However, everyone in the family—including Linlin herself—had been prepared for this from the start, and she passed the political screening and medical examination without a hitch.
Once everything had been finalized, Linlin called her grandparents in the capital, as well as her second uncle and aunt, to share the good news.
The same was true for Zhou Chen.
When Zhou Chen learned that his daughter had been admitted to Capital Aviation University—and as the top scorer in the province, no less—he even bought a string of firecrackers and set them off outside the house.
After living there for so long, everyone knew that he had another daughter.
When they heard that she was the provincial top scorer, they all came to offer their congratulations.
At a time when having a university student in the family was already a remarkable achievement, getting into a university in the capital—one of the top-ranked schools—was truly something to be proud of.
Zhou Chen not only treated his subordinates to a meal and handed out wedding candies to the neighbors, but also specifically sent someone to Zhou Village to set off firecrackers and share the good news with the villagers.
Old Man Zhou and Wang Guifen naturally heard about it as well.
Zhou Jianmin had tried to stir up his parents and get them to demand money from their granddaughter, but Old Man Zhou and Wang Guifen no longer dared to do so.
For one thing, they had already seen how ruthless Zhou Chen could be.
For another, Lin Zhilan was no longer someone they could manipulate. They simply could not afford to provoke her.
Zhou Jianmin cursed out the old couple before running off to drink.
When he came back, he fell into a muddy ditch. A grown man in his thirties, dead drunk, was unable to crawl out and eventually drowned in the mud.
Old Man Zhou and Wang Guifen wailed and cried, but nothing could be done.
Zhou Chen did not even return to take a look. In the end, they could only bury Zhou Jianmin hastily.
Zhou Chen told Linlin none of this, so naturally, she had no idea that this so-called “uncle” of hers had died.
As the start of the school year drew near, the atmosphere at home grew tense once again.
The capital and the island were more than a thousand kilometers apart. This time, Linlin would not be going on a short visit that lasted only half a month before she could return. The next time they could see their daughter would be during the New Year.
Lin Zhilan had requested leave well in advance, while Su Lang had arranged his work ahead of time and adjusted his schedule. The whole family would be accompanying Linlin to the capital to start university.
The only one who was excited was Su Li. The thought of going out to have fun had him practically bouncing with joy.
The night before they left, Su Lang came home later than usual after finishing his work.
After dinner, he asked Linlin to go for a walk with him.
Father and daughter strolled slowly along the paths in the family compound. The sky was gradually darkening, and an occasional breeze carried the salty tang of seawater and the distinctive coolness of the night.
Daughters were naturally closer to their mothers, and Linlin was willing to tell her mother anything.
Su Lang was not actually a stern man. If anything, he could be described as a father who was rather humorous and entertaining.
Linlin loved her father, but she was not as intimate and open with him as she was with her mother.
She was also curious about what he wanted to talk to her about.
They followed the gravel path to the sports field before Su Lang finally spoke in an unhurried voice.
“You were especially adorable when you were little. The first time I saw you, you still needed someone to feed you. Your mother said you were shy around strangers, but when I fed you noodles, you obediently opened your mouth and ate. You were so adorable.”
He repeated “so adorable” twice, and his eyes softened. He spoke of her childhood as though it had happened only yesterday.
The corners of Linlin’s lips lifted. “Why are you suddenly talking about that, Dad?”
Su Lang smiled. “It just came to me. Time passes so quickly. You’ve gone from a three-year-old little girl to someone who’s about to start university. I’m so proud of you. I feel incredibly lucky—and honored—to be your father.”
Linlin’s eyes grew hot. She lowered her head and said softly, “I feel so happy to be your daughter too.”
Whether it was Lin Zhilan and Su Lang or Zhou Chen, they had all poured an immense amount of love into her.
Growing up, Linlin had never lacked anything, materially or emotionally.
She cherished it all and was deeply grateful. Sometimes, she even felt uneasy, as though she could never repay them.
Su Lang turned his head and stroked his daughter’s hair before pulling his hand back.
Linlin looked at him curiously.
Su Lang rubbed his forehead and said with an exasperated smile, “Your mother told me not to touch your hair too much. She says it’ll make it greasy. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Linlin’s eyes curved into a smile. “Mom’s right, but you can touch my hair, Dad. I give you permission.”
Su Lang laughed, but in the end, he did not reach out to touch her hair again.
“You’re about to leave home for school. Your father hopes you’ll achieve your dreams, but it’s okay if you fail.
“When I was serving in the navy, we inevitably encountered strong winds and rough seas during training and patrols. A vessel couldn’t simply try to withstand everything head-on. It had to return to port.
“A harbor has breakwaters to block the massive waves from the open sea. Once a ship enters and docks there, it won’t be tossed about so violently. That kind of harbor is also called a safe haven.
“Life will never be smooth sailing, but it will never be completely ruined either. Your family is your safe haven. If you suffer a setback or simply want to rest, you can always come back and drop anchor here.”
Linlin was the only daughter in the family, and Lin Zhilan and Su Lang had raised her like a precious treasure.
That was how parents were. They wished their daughter could go through life without illness or hardship, with everything always going smoothly.
But Linlin was now officially beginning her own life and would have to start leaving her parents behind.
As time passed, Lin Zhilan and Su Lang would inevitably occupy a smaller and smaller place in their daughter’s daily life. They had no choice but to accept that and gradually learn to let go.
But they also wanted Linlin to know that her parents would always support her from behind.
Unconditionally. Regardless of whether she succeeded or failed.
Linlin turned her head and quickly wiped away her tears in the darkness. Then she said coquettishly, “I know, Dad. I’m only going to university. Why are you talking as if I’m running away from home?”
Su Lang smiled. “Just remember what I told you today.”
Linlin linked her arm through his. “Dad, I’ve already made plans. I’m going to study hard, then work hard. Once I have a home of my own, when you and Mom retire, will you come live with me?”
She was sure her older and younger brothers would fight her for them, so Linlin wanted to reserve her parents in advance.
Su Lang’s cheekbones rose as he beamed. “Of course I’d be willing. But what if you’re married by then and your spouse doesn’t agree?”
Linlin gave a pretty little shrug. “That won’t happen.”
“How do you know?” Su Lang asked.
Linlin tilted her head. “Because I wouldn’t choose someone like that as my partner.”
Linlin had grown up in a loving family. The way Lin Zhilan and Su Lang treated each other was what she considered the ideal model for marriage.
She yearned for a family like that, but for the same reason, she had become more demanding when it came to love.
Having already learned that the best kind of love existed in this world, she would never settle for anything less.
Better to remain single than settle for less—that was Linlin’s view of love.
Su Lang burst out laughing. In his daughter, he saw a hint of his wife’s spirit.
He thought that was a good thing.
Linlin had only just turned eighteen when someone came to him and his wife to propose a match. Su Lang had been so furious he nearly exploded.
How old was his daughter, anyway? And they were already thinking about her dating?!
