Chapter 68: Three Women Heart-to-Heart

The old man said, "Of course I recognize you. You used to be such a pretty little girl, and you were so quiet and gentle. You were a well-known young lady of good breeding in our area, but how did you end up like... like a common market shrew now?"

"..." The aunt felt a wave of sorrow. She had grown up pampered, and because her family was well-off, she never had to worry about food or clothing. That was why she had such a refined air when she was young; it was only after she married the wrong person that she gradually became like this.

"Uncle Wang, never mind what I've become now. You just judge for me: my grandson wants to attend Hu Xiao, and I want to register his household residency at the old family home, but these women just won't agree. Tell me, is there any such thing as relatives like this?"

Once she said this, the bystanders understood exactly what was going on.

The old man said, "I remember that before your younger brother passed away, he specifically instructed that this house be left to Lin Wanfen. Since it's her house, and she doesn't want your grandson to register his residency here, you don't really have a leg to stand on, do you?"

The bystanders also hurriedly chimed in.

Lin Wanfen was not exactly a saint in this neighborhood, but she was definitely not a bad person either. She was just an ordinary woman who lived her life diligently. She had never mistreated her stepdaughter, and even when her stepdaughter came back on weekends, she would still cook a meal or two for her.

On the other hand, this aunt hadn't been in contact for how many years now.

After making such a scene with Dazhu, Lin Wanfen didn't gain anything, so the two of them had no choice but to flee in embarrassment.

Inside the house, seeing that it had become quiet outside, Bai Shunan couldn't help but lecture Lin Wanfen and Bai Shuruo: "You two, why bother reasoning with them? Next time they come, just call the police."

Lin Wanfen said, "I've thought about it, but I'm afraid of making a scene and having the neighbors say we're heartless. After all... I'm only a second wife."

Bai Shunan said helplessly, "You're such a coward. You just saw it yourself—the neighbors were all on your side."

"That's true. It seems... I'll have to interact with them more in the future." It wasn't that Lin Wanfen didn't want to interact with them, but she really didn't have the time, and she was afraid others would look down on her.

Bai Shunan looked at Bai Shuruo again: "Ruoruo, you too. Next time you encounter things like this, be firmer. If you don't allow it, you don't allow it. You can reason with some people, but with others, you can't get through to them."

"I know, Sister," Bai Shuruo said with a smile, then asked, "But Sister, why did you suddenly come back?"

Lin Wanfen also said, "Yes, I know you're busy, so I didn't dare to notify you."

"Uh... let's just say we have a telepathic connection. I knew you needed help, so I came back." Bai Shunan smiled and added, "It's dinner time now, let me treat you two to dinner. We haven't eaten together in a long time."

"Great!" Bai Shuruo immediately raised both hands in agreement. She was becoming increasingly afraid of going home; Han Yangting had all sorts of demands every day, and she could barely handle it.

The three women went to a nearby private kitchen restaurant to eat.

Bai Shunan was always generous; she ordered a whole table of dishes, all of which were high-quality ingredients and various types of seafood.

Bai Shuruo was very happy with these dishes and ate with a hearty appetite.

Bai Shunan couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so hungry? Is it because you just got back from Xijiang, or because Han Yangting doesn't let you eat much?"

"Of course it's because I just got back from Xijiang," Bai Shuruo said.

Facing this table full of food, Lin Wanfen felt both happy and uneasy.

"Aunt Fen, please eat more," Bai Shunan urged.

Lin Wanfen ate a few bites, then couldn't help but shed tears.

"Aunt Fen, why are you crying?" The sisters couldn't help but feel nervous.

Lin Wanfen pulled out a tissue and wiped her tears while saying, "Look, ever since your father passed away, I haven't raised you properly, and I didn't treat you like my own daughters, yet you two sisters are still so good to me."

Bai Shunan and Bai Shuruo were silent for a moment.

It was Bai Shunan who knew what to say: "Aunt Fen, when my father passed away, Shuhua was still young. You had to manage the household and take care of Shuhua all by yourself; the pressure is easy to imagine. Bai Shuruo and I were already grown up and could take care of ourselves, so we didn't trouble you. It's perfectly normal, you don't need to feel guilty."

Lin Wanfen said, "But I had selfish motives. I always hoped you two sisters would get married early; I was worried you'd come back and fight for the house."

Bai Shunan couldn't help but smile: "Aunt Fen, you underestimate us. We sisters are quite capable; why would we covet that old house? If I wanted to, I could buy a new small villa at any time. Isn't that right, Shuruo?"

Bai Shuruo also said, "That's right, Aunt Fen. We are both women and we know how hard it is for women. Besides, you only introduced me to potential partners, but you never forced me to marry, nor did you just point at a man and tell me to marry him. You were even picky yourself, terrified that I would marry the wrong person."

Lin Wanfen started crying again: "I... I didn't realize you understood all that."

Over the years, she had indeed scouted many men for Bai Shuruo, but after much inquiry, she was the one who ended up dissatisfied first—either complaining that the man was ugly or that he had no ability.

Lin Wanfen cried, "I was just afraid you'd marry the wrong person, and when I go down to the afterlife, your father would blame me."

Seeing the atmosphere become heavy, Bai Shunan couldn't help but crack a joke: "Aunt Fen, stop mentioning my father. My father has been gone for so many years, and you're still young. Why don't we find you a few potential partners? Otherwise, when Shuhua starts her own family in the future, how lonely you'll be."

Lin Wanfen didn't smile, but instead said blankly, "I'd like to, but in this world, how many men are as excellent as your father?"

After Lin Wanfen finished speaking, it was the sisters' turn to be silent.

They ate until 9 o'clock, when Bai Shuruo received a call from Han Yangting: "Ruoruo, where are you now?"

As soon as she answered his call, she became nervous: "I'm eating with my sister. We're already finished, and I'm preparing to head back."

"Send your location," he said concisely.

"Huh?"

"I'm coming to pick you up."

"There's no need for that, is there?" She wasn't used to being picked up and dropped off like this.

Han Yangting said, "Let me come pick you up. You're still on sick leave, after all. Besides, if I'm not proactive, your sister and Aunt Fen will think I'm neglecting you."

Is that so?

He didn't give Bai Shuruo a chance to explain and hung up the phone first.

Bai Shunan, who was on the side, asked, "Is that Brother Han?"

"He said he's coming to pick me up," Bai Shuruo said while sending her location to Han Yangting.

"This Brother Han of yours is really good to you," Bai Shunan said.

"It's alright, I guess. He says... a married couple should act like a married couple, so during this time... he always does some inexplicable things and makes all sorts of demands. I'm even afraid of him," Bai Shuruo complained directly.

"If he doesn't take some action, you're going to mistake him for being gay again."

Lin Wanfen asked, "What's 'gay'? What does that mean?"

Bai Shunan laughed while telling the story of Bai Shuruo's embarrassing moment, leaving Lin Wanfen both amused and speechless.