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They were planning to have hot pot at noon.

Lin Yuan and her family had already enjoyed hot pot several times during winter at home, so they had all the necessary equipment such as the hot pot stove.

The mutton and meatballs had been prepared before New Year’s, and as for vegetables, only Chinese cabbage, radishes, and potatoes were available in winter.

There were also some sweet potatoes harvested from the vegetable patch in the kitchen, which Lin Yuan cleaned and added to the pot.

Cooked sweet potatoes are sweet and soft, very delicious, but there’s one thing, sweet potatoes can’t be boiled for too long in the pot, or else they’ll turn mushy.

Because of the matter with Lin Yongle, the family was extremely cautious at meal times. Even Xiao Linshuang had lost the joy of eating, as she listlessly picked at the mutton in her bowl and stealthily watched her father, fearing that he might inadvertently start crying.

Lin Jiaxin also noticed the children’s unusual behavior.

While he appreciated their consideration, he also felt deeply sorry for them.

After all, he wasn’t very close with Lin Yongle; although they were related as uncle and nephew, Lin Yongle never took the initiative to be close to him, this ’second uncle’.

It was only during the time he had asked for help to mediate a dispute in town that they had warmed up to each other for a few days.

"It’s my own children who are most dear to me," Lin Jiaxin sighed. He decided to put aside the morning’s unpleasantness and reached out to put a piece of mutton into Xiao Linshuang’s bowl, touching her little nose with a smile, "Yaya loves mutton the most, here, eat up."

Seeing Lin Jiaxin in good spirits, Xiao Linshuang giggled and became happy as well. With a small hand, she swiped her chopsticks through the pot, scooping up a large serving of mutton and vegetables, and deposited it all into Lin Jiaxin’s bowl.

"Dad, you should eat more too, eat lots and grow tall," she said.

This was what Lady Liu and the others usually said to coax Xiao Linshuang to eat her food, telling her to eat a lot so she would grow tall and beautiful. Now, it was being used to coax Lin Jiaxin. Everyone burst into laughter, finding it impossible to deal with this little treasure of theirs.

While the family was joyfully eating, there was a sound at the door, followed by someone calling Lin Jiaxin’s name.

Lin Yuan quickly put down her chopsticks and went out to greet them.

The visitors were Da Han, the village chief’s son, and Third Uncle Lin.

Lin Yuan didn’t have much memory of Third Uncle Lin, only recalling that he was very eloquent and efficient, yet he didn’t engage in any business of his own, often wandering around the village.

Whenever there was a marriage or a funeral, he was typically sought to make arrangements—firstly because he had great rapport with the villagers, and secondly because after handling so many events, he had gained experience.

Upon seeing Third Uncle Lin, Lin Yuan immediately understood why they had come looking for Lin Jiaxin. Lin Yongle had been found frozen to death at his doorstep early in the morning. Such an event was quite inauspicious during the New Year, so it was important to bury him as soon as possible.

But there was a peculiar issue regarding Lin Yongle’s status.

He was not of age and unmarried, which meant he couldn’t be buried in the ancestral grave, nor could he have a proper funeral procession.

As a result, the villagers could only secretly prepare some offerings and bury him behind the mountain.

And so, Third Uncle Lin and Da Han were going door to door to collect the contributions for the offering.

"Oh, you’re having hot pot!" Third Uncle Lin, a man who had seen the world, immediately identified the dish as soon as he walked in and saw the pot on the table.

Lin Jiaxin, smiling, invited them to sit down, "Yes, haven’t you eaten yet, Third Brother? Why don’t you join us before you go?"

"No, no, we are in the middle of collecting contribution money, and just happened to stop by your place. We still have to visit other homes. Otherwise, we won’t be able to finish today’s work," said Third Uncle Lin, refusing verbally while his eyes fixed unmovably on the mutton in the hot pot.

Lin Yuan had a rather positive impression of Third Uncle Lin.

Although she didn’t remember, Lady Liu had mentioned to her that he had helped arrange the funeral for her prematurely deceased younger brother.

If it hadn’t been for his intercession on her behalf in front of Lady Yang, she might have not handed over those two taels of silver for her little brother’s coffin.

"Uncle, Da Han, it’s already time for lunch, why don’t you eat at our place before heading back out? It’s better to work on a full stomach," Lin Yuan said, while signaling Lin Wei with her eyes to fetch two more sets of chopsticks from the kitchen.

As his name suggested, Da Han was simple-minded and kept waving his hands, refusing to sit down. Third Uncle Lin was much more lively, refusing while smiling, "Today’s not a good day for eating. Another time, once I’m done with all these matters, I will surely come over for a meal."

Third Uncle Lin gave Lin Yuan an approving look before getting back to the matter at hand, speaking with some difficulty to Lin Jiaxin, "Second brother, you’ve heard about Boss’s two boys, haven’t you?

We’ve come today specifically for that. The others are easy to deal with, but you’re the main concern.

Sigh, I know you’ve cut ties and Yong Le isn’t considered your nephew anymore, but still, I wanted to ask.

.. this condolence money, do you plan on taking it or not? "

Condolence money is actually a sign of respect given by fellow villagers for the deceased. Since there is no close blood relation or intimate friendship, it is customary to accept this money.

However, if they are blood relatives or close friends who usually get along very well, they would make their own offerings, and thus the amount of money given is larger.

When Third Uncle Lin came to ask Lin Jiaxin whether to take the condolence money or not, he was essentially inquiring whether he would contribute as an uncle or simply as a fellow villager.

Without saying it explicitly, Lin Jiaxin understood the implication.

Lin Jiaxin remained silent for a while, and no one knew what he was thinking. Lin Yuan sat beside him, losing even the appetite to eat, just as she was about to say "don’t take it," Lin Jiaxin suddenly looked up and said, "We will take the condolence money."

By accepting, he was indicating that he no longer recognized Lin Yongle as his nephew.

Lin Yuan was somewhat surprised.

Third Uncle Lin and Da Han were also taken aback. Lin Jiaxin was known for his filial piety, and the break with the main house had been a last resort. Now that there was an opportunity to reconcile, why wouldn’t he seize it?

Lin Jiaxin simply smiled indifferently, "That side, we’ve cut ties with them. The last time we went to deliver mooncakes, they ended up scolding my daughter Da Ya. Good intentions don’t always result in good consequences. If that’s the case, why bother inviting abuse?"

So that was it. Lin Yuan didn’t speak, but her heart warmed considerably.

Perhaps this issue with Lin Yongle really was as he said; what if they spent money on the offerings but still failed to gain their recognition?

If the outcome was going to be unfavorable regardless, there was no point in hoping from the start.

Third Uncle Lin nodded, "Yes, your mother and the others, sigh, they are shortsighted. They forsake such good children and grandchildren in favor of those two unaccomplished ones. Alright, you continue your meal. We’ll be heading to the next house."

Lin Jiaxin handed over the condolence money to them and made plans for them to come over for a meal next time before sending the two men out the door.

Lady Liu had been watching the children the whole time, not saying a word, but she fully agreed with her husband’s approach.

Lin Yuan felt that her parents had been quite benevolent.

When her younger brother had passed away early, Lady Ma had made some unkind remarks, yet now that her son had died, her parents had not only refrained from any mockery, but also followed the village customs and offered condolence money, even preparing offerings for Lin Yongle.

Yet, she was unsure whether Lin Yongle, who could not be buried in the ancestral cemetery, would just be laid to rest in a hastily-dug grave in the back hill.

It’s best not to bury someone who had no kindness in life next to her brother, for if he became a ghost and continued to bully others, what could possibly be done?

She had no desire to let her little brother be bullied by anyone, whether in life or death.