Chapter 41: Grandfather's Memorial Day, the Eldest Uncle Proposes to Adopt Lin Meng

Three days later, Lin Jia Village welcomed the memorial service hosted by Lin Jianyang.

Each family sent a representative early in the morning to gather at the ancestral hall, most just coming for a free meal and to see the liveliness of Lin Meng's household.

As the sponsor, Lin Jianyang dressed especially splendidly today; even the second and fourth brothers' families also looked spirited, as if they were about to hold a great celebration.

When Lin Meng arrived holding her grandfather's spirit tablet, she happened to see Lin Jianyang's three brothers sitting in the ancestral hall, receiving praise just like the eldest uncle, faces glowing, not at all like they were there to mourn a deceased relative.

"Jianyang, you're really filial, willing to hold such a grand memorial for your father who's been dead many years; this must cost a lot, right?"

Lin Jianyang, being fawned over, looked pleased on the outside and felt proud inside, yet still put on a show of modesty.

"Where, where, as a son it's only proper to spend some money in mourning one's father."

Lin Jianxiang and Lin Jianshan also echoed, praising the eldest brother; as for what they really thought inside, only they themselves knew.

Lin Meng pursed her lips and walked in, not glancing at the three uncles, directly placing her grandfather's spirit tablet on the table, murmuring under her breath.

"Ah, Grandfather, you enjoyed nothing in life, but in death you finally had your moment of glory; if you have awareness in the underworld, you must remember today, for after today, whether there will still be the incense ash and candles from your eldest son is uncertain..."

Her voice was neither loud nor soft, yet everyone in the ancestral hall could hear her clearly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Jianyang's face darkened instantly, but out of face he did not immediately rebuke.

Lin Jianxiang had wanted to speak, but seeing the fourth brother barely able to stay seated, he instead adopted an indifferent attitude, fell silent, and waited for the fourth brother to take the lead.

Lin Jianshan slammed the table and angrily scolded Lin Meng.

"Ill-mannered thing, how dare you speak like that? Is this how the third brother usually teaches you to treat your elders?"

"Your eldest uncle spends money to memorialize the old gentleman; as his grandson-generation, you not contributing money or effort is already enough, yet you still utter sarcastic remarks—truly lawless!"

At this point, Second Uncle Lin Jianxiang slowly added: "The fourth brother is right, Lin Meng, your eldest uncle's wholehearted filial piety means your words have somewhat chilled his heart."

Seeing that his two brothers had said enough, Lin Jianyang finally slowly raised his hand to signal them to stop.

"Alright, alright, today is the old gentleman's memorial day; let's each say a couple less words. Lin Meng, this girl is still young, many things she doesn't understand; as elders we shouldn't keep scolding her, we should care for the deceased third brother more and help educate her."

Lin Jianyang spoke pleasantly, appearing unconcerned, as if truly doing it for the younger generation's benefit, leading many villagers to nod in approval.

Previously they hadn't thought Lin Jianyang was a good person; wealthy people after all like to hold their noses high, and many villagers secretly disliked him.

From past observations, Lin Jianyang indeed was not particularly filial; everyone saw it clearly, just never called it out.

But looking at him today, it seems not so.

This Lin Jianyang not only willingly spends so much money on the deceased, but is also very tolerant toward Lin Meng, this outspoken junior.

It seems our previous impression of him was mistaken.

Lin Meng watched this, feeling a cold snort in her heart.

What exactly is Lin Jianyang's motive, that he can endure so patiently today?

No matter what he intends to do, today he will surely suffer for it.

Not long after, the village elder accompanied by several respected elders from the village arrived at the ancestral hall, and the memorial service officially began.

Regarding these complicated rituals, Lin Meng did not understand them; she merely watched and followed, her mind preoccupied with other matters.

Last night her grandfather didn't come to find her; for three consecutive nights she has offered incense and kowtowed to her grandfather, and if he knew he would surely send her a dream.

It seems her grandfather has been busy in the underworld lately, with no time to attend to her.

Here the memorial days are myriad; her grandfather in life apparently did not emphasize these, and the significance of Lin Jianyang's undertaking, for her grandfather, is not great.

As for how her grandfather observes his own memorial day over there, Lin Meng naturally has no way to know.

She only knows that Lin Jianyang's grandiose display is meant to craft an image of himself as filial and kind, and surely he has no good intentions.

As expected, once the memorial service ended, Lin Jianyang called the village elder over.

At this moment the villagers were still waiting for the feast to begin, many not yet having left the ancestral hall.

Lin Jianyang, facing the village elder and several elders, spoke earnestly:

"Village elder, I have a matter I'd like to discuss with you."

After speaking, Lin Jianyang deliberately glanced at Lin Meng, whose heart skipped a beat, and then he said:

"It's like this: we brothers have discussed it and feel that Lin Meng, having lost her parents, is truly pitiful, and as an unmarried maiden, we fear that when she marries, the groom's side will learn she has no parents, no natal family to rely on, and may bully her."

"So we discussed and decided that I, as the eldest uncle, will recognize her as my daughter and register her under my name."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned subtle, including Lin Meng's.

This time Lin Meng finally understood: after all the fuss, they were waiting for her.

She had thought they would confront her head‑on, ruin her reputation or force her to surrender property or money, but she never expected they would come up with such a vicious scheme—actually wanting to adopt her as a daughter!

Most villagers exchanged bewildered glances, unable to grasp what was happening.

Haven't the Lin family brothers always disliked Lin Meng?

Over these three years, because of the old house matter, Lin Jianyang has constantly stirred up trouble for the second and fourth brothers' households, openly and secretly speaking ill of Lin Meng.

Moreover, they have even long since cut off contact with their own blood brother Lin Jianqing, their relationship having deteriorated to the extreme.

Everyone in the village knows that, over the old house, these Lin family members have long fallen out with Lin Meng's father, treating him as an enemy.

How could it be that, in the blink of an eye, Lin Jianyang now wants to become Lin Meng's father?

"Could this be a roundabout tactic? By transferring Lin Meng's household registration into his name, wouldn't her house then become his?"

"That does seem possible, but current law clearly states that the name on the property deed determines ownership; even if Lin Meng were truly adopted by him, I doubt the property owner could be changed."

"Could it be that they're eyeing Lin Meng's inheritance? As long as Lin Meng dies, the house would naturally become Lin Jianyang's."

"Good heavens, it turns out Lin Jianyang has been harboring this wicked idea—truly an eye‑opener!"

Villagers whispered among themselves, concluding that Lin Jianyang's actions were certainly not out of goodwill.

Lin Meng narrowed her eyes at Lin Jianyang's smiling face, feeling a chill rise from the soles of her feet to her forehead.

"Could this uncle really be that ruthless? If the villagers' guesses are true, that would be terrifying."

But upon second thought, she felt it wasn't right.

The old house has lost its value; Lin Jianyang is indeed miserly, fond of hoarding wealth, but he wouldn't go to such lengths for a worthless old house.

Most likely, it's still because of the marriage engagement with the Ye Family.