Lin’s mother was also pleased, reminiscing about the times she used to hold him and make him steamed egg custards and other fond memories.

Xie Jinkui said, “Auntie, all the kids at home miss you. They said the red date cakes you brought last time were delicious.”

Lin’s mother felt warm and immediately wanted to say she would make more and visit again tomorrow, but she was interrupted by Lin Xia.

Lin Xia changed the topic and asked about Xie Jinkui’s second uncle and second aunt.

Xie Jinkui didn’t want to talk about his second uncle’s family.

He suggested that since his aunt’s health wasn’t good and she wouldn’t be going to her daughter’s home tomorrow, he and Jinlan would stay overnight and keep his aunt company.

Lin Shu thought to herself that it was a relief that the elder aunt wasn’t there—her presence had been quite a force.

When dealing with shameless relatives, it’s effective only when an uninvolved elder speaks up.

If she and her sister confronted him, they’d just seem like bitter relatives.

Her parents, being elders themselves, couldn’t be cold to their visiting niece and nephew.

Moreover, these two had come empty-handed!

What’s this?

Not even a couple of rotten radishes?

Well, they didn’t bring anything.

They are just like a couple of rotten radishes!

Lin Shu was determined to get back the money and cloth that the Xie family’s eldest aunt had taken from the original owner.

There was no reason Zhao Meifeng and Lu Er should be squeezed out while she was left untouched.

It was time to make a trade-off between face and substance—preferably lose both.

Xie Jinlan asked about the steel factory and then inquired, “Third Sister, after the New Year, are you going to Eldest Sister’s place? If so, why don’t I go with you?”

Lin Shu pretended not to hear and walked out.

Unable to find support from the elders, she decided to rely on her children.

Xie Jinlan, feeling embarrassed, blushed and awkwardly adjusted her hair before turning to talk to Lin’s mother.

After chatting for a while, Xie Jinlan said with a smile, “Aunt, I’ve learned a few new dishes. They’re not worse than what Third Sister makes. I’ll cook for you tonight.”

Lin Xia was really exasperated with this person.

Boasting about cooking was no big deal, and showing off to her third sister was unnecessary.

Outside, Tiantian and Panpan’s cheerful voices could be heard.

Lin Xia immediately interrupted, “They’re back.”

Xie Jinkui, still sitting on the kang, didn’t move but leaned closer to Lin’s mother, trying to seem close to his aunt.

Xie Jinlan quickly stood up and walked out, saying, “Uncle, Brother-in-law, you’re back!”

The term “brother-in-law” had a certain implication.

Lin Xia deliberately rolled her eyes towards the doorframe so that Xie Jinkui could see.

As expected, Xie Jinkui noticed and his expression became awkward.

He forced a smile, saying, “Jinlan, even though she’s 21 now, she’s still the same as when she was little—pure and simple.”

In the courtyard, Xie Jinlan, who had always had an eye for Lu Shaotang, asked her uncle and brother-in-law about the New Year.

Her gaze lingered on Lu Shaotang.

She had seen him on the day her third sister got married.

That day, Lu Shaotang was wearing a slightly worn green military uniform but still looked incredibly handsome.

When he walked in confidently, she had felt breathless.

Now, that same handsome man was holding two little ones, looking even more charming.

He appeared strong yet gentle, like a tough man with a soft side.

Xie Jinlan’s heart raced and she couldn’t help but blush.

Old Lady Xie often mentioned how the old fox had found a good match for the young fox, someone who could make a lot of money.

Originally, she wanted to tell Jinlan about this match, but Lin Nai got ahead of her.

It was unclear how the old fox managed to get the Lu family involved.

Even someone as formidable as Fang Dihua agreed to marry a young fox.

Old Lady Xie was just talking offhandedly, but Big Aunt and Jinlan took it seriously.

They felt like Lin Nai and Lin Shu had stolen their good match, without considering that Fang Dihua simply ignored them.

Xie Jinlan was waiting for Lin Shu to introduce her to Lu Shaotang.

However, Lin Shu kept talking to the children, and Lin’s father and Lin Yue looked at their child with indulgence, without interrupting.

No one introduced her!

Panpan was showing off to Lin Shu, saying, “Mom, Tiantian told them about catching the bald thief. The village secretary’s grandpa said Tiantian’s storytelling was great, and he said I was also good at catching thieves. We even got candy as a reward.”

He patted his little pocket, which had a handful of orange candies.

The two kids didn’t like to talk about Xu Ermao because the people killed by Xu Ermao were too tragic, so they avoided it instinctively.

They could talk about the bald thief for a year and even make up their own details.

Xie Jinlan chatted with Lin’s father and Lin Yue but noticed that Lu Shaotang hadn’t looked at her directly, which made her feel a bit hurt.

She subtly moved closer, trying to get nearer.

She smiled and said, “Tiantian, Panpan, want to come play with Auntie?” She spoke to the children but kept glancing at Lu Shaotang.

Panpan asked curiously, “Where are you Auntie from?”

Xie Jinlan replied, “I’m from your mom’s big uncle’s side. You have uncles, and your mom has uncles too.”

Tiantian suddenly asked, “Auntie, are your squinty eyes natural? We have a squinty-eyed person in our village, and he looks like this when he wants to see someone.”

Tiantian mimicked the squinty-eyed look, turning her head and looking at Xie Jinlan.

Xie Jinlan’s face turned red immediately. She quickly explained, “No, it’s not. I just got an eyelash in my eye. My eyelashes are a bit long…”

She thought her long eyelashes made her eyes pretty and hoped Lu Shaotang would notice her.

Tiantian leaned closer and said, “Auntie, your eyelashes aren’t that long. They’re not as long as my mom’s.”

Lin Yue couldn’t help but laugh, “Your mom’s eyelashes are fluttery. Don’t compare yourself to her.”

Tiantian and Panpan then compared whose eyelashes were longer, turning to Lin Shu and their dad, as their dad’s eyelashes were also quite long.

Once inside, the two kids were more interested in the familiar faces and didn’t pay attention to the unfamiliar guests.

The children greeted everyone, playfully comparing who had longer eyelashes, with their father and mother acting as judges.

They even had their second aunt and grandmother as referees.

Lin Shu lightly tapped their foreheads and joked, “If you keep comparing, I’ll cut your eyelashes off.”

Bao’er laughed heartily.

Pianpian and Tiantian were lively and adorable, always the center of attention wherever they went.

Especially Panpan, who was outgoing and chatty, struck up a conversation with Xie Jinkui and didn’t give him a chance to charm Lin’s mother.

Xie Jinlan felt left out and tried to make conversation with Lin Xia and Lin’s father.

She wanted to get closer to Lu Shaotang, having learned quite a bit about the military and even practiced several military songs.

She hoped to find a topic to discuss or maybe sing a song to impress Lu Shaotang.

“Brother-in-law, which unit are you in?” she asked.

As she was about to approach, Lu Shaotang, who had been comparing eyelash lengths with Lin Shu, suddenly took her hand and said, “Let’s go.”

Lin Yue asked, “Brother-in-law, where are you going?”

Lin Xia replied, “Mind your own business.”

Xie Jinlan looked outside and suggested, “Second Sister, Lin Yue, why don’t we go for a walk too?”

Lin Yue, a bit clueless, still wanted to join but was stopped by Lin Xia, who said, “It’s too cold outside. Didn’t you see that the eldest cousin and third cousin are here?”

Xie Jinlan was seething with anger inside.

Lin’s mother asked Lin’s father to bring out the pomegranates for everyone to eat.

“This pomegranate was brought by your third sister. Her father planted the pomegranate tree many years ago. They’re really good.”

Lin’s father took out two for everyone to share.

Xie Jinkui took one and said, “Aunt, I’ll keep this one for my grandmother.”

Lin’s mother looked at him with increasing warmth, thinking how considerate he was, forgetting that he was already 35 and still seeing him as a lovable child.

Panpan suddenly said, “Uncle, this pomegranate is for my grandmother and grandfather. If you want to show respect to your grandmother, you should buy your own.”

Xie Jinkui’s face turned red instantly.

He thought, “How could this cousin’s child be so… rude? It must be that Second Sister Lin Xia who stirred things up.”

He glanced around silently, feeling embarrassed.

Lin Xia happened to see Lin Shu with a smirk on her lips.

Just as expected!

Tiantian asked, “Big Uncle, have you married yet?”

Xie Jinkui was taken aback, “Ah, of course. Big Uncle is over thirty now.”

Lin’s mother didn’t think Tiantian and Panpan were being inappropriate.

To her and Lin’s father, the children always seemed delightful, and everything they said was pleasant.

How many kids can catch thieves and kidnappers?

Our family has two!

Tiantian and Panpan’s eyes lit up. “So, are you not giving us New Year’s money?”

The two kids started listing how much New Year’s money they had received: two dimes from grandpa Lu, three dimes from grandma, one yuan from dad, one yuan from mom, grandpa Lin…

Xie Jinkui had never encountered such clever kids.

He awkwardly glanced at Lin’s mother and father.

What kind of kids are these?

Who teaches their children to ask guests for New Year’s money directly?

Isn’t that a bit rude? Shouldn’t they be given a slap?

However, Lin’s mother and father didn’t see anything wrong with it.

After all, when they visited the Xie family in May, the kids and their aunt also asked for New Year’s money.

Now it’s the second day of the Lunar New Year. What’s wrong with a six-year-old asking Big Uncle for New Year’s money?

Xie Jinkui didn’t have any money with him. He had come empty-handed without any gifts.

It’s unusual for guests to arrive empty-handed, and they wouldn’t do so in their own home either.

For instance, they wouldn’t go to their own grandmother’s or aunt’s house empty-handed.

Even when visiting their eldest aunt, they wouldn’t dare go empty-handed, fearing the ridicule.

But visiting the second or fourth aunts, they were used to arriving without gifts.

They were accustomed to taking advantage of their second and fourth aunts.

The second and fourth aunts didn’t mind, but the two kids’ demands were a bit much.

How embarrassing!

Fortunately, they weren’t ordinary people and quickly smiled, saying they’d make it up the next day.

He had several kids himself, so giving three New Year’s money to each kid wasn’t a big deal.

Panpan and Tiantian were immediately interested, “Big Uncle, can we go now?”

Tiantian said, “I brought picture books. Let’s go read them to the kids.”

She immediately took out two books about catching spies. “They’re very interesting.”

Before Xie Jinkui and Xie Jinlan could respond, Lin Xia smiled and said, “Sure, let’s go today. We can stay for a couple more days. Right?”

You want to stay?

How nice!

Let me make sure my nephew sends you away!