Chapter Sixty-Five: Shameless People

Lin Shuimei was startled. Turning around, she saw a young man with shifty eyes standing behind her, his smile ambiguous and unreadable.

One glance told her he was certainly no man of wealth.

“Who are you?” Lin Shuimei asked brusquely.

“Miss, I’m a waiter from Wanhua Restaurant across the street,” Qian San replied with a grin. “I saw everything that happened just now. Do you know Lin Sangqian?”

“I don’t!” Lin Shuimei snapped in annoyance. “If it’s anything to do with her, don’t bother with me!”

“Please don’t be so hasty,” Qian San said, still smiling. “My boss would like to make a deal with you. If it succeeds, you’ll be richly rewarded.”

At his words, Lin Shuimei’s interest was piqued. “Really? Could it be as much as ten taels of silver?”

Qian San felt contempt inwardly, but kept his pleasant façade. “Of course. Come with me.”

Unable to resist the lure of money, Lin Shuimei followed Qian San into Wanhua Restaurant.

Meanwhile, Lin Sangqian returned home to find Zhao Lan’er sweeping the courtyard, beads of sweat glistening on her brow, while Lin Wenyen stood nearby, looking anxious.

“Little sister, you’re back.” Lin Wenyen hurried forward at the sight of her, flustered and unsure. “You should talk to Miss Zhao—how can we let her do this kind of work…”

Yet he didn’t know how to persuade her and could only stand awkwardly to the side.

Lin Sangqian glanced at Zhao Lan’er, who was sweeping diligently. Despite the sweat, her eyes were bright.

“Big brother, let her be,” Lin Sangqian whispered. “If she’s not allowed to help, she’ll feel uneasy.”

Though they didn’t mind Zhao Lan’er staying with them, she herself would feel embarrassed.

Thus, it was better to let her do something; it would help her feel at ease living here.

“Mm, you’re right,” Lin Wenyen nodded, unable to help but glance again at Zhao Lan’er.

She was lovely and hardworking.

But her fate was far too bitter.

He’d heard about what had happened in her family.

He couldn’t comprehend how there could be such heartless people in the world.

“Where are Father and Mother?”

“They’ve gone out to buy things.”

Just then, Zhao Lan’er finished sweeping, set aside broom and dustpan, and looked up to see Lin Sangqian standing there. A smile bloomed on her face. “Sangqian, you’ve returned.”

“Yes.” Lin Sangqian smiled back. “Thank you for your hard work, take a rest now.”

“It’s nothing, I’m not tired,” Zhao Lan’er replied. “I… want to go home for a while. My mother’s belongings are still there—I need to retrieve them. No matter what, I can’t leave them to my father and that woman.”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened again.

Lin Sangqian’s gaze deepened. She walked over and said, “Not just your mother’s things—there’s also your grandfather’s tavern. You must take it back. It belonged to your mother and shouldn’t be seized by them.”

“I know, but…”

“You’re right, it won’t be easy,” Lin Sangqian said, patting her shoulder. “So we need to plan carefully. For now, let’s just get your mother’s belongings. I’ll go with you.”

“I’ll go too,” Lin Wenyen interjected. “Those two are so vile—if you two girls suffer any loss, that would be terrible.”

He had sworn to protect his little sister.

“Alright, the three of us will go together.”

With tearful eyes, Zhao Lan’er nodded. “Thank you…”

“There’s no need for thanks among us.”

They left a note on the table and departed.

The three arrived at Zhao Lan’er’s family home. The door was shut and barred from inside. Zhao Lan’er raised her hand and knocked.

“Who is it?” a woman’s voice called from within.

Zhao Lan’er said nothing, knocking harder.

“Oh, coming, coming! Who could it be at this hour…” After a moment, the door opened.

A woman in her thirties stood there, hair and clothes immaculate. Seeing Zhao Lan’er, she paused, forcing a smile onto her face. “Oh! Miss is home…”

“Yes, Aunt Gao.” Zhao Lan’er nodded and stepped inside.

“And these two?” Aunt Gao sized up the siblings behind her.

“They’re my friends, here to help me collect some things.”

“Oh…” Aunt Gao replied ambiguously.

Though Zhao Lan’er’s family only ran a small tavern, they had some wealth, and naturally kept servants. Aunt Gao was responsible for cooking and cleaning.

Zhao Lan’er headed toward her mother’s room. Just then, a slender woman sashayed out from inside.

She was indeed somewhat attractive, but the calculation in her eyes was obvious—clearly not a good sort.

“Oh my, look who’s back! The young lady of the house!” Xue Meier said mockingly. “You didn’t come home all day yesterday—I thought you’d eloped with some wild man!”

“Do you think everyone is like you?” Lin Sangqian replied coolly.

“What do you mean by that? Who are you, little girl—how dare you…”

She hadn’t finished her sentence when Lin Wenyen quietly cracked his knuckles.

Xue Meier’s face stiffened and she swallowed her words. After all, Lin Wenyen was half-grown now, well-nourished and steadily training; he looked sturdy and carried an air of intimidation.

With no men at home, she dared not provoke trouble.

“Who let you stay in my mother’s room?” Zhao Lan’er demanded coldly. “Get out! That’s not a place for you!”

“Well, isn’t that strange,” Xue Meier leaned lazily against the doorframe. “I’m the lady of the Zhao household now—what room could I not enter?”

“You!” Zhao Lan’er was flushed with anger.

Lin Sangqian tugged gently at her sleeve, signaling her to stay calm.

Then she turned to Xue Meier and smiled faintly. “Are you sure this is the Zhao household?”

“What else would it be?” Xue Meier rolled her eyes.

“If I recall, this courtyard was left by Master Zhang, wasn’t it?”

Master Zhang was Zhao Lan’er’s grandfather.

“If we’re being precise, this is the Zhang family’s property,” Lin Sangqian said, looking at Zhao Lan’er. “Isn’t that right?”

“Yes!” Zhao Lan’er nodded quickly.

“Nonsense!” Xue Meier blurted out, standing upright. “How is this not the Zhao household? Hmph! Anyway, the deeds are in our hands now!”

Zhao Lan’er clenched her fists.

Someday, she would find a way to reclaim those deeds!

“It’s still the Zhang family’s,” Lin Sangqian laughed. “Every inch of this land belongs to Lan’er and her mother. As for you… you’re merely temporary residents.”

Xue Meier was infuriated.

If she continued living here, she’d have to endure occasional provocations.

“Move aside, I’m taking my mother’s things,” Zhao Lan’er said icily.

“What do you mean, your mother’s? Those things belong to my family—you have no right to take them!”