Chapter 398: Reunion – Daily Gossip in the Sickly Aunt’s Courtyard

**Chapter 398: Reunion—The Delicate Young Aunt’s Compound Drama-Watching Routine**

The entire Jin family felt resentful but helpless watching the scene unfold, yet they couldn’t find fault in what had happened—after all, Mother Li hadn’t done anything wrong; she’d simply brought a chair and sat down in the courtyard.

Mother Jin spun around, her face instantly darkening as she snapped with a cold laugh, “What are you all waiting for? Hurry up and help clean out the room!”

Zhang Mengyun scowled as she stepped forward and opened the door to the narrow hallway room.

Mother Li wasn’t wrong—the room inside was indeed empty, but it was so cramped that ten people would be packed shoulder-to-shoulder, unbearably crowded.

Mother Li sat unfazed, watching calmly. Elder Li and his brothers hesitated, wondering if they should stay with her.

“Mom!”

“This isn’t your business anymore,” Mother Li waved them off impatiently. “Go back now. I’ll call you if I need anything.”

Seeing Mother Li’s clever move, Mother Sui and Mother Lin exchanged glances and chuckled. “That’s our Old Li for you—who else could pull this off?”

“Exactly! With her planted right there in the middle of the yard, that family probably won’t dare try anything shady.”

Watching Mother Li sit firmly in the center of the courtyard, the two women felt the itch to join her.

“Should we go sit with her?” Mother Sui suggested, a sly glint in her eye. “Old Li must be bored sitting there alone. Why don’t we keep her company for a bit?”

Mother Lin nodded enthusiastically. “Sure, sure, let’s go!”

As the two grabbed their chairs from under them and stood up to leave, Lin Qing quickly chimed in, “I’m coming too! I want a front-row seat to the spectacle!”

But before stepping out, Mother Lin stopped her. “Nuan’nuan, you should stay inside. It’s not safe with all those grown men and boys out there.” If they had noticed her by the window earlier, Lin Qing would’ve been spotted long ago.

Lin Qing pouted but still wanted to go. “What if I wrap a scarf around my face?” With the weather turning cooler, wearing a scarf wouldn’t seem unusual.

Mother Lin thought for a moment and agreed. “Fine, then do it properly.”

Lin Qing rushed into Mother Lin’s inner room and came out with a floral scarf, letting her hair fall loose.

Mother Lin gave her a quick look—the pattern hid about 70% of her face. That should work.

The three women shut the door behind them, carried their chairs, and joined Mother Li outside.

“Old Li, we’re here to sunbathe with you!” Mother Sui casually offered an excuse.

The Jin family, hearing voices, turned to look—and saw three more people now seated beside Mother Li, occasionally glancing their way. Their faces fell instantly.

Mother Jin was fuming. What was wrong with these people in the compound?

Didn’t new neighbors deserve at least a little courtesy? Who acted like *this*?

Still, looking at the tiny space they now called home, some of her anger eased. A place like this didn’t just fall into your lap these days! If it weren’t for her son’s talent for having the Deputy Factory Manager’s daughter wrapped around his finger, how else would they have landed such jobs and housing?

Hmph! These old biddies in the compound clearly didn’t know their place. She’d make sure her daughter-in-law tattled to her father later—they’d learn just who they were dealing with!

While the Jins reacted this way, the other families in the front courtyard felt differently.

Mother Su had always disliked the Jins. That was the house she’d had her eye on—it burned her up to see it snatched away.

Now seeing Mother Sui and Mother Lin banding together outside, she couldn’t hold back any longer and scurried out herself, dragging a chair over to join them.

“I’m coming too! It’s a bit chilly—I might as well come out and ward off the chill!” Before long, Mother Jiang and Mother Gu also hurried out.

Despite the fact that these old ladies didn’t get along very well, each of them had thick skin and didn’t take past matters seriously.

“You’re out here soaking up the sun too?”

“Of course! Don’t I gotta come out and soak up some sun? I was sick a few days ago—this helps ward off the sickness.” Mother Jiang casually made up an excuse.

Mother Gu curled her lips. “If you ask me, you baby your two daughters-in-law too much. No matter what, a daughter-in-law shouldn’t upstage the mother-in-law. How did you end up being controlled by them?”

She even straightened her back proudly as she spoke—her own daughter-in-law had been kept firmly in line.

Mother Jiang was secretly envious, but she refused to admit it. “Was it really you who controlled your daughter-in-law? Or did she just hand you the leverage herself?” This was something everyone here knew about.

Mother Gu’s expression instantly darkened, while Mother Jiang grew even more smug. “If it takes giving up a job just to get an obedient daughter-in-law, I’d rather not. Without that job, the next generation loses an opportunity!” Her words hit Mother Gu where it hurt.

...

Lin Qing nibbled on snacks nearby, watching the two trade jabs. No wonder they were famous rivals in the neighborhood—each knew exactly where to hit the other, making sure neither got off easy.

The others occasionally eavesdropped, but their attention didn’t linger long. These two were old news—everyone was far more curious about the Jin family.

After observing Mother Jiang and Mother Gu, Lin Qing turned her gaze to Mother Su, whose face was sour as a lemon. She had expected Mother Su to at least chime in with some zingers after coming out.

But all she saw was the woman’s lips moving, the sound barely audible. Lin Qing guessed that unless someone leaned in close, they wouldn’t hear a thing.

Oh? Had she changed her ways?

Lin Qing tilted her head slightly—only to catch a steady stream of muttered swears. Well, so much for high expectations. Mother Su was still the same old Mother Su.

Her eyes flicked toward the cramped room packed with people, and suddenly, she understood the reason.

Tsk. Of course. Mother Su was all bark and no bite. She should’ve known.

Then again, what’s a woman pushing fifty supposed to do against a whole household of men?

Lin Qing then shifted her gaze to the gate. When were the Zhou family mother-in-law and daughter-in-law coming back?

She was buzzing with excitement—she couldn’t wait to witness the reunion between Jin Jianhua and Wang Qiaomei, those ex-sweethearts!

“Nuan'nuan, why do you keep staring at the gate?”

“Huh? Oh! I was just wondering when the Zhou family next door would come back. They haven’t met the new neighbors yet!” Lin Qing said casually.

Mother Lin thought for a moment. “Auntie Zhou has seen them, but the rest of the family probably hasn’t. Though Old Man Zhou and Zhou Qin should be home by now.”

“Pfft! Bet they’re still snoozing. Not even awake yet!” Mother Sui said meaningfully.

Lin Qing’s eyes widened—was there tea to spill here?

“You old busybody, don’t go spouting nonsense!” Mother Lin cut Mother Sui a look—her daughter was still present.

“Alright, alright, I won’t say anything more.” Mother Sui got the message and promptly shut her mouth.

Lin Qing’s face fell instantly. Why’d they have to clam up now?