Chapter 20: The Cousin Steals the Home to Take Her Place in Marriage

Finally, Ye Heng and Luo Song reached a deal.

He took away one crystal and a laser gun from the other party, and in return he gave Luo Song several dozen wilted grapes and the smallest orange.

He had tasted that orange; it was sweeter and juicier than the grapes, and the key was that it was fresh enough.

Luo Song held it in his hand, his heart utterly shocked.

That night, Luo Song's child ate a few grapes, crying and fussing, still wanting more.

Luo Song secretly took a small bite, and immediately made a decision.

He wanted to find a way to get on good terms with Ye Heng; he had in his hand fruits even better than those in the Bit District—this person was no ordinary one.

——

Lin Meng left Yun Cheng, not returning to Lin Jia Cun, but instead went back to the town where she and her parents had lived for over twenty years.

Qing Tang Town is another town under Yun Cheng; it is far from Lin Jia Cun, requiring over two hours by bus with transfers.

Their parents' ashes were placed in the town's cemetery, in a small niche on the wall—this was their resting place.

Lin Meng knew her father still wished to return to the ancestral grave after death, but considering the discord with several siblings, fearing that solitary Lin Meng would be bullied, he instructed her on his deathbed to bury him in the cemetery.

Now, her grandfather appeared in a dream asking her to relocate the grave; plus she deeply knew she could not get along with her uncles and aunts, so the grave would be moved—moved it was.

After finishing the paperwork, Lin Meng returned to the small house in town.

In the thirty-square-meter relocation house, memories filled it.

Although the house is small, Lin Meng feels at ease living there; she has no intention of selling it.

At night, after communicating with Ye Heng about the trade result, Lin Meng was just about to lie down when her phone suddenly received a notification that someone was entering and exiting the old residence.

She had installed cameras in the old residence's courtyard, main house, and corners of several rooms.

Originally she just wanted to guard against her uncles' few true ill intentions, to preserve evidence; she never expected they would act so quickly!

Lin Meng opened her phone and indeed saw a sneaky figure, crouching low as it entered the courtyard.

Taking a closer look, isn't that Lin Qianqian?

Lin Qianqian never imagined Lin Meng would have installed so many surveillance cameras at home.

After confirming Lin Meng was truly not home, she swaggered about, rummaging everywhere.

Seeing her aimless demeanor, she likely wasn't after any particular thing.

Lin Meng always carries the property deed when she goes out, giving her uncles no chance.

Aside from some old furniture and her worn-out clothes, there was nothing valuable in the house; Lin Qianqian searched a while and lost interest.

"Just as Mom said, poor as dirt, what's the use of studying? Even having been to the magic city, what's it matter? You still don't dress or live as well as I do—hmph!"

Lin Qianqian sneered, unaware that Lin Meng observed every one of her actions, heard every word she spoke, even the spit she spat, with close attention.

The surveillance had audio, but Lin Meng did not startle Lin Qianqian.

She wanted to see what purpose her cousin had in sneaking over in the middle of the night.

Lin Qianqian yawned, reluctantly found a room, lay down and slept.

Lin Meng frowned, unable to figure it out after much thought.

The rural villa built by her uncles is far better than the old house; how could such a pampered person as Lin Qianqian give up her princess room to sleep in her little earthen house?

Although the old house's exterior layout is decent, inside there isn't any decent furniture; it's hardly better than a bare shell.

Lin Meng couldn't temporarily figure out Lin Qianqian's purpose, so she stopped pondering, set an early alarm, and went to sleep.

After waking up refreshed at six o'clock, Lin Meng immediately turned on the monitor, continuing to watch Lin Qianqian's every move.

Until after nine, Lin Qianqian finally got up, tidied up simply, then sat in the courtyard as if awaiting something, her eyes occasionally glancing toward the gate.

Not long after, Lin Meng saw a black sedan drive up to her gate, bearing a Jing license plate.

Lin Meng immediately had a clue, and fixed her gaze on Lin Qianqian.

A man about fifty years old stepped out of the car and knocked on the Lin family gate.

In an instant, Lin Qianqian jumped up excitedly, opening the door with astonishing speed.

The old man was dressed impeccably; he glanced at Lin Qianqian, then spoke without changing expression:

"Miss Lin, I am the butler of the Ye family in Jing Shi; I had previously spoken with your father on the phone, and this time I have come to fetch you to the Ye family."

Lin Qianqian had long been unable to contain herself; her whole body trembled slightly with excitement.

What Dad said was indeed correct—our Lin family has a marriage alliance with the Ye family, the nation's richest!

Unfortunately, the betrothed is the one who inherits the old residence.

How could Lin Meng, that luck‑stealing jinx who hogs all the benefits, possibly marry into the Ye family? Naturally, only she, the Lin family princess, is qualified.

Her father had already obtained the contact information for the Ye family side.

Taking advantage of Lin Meng's absence, her father immediately contacted the Ye family, thus creating her opportunity.

At this moment, Lin Qianqian felt that marrying into a wealthy family was a foregone conclusion, and she couldn't help but grow arrogant.

She held herself with what she considered a proper dignified bearing, chin slightly lifted, and said to the butler:

"Understood, but our Lin family won't cause trouble for the Ye family; I'll go to Jing Shi myself. You just tell the Ye family patriarch that the junior Lin Qianqian will certainly pay a visit."

This was what her father taught her.

Lin Jianyang said, when noble families select a daughter‑in‑law, they greatly value the other's bearing—one must be presentable and able to hold the scene.

That way, the other side won't look down on her.

The old butler nodded lightly, responded politely, then got in the car and left.

Lin Qianqian stared as the vehicle drove out of the village entrance, finally bursting into loud laughter.

She was going to marry into a wealthy family!

"Lin Meng, the childhood engagement between the Lin and Ye families is mine; you probably still don't know you have a betrothal, right?"

Lin Meng watched Lin Qianqian leave the old residence smugly, and let out a cold chuckle.

She knew Lin Jianyang, that old fox, wasn't holding back a good fart — sure enough, his little trick is being used here.

Lin Jianyang is grandfather's eldest son; it's not surprising that he'd know about the childhood betrothal.

She just said, why is Uncle staring so intently at the old house? Turns out, to be engaged to the Ye Family, one must be the heir of this old house.

The deed is in her name; merely having someone show up in the old house won't work.

The childhood betrothal with the Ye Family belongs to her; even if she doesn't want it, Lin Qianqian doesn't get a chance to snatch it.

Lin Meng steadied her mind, then had an idea, and immediately packed up and set off.

Only by evening did Lin Meng return to the village with her parents' cremains and portrait.

Not far away, the brat Lin Haoxuan was sneaking about, peeking and staring at Lin Meng; seeing her enter the old house, he turned and ran home at full speed.

Lin Meng curled her lips in a light smile; the little brat went back to spread the word.

Maybe soon someone will come to show off to her.

As expected, Lin Qianqian came, full of smug pride.

「Yo, where have you been gallivanting? How much of that over-three-million debt have you paid off? 」