Two large boxes of Beijing-style pastries were tied with red string, the mesh bag held two bottles of premium white liquor, and there were top-quality silk for the Lin parents and pens for her two brothers. Meat and chicken were piled high, filling half a cart clearly showing how much care and importance was put into it.
“Tianxin, check again did we forget anything?” Lu’s mother held her hand, carefully inspecting her new clothes, her tone full of affection. “Your father was praising you all last night. He said you’re thoughtful and helpful a real blessing to our Lu family.”
Lin Tianxin smiled and shook her head. “Mom, everything’s already here. You’ve prepared way too thoroughly. We didn’t need so much it’s just a formal home visit. Anyone seeing this would think we’re moving house.”
In her previous life, there had been no such home visit, and she had run off; the Lu family hadn’t prepared so many things.
“You only return to your home once after marriage. We can’t let anyone see us and laugh.” Lu’s mother sighed, brushing the stray hairs from her forehead. “I know it’s inconvenient for you just married, and Lu Ye already had to leave on a mission, not even a chance to say something sweet. He’ll be back to make it up to you, so don’t take it to heart.”
By then, they had reached the Lin family alley entrance. Lin Guangzhuo was already waiting at the door; seeing them, he came right over and joked while helping carry the goods, “Auntie, did you bring half the supply store here? Looks like our Tianxin was treated like a real treasure at the Lu home.”
Lu’s mother laughed and patted his arm. “Tianxin is such a sensible child we barely have time to cherish her enough.”
They carried the items inside. Lin father and mother were already at the door to greet them.
Lu’s mother clasped Lin mother’s hand warmly. “Shuyu, yesterday Tianxin helped the military district a great deal. Old Lu came back and praised her our Lu family really married well. It’s just that Lu Ye is young and reckless, going on a mission right after the wedding. I’ve been worrying about Tianxin, so I brought extra things today to make up for that brat.”
Lin mother waved her hand quickly. “Nonsense, soldiers protecting the country is their duty. Tianxin marrying him is her blessing.” Despite her words, her eyes kept flicking to Lin Tianxin, full of concern.
Lin Tianxin picked up a teacup and handed it to Lu’s mother, speaking softly. “Mom, I’m not feeling wronged. Lu Ye is doing something important, and I’m proud of him. Your care warms my heart.”
Lu’s mother accepted the cup, her eyes slightly misty. “Good child. I’m relieved you feel that way. When Lu Ye returns, I’ll make sure he properly makes it up to you.”
Looking around at the laughter filling the room, seeing Lu’s mother’s every word steeped in concern for her, and the Lin family’s attentiveness, Lin Tianxin felt as if her heart were soaked in warm water soft and comforting.
She knew that in this life, with her family’s protection and her in-laws’ regard, her life was already completely different from her previous one.
Just then, a hesitant knock came from outside the gate.
Lin Guangzhuo, with his loud voice, called out, “Who is it?” and went to open the door.
At the door stood Xu Su. She was wearing an even older, worn gray shirt, her hair a bit messy, clutching a tattered cloth bag. Seeing Lin Guangzhuo, she forced a timid smile and whispered in a weak voice, almost like a mosquito hum, “Brother Guangzhuo… can I come in and say a few words?”
Lin Guangzhuo frowned, about to shoo her away, but Lin Tianxin, hearing the commotion, felt a pang in her heart Xu Su had impeccable timing, deliberately coming when Lu’s mother was present, hoping the presence of an outsider would pressure the Lin family.
Xu Su didn’t wait for a response and slipped inside, her eyes scanning the room quickly before settling on Lin Tianxin. Her eyes immediately reddened, and she lunged toward Lin father and mother as if to kneel. “Uncle, Auntie, I know I shouldn’t disturb you, but I’m truly out of options…”
Lin mother was startled and instinctively went to steady her. “Xu Su, let’s talk properly. Kneeling like that isn’t appropriate.”
Lu’s mother, used to handling dramatic situations, subtly moved closer to Lin Tianxin, her gaze assessing Xu Su.
“Miss, speak properly. No need to kneel so easily,” Lu’s mother said, her voice calm but firm. “Our Tianxin just returned to her home. If you’re really in trouble, come at a more convenient time?”
Lu’s mother knew Tianxin had a close friend, but this was the first time she had met her.
Xu Su refused to leave. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls, choking out, “I haven’t had a hot meal since yesterday, and I couldn’t find a place to stay all day… Tianxin, I beg you, just let me stay one night. Tomorrow I’ll leave immediately and won’t cause trouble…”
She reached for Lin Tianxin’s clothes, but Lin Tianxin calmly avoided her grasp.
Seeing her carefully staged pitiful act, Lin Tianxin inwardly sneered but outwardly showed hesitation. “Xu Su, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but it’s inconvenient today. There’s also no spare room in the house.”
She deliberately glanced at Lu’s mother. “My mother-in-law is here too having another person would make things chaotic.”
Lu’s mother, ever perceptive, quickly responded, “Yes, it’s tough for young women to be out on their own, but rules must be followed. There really isn’t space. How about… I have the driver take you to the police station? They can arrange a place to stay it’s better than wandering outside.”
At the mention of the police station, Xu Su clenched her cloth bag tightly, tears flowing more violently. “I can’t go to the police… if my father finds out I ran away, he’ll come there… I really can’t go back, it would be a dead end…”
She sobbed dramatically, exaggerating the “forced marriage by father” scenario, glancing at Lin father and mother, hoping to soften their hearts.
Lin father frowned. “Miss, it really isn’t convenient here. If you’re truly in trouble, I can have Guangzhuo find you temporary lodging first, then figure out the rest.”
Lin Guangzhuo muttered beside him, “Dad, there’s nowhere spare for her to stay… better to send her to the station…”
The team had already secretly started investigating, and he didn’t want to get involved with a troublesome person and ruin his future.
Besides, he was uneasy Xu Su had tried to pounce on him before, and if she clung to him again, he’d be trapped with her drama and have nowhere to escape.