Chapter 45: The Gentle but Not Feeble Eldest Sister

Lin Ruanruan felt stifled and frustrated, realizing how suffocating it was to be threatened by someone. Her mother, meanwhile, clutched her hand tightly, preventing her from stepping forward to confront the insolent woman.

"Ruanruan, it wasn't easy for your brother to get married, and Yanyan's mother has a bad temper. We can't afford to make things too tense with them," Lin's mother whispered in her ear, trying to calm her down.

Lin Ruanruan glanced at her mother, feeling that she might be a bit naive.

"I originally intended to bring Miss Lin back to her family's home for a stay, but since her family can't accommodate her... Miss Lin, would you be willing to come to Linyang County with me?" Bai Cheng'an asked, his bright eyes filled with concern as he looked at Lin Ruanruan.

"Exactly, that's the way to go. You two are clearly fond of each other, so why create this scene at the family home? Young man, don't be fooled by her stutter. Look at her, with her wide hips, she'll definitely bear you many healthy sons," Yanyan's mother interjected before Lin Ruanruan could respond.

Lin Ruanruan shot her a cold look, which made her swallow the rest of her words. Yet, the earlier remarks were enough to make anyone feel stifled.

Lin Ruanruan glanced back at her own hips, suddenly doubting herself. Were they really that noticeable? Why did everyone seem to focus on such trivial details? And bearing children had nothing to do with hip size, didn't they have any common sense?

The room fell into silence. All eyes were on Lin Ruanruan, and everyone, without exception, seemed to be waiting for her to agree to Bai Cheng'an's proposal.

Even though Lin's father and mother didn't care about the stigma of her being a widow, Yanyan's mother and daughter insisted, threatening with Yanyan's unborn child. Weighing both sides, they could only hope Lin Ruanruan would not stay at their home.

"Mother… Father… you… you can come with me," Lin Ruanruan said, looking at her mother, unwilling to leave her to be bullied by Yanyan.

"So, you're agreeing to leave with him?" Yanyan, who had been leaning on Lin Qiu and pretending to be dizzy, suddenly perked up upon hearing Lin Ruanruan's words.

Yanyan had never liked this stuttering widow, and now that Lin Ruanruan was talking about leaving, she was overjoyed. With Lin Ruanruan gone, she wouldn't have to deal with someone so aggressive around the house, making it harder for her to order Lin's mother around.

"Ruanruan, are you really planning to go with this young man?" Lin's mother asked, her feelings torn. She had been leaning towards having her daughter leave, but now that Lin Ruanruan agreed, she couldn't help but worry. This young man seemed honest, but Lin Ruanruan had already suffered much at her previous husband's family. What if this new situation brought more hardships?

Lin Ruanruan could see the conflict in her mother's eyes. She patted her mother's hand and nodded.

"No need to go. If Yanyan doesn't want Ruanruan to stay here, she can stay with me," Lin Ruanruan's eldest sister, Lin Ruoruo, said as she hurriedly entered the room. She had been preparing lunch when she heard about the commotion and rushed over.

Before entering, she had already gathered information from the neighbors about the situation. However, Lin Ruanruan felt her head buzz at her sister's words. After all the effort and some grievances, things had been moving in the direction she wanted. Now her eldest sister had come and disrupted everything with one sentence.

Turning to the sound, Lin Ruanruan saw the familiar face of her capable and gentle eldest sister from her memories. Lin Ruoruo quickly walked in from the courtyard and pulled Lin Ruanruan into a tight embrace.

"You've suffered, little sister," she said, her voice choked with emotion.

"Eldest sister." Lin Qiu, who was supporting Yanyan, called out.

Yan Yan pushed herself up slightly and called out softly, "Eld...Eld...Eldest Sister. Cough, cough." Lin Ruanruan, struggling to breathe due to the tight hug, coughed twice.

"Don't worry, Eldest Sister is here," Lin Ruoruo gently patted her back, comforting her.

"I wondered who it was, turns out to be the eldest sister of the Lin family," Yan Yan's mother sneered, glancing at the tearful embrace between the sisters.

"Aunt, you're here again," Lin Ruoruo released her sister and gave a smile to Yan Yan's mother, though it was a smile that looked more like a grimace.

"Of course, I am. This is my daughter's home. Can't I come here?" Yan Yan, sensing something off in Lin Ruoruo's words, questioned loudly. The person who had just complained of feeling dizzy from pregnancy was now speaking with a strong voice. Realizing her inconsistency, she quickly lifted her hand to her forehead, feigning weakness.

Lin Ruanruan: Could you act any faker?

"Of course you can, Aunt. I just find it impressive how often you come here. My mother and I live so close, yet she visits me less than you come here," Lin Ruoruo retorted.

Lin Ruanruan looked at her elder sister in admiration, loving how deftly she handled the situation.

Thick-skinned as ever, Yan Yan and her mother didn't feel embarrassed by Lin Ruoruo's words. Yan Yan even lifted her chin proudly, "It's because my mother cares for me."

This statement made the onlookers outside laugh, amused by the absurdity of it all. It seemed like her mother was the only one in the world who cared for her daughter, ready to move in permanently if necessary.

When Yan Yan first married into the Lin family, her mother did stay with her for a while. Unable to handle the villagers' gossip, she eventually left but would rush back whenever there was any trouble, fearing her precious daughter might be mistreated.

In truth, everyone in the village knew Yan Yan's true nature. The idea that Lin's mother bullied her was laughable.

Hearing the laughter from outside, Yan Yan realized her words were inappropriate and started whimpering again, leaning against the wall.

"I'm not here to argue today. Mother, since our home can't accommodate Ruanruan, let her stay with me," Lin Ruoruo, usually gentle, shot a disdainful glance at Yan Yan.

Holding Lin Ruanruan's hand, she turned to her parents and said, "Letting Ruanruan stay with me could work."

Lin's father nodded, finally easing his furrowed brow, "That might be a solution."

Lin Ruanruan, however, became anxious. This was not a good solution; she wanted to go with Bai Cheng'an!

"Ruoruo, are you sure? Shouldn't you discuss this with your mother-in-law first?" Lin's mother asked, worried as she looked at her two daughters.