The island sunlight gave Yan Yuan a honey-colored complexion, sharpening his features and making them stand out vividly. When he didn't smile, he appeared calm and aloof, but when he smiled, there was a unique youthful and lively energy that belonged to a young man.
Lin Zhilan had initially taken extra care of Yan Yuan because of the storyline in her book, but after all these years, she truly had grown fond of this boy.
Moreover, Yan Yuan wasn't a pervert. Lin Zhilan observed how he interacted with Linlin and didn't think he had any improper thoughts about her, since she was still just a little girl.
Compared to Jiang Chengzhou, Yan Yuan was more like a gentle and attentive older brother.
Although she didn't know how their future would develop, at least for now, Yan Yuan got along well with the three children in the household.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear—Su Li came back carrying two big coconuts.
As soon as he saw Yan Yuan, he dropped the coconuts on the ground and jumped straight onto him.
Yan Yuan caught him skillfully.
“Brother Yuan, I’m going to Zhouxin County to play!”
Yan Yuan had already learned about this from Jiang Chengzhou, so he didn’t look surprised.
He bounced Su Li up a bit to adjust his hold and said, “I know. When you go out to play, make sure to listen to your brother and sister, got it?”
“Got it!”
Yan Yuan set Su Li down and turned his gaze to Linlin, who was standing behind Jiang Chengzhou. “You too. When you’re out, you must listen to your brother and not run off.”
Linlin made a face from behind Jiang Chengzhou. “I know~” she said.
Yan Yuan’s only relative was his grandfather, and at one point, he had wished Linlin could become his sister. But later, he realized it was better for Linlin to be Jiang Chengzhou’s sister, because back then, he couldn’t provide her with a decent life.
In Yan Yuan's heart, Linlin was like a princess.
A princess should live without worries, never having to fret over making a living. He couldn’t imagine her living like him—in a rundown house, wearing shabby clothes.
Seeing Linlin hiding behind Jiang Chengzhou, Yan Yuan’s eyes glimmered with a hint of amusement. The little girl was definitely complaining in her head about his nagging again.
Yan Yuan still had things to do. He exchanged a few words with Lin Zhilan and then got ready to go home.
“Wait a moment, Xiao Yuan. Auntie bought a lot of watermelons. Take one home to share with your grandfather.”
“No need, Auntie. I’m off now.”
Yan Yuan strode away without looking back.
By the time Lin Zhilan came out of the kitchen carrying a watermelon, he was already out the door.
Linlin took the watermelon and said, “I’ll take it to Brother Xiao Yuan.” Lin Zhilan agreed, and the little girl chased after him, holding the watermelon.
“Brother Xiao Yuan!”
Yan Yuan turned around. The little girl stood under the sun, and the floral dress she was wearing shimmered brightly in the daylight.
She and Jiang Chengzhou—and especially Su Li—were complete opposites; she really didn’t like to exercise.
Sometimes, when Su Lang had to drag her to the track for a couple of laps, that alone was a big deal.
Now it was the same—after just a few steps, Linlin was already out of breath.
Yan Yuan quickly ran over to her, smiling. “I told you there’s no need. It’s sunny, go back inside.”
Linlin held out the watermelon to him. “Hurry up, hurry up. I can’t carry it anymore.”
Yan Yuan had no choice but to take the watermelon. “There, is that good? Thank Auntie for me.”
Linlin’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “You’re welcome, Brother Xiao Yuan…”
“Hmm?”
Linlin’s eyes darted around mischievously. “I wasn’t complaining about your nagging earlier, you know.”
Each of Linlin’s three “brothers” had a different personality.
Jiang Chengzhou was both a brother and a friend, always taking her out to play.
Li Xuan was a bit “old-fashioned,” like an elder. He wouldn’t try anything adventurous and cared most about Linlin’s grades.
Yan Yuan was different—he was neither like a brother nor a friend.
He wasn’t like a friend because in some ways, Yan Yuan would be strict with her, even harsher than anyone else.
He wasn’t like a brother because at other times, he would listen to her completely, doing whatever she said without question.
Once, when she pestered Jiang Chengzhou and Yan Yuan to take her out to sea, Yan Yuan flatly refused, speaking a little harshly, and told her not to think about it again.
Linlin had felt a bit upset at being scolded, and her eyes turned red.
Seeing his sister cry, Jiang Chengzhou almost got into a fight with Yan Yuan.
In the end, Yan Yuan asked her if she really wanted to go out to sea or if she just wanted to ride in a small boat.
Linlin didn’t have a strong yearning for the open sea, so she said she just wanted to go on a small boat.
So, Yan Yuan got permission from Lin Zhilan and Su Lang, and together with Jiang Chengzhou, he took her and Su Li to Yangcheng Park, where they spent the afternoon rowing a boat.
Even though the outcome wasn’t what she had imagined, she did indeed ride in a small boat.
Yan Yuan held the watermelon with one hand and patted the little girl’s head with the other. “It’s okay if you don’t like it. Your Brother Xiao Yuan still can’t shake this nagging habit, so just put up with me a little longer?”
Linlin laughed, as bright as the sun.
He watched her go inside the house before leaving with the watermelon.
…
When Zhou Chen got Lin Zhilan’s call, he immediately asked for leave and bought his train tickets.
Fortunately, Lin Zhilan wasn’t one to procrastinate; she had already packed the three children’s luggage and everything they needed to bring.
Zhou Chen didn’t have many days off—almost all his time was spent traveling.
Lin Zhilan and Su Lang accompanied the three children all the way to Yangcheng to meet Zhou Chen.
As soon as Zhou Chen got off the train, he spotted Linlin.
Linlin was wearing a goose-yellow printed cotton short-sleeved blouse with a small lapel collar that day, paired with black trousers. Her hair was tied into a high ponytail with a matching goose-yellow bow.
Linlin usually wore more dresses in the summer; the trousers were Lin Zhilan’s idea to make it easier for her during the train ride.
Zhou Chen hurried over. His gaze first landed on Linlin, and then he nodded politely at Lin Zhilan and Su Lang.
Lin Zhilan greeted him and told the children to address him.
Jiang Chengzhou nodded to Zhou Chen. “Hello, Uncle Zhou.”
“Hello.” Zhou Chen smiled, then immediately shifted his focus back to Linlin.
Linlin looked at his chin. “Hello, Father Zhou.”
“Good, good, good.” Zhou Chen was a little emotional, not knowing where to put his hands or feet.
Seeing him like this, Linlin felt a bit awkward and edged closer to her mother.
“Godfather!”
And Su Li, as expected, quickly drew Zhou Chen’s attention away with that single shout.
Zhou Chen looked at him and chuckled. “Li Li, you’ve grown taller.”
Su Li said proudly, “And I’m heavier too. Try lifting me and see.”
Zhou Chen sometimes didn’t see Su Li even once a year, but every time they met, Su Li wasn’t shy at all—it was like reuniting with an old friend.
Zhou Chen really liked his personality and hoisted him up to test his weight. “You’re heavier, all right.”
Lin Zhilan looked at Zhou Chen. “I’ll leave the children in your care.”
Zhou Chen shook his head. “It’s my pleasure.”
Even with adults around, Lin Zhilan still felt uneasy, so she spent a long time encouraging the children.
At home, Linlin had already heard these words many times, but she still listened patiently.
Lin Zhilan kissed her on the cheek. “If you want to come back, just call me anytime, and I’ll buy a ticket to pick you up.”
