However, what Zhang Yuxi hadn't expected was that An Lan's two kids and Wang Lu's child wouldn't be on summer vacation until July.

Hmm… So it'll just be the three of us going.

"I'll go ask Mom and the others. It's more lively with more people," she said.

Last year, Lin Dashan and his wife had been busy all year with Lin Jie's wedding. Being older, they were quite worn out from all the activity. Since the New Year, they hadn't gone anywhere from March to June. When they heard their children were going to Venice, they were intrigued.

They were already in their sixties. If they didn't venture out to see the world now, when would they?

And so, the entire Lin family went. All three of the Lin brothers came along! Zhao Lizhen and her husband also joined in on the fun.

They all boarded Lin Feng's private plane and flew to Venice. On the plane, some played cards while others entertained themselves. With Little Bao around, it wasn't boring at all. Little Bao was unaware of her cousins' own activities, but if she knew they were having fun somewhere, she would have surely pestered everyone to go join them!

After losing a few hands in a row, Lin Dahu waved his hand dismissively. "I'm getting old. I can't afford to lose anymore."

Lin Daan, who had once been mild-mannered, had grown rather quick-tempered in his old age. "Can't take a loss, huh? And at your age!"

Lin Dahu didn't get angry, but instead said with some emotion, "Yeah, I'm getting old. I feel like… my time is coming soon."

This remark earned him a fierce scolding from Lin Dashan and Lin Daan.

Lin Dahu conceded. "Alright, alright, I won't say such depressing things."

Beside him, however, Lin Dahu's wife's expression turned somber. "Exactly. Don't say such gloomy things."

Arriving in the water city of Venice, they were all deeply stunned by its beauty. Little Bao couldn't wait another moment. She wanted to ride in a small boat, specifically a gondola rowed by hand. Children are full of boundless energy; how could the adults possibly keep up?

After checking into a nice hotel, Lin Feng's family of three went out to have fun, while Lin Dashan and the others rested in their rooms.

They searched for a while but couldn't find a gondola for hire, so they ended up taking a water bus instead. Little Bao was perfectly happy nonetheless. She loved exploring and would stop to stare for ages at any toy shop or intriguing item they passed. The most famous local items, of course, were the Venetian masks.

"Wow, they're so beautiful!"

"Mommy, can we buy some to take home, please?"

"Of course."

Looking at the dazzling array of exquisite masks, mother and daughter shopped like excited children, wanting to buy this one and that one.

Lin Feng, trailing behind them, felt helpless. He only had two hands, after all, not six. Ever since they got the private plane, their family trips had practically turned into personal shopping runs for friends and relatives. An Lan was now busy with her two children's studies and tutoring classes, so she asked Zhang Yuxi to bring back anything she wanted. Adding in the requests from other relatives' children, they had a lot to buy.

After purchasing masks and some distinctive handmade crafts, they reached the end of the street, both of Lin Feng's arms completely laden with shopping bags.

"Are you tired? Let's go get something to eat!" Zhang Yuxi said, turning her head and finally noticing Lin Feng was overloaded. "Honey, let me carry some of that."

Lin Feng shook his head. "No need. You two have been walking for so long, shouldn't you get something to eat?"

Little Bao patted her tummy. "Little Bao's tummy is hungry! Daddy, carry me!"

Lin Feng was torn between laughter and tears. "Look at Daddy's hands! How am I supposed to carry you?"

Little Bao turned to her mother. "Mommy, carry me!"

Little Bao was not light, but Zhang Yuxi bent down and lifted her. "You little piggy!"

Little Bao pouted. "I'm not a little piggy, I'm a little cutie!"

"Oh, so vain already, are we?" Zhang Yuxi teased, rubbing her daughter's nose. "You're my little piggy, my chubby little piggy!"

"Mommy is Mommy Pig, Daddy is Daddy Pig, and I'm Peppa!"

The couple couldn't help but laugh at their daughter's remark.

They found a nearby restaurant, planning to head back after their meal. But Little Bao, still full of energy, wanted to play more.

Lin Feng pointed to the mountain of shopping bags. "What are we going to do with all this?"

Little Bao was not a fan of the local food and ate very little. It took Lin Feng a long time to coax her into finishing her meal, while she played with a small trinket they had just bought.

After dinner, the family of three returned to the hotel. Lin Dashan and the others were already well-rested; the elderly tend to sleep less. Little Bao gathered around them, chattering excitedly about the toys she had bought. She was truly the family's darling, and the elders sat around her, marveling at the strange and wonderful items.

Third Auntie had always been outspoken, a trait that hadn't changed even as her living situation improved. "My goodness, look at these things, they're so interesting! And these masks… every single one is gorgeous…"

Lin Dahu had become increasingly amiable over the past year. It had been many years since he had given up smoking and drinking. "This is a foreign country; these are their national specialties. Our country has far more specialties than they do…"

While everyone was discussing the souvenirs, Lin Feng and Zhang Yuxi made a video call to their other children. After a brief chat, they hung up, and the couple exchanged a knowing smile.

In the blink of an eye, the vacation was over. Zhang Yuxi returned home a day earlier than the rest of the extended family.

Little Bao collapsed into her crib and fell fast asleep. Lin Feng quietly washed her face and feet. The child was so exhausted she didn't even stir when he changed her into her pajamas. Amused, Lin Feng leaned in and kissed her, thinking his daughter was simply the most adorable thing in the world.

Downstairs, Zhang Yuxi was organizing their purchases.

"This is An Lan's, this is also An Lan's…"

"This one's for Wang Lu… this one too…"

Lin Feng walked over. "Let me do it. You go get some rest."

Zhang Yuxi shook her head. "It's fine, I'm almost done!"

This time, they hadn't needed to buy gifts for the elders, so there wasn't as much. Third Uncle's family would take the gifts for Brother Rui and the others back with them. The items Zhang Yuxi was sorting were for Lin Jiajun, Yu Zheng, An Lan, and Lin Jie.

As a boss, having a private plane was convenient. Lin Feng always brought back many local specialties from his trips. He would give some to the hotel staff and some to the members of his SP club. He was never stingy with red envelopes during holidays, which made him a well-liked, albeit figurehead, boss among his employees.

After they finished their respective tasks, Zhang Yuxi stretched. "Honey, I'm going to take a shower!"

"Alright, I'll clean up this trash."

"I'll help!" Zhang Yuxi loved the feeling of doing things together with Lin Feng and tried to spend as much time with him as possible.

Just as they finished cleaning up, and Zhang Yuxi had put on some perfume, casting a flirtatious look at Lin Feng… the phone rang.

It was Lin Dashan. He said that Lin Dahu was sick and that they were at the hospital.

Lin Feng's expression froze. He sensed something was wrong with Lin Dashan's tone. "What's wrong with him? What did the doctor say?"

"Lung cancer. Advanced stage."

Zhang Yuxi heard those words clearly. She pulled on a jacket and sat down next to him.

"I heard about this from your Third Auntie," Lin Dashan's voice continued over the phone. "It was diagnosed a while ago… it's already…"

Lin Dahu used to be a loan shark. He lived a rough life in his youth, smoking and drinking heavily. When he came back to get married, Third Auntie was helpless and completely unable to control him. He only quit after Lin Feng had his second child. Although he had been cutting back on cigarettes and alcohol for some time, the diagnosis felt both unexpected and, somehow, inevitable.

"I just wanted to let you know… Your Brother Rui will be here soon… Tomorrow, we'll go see your Sister Lan…

"The doctor said three months at most… maybe as little as one…

"If you have time, come back to see him more often…"

After they hung up, the couple sat in silence.

"I had a feeling Third Uncle's complexion looked off this time…" Lin Feng finally murmured.

Zhang Yuxi pursed her lips. "When the kids get back, let's go stay in Meicheng for a while."

"Yeah."

Sure enough, Lin Jiajun, Yu Zheng, and Lin Jie called as well. They all discussed returning to Meicheng to see what they could do for Third Uncle.

"You should get some sleep. I'll make some porridge for the kids, then go pick them up from the airport," Lin Feng said, kissing Zhang Yuxi gently.

She shook her head. "I can't sleep. I'll go with you."

When his eldest aunt had passed away, it was very sudden. Zhang Yuxi hadn't spent much time with her, so she wasn't too deeply affected. But Third Uncle was different. She had known him ever since she married Lin Feng, for nearly twenty years.

She felt truly heartbroken.

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