"You believe that?"
Ya Molian looked at Ya Enxi with cold eyes, counter-questioning.
He had heard of the Liu Family's background, although they were not extremely wealthy, how could they lack a mere two hundred taels of silver?
"I find it hard to believe, but if that's not it, then what else could it be? Could they be after the Lin Family's assets?" Ya Enxi pursed his lips as he asked.
They were perfectly aware of how the Lin Family was living, weren't they? It was a typical case of poor and bankrupt.
Actually, the Lin Family used to live a rather decent life. Lin Caisang's father, Lin Baizhong, was one of the best cubilose harvesters in the village, and the income from the cubilose each year was enough to ensure a prosperous year for the family, with some money left over.
Moreover, Third Uncle Lin had learned carpentry in town and, being intelligent, he could take carpentry jobs himself after only a year as an apprentice.
Grandpa Lin managed the family's fields alone, with Grandma Qiubo and Third Aunt Yang occasionally helping out. The family was truly harmonious, living a rather good life.
However, four years ago the court summoned soldiers. Lin Baizhong, as the eldest son, had no choice but to leave home to join the army, after that, there was no more news of him.
When Lin Laogeng's son left, he had to go out to earn a living to supplement the family's income and ended up injuring both his legs. To this day, he is still bedridden, having been in bed for over three years.
The family was barely managing with the help of grandma, third aunt, and a few nearly grown grandchildren.
Then, a severe drought hit the area for two years and the crops failed, leaving the people without enough food. Third Uncle's carpentry work was not in demand either, so now it seems their household couldn't scrape together even ten copper coins.
What could Liu Rumei possibly want? The few acres of barren land?
"Zhou Liang!"
Ya Molian uttered two words nonchalantly.
"What?"
Ya Enxi was momentarily stunned before he understood.
Did Liu Rumei take a fancy to Caisang's betrothed, Zhou Liang, and wanted to marry off her daughter to him? Was that why she came up with this plan?
"Brother Molian, I think you're right. That Liu Rumei is really malicious!"
Lin Caisang is only thirteen years old. She could actually do something like this. If she fancied Zhou Liang, she should work hard on her own. Why resort to such a hurtful act?
"Should we do something about it?" he asked.
"Hmm."
Ya Molian responded softly, looking at the wild game he had caught in the rain today.
"Let's go sell our game first."
Ya Enxi: "????"
...
With a creak,
The bedroom door was opened. Ms. Lu of the Lin Family brought a bowl full of rice and dishes to the bedridden old man.
"Didn't I tell you, a little less would be enough. I'm just lying here waiting to die, why the need to give so much food to me?" Lin Laogeng looked at the bowl of rice and sighed helplessly.
They were so poor at home, and as a man with disabled legs, he thought he should save some food for his grandchildren.
"You missing a bite won't make a difference."
Ms. Lu of the Lin Family thrust the bowl into her husband's hand and sat down next to the bed.
"Ah, husband, I think this marriage between our Sangsang and the Zhou family might be called off."
Just thinking about this choked her heart. The lad Zhou Liang looked down on her Sangsang, she was not blind, how could she not see? With what happened now, this marriage was meant to be off.
"It's better if it's off."
Lin Laogeng didn't care, continuing to eat and speak.