"Lin Mu, you're back?"

Seeing Lin Mu come in, Qin Luoli made the introductions. "This is my second uncle, Qin Hongshu, and this is my second aunt."

In the living room sat a middle-aged couple, both in their forties. It was, indeed, Qin Luoli's second uncle, Qin Hongshu, and his wife, Lady Xue. She also came from a prominent family in River City and worked in a sanatorium.

Elder Master Qin had four sons and two daughters. Qin Luoli's father was the third son; he was currently in a neighboring city expanding the family's corporate business and rarely returned home. Meanwhile, the eldest uncle, Qin Hongbo, and Second Uncle Qin Hongshu managed several subsidiaries under the Qin Corporation. As for the fourth uncle, Qin Hongfeng, he never involved himself in family affairs and had left the family many years ago; even Qin Luoli didn't know where he had gone. The two daughters were already married into other prestigious and wealthy families.

However, Lin Mu had little contact with Qin Luoli's relatives and was unfamiliar with them. Their opinion of him was unanimous—they all looked down on him, so Lin Mu rarely bothered with them.

"Second Uncle, Second Aunt," Lin Mu greeted them. They were Qin Luoli's elders, after all, and he had to at least show some respect for her sake.

"Well, well. Our Qin family's son-in-law seems to live a better life than most young masters, staying out so late before coming home." Qin Hongshu nodded slightly without a word, but Lady Xue, sitting beside him, let out a sarcastic sneer and began to lecture Lin Mu.

"Lin Mu, it's not terrible for a man to lack ability or skills. What's truly terrible is to be idle and accomplish nothing. You're twenty-five this year, aren't you? You don't even have a job. That's unacceptable."

Seeing that Lin Mu didn't respond, Lady Xue grew even more smug. She had a son and a daughter, both of whom now had their own careers. Her son was a lawyer, and her daughter, like her, had studied medicine and was now working in a reputable hospital. Lady Xue was always very pleased with this and would boast about it at every opportunity.

"Oh." In response, Lin Mu merely uttered a single, indifferent word.

His reaction made Qin Luoli feel a little embarrassed, but she knew this was just how he was. Qin Hongshu and his wife, however, looked displeased.

"Hmph, such arrogance!" Lady Xue scoffed. "You're nothing but a live-in son-in-law. It's one thing not to greet your elders, but when they correct you, the least you can do is show the proper attitude, right?"

As she spoke, she turned to Qin Luoli and said in a lecturing tone, "Luo Li, it's not that I want to criticize you, but given your qualifications, what kind of good man couldn't you find? Why insist on choosing this arrogant, good-for-nothing? I remember Luo Jinping from the Luo Family and Young Master Qiao were both interested in you. Why not consider them?"

Lady Xue then cast a disdainful glance at Lin Mu and continued, "A woman who isn't born into wealth can still make something of herself through hard work. But if she marries the wrong man, her whole life is ruined. Not to mention, the Luo Family is one of River City's most prominent families. If you marry their only son, Luo Jinping, it won't be long before the Luo Family…"

"Ahem." Qin Hongshu coughed pointedly from the side. Though he said nothing, his dissatisfaction with Lin Mu was clear.

Lady Xue gave a forced laugh and added, "Luo Li, don't blame your second aunt for being nosy. I'm only doing this for your own good. Some men just can't be relied upon."

Qin Luoli's expression turned grim. Glancing at Lin Mu, she said, "Second Aunt, my choices are my own business. As for what you just said, I hope I don't have to hear it a second time."

Her words caused a subtle change in Lady Xue's expression. "Luo Li, your aunt is only looking out for you! Would I ever wish you harm? Lin Mu, wouldn't you agree?" Lady Xue looked at Lin Mu with a smile, her eyes filled with scorn.

Telling Qin Luoli to remarry right in front of him was an insult to them both.

"If the Luo and Qiao families are so great, why don't you marry into one of them?" Lin Mu finally spoke.

He hadn't wanted to engage with them, but Lady Xue's relentless insults were trying his patience. Did she really think he was a pushover? Just a short while ago, he had wiped out an entire military base. If not for the fact that they were Qin Luoli's elders, he might have already taught Lady Xue a harsh lesson.

As he spoke, Qin Luoli's expression shifted slightly, but she remained silent. Lady Xue's words had indeed gone too far.

"How audacious!" Qin Hongshu roared, his face livid. "Boy, you've had an education! Your second aunt is your elder. Don't you have any basic respect?"

Lin Mu's retort was the ultimate insult to both of them. Suggesting that Lady Xue, a married woman, go marry someone else? If word of that got out, people would point at Qin Hongshu's nose and call him a worthless cuckold.

"Elders? Respect?" Lin Mu said coolly. "I only respect people. I have no obligation to respect animals. As for those who come to a junior's home just to humiliate them in public while posturing as elders… I don't acknowledge elders like that."

"Lin Mu, you are utterly shameless!" Qin Hongshu was enraged, pointing a finger at Lin Mu's nose as he began to berate him.

"And I suggest you lower your hand," Lin Mu glanced at Qin Hongshu, his expression cold. "Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."

Qin Hongshu's face was incredibly dark. He glared at Qin Luoli and demanded, "Qin Luoli, is this how you were raised? Lin Mu insults your elders like this, and you have nothing to say?"

Qin Luoli glanced at her husband before turning back to her uncle, her voice even. "Second Uncle, you talk about them being elders, but Lin Mu is my husband. Second Aunt claims to have my best interests at heart, yet she tells me to remarry. Is that your so-called respect? Is that what you call being an elder? I, Qin Luoli, can respect you as my elders and let this go, but Lin Mu is my husband. Whatever he says or does, as his wife, I will stand by him."

Her attitude was firm; she would follow her husband's lead.

"You…" Qin Hongshu was so angry his face turned beet red, but he was left speechless.

Lady Xue, however, cried out, "Luo Li, how can you say that? I've always treated you well! I admit my choice of words may have been poor, but what is Lin Mu? How can he possibly compare to Luo Jinping or Young Master Qiao?"

"What if he can't compare? And what if he can?" Qin Luoli said coldly. "A good horse doesn't wear two saddles, and a loyal woman doesn't serve two husbands. If you continue with such talk, Second Aunt, don't blame this junior for being rude."

"You…" Lady Xue seethed. "Utterly disrespectful! This is infuriating!"

"If you have nothing else to do, then please leave. You are not welcome here," Qin Luoli said, unapologetically showing them the door.

"Fine, Qin Luoli! Remember what you said today!" Lady Xue snorted. "Hongshu, let's go!"

Qin Hongshu also left with a flick of his sleeve. At the doorway, he turned back and said, "Qin Luoli, Luo Jinping is hosting a party in a couple of days. The entire younger generation of River City is expected to be there. I heard that they've even invited the Divine Doctor, Sun Tianyang. Elder Master Qin has always treated you well. You should know what to do."

After saying this, the couple left.

But Qin Luoli's expression turned unsightly. Qin Hongshu was forcing her hand.

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