Chapter 309 - 307: The Tragedy from the Past Life

Chapter 309: Chapter 307: The Tragedy from the Past Life

Contentedly, Lin Qiao washed the plate and her hands, then put the dish back where it belonged. She wiped her mouth. "The oranges are so sweet and juicy, and the strawberries are delicious too. But why are they so big?"

"Of course they’re delicious—this is the perfect season for them! In a bit, you should take a plate over to share with Nuannuan. When you’re done, there’s more in the cupboard in her kitchen. If Nuannuan doesn’t feel like moving later, just go get them yourself to wash and eat. It’s so dry in the winter, it’s especially good for girls to eat more fruit. These were just delivered yesterday afternoon, so they’re perfectly fresh. If you and your dad hadn’t come over, your Grandpa Zhang was planning to bring some to you after he finished tending to his vegetables."

"Hehe, thank you, Grandma Wen and Grandpa Zhang. My two little sisters are going to be so happy when I bring this fruit home. Hehe, my little brother is bigger now, so he can eat these as a purée or juice. I guarantee he’ll love them this time," Lin Qiao said, grinning as she thanked them.

"What are you thanking me for? Don’t be so formal. What’s the point of saying thank you all the time? Kids really should eat more fruit. If they eat a variety of things when they’re young, they won’t be picky eaters when they’re older. Tell your mom that when she feeds your little brother apples, she should peel them and use a spoon to scrape them into a mash for him," Wen Xiu said with a laugh.

Lin Qiao nodded vigorously. "Uh-huh."

"Oh, right, in a couple of days, a shipment of your and Nuannuan’s favorites will arrive—coconuts, mangoes, and durians. You two are in for a treat," Wen Xiu said, unable to keep from shaking her head. "I can understand the coconuts and mangoes, everyone likes those. But that durian... it’s so stinky. I have no idea where Nuannuan heard of a fruit like that, but she specifically asked her uncle to have someone track it down. That smell... Tsk, tsk. How can you two possibly like it so much?"

"Really? Hehe, but that’s the Empress of fruits! Eating it has so many benefits. But really, it’s just like stinky tofu—people who like it absolutely love it, while those who hate the smell can’t even get close. They just plug their noses and run. It’s just like my sister and my dad. At home, they can’t stand the smell either. Every time we eat it, they run far, far away," Lin Qiao laughed.

"Hehe, isn’t that the truth? Your Grandpa Zhang and I can’t stand it either. Thank goodness we don’t live together, or our noses would have to suffer that torture." Wen Xiu said with a smile, picking up a plate of fruit and heading out. Lin Qiao quickly grabbed the other plate and followed her.

As they parted ways, Wen Xiu remembered something and quickly called out a reminder, "I’m making lunch for you, so don’t run off home so soon. We have beef, so I can make you some beef chow fun, and we also have lamb, so I can grill some steaks and lamb chops for you."

"I know! I’ll come over for lunch with Nuannuan!" By then, Lin Qiao had already reached the main gate. She turned back and waved with her free hand. Wen Xiu watched her leave with a smile before turning toward the living room.

Lin Qiao and Gu Nuan Nuan were now together, each holding a crystal glass bowl filled with their favorite fruits. They were nestled in swinging hammock chairs, facing each other in the living area of Gu Nuan Nuan’s suite, right in front of a large, floor-to-ceiling glass window.

The rattan hammock chairs were stuffed with soft seat cushions, backrests, and throw pillows. Each could only fit one person, making them exceptionally cozy to curl up in on a winter’s day. It was even better when you had fruit to eat, someone to talk to, and could gaze through the large glass window at the flowers and plants on the balcony—still lushly green, gorgeously red, and sweetly pink.

Lin Qiao relaxed completely. A large, sweet strawberry sat in her mouth, bathing her tongue in its sweetness. Even her voice slowed, devoid of the intense emotion she’d felt yesterday upon learning the truth:

"...Even though my mom, my two younger sisters, and I all hate that Dad came to you for that woman, Lin Yan, I also think that if it weren’t for her, our family might never have found out about his real story. Sigh... My poor father. He said it himself: after this, they’re all even. They saved him when he was a child, but as soon as he was old enough, he worked to earn his own keep. He didn’t ask for their help when he got married or built a house, and he even ended up saving their youngest son’s life. After this, they truly won’t owe each other anything anymore."

...

’As Gu Nuan Nuan listened, she was suddenly reminded of a tragedy from her past life, one that would happen five or six years from now. The family involved, she recalled, also had the surname Lin. Their story had been so full of dramatic ups and downs, such extreme highs and lows, that it left a deep and sorrowful impression on people. That was why, even after so many years, she could still remember a name or two.’

She paused for a moment before asking, "What was the name of that eldest uncle of yours again?"

"Lin Ding."

Lin Qiao leaned over to the small, white, ornately carved table in front of her. She picked up her crystal glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, took a sip, and remarked casually, "Isn’t it weird? My dad’s name is Lin Fu, my third uncle is Lin Lu, and my fourth uncle is Lin Shou. But my eldest uncle, of all people, is named Lin Ding. If you think about it, doesn’t it seem like he’s the one who was adopted?"

"Hehe, Lin Ding, you say?"

Lin Qiao’s words made Gu Nuan Nuan chuckle. Her pupils dilated almost imperceptibly, and a strange expression crossed her face. "Your father is the second son?"

"Yes, he is. How did you know? I don’t think I mentioned that before, did I?" Lin Qiao froze, glass in hand, and tried to recall. When she saw Gu Nuan Nuan just smiling enigmatically without a word, she stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. "Oh, look at me, my head’s all muddled. I already mentioned my eldest, third, and fourth uncles. Of course my dad would be the second son."

Gu Nuan Nuan also leaned forward, took a small sip of her orange juice, and smiled faintly. She said nothing more, but inwardly, everything clicked into place.

’What Lin Qiao’s father said about them not owing each other anything... that might not be the case. From the looks of it, his "adoptive parents" owed him far more than that...’

’No wonder. No wonder his "adoptive parents’" family all met such tragic ends. And no wonder that when disaster struck everyone else, it was only the family of the least-favored second son that escaped unscathed and reaped all the rewards. They probably went to their graves completely bewildered, still thinking it was all an accident, huh?’

’I wonder what will happen now. In this life, because of my influence, Lin Qiao’s father was forced by his "adoptive parents" to find a job for Lin Yan. This led to Lin Yan prematurely revealing the secret that he wasn’t their biological son—something that was never exposed in my past life. When his real parents eventually come looking for him, how are his adoptive parents going to explain that their own biological eldest son usurped his name? Will things still unfold the way they did before?’

’A helpless baby wrapped in rags, found on the side of the road...’

’Heh. Those "adoptive parents" of Lin Qiao’s father... they really know how to spin a tale.’