Chapter 262: Addressing – Daily Gossip in the Courtyard of the Sickly Young Aunt

Chapter 262: The Sickly Auntie’s Compound Gossip Chronicles

When the family of three arrived at the compound, they realized the gate wasn’t wide enough, so they decided to unload the items from the bicycle right at the entrance.

"Nuan'nuan, go open the door. I'll help your father unload," Mother Jiang said, handing her things to Lin Qing.

Lin Qing glanced over and nodded. "Okay!"

In truth, their arrival had already drawn the attention of the compound residents, and soon enough, people began crowding around to gawk.

As they approached, they saw Lin Qing walking in carrying two large bags.

Auntie Zhou, who had lagged behind, was stunned. Hadn’t she gone back to her parents' home? What the fuss was about? It almost looked like she had raided her parents’ home for supplies!

The others, more accustomed to such scenes, weren’t as surprised. What caught their interest was the situation at the gate.

Mother Jiang strode forward. "Old Mr. Lin, Old Mrs. Lin, what brings you here?"

She then eyed the items on the bicycle and asked, puzzled, "And this is…?"

"Oh! We thought our daughter was living here alone, so we decided to stay with her for a few days," Mother Lin replied, naturally avoiding the truth that they were here for the drama.

"…" The crowd fell silent.

Moving in for a few days? Coddling their daughter was one thing, but this was excessive.

While everyone was still processing this, Father Lin had already finished unloading.

"Coming through!" Father Lin called out casually. "Let us set up the place."

The aunties quickly stepped aside. Father Lin, still strong, effortlessly lifted the nearly two-meter-long bed frame and carried it inside. Mother Lin wasn’t far behind, carrying two wooden benches with ease.

Father Lin soon returned to fetch the bicycle and the remaining bench, leaving the onlookers gaping.

Mother Jiang watched for a moment, her eyes darting slyly, before heading back to the west wing to call for Lin Shu. "Shu, Shu, your grandparents are here—go greet them!"

"Mother-in-law, what did you say?"

"I said your grandparents are here. Aren’t you going to see them?" Mother Jiang pressed, ‘Aren’t you going?’

Lin Shu glanced at the door swung wide open of Lin Qing’s house and soon spotted her grandparents stepping out.

"Mother-in-law, why are my grandparents here?"

"They said they’re here to keep your aunt company for a few days."

Her lip curled. Did her grandparents still think her aunt was a child?

They came all this way just to babysit her?

"You should go over and greet them right away. Where are your manners?" Mother Jiang scolded sternly.

Lin Shu lowered her head slightly and pursed her lips. Lin Shu scoffed inwardly—as if she didn’t see through her mother-in-law’s game.

Whatever. She’d play along—for now.

But just wait…

Lin Shu straightened her clothes and walked toward the main house.

"Dad, Mom!"

After their last argument, this was the first time they had seen each other. Lin’s parents had almost forgotten that Lin Shu even lived there.

But it wasn’t a big deal. After all, they were the elders, and as a junior, Lin Shu couldn’t do anything to them.

"Lin Shu, what do you want?" Mother Lin asked, looking at her.

Lin Shu was at a loss for words. What could she possibly want?

"...Nothing. I just came to say hello."

"Oh, well, now that you’ve greeted us, you can go back. We’re busy!" Mother Lin didn’t feel there was much to talk about with this daughter.

"...Alright!" Lin Shu hadn’t even wanted to show up in the first place, but being dismissed so bluntly left her feeling unwilling.

Unfortunately, everyone else was already occupied with their own tasks, and no one paid her any attention.

Lin Shu bit back her anger and swallowed her pride before turning and leaving.

"You’re back already?"

"Yeah." Lin Shu nodded. What did they expect?

"Didn’t they give you anything?"

Lin Shu lowered her head and rolled her eyes inwardly. Pfft. Those two favorites-playing old-timers—how could they possibly have prepared anything for her?

"No!"

Mother Jiang curled her lips in disdain. "Hopeless!"

Ignoring her, Lin Shu went straight back to her room.

The whole courtyard was buzzing about the Lin couple’s arrival, especially around the Cen household.

Mother Li came rushing over as soon as she heard. "Uncle Lin, Aunt Lin—you made it!"

"Oh, Li dear!" Mother Lin greeted her warmly.

Lin Qing, who was nearby, cracked up laughing. "Bwahaha!"

"Nuan'nuan, what’s so funny?"

Lin Qing was doubled over laughing, barely able to get the words out. Waving her hand, she gasped, "No... Bwahaha... I call her ‘Auntie Li,’ but she calls you... ‘Aunt Lin’!"

Mother Lin and Mother Li exchanged exasperated looks. Admittedly, it was kinda weird. When only Lin Qing was around, it hadn’t seemed strange, but with Lin’s father and mother present, the gap in generations stuck out like a sore thumb.

The two women exchanged a glance before Mother Lin finally said, "Call us what you want—we’ll just go with the flow."

Mother Li, never one to fuss, nodded. "Sure, works for me!"

"Uncle Lin, Aunt Lin, how long are you sticking around?" Mother Li had already heard the news before coming.

"Oh! We’re playing it by ear," Mother Lin replied.

"Honestly, with Cen Gong tied up at work for who knows how long, you may as well stay till your son-in-law gets back," Mother Li thought it was something else, how much they spoiled their girl.

Indeed, Mother Li and the other women all thought that Father Lin and Mother Lin had come to stay for a few days to help Lin Qing with chores, worried she might get tired.

Though they didn’t know why they hadn’t come earlier, it didn’t stop them from thinking this way now.

Mother Lin’s eyes lit up—this might actually work.

"Mother Lin, has Lin Qing told you about the situation in the courtyard?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Mother Lin nodded excitedly.

Seeing her enthusiastic expression, Mother Li faintly sensed something wasn’t quite right!

But she couldn’t put her finger on it.

"That’s good!" Since they knew about the complicated dynamics in the courtyard, she felt more at ease.

Lin Qing was a capable young woman, and her mother was surely no less capable. Thinking this, Mother Li felt a little less worried.

Usually, she would kindly fill newcomers in about the courtyard to prevent future conflicts or misunderstandings, but there were exceptions.

Take Auntie Zhou, for example. That day, before Mother Li could explain anything, Auntie Zhou had already offended her. So, Auntie Zhou knew very little about certain matters.

For instance, how Lin Qing’s parents adored their daughter as if she were their life, or how Lin Qing had once single-handedly handled several aunties' challenges in the front courtyard, or the true relationship between Lin Qing and Lin Shu—all these were never shared with her.

Moreover, Auntie Zhou had also offended other aunties, so they certainly wouldn’t tell her anything either.

Had she known these things, she wouldn’t have made that critical comment in the morning about how one shouldn’t keep going back to her parents' place!