"Hello, Sister-in-law"
"It’s Lu Lian. You’ve grown well." The two exchanged greetings, and Lin Wan quickly invited them inside to cool off, noticing they were in a hurry and hadn’t had ti to eat. Lin Wan went inside and took dumplings from the freezer, heading to the kitchen.
Lu Guoqi was visiting Han Yi’s ho for the first ti and was surprised to see that they even had a refrigerator and washing machine. Not only that, but they also owned a car.
Everyone in the courtyard knew Han Yi’s wife ran a restaurant and was wealthy, but didn’t expect her to be this rich.
"Captain Han, does Sister-in-law earn so much just from running a restaurant?" Lu Guoqi asked curiously.
"No, her family runs a restaurant, but she now does so clothing business herself." Han Yi didn’t dare say that they had made a windfall, fearing it would easily cause envy.
"Wow, Sister-in-law is truly capable." Lu Guoqi was full of admiration.
Knowing Ning Jiang lived nearby, Han Yi took Lu Guoqi to Ning Jiang’s ho while Lin Wan was boiling the dumplings.
Back in the day, Lu Guoqi wasn’t part of the sa battalion, so he wasn’t familiar with Han Yi and Ning Jiang. However, they had worked together on missions for the past two years and grew quite acquainted. He knew that Ning Jiang and Han Yi’s wives often sent goods to the school and that they did business, but didn’t expect them to be this wealthy.
Han Yi drove himself ho last ti, although no one knew that he owned a car, as he parked it at his godmother’s house.
It was only when they returned yesterday that everyone found out. Among the group of five, two went straight ho with bags. They had a month-long holiday, and could return directly to their original barrack afterwards. Their diplomas would also be sent to the original barracks.
After reporting, they would be waiting for re-assignnt. Having developed top soldiers over two years, they would surely be utilized effectively.
With Lu Guoqi around, Ning Jiang joined in the fun, directly bringing dishes his mom and Shi Lan had prepared to Han Yi’s house.
The three of them enjoyed a lunch indoors, cooled by a fan.
Little Star was awakened by their chatter. This child was good in every aspect, except for being a bit cranky upon waking up. She cried a couple of tis, but once she heard Lin Wan ntion that her dad was back, she stopped crying imdiately and climbed off the bed.
"Dad. Dad." Since the New Year, Han Yi had been ho quite often.
"Star, awake?" Han Yi saw his daughter who had just woken up, all soft and adorable, and felt his heart lt.
"Dad. Eat... eat." Little Star looked at the dumplings in Han Yi’s bowl, urging him to eat quickly.
Ning Jiang, hurt yet amused, looked at Little Star and said, "Star? What about Ning Papa?"
Little Star quickly got out of Han Yi’s embrace, tugged at Lin Wan’s clothes, and said, "Mom, Star’s dumplings..."
Lin Wan chuckled, knowing what Little Star ant, and said, "You really want your Ning Papa to eat them?"
"Give them to Ning Papa, don’t let Daddy eat them," Little Star shook her head seriously.
Lin Wan laughed and handed Little Star the few misshapen dumplings she had made earlier.
Little Star showed a few small tiger teeth with a grin, and took her little bowl to the living room.
Ning Jiang was incredibly touched, although the dumplings weren’t great. Just because his daughter saved so dumplings for him made Ning Jiang raise an eyebrow smugly at Han Yi. He was about to boast to Han Yi when Little Star said, "The dumplings Star made aren’t as tasty as Mom’s. Daddy should eat Mom’s dumplings."
That made Ning Jiang choke on the dumplings he hadn’t swallowed, coughing several tis.
Han Yi nearly spat his food, laughing, and hugged his daughter, planting a kiss on her cheek, "My Little Star is wonderful."
Little Star nodded earnestly, "Mm-hmm."
Ning Jiang, amused yet helpless, said, "Ning Papa loves you for nothing."
"Ning Papa is handso." Little Star, perceptive, saw Ning Jiang’s reaction, and quickly praised him.
Lu Guoqi looked surprised at this little girl, liked her imnsely, and thought secretly that he, too, would have a cute daughter like her when he married.
After the al, Han Yi took Lu Guoqi to the bus station. Only then did Han Yi unreservedly embrace Lin Wan and took a stroll around the courtyard.
"From now on, we won’t have to be apart."
"Are you promising not to take anymore missions?"
Han Yi paused for a few seconds, then kissed Lin Wan’s lips, saying, "We’ll talk about future matters later."
"Sha... Daddy’s shaless." The two had beco so unapologetic that they forgot about the little one in their ho.
Now that Little Star could talk, although not completely, she was starting to vaguely understand things and she would say them without reservation.
Han Yi held his forehead, realizing he had to mind the kids in such matters.
With Han Yi back, Lin Wan was much more at ease. She could occasionally drive to the two construction sites to check things out.
The restaurant on South Street was nearly ready. In another month, it would be completed. After cleaning and airing out for a month, it should be ready to open by September.
Coincidentally, the weather was starting to cool, making it ideal.
The factory might need to halt co winter, and Lin Wan estimated that the factory building there would not be finished until at least next sumr.
Fortunately, she had places to store goods now—her mom’s and brother’s courtyard had ample space.
The most important thing for her now was to accumulate clients.
....
One day, Little Star wanted to eat so bread, so the two of them took her to Shuhua’s place at around four or five in the afternoon.
Just then, they ran into Du Guangjun and Qiu Hualan, who were bringing their child to buy sothing.
Face to face, Du Guangjun was quite natural, but Qiu Hualan wasn’t so at ease in front of Liang Hongi and Lin Wan, always feeling a bit inferior, with evident guilt.
Upon seeing her, Lin Wan didn’t speak up, just nodded in greeting.
Regarding Ye Qing’s family, Lin Wan had nothing much to say. Over the days, she had heard Aunt Tang ntion so things about Du Guangjun and Qiu Hualan. Now, nearly everyone around them knew about the two’s affairs.
The people in the courtyard believed Qiu Hualan was a divorced woman, living here to help her daughter with childcare. They didn’t know she was still a married woman.
"Xiao Wan, Xiao Yi, you’re also here to buy snacks, huh." Du Guangjun greeted them, suddenly feeling less natural "Your. Mom still doing well?"
Lin Wan was startled, glanced at Qiu Hualan, and then replied, "She’s well, with my dad in Z City."
Lin Wan deliberately ntioned her dad to subtly remind Du Guangjun not to grab everything within reach.
Du Guangjun seed to realize his question was inappropriate, laughed awkwardly, nodded, and didn’t speak further.
Qiu Hualan, however, looked at Lin Wan’s child and said, "Xiao Wan, your daughter is truly adorable, just like when you were little."
Lin Wan smiled, looked at the little boy in her arms, "Ah Qing’s child resembles Ah Qing when young too. Oh, those brows and eyes sowhat resemble his dad’s."
Lin Wan’s words instantly flustered Qiu Hualan, who replied with forced calm, "It’s late. You guys shop around, I’ll be heading back."
She said this in a hurry, afraid Lin Wan would carry on and bring up matters concerning Ah Qing and her, fearing it would complicate things if Du Guangjun found out.
For the past six months, Du Guangjun believed her family’s Ah Qing to be a good child, with a military son-in-law and a daughter with a stable job, except that not-so-great man—her family was overall good.
Thus, Du Guangjun remained unaware of Ah Qing and Liang Hongi’s family’s matters. If he did know, she truly couldn’t predict if Du Guangjun would still associate with her.
Finding soone who treated her well, she really didn’t want any incidents occurring.
Du Guangjun saw Qiu Hualan leave, nodded at Lin Wan, and then followed her.
Lin Wan watched them, not saying a word. She felt lately Ye Qing was a bit too pleased.
Little Star, whenever she ca here, couldn’t stop eating the snacks and bread. Uncle Jin and Aunt Jin spoiled her, but Lin Wan worried it might be bad for her teeth, so she tried not to bring her here.
"Xiao Wan, Xiao Gu and I have been thinking, to get the certificate in September. Neither of us has any family, so we’re not planning on holding a wedding; just inviting everyone for a al would be fine."
"A woman has just one opportunity in life; how can you not have a wedding?"
"Exactly, you have us and Uncle Jin at ho, and plenty of street neighbors. Your son’s wedding shouldn’t be so hasty. Plan... Another day, we’ll talk to Xiao Gu. Aunt Jin will help plan the wedding."
"Aunt Jin, this is too embarrassing."
"What’s there to be embarrassed about? Now Xiao Gu calls us mom and dad. When you marry Xiao Gu, wouldn’t you be my daughter-in-law?"
Aunt Jin’s words instantly made Zhang Shuhua’s face flush.
Lin Wan gave her a little pat on the shoulder, "Have the wedding. Such a significant life event shouldn’t be missed. I’ll help design the wedding dress."
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