Roses in Flames

Ye Yuntang gave Xiao Lin a thumbs up, "Not bad, the taste is just right."

Xiao Lin's lips curled up slightly. "Auntie told me about your preferences. You don't like scallions or cilantro, and you don't eat spicy food. Coincidentally, my tastes are similar to yours."

Ye Yuntang glared at Song Xuan, who was standing to the side with a smile that never left her face, and said reproachfully, "Mom, why do you tell him everything?"

Looking at the tall, handsome Xiao Lin, who could also cook, Song Xuan's smile widened. "Xiao Lin is a nice guy. How about I talk to him about your preferences?"

Ye Yuntang really wanted to remind Song Xuan that the way she was looking at Xiao Lin now was exactly like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law.

Her relationship with Xiao Lin hadn't reached that point yet; it would be too awkward.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Song Xuan gave the kitchen space to the two young people.

Song Xuan walked to the door and opened it.

Standing outside was my neighbor, Aunt Lin. "Ah Xuan, what do you think of this outfit I'm wearing? I heard it's some kind of Chanel brand, costing tens of thousands of yuan a set. Does it look okay on me?"

Ye Yuntang peeked out from the kitchen.

Aunt Lin had a perm, wore a Chanel suit, and carried a designer bag, looking stylish and energetic.

Aunt Lin's daughter, Lin Rong, and Ye Yuntang were high school classmates. Lin Rong majored in media and became a live streamer at an MCN company in Beijing after graduating from university. I heard she has over a million followers.

Aunt Lin has always loved to compare herself to others. Two years ago, when she married Fu Shili, she always spoke with a sour tone. Not long ago, when she learned that Fu Shili had divorced, her words were tinged with pride and schadenfreude.

But since they are neighbors, it's best not to make things too awkward.

Song Xuan said politely but distantly, "Rongrong bought it for you, right? Rongrong has become successful; you can enjoy life from now on."

Aunt Lin's smile deepened. "Ah Xuan, my Rongrong has a local boyfriend in Beijing. He's a rich second-generation heir with a considerable fortune. He came back with my Rongrong yesterday and bought me a whole carload of gifts, all high-end items. It's more than the gifts your ex-son-in-law brought when he visited you."

Song Xuan maintained a polite, distant smile, her tone gentle yet carrying a hint of composed firmness. "Everyone has their own interpretation of good fortune. After my daughter's divorce, Old Master Fu even gave her shares, so she won't have to worry about money anymore. Your Rongrong married a rich second-generation heir; she'll definitely get shares too, right?"

Aunt Lin's smile froze instantly.

Her daughter's marriage to her boyfriend is still far from being finalized, and the shares are nowhere in sight.

She came here to show off to Song Xuan, but somehow she ended up being slapped in the face by Song Xuan without even realizing it.

Aunt Lin was feeling embarrassed when, out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly noticed a pair of men's leather shoes placed by the entrance.

"Ah Xuan, do you have guests at your house?"

Aunt Lin walked past Song Xuan and went straight into the house.

Song Xuan tried to stop her, but it was too late; Aunt Lin had already reached the kitchen door.

A tall, aloof figure came into Aunt Lin's view—the man was dressed in neat, well-fitting black clothes, his broad shoulders and narrow waist clearly and perfectly outlined.

Even just from his back view, he exudes a calm and upright demeanor.

Hearing the sound, Xiao Lin turned around and looked.

His deep-set eyes, high nose bridge, and thin lips with a slight curve all revealed his outstanding handsomeness.

Aunt Lin looked at Xiao Lin, who was tall, handsome, and had a great presence, and her heart skipped a beat.

She subconsciously compared him to her son-in-law.

Besides being rich, her son-in-law couldn't compare to the man in front of her in any way—looks, figure, or temperament.

"Tangtang, who is this? Is he your new boyfriend after your divorce?"

Ye Yuntang disliked Aunt Lin from the bottom of her heart, but as neighbors for many years, she couldn't directly break off relations. She could only say with a forced smile, "He's a colleague of mine. He helped my brother out before. He came to my house for a visit today since he had some free time."

Aunt Lin looked Xiao Lin up and down, trying to find a fault with his appearance, but she couldn't find one after a long time.

She could only continue sourly, "A colleague? You've only been divorced for three months, and you're already bringing a male colleague home and having him cook? Isn't that a bit inappropriate? Oh dear, you young people are so open-minded and know how to have fun."

Song Xuan's face immediately darkened. "Sister Lin, what's wrong with a child making friends? Don't be so sarcastic!"

Ye Mo, who was watching TV, rushed over with a gloomy expression on his handsome face. He grabbed Aunt Lin's arm and pushed her toward the door.

His brows were furrowed tightly, and a hint of fierce anger flashed in his eyes.

It seemed as if he would fight her to the death if Aunt Lin said another careless word.

Aunt Lin was pushed out by Ye Mo. She was wearing high heels and lost her balance, almost falling to the ground.

Her expression turned somewhat embarrassed, and she glared at Ye Mo with a livid face. "You little mute, what are you so arrogant about? Do you really think things are still the same as before? Now you're just a widow and her child, relying on the neighbors for help. How dare you act so arrogantly? Let's see how you'll live in the future!"

Upon hearing the words "little mute," Ye Yuntang felt all the blood rush to her head.

She could no longer contain her temper and rushed out in a few strides.

"Who gave you permission to insult my brother and talk about my family like that?"

Ye Yuntang wasn't wearing high heels and was already taller than Aunt Lin. When she frowned, her aura was particularly cold and stern. Aunt Lin was unwilling to be intimidated by a junior, so she retorted angrily, "So what if I scolded him? He can't speak anyway, he's a little mute..."

"Shut up!" Ye Yuntang interrupted Aunt Lin coldly, her eyes sharp. "My brother has autism; he's not good at expressing himself, but he can talk!"

Before Aunt Lin could say anything, Ye Yuntang continued in rapid succession, "Our family has already been more than respectful to you, but you keep challenging our bottom line, and I really can't tolerate it anymore. You're always thinking about using your daughter to climb the social ladder, showing off your wealth, and secretly having shady dealings with Uncle Zhang and Uncle Li—who in the neighborhood doesn't know? You spend all your energy on how to step on others to show off your abilities. Your private life is a complete mess, and you still have the nerve to say that we young people are good at having fun? Nobody's as good at having fun as you!"

Ye Yuntang's words caused an uproar in the courtyard.

Aunt Lin's face instantly turned a deep liver color.

"Mind your own business and your dirty deeds. My brother and our family won't tolerate any slander from you! Don't come to our house to cause trouble again. Although we're neighbors, we don't welcome gossips and loose tongues like you!"

Aunt Lin was so angry at Ye Yuntang's sharp tongue that her chest ached. She looked at Song Xuan with a bad expression and said, "Xuan, is this how you raise your daughter? No wonder her ex-husband divorced her."

Song Xuan was too lazy to be polite anymore. She picked up a broom and went out the door. "My daughter protects her family and doesn't tolerate people who gossip outside. I think she's very well-mannered."

After saying that, he picked up the broom and swept around Aunt Lin's feet. "Oh dear, I just swept the yard this morning, how come there's trash again? It's so dirty, I have to sweep it up quickly!"

The dust kicked up by the broom flew directly onto Aunt Lin.

Aunt Lin was so angry she almost fainted. Just then, a black Mercedes-Benz S-Class slowly drove up.