「Evening.」

Lin Jie, Yu Zheng, and others returned to Meicheng one after another.

As they ate dinner together, the peers couldn't help but sigh when the conversation turned to Lin Dahu's illness.

At the table, Lin Jiajun announced that he was quitting drinking.

Wang Lu shot him a glare. "You should have quit ages ago. I've told you until I'm blue in the face, but you never listen."

Yu Zheng asked about Lin Rui, "How come I don't see Rui and Sister-in-law Yan?"

They were all family, so some things could be discussed openly at the table.

"Brother Rui went to look for Sister Xiaolan," Lin Feng said.

Wang Lu cut in, changing the subject. "Oh, I'm sure he found her and said, 'Can't we both just take a step back?'" she quipped, only half-joking. "Anyway, let's not talk about that. Xiaoya, when are you two planning to have kids?"

"Do you want a son or a daughter? The two-child policy is in effect now, so it wouldn't be a problem even if you had a third."

The abrupt change of topic left Wen Xiaoya a bit bewildered. But with her cheerful personality, she was all smiles as she discussed it. "One of each would be best, of course."

Lin Jiajun and Yu Zheng both sighed. They just couldn't seem to have a daughter. They used to swear they would have one, but now they simply didn't have it in them anymore.

It was nothing like Lin Feng's situation; his two children were more than a decade apart.

After dinner, everyone returned to their own homes. Lin Jie and his wife went back to the house they had lived in before, while Lin Feng returned to Zichen Mansion.

They all had work to get back to and could only stay for a few days. The next time they returned home would probably be for Lin Dahu's passing.

Dabao had a practical activity to do for his holiday. It was past ten o'clock at night in Meicheng, but still morning for him in Massachusetts. He said he'd be back a few days late. Lin Feng, sitting on the couch, replied, "It's fine. Come back whenever you're done."

Dabao was doing well in Massachusetts and had barely used any of Lin Feng's money. His siblings had run some livestreams and given Dabao a sizable share of the profits.

When they saw Lin Xiaolan again, everyone was astounded. They could hardly believe that the woman before them, who looked even older than Sister-in-law Yan, was actually her.

It's said that women age faster after having children, but no one had expected it to be this drastic. Judging by her clothes and appearance, it was clear that life had not been kind to her.

Everyone tacitly avoided mentioning the past. Whatever grievances they held, seeing her in this state washed away any anger. This was especially true for Lin Jiajun, who had once been close to her; he was only left with a sigh of emotion.

Lin Xiaolan's daughter, Song Tongtong, was already in junior high. She was a good-looking girl who strongly resembled her father. She was somewhat timid and reserved at the table. Her demeanor was a world apart from the easy confidence of Erbao and Sanbao.

Her Third Aunt introduced her to everyone, and the young girl politely greeted each person one by one.

Lin Xiaolan barely spoke. Lin Rui was sitting next to her daughter.

When meeting a child, one naturally asks about their grades. The girl's were quite good; she was in the top of her class and ranked among the top eighty in her grade.

These results were actually quite impressive, if you didn't compare them to Lin Feng's monstrously talented family. As for Lin Rui, Lin Jiajun, and Yu Zheng's son, Chuan Chuan, their academic achievements were nothing to write home about. Their grades were merely so-so. Perhaps it was genetic; their talents were simply mediocre. The comparison was just painful, so they had already given up hope. They didn't ask for much—just for their children to grow up with a useful skill and stay out of trouble. As for money, they would save as much as they could. Earning a living would only get harder in the future, and they hoped their children would have an easier life.

Lin Feng and Zhang Yuxi weren't the nosy or talkative type; they spoke little at the dinner table, only chiming in with a few words of agreement here and there.

Lin Rui asked about Dabao, "When is Dabao coming back?"

"In another three or four days," Lin Feng replied.

Lin Rui then turned to Lin Jie, Yu Zheng, and the others. "Are you guys busy? If not, wait for Dabao to get back before you leave."

It was only an extra day or two, so no one had any objections.

The dinner went well enough; at least Lin Xiaolan hadn't sulked at everyone. After the meal, they lingered to chat and relax.

Zhou Cuilan took Xiaobao home, while the younger generation—Sibao and the others—went out to the supermarket and to see a movie.

Erbao smiled and asked, "Tong Tong, want to come with us?"

Tong Tong glanced at her mother. Lin Xiaolan nodded, and Tong Tong left happily.

The elders departed as if on cue, leaving Lin Feng and his generation together. The Third Aunt even made a point of saying, "You all haven't seen each other in so long. Go on and play some cards. I'm heading to the hospital." Her real intention was for them to try and talk some sense into her daughter.

In a teahouse, they all drank tea and played cards.

Lin Rui made an excuse to go to the bathroom.

Lin Jiajun, who used to be closest to Lin Xiaolan, got straight to the point. "Are you still at odds with Third Uncle?"

Lin Xiaolan glanced at him and pursed her lips. "Not anymore."

Everyone was surprised, wondering what had happened.

With an air of baring her soul, Lin Xiaolan continued, "I know I was in the wrong. I was just too proud to admit it. But now that he's... fading, I've had time to think things through."

Lin Jiajun didn't know how she'd had this change of heart but continued, "Exactly. He's your father, after all. Besides, what happened back then was really your fault..."

He hadn't even finished saying the name "Feng Yong" before Wang Lu shot him a look that silenced him.

Feng Yong was doing very well for himself now. He had franchised a brand-name furniture business, selling both online and offline with great success. His wife was now a senior teacher, and they had a well-behaved son and daughter. Counting their old house, they owned three properties and drove a car worth over two hundred thousand yuan. Meicheng wasn't a large city, and they all still occasionally kept in touch on WeChat.

Both sides made it a point never to mention Lin Xiaolan. After all, her past actions had been truly shameless; by all accounts, she was the one who had wronged him.

Lin Xiaolan readily admitted, "Yes, I suppose I'm reaping what I sowed."

Then, she dropped a bombshell. She had actually divorced a long time ago. Tong Tong's father had moved to another city and gotten back together with his wife.

She was too ashamed to mention this, so she had never told her Third Aunt. It wasn't that she didn't want to contact everyone; she just didn't have the face to do it.

Everyone stared at Lin Xiaolan in astonishment, but they wisely refrained from saying anything more and instead offered words of comfort.

Lin Xiaolan's eyes reddened with sorrow, and she finally broke down in tears. No one enjoys a hard life, especially a mother who wants to give her daughter the very best.

Lin Rui "coincidentally" came out, heard Lin Xiaolan crying, and silently sat beside her. The siblings had never been close, but how could a brother feel good seeing his sister in such a miserable state?

"You all should head back," Lin Rui said to the others.

One by one, they left, leaving the brother and sister alone to finally share some heartfelt words.

Remembering how Lin Xiaolan used to be and seeing her now... Zhang Yuxi couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Meanwhile, the kids were still watching a summer blockbuster, which was scheduled to end at eleven that night. Since it was getting late, Lin Feng just told them all to sleep over at his place, reminding them to be careful on their way back.

"You're back? Xiaobao just fell asleep," Zhou Cuilan greeted them, asking, "How did your talk with Xiaolan go?"

Zhang Yuxi told her what had happened during the card game.

Zhou Cuilan was astonished. "She's divorced? Well... that might be for the best. That man with the surname Song was never any good."

"Mom, let's not talk about that now. It's late, you should go to bed."

"Aren't Erbao and the others watching a movie? Did they say when they'd be back?"

"Sometime after eleven. We'll see if we need to pick them up later."

There was really no need to pick them up. They were almost in college, not little children anymore. Besides, Sibao and Erbao had both trained in Taekwondo; they were more than capable of protecting themselves.

A parent's worries never truly end. As long as you live, you will always be concerned about your children.

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