Chapter 12

Chapter 12

By the time Lin Cuixiang arrived with two boys from Aunt Lin’s household, the group was already apologizing profusely, their sincerity and earnestness surprising everyone.

The two young men were stunned, wondering what had happened.

Lin Cuixiang was even more shocked, standing there for a long while, her head spinning. Just before she went to get help, those boys were still bullying Lin Taohong arrogantly!

Seeing Lin Cuixiang approach, Lin Taohong initially thought she had run away secretly. But seeing that she had brought help back, her resentment toward Lin Cuixiang dissipated, and she waved her over.

Despite her tattered clothes, Lin Taohong’s face beamed with a radiant smile, all her earlier frustration gone.

Lin Chunyan, seeing that these people were genuinely terrified, decided not to say anything more. She gathered the items on the ground into her basket and nodded at her two cousins.

Erlang, being slightly older, managed to nod back, but Sanlang’s mouth remained agape throughout, following Lin Chunyan home in disbelief.

Lin Chunyan didn’t rush home but instead asked Lin Taohong, "Do you know those people?"

Lin Taohong nodded quickly, and Lin Chunyan gestured for her to lead the way.

"Yan Niang, where are you going?"

Erlang, known for his steady demeanor and being the eldest in his branch of the family, was being considered for private tutoring by Aunt Lin. Hearing Lin Chunyan’s question, he looked at her with interest.

He seemed like a sharp young man.

Lin Chunyan explained, "They bullied Hong Niang like this; we need to seek justice."

Sanlang, known for his lively personality, widened his eyes upon hearing this. Although Lin Taohong looked worse for wear, the other children were no better off, perhaps even worse.

Who should be seeking compensation from whom!

After a moment of reflection, Lin Hanzhi understood Lin Chunyan’s plan and gave her an admiring look.

Lin Chunyan first went to Goudan’s house, knocking on the door and then pulling Lin Taohong into tears.

Seeing Lin Taohong’s blank expression, Lin Chunyan pinched her waist, causing Lin Taohong to burst into tears from the pain.

"Auntie, our lives are so hard. We’re so poor we can barely afford food, and when we tried to catch a small fish to supplement our meals, your Goudan beat us up..."

Lin Chunyan’s words, combined with Lin Taohong’s appearance, made their story quite convincing.

News travels fast in the village, and soon everyone was gathered around, watching the commotion.

Goudan’s mother felt embarrassed but didn’t think much of it, considering Lin Taohong and Lin Chunyan were just girls and Goudan was a mischievous boy who could easily do such things.

She spoke kindly, comforting Lin Chunyan and Lin Taohong, and even gave them some peaches as they left.

Holding the peaches, Lin Taohong realized something and continued to act convincingly, making others believe they were truly pitiful.

Even when their own mischievous child returned home, too scared to speak after seeing Lin Chunyan, the adults didn’t notice anything unusual, assuming they had been playing elsewhere.

Some parents later sensed something different, but Lin Chunyan and Lin Taohong had already left, and they couldn’t confront two orphaned children, so they let it go.

However, this incident made everyone realize that Lin Chunyan wasn’t someone to be trifled with, unlike her mother.

Later, Lin Shuzhi told Aunt Lin about the incident, and Aunt Lin found Lin Chunyan’s character impressive.

"At least she has some backbone."

Aunt Lin glanced at the quiet Lin Cuixiang and added, "It’s a pity Yan Niang only knows how to make trivial things. Otherwise, Xiang Niang could learn a thing or two from her."

Lin Cuixiang said nothing, still thinking about Lin Chunyan’s performance by the river, which had frightened those boys so thoroughly.

If only she had a sister like that.

The news spread quickly through the village, reaching Li’s ears.

Li noticed Lin Fengdie was distracted and followed her gaze to see Erlang and Lin Gaoyuan discussing Lin Chunyan’s fight.

Listening closely, Li realized Lin Chunyan was a formidable girl, not to be underestimated.

Indeed, one shouldn’t underestimate that girl.

Li turned her attention back to Lin Fengdie, noticing her envious expression, clearly wanting to go out and play.

Li composed herself and said sternly, "Don’t think it’s fun for them to catch fish in the river now; they’ll have plenty of reasons to cry later."

Hearing Li’s voice, Lin Fengdie shuddered, no longer daring to glance outside, focusing intently on the flower in her hand.

Li continued, "Don’t envy Erlang and your brother for playing outside. You are different from them."

Lin Fengdie had heard this countless times. As a girl, she would eventually marry into another family and serve others, unlike her brothers who would receive support from their family.

She understood these truths and knew Li meant well, but still felt uneasy.

Perhaps her unease stemmed from not being able to go out and play.

Seeing Lin Fengdie focused inward, Li was satisfied.

She then called Lin Fengdie closer, "Didn’t you like that handkerchief? I’ll teach you how to make it today. Not only in this village, but probably in the entire town, only I know how."

Li was proud of this skill, learned from her mother, who had studied under a master from the south.

Because of this skill, many suitors had sought her hand in marriage.

Li Shi was also arrogant in her heart. While others were still thinking about what dowry to bring, she believed that her skills were the best dowry.

Among all the marriage proposals, she ultimately chose Lin Lao San, not for any other reason but because Lin Lao San had the best looks.

After marrying in, she felt superior to her two previous sisters-in-law and looked down on them everywhere.

Lin Fengdie became interested and learned very seriously until her eyes were tired, at which point Li Shi made her stop.

In the courtyard, there was no sign of Sanlang and Lin Gaoyuan. Li Shi drank some water and thought of Lin Chunyan, letting out a humph.

"Truly barbaric."

"With her like this, which good family would come to propose? Your former mother-in-law is incompetent and has ruined both daughters."

Lin Fengdie nodded. She had also gone to that little riverside when she was young, but as she grew older, she went less often. With Li Shi's words, the image of that little riverside became increasingly vague.

But she felt that Li Shi was right. With Lin Chunyan like this, it was likely that no one would come to propose in the future.

How pitiful.

Mrs. Zhang found out about it already by noon. She rushed to these people's homes and cursed and rolled around at their doorsteps. Then she went back and told Lin Taohong and Lin Chunyan that they should do the same in the future—fight back if anyone bullied them.

Seeing that Mrs. Zhang was only slightly flushed but otherwise fine, they knew she hadn't suffered much.

Because of this incident, the three of them reconciled briefly. Lin Chunyan, seeing it was late and the sky was overcast, decided not to go to town.