After last night’s hearty mutton soup, the atmosphere at the educated youth dormitory significantly improved.
However, not everyone was pleased.
Watching many people greet Song Wei warmly, Xu Laidi curled her lips in disdain. She firmly believed these opportunists were only cozying up to Song Wei because Heidan’s brother had returned with money, and they wanted to curry favor.
Song Wei didn’t head to the mountains today. Instead, she washed some hawthorn and took Heidan to Lin Zhen’s house for a meal.
Mutton, here we come!
Unfortunately, she encountered some unsavory company—Lin Zhen’s relatives.
This time, Old Lady Lin hadn’t come along, but the rest of the Lin family had gathered at Lin Zhen’s doorstep, blocking his house.
From a distance, Song Wei and Heidan could hear Deng Chunhua’s obnoxious voice:
“Lin Zhen, you can’t be ungrateful! We raised your younger brother for so long. Your grandparents are still alive. Why waste money on buying a house? Use that money to show filial piety to your grandparents instead. Imagine how much people would praise you!”
While spouting her nonsense, Deng Chunhua greedily peeked into Lin Zhen’s yard, as if itching to barge in and ransack the place.
Lin Lao Si, trying to assert his authority as an elder, chimed in:
“Lin Zhen, you haven’t even visited your grandparents since you returned. Is this how a grandson behaves? When your father was alive, he knew the meaning of filial piety. How did he end up with such an ungrateful son?”
Lin Lao Er added, “Your grandmother got injured because of that Song Wei. As her grandson, shouldn’t you visit her? After being away for so long, do you even remember your roots? We shouldn’t have to invite you to come back!”
Lin Zhen stood before them, his face ice-cold, his expression dark.
“Are you finished? If you’re done, get lost before I lose my temper and deal with you.”
He had been ready to prepare mutton dishes for Song Wei’s visit, but this group of fools had come to spoil his mood.
His sharp words instantly provoked an outburst from the Lin family.
“Lin Zhen, what kind of attitude is this? We’re your elders! How dare you talk to us like that?”
Lin Zhen’s voice was chilling:
“Elders? Don’t give me that crap. If you keep testing my patience, I’ll treat you the same way I did a few years ago—with a knife.”
At his words, the Lin family hesitated. Memories of Lin Zhen storming into their home with a knife resurfaced. Now, as a towering man with military training, he was even more intimidating.
Still, Lin Lao Si, emboldened by the fact that Lin Zhen was injured, puffed himself up:
“Who are you trying to scare? Your father isn’t here anymore. Today, we’ll teach you, this ungrateful brat, a lesson!”
Before he could finish his sentence, Lin Lao Si was sent flying and landed with a miserable yelp in Lin Zhen’s courtyard.
Everyone turned to see Song Wei lowering her long leg after delivering a fierce kick.
“Well, well. Look who’s here! Familiar faces!”
Her crisp, cheerful voice carried a mocking undertone, sending chills down the Lin family’s spines.
“She’s here again…”
The Lin family couldn’t hide their fear. They had experienced Song Wei’s strength firsthand.
“Still haven’t learned your lesson from last time?” Song Wei asked, her tone laced with amusement.
The bruises from her last visit seemed to throb again as the Lin family backed away.
“W-what are you doing here? This is between us and Lin Zhen. It’s none of your business!” Deng Chunhua stammered, her voice shaking.
“None of my business?” Song Wei walked into the yard, grabbed Lin Lao Si, and tossed him out like a sack of potatoes.
“Sorry, I just find you all incredibly annoying.”
The Lin family’s faces turned green.
Leaning against the doorframe, Song Wei smiled and pointed to the road:
“Scram. Don’t make me lose my patience.”
“You dare—” Deng Chunhua started, but seeing Song Wei’s cold eyes, she turned and fled, muttering a curse as she ran.
The rest of the Lin family hesitated until Song Wei picked up a thick wooden stick from the yard.
That was all it took. They scattered like rabbits, including Lin Lao Si, who clutched his backside and ran despite his earlier bravado.
From a distance, Deng Chunhua shouted, “With a temper like yours, no man will ever want you!”
Song Wei’s lips twitched. Wow, even when fleeing, she’s got something to say.
Lin Zhen stood frozen, staring at Song Wei.
“What’s for lunch?” she asked, her grin revealing perfect white teeth.
“Braised mutton,” Lin Zhen replied, still dazed.
Inside the house, Lin Zhen trailed after Song Wei, his mind replaying Deng Chunhua’s parting shot.
Who says no man would want her? I’d want her.
His ears turned faintly red as the realization struck him.
Preparing lunch became Lin Zhen’s moment to shine. Despite his rough exterior, he meticulously demonstrated his cooking skills, much like a peacock fanning its feathers.
Song Wei, however, only had eyes for the pot of mutton.
Lin Zhen prepared braised mutton, stewed mutton, freshly baked flatbreads, and three enormous steamed buns. Everything was served in bowls as big as basins.
When the food was ready, Song Wei and Heidan’s faces lit up with delight.
After the meal, Lin Zhen commented, “You eat quite a lot for someone so small. Why aren’t you gaining weight?”
For most girls, this would’ve been a trigger. But Song Wei, a firm believer in the motto “a good appetite is a blessing,” wasn’t offended.
“I’m just built this way. Everything I eat goes straight to energy, not fat,” she replied.
Since the food was cooked by Lin Zhen, Song Wei couldn’t let him wash the dishes, so she stood up and cleared the table.
“I’ll do it!”
He hopped on one foot, quickly gathered the rice and vegetable bowls together and went to the kitchen. His movements were so fast that it was dizzying.
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