Trending Again – Chapter 25

Entering the Lin Family mansion for the first time, amusing Grandma Lin to make her happy

“Are you sure Grandma likes this?” Si Meng was not very confident. This was her first time wearing a qipao; usually, she was a rough and tough girl who didn’t even bother with dresses.

“Of course, Grandma likes gentle and quiet girls. Look at you now, you look charming and elegant,” Lin Hanyue was very satisfied with her choice.

“Pfft, it’s probably just your own preference,” Si Meng scrutinized Lin Hanyue carefully. Both of them were wearing qipaos, and they looked like a couple.

“Alright, let me do your makeup. You’ll look absolutely stunning,” Lin Hanyue turned Si Meng’s face towards her. With her fair and tender skin, Si Meng didn’t need foundation; Lin Hanyue started with eyeliner directly. Si Meng’s peach blossom eyes were already captivating, and now, by elongating the eye tails and deepening the contours, they became even more radiant.

Her gently curved willow leaf eyebrows needed no modification, and her naturally long eyelashes were a masterpiece. Lin Hanyue then shifted her focus to Si Meng’s wolf tail hairstyle—it was too flamboyant, it needed to be more subdued.

“No, can’t do. Wolf tail stays, I stay,” Si Meng quickly protected the back of her head, huddling and covering herself.

“Come on, just leave it. I’ll tidy it up a bit, it’s all tangled,” Lin Hanyue coaxed from the side.

Si Meng didn’t believe her and ran out to look in the mirror. The result was that Lin Hanyue caught her, straightening the wolf tail behind Si Meng and making it a bit neater. The wolf tail became a soft, fluffy little curl.

With a head full of curls, Si Meng looked like a cute girl next door from behind. However, when you looked at her face, you couldn’t help but be captivated by her delicate features.

“You turned my wolf king into a milk dog,” Si Meng complained discontentedly.

“Very cute,” Lin Hanyue played with her soft curls.

Si Meng didn’t believe it. Lin Hanyue always teased her, and yet, every time she fell for it.

“What about Grandma’s birthday present? What should I prepare?” Si Meng was in distress, feeling tangled.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it all prepared. Just focus on enjoying the celebration,” Lin Hanyue took Si Meng’s small hand and reassured her with a comforting look.

But Si Meng couldn’t grasp it at all. She turned around and sent a message to Si Teng on WeChat.

WeChat Chat:

Si Meng: I need all the information about Grandma Lin.

One minute later

Si Teng: File [Grandma Lin’s Information]

Si Meng: The list of attendees from the Lin family today.

Two minutes later

Si Teng: File [Attendee List]

Si Meng: What gift should I give?

One second

Si Teng: Human head

Si Meng: I feel like blowing your dog head!

Si Meng angrily put down her phone. Lin Hanyue, who was driving beside her, didn’t know what happened. The car continued towards the suburban Lin mansion.

After Si Meng reviewed the information, she got an idea and instructed Si Teng to prepare.

Upon reaching the Lin mansion, many people were already there. According to the list, almost all the prominent families from City A had come. Building good relations with the Lin family meant having a strong presence in City A.

Si Meng was immediately drawn to the delicious food at the banquet and was about to go and taste it when Lin Hanyue led her forward.

“Mom, we’re here. Where’s Grandma?” Lin Hanyue shouted to a woman in the distance.

“Inside. She’s been asking when you’d arrive,” Mother Lin smiled, but when her gaze met Si Meng’s, she paused briefly, then displayed a deep sense of apology.

“Si Meng, wait a moment. I’ll go in first and say hello to Grandma,” Lin Hanyue didn’t notice the awkward atmosphere between the two. She had no idea that Mother Lin and Si Meng knew each other.

Si Meng nodded, focusing her gaze on Mother Lin. Mother Lin was an ordinary-looking woman, so Lin Hanyue had clearly inherited her father’s attractive appearance. However, the most striking feature of Mother Lin was her large and bright phoenix eyes, which Lin Hanyue had inherited.

“Long time no see, Mrs. Lin,” Si Meng said calmly.

“Yeah, it’s been a while. You and Hanyue…” Mother Lin hesitated.

“We’re back together,” Si Meng stated frankly. Mother Lin breathed a sigh of relief and finally showed a hint of a smile.

“I’m glad you two are back together. Over the years, Hanyue has been missing you. I really didn’t mean to break you two apart,” Mother Lin, all these years, hadn’t really let go. On one hand, she hoped Si Meng would come back and fulfill both their wishes, but on the other hand, she also hoped Si Meng wouldn’t come back, allowing Lin Hanyue to start a new relationship.

“It’s not your fault either. After all, the influence of the Si family is so strong. I just hope you don’t blame me for leaving Lin Hanyue and going abroad back then,” Si Meng also expressed her feelings.

After so many years, the past grievances seemed to have been let go.

“No, you’re a good girl. I hope you and Hanyue can go on forever,” Mother Lin smiled at Si Meng. They shook hands, discussing the past.

When Lin Hanyue came out, she saw the two of them enjoying each other’s company. Mother Lin was chatting about daily life, and Si Meng patiently listened. Si Meng occasionally told jokes to make Mother Lin happy. Mother Lin laughed heartily. This was the first time since Father Lin’s passing that Lin Hanyue saw her mother so happy.

“What are you talking about? Looks like you’re having a great time,” Lin Hanyue approached, but saw the two women whispering mysteriously, “This is a woman’s secret.”

As the three of them were about to go inside, they heard someone nearby speaking with a strange tone.

“Oh, if it isn’t the big sister-in-law. Haven’t seen you for so long, why do you look so old now?” a woman dressed provocatively said, feigning innocence.

Mother Lin remained silent, seemingly used to this woman’s criticisms. This younger sister had always looked down on her, considering her to be from a humble background. Especially after Father Lin passed away, these relatives added insult to injury, taking advantage of their widow and orphan status.

“Well, at least I look better than your plastic surgery face. Look at your apple cheeks and double eyelids. Geez, it’s hard to put into words,” Si Meng added from the side, wondering where she got the confidence to comment on someone else’s age.

“You… are really an uncultured thing, just as one would expect from someone with a humble background,” the woman shouted.

“It seems that Auntie isn’t from a prestigious family either. Since when did the Wen family become a noble one?” Lin Hanyue spoke up at the right moment. The woman was left speechless and quickly sought help from a nearby man.

“Hanyue, how can you talk to elders like that? Truly a case of having a father but no upbringing, a piece of something without proper care. Ignore them, a family of troublemakers,” the man, Lin Jian, said. He was Father Lin’s second brother, one of the Lin family’s three brothers. Apart from Father Lin venturing out to make a living, the rest were living off the family. Not only that, they were always plotting to get a share of the family assets.

Lin Hanyue clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Si Meng felt her anger, but as an outsider, she couldn’t say much. She knew Lin Hanyue wasn’t impulsive. If Lin Hanyue chose to keep him around, it must be because she wanted to gather evidence behind the scenes.

“Let’s go inside and celebrate Grandma’s birthday. Don’t get angry,” Si Meng smiled, trying to ease the tension. However, the bad blood was already brewing within her, and she wondered how she could provoke Lin Jian behind his back.

Entering the banquet hall, it was a sea of people, with glasses clinking and conversations flowing. Compliments and flattery filled the air. At the main seat sat an elderly lady with a kind countenance, wearing a qipao. She exuded grace and nobility, with an underlying air of scholarly elegance. The charm that penetrated beyond the surface made it evident at a glance — this was a timeless beauty.

This reminded Si Meng of the matron from the orphanage, who was equally gentle and kind.

Si Meng carefully observed Grandma Lin’s attire, from earrings to necklace, and from bracelets to rings. Grandma Lin was clearly well-off. So, the so-called gift-giving was more of a comparison between major families, using gifts to showcase their own status. They all gave somewhat useless items, and Grandma Lin didn’t like them.

Aren’t gifts meant to make the recipient happy? How did it turn into a competition?

Lin Hanyue led Si Meng to the main seat. Si Meng carefully examined Grandma Lin, who was also observing Si Meng closely. When Si Meng noticed, she flashed a sweet smile. Grandma Lin was momentarily stunned but couldn’t help smiling in return, thinking to herself: This kid is really adorable, much more entertaining than those grandkids of hers.

“Hello, Grandma. I’m Si Meng. Wishing you good fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea and a long life as enduring as the Southern Mountains. May everything be delicious,” Si Meng sweetly greeted.

“Alright, haha, I just love everything delicious,” Grandma Lin chuckled, amused by Si Meng, who had been pulled over to speak.

This attracted envy from those around them. Despite bringing so many gifts, they failed to please, while a girl who came empty-handed stole the spotlight and caught Grandma Lin’s attention.

The Lin couple below were even more furious, quickly urging their son to go and cheer up the old lady. However, their son, Lin Zihua, had no interest in the old lady. He was more interested in trying to chat up some beautiful women below.

“You useless thing, go up and cheer up the old lady, or you can forget about getting a job at the Lin family. Don’t even think about it,” Lin Jian roared angrily, but he dared not speak too loudly.

LP: Sorry for not updating yesterday!

One more thing… is the site really filled with ads? I’m using auto ads for adsense so I don’t really know if the ads are much more aggressive to your side than mine, which I only see at least 2-4 ads. Please tell me if this is the case and I’ll adjust it!