After dinner, Lin Feng noted the nice weather and thought about returning to Yangcheng in a couple of days. He hadn't gone back to spend time with his parents since moving out.

"Dad, shall we go fishing?"

Ever since Lin Dashan learned how to fish from Lin Dahu, he had become utterly hooked. Now, whenever he was free, he would go fishing instead of socializing, which couldn't have pleased Zhou Cuilan more!

There was just one downside.

She didn't say anything when he bought fishing rods costing anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred yuan.

But buying three or four rods for twelve hundred yuan each… that was going a bit too far.

What irritated Zhou Cuilan the most was the result.

You'd think with such expensive rods, he could at least catch a few fish for me! But I've never seen a single one, while he seems to be having the time of his life.

If this were the past, I'd have given him an earful for spending over 1,000 yuan on fishing rods.

"Sure thing!"

Lin Dashan's eyes lit up. "I'll go call your second and third uncles."

The three men's fishing skills were more or less on par. Lin Dahu might manage to catch one or two small fish to show off, but the other two had never even seen a fish's tail.

Zhou Cuilan sighed.

"Your dad has been fishing for a month or two now, and I haven't even smelled a hint of fish."

"And every day he's out in the hot sun by the river, fishing tirelessly."

"I really don't see the appeal!"

Lin Feng laughed. "After all these years, Dad has finally found a hobby, so just let him be."

"It's better than going out drinking and playing cards, right?"

Zhou Cuilan wasn't truly angry, just venting a little.

When Lin Dahu heard they were going fishing, he was thrilled.

Lin Dashan said with a smile, "I have plenty of fishing rods. I'll have Lin Jie bring them all over when he goes home."

"Alright."

Lin Daan said, "Then you guys go ahead. I'll take Lin Jiajun and the others home, and then I'll come over."

Lin Jie had no objections. He had plans to go out with Chen Miaomiao and her friends, and he needed to go home to change.

Lin Jiajun, Wang Lu, Second Aunt, and Wang Lu's family all left first. The other guests also departed one after another. Lin Rui took Du Yan home as well, as they had a class at three-thirty in the afternoon.

Soon, almost everyone had left, leaving only Third Uncle's family and Lin Xiaolan.

Lin Xiaolan was eating while chatting and laughing with Song Yi.

Lin Feng took the babies and left first.

"Third Uncle, Aunt, I'll take the kids over now; they need a nap."

Lin Dahu stood up. "Let's go, all together."

He didn't even glance at Lin Xiaolan.

Lin Xiaolan asked, "Dad, where are you going?"

Third Aunt answered her, her expression just as sour.

"We're going fishing."

The babies fell asleep on the way there. Lin Feng, Zhang Yuxi, Zhou Cuilan, and Lin Dashan each carried one.

After boarding the yacht, they settled the babies in the bedroom.

"Honey, I'm going to take a nap too."

"Okay, I'll go fish on the deck. Call me if you need anything."

"Mm."

The yacht was the one they had sailed over from Yangcheng for the babies' half-year banquet. Afterward, they had flown from Meicheng to Jingcheng, so the yacht had been docked at the Mei River pier ever since.

When Lin Feng reached the deck, he saw Third Aunt in the living room, wiping away her tears.

"Xiaolan is pregnant with that man's child..." Third Aunt sighed again and again. "And she says she's going to keep it."

Zhou Cuilan frowned. "Hasn't she always said she didn't want kids?"

"She said it's because Feng Yong's family has no money and can't provide a good life for a child."

Zhou Cuilan was suddenly at a loss for words.

"Doesn't she work in sales? They say she makes eight or nine thousand, almost 10,000 yuan a month. And Feng Yong works in business development. I hear he makes 5,000 or 6,000 yuan. Together, they bring in more than 10,000 yuan a month."

"Didn't we hear that Feng Yong's parents offered over 100,000 yuan? They just needed to cover the rest of the down payment. If they'd saved a little each month after being married for so many years, they should have some money by now."

Third Aunt sighed again. "The house Xiaolan has her heart set on requires a down payment of 500,000 to 600,000 yuan. Where would they get that kind of money? Besides, Xiaolan has always been a big spender; she's barely saved anything over the years. If they really had any savings, she wouldn't be eyeing our retirement money."

"To be honest, I'm quite satisfied with Feng Yong and his family."

Zhou Cuilan agreed.

"That boy, Feng Yong, is a good family man, even if his abilities are a bit lacking."

"But a monthly salary of 5,000 to 6,000 yuan is already quite good in Meicheng."

"A corporate white-collar worker might make a little over 10,000 yuan a month, but how can you compare him to them?"

Third Aunt rubbed her temples. "I've told Xiaolan all this, but she won't listen."

Zhou Cuilan sighed.

"Sister-in-law, I'm going to be blunt."

"Let's be honest about Xiaolan. She has no education and no real talent, and all she thinks about day in and day out is going out to eat, drink, and have fun! She looks down on Feng Yong's family background, but how much better are our own family's circumstances?"

"Feng Yong's parents treat Xiaolan well, but she's never satisfied, always complaining about this and that."

"It would be for the best if things work out with that other man. If not, so be it."

Third Aunt felt helpless. However, she was comforted by the recent changes in her son.

"Ever since Lin Feng gave Lin Rui that talking-to, he's really changed a lot."

"Last time, he brought gifts to our house to apologize to his dad."

"Now, the relationship between father and son is much better than before."

"He even remembers to call and check in from time to time."

Zhou Cuilan replied, "That's good. They say men mature late; he'll get there eventually."

"Don't worry about all this every day. Just focus on taking care of yourself."

"Our sons and daughters have their own paths to walk. We just have to do our best."

Third Aunt said flatly, "In any case, I didn't like that Song Yi."

It wasn't just her; Zhou Cuilan disliked him too. It was hard to put a finger on it—just a feeling. There was nothing to fault in Song Yi's words or actions.

Lin Feng overheard their conversation. He greeted them and then went to find a small pot, planning to make fish soup for the babies once he caught something.

A moment later, Lin Dahu saw Lin Feng walk over with a fishing rod, only for him to hurry away again.

Lin Dahu knew his stuff. He picked up one of the rods and clicked his tongue.

"Whoa, this is a nice one. How much? Has to be at least 3,000 yuan, right?"

Lin Dashan quickly gestured for him to lower his voice.

"This one cost me 3,500 yuan. I told my wife it was just over 1,000, so don't you dare expose me."

Lin Dahu pouted. "Your son is so rich, and you're this worked up over a fishing rod that costs a few thousand?"

"You still have to be frugal!" Lin Dashan said as he fiddled with his gear.

When children are successful, their parents no longer need to worry. The heavy burden on their shoulders suddenly becomes much lighter. They become more detached about money.

As long as we earn our own keep and don't become a burden to our children, that's enough.

So, you still have to be frugal where you can.

Lin Daan said, "I haven't bought myself a single new piece of clothing in several summers!"

He no longer had to worry about money or his children. So you just stop caring so much about money.

No more having to work yourself to the bone for your kids.

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