Although an unpleasant little incident had occurred, the four people at the card table still managed to sit down and continue playing without any trouble. Everyone's superficial composure was flawless, and no one could find fault with anyone else.
Lin Haoyu got a front-row seat to the first-hand gossip, thoroughly satisfied. It was a bit of a shame that the "love triangle" was truly over.
However, with the old triangle gone, a "new triangle" had formed at the card table—Lin Kangzong, Lin Kangjie, plus Lin Kangyao and Liu Sanjin. Four people split into three corners, battling it out across the table. The cards were practically being rubbed into sparks by their hands; the thrill was all about the competitive tension.
Lin Kangjie finally shook off his bad luck and settled into an ordinary rhythm of winning some and losing some.
Lin Zhenhua hated gambling the most and strictly forbade the Lin family from betting, so everyone played cards without wagering money—pure gameplay, just competing for wins and losses.
Lin Haoxin and Lin Haofei couldn't sit still. One stood behind Lin Kangzong, the other behind Lin Kangjie. Adding two more people still formed a perfectly stable triangle, and the battle grew even fiercer—back and forth, not a single second could be missed.
The triangle structure truly was the most stable state. After many rounds, all three sides had wins and losses; no one could keep dominating the other two. Lin Haoyu found it entertaining. Being the dealer was just right—she got to witness it all, haha.
They played until mealtime, and in the end, no one could get the better of anyone else. Only when the butler came to summon them did the card game finally come to a forced end.
"Sixth Sister was dealing for us the whole time and never got to sit down for a round. Next time we'll set up our own game and not invite Big Brother and the others—once those three show up, they hog the seats and refuse to move." Lin Haoxin said casually with a light laugh.
Lin Haoyu agreed readily: "If I'm free, I'll definitely come." Wherever there was excitement, she'd be there!
Liu Sanjin spoke up: "I heard Sixth Sister hasn't been out much before. I know lots of fun places—I can recommend some to you."
"Thank you, Sister Sanjin." Lin Haoyu had politely declined Liu Sanjin before, but this time Liu Sanjin had switched tactics, being more considerate.
Liu Sanjin smiled at Lin Haoyu: "Sixth Sister is Kangyao's sister, so I think of you as my own little sister."
Lin Haoyu let it go in one ear and out the other. Such pleasantries were just to be taken at face value—Lin Kangyao didn't even look after her, his cousin, so why would Liu Sanjin?
"You spent the whole afternoon playing cards with them?" When Lin Haoyu arrived at the dining hall, Lin Kangrui immediately scurried over to ask, as if afraid she'd been bullied all alone.
A smile crept into Lin Haoyu's eyes: "To be precise, I helped deal the cards and watched them play. Mm, it was very lively. Too bad you weren't there."
Hearing this, Lin Kangrui instantly slumped into a much more languid posture and said lazily: "Whenever those few get together, when is it ever not lively?" He'd been watching for over a decade and was tired of it—it was always the same boring stuff. Giving it another glance would just mean he was the bored one.
Lin Haoyu shook her head. The edgy teenager didn't understand the joy of gossip-mongering; he was too busy trying to look cool. He was too young.
The cool, edgy teenager pretended to casually sweep his gaze over Lin Kangzong and Lin Kangyao again and again, held back for a moment, then quietly asked Lin Haoyu: "Did Big Brother and Second Brother get into a fight?"
Lin Haoyu's lips curled up at both corners so hard she couldn't hold them down: "Didn't you say it was boring?"
Lin Kangrui sat up straight, made a few grumbling noises, crossed his arms, and said awkwardly: "Can a fight be called boring?"
"Unfortunately, there was no fight like you were hoping for." Lin Haoyu almost laughed out loud. She kindly answered for the edgy teenager.
Lin Kangrui curled his lip: "Tsk, how boring."
Sun Shuhui patted Lin Kangrui on the back, her eyes signaling him to mind the occasion. Lin Kangrui shrugged. As for Lin Haoyu, Sun Shuhui gently rubbed her palm—warm and cozy—and felt reassured. In the past, her daughter's hands and feet had been ice-cold all year round, even in summer her hands were like ice cubes. Now and from now on, that would never happen again.
"Mommy, playing cards is fun." Lin Haoyu sidled up to Sun Shuhui and whispered with a smile.
Sun Shuhui's face broke into a smile: "If you like it, we can go again when you're free."
Lin Haoyu nodded obediently: "Mm-hmm."
Today the whole family was gathered, and with Liu Sanjin present, Lin Lizhen had the butler tell the kitchen to prepare a full table of fine dishes to host Liu Sanjin. Lin Lizhen personally entertained her, showing great respect.
However, Lin Zhenhua, along with the eldest uncle, second uncle, and Lin Jiahao, didn't appear. The Lin family dinner table couldn't always gather everyone. On holidays and festivals, as well as on days designated by Lin Zhenhua, the family was required to attend—and then there was Lin Haoyu, the exception. In the past, due to illness, she rarely appeared, sometimes even missing the most important New Year's Eve dinner.
The Lin family preferred light, healthy, and delicious food, having hired a high-paid chef to serve as head cook at home. So Lin Haoyu could sit down and eat with everyone, enjoying something fresh.
Liu Sanjin was seated in the spot beside Lin Lizhen, while the rest took their seats according to their positions. Although Sun Shuhui wanted to compete for a closer spot, she didn't act on it. Instead, she pulled Lin Haoyu and Lin Kangrui to an empty seat at a certain distance from the central figure, Lin Lizhen.
Lin Haoyu had no preference about where to sit—any seat was fine as long as she could eat.
The butler led the servants in serving dish after dish. Lin Lizhen nodded with satisfaction and announced that the meal could begin, picking up her chopsticks first while everyone else followed suit.
Lin Haoyu's favorite dish was the choy sum. The head chef's control over the heat was impeccable—the choy sum was neither too tough nor too raw, carrying a natural sweetness that tasted like pure, unadulterated greens. Besides the choy sum, the other vegetable dishes were also wonderfully prepared, and she ate with a hearty appetite.
In recent years, Lin Lizhen had developed a preference for vegetarian food, so Lin Zhenhua had specially hired the current head chef to cook vegetarian dishes for her at home, all to ensure that Lin Lizhen ate happily and contentedly.
Of course, the dining table wasn't limited to just vegetarian dishes—there were plenty of meat dishes as well, including abalone, lobster, shark fin, crab, suckling pig, and chicken. One could say the spread included both delicacies from land and sea as well as ordinary home-style fare.
The Lin family had no rule against talking during meals. Everyone chatted and laughed from time to time, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere. Liu Sanjin had a knack for charming people, and Lin Lizhen was delighted several times. With Lin Kangyao by her side as well, one plus one was definitely greater than two—the effect was remarkable.
After the meal, Lin Lizhen directly asked Lin Kangyao and Liu Sanjin to stay behind and keep her company.
"Lin Kangyao and Liu Sanjin have Grandma so pleased—who knows how many benefits they'll get once they're engaged." Sun Shuhui was sour, turning into a red-eyed lemon all over again.
Lin Haoyu affectionately linked arms with Sun Shuhui and asked with a smile, "Mommy, are you hoping to see me and Seventh Brother get engaged?"
"No, you're both still young," Sun Shuhui immediately objected, forgetting her jealousy for the moment. "It won't be your turn until Lin Kangzong and the others are married first. That's still far off. Lin Kangyao is only getting engaged to Liu Sanjin, not married—your grandfather definitely won't give him company shares. At most, he'll get some fixed assets."
Lin Kangrui grew impatient listening and took the chance to slip away. Sun Shuhui scolded the brat in annoyance.
"Mommy, calm down. Seventh Brother is just like that." Lin Haoyu comforted Sun Shuhui.
Sun Shuhui shook her head with a sigh. "Forget it, I can't control him. Let him be. Maybe once he's a few years older and develops other ambitions, he'll take the initiative to fight and compete."
Lin Haoyu thought that was doubtful. Lin Kangrui had no interest in competing for the family fortune—at least not for now.
Sun Shuhui circled back to the topic of company shares. Lin Lizhen had fought for it with Lin Zhenhua before, so after Lin Jiahao, the eldest uncle, and the second uncle got married, Lin Zhenhua had given his three sons a small portion of company shares—enough only for dividends. The married aunt had no company shares, and Lin Zhenhua's children from outside the marriage couldn't even touch the edge of company shares.
What Sun Shuhui was keeping an eye on was precisely the matter of company shares: "Forget about Lin Kangyao's engagement. When Lin Kangzong gets married, I wonder if your grandfather will give Lin Kangzong shares?"
Lin Haoyu wrinkled her nose. "Grandpa didn't give Aunt any company shares?"
Then she had even less of a chance?
Sun Shuhui shook her head. "Impossible. Your aunt married out—your grandfather won't allow her to take a share of the company."
Lin Haoyu huffed in dissatisfaction. Preferring sons over daughters—what a feudal old stick-in-the-mud.
"Grandpa definitely won't be willing to give out more shares." Lin Haoyu made a bold guess.
Sun Shuhui looked worried. "It still depends on how your grandmother negotiates with your grandfather. Mommy hopes he'll give them out. What's in your hand first is truly yours—otherwise, later—"
Suddenly, a phone call interrupted Sun Shuhui's thoughts. Lin Haoyu had nothing to do, so she followed along to watch Sun Shuhui answer the phone, hearing her say, "Who's calling me at this hour? It's not your aunt, is it?"
Lin Haoyu was taken aback. "Aunt?"
Sun Shuhui said, "You forgot? Well, that's fair—you've hardly ever met your aunt."
It really was that aunt. Lin Haoyu's gaze grew distant. By the time she snapped back to reality, Sun Shuhui had already hung up.
"Mommy, what's wrong?" Lin Haoyu saw Sun Shuhui's brows knitted tightly.
Sun Shuhui ruffled Lin Haoyu's hair, her voice gentle. "Your aunt called me about your cousin's illness."
Lin Haoyu blinked. So, the female lead was finally about to appear?