Lin Shuhe started preparing dinner early that evening. He made stir-fried fish slices, one of his daughter’s favorite dishes. As for his future son-in-law, he had yet to figure out his tastes. Since Zhou Mingshi was recovering from a cold and taking herbal medicine, Lin Shuhe kept the food as light as possible while making sure there was a generous variety of dishes.
After they finished dinner early, Grandma Lin said, “It’s cooled down now. Let’s go for a walk and help digest the meal.”
Lin Yi’an said to her father, “Take a bottle of liquor to Fourth Uncle Hu. He didn’t charge us for the fish he gave us.”
“It’s not easy making a living by fishing, and his children still have to go to school. Everything costs money,” Lin Shuhe said. “We can’t accept his fish for free. We should definitely bring him a bottle of liquor.”
After locking the front gate, the family strolled out at an unhurried pace.
Looking into the distance, Zhou Mingshi said, “The scenery here is beautiful. The mountains are lush, the water is clear, and the rice fields are fragrant.”
Lin Yi’an replied, “In a few more days, it’ll be time to harvest the rice. Our family hasn’t grown rice these past two years. We just buy it from the villagers.”
Zhou Mingshi said, “It’s a pity I won’t get to see the harvest.”
Lin Yi’an smiled. “That’s okay. We can come back next year to watch the harvest.”
Zhou Mingshi nodded. “We’ll come back together then.”
By this time next year, they would already be married. Naturally, they would return together.
The two of them chatted as they walked in front, while Grandma Lin and the others unconsciously fell a few steps behind.
After walking for more than ten minutes, they arrived at Fourth Uncle Hu’s house. They gave him the bottle of liquor, but he repeatedly refused to accept it. Lin Shuhe simply set it on the table and walked back outside.
Along the way, they ran into several villagers. Lin Shuhe’s face was beaming with pride. Whenever anyone asked about Zhou Mingshi, he happily introduced him as his future son-in-law. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they continued on their way, still smiling.
A man about the same age as Lin Shuhe watched the family walk away and said to the person beside him, “That lame Lin has really gotten full of himself. He’s parading his future son-in-law all over the village. Back in the day, he used to walk with his head practically buried in his chest. Look at him now. His chin’s held higher than a rooster crowing at dawn. Just look how smug he is, as if he’s the only one with a son-in-law.”
It was nothing but jealousy, and the person beside him could see it plainly. He teased, “Your son-in-law isn’t the same as his.”
The man replied sourly, “What’s so different? Don’t they both have one nose, two eyes, and one mouth?”
“If they’re the same, then why do you live in the village while he lives in the Imperial Capital? Seems pretty different to me.”
“…”
“Besides, even with the same eyes, nose, and mouth, some people are handsome and some aren’t.”
Anyone with eyes could see just how outstanding Lin Shuhe’s future son-in-law looked.
“…”
Lin Shuhe had no idea the villagers were making snide remarks behind his back. Even if he had known, he wouldn’t have cared. He would have simply assumed they were green with envy.
The group wandered around outside for nearly an hour. By the time they returned home, night had already fallen.
Grandma Lin looked at Zhou Mingshi and said, “Rest for a while and let the sweat dry before you take a bath.”
“All right.”
Back upstairs, Assistant Chen sent Zhou Mingshi the locations and floor plans of several houses suitable to be used as their marital home, then forwarded them to Lin Yi’an.
Lin Yi’an opened them and gave them a quick glance before marking two of the properties and showing them to Zhou Mingshi.
He looked them over and said, “These two are rather far from where you work.”
On the other hand, they were closer to the headquarters of the Zhou Group.
Lin Yi’an said, “I have a house near the traditional Chinese medicine clinic. It’s quite spacious. If you don’t mind, you could stay there from time to time as well.”
Zhou Mingshi laughed. “If you don’t mind, why would I?”
Lin Yi’an said, “Since neither of us minds, let’s settle it that way.”
“All right.”
After sitting for a while, Assistant Chen brought over Zhou Mingshi’s herbal medicine. Zhou Mingshi took the bowl, drank it down in just a few gulps, then accepted a piece of candy and popped it into his mouth.
Assistant Chen said, “President Zhou can drink herbal medicine without even changing his expression now. He’ll definitely get more and more used to it.”
Zhou Mingshi glanced at him. “Why would I be drinking medicine if I’m healthy?”
Assistant Chen thought to himself, ‘Of course you wouldn’t. But once you marry Miss Lin, there’ll definitely be times when you’re taking herbal medicine.’
Lin Yi’an smiled and said, “You only have two more doses to go. Your constitution is good, and you’re recovering quickly. You won’t need any more prescriptions after this.”
She understood. Traditional Chinese medicine really didn’t taste good.
Zhou Mingshi nodded. “Mm.”
The next day, the package Tan Qingwen had mailed arrived. Assistant Chen accompanied Lin Shuhe to collect it.
After bringing the packages back, they opened them one by one. Grandma Lin looked at everything inside. There were clothes for the entire family, jewelry, and even a large assortment of skincare products. She turned to Zhou Mingshi and said, “Next time, don’t let your mother buy so many things. It’s far too extravagant.”
Sitting on the sofa, Zhou Mingshi smiled. “It’s not often that her son is willing to get married. Now she finally has in-laws she can visit. She’s more excited than anyone. Just let her enjoy buying things.”
Hearing that, Grandma Lin found his mother quite an interesting person and smiled. “Someday, bring your mother here for a visit. Our mountains and rivers are beautiful, the air is fresh, and the water is excellent…”
Zhou Mingshi said, “She’s been saying she wants to come and visit you all. Once she’s finished with work, Yi’an and I will accompany her here for a couple of days.”
Grandma Lin smiled. “Then don’t you forget.”
Zhou Mingshi replied, “I won’t.”
Time passed quickly. Zhou Mingshi had fully recovered from his cold, but it was also time to return to the Imperial Capital.
That evening, Grandma Lin said to Lin Yi’an, “When Mingshi goes back, you should go back with him. A day or two won’t make much difference. We know you’re worried about your father, your mother, and me.”
The two of them would soon be married. Young people were always busy with work and rarely had the chance to spend time together. Since they had the opportunity now, it was only right for them to make the most of it.
Lin Shuhe and Liu Zhengying also said, “Go back together. It’ll be nice to have someone to talk to on the journey.”
Lin Yi’an wrapped her arm around her grandmother’s. “I’ll come back to see you during the National Day holiday.”
She understood what her parents and grandmother were thinking. To elders, a child’s marriage was a matter that affected the rest of their life and couldn’t be taken lightly. Besides, she and Zhou Mingshi weren’t married yet, so they had to be even more thoughtful about these things.
Before dawn, Lin Shuhe got up and prepared breakfast. After they finished eating, they set off.
Grandma Lin and Liu Zhengying packed a great deal of local specialties for them. Although the Zhou family owned an estate that produced its own agricultural goods, Zhou Mingshi gladly accepted everything. He even said he would take them back for his mother, who would certainly love them.
Standing nearby, Assistant Chen suggested, “Miss Lin’s car is a bit small. How about putting all the luggage in her car, and the two of you ride in President Zhou’s?”
Lin Yi’an nodded. “That works.”
Ye Lingzhi glanced at Assistant Chen. Although she thought he was making a fuss over nothing, she said nothing. After saying her goodbyes, she opened the driver’s door, got into the car, started the engine, and drove onto the road.
Zhou Mingshi opened the passenger door for Lin Yi’an. After she got in, he took his own seat in the car and looked out the window. “Grandma, Uncle, Auntie, we’ll come back to visit you next time.”
Lin Yi’an said, “Grandma, Mom, Dad, I’ll be back during the National Day holiday.”
Grandma Lin nodded. “Travel safely.”
Watching the cars disappear into the distance, Lin Shuhe sighed with a trace of loneliness. “The house is quiet again.”
Grandma Lin said, “She’ll be back during the National Day holiday. If you miss Bao’er, you can always go to the Imperial Capital to see them. It’s not like you have much to do at home anyway.”
Lin Shuhe was speechless. “…I was only saying it.” He had never even been to the Imperial Capital before.
The car sped along the highway. With the limited space inside the vehicle, the two of them only exchanged a few words at the beginning before falling into silence.
Zhou Mingshi received a message informing him that a document urgently needed his attention. He took out his laptop and began processing it.
Lin Yi’an’s attention had been captured by the scenery outside. Even after he finished his work, she made no attempt to start a conversation, remaining quietly seated as before.
After putting away his laptop, Zhou Mingshi leaned back against his seat. His gaze lingered on her for a moment. Her eyes remained fixed on the passing landscape beyond the window, her expression calm and gentle as she quietly savored this brief moment of leisure.
Lin Yi’an was different from many of the people he had met. Whether they were mature professionals or hot-blooded youths, they would usually restrain themselves when they first met him because of his status. But once they found an opportunity, they would try every possible way to show off their strengths in front of him, hoping to win his attention or resonate with him…
He could tell that Lin Yi’an had no intention of putting herself on display before him. She was neither boastful nor ostentatious, nor was she self-conscious. She simply remained exactly as she was, carrying herself with quiet composure. Whether others accepted that version of her or not was never something she concerned herself with.