Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 124 Dazzling

The two were taken aback for a moment, then their expressions changed to one of shock.

"What did you say? That car is here to pick up Nian Nian?"

Lin's mother couldn't understand why the two were so surprised. In their rural area, it's rare for anyone to use a car for wedding pickups. Most people used motorcycles or bicycles, and some even walked.

So when Xiao Zhou arrived in a car, they were also surprised. But it made sense for rural people who didn't see cars often.

However, the Si family could afford a car and were city people. Seeing a car shouldn't be unusual for them. Why were they looking so incredulous now?

Zhang Cuimei, realizing something, instinctively said, "It must be rented, right?"

Lin's mother wasn't sure either, but she knew that Zhou Yueshen didn't own such a car. Uncertain, she replied, "It should be." It was unlikely that he would buy a new car just for the wedding, right?

Her daughter mentioned that Zhou Yueshen had just bought her a bicycle, and it was from a big brand.

Her son-in-law had spent a lot on the wedding, including the bride price and various gifts, amounting to at least tens of thousands. Even if he had made a lot of money, he needed to save, especially since he had three children to raise.

It was unlikely that he would buy a car.

Sure enough, Zhang Cuimei curled her lips in disdain. She thought to herself, how could anyone from such a remote village afford a car like that? So, it was rented. The last time she visited their house, he even wore a fake watch. This time, he rented a car just for appearances. What a vain man. Just because he raises a few pigs, he thinks he's a big boss. It's laughable.

Zhang Cuimei felt embarrassed just listening to it. Si's father also frowned but didn't show it as openly as his wife. Lin's mother didn't know what to say either. She knew that the Si family looked down on the Lin family, but she had a good nature and didn't want to say anything harsh. So, she changed the subject and invited the two to come in for a meal. Unexpectedly, they refused outright.

They had come all this way but didn't meet anyone, and their gesture was not appreciated. Zhang Cuimei was in a foul mood, thinking that her daughter, Si Nian, was a bad match for her. Otherwise, why did nothing go smoothly when it came to her?

However, when she saw the curious and envious looks from the surrounding villagers, her mood improved considerably. She lifted her chin and, in a condescending tone, said, "Well, since they're already gone, as her foster parents, we should at least go and see them off. Otherwise, people might say our Si family is unfeeling and ungrateful."

After saying this, without looking at anyone's reaction, she got into the car without turning back. It was the first time the villagers had seen the Si family couple, and their expressions were mixed with various emotions. They couldn't quite express what they felt, but being sensitive as rural people often are, they could easily detect Zhang Cuimei's disdain and arrogance.

Lin's mother invited them in for a meal again, but they didn't even spare her a glance, which made the protective villagers uncomfortable.

"How can the Si family be like this? They have no respect at all. After all, you've raised their daughter for more than ten years!"

"Exactly. And to think that Lin Sisi turned out to be so ungrateful. Now she doesn't even greet you, despite all you did for her."

"I told you back then to spend the money on your son's education, but you didn't listen. You sold everything to support her, and now look at how ungrateful she is."

Lin's mother felt a bit hurt, but she quickly rationalized, saying, "No matter what, they did take care of Nian Nian for over ten years."

"As for Sisi, I don't hold any grudges. This is her choice."

The villagers thought about it and agreed. While Lin Sisi was disappointing, Si Nian was a wonderful child. She had left a very good impression on everyone since her return. So, in a way, it wasn't a total loss.

Inside the car, Lin Sisi had no idea that the villagers were criticizing her. Her mind was preoccupied with the fact that Zhou Yueshen had driven a car to pick up the bride.

In her past life, when she married Zhou Yueshen, they had arrived on a tractor. The wedding was modest, and as an educated high school graduate, she felt ashamed to marry a man in his thirties. She spent the whole day with a sullen face and barely looked at the guests after arriving at the Zhou family's home. The Zhou family had only hosted a simple meal for the nearby residents.

It was nothing like the grand spectacle now. The scene they had just witnessed was quite a shock.

The Zhou family didn't have many relatives, and while they got along well with their neighbors, Zhou Yueshen's reserved nature and the odd personalities of his children meant they never hosted big events. Lin Sisi consoled herself, thinking that it couldn't have been much better than her own wedding back then.

The Si family drove in the direction the bridal car had taken, following the trail of firecracker remnants and paper scraps, so there was no need to ask for directions. Soon, they arrived at Xingfu Village. Red balloons were tied to the wooden posts along the road leading into the village.

This display left the initially indifferent Si family couple stunned. It was just a wedding—was all this necessary? And for a second marriage at that. They had never heard of anyone making such a big deal out of a second marriage.

Zhang Cuimei couldn't help but criticize, "The Zhou family is just too ostentatious. Making such a big show for a second marriage, aren't they ashamed?"

"They must think they've scored a great deal by getting Si Nian, who we raised so well. They can't wait to announce it to the world. How shallow!"

Although Zhang Cuimei wasn't very fond of her daughter Si Nian, she had to admit that Si Nian was indeed beautiful. If it weren't for her marriage to Fu Yang, the Si family's door would have been worn down by suitors from prestigious families long ago.

Zhou Yueshen, a country bumpkin in his thirties who had been married once before and had three stepchildren, must be feeling very proud of himself for marrying such a young and beautiful girl now. The more Zhang Cuimei thought about it, the more she looked down on him.

Lin Sisi, however, didn't look pleased upon hearing this. No one knew better than her that this man was not as Zhang Cuimei described. In her past life, she never had such a grand treatment. This kind of wedding was unprecedented in the village, truly grand. Everyone who knew Zhou Yueshen envied him.

Zhang Cuimei didn't understand Zhou Yueshen, so she thought that way. But Lin Sisi knew that for him to pull off something like this was truly remarkable. Just as she was looking displeased, Si's father suddenly exclaimed.

"Whose house is that? How can there be such a big house in this village?"

As soon as they entered the village, Si's father saw a large two-story house in the distance and was very surprised. Zhang Cuimei looked over and was equally curious. She hadn't expected anyone in such a place to afford such a large house. Maybe it belonged to the village's wealthiest family.

She stared at the house, suddenly realizing something was off. As their car got closer, it became clear that the windows had red "double happiness" stickers on them.