Luo Xinyan invited them to stay for dinner, but Lin Xia and Lin Dong ntioned that they had plans to eat at Jiang Mingyuan’s restaurant.
Luo Xinyan didn’t insist and told them to co back later so they could et Luo Yue and her family.
Lin Xia and Lin Dong gladly agreed.
Afterwards, the siblings went ho, gathered so people, and headed to Jiang Mingyuan’s restaurant for a al.
Upon arrival, they noticed that the restaurant’s decor had changed, becoming even more luxurious and grand.
During lunchti, Jiang Mingyuan hosted a few tables for close relatives and friends.
Lin Xia and the others finally t Jiang Mingqing’s boyfriend, a man standing about 1.8 ters tall, with an average appearance, wearing glasses, and exuding a scholarly aura.
The two sat together, and the man was very attentive to Jiang Mingqing.
Lin Xia thought that once her second brother’s wedding was over, Jiang Mingqing’s wedding would likely be next.
At that point, her godmother would feel her long-standing wish had been fulfilled.
Both Lin Xia and Lin Dong knew about their elder brother’s past feelings for Jiang Mingqing. Now that their elder brother had a girlfriend, they couldn’t help but reflect on how fate determines the connections between people, and that everyone finds their own match.
After the al, Lin Xia and Lin Dong politely declined Jiang Mingyuan’s offer to drive them back to the district.
The three of them bought so items and prepared to take the bus.
Having co back once, regardless of their feelings towards Lin Aiguo, they wanted to make the most of their limited ti and pay him a visit.
The large black dog at Lin Aiguo’s house was still alive, dutifully guarding the ho.
Upon hearing the dog’s bark, Lin Aiguo ca out with unsteady steps to see who had arrived.
He didn’t expect it to be Lin Xia and Lin Dong.
Lin Aiguo was completely caught off guard by their visit, as he had no prior knowledge of their arrival.
"Lin Xia, Lin Dong, why are you back? Quick, let take care of the dog, you co inside."
Lin Dong said, "Dad! My sister and I ca back for the wedding and thought we’d visit you too!"
Lin Aiguo nodded. While tending to the dog, he looked at the unfamiliar young man and asked, "Who is this?"
Lin Xia casually explained, "Dongzi’s friend." She noticed that Lin Aiguo looked much older and significantly thinner than before, his face sallow, indicating poor health.
It turned out Lin Aijia hadn’t lied; Lin Aiguo was indeed sick.
"Ah! Welco to our ho, co inside." Lin Aiguo showed great enthusiasm upon hearing that it was Lin Dong’s friend.
Liu Shuqin was not at ho; Lin Aiguo said she had gone to stay at Lin Aiye’s place for a few days.
Lin Aiguo asked Lin Dong to go to the kitchen and pour a few cups of water.
He asked Lin Xia, "Whose wedding did you co back for?"
Lin Xia answered honestly, "Second brother’s!"
"Ah! Him." Lin Aiguo rembered that guy, recalling their past conflicts and how he had even arranged for him to be sent to a psychiatric hospital.
So, upon hearing that Lin Xia and Lin Dong had co specifically for his wedding, Lin Aiguo’s expression turned sowhat unpleasant.
But since there were others around, Lin Aiguo hesitated to say much.
Just then, Lin Dong ca over with freshly brewed tea, and Lin Aiguo changed the topic, "How’s Lin Qiu? Is her morning sickness severe?"
He hadn’t attended Lin Qiu’s wedding because he didn’t want to go to her grandfather’s place, so he let his sister and her daughter represent the family.
When his sister returned with photos of Lin Qiu and her new husband, he felt a twinge of regret.
But there was no use regretting; even if he had gone, it wouldn’t have been perfect.
Lin Qiu hadn’t conceived imdiately after marriage, and though he was far away, he was still concerned.
When he heard she was finally pregnant this year, he was genuinely happy for them.
Lin Dong smiled and said, "Not too bad. My second sister said recently it’s been better; as long as she doesn’t sll anything strange, she doesn’t get sick."
Lin Aiguo nodded with relief, "That’s good. Since you’re back, does she want anything from ho? If she does, I can get it for her.
There are a few wild fruits from the mountain, like plums and crabapples."
Lin Dong directly declined, "Dad, there’s no need to go through the trouble. Even if you pick them now, it would be too late. My eldest sister and I will attend the wedding tomorrow and then take the afternoon bus back."
"Lin Dong, haven’t you started your sumr break? Why the rush? Your eldest sister is busy, she has her own things to do, but you can stay here for a while." Lin Aiguo hoped Lin Dong would stay a few more days.
Previously, he didn’t feel this way, but as his health declined, he felt a deep emptiness with only his elderly mother around and none of his children.
He frequently reminisced about the past, often unable to sleep, spending half the night recalling his younger days.
"I have just over half a month before school starts!" Lin Dong hesitated. Seeing his father today, he imdiately sensed that his father’s health was worrying.
He wasn’t sure if it was a physical illness or a ntal one.
He didn’t have much to do during the sumr; staying sowhere was the sa.
However, the Lin Family had many issues, and he was concerned that staying might lead to other problems.
Lin Aiguo knew that keeping Lin Xia was impossible as she had children and a factory to manage.
But Lin Dong was different, so he pleaded, "Why are you in a hurry? Stay a week; it’s rare for you to co back. If your second sister wants sothing, we can get it and mail it to her."
Lin Dong looked at Lin Xia and asked, "Eldest sister, should I stay a few days?"
"If you want to stay, then stay. You’re on vacation anyway." Lin Xia didn’t want to obstruct her brother’s relationship with Lin Aiguo.
Blood is thicker than water; seeing Lin Aiguo sickly, she felt a bit uneasy.
She realized that people are indeed strange creatures, often habitually sympathizing with the weak.
She had once hated Lin Aiguo deeply and often avoided interacting with him.
Last year, during the reburial, she recalled the past and was still indignant and cold towards Lin Aiguo like an enemy.
But today, returning to this familiar yet unfamiliar place with her brother and seeing the frail and sickly Lin Aiguo, her feelings seed to change sowhat.
Lin Dong smiled and said, "Alright! I’ll stay for a few days then."
Lin Aiguo’s face lit up with joy; he hadn’t dared to hope too much.
"Great, your friend can stay too."
"Sure!" Lin Xia and Lin Dong exchanged a look, and she felt more at ease letting the friend stay with her brother.
After settling Lin Dong’s stay, Lin Xia and the others didn’t linger long at Lin Aiguo’s and headed straight for the bus station.
They boarded at a middle stop, so there were no empty seats left on the bus.
Lin Xia and her companions followed the crowd from the front door to the middle of the bus before stopping.
As Lin Xia casually glanced back, she unexpectedly saw Xu Haihua and her daughter on the bus.
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