She picked up a piece of sweet and sour ribs. The tangy-sweet sauce coated the tender meat, and the moment it entered her mouth, the familiar flavor spread across her tongue it was the taste from her past life, the taste of home.
“So good!” she said indistinctly, her eyes sparkling. “Dad’s cooking is still amazing, and Second Brother’s chicken wings are delicious too!”
Lin Guangzhuo immediately lifted his chin proudly. “Of course look who made them.”
Lin’s father shot him a playful glare. “You’re the only one with skills, huh?”
The atmosphere at the dinner table was lively and warm. Lin’s mother fed little Nian’an soft porridge while reminding Lin Tianxin to eat more; Lin Qihai and Su Qing chatted about amusing things from work, occasionally asking about her life at the Lu family.
As Lin Tianxin listened and ate, she quietly made plans in her mind.
According to the timeline of her previous life, Xu Su would be brought back by her brother tomorrow. She had to find a way to warn her family before then without revealing her secret of being reborn.
“Big Brother,” she said, putting down her chopsticks and asking casually, “has work been busy lately? Have you run into any strange people?”
Lin Qihai paused, setting down his bowl as he thought. “Not really just routine matters. Strange people? No, why?”
Lin Tianxin bit her lip, choosing her words carefully. “Nothing. I just heard Lu Ye mention yesterday that there might be enemy spies active recently. He told me to be careful when going out. I thought since you work in a government unit and meet many people, you should also be cautious not to bring strangers home casually.”
She deliberately brought Lu Ye into it making it sound less like a random guess and more credible because of his identity.
Lin’s father frowned. “Enemy spies? Did Lu Ye say anything specific?”
“He just mentioned it in passing, saying the army is dealing with it and that civilians should stay alert.” Lin Tianxin lowered her head, pretending to sip soup. “I just think the situation isn’t stable right now. If we encounter someone whose background is unclear, it’s better to take them to the police rather than risk trouble.”
Lin Guangzhuo nodded. “Tianxin’s right! A couple of days ago, some guys in my unit mentioned a woman wandering the streets, claiming she had amnesia, asking questions everywhere it didn’t look right.”
Lin Tianxin had made it up, so she was surprised. “Second Brother, you saw her?”
“Only from afar. She looked pitiful, but the guys said people with unclear backgrounds are the most suspicious,” Lin Guangzhuo said casually. “Whether she’s good or bad, better send her to the police first to check things out!”
Lin Qihai nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. I’ll be careful. If I encounter someone with an unclear background, I definitely won’t bring them home casually.”
Only then did Lin Tianxin relax her brother had been warned.
Lin’s mother patted her hand. “You too don’t be overly kind outside. If something happens, go to the police, understand?”
“I know, Mom.” Lin Tianxin smiled and nodded, a weight finally lifting off her chest.
After dinner, she helped her sister-in-law clean up. Su Qing held her hand and said, “Tianxin, if you’re ever wronged at the Lu family, don’t keep it to yourself. Tell us your brothers will stand up for you.”
Warmth filled Lin Tianxin’s heart, and her eyes reddened slightly. “Sister-in-law, I’m not being wronged. Lu Ye… treats me well.”
Seeing she wasn’t lying, Su Qing smiled in relief. “That’s good. Marriage is about understanding each other.”
After Lin Qihai finished washing the dishes and came out, Lin Tianxin pulled him aside and said, “Big Brother, don’t go to the train station to pick up Xu Su tomorrow.”
“Why?” he asked, puzzled. She used to be closest to Xu Su.
Lin Tianxin quickly came up with an excuse. “I feel like something’s off about her. Once, I saw her secretly placing a note under a rock by the roadside. After she left, I checked it it mentioned two military bases in the capital.
I don’t know who she was passing the information to, but after hearing what Lu Ye said yesterday, I remembered it. I think there’s something wrong with her. We should keep our distance.”
She intentionally framed it this way to make her brother suspicious of Xu Su linking her to espionage.
Lin Qihai’s expression immediately turned serious, his brows tightly furrowed as he looked straight at her. “Tianxin, you can’t say things like this lightly. Are you sure you saw it clearly?”
This involved military bases no small matter.
Lin Tianxin met his gaze firmly, without hesitation. “Big Brother, I’m not lying. I only glanced at the note before throwing it away. At the time, I thought I might’ve been mistaken and didn’t dare tell anyone. But after hearing about spies yesterday, the more I think about it, the more it feels wrong.”
Her explanation was both vague and specific enough detail to be convincing, while leaving room for plausible doubt.
Lin Qihai fell silent, fingers tapping the table. He knew his sister well she might be a bit spoiled, but she wouldn’t joke about something like this.
“If what you’re saying is true, then this Xu Su…”
“I understand,” he finally said gravely. “I won’t go pick her up tomorrow. I’ll keep an eye on things. Don’t spread this no need to alert her.”
Lin Tianxin finally relaxed completely and nodded firmly. “I know, Big Brother.”
She knew that once her brother had doubts, he wouldn’t trust Xu Su as easily as before.
Just then, Lin Guangzhuo walked in holding an apple. “What are you two whispering about? Acting all mysterious.”
Lin Tianxin quickly changed the subject. “Nothing just talking about Lu Ye’s unit. Second Brother, are you free tomorrow? Come with me to the department store I want to buy some fabric.”
“Sure, I’m still on leave tomorrow,” he agreed readily, handing her the apple. “Here, just bought it today sweet.”
Lin Tianxin took it, warmth filling her heart. Having family by her side, their protection and trust it felt so good.
Seeing the driver had been waiting outside for a while, she reluctantly said goodbye to her family.
Lin’s mother held her hand, reminding her repeatedly to take care of herself at the Lu family and not to endure any grievances in silence.
After getting into the car, Lin Tianxin looked back at the lit window that was where the people she would protect with all her strength in this life were.
As the car slowly drove away, she silently vowed: Dad, Mom, Big Brother, Sister-in-law, Second Brother, and An’an wait for me. I will make sure all of you stay safe.
When she returned to the Lu family’s old residence, the courtyard light was still on. Wu Wanjun was sitting outside sewing shoe soles. Seeing her return, she quickly put down her work. “You’re back? Are you hungry? Have you eaten?”
“I’m not hungry, Mom I had a full dinner,” Lin Tianxin said as she sat beside her, looking at the shoe sole in her hands. “Is that for Lu Ye?”
“Yes. He wears out shoes quickly those issued by the army always rub his feet. I’m making him a thicker pair,” Wu Wanjun said with a smile, her fingers brushing over the tight stitches. “If you’re free, keep me company and chat.”
Lin Tianxin nodded, helping her sort the thread. Moonlight filtered through the trees, falling softly over them, carrying a quiet, gentle warmth.