But that doesn’t mean she has forgiven them. She’s willing to put up the silver solely because of that faint blood relation. As for genuine familial love, forget it.
Passing the old Lin House, they arrived at Lin Ershuan’s home. Sister-in-law Guizhi and Third Auntie were busy in the kitchen, kneading dough and steaming buns. Ever since they opened those two shops, their lives had become increasingly better, indulging in white bread buns that they used to seldom eat, almost on a daily basis now.
As soon as Sister-in-law Guizhi saw Lin Yuan and her family enter, she greeted them with a smile, haven’t even wiping her hands, "I was just telling grandma, we’d send some steamed buns over once they’re ready, and here you are. Perfect timing, just wait a little longer, and the buns will be ready shortly."
Lin Yuan smiled and nodded, "We actually came here drawn by the aroma of the buns!"
While they were talking, Lin Yi had already brought in the pork. Sister-in-law Guizhi, upon seeing it, uttered several exclamations of surprise and, with her hands full of flour, sheepishly wiped them on her own clothes before hurriedly taking it, "Oh my, so much meat, Brother Ershuan, you really shouldn’t have."
Lin Jiaxin, smiling, gestured dismissively, "You have helped us so much in the past. This meat is nothing."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, seeing that Ershuan had come out, Sister-in-law Guizhi quickly went into the kitchen to put away the meat and started to collect the buns. Since they were sending buns to Lin Yuan’s family, she and Third Auntie had kneaded plenty of dough, planning on steaming two pots of buns. The hot steamed buns, so white and fragrant, would make your mouth water just by looking at them.
Xiao Linshuang and Xiao Shitou watched with their shiny big eyes and swallowed saliva repeatedly. Sister-in-law Guizhi pressed her lips into a smile and gave each of them a big white bun, carefully placing them in bowls to prevent them from getting burnt.
Third Auntie cheerfully fished out a piece of pickled vegetable from a jar nearby, halved it, and put it into the bowls of the two little foodies.
As soon as Lin Wei entered, she went to look for Xiao He, who was already a young lady and was engrossed in her books in the room. Lin Wei always remembered Lin Yuan’s words to her: to learn well and grow up to be as capable as Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan was kneading buns while chatting with Sister-in-law Guizhi.
Sister-in-law Guizhi packed the fresh buns into a bamboo basket, covering it with a clean wiping cloth, ready for Lin Yuan to take with her when she left.
"Yuanyuan, I heard you bought a school in town?" Sister-in-law Guizhi suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Are Yaya and the others going to study there from now on? Can my two kids also attend your school?"
As Lin Yuan placed the kneaded bun into the steamer and picked up a new lump of dough, she replied, "Of course they can. It’s perfect for them to study together and keep each other company."
Sister-in-law Guizhi nodded happily, "That’s what I was thinking. You don’t know, but the school that Xiao Shitou is attending, tsk tsk, they hardly study anything. The teacher is old and can’t manage these mischievous kids. Even with a ruler, there are those who won’t listen. Xiao Shitou is getting more and more unruly by the day, and is barely controllable."
So that’s the reason.
Lin Yuan laughed, "Sister-in-law, children, well, which one doesn’t make trouble? The more they cause trouble, the smarter they are."
Sister-in-law Guizhi rolled her eyes, "You, always saying sweet things to ease my mind. Anyway, from now on, the kids will go to your school. Tell the teacher, if they misbehave, he should be strict with them, he must discipline these naughty boys."
Lin Yuan’s mouth twitched, thinking Sister-in-law Guizhi sounded more like a stepmother than a mother to her own children.
Fearing Sister-in-law Guizhi would say something harsher, Lin Yuan quickly changed the subject, asking about their shop.
On that topic, Sister-in-law Guizhi’s smile returned to her face, looking delighted, "The business at the shop is very good. Speaking of which, we have to thank you. If it weren’t for the clear path you showed us, our lives might not have been as good as they are now."
Third Auntie also nodded repeatedly. However, for some reason, Lin Yuan felt that Third Auntie didn’t seem as enthusiastic as usual, considering it was almost New Year’s, she should be happy.
Seizing the moment when Third Auntie stepped out to dispose of the dirty water, Lin Yuan quickly nudged Sister-in-law Guizhi’s arm and asked.
Sister-in-law Guizhi glanced stealthily at her mother-in-law, and leaning closer to Lin Yuan, she whispered, "Your Brother Ershuan went to visit the boss a few days ago. He said, it’s almost the end for him."