Reborn as a Rich Woman in the Eighties
Chapter 246 - 245 Different Thoughts

Chapter 246: Chapter 245 Different Thoughts

During the New Year’s celebration, Lin Aiguo couldn’t find Lin Xia and the others no matter how he tried, and although reluctant, he still went with Lin Aijia’s family to celebrate in the valley.

When Lin Aiye saw his older brother arriving with Chunli and her daughters, he realized Lin Xia’s children hadn’t come home yet.

He tried to take advantage of the rare gathering to play a few rounds of cards, thinking about teaming up with his son Lin Gang to win some money from them.

Lin Aiguo waved his hand, "Second brother, Changbai, you guys play! I’ll chat with grandma!"

Thus, the two fathers and sons teamed up and gathered to play cards.

Liu Shuqin, looking at her much-aged eldest son, felt a pang of heartache, and mother and daughter sat on the kang bed, chatting about family matters.

Liu Shuqin then moved closer to Lin Aiguo and whispered, "Do you know where they are outside? How can they not show up for New Year’s? They are all so thoughtless!"

She was really angry that Lin Xia and the others hadn’t come this year, feeling completely disregarded by them.

"Mom, don’t bother with this!" Lin Aiguo didn’t dare let them know where Lin Xia was, to avoid them taking advantage and causing trouble.

Regarding the fact that Lin Xia sent eighty yuan home every month, he chose not to mention it, for he knew if grandma found out, it would be as if his brother’s family knew as well.

Liu Shuqin slapped her thigh and sighed, "Eldest son, fine! I, an old lady, won’t meddle in your generation’s matters! You handle your own affairs! However, Mom wants to discuss something with you during New Year’s!"

Lin Aiguo immediately frowned with understanding, suspecting it involved Lin Aiye’s family again, "Mom, go ahead!"

"Look, Lin Xia hasn’t worked at her job for over a year now and seems to have no intention of returning. Just agree to let Lin Fang take her place, otherwise it’s such a waste of a good job opportunity."

Liu Shuqin was also troubled as the second son and his wife always nagged her about this, and Lin Fang felt the same. But without her eldest son’s approval, what could she do?

That time because of this matter at Lin Aijia’s home, the eldest son even flipped the table.

Lin Aiguo knew Lin Xia could no longer return to work, but having Lin Fang take over wasn’t just about filling the job; where would she live and eat?

"You’ll have to give me some time to think!"

In the kitchen, Zhang Lanxiang took the opportunity while preparing the meal to complain to Lin Aijia and Chunli, "Can you believe how heartless Lin Xia and her kids are? They’ve been away for so long, and don’t bother visiting grandma for New Year’s!"

What constantly infuriated her was Lin Xia’s job, which could perfectly allow her daughter Lin Fang to fill in, but Lin Aiguo just wouldn’t agree no matter what.

She then indirectly probed further, trying to find out what Lin Xia and the others were actually doing now.

Chunli did want to reveal something to Zhang Chunxiang, but she dared not speak in front of Lin Aijia.

If Lin Aijia told Lin Aiguo, her days at home would be miserable.

"Who knows!"

Zhang Lanxiang noticed the subtlety in Chunli’s expression, raised an eyebrow and pressed, "Aijia! Don’t you know either? You are their aunt after all!"

"Being an aunt doesn’t change that I’m just as clueless!" annoyed by Zhang Lanxiang’s prying, she looked at Shen Xiaofeng, who was busy with her head down, and changed the subject, "Speaking of Lin Gang’s wife, is her morning sickness with the second pregnancy severe? Maybe she should come inside and stop working!"

Zhang Lanxiang scoffed, "Auntie, you really know how to care for people!"

Shen Xiaofeng looked up shyly, her eyes filled with gratitude, "Auntie, I am fine!"

Nonetheless, Zhang Lanxiang, undeterred, continued to probe for information. Lin Aijia was worried that if Zhang Lanxiang and the others found out where Lin Xia was, it would anger Lin Xia and stop even the eighty yuan a month from coming, so she firmly kept quiet.

But keeping quiet here was futile, as others came with different intentions.

Upon meeting, Lin Yu and Lin Fang uncommonly started chatting with her.

Usually, she looked down on Lin Fang, considering herself a high school student and seldom interacting with her.

Lin Fang was somewhat surprised by Lin Yu’s rare eagerness, but she didn’t think much of it.

Seeing Lin Yu, who had started working and earning her own money, becoming better at dressing up, Lin Fang felt a pang in her heart. She too earned money, but what good clothing could she wear stuck in this ravine?

Compared to her, Lin Yu, who had never followed her mother to remarry before she moved in with her uncle, was still a country girl.

Now, even though she didn’t get into university after graduating from high school, she had found an office job. Truly, comparing people can be infuriating.

Lin Yu saw the envy and jealousy hidden in Lin Fang’s eyes, and couldn’t help feeling smug.

If it weren’t for wanting to spite Lin Xia and the others, she wouldn’t bother interacting with her, but she kept chatting with her without showing anything on her face.

Yu Hongmei, standing by, felt something was off. She looked at the two puzzledly. When had Lin Yu and Lin Fang ever been this close? Probably harboring ill intentions.

But the two were chatting warmly, and she couldn’t say anything, only managing to eavesdrop as much as possible.

Later, using the excuse of needing to go to the restroom, Lin Yu asked Lin Fang to watch the dog.

The two chatted outside for a moment, and Lin Yu hinted around the bush, speaking vaguely yet directly pointing at Lin Xia working in the city greenhouse.

Lin Xia was unaware of what Lin Yu was doing. After eating, the three siblings played with firecrackers in their own yard.

They took apart a string of firecrackers, then one by one stuck them in a snow pile and lit them with incense sticks. The three of them had a lot of fun, their laughter echoing far and wide.

At that moment, sounds of a door opening came from the neighboring Wu Family household.

Although a wooden screen about a person’s height separated the two yards, one could still see the neighbors’ side through the large gaps.

"Xiaolin, have you guys finished eating?" Mrs. Wu cheerfully talked to them.

Lin Xia and her siblings had also been living there for over half a year. They always talked when coming and going, so they were not strangers.

Lin Xia responded with a smile, "Yes, we’ve finished! Happy New Year, Mrs. Wu!"

Lin Qiu and Lin Dong also hurriedly wished her a happy New Year.

"Ah! Happy New Year! Why don’t you come over and watch TV later? There are good programs on!" Mrs. Wu knew these three kids were on their own, with no parents around, and their elder sister working in the greenhouse; it was clear as day.

They say distant relatives aren’t as good as close neighbors, and she was keen on making friends.

Lin Qiu and Lin Dong both looked at Lin Xia, they really wanted to go, but they were waiting for her opinion.

Lin Xia felt it would be awkward to visit someone’s home during New Year’s without an invitation, but facing her siblings’ eager eyes, she compromised.

"Mrs. Wu! Have you finished eating? It won’t disturb you, will it?"

"My child! What disturbance? We’re done eating! Later, all the neighbors around here will come over to watch TV, just come over without worry! Come soon!"

Mrs. Wu chatted and laughed with Lin Xia and the others for a few more moments before going back inside.

Lin Dong and Lin Qiu, thrilled, nearly jumped for joy. They lost interest in lighting more firecrackers and merrily urged Lin Xia into the house, arm in arm.

Lin Xia thought it would be rude to go empty-handed during the New Year, but they didn’t have whole bottles of alcohol at home. Eventually, she took some homemade sausages.

The Wu family was simple; it was just Mrs. Wu, Mr. Wu, two daughters, and a son.

The daughters were married off and wouldn’t come back until the second day of the New Year, leaving only the eldest son, Wu Zhengyang, at home.

Wu Zhengyang was a sprightly young man, wearing glasses and radiating an intellectual aura. He had met Lin Xia and her siblings before, but they weren’t close...