Chapter 16

“Dinner’s ready—”

“Come and try my cooking. Hopefully, my skills haven’t faded after all this time without cooking.”

Third brother Lin Li stood by the dining table wearing an apron.

Wang Zixin waved to him, “Come on, Xiao Li, you sit first. Thanks for cooking today.”

Lin Li took off his apron, revealing a rare shy smile. “Mom, it’s no trouble. We usually have classes, so cooking once in a while isn’t a big deal. It’s not like you and Dad who cook every day.”

The warm scene of filial affection barely lasted a second before Lin Jiangang spoilt the mood, saying, “My wife and I usually eat at the cafeteria or dine out. Speaking of which, ever since things opened up, there are more and more small restaurants around the school. That breakfast place we went to last time was especially delicious, wasn’t it, dear?”

Wang Zixin coughed lightly, “Alright, Lin Jiangang, the kids are all here.”

“But you have to admit, that breakfast shop’s food is really good—the soybean milk is especially authentic.”

The five siblings let out strange cries.

Lin Yilan gave her second sister Wang Qichen a sharp wink.

Wang Qichen made a weird smile, and the two shrugged in tacit agreement.

Sitting nearby, fourth brother Wang Xing cleared his throat loudly, drawing everyone’s attention. “Dad, Mom, you know I’m studying finance. Allow me, as a finance student, to offer each of you a chance to ask me one question.”

Wang Zixin gave a cold look at her playful fourth son. “Your father and I have nothing to ask. Let’s eat.”

Wang Xing shifted in his chair, then cast a glance at his brothers and sisters beside him.

Though nobody knew exactly what he was up to, Lin Yilan guessed it wouldn’t be anything nice and immediately lowered her head to pretend to eat.

Wang Qichen stared up at the ceiling, while eldest brother Lin Ming feigned ignorance with a puzzled look.

Helpless, third brother Lin Li spoke up for him. “Dad, Mom, what the fourth brother means is to remind you not to run out of money by the end of the month and then have to ask Grandpa and Grandma for more.”

After saying that, he buried his head deeply, nearly into his bowl.

Lin Yilan gave her two brothers a look of admiration—truly warriors.

Fourth brother Wang Xing quietly gave his good friend Lin Li a thumbs-up. No wonder they grew up practically in the same pants.

Hearing this, Wang Zixin put down her chopsticks. “First, let me clarify: I have only had that one incident with Comrade Lin, only once!!!

“Secondly, Comrade Lin, please explain what you yourself did.”

Lin Jiangang lightly coughed into his clenched fist. “Let me explain, that month was an accident. It happened when I was paying your tuition fees, and I thought I was getting a raise, so that’s why that awkward thing happened.”

“Also, I warn you all not to mention this again! It’s been so long. As parents, don’t we deserve some dignity?

“Would we bring up your childhood embarrassments? Like how your eldest brother at nine years old…”

“Cough cough cough cough cough!!!” Eldest brother Lin Ming put down his bowl and chopsticks and started coughing uncontrollably.

Lin Yilan looked at her eldest brother’s flushed face and silently sympathized with him. Every time this happened, the eldest brother suffered because of his seniority.

Wang Zixin quickly poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Lin Ming. She gave Lin Jiangang a warning glare to shut him up.

After this unexpected commotion ended, the family of seven happily resumed their meal.

With so many people around, they had become adept at handling surprises at the dinner table—after all, with a big family, anything could happen.

After dinner, Wang Zixin and eldest brother Lin Ming washed the dishes together while chatting about everyday matters.

Listening to them talk about the eldest sister-in-law still on a business trip and how their niece and nephew were doing in class, Lin Yilan took the trash out.

After disposing of the garbage at the self-organized collection point downstairs, she looked at the neatly arranged family housing and suddenly felt like wandering around.

Whether in her past life or this one, she had never really explored the architectural style of family housing in this era. Curious, she began to stroll through the community.

Seeing the tube-shaped and apartment buildings, she had to admit the strength of Sipin High School. As a top high school in Jing City with a high college admission rate since the resumption of the National College Entrance Examination, it seemed to have a profound foundation.

“Are you the fifth child of Teacher Wang’s family?”

Lin Yilan turned to see Aunt Zou, who had apparently been chatting with her mother in the dim corridor earlier. She cautiously greeted her, “Aunt Zou?”

Aunt Zou didn’t expect Lin Yilan to remember her. “Hey, girl, no wonder you’re a top student. You really have a good memory.”

The unexpected compliment left Lin Yilan a bit flustered. “Auntie, with a voice as lovely as yours, how could I forget?”

Aunt Zou laughed heartily. “You and your parents are really different. I still remember when your parents first moved into the tube building, people secretly said they were hard to get along with.”

Lin Yilan was aware of this and even knew some who knew her parents’ identities said harsher things. As a child, she had wondered whether to advise them to get along better with neighbors. Later, upon learning their true identities, she understood why they were unwilling to actively build relationships.

It also explained why they acted like tight-lipped gourds when facing colleagues and neighbors. During holidays, they either worked in the fields or stayed home, since their identities were too sensitive.

Snapping back to the present, Lin Yilan smiled and joked, “Maybe I speak nicely because my parents don’t talk much, so they let me do the talking.”

Aunt Zou laughed again, “Girl, your personality is totally different from what I imagined a college student’s temperament would be.”

Lin Yilan winked playfully, “Auntie, don’t let me disappoint you about college students. Maybe college students really aren’t much different from the girls you meet at the market.”

Aunt Zou was genuinely amused. Though she lived in the Sipin High School family housing, it was because her third son taught there and she came to help them. She had always lived in the rural outskirts of Jing City and was a country woman herself.

Before moving in with her son, she had been anxious for a long time—worried about embarrassing her son’s family and interfering with their work.

Fortunately, none of her worries came true. Though there were minor conflicts, they generally got along.

Especially after becoming neighbors with Teacher Lin’s family, all her previous concerns vanished. Soon, she grew to like them more and more. Not only her, but the entire tube building community had to acknowledge that Teacher Lin and Teacher Wang were cultured, knowledgeable, and good-tempered—a truly refined couple.

They even sparked a new wave of discussion in the community, with many teachers’ families wanting to enroll their children in Teacher Lin’s classes.

Seeing the fifth child now, Aunt Zou’s fondness for Teacher Lin’s family surged even higher.

Lin Yilan noticed Aunt Zou’s growing warmth and couldn’t help but touch her own face. Was she really that likable? She had only said a few words, yet she won the affection of her parents’ neighbor so quickly?

Another day of self-admiration.

Clearing her throat, Aunt Zou said, “Xiao Lan, I heard you’re specializing in building design, right? I have something I’d like your help with. Would that be convenient?”

Building design or not, Lin Yilan sighed, “Auntie, tell me what you need. If I can help, I will.”

Suddenly, Aunt Zou’s expression turned cautious. After looking around, she pulled Lin Yilan into a corner.

“Girl, here’s the thing. Although I’m a country person, I have an older nephew who had moved to Port City but is now back visiting.

“He wants to renovate his parents’ house, so I wondered if you might be interested?”

Seeing Lin Yilan about to speak, she quickly grasped her hand and earnestly said, “I know you cultured folks are proud, but my nephew is really willing to pay well.”

“Don’t rush to answer. Think it over carefully.

“And I won’t get involved in any dealings between you and him. If you do the job, it’ll be just between you and him.”

Lin Yilan’s heart raced. She hadn’t expected such luck.

Everything she wished for seemed to be coming true. Had her luck really improved so much recently?

She had considered doing house design work to earn money, but after a month of trying, she hadn’t landed a single project. The only money she made was selling sunflower seeds while advertising her design services at a market stall.

Remembering how quiet it was then, she looked at Aunt Zou with a suddenly warm heart.

“Auntie, when would be a good time to meet your nephew? Would that be convenient?”

Excitement practically sparked in her eyes.

Aunt Zou was delighted by Lin Yilan’s agreement, her teeth showing in a broad smile. “Alright, girl, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.”

“Give me your contact details. After I confirm things with my nephew, I’ll get in touch.”

Lin Yilan nodded but, considering her safety, added, “Auntie, there’s a duck roast shop near our school that’s really good and affordable. I heard the chef’s recipe is a family secret.

“Maybe when you meet your nephew, you could arrange to meet there? How about that?”

“You know, as a young lady, I have to be careful about my safety.”

Aunt Zou gave her an approving look. “Girl, that’s wise. Alright, I agree. When the time comes, give me your number and the address of the duck shop.”

They exchanged satisfied smiles.