.”

“I understand.”

...

“Hmph, the third branch keeps pretending to be poor, and now even rich people are coming to their door. Let’s see how they keep up the act! I need to go find your grandmother now!” With that, Lai Ruyu hurried over to the second branch.

Lin Jiantong and Li Fulan were out in the fields, so when Lai Ruyu entered, Lin Zhangshi chased her out with a big stick.

“Mother, mother, please listen to me!”

“What’s there to listen to? You heartless creature! When you married in, how much dowry did we give your family? Now I’m old, you think I’m a burden and won’t care for me—so why are you here?”

“Mother, it’s not what you think. I just wanted to say—”

“Say what? I’ll tell you this: none of you want to care for me, you’re dreaming! I’ll live wherever I please, and in a few days, I’ll move into your house!”

“Mother, at a time like this, is that what you want to talk about? Don’t you know, the third branch—”

“You dare mention the third branch, trying to stir up trouble again? I won’t do as you wish!”

Dodging Lin Zhangshi’s stick, Lai Ruyu protested, “Mother, everything I do is for your own good, why can’t you see that? The third branch is living well now, you—”

“Nonsense! I won’t believe a word you say. Get out, get out!”

Terrified, Lai Ruyu fled and stood outside, not daring to enter again.

That wretched old woman, refusing even to listen to her!

Fuming, Lai Ruyu spotted a stone nearby and kicked it, only to hurt her own foot.

...

After the meal, Qin Zhengde left, thoroughly satisfied. Before departing, he saw the handkerchiefs Liao Shuxia had embroidered and bought two, intending to give them to his wife. Liao Shuxia wanted to gift them outright, but Qin Zhengde insisted on paying.

Lin Sangqian walked him to the gate. Qin Zhengde noticed her hesitation and said, “Miss Lin, if you have something to say, please do.”

“Mr. Qin,” Lin Sangqian replied, “Ordinarily, I shouldn’t meddle in your personal affairs, but I consider you a friend, so I wanted to talk. The manager of Wanhua Restaurant is not a trustworthy person. It’s best not to get too involved with him.”

Qin Zhengde was momentarily surprised, then smiled. “I understand. Don’t worry, I haven’t much contact with him—just an acquaintance, and I frequent Wanhua Restaurant for meals.”

“That’s good.”

...

“Miss Lin, you don’t seem like a ten-year-old child,” Qin Zhengde couldn’t help but remark. “In terms of conversation, ability, and conduct, none of the women I know surpass you.”

“Mr. Qin, you flatter me,” Lin Sangqian answered, a little embarrassed.

After all, she truly wasn’t a ten-year-old child...

Once Qin Zhengde departed, Lin Sangqian returned to her room and rested for a while.

She opened the system space and found thirty more points had been added. She’d cooked for her brothers, sent chips to Qin Qiudie, and prepared a meal for Qin Zhengde...

The system was always generous.

However, since there was plenty of food at home, Lin Sangqian didn’t exchange anything from the system space for now.

In the evening, before dinner, Wu Kuan arrived.

He carried two fish in his hands and handed them to Lin Sangqian. “I was lucky today and caught several fish in the river. My mother asked me to bring two for your family.”

When Wu Kuan spoke to Lin Sangqian, his gaze darted away, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her.

Song Jiaoyue found it puzzling but said nothing, thanked him, and took the fish to the kitchen.

The fish were still lively, so she hurried to kill them for braised fish tonight.

The brothers were on good terms with Wu Kuan and the four chatted for a while, but Wu Kuan kept glancing toward the kitchen, which Lin Wenyan noticed.

“Why not stay and eat dinner with us tonight?” he invited.

“No, no,” Wu Kuan quickly declined. “My mother is waiting for me at home—I should go.”

With that, he hurried off.

“What’s gotten into Wu Kuan? He’s acting so strangely,” Lin Beitao wondered aloud.

Lin Yanbei frowned, pondering for a moment, then said, “Could it be... he likes our little sister?”