"Such a person should have been kicked out long ago. Her dad didnât have the clout to get her arranged in S City; it must have been her mom who found her aunt."
"The first time I saw her, she was hostile toward me. Later, I learned that she had been introduced to Han Yi on a blind date. It was Leader Mei who introduced them."
"Leader Mei? Mei Shuping?"
"Oh... seems like it."
"Humph, I knew it. Xie Zhitao begged Xie Lingzhi; the two sisters are alike."
Lin Wan wasnât really interested in them. She and Han Yi were happily living their own little lives. As long as they werenât disturbed by others, they were already content.
In this life, Lin Wan didnât ask for anything else, just stability. She didnât need the conveniences given by others.
They would strive for what they needed.
After returning home, Lin Wan eagerly used the breast pump. Then, she came out to help her godmother handle the chicken and duck.
Cooking required a long time: crispy meat, fried meatballs, fried chicken pieces, braised duck in sauce, and braised tofu.
While the mother and daughter were busy in the kitchen, word had already spread in the courtyard that Mei familyâs second son had recognized a village girl as his goddaughter.
Some were indifferent, some looked down on it, some praised Lin Wan for her good fortune in climbing the Mei family tree. People said all kinds of things.
Mei Lang Jun and Lin Yinghui were out all day, and as soon as they entered the house in the evening, they smelled a delightful aroma.
Lin Yinghui was already immune to this, but Mei Lang Jun eagerly put a few meatballs into his mouth.
"Having a sister is different, especially a sister who can cook," Mei Lang Jun laughed with enjoyment.
Liang Qianbai gave him a sideways glance. "Isnât it nice? Every year at this time, when have I ever not been the one busy, you and your dad never helped me."
"Uh... Mom, I helped you too when I was little; you just donât remember," Mei Lang Jun said, touching his nose and chuckling.
Over the past couple of days, Lin Wan figured out that Mei Shuqing and Mei Lang Jun, this father and son, initially give a cold impression. People unfamiliar with them might think theyâre hard to get along with. In fact, theyâre outwardly cold but inwardly warm, the typical reserved type. With a little interaction, that first impression quickly breaks.
"Brother, where did you and Brother Junzi go today?"
"In the morning, we attended a friendâs wedding. Coincidentally, I ran into a classmate there. Heâs from this city. After the wedding banquet, we went to the pool hall to play for a bit." Overall, today went quite well. I got along nicely with Mei Lang Jun.
Lin Yinghui paused and said with some difficulty, "We made bets at the pool game; your brother lost quite badly."
"Haha, it was Brother Huiâs first time playing, he did pretty well. Luckily, I helped him win back a few rounds later."
"Pool, huh," Lin Wan never played it, not in her past life either.
"Next time when Han Yi is free, we brothers and sisters can go play a game together."
"Sure." Speaking of Han Yi, he hadnât called today; he was probably on a mission.
"During New Year, our whole family will go out for a stroll. This year, luckily, your dad isnât on duty. Oh, right, Xiao Wan and I went to the mall and bought you each a pair of leather shoes; theyâre in the living room. Go and try them on. Tonight, weâre having meatball noodle soup."
Over the next two days, Lin Wan and her godmother were busy at home preparing for the New Year.
Shi Lan hadnât called, and Lin Wan wasnât sure where she was staying.
Rumors from the courtyard reached the Mei familyâs two elders. On the eve of the New Year, they specifically called Mei Shuqing, inviting their family over to celebrate together.
Mei Shuqing didnât object, saying since it was the first year for his son and daughter, their family would have dinner and then visit.
The Mei familyâs two elders lived with Mei Shuping, just a short walk away in the South Courtyard.
It was convenient to go over.
Lin Yinghui specifically asked Mei Shuqing if they needed to prepare anything for the two elders.
"No need, just meet them over there, sit for a while and then weâll come back as a family."
After all, itâs about being godfamilyâin the future, the visits are primarily about the godparents.
"I thought you would wait a couple more days; where are you now?" On New Yearâs Eve, Han Yi finally called.
"I canât say, but I have a day off tomorrow."
"Then youâll come back tomorrow, right?" Lin Wan was excited.
"Mm," Han Yi replied with uncertainty, but that was enough to make Lin Wan happy. Tomorrow was the first day of the New Year, and her godmother said thereâd be a lot of fun events.
Happily hanging up with Han Yi, Lin Wan called her mom.
She learned that her mom and Little Star were at home listening to the radio and making dumplings. Lin Wan smiled.
On the afternoon of New Yearâs Eve, Mei Shuqing returned early, taking his two sons to the street, buying a lot of firecrackers and couplets.
The men were busy at home putting up couplets, while the women were preparing the New Yearâs Eve dinner in the kitchen. It was a joyful time.
The happiest of all were Mei Shuqing and Liang Qian, the couple. When they first got married, they promised to have several children because Liang Qian loved kids.
But it never worked out. Meeting Liang Hongmei and the two boys was fortunate. They rarely had such compatible friends.
They were fond and admiring of the two kids. Being able to become a family was their good fortune.
Around five oâclock, firecrackers started going off sporadically outside.
Mei Shuqing hurriedly directed his two sons to go outside and set off some firecrackers.
The whole family happily enjoyed the New Yearâs Eve dinner. Upon hearing that Han Yi would return the next day, they planned to go out together, visit Tiananmen Palace.
And to use Lin Wanâs camera to take a family photo.
After dinner, the family took a walk to the large courtyard in the South District.
Though also a two-story house, Mei Shupingâs place was much larger than where Mei Shuqing lived.
Xie Lingzhi opened the door for them. When Lin Wan and the others entered, their family had finished dinner and were having tea and watching TV in the living room.
At the head were two elderly people, sitting beside whom was Mei Langchi. Hearing the sound, Mei Shuping came out of the study, and upon seeing Lin Wan, he was obviously surprised.
The two old folks nodded kindly at Lin Yinghui and Lin Wan.
"Grandpa, Grandma, this is Lin Yinghui, my Brother Hui, and this is Lin Wan, little sister Xiao Wan. They are the godchildren dad recognized," Mei Lang Jun introduced.
Lin Yinghui and Lin Wan quickly followed, greeting, "Grandpa Mei, Grandma Mei."
"Ah... Please sit. Becoming family is fate. Come often to sit and chat," Grandpa Mei said.
"Indeed, itâs fate. Dad, you wouldnât know, but I mentioned several times about a young man who somewhat resembled me, who didnât want to be my godson. And now, by a twist of fate, Iâve recognized his wife as my goddaughter. Now that young man has to call me âgodfather,â still ends up calling me âfather,â just roundabout. Youâve seen Lin Familyâs eldest, right? My former teammate, Ah Hui, resembles him a lot, though that guy doesnât know. If he did, heâd probably fight me for the son," Mei Shuqing said, boasting as he led Lin Yinghui closer to the two elders.
"Yes, the child has just woken up, right? Iâve seen him once, and indeed, thereâs some resemblance. For so many years, you two finally achieved your wish. Recognized two whom you feel a connection with, thatâs your good fortune. Here, young man, young lady, these are for your meet-and-greet, for good fortune, donât mind if theyâre small," Old Mei said, taking out two red envelopes from his pocket for the Lin siblings.
"Thank you, Grandpa Mei."
Throughout, Old Mrs. Mei never opened her eyes to look at the siblings, clearly showing her disdain for them. It wasnât just Old Mrs. Mei; Xie Lingzhi, standing by Liang Qianâs side, also looked at them with disdain.
"How can they compare with Lin Family, not even close. Lin Familyâs grandsons are all outstanding, talented in every way. My younger sister-in-law, not just in our courtyard, even in Shuqingâs unit, there are many outstanding people. Why recognize two rural nobodies with no background? Isnât it a waste of affection?"
"On New Yearâs, Sister-in-law, donât speak too carelessly. Many outstanding young people, but if they donât meet our eyes, itâs no use. Those we recognize must be exceptional. Sister-in-law, mind your own family, let your daughter-in-law quickly give you a grandson, thatâs what you should focus on."
Mention of Tao Jia changed the expressions of several people in the room. The atmosphere dropped noticeably.
The usually silent Old Mrs. Mei let out a huff toward Mei Langchi, tapping him with her cane, "What a good granddaughter-in-law you let go. I see you want to cause trouble, donât you."