Chapter 307 - 305: Something’s Not Right?

Chapter 307: Chapter 305: Something’s Not Right?

"How could I not figure it out?"

Lin Fu gripped Yao Hui Chun’s hand, filled with guilt. "I was too selfish in the past, not considering your feelings. But you know, deep down, I always held on to this foolish hope. I always thought they treated me poorly because I wasn’t doing enough, because I didn’t have a son. That’s why I worked myself to the bone, and why I was so set on having a son—it was all part of that desperate hope that one day, I could win their approval. Thinking back now, I was so stupid. The way they treated me so differently was so obvious, yet I... I knew you were suffering, but I still couldn’t help trying to please them... I kept telling myself that no parents in the world are ever truly wrong..."

"Don’t say that, Fu. I don’t blame you. Really. Although I couldn’t help feeling resentful at times, I’ve never truly blamed you in my heart." Yao Hui Chun couldn’t stop herself from using the name she had called Lin Fu when they were first married—a name she’d slowly stopped using after they had children. She squeezed his hand tightly in return, her eyes welling with tears.

"I know you never blamed me, and that just makes me feel even more guilty, even more sorry." Hearing his wife call him by the long-unheard ’Fu,’ Lin Fu shuddered, his own eyes growing moist. "Actually, over the years, I’ve suspected more than once that I wasn’t their biological son. I even secretly asked some of the older, more sympathetic clan elders, but they all insisted that I was their biological child. It makes sense, I guess. I was already over two years old when my parents returned from their time away. Even the clan elders probably don’t know the truth about what happened while they were gone."

Lin Fu took a deep breath. "Even if they did find me, even if I owe them a great debt of gratitude, after all these years, any debt should have been repaid. Do you remember what I told you about my fourth brother falling into the pond that year? Hah. The weather was freezing, but if I hadn’t closed my eyes and jumped into that pond to pull him out, risking my own life, he would have been long dead. Even his own biological older brother was right there, just watching. But it’s a shame that even after that, my fourth brother is still closer to his big brother and treats me, his non-biological second brother, as if I’m nothing. So be it. I suppose we just don’t have that kind of bond."

He sighed for a long time as a storm of complex emotions washed over him, then slowly faded, leaving only a lingering melancholy. "It’s for the best. A life for a life. With that, plus all these years and what’s happening now... this time, I’m going to be completely honest with the Zhang family. Whether they agree or not, I’ll have a clear conscience toward them from now on."

"Fu, I’m so relieved to hear you say that. If they’re not close to you, it’s their loss. You don’t need their approval. Don’t forget, you still have us. In their eyes, you might be like dirt on the ground, completely disposable. But in my eyes and the children’s, you’re the best. You’re the pillar of our family. Without you, do you think our house would still be a complete home?" Yao Hui Chun’s heart ached with a sharp pain as she saw the sorrow on Lin Fu’s face.

Touched, Lin Fu nodded. "Even if I held on to those foolish hopes in the past, you should know that in my heart, you and the children have always come first."

"I’ve always known that." Yao Hui Chun couldn’t help but rest her head on Lin Fu’s shoulder, sighing to herself. ’If I hadn’t always known that deep down, how could I have stayed by your side without any regrets?’

Moonlight spilled down, casting a dim glow that was just enough to make out the path. There was no one else around, and the silence was broken only by the occasional chirp of distant insects. Perhaps it was because of the recent shock, combined with the cover of night, that Lin Fu and Yao Hui Chun—a couple who were usually quite reserved with their affections—remained nestled together for a long while. The rare moment of tender intimacy was shattered when a sudden RUSTLE made them jump apart.

When they saw the sound had been made by a bird returning to its nest, they couldn’t help but exchange a shy smile. At the same time, they reached for each other’s hands again, clasping them tightly until they reached their front door.

Entering their home, they were met with the curious gazes of their three children. The couple didn’t hide anything, recounting the "truth" they had heard from Lin Shouyi from beginning to end. When Lin Fu mentioned his decision to go to the Zhang family the next day, Lin Qiao couldn’t help but say, "Dad, I’ll go with you tomorrow."

"There’s no need. I can handle this myself. Why would you get involved in that commotion?" Lin Fu shook his head, refusing.

"It’s not that. They say you can’t see the full picture when you’re in the middle of it. I just feel like something is off here, but I can’t put my finger on it. I was thinking I could go talk to Nuannuan directly. Maybe she’ll be able to figure it out." Lin Qiao was insistent. Because Gu Nuan Nuan always managed to get to the heart of the matter when analyzing a problem, Lin Qiao had developed a conditioned reflex to seek her out and hear her opinion whenever something came up.

"Just let her go. Now that Qiaoqiao mentions it, I also feel like something isn’t quite right. Nuannuan is a girl with good ideas. There’s no harm in hearing what she has to say. Besides, there are some things it wouldn’t be appropriate for you to say so bluntly to Mr. Zhang and the others. Having Qiaoqiao tell Nuannuan, and then letting the Zhang Family find out that way, might actually be more effective." Yao Hui Chun chimed in, agreeing.

"Alright, I’ll listen to you both." Hearing this, Lin Fu didn’t object further and nodded.

「The next day.」

Lin Fu got up early. He recalled Lin Qiao mentioning that Gu Nuan Nuan had said freshly killed chicken tastes better than chicken that’s been frozen. Thinking it was still a while before the New Year and that bringing live chickens and ducks over too early would just be a hassle for the Zhang Family, he decided against bringing too much. He simply killed and cleaned a single chicken, enough for the Zhang Family’s meal for the day, and carried it with him. Then, he and Lin Qiao headed straight for the villa district, taking a familiar path.

The father and daughter had visited so often that the security guards at the entrance of the villa district couldn’t have been more familiar with them. Plus, the Zhang Family had given special instructions, so the guards let them pass without any questions. When they arrived at Zhang Dazhuang and Wen Xiu’s villa, Zhang Dazhuang was in the small front yard watering his vegetables. He heard the knock, came to open the gate, and saw the two of them. Just as a smile spread across his face, he heard Lin Qiao’s cheerful voice call out, "Hello, Grandpa Zhang!"

"Hello to you too. Nuannuan hasn’t gone out today. She just came over for breakfast and went back a little while ago. Qiaoqiao, it’s been a while since you last came. Your Grandma Wen has mentioned you two or three times. Now that you’re on vacation, you should spend the day here playing with Nuannuan. After dinner, I’ll have the two brats at home drive you back." Zhang Dazhuang ignored Lin Fu for a moment, speaking cheerfully to Lin Qiao.

"Grandpa Zhang, I can stay for lunch, but I’ll skip dinner. I have to go back and help out this afternoon. I’m usually at school and can’t help much at home. If it weren’t for something important, I wouldn’t have been able to come out to see Nuannuan today." Lin Qiao shook her head.