Gifts for the Lin Family

Aunt Zhou strode forward, the lively sounds emanating from the red-brick house quickening her heartbeat and her pace.

Upon reaching the entrance, she saw the Lin family's main hall filled with villagers. To be more precise, they were all like her, bearing gifts in their hands, all here to present offerings to the Lin family.

Aunt Zhou was taken aback. She had thought she was the only one clever enough to think of currying favor with the Lin family by bringing gifts. She hadn't expected so many others to have the same idea. The crowd was so large that she could barely squeeze through the door.

Aunt Zhou, her eyes wide with urgency, spotted Mother Lin inside, who had just returned from town and was politely declining the villagers' gifts. She waved and called out, "Aunt An, it's Aunt Zhou from town!"