Chapter 59: I'm Afraid Lin Shaowen Might Misunderstand

The next morning.

The Yan family of six, with eyes as red as rabbits, took the stolen money and escorted Daoist Priest Feng to the neighborhood committee office.

Just as expected.

Upon hearing that Yan Jiedong had caught a thief, Director Wang was immediately overjoyed. Without a word, she issued a letter of commendation to the textile mill, and the neighborhood committee also rewarded Yan Jiedong with twenty yuan.

This almost drove Yan Jiedong out of his mind with happiness, and he praised Yan Bugui endlessly for his remarkable foresight.

During the evening off-work hours.

As Lin Shaowen just stepped into the courtyard, Yan Jiedong hurried over and respectfully handed twenty yuan to him, saying, "Uncle Lin, this is the reward from the neighborhood committee. Please keep it safe."

No matter how calculating Yan Bugui usually was, he knew very well whether or not this money was his to take.

"Have you been officially confirmed as a regular employee?" Lin Shaowen asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Thanks to your blessing, as soon as the commendation from the neighborhood committee arrived at the factory, the leadership officially made me a regular employee."

Yan Jiedong beamed with joy, making quite a few people green with envy.

They had all contributed to catching the thief yesterday, so why was Yan Jiedong the only one reaping the benefits?

Especially Mrs. Jia, who had been badly frightened yesterday and had only just recovered today. Seeing Yan Jiedong acting like a sycophant, she instantly flew into a rage.

"In this day and age, a person should still have a little backbone! Everyone shouldn't act like certain people, wagging their tails and barking the moment they are thrown a bone..."

Mrs. Jia's sarcastic remarks immediately drew a chorus of agreement.

"That's right. I used to think the Third Grandaunt's husband was a man of letters and a teacher, but I never expected him to do such shameless things either," Pillar muttered, curling his lip.

"What kind of talk is that?"

Xu Damao said with a straight face, "We are all elders here, mind your words in front of the younger ones..."

"..."

Yan Jiedong turned a deaf ear, still looking at Lin Shaowen with a flattering smile.

Go ahead, talk all you want.

He was now a regular employee of his work unit; would he lower himself to the level of these idle social outcasts?

"Alright, take this money, buy some melon seeds and candies, and share them with everyone in the courtyard," Lin Shaowen said with a smile. "Every household chipped in to help catch the thief yesterday, so you rascal better not pocket the money."

Hearing that there were perks for everyone, the mood in the courtyard shifted instantly.

"No wonder young Lin Shaowen was able to become a director at such a tender age!"

"Exactly, look how gracefully this matter was handled."

"You lot still have a lot to learn from him."

...

Everyone showered him with praises, completely shedding their previous resentment.

"Uncle, I'll listen to you," Yan Jiedong said with a respectful smile.

Lin Shaowen gave a helpless, laughing wave of his hand.

Well, now the "Uncle" had been officially adopted. It seemed Yan Jiedong had completely abandoned all his inhibitions.

"Uncle? Since when did you become an uncle?"

A crisp female voice rang out, causing many to turn their heads in surprise.

"E'e..."

Xu Damao immediately stepped forward to cozy up, but Lou Xiao'e stretched out her hand and blocked him.

"Xu Damao, the two of us have nothing to do with each other," Lou Xiao'e said, reaching out to hook her arm through Lin Shaowen's. "From now on, we live in the same courtyard, so let's not speak to each other. I'm afraid Lin Shaowen might misunderstand..."

"Hahaha!"

Pillar let out a carefree, booming laugh. "Xu Damao, how about that? Did your duck fly right out of the pot?"

"It's all your damn fault!"

Xu Damao's eyes turned red. He grabbed a stool, hurled it at Pillar, and then turned and bolted.

"Ouch! Xu Damao, see if your granddad doesn't beat you to death today!"

Having taken a direct hit from the stool, Pillar immediately gave chase.

"Auntie."

Yan Jiedong called out to Lou Xiao'e without the slightest psychological burden.

"Huh?" Lou Xiao'e covered her mouth in shock.

"Alright, alright, get lost."

After a smiling reprimand, Lin Shaowen led Lou Xiao'e toward the back courtyard.

Seeing him deliberately leave the front gate wide open, Lou Xiao'e felt her heart skip a beat, raising her opinion of Lin Shaowen even higher. As expected, he truly was a "man of moral integrity, Lin Shaowen."

Little did she know, Lin Shaowen did this purely out of fear that Qin Huairu might barge in.

To give Qin Huairu a clear path, Lin Shaowen had even deactivated the formation array around the courtyard.

The two sat under the pergola, sipping coconut juice.

"Hey, why did that guy call you uncle?" Lou Xiao'e asked curiously.

Lin Shaowen recounted yesterday's events to her, sending Lou Xiao'e into fits of laughter as she rocked back and forth. "You are too wicked! How can anyone take advantage of others like that?"

"Well, he seemed pretty happy about it," Lin Shaowen chuckled as well.

"That's true..."

While they were chatting, Qin Huairu's figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard path.

However, she didn't even glance toward them, heading straight for her own room.

"Why didn't she greet you?" Lou Xiao'e asked, looking at Lin Shaowen.

Weren't they neighbors? This seemed far too distant!

"What else should she do? Should I invite her in to sit for a while?" Lin Shaowen teased.

"Go on with you! You're a taken man now," Lou Xiao'e playfully slapped Lin Shaowen, then said with a pitiful expression, "I'm hungry. What are we having for dinner tonight?"

"Oh? Are you eating here?" Lin Shaowen asked in surprise.

"Well, naturally." Lou Xiao'e rolled her eyes dramatically. "We've officially defined our relationship, is it really such a crime to have a meal at your place?"

"That's not it, but since it's your first time eating here, shouldn't I make it a bit more formal?" Lin Shaowen tilted his head in thought before standing up and walking toward the door. "Wait here for a moment..."

"Okay."

Lou Xiao'e replied, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed at the flowers in the courtyard.

No matter how she looked at this courtyard, it felt pleasing to the eye, as if it had been designed entirely according to her own preferences.

Before long, Qin Huairu's figure reappeared at the courtyard entrance, heading toward the middle courtyard.

"Qin Huairu."

Lou Xiao'e suddenly called out.

"What is it?"

Qin Huairu's expression remained calm, though her heart tightened slightly.

"Come over and sit with us for a bit."

Lou Xiao'e waved at her. "Once I marry into here, we'll be neighbors."

After a moment's thought, Qin Huairu stepped into Lin Shaowen's courtyard.

You have to hand it to women; they were all natural-born actors. She looked around with a feigned curiosity, acting as if it were her very first time entering the place.

Observing this, Lou Xiao'e grew even more convinced that there was nothing untoward between Qin Huairu and Lin Shaowen.

"My name is Lou Xiao'e."

"I know," Qin Huairu said with a smile as she sat down. "You're Dr. Lin's fiancée. Your name has spread all over the factory."

"There are only the two households in the west wing, we can be friends in the future," Lou Xiao'e smiled.

"I'd love that," Qin Huairu replied with a smile as well.

Yet, that transient flash of stunning beauty momentarily dazed Lou Xiao'e.

As the two women were chatting away.

Lin Shaowen suddenly arrived, accompanied by an extremely reluctant Pillar.

Pillar, who had still been grumpy a moment earlier, instantly lit up with a broad smile the moment he saw Qin Huairu.

"Why did you come over?" Lin Shaowen asked Qin Huairu.

"Your partner invited me," Qin Huairu replied coldly.

"Lin Shaowen, I have to say a couple of words to you about this," Pillar chimed in with a righteous air. "They say a distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor. There are only you and Sister Qin in the west wing, as a man shouldn't you take care of Sister Qin?"

"No need." ("Unnecessary.")

Lin Shaowen and Qin Huairu spoke in unison.

"You two..."

Pillar froze. Were these two really that incompatible?

"Shaowen, Sister Qin and I are good sisters, you aren't allowed to bully her," Lou Xiao'e said with a smile, linking arms with Qin Huairu.

"She and I are no sisters," Lin Shaowen shrugged.

"Alright, anyway Sister Qin is on her own, let's all eat together tonight," Lou Xiao'e said, wrapping an arm around Qin Huairu's shoulder. "Shaowen, where did you just run off to?"

"Didn't I go find the best cook in all of Nanluoguxiang?"

Lin Shaowen exaggerated his tone, which instantly made Pillar beam with pride.

"That's why everyone says Director Lin has a good eye! Just watch and learn, everyone..."

"..."

Qin Huairu looked speechlessly at the beaming Pillar. This fool would probably still be counting money for Lin Shaowen even after being sold out by him.