Charles Yin lazily lifted his eyelids and glanced over. "I let whoever I want come. Got a problem with that?"
The other person was left speechless, their face flushing red. "Charles, even if you're the clan leader, you can't just do whatever you want, right?"
Cecilia Gu quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Gu Miao's just here to help out. She won't be going into the Yin Ancestral Hall for the ceremony."
Cecilia Gu tugged at Charles Yin and whispered, "Just let it go for now."
Charles Yin just snorted and said nothing more.
These people eat his food, drink his wine, and still act all high and mighty.
Who do they think they are, anyway?
Meanwhile, Yinuo Yin was getting more attention than ever before.
"Yinuo, come here to Aunt Five." An older woman pulled Yinuo Yin aside and whispered, "Yinuo, I heard your parents threw you a matchmaking banquet. Did you meet anyone you like? Listen, no matter how great outsiders are, they've got their limits. If you want a partner, you need someone whose roots you know. Aunt Five's got a nephew—young, handsome, and with a sweet temper. Want me to set you up? If it works out, I promise he'll treat you like a queen for life."
Yinuo Yin looked awkward. "Aunt Five, that's really not necessary. I'm not in a hurry. I'm only twenty-two—I still want to enjoy myself for a couple more years."
"Fun? At your age, I was already dating your Uncle Five for two years..."
Yinuo Yin looked even more embarrassed.
This Aunt Five had a child out of wedlock back in the day, and only managed to marry in because she had a son.
It caused quite a stir back then.
Because Uncle Five already had a fiancée. He fooled around behind her back and ended up with a child. When his fiancée heard he had a kid out of wedlock before even getting married, she broke off the engagement in anger.
"Xixi, what’s going on with Gu Miao? She and Yina Yin broke off their engagement—so what’s she doing back in our Yin Family?" A fifty-something woman with a mole at the corner of her mouth, Fifth Aunt, sneered, "Regret it now? Too late! Our Yina can find anyone she wants; no need to go back to old flames! I heard her allowance got cut off in England, so she’s probably here to complain and beg for help, isn’t she?"
"Aunt Five, let me think about it, okay?" Yinuo Yin quickly begged off.
How short-sighted could these people be? (Lit. “as petty as garlic heads” – a Chinese idiom meaning extremely narrow-minded)
"Third Granny, did you need something?" Yinuo Yin asked.
"Yinuo, how has Third Granny treated you?" an elderly lady asked kindly.
"You've always been good to me..." Yinuo Yin replied with an awkward smile.
"Let me tell you, when it comes to picking a spouse, you need someone honest and dependable! Your family's got so much money—if you pick someone shady, they'll just run off with it. Third Granny knows someone perfect for you. He's a good, honest man, no tricks up his sleeve. He's a relative from my hometown and works as a primary school teacher..."
"Sorry, Third Granny, my mom's calling me. Let's talk later, okay?" Yinuo Yin spun around and dashed off, ignoring anyone else who tried to stop her.
When the crowd couldn't get anywhere with Yinuo Yin, they turned their attention to Sakura Mi. "Sakura, even though you and Ethan Yin aren't officially married yet, you're already the future daughter-in-law of the Yin Family. As Yinuo's sister-in-law, you have to keep a close eye on her marriage prospects—don't let just anyone get close to her."
"Ninth Aunt, with you watching over things, Yinuo's marriage can't go wrong," Sakura Mi replied smoothly. "I'm not even officially family yet, so it's not really my place to get involved. If you've got someone in mind, just send me the info and when Yinuo has time, I'll let her look it over. If she likes what she sees, they can meet up privately. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good, Sakura. You're always so reliable. I'll have that boy get his info together. Just put in a good word for him, okay? Yinuo listens to you more than anyone."
"Of course, Ninth Aunt. I won't forget. But I have to run now!" Sakura Mi hurried away before she could get cornered again.
Ethan Yin was talking quietly with Eugene Yin, discussing preparations for the ancestral ceremony.
As they spoke, Ethan Yin overheard a group gossiping behind him.
"Ugh, my salary's gone again this month! Five grand for the whole month—what's that supposed to cover? Ethan Yin is so stingy! I'm his cousin, and he still pinches pennies with family, saving everything for outsiders!"
"Xixi, what’s up with Gu Miao? She and Yina Yin broke off their engagement—so why’s she still hanging around the Yin Family?" a fifty-something woman with a mole by her mouth sneered. "Regret it now? Too late! Our Yina could get anyone she wants; no need to go back to an ex! I heard they cut off her money in England, so now she’s here begging you guys for help?"
Cecilia Gu just smiled.