Lin Yan, feeling bashful and without much to give, took out the rope knot she had made before and handed it to Lin Yang.
Lin Yan was very skilled with her hands, and she could craft such things just by looking at them.
Lin Yang received it in his hand, smiling, "Thank you, sis."
While saying thanks, he pocketed the rope knot in his pants, not wanting to wear it.
The older sister had given him a smartwatch, which he hadn't worn yet, saving it for when he went to Hai City.
Zhou Ping bent down to wipe Lin Yang's shoes clean, saying, "After you go to Hai City, keep in touch often with your older sister, sweeten your tongue a bit, and learn more from your brother-in-law. He is a manager, earning over ten thousand a month."
Being in the throes of puberty, Lin Yang found Zhou Ping's nagging from last night till now very annoying.
He looked at Lin Yan, "Sis, why didn't the new brother-in-law come? Won't I see him before I leave?"
Before Lin Yan could answer, Zhou Ping scoffed, "Even if he came, he would only embarrass us. Last time I went there, he just hid in the room, too scared to see me."
Lin Yan's lips curled downwards, her face gloomy, "Is it possible he just doesn't want to see you at all?"
Zhou Ping gave Lin Yan a disdainful look, "Big talk for someone so poor. Today, you must make that man come over to set Xiang Tianwen at ease, so he doesn't continue to worry about his son."
Lin Yang felt indignant on Lin Yan's behalf, his young face full of anger.
"Sis, if he dares to bully you, I'll beat him up every time I see him."
Lin Yan estimated from his high spirits that her brother was only as tall as Lu Chenyuan's shoulder, and his slim build made him resemble doll's dish.
He couldn't beat anyone, but his desire to protect his sister was what mattered, and she hadn't doted on him in vain.
"He's quite nice, he hasn't bullied me," Lin Yan spoke truthfully.
Lin Yang didn't believe her. He had heard all the gossip in the village, this man was just a toad who had eaten swan meat.
Lin Yan had been bustling around all morning, not just helping the hired cook in the kitchen, but also moving tables and chairs for the banquet.
The village had shown up in good numbers; it was all connected to the favors Lin Guoping had given in the past.
It was almost time for the feast to start, and Xiang Tianwen, with a toothpick in his mouth, swaggered over.
Seeing Xiang Tianwen made Lin Yan uncontrollably frightened; he was terribly fierce, baring his teeth menacingly.
Lin Guoping quickly emerged from inside the house, looking nervous and awkwardly smiling, "Brother Xiang, the main seat is reserved for you."
Xiang Tianwen pulled out an invite from his pants pocket. The invitation was white and carefully embossed with a golden seal.
"It's my son's wedding, have the cash gift ready. You can skip attending."
Lin Yan stood aside, feeling no ripples in her heart, not even a hint of tears, she breathed a sigh of relief.
With Xiang Qingyuan getting married, maybe Xiang Tianwen would no longer interfere in their family matters.
Lin Guoping clutched the invitation, nodding continuously, "Absolutely, absolutely, Qingyuan is indeed successful, marrying such a beautiful and wealthy wife."
Xiang Tianwen smirked, glancing at Lin Yan, "Why didn't your man come with you? He didn't pass?"
Lin Guoping was sweating profusely, fearful of displeasing Xiang Tianwen and getting locked up again.
He had already told Lin Yan to bring the man, blaming her for not listening to him.
"Where is he?" Lin Guoping wiped the sweat off his neck.
"He's a bit busy at home," Lin Yan said, looking at her father's panicked face with sorrow.
Xiang Qingyuan mocked, "Busy at home? He must be the poorest in the village, right?"
Lin Yan muttered, "Money isn't important. I know my own worth, can't find someone as capable as your son, just want to live a stable life."
Xiang Qingyuan was originally uneasy about Lin Yan, fearing she would be troublesome and affect his son.
Now it seems there's nothing to worry about, none of these family members would dare to start trouble.
"Once my son's wedding is over, have your man come to the city, and I'll arrange a security job for him. He'll earn over three thousand a month, no need for any education or skills."
Lin Yan furrowed her brows — would Xiang Tianwen really be so kind-hearted as to arrange a job for Lu Chenyuan?
Still puzzled, Xiang Tianwen clicked his tongue, "Actually, being a security guard might not work either, given his criminal record."
Lin Yan wished she could stab the toothpick from Xiang Tianwen's mouth into his throat, making him mute — why was he so hateful?
Lin Yang remained silent and quietly turned away.
Having lived in a blended family for so many years, Lin Yan had acquired a keen ability to read people's expressions and moods.
Seeing that there was something off with Lin Yang's expression, she too lifted the door curtain and followed him inside.
"Sis, why would you marry that kind of man? Do you know what people in the village are saying about you?"
Furious, Lin Yang punched the wall. He felt humiliated and couldn't understand.
"Let them say what they want. Their mouths are their own, not mine; I don't care."
Lin Yan looked timid and weak, but her heart was strong, not easily knocked down by a few words.
"You'll ruin your life like this," Lin Yang criticized furiously. "Look at big sister and third sister, and then look at yourself, so young and already like this."
Lin Yan hung her head low, her lips tightly pursed.
Lin Yang perhaps did not know that she was doing this also for him, for Lin Yang's dream was military school.
If she hadn't agreed to Xiang Tianwen's demands to entrap their father and get him imprisoned, leaving a criminal record, how could he possibly pass the political review?
"I don't feel ruined; I am still young and have many opportunities ahead. I'm not afraid."
Lin Yang couldn't grasp why his sister would continue down such a path, bringing them both shame.
Seeing through it all, Lin Yang said, "Being with that kind of person, you'll have no chance. All you'll do is bear his children, cook, and wash clothes. What can he give you? Don't you ever want to go out and explore?"
Lin Yan thought, doesn't escaping require money too? She avoided Lin Yang's disappointed gaze.
As a sister, she must be really unqualified, even her brother looked down on her.
Lin Guoping walked in, seeing both siblings there, both faces tense, unaware of their discussion.
"Yan'er, go and bring him back. Xiang Tianwen is asking about you and that Mr. Lu again If you don't bring him, he'll surely not let it go."
Lin Yan felt her father was being unreasonable, "If he won't come, can I force him?"
Lin Guoping's anger rose, "He must come, even if unwillingly. Your brother's school entrance celebration is too important. What if Xiang Tianwen creates a scene?"
Brash with his youth, Lin Yang said, "Let him create a scene, it's better than bringing disgrace by associating with that kind of person. Today, countless from the village are probably waiting to watch us fail."
Lin Yan, disgruntled, said, "What is there to laugh about? We haven't done anything to provoke anyone; why should they make fun of us?"
Gasping angrily, Lin Guoping insisted, "Bring him here, let Xiang Qingyuan have a look, just show his face and then leave immediately."
Stubbornly, Lin Yan responded, "I won't go. If you want to, go by yourself."
Taking advantage of Lin Yang looking for his cell phone, Lin Guoping rolled up his sleeve to show Lin Yan.
Lin Yan was shocked; her father's arm was bruised purple and blue with burn marks—was this done by Xiang Qingyuan?
Lin Guoping challenged, "Do you also want to involve me, make me suffer? If you're willing to let your old father be tormented by Xiang Tianwen, then don't have him come over."