The next day, Lin Ruonan got up early. When Xu Zifan opened his eyes, she quickly pressed him down and whispered, "Sleep a little longer and rest more to recover. Mother was exhausted yesterday too. I'll make breakfast. I saw where everything was when I was tidying up yesterday, so don't worry."
Xu Zifan hummed in agreement, watching her put on her coat and leave without following. Having a new member in the family requires adjustment. His parents cared most about him; if Lin Ruonan treated him well, they would treat her even better. He understood the balance involved and knew how to act.
About 15 minutes later, Xu's mother got up and was surprised to see Lin Ruonan. Lin Ruonan was very quiet, and she hadn't heard a sound.
She followed the aroma of food to the kitchen, a smile already on her face. "Ruonan, why are you up so early?"
Lin Ruonan smiled and said, "Mom, I got up as soon as I woke up. Dinner will be ready soon. I didn't know what you all like to eat, so I just made something simple. Mom, if you have time, tell me what you like to eat, and I'll cook whatever our family likes to eat in the future."
"Okay, I'll go wake them up." Xu's mother felt warm inside early in the morning, thinking that her daughter-in-law was very understanding and kind.
She woke up Xu's father and Xu Zifan, and got a rag to wipe the table and set out the chairs. Although her daughter-in-law was genuinely eager to do the work, she wasn't the kind of mother-in-law who would just watch and let her daughter-in-law do it. Sincerity begets sincerity.
Lin Ruonan cooked a pot of millet porridge, heated up some of the leftover, refreshing dishes from the wedding banquet, made a few egg pancakes, and prepared a small cold dish. It was a comfortable and affordable meal, and her cooking skills were excellent, earning praise from Xu's parents.
After dinner, Xu's mother refused to let her clean up. Lin Ruonan didn't try to stop her, but took over the task of brewing the medicine. While brewing, she asked Xu Zifan about his health, carefully remembering everything. Without Xu's mother having to say anything, she took the initiative to take care of Xu Zifan.
For over a decade, Xu's mother had been taking care of her son, and this was the first time she felt completely at ease. She didn't have to worry about anything or do anything; Lin Ruonan had arranged everything perfectly for her.
When she went back to the room and told Xu's father, she couldn't help but cry tears of joy. She grabbed Xu's father and said, "She is truly a blessed wife. We married the right person for our son. Ruonan really married us with all her heart."
Mr. Xu said with relief, "Now you can rest assured. Zifan's health has improved a lot. I hope the young couple will be happy together from now on."
"It will definitely be alright, it will definitely be alright." Xu's mother clasped her hands together and bowed to the outside world, increasingly believing in the horoscopes the master had matched.
Xu Zifan told Lin Ruonan to rest as soon as he got back to the house. Others might not know, but he knew his own body. His illness was all an act; he didn't need anyone to take care of him.
Lin Ruonan initially resisted, but Xu Zifan always managed to steer her thoughts away from things that interested her. Afterwards, she felt that it wasn't her taking care of Xu Zifan, but rather Xu Zifan spoiling her, and she felt a strange sweetness in her heart.
On the day of the return visit, Xu's mother prepared two sets of ready-made clothes, as well as tea, wine, and other gifts for them to take. They hired an oxcart to go to Old Master Lin's house in the village. None of them mentioned Lin Fu's family. Now, Lin Fu was just Lin Ruonan's second uncle.
Xu Zifan and Lin Ruonan, dressed in their new clothes, were spotted as soon as they entered the village. Xu Zifan handed out wedding candy to a group of children chasing after the oxcart. Seeing this, Lin Ruonan laughed and said, "I never thought a wedding would be like this. When my second uncle and his family did it, I thought..."
After handing out the candy, Xu Zifan clapped his hands clean and laughed, "You think my parents and I would hold a grudge against you or give you a hard time? No way. Since we married you, we consider you family. It has nothing to do with them. Who would marry someone they don't like just to come home and suffer?"
"It might not be the same if it were someone else's family," Lin Ruonan remarked. She really thought she would be carrying her own little bag and marrying into the Xu family. She was prepared to do her best to win the Xu family's approval and favor, but she didn't expect to receive such a big surprise before she had even done anything.
This made her feel that she was receiving far more than she had imagined, and giving far too little, so she wanted to do more for the Xu family.
Xu Zifan smiled without saying a word. His parents and wife were all good-natured people, and it wouldn't take long for them to get along. They would gradually discover each other's good qualities.
Grandpa Lin was waiting in the courtyard in his new clothes, and he smiled when he saw the oxcart coming.
Xu Zifan got out of the car first, then turned around and helped Lin Ruonan out. The two of them carried the gifts from the car together. Old Master Lin hurried over to take them. Seeing the two of them, one handsome and the other beautiful, getting along so harmoniously, he couldn't stop smiling.
"Come inside, come in and sit down. Why did you bring so much stuff? Don't bring any more next time you come back."
Lin Ruonan said with a smile, "Grandpa, these were all prepared by my mother. She told them to take good care of Grandpa and to come back to visit Grandpa often in the future."
Grandpa Lin was pleased and nodded repeatedly, "Good, you are all good children. Please give my regards to your parents and tell them to come and visit the village when they have time."
In the short time it took to say those few words, a lot of people from the village came, all looking at the young couple with smiles on their faces.
"Nan Nan and her son-in-law are back? The village head has already prepared a fat pig to slaughter and bought several chickens and ducks. Today's homecoming feast is going to be lavish."
"Village head, I've come to help you slaughter the pig. Call everyone over to join the fun later."
"These things were all brought back by Nan Nan's son-in-law, right? These two children are so filial, you're a lucky village head!"
A homecoming banquet is to be held on the day of the bride's return to her parents' home. Beforehand, both Old Master Lin and Lin Ruonan thought the Xu family was still angry.
They wouldn't let Xu Zifan go back to his parents' home with them. Later, seeing how many betrothal gifts the Xu family sent, he realized that the Xu family had already moved on from that matter, and only then did Old Master Lin start making preparations.
However, everyone else in the village knew that it was Lin Ruoshan who was originally engaged to the Xu family. Although no reason was given for this exchange marriage, they all felt that if Xu Zifan didn't come back, Old Master Lin's preparations would have been in vain.
As it turned out, Xu Zifan not only came today, but also brought quite a few valuable things and was very friendly, which really made Old Master Lin look good.
The villagers immediately looked at the Xu family with new respect and all rushed over to help with the banquet. They privately praised the Xu family as kind and generous, and complimented Lin Ruonan on her good fortune. The Lin family's home suddenly became lively.
Grandpa Lin had an excellent reputation in the village, and almost every household had received his help. Xu's father had saved Grandpa Lin's life, so the villagers treated Xu Zifan very well and kept saying good things about Lin Ruonan to him, hoping that he would treat Lin Ruonan better as well.
Xu Zifan showed no disdain for the villagers, chatting happily with them and even helping them with chores, which earned him even more respect from the villagers.
They were busy slaughtering a pig when thirteen-year-old Lin Yaozu walked in from the door. Everyone immediately fell silent, and even Old Master Lin's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Lin Yaozu said with a grin, "Grandpa, why didn't you call us when you slaughtered the pig? Big sister, brother-in-law."
Xu Zifan smiled faintly and nodded, "Cousin."
Lin Yaozu's smile froze, and he was stunned for a moment before realizing that Lin Ruonan had gotten married and he was now their cousin. The villagers, seeing Xu Zifan's slightly distant attitude and address, immediately understood what he meant, and a few perceptive young men pulled Lin Yaozu away.
"Come on, come on, it's been so long since we've seen each other, let's go over there and have a chat."
Lin Yaozu looked back several times, a little anxious. His sister had asked him to come back and find out if the Xu family was really good to Lin Ruonan and if Xu Zifan was in good health. She said if he wasn't, their family might be able to take over the Xu family's cloth workshop in the future. He hadn't had a chance to observe properly yet, but several people were pulling him along, so he had no choice but to deal with them first.
A small child didn't dampen anyone's spirits much. They slaughtered a pig, a chicken, and a duck, and the village's best cook, an auntie, took charge of the cooking. The whole courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter, even more lively than during the New Year.
Lin Yaozu finally seized an opportunity to approach Lin Ruonan, who was picking vegetables, and tentatively asked, "Big sister, how is your marriage to the Xu family? Is your husband good to you? Are your parents-in-law good to you?"
The women working alongside them laughed and said, "Yaozu is concerned about his sister, isn't he?" They were also curious and asked, "Nannan, you must be doing well in the Xu family, right? Your wedding day was truly an eye-opener for us, and Zifan is treating you well today too."
Lin Ruonan guessed that the Lin family wanted to find out, but there was nothing wrong with saying it, so she smiled and said, "My parents and Zifan have treated me very well. Don't laugh at me, but these past two days have been the most comfortable I've ever had. Maybe it's really fate. I've always wanted a reliable father and a loving mother, and now that I have them, I have to repay them properly."
"That's really great, I envy you."
"Nannan, you must win Zifan's heart. He doesn't seem like an ordinary person. He's bound to have great abilities in the future."
"Nannan, you're all set now. You can enjoy your life from now on."
Lin Ruonan smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Don't worry, sisters-in-law, I'll live a good life."
Lin Yaozu was displeased. What did Lin Ruonan mean by that? Did she think his mother was a bad stepmother to him? He was young and hot-blooded and couldn't hold back. He blurted out, "You're disowning your parents just because you see the Xu family doing well? Even raising a thankless wretch is better than raising you."
The sisters-in-law all changed their expressions. "Yaozu, how can you talk like that? Today is your cousin and cousin-in-law's homecoming banquet. If you're not here to offer your blessings, you should leave."
Lin Yaozu suddenly stood up and said angrily, "This is my grandfather's house. I can come and go as I please. What business is it of yours to kick me out?"
Lin Ruonan raised an eyebrow and said with a half-smile, "Cousin, I've already been adopted, and I don't owe your parents anything, much less you. If you insist on ruining my homecoming banquet, don't blame me for being impolite."
Lin Yaozu laughed angrily, "You're not being polite? You don't acknowledge your parents, so you can't even say anything about it? How can you be impolite?"
Xu Zifan walked over, grabbed him by the back of his collar, and said coldly, "I've already asked my grandfather. You're not welcome here today. Please leave."
Xu Zifan carried him all the way to the front gate.
Lin Yaozu struggled and shouted incessantly, "Let go! Let go—you bastard—"
Xu Zifan threw him out, beckoned over a few strong teenagers, took out a bag of copper coins and said, "I don't want to see him today, please take him out of the village. Thank you for your trouble, here's some copper coins to buy some tea."
"Alright, Brother Fan, don't worry!" The boys happily took the money bag, grabbed Lin Yaozu, and carried him away.
Xu Zifan sat down next to Grandpa Lin, who said guiltily, "It's my fault for not teaching my grandson well."
He originally intended to deal with Lin Yaozu himself, but Xu Zifan, fearing it would anger him, went to chase him away instead. Old Master Lin sighed; his son's family was probably the biggest failure of his life.
Xu Zifan waved his hand with a smile, saying he didn't care. Everyone else who witnessed this understood: the Xu family truly only had Old Master Lin as a potential in-law, and there was absolutely no room for negotiation with Lin Fu's family. This made them even more curious—what had happened to change the marriage arrangement? How could it have caused such a rift between the two prospective in-laws?
Without Lin Yaozu causing trouble, the homecoming banquet was exceptionally lively. Almost everyone in the village came, bringing with them vegetables, eggs, and homemade salted fish and pickles.
They sent the items to Xu Zifan so that he could take them back to his parents to try; the items filled an entire oxcart.
When it was time to leave, Xu Zifan asked Shao Hua to find Lin Yaozu's location. Shao Hua replied, "[Host, Lin Yaozu is hiding at the village entrance, just as you predicted. He hasn't left.]"
Xu Zifan curled the corners of his lips. Lin Yaozu, with his temperament, couldn't stand the slightest "humiliation" and would definitely want to get revenge. That's why he personally threw the man out. Lin Yaozu was spoiled and didn't know what to say and what not to say, making him perfect as a pawn.
Lin Ruoshan went to the trouble of sending her younger brother to make things difficult for them, so how could he not retaliate in kind?
The village children, both young and old, loved excitement. It was rare to see people from town like Xu Zifan and Lin Ruonan so kind, giving them candy and coins. Seeing the two leave, they ran and jumped after them.
As soon as they reached the village entrance, Lin Yaozu rushed out and blocked Xu Zifan's way, pointing at him and shouting, "You're despicable and shameless! You sent so many people to deal with me alone. If you're so capable, you fight me one-on-one. I'm going to settle this score with you today."
Xu Zifan scoffed and looked him up and down. "You're just a little kid. Wouldn't it be bullying for an adult like me to fight you?"
"Pah! What kind of grown-up are you? You're just a sickly person!" Lin Yaozu couldn't stand being looked down upon and blurted out his true feelings.
Lin Ruonan's expression changed, and she shouted, "Lin Yaozu, shut up! I think you need to be taught a lesson!" As she spoke, she raised her hand to hit him.
Xu Zifan grabbed her, glanced at Lin Yaozu, and laughed, "Which eye of yours saw that I'm sick? It seems you're not only a little kid, but also not very bright. Otherwise, why would you believe everything people say? That person was just playing you for a fool, wasn't they?"
"Impossible! She wouldn't lie to me. You're just a sickly person!"
"Oh? So tell me, how did a sickly person throw you out of the yard? Tell me who told you, and what proof do you have? You're not just making this up, are you?"
Lin Yaozu's thoughts were completely diverted, his mind filled with proving he wasn't making things up. He said angrily, "My sister said it, I'm not making things up. The proof is that you were bedridden two months ago, unable to get out of bed. I heard my sister say with my own ears that you were dying and that marrying you would mean being a widow." He pointed at Lin Ruonan and mocked, "You're going to help him beat me up? Don't come begging to me when you're a widow."
Xu Zifan held Lin Ruonan's wrist to prevent her from moving and chuckled, "So Lin Ruoshan thought I was about to die when she broke off the engagement. I thought she thought my family was too poor."
Lin Yaozu crossed his arms and snorted, "Isn't your family poor? You sickly fellow are a bottomless pit. My family's tavern is doing much better than your family's cloth shop. My family is even planning to open a restaurant. What do you have to offer my sister? You put on such a grand wedding and gave so many dowry gifts. Did you empty your family's coffers? You're just putting on a show. No wonder you're taking all this junk back like it's a treasure."
The last sentence offended the whole village. What do you mean by "junk"? The things they gave were not valuable, but they were their good intentions. They wouldn't give them to just anyone. How could they be considered junk?
However, Lin Yaozu was oblivious to these social niceties and was only focused on arguing with Xu Zifan, trying to win the argument. He didn't notice at all that the children around him were looking at him with a fierce gaze.
Xu Zifan looked unconvinced. "You're just making this up. Your parents couldn't possibly dislike my family for being poor. Otherwise, they could have just broken off the engagement. Why would they have asked Ruonan to marry me instead? You're just a kid, so don't talk nonsense if you don't understand."
Lin Yaozu pointed his finger at his own nose and said, "I don't understand? Have you been sickly for too long and your brain isn't working properly? My sister's wine is the best in the whole town, how could she possibly marry you? Break off the engagement..." He suddenly stopped, realizing what he had just said.
His sister and mother said that breaking off the engagement would damage their reputation, so it would be best to quietly arrange a replacement engagement. That way, outsiders wouldn't know what was going on, and it would all be forgotten in the long run.
If he were to reveal it now, wouldn't his sister and mother's schemes have been for nothing? But the Xu family has already cut ties with them, and things have become so tense, everyone knows about it now, right? It's not his fault, is it?
Lin Yaozu chickened out and fell silent, but Xu Zifan did not. He put on a stern face and said, "You mean your sister is too precious, that she looks down on my family because we're poor and because I'm sick, and that she doesn't want to marry me? Since your cousin has no parents to love her and no one cares about her anyway, she can just marry into the family to settle the marriage contract, which will also protect Lin Ruoshan's reputation, right?"
"No—"
"No? Then what is it?"
"I...I...how would I know?"
Lin Yaozu was so overwhelmed by Xu Zifan's questioning that his mind went blank, and he didn't know how to answer. Xu Zifan snorted coldly, "Your whole family is probably heartless. Fortunately, Ruonan will no longer have to suffer in your house. From now on, we're strangers. Get out of my way!"
The village children couldn't hold back any longer. As soon as they saw Xu Zifan was about to leave, they swarmed around him and dragged Lin Yaozu to the side of the road.
Xu Zifan helped Lin Ruonan into the carriage and told the driver to drive off. He glanced indifferently at Lin Yaozu, who had been taught a lesson by underhanded tactics. The conversation they had just had would spread throughout the village and even the town within fifteen minutes.
The marriage arrangement has indeed taken place, but the Lin family's reputation is beyond saving. If the Lin family can't raise their son, someone else will. They'll likely never be welcomed in this village again.
Lin Ruonan lowered her head and said softly, "I'm sorry, if it weren't for me... you wouldn't have to have any more contact with the Lin family."
Xu Zifan held her hand and laughed, "What are you thinking? Am I afraid of him? It's you who's in trouble. If I hadn't held you back, you would have started fighting with him. Stay calm next time. Let's use our wits instead of resorting to violence. Don't hurt your hand."
Lin Ruonan looked up and saw the smile in his eyes. She couldn't help but smile back, blinking as she spoke.
"Okay, I'll remember that. From now on, I'll do just like you and screw them over."