Lin Wenya soon got the child to sleep and took Xiao Mandong by the hand into the main room.
By then, a table full of steaming dishes had already been set.
Mrs. Lin quickly waved her over with a smile. “Mandong, come sit here. I noticed last time that you liked these sweet potatoes cooked with brown sugar, so I made some especially for you today.”
Mrs. Lin took Xiao Mandong’s hand and led her to the seat beside her.
Xiao Mandong tucked away her emotions and wore a gentle smile. “Thank you, Auntie. I do love them.”
Sitting on the sofa, Liu Mengyao kept her eyes lowered, quiet and docile, looking every bit the picture of a well-behaved, sensible young woman. Inside, however, she wished she could tear Xiao Mandong to pieces.
Today was supposed to be her day. Why did Xiao Mandong have to come and steal her spotlight?
Ever since she had begun seeing Lin Guoan, Liu Mengyao had looked forward to having a wedding of her own. She wanted a warm home and an ordinary life.
Besides, Lin Guoan was tall and handsome. Though she had been with Director Huang for six years, Liu Mengyao knew better than anyone that she could never marry him.
They were not actually related by blood—she was simply from the same village as Director Huang’s wife—but according to their seniority, she had always called him Uncle. With that relationship out in the open, the two of them were destined to remain entangled in secret. They could never bring it into the light.
If they dared to talk about marriage, not only would the villagers curse them and point fingers behind their backs, but they would completely lose their reputations and dignity.
Moreover, after spending that night with Lin Guoan, she had realized that a young man was a hundred times better than an older one.
She had even made up her mind to build a good life with Lin Guoan and have a child of their own.
Director Lin invited Director Huang and Liu Mengyao to take their seats. Lin Guoan thoughtfully poured Liu Mengyao a cup of warm water and placed it in front of her.
Director Huang looked perfectly calm, his face still wearing that kindly, affable expression.
Only he knew how intense the jealousy and possessiveness boiling inside him truly were.
Liu Mengyao had been his woman for six years, from beginning to end. Now, seeing another young man treating her with such care and affection, his heart soured and churned with anger. It felt as though someone else had touched what belonged to him.
But he had another purpose here. He could not reveal a thing. All he could do was maintain a respectable appearance, hiding every trace of gloom and resentment beneath his smile.
“Mengyao is certainly blessed. Just look at how considerate Guoan is.”
Only Liu Mengyao understood the hidden meaning in his words. She hurriedly declared, “Uncle, I’ll never forget all you’ve done for me. In the future, I’ll make sure to take good care of you and Auntie.”
Director Huang nodded in satisfaction.
Director Lin picked up his chopsticks and was about to invite everyone to start eating when Director Huang spoke first.
“Director Lin, Mrs. Lin, I never expected the children’s relationship to progress so quickly. It was completely beyond my expectations.
“After all, marriage is a lifelong matter. I had thought they would spend more time together, get to know each other better, and then make a decision. But since they both want to get married, of course I offer them my blessings. Still, there are some things I can’t keep from you.”
Director Lin and Mrs. Lin exchanged a glance and waited for Director Huang to continue.
“Mengyao is a kindhearted girl. Her older brother passed away young, leaving behind a four-year-old child.
“The poor child has always been raised by Mengyao. In front of outsiders, she treats him just like her own. So that he wouldn’t feel neglected, he has always called her Mom, and no one outside knows the truth. Naturally, people are bound to gossip and make wild guesses.
“But don’t worry. I’ll help Mengyao raise the child. He won’t need anything from the Lin family—not your care, your concern, or your money—and he certainly won’t become a burden to the young couple. It’s just that if he misses his aunt, I’ll occasionally bring him over to visit. If anyone says anything unpleasant, I hope you won’t misunderstand.
“I’m making everything clear today because I don’t want any resentment between us. We’re becoming relatives openly and honestly, and we should all live together without hidden misgivings.”
When he finished, Liu Mengyao immediately lowered her head, the rims of her eyes faintly red. She looked so understanding and pitiful that anyone would feel sorry for her.
Sitting nearby, Xiao Mandong lightly rubbed her fingertips along the rim of her bowl, inwardly scoffing.
Director Huang had blocked every possible avenue for gossip. What an excellent schemer.
After hearing him out, Mrs. Lin was stunned for a moment, then quickly broke into a smile.
“Oh, what’s the harm in that? The poor child is just like my own granddaughter. Mengyao is so kindhearted. Bring him over to play whenever you like.”
In truth, Mrs. Lin was pleased to hear this. If Liu Mengyao could treat her own nephew well, she probably would not mistreat her granddaughter either.
Director Lin poured Director Huang a glass of liquor. “Director Huang, you’ve certainly thought this through. We’re all family from now on. Whenever the child comes over, he’ll be welcome here. The two children can even keep each other company.”
Seeing their agreement, Director Huang’s smile deepened. He nodded repeatedly. “With your word, I can finally rest easy.”
Xiao Mandong lifted her water glass and took a small sip, concealing the mockery in her eyes.
After both sides discussed the arrangements, they settled on a bride price of six hundred yuan, along with the traditional “three rounds and one sound”—a bicycle, a sewing machine, a wristwatch, and a radio. The furniture would be the same set Lin Guoan already had.
The two planned to register their marriage the following day, with the wedding banquet to be held seven days later.
After dinner, Liu Mengyao and Director Huang left first.
“Mandong, let my brother take you back to the village,” Lin Wenya suggested. “Or you could stay at the guesthouse nearby for the night.”
Xiao Mandong glanced at the pitch-black sky outside. She knew refusing would be pointless; the Lin family would never let her leave alone at that hour. So she readily agreed.
“All right, then. Just take me to the guesthouse.”
Mrs. Lin hurriedly called out to the two of them as they were about to leave.
“Wait a moment. Wenhui, go with them. Your brother is engaged now, so we have to avoid giving outsiders anything to gossip about and damaging Mandong’s reputation.”
Lin Wenhui immediately rose to her feet. “Come on, Mandong. I’ll see you there.”
After they stepped out of the Lin family’s house, Lin Guoan opened the door of the jeep and gestured for Xiao Mandong to get in.
But Xiao Mandong waved her off, raising a hand to press against her chest. She looked slightly uncomfortable.
“I feel a little stifled right now. I’d like to walk out of the residential compound and get some fresh air.
“Drive to the intersection outside and wait for us there.”
“All right. I’ll wait for you outside the entrance.”
Lin Wenhui accompanied Xiao Mandong to the main gate of the residential compound.
The uniformed guard recognized Director Lin’s daughter and greeted her warmly.
Seeing the guard speak so courteously to Lin Wenhui, Xiao Mandong deliberately teased him with a smile.
“Comrade, be sure to remember me. I’m a relative of Director Lin’s family. The next time I come by, don’t stop me at the gate.”
Lin Wenhui quickly chimed in, “Master Zhang, she’s one of our own family members. From now on, just let her in whenever she comes.”
The guard burst out laughing and waved his hands. “Of course, of course. I’ll remember. Don’t worry, Comrade Lin—I’ll let her pass without a problem.”
After that, the two women climbed into the jeep waiting outside the gate.
