Chapter 39: Shock – The Daily Gossip Life of a Sickly Sister-in-law in the Compound

Chapter 39: Shock - The Daily Gossip Life of a Sickly Sister-in-law in the Compound

"This is something I only discovered a couple of days ago," Lin Qing said with a bitter smile. "The day you helped Cen Xi and me move, most people in the compound were at work, and since you left early, we missed them. That's why you didn't run into them."

"So how did you find out?" Mother Lin didn't need to think hard to know that Lin Qing must have stumbled upon this information suddenly; otherwise, she wouldn't have kept it to herself until now, just before the wedding.

Then, Lin Qing told her mother about her encounters with the various mothers in the compound.

"Haha, I did just what you told me to! Now they don't dare to mess with me anymore!"

"You did the right thing, and you did it well. Your tactic of setting an example to intimidate the others was spot on," Mother Lin praised her daughter's handling of the situation. "That's exactly what you should do. If you had backed down this time, you would have had endless trouble. Just from what you've told me, I can tell those mothers in your compound are no pushovers. It's best to put them in their place right away."

"Mm-hm, Cen Xi and I thought the same. Aunt Liu happened to be at the hospital too and really backed me up, giving Mother Gu and Mother Jiang a piece of her mind!" Lin Qing's expression was full of pride as she recounted this.

"You! Always the charmer. All the doctors and nurses at the hospital adore you!"

"Hehe!" Lin Qing chuckled.

Mother Lin then asked, "So, this Mother Jiang you mentioned—is she Jiang Yang's mother?"

"Mm-hm, I heard that Mother Jiang initially refused to pay Mother Gu back, so they got into a fight. Both got injured and ended up back at the hospital, where they started arguing again. I was right there, soaking up all the drama. When the crowd dispersed, I saw Jiang Yang standing by Mother Jiang's hospital bed." Lin Qing exaggerated her tone to describe her shock at the time. "I was blown away! Never in a million years did I expect such a twist."

"I didn't expect that either!" Mother Lin was equally shocked, never imagining things would turn out this way.

"So, doesn't that mean your status in the compound has been elevated?" Mother Lin suddenly remarked.

"Hehe! Mom, you and I think alike. When I found out, the first thing that came to my mind was that Cen Xi and I suddenly became peers with those mothers."

"What a tangled web! Now that Lin Shu is marrying into your compound, with this aunt-niece relationship, won't she keep bothering you?" Mother Lin suddenly grew concerned.

"Mom, don't worry. Cen Xi and I aren't pushovers either. I've already staged a scene in the compound, feigning illness. If they start trouble with me, I'll just play the sick card again. Since they like to stir up trouble, I'll make them pay—literally. If once isn't enough, I'll do it a few more times until they're scared!" Lin Qing said meaningfully.

"You!" Mother Lin laughed, but she had to admit her daughter made a good point. If once isn't enough, then a few more times should do the trick. Spending too much money will eventually make them think twice.

"Alright, as long as you know how to handle it, that's good!"

"Mm-hm, Mom, don't worry! I won't let myself be bullied!"

"Good!"

"By the way, Mom, I went to the co-op yesterday and bought two pounds of beef. I brought one pound back for you and Dad. After the wedding reception today, I'll give it to you. You and Dad should dig in and take care of yourselves."

"Oh, why did you bring the beef back? It's not easy to come by. You only bought two pounds; you should keep it for yourselves at home. There's no need to bring it back for me and your dad!" Mother Lin said, though her face was beaming with joy.

"Ah, this is a gift from me and your son-in-law. You have to accept it!"

"Alright, alright! We'll take it."

"Mm, just you and Dad eat it. Don't give any to my brother and sister-in-law!" Lin Qing was still holding a grudge.

"Alright, alright!"

...

Time gradually approached noon, the time for the groom to arrive.

Lin Qing and Mother Lin came out of the room. Mother Lin's expression had visibly brightened, and Father Lin, who had been observing his wife's mood since they came out, noticed that her spirits had lifted, and the gloom between her brows had lessened. He felt much more at ease.

"The groom is here, the groom is here!" a relative shouted from the doorway.

Lin Qing stood beside Cen Xi, lowered her head, and smiled, suddenly feeling that she had a bit of a mischievous side. She had known Jiang Yang was around for days, deliberately avoiding him and keeping her identity hidden, just waiting for this moment when he would discover who she was at the Lin family.

"What's wrong with you?" Cen Xi had been paying attention to his wife's movements and naturally noticed her unusual behavior.

Lin Qing told him about the matter.

"I figured it out ages ago!" Cen Xi couldn't help but laugh after hearing it. He had indeed noticed it early on. He noticed Lin Qing slept in every day, deliberately avoiding his work schedule, and in the evenings after he got home, she usually stayed in her room. It was easy to guess that she was avoiding someone. With a little thought, he could guess what was on her mind.

But his wife's happiness came first, so he kept quiet about it.

"I wonder what face Jiang Yang will make when he sees us standing here later? I remember that later, we still have to do the family introductions!" Lin Qing's expression was full of schadenfreude.

"Probably shocked!" Cen Xi guessed.

The living room was small, with limited seating, so Lin Qing and Cen Xi stood behind Lin's parents. When Jiang Yang came in with his people, he immediately noticed Cen Xi and Lin Qing, mainly because their appearances were too striking and very eye-catching.

Sure enough, his face was a mix of shock, disbelief, and confusion!

"What's wrong with the groom? Why is he standing there dumbfounded?" The matchmaker next to him pushed Jiang Yang, who was standing still in a daze.

"No, nothing." Jiang Yang snapped back to reality. Now wasn’t the time to worry about Cen Xi and Lin Qing standing together. He still had to go to the room to pick up the bride, do the family introductions, and then go get the marriage certificate.

Jiang Yang entered Lin Shu's room, "Lin Shu, I'm here to pick you up!"

Lin Shu, dressed in a green military uniform, beamed with joy. Jiang Yang's mood had calmed down a lot by now, and he reached out his hand to her, leading her out together.

After they came out, the matchmaker began the family introductions!

The matchmaker pointed to a circle of people and began to have Jiang Yang recognize them. Finally, it was Cen Xi and Lin Qing's turn. Jiang Yang stared at them intently, as if trying to see through them.

"These two are the Lin family's aunt and uncle. Hurry up and greet them!"

Jiang Yang felt a pang of bitterness as the titles lingered on his tongue.

"Groom, hurry up and call them!" The matchmaker urged, and Lin Shu also tugged at his sleeve.

"Aunt, Uncle!" Jiang Yang finally spoke!

"Hey!" Lin Qing held back her laughter and responded.

Cen Xi handed over a red envelope, a small token for the name change, as was customary in An City. The amount inside wasn't large, just a small fee for the name change.

Jiang Yang took it with an expressionless face.