Chapter 153: Chapter 120: The Premeditated Dowry (Part 2)
Do you know what kind of life you’ve been living all these years, and what kind of life Jiao Jiao has been living? She’s just a rural girl, but now that her dad is back, she’s really not just any golden baby, do you understand what I mean?
Zhou Xiaozheng, Zhou Jiao’s father, he only married your eldest aunt after he made a fortune, unlike the uncle you look down on. He dotes on his only daughter as if she were his life. On the day she was born, he announced the happy news everywhere, crazily shouting that he had a precious daughter. He held Jiao Jiao all night long and wouldn’t let go. In his eyes, no one can compare to his daughter, even her farts smell sweet. He and your eldest aunt would talk all day about preparing her dowry early on. In the future, his daughter would be a little princess whom no one would dare to hurt! Now that his little princess has become an abandoned child, an orphan, no one can predict what he’ll do when he comes back!
Have you gone silly, comparing yourself to her? Fortunately, you’re saying this at home. Do you know why your grandpa and your eldest aunt went to see Jiao Jiao this time? They’re worried that when Zhou Xiaozheng comes back, he’ll find out that no one from our family has visited her. Your eldest aunt abandoned her for 17 years, and Zhou Jiao holds a grudge, so Zhou Xiaozheng would hold a grudge and alienate himself from your eldest aunt.
No one talks about it, so you don’t think? Do you really consider yourself the Lin Family’s eldest daughter? Don’t be so defiant! Staring at me is useless. In terms of status, Zhou Jiao isn’t lower than you. Although your dad returned from a mission with Zhou Xiaozheng, back then, your dad’s position was at least two levels lower than your uncle’s.
Now Zhou Xiaozheng has returned as a hero, with 17 years of achievements, how many ranks do you think he will rise? In the Lin Family, except for your grandpa, everyone who sees him will have to call him ’Sir.’ Do you understand what I mean? You really can’t compare to Zhou Jiao. You have a brother to worry about, right? If you want to get married, focus on competing with the girls in the Big Courtyard, don’t think too much."
Lin Xueling’s face turned crimson, not knowing whether she was angry or ashamed, she bit her lip hard, glaring at Lin Liyin.
Lin Liyin finished speaking in a burst of words, putting down her finger that was pointing at her.
She said with tears and grievances, "When did I ever look down on my uncle? You just have a problem with me and always disapprove of me. I just wanted to see what Zhou Jiao’s dowry is like. I didn’t say I want any of it myself—besides, if Aunt gave me a few pieces, Zhou Jiao wouldn’t know. Aunt only has one daughter, but she also has three nieces. The money spent on this dowry isn’t from the Zhou Family; it’s from the Lin Family, from my aunt’s own salary. So what if our Lin Family wants it? And now we can’t even look!"
Lin Liyin was so angry she was jumping, pointing at Old Mrs. Yang and Chen Jingru with trembling fingers, exclaiming, "Mom, look, look, sister-in-law, you listen well, this is how we spoil the child. She’s still feeling wronged, wronged my ass. Oh, it angers me to death. Lin Xueling, according to what you’re saying, your mom’s salary and the house her work unit assigned to her, all belong to your grandmother, all belong to your cousin, so how can you justify being strict with others and lenient with yourself? Then why don’t you allow your mom to buy a watch for your cousin? Aren’t you unhappy about that? Your mom is your cousin’s only aunt too.
You say you don’t look down on your uncle, but do you ever say hello when you see him? What do you say to those two brats in my family?—Oh, if your dad hadn’t found your mom, wouldn’t he just be still stuck in the mountains? Do you think you’re the only smart one, and my son is the fool? Your uncle isn’t staying in Beijing because of me. You say I have problems with you, do you not know how I feel about you? You said you wouldn’t go to school and wanted to work in a hospital. I went out of my way begging your mom, finding so many connections, wasting so much effort to get you in. You were just a little thing, and I took care of you. You, this damn girl, you’re driving me mad.
I think the reasons you just gave your mom were made up. Is it really because the Yang Family is rich, so you fancy Yang Liqun? I really have to drag you to swap your brain. Yang Family is rich, my ass. The richest in Beijing have all been liquidated, does the Yang Family still have money? The old man of the Yang Family was just a son of a rural landowner, how much money could he have? Dean Yang went abroad to study all on his own efforts. Do you think just because of a five-courtyard house that makes them rich? Those in Beijing stepping out are all wealthy people.
Tell me the truth, do you think of marrying him just for the money? I’ll skin you alive, are you out of your mind, can’t you find someone with fewer burdens and stronger capabilities? You already earn a salary yourself, find someone with a higher salary and fewer burdens, what would you and your spouse lack? Oh, you damn girl, still glaring at me, if I didn’t raise you, do you think I would say this? Look, did I ever say anything about Xiao Li or Xiao Zhen?"
Lin Liyin anxiously stomped her foot, pointing at her with trembling fingers in anger.
Chen Jingru quickly poured a cup of warm water and handed it to her, feeling quietly upset inside, blaming herself for indulging her daughter, fearing she would be wronged without a father. She didn’t educate her properly, leading her thoughts astray, no wonder she always looked down on this or disdained that. She thought her daughter just had a childish temper, but knew everything in her heart.
Lin Liyin drank a big gulp of water, eyes fixed on Lin Xueling, not budging an inch. Today she must correct this child’s attitude! Otherwise, with her sister-in-law’s temperament, in the end, won’t it still go according to her? She indeed looks down on the Yang Family, seeing them as lacking proper roots; according to her mom’s view, it’s as if a concubine runs the house.
Every time Old Mrs. Yang visited her son, she would put on airs, trying hard to act like a family’s lady, but every time she exuded the essence of a vixen—cheapness that can’t make it to the stage. Bah, even her mother-in-law has more grace than Old Mrs. Yang! As for the Yang Family’s lineage? A director in the Ministry of Health retires after a few years, lineage my ass, everyone’s tired of hearing it.