Chapter 22

The Lin couple, Lin Ling and Wang Yuanyuan, were a sharp-witted pair. They were intelligent individuals who had excellent compatibility and often found themselves on the same page.

From a young age, they pursued a free and fashionable relationship (without crossing any boundaries), so their relationship was much better than ordinary couples. They could talk about anything.

On the way back, Father Lin brought up the topic himself, saying, “This boy can really talk. I almost got caught up in his words.” Although his words seemed dissatisfied, his expression revealed his satisfaction.

“If he can talk well, then he should find someone smart. Our Chuxia is smart, but he has a kind and gentle nature. If he marries someone too plain, he’ll definitely be miserable and frustrated his whole life.”

Mother Lin always said whatever he wanted in front of his husband. “Most importantly, Xiao Yi has impeccable character.”

“That’s true. He has a clear gaze and proper manners. I noticed that when they went out and came back, they walked with the two little ones in the middle.” He said and then became a little angry. “But what’s the point of having a clear gaze? He keeps staring at my son!”

No one should provoke a future father-in-law.

“What are you talking about? Oh, by the way, did he give something to Xiaxia?”

Mother Lin had sharp eyes. They saw Chuxia’s bulging sleeves when they returned. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Chuxia’s expression is normal, and she usually doesn’t easily accept things from others. No, let’s ask them when we get home.”

“Why ask? Our child is already grown up. I can’t bring myself to ask.” Father Lin both wanted to know and was afraid of embarrassing their child.

Mother Lin fell silent and glanced at him with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“We can ask, even if he’s grown up, we’re still his parents!” Oh, men, you’re so fickle.

After they arrived home, Mother Lin spared Father Lin from asking. Such matters were indeed embarrassing for a father to ask, so Mother Lin took the opportunity to talk to Chuxia and understand the whole story.

Mother Lin was speechless after hearing it. These… were such flawed excuses. Has her son become mentally deficient?

After carefully observing Chuxia’s expression, Mother Lin understood. Whether Chuxia believed it or not was not important. The key was that Chuxia wanted to believe it.

And so, that night, when the couple chatted in bed, she told Father Lin about their son’s blurry love story.

“… This boy has more tricks up his sleeve when it comes to pursuing someone than I did back in the day. Youth is truly wonderful!” Father Lin sighed and caught a glimpse of Mother Lin’s disapproving look in the moonlight.

Faced with the lovely face that he had loved more and more over the past twenty years, a wolf pouncing on its prey quickly passed.

Jing Yi returned home, humming a song with delight. At first, Jing’s mother didn’t pay much attention.

Later, when he helped his parents with cooking and chores, he had a constant smile on his face and even laughed from time to time. Jing’s mother began to feel that something was off. However, she was busy and didn’t ask.

After finishing all the chores, it was already getting dark. The family lit candles in the main room and set up the table for dinner. Jing’s mother asked Jing’s father, “Did everything go smoothly at Brother Lin’s house today?”

“Smoothly! It went really well! Brother Lin and I are practically like brothers from different mothers!” Jing’s father exclaimed loudly, feeling exceptionally good about reconnecting with a kindred spirit.

“Oh! Besides that, how is Brother Lin’s family? Is there any happy news?” Jing’s mother asked again.

“Brother Lin’s family is definitely as good as Brother Lin. When old friends meet, of course, they are happy,” Jing’s father replied, looking at Jing’s mother strangely.

“… Is there nothing else??” Your son has been as happy as a flower since he came back. Do you have vents in your eyes or something?

“Huh? What else is there?” Jing’s father was completely puzzled by the question and asked in return.

This counter-question, even after being a couple for so many years, still managed to infuriate Jing’s mother. Fortunately, at that moment, Jing Yi timely interrupted the bizarre atmosphere.

“Mother, Uncle Lin’s family is indeed very friendly. They have a daughter, a son, and two little boys. They are all sensible, and as I mentioned before, that son is especially capable,” Jing Yi said, knowing that his mother was sensitive to the emotions of the children. He naturally took over the conversation, relieving poor Jing’s father.

Sure enough, Jing’s mother’s little radar immediately perked up. This boy specifically mentioned a capable son. There must be something fishy going on. This is a signal for me.

However, with everyone at the dinner table, even if they were all family members, it wasn’t appropriate to discuss someone else’s son so openly. Jing’s mother wasn’t as anxious anymore and decided to talk about it after dinner.

After dinner, they left the dishes and plates in the water, taking advantage of the moonlight. The night was too dark, so they didn’t want to waste the candlelight. They would wash them in the morning.

Taking this opportunity, Jing’s mother called Jing Yi into the kitchen and asked him to honestly explain the situation.

“Mother, what should I honestly explain? Nothing has happened yet,” Jing Yi complained. He hadn’t even caught up yet, so what was there to explain?

“It’s the son from Uncle Lin’s family, right? Not bad, not bad. It’s good to know someone from the same roots. What does he look like? How old is he this year?” Just like Jing’s father, Jing’s mother trusted the Lin family, so she didn’t need to ask about character.

“He’s sixteen this year and he’s good-looking, even better looking than me,” Jing Yi proudly said, swaying his head from side to side, which made Jing’s mother want to smack him.

It’s strange. In the previous life, he was almost forty years old, yet now he acted like a child, coquettishly and stubbornly in front of Jing’s father and mother. But there was no burden to it.

“You vain child. Let me tell you, don’t scare that boy away with your tricks.” Jing’s mother knew that her son had high standards, and he was certainly a good child. Since he was from the Lin family, they couldn’t scare away a good child.

“Mother! Don’t worry, I promise to fulfill the mission!” With someone to share it with, Jing Yi became a bit excited while speaking.

Then he remembered something else and whispered, “Mother, do you like pine trees?”

Jing’s mother: ???

Jing Yi told his mother about the rumors circulating about her taste, and as expected, he received a beating. She realized that she should find an opportunity to clarify the matter and not let her son-in-law be deceived by that rascal.

Knowing which side Jing Yi was on, his mother immediately involved his father-in-law.

“Xiao Yi, I think we should visit the Lin family again in a few days and gauge their opinion about you and the Lin family. If things go well, we can make some preliminary arrangements,” Jing Yi’s mother said, considering the traditional nature of marriages in ancient times. If they left everything up to themselves, Jing Yi would be fine, but the other party would surely suffer.@@novelbin@@

“Mother, I was thinking the same thing.”

Originally, Jing Yi’s plan was to spend some time getting to know each other and develop a favorable impression. However, during their visit to the Lin family, the nosy onlookers made him realize the reality. In this era, thinking about dating for a year or two was asking for trouble. They could end up drowning in gossip and malicious rumors.

As he was lost in his thoughts, Jing Yi happily said, “Mother, I’m sure he doesn’t dislike me. Should I mention your visit when I present him with the embroidery thread?”

Not only does he not dislike him, there’s a chance he might even like him. Hehe.

“Hehe, what’s with the ‘hehe’? Alright, that sounds good. Tomorrow, let’s go buy the embroidery fabric and thread after discussing it with your father,” Jing Yi’s mother said, feeling happy. With her eldest son, she would be able to find a good husband for herself!

Speaking of it and planning it was one thing, but they needed Jing Yi’s mother’s help in preparing the fabric and thread for the sachet. Otherwise, Jing Yi wouldn’t know what to buy or how to buy it.

For the sake of their eldest son’s lifelong affair, Jing Yi’s mother decided to go to the dock with Jing Yi and his father, set up a stall, and collect the money. Then they would take their eldest son to the town to buy embroidery fabric and thread. It could be considered as their token of love, so they had to take it seriously.

Early the next morning, Jing Yi’s mother had already called Jing An and Jing Shu to wake up. Today, the three of them would go to the dock, and since there wouldn’t be any adults at home, they would send the two little brothers to their third uncle’s house. They would only be gone for half a day at most.

When Jing An and Jing Shu heard this, they protested. It wasn’t fair! They had never been to the town, while their parents and older brother had been there many times.

“Last time, Big Brother said he would take us to the town, but he still hasn’t taken us. Isn’t he afraid of becoming fat from telling lies?” Jing Shu argued, even the usually obedient one.

Jing Yi’s head was throbbing from the noise. He quickly said, “Alright, alright, my little ones, calm down. Go! All of you, go!”

Jing Yi’s mother didn’t fully agree because the dock was crowded with people, and they wouldn’t have time to look after the two children if they were doing business. If anything happened, she couldn’t bear to think about it.

Jing Yi sensed his mother’s concern and assured her, “Mother, it’s okay. Most of our customers are regulars, and I can handle it myself. You and Father can keep an eye on them.”

Then he turned to Jing An and Jing Shu and said seriously, “Both of you, if I take you along, you must listen and behave. There are pickpockets at the dock, and if you lose something, you can forget about finding it again! Can you behave?”

“Can!!!” The clear and loud voice rang out in the courtyard.

“Alright! Let’s go together. I’ll grab two sets of clothes for them and bring two bamboo tubes filled with water.” With two extra little ones joining, they needed more prepared items.

“Alright, let’s go quickly. You can talk along the way, and I’ll carry you if you get tired,” Jing’s father said, pleased that Jing’s mother agreed. He hurriedly urged everyone to leave, like a mother hen herding her chicks.

The whole family happily walked out of the house, with both Jing’s father and mother wearing joyful expressions, not to mention the two little ones whose faces were already flushed with excitement.

Jing Yi thought to himself, this is the first time the whole family is going to the town together. Even though they’re going to do business, they can still take a stroll in the town after closing their stalls.

Jing Yi planned that today he would work hard, shout more, and close the stall early. Then he would treat his parents and younger brother to a good meal in town, followed by some sightseeing and fun.

He deliberately brought enough money when he left this morning, so they could buy anything they wanted at the market. It was a rare opportunity for his mother and younger brothers to come to town.

On the way, accommodating Jing An and Jing Shu, they took a break once. When they were close to the town, Jing Yi carried Jing Shu for a while. It didn’t take much longer than usual before they arrived at the dock.

“Great job, Xiao An! You’re in good shape! Amazing!” Jing Yi praised, impressed by his brother’s endurance. Xiao An hadn’t complained of tiredness throughout the journey and made it all the way. “Xiao Shu is great too! You’ve walked a long way without giving up.”

Jing An and Jing Shu proudly straightened their little chests, and they received affectionate pats on their heads from the three adults.