Chapter 50 - 18: "Green Hat

Chapter 50: Chapter 18: "Green Hat

Inside the house.

Lin Xuan’s tears streamed down her face as she cried softly, while Lin Zheng’s eyes were slightly red, but she didn’t cry.

This revealed the stark difference in the two little girls’ temperaments.

Lin Zhao had Lin Xibao take her washbasin out to get water. She then pulled the two little girls into her arms and asked softly, "Is your mother always like that? Did she give the fabric meant for you to your cousin?"

"Yes, I saw it," Lin Zheng said.

Lin Xuan nodded along.

The sisters, one nine and the other seven, were far too sensible for their age. They were born into the Lin Family, a household that didn’t favor boys over girls, so their circumstances should have been much better.

Lin Xuan was older than Lin Zheng, but she had a softer personality and wasn’t as daring as her younger sister.

She kept her head down, silent.

Lin Zhao asked, "Does Second Brother Lin know?"

Lin Zheng glanced at her sister, Lin Xuan, and shook her head. "Dad is too tired from work. My sister and I don’t want to bother him."

’Actually, she’d wanted to tell their dad, but her sister was afraid their parents would fight, so she’d given up on the idea.’

"You should tell him," Lin Zhao said, her thinking clear. "If you two don’t say anything, you’re just enabling your mother. If this continues, she’ll only get worse and start moving things from the Lin Family to her maiden family."

Qiu Lian had raised the two little girls to have no trace of childish innocence. Lin Zheng, in particular, was much more mature than her peers. She lowered her head, pondering her aunt’s words.

Lin Xibao came in with the washbasin, placed it on the rack by the door, and puffed out her chest. "Auntie, I brought the water!"

"Xibao, you’re such a good helper," Lin Zhao praised, soaking a towel and wiping Lin Xuan and Lin Zheng’s faces.

Then, as if by magic, she produced the snowflake cream she had brought and dabbed it on her two nieces’ faces.

"Look at your faces, so dark from the sun. You’re little girls. If the sun is strong, try not to go out. It’s not good to get your faces sunburned."

Xibao watched with envy as her aunt applied the snowflake cream to Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng.

Hearing this, she whispered, "Auntie, it’s not that Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng want to go out in the heat. It’s Second Aunt. Second Aunt won’t let them be idle. She makes them go out in the hot weather to gather firewood, dig for wild vegetables, and pick mushrooms. My mom tried to talk to Second Aunt, but Second Aunt said..."

Xibao put her hands on her hips and imitated Qiu Lian’s sarcastic tone. "Eldest Sister-in-law, I’m not like you, with two sons to rely on. I only gave birth to these two wretches. If they aren’t diligent, who else can I count on? Besides, they’ll get heatstroke just from a little sun? Are they really that delicate?"

Lin Zhao’s lips twitched.

’I asked you to imitate her, not outdo her.’

’This little drama queen.’

"Does your Second Uncle know about this?"

Xibao shook her head quickly. "He doesn’t. Second Aunt puts on a really good act in front of Second Uncle. She’s totally two-faced."

Lin Zhao had been furious about her second sister-in-law’s behavior, but hearing the phrase "two-faced," she almost burst out laughing.

"Where did you learn the word ’two-faced’?"

A blush appeared on Xibao’s face. "I heard it from one of the older girls who’s an educated youth."

The Down to the Countryside Movement had been going on for a few years. The Dongfeng Team had them, and so did the Fengshou Team.

"How are the educated youths behaving? Are any of them causing trouble?" Lin Zhao asked curiously.

"Yes! A lot of them!" Xibao’s face lit up with excitement. "The educated youth station is super lively! They cause trouble every day. One moment they’re complaining about the food, the next they’re complaining about the housing. They’re a real handful. The team leader says they’re a bunch of shit-stirrers and avoids them whenever he sees them now."

She went to watch the commotion every day, so she knew everything.

"You go watch the drama every day, don’t you?" Lin Zhao chuckled.

"Huh?" Xibao was puzzled. "How did you know, Auntie?"

’How did I know?’

’Of course. Lin Xibao had loved watching a scene even before she could walk. Wherever there was a commotion, her eyes would follow. If she missed out on the gossip, she would definitely start wailing.’

Lin Zhao didn’t answer. Instead, she said to Xibao, "Xibao, from now on, if your Second Aunt bullies your Sister Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng again, you shout for your grandma or your Second Uncle, understand?"

Xibao looked at Lin Xuan. She had wanted to shout for help before, but Sister Xuanxuan wouldn’t let her.

The little girl’s face scrunched up, looking troubled.

Although Lin Zheng was young, she knew her aunt was looking out for her and her sister. She said seriously, "Thank you, Auntie! If Mom takes things from our home again, I’ll tell Grandma!"

A war was raging in Lin Xuan’s heart.

She had been brainwashed by Qiu Lian. She was meek and didn’t dare to resist.

However, seeing the bright look in her younger sister’s eyes, she didn’t say anything to discourage her.

Lin Zhao noticed Xuanxuan’s unease and sighed internally. ’Her disposition is too weak. I hope it’s not too late.’

She told the three little girls to stay in the room and wait until it was time to eat. Then she went for a walk, found Lin Shisheng, and told him what was going on.

When Second Brother Lin heard that Qiu Lian was constantly up to her little tricks and secretly emotionally abusing his daughters, his expression turned to ice.