Seventies Sweetheart: From Breakup to Billionaire-Chapter 165: Visiting Mother’s Family

Lin Xiang didn’t know how to comfort Mrs. Lin, so she simply changed the topic.

"Mom, after the New Year, I’m going to school in town. Teacher Yu suggests that I stay in the dormitory to avoid the trouble of commuting. But after thinking it over, several people share a dorm room, conflicts are inevitable, which could affect my studies. So, I thought, how about I rent a room off-campus, and you move there with me?"

"Living in town?" Mrs. Lin frowned slightly, clearly a bit reluctant, "We just finished building our house, if we move to town, what about this house?"

"This house has its own charm. If it stays unoccupied for too long, even the best house will deteriorate."

Lin Xiang held her face in her hands, looking pitifully at Mrs. Lin, "Would you really bear to see me living all alone in town? Although the town’s security is good, what if I encounter danger and there’s no one to protect me? Mom, I really need you."

Mrs. Lin couldn’t withstand Lin Xiang’s soft approach, caving immediately, "Alright, after the New Year, we’ll look for a place in town, and I’ll live with you. I can cook for you too."

"By the way, are you sure you can get into a university?"

Lin Xiang: ...

Thankfully, she knew Mrs. Lin was straightforward and didn’t mean anything by it, or else she’d feel upset.

"I’ve spent some time recently reviewing high school textbooks, and although some parts are tough, I can solve most problems. Once I’m at school, I’ll study systematically with the teachers, and it should be manageable."

After a pause, Lin Xiang continued, "But you must not mention this outside. There are plenty of envious people in our team, and what if someone harbors ill intentions and affects my college entrance exam?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"I know, do you think your mother doesn’t know better?" Mrs. Lin glanced at the densely written pages of Lin Xiang’s textbook and asked, "So you won’t be running the spicy noodle business while studying?"

"No, I really don’t have the time. I thought, why not let Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt do it, so they can earn some income as well."

"Such a lucrative business, and you’re just going to stop it, how much money would you lose? You’ll need a lot of money for school, spending without earning, what will you do when you run out of money?"

"I still have my brother’s allowance, and it’s only difficult for this year. Once I get into university, we can earn money without worries."

Mrs. Lin was about to speak when suddenly they heard someone shouting outside.

"I’ll get the door."

Lin Xiang put down her pen and got up to open the door.

Seeing who was at the door, she frowned, her voice full of wariness, "What are you doing here?"

"Girl, why so disrespectful? I’m your uncle!"

Lin Xiang instinctively wanted to close the door, preventing Uncle Lin from coming in.

But she remembered Mrs. Lin’s earlier low spirits and forced down her impatience, "What exactly are you here for?"

Uncle Lin was angry at Lin Xiang’s attitude but remembered his purpose, so he held back his temper.

"Today is the second day of the New Year, and typically married women return to their parental home. Since your grandparents have passed away, my home is your mom’s parental home. I came today to invite your mom to my home for a meal."

Lin Xiang scrutinized Uncle Lin from head to toe, her suspicion plain to see, "Are you really that kind? Seems like there must be another motive behind this, right?"

Since Mr. Lin’s passing, their ties were practically severed, and yet, they were now being invited over for a meal?

It was clearly a trick.

Uncle Lin simply ignored Lin Xiang and shouted loudly, "Xiuli, I’m here to take you home for a meal!"

Inside, upon hearing Uncle Lin’s voice, Mrs. Lin shivered, instinctively rushing out into the yard.

"We’ve already severed ties. I’m not going to your house for a meal, just go back!" Mrs. Lin firmly refused.

Uncle Lin couldn’t care less about Mrs. Lin’s refusal, continuing on his own, "Your sister-in-law made a lot of dishes today. We saved some from New Year’s Eve just for you."

"Regarding cutting ties, I never acknowledged it. It was all Xiumei sowing discord, causing this rift between us siblings. We are family; even if we break our bones, they’re still connected by sinews. Do you really want to never call me brother again?"

Mrs. Lin’s eyes were full of struggle.

On one hand, she longed for family ties.

On the other hand, she feared Lin Xiang might be upset.

Lin Xiang sighed in her heart but said, "Mom, you should go change your clothes."

"Girl, you... agree for your mom to go to your uncle’s for a meal?"

Lin Xiang: ...

"Since Uncle came all the way, it won’t be good not to go. Please go change your clothes first."

Mrs. Lin held onto Lin Xiang, "Then you also go change your clothes, wear that goose yellow cotton jacket your Fifth Aunt made for you, and let’s go to your uncle’s together."

"...Alright."

After changing clothes, Lin Xiang took a basket and began packing things into it.

On New Year’s Eve, Mrs. Lin and Fifth Aunt went to town and bought a lot of New Year goods. It’s just the two of them at home, so they didn’t consume much, and there were still plenty in the cupboard.

She took half a kilo of cured meat, half a bag of brown sugar, half a bag of red dates, a kilo of wine cakes, and a kilo of fruit candies.

This New Year gift was quite presentable, even in the city.

Mrs. Lin not only changed her clothes but also restyled her hair, looking much more spirited.

Lin Xiang opened the cloth covering the basket, revealing its contents, "These are the New Year gifts to bring to Uncle’s house. Mom, see if there’s anything missing?"

"You put thought into this; these gifts are quite nice. But should we also prepare some red envelopes? Your uncle’s family has kids, and since it is our first New Year visit, we should give some New Year money to them."

Uncle Lin has two sons and two daughters, all married.

The eldest son has two children, the second son has three sons, the eldest daughter has one daughter, and the second daughter got married just at the end of last year and doesn’t have children yet.

"There are six kids in total, so let’s prepare six red envelopes. How much money do you think is appropriate for each?"

Lin Xiang didn’t know the customs of the Li Hua Team, and sensing how much Mrs. Lin valued this "return to the maternal home," she left the decision to Mrs. Lin, "How much do you think is appropriate?"

"How about putting two dollars in each? One dollar seems a bit too little."

"Alright, then two dollars it is."

Mrs. Lin took a piece of red paper from the bottom layer of the cupboard, cut it into equal sizes, and glued them to form six identical red envelopes.

Lin Xiang took twelve one-dollar bills and placed two dollars in each envelope.