Chapter 55: The Qin and Lin Families—A Deeper Bond Through Marriage

“No, my brother has always treated me well.” Lin Xi replied with a smile.

She understood why Grandfather Qin was worried; mainly, he feared that after being abroad for so long, she and Qin Yu’s group would grow distant, their bond not as strong as before.

Long ago, the grandfathers had issued strict orders: whenever the boys went out, they must take her along. On one hand, it was because she never liked making friends and rarely found anyone to play with. On the other, the elders weren’t comfortable letting her play with children outside the family.

To them, entrusting her to these boys was the safest, most reliable option.

Her words could fool no one, especially not the grandfathers. Yet no one exposed her. Grandfather Qin patted her head gently, “As long as you know they’re your brothers, don’t be shy around them. If you ever need anything, look for them; don’t worry about bothering them. That bunch of rascals don’t have much else to do anyway.”

“Exactly!” Grandfather Bai agreed. “If they shirk their duties, just call me! I’d like to see which brat dares to ignore you—I’ll break his legs!”

But Lin Xi only listened. To be honest, Qin Yu and Bai Xu, one her maternal grandson, the other her paternal grandson—Grandfather Bai could never bear to discipline them.

Among the elders, Grandfather Bai was the kindest to the younger ones, especially Bai Xu; it was said he’d never laid a hand on him. Even after that infamous fight, Grandfather Bai couldn’t bring himself to punish him. Most of his admonishments were just verbal; after all, Bai Xu was his only grandson.

When it came to real discipline, it was Qin Yu who took charge.

Soon, noises came from outside.

“Probably Bai Xu gathering everyone,” someone guessed.

Hearing this, Lin Xi glanced towards the door. At the front was Qin Yu’s mother, followed by Qin Yu and Bai Xu.

Upon seeing Lin Xi, Qin Yu’s mother paused slightly.

Bai Xu urged from behind, “Auntie, why aren’t you going in?”

As the group entered, Lin Xi rose to greet them, “Aunt Rong.”

“You’re back too, Xi Xi,” she replied warmly, stepping forward to hold Lin Xi’s hand and pat it affectionately. Lin Xi wanted to pull away, but with the elders present, she forced a smile and endured it.

“Have you gotten thinner? You seem more delicate every time I see you.”

Before Lin Xi could respond, Qin Yu called to her from across the table, “Lin Xi. Come sit here.”

She had been sitting with the elders while talking; now, it was only proper to join Qin Yu and the other younger ones.

This suited her perfectly.

But Qin Yu’s mother refused to let go, insisting, “It’s fine, Xi Xi can sit here next to me. You boys will be drinking over there soon, but Xi Xi and I can chat together.”

Lin Xi didn’t want to talk with her—not that they had much to talk about anyway.

“It’s against tradition,” Qin Yu ignored his mother and insisted, “Lin Xi, come over.”

The atmosphere grew awkward. Bai Xu, having watched enough, finally interjected, “We’re here to eat, Auntie. Don’t keep us youngsters pinned down. I haven’t seen Xi Xi in ages—we need to catch up and strengthen our bond.”

His words were somewhat cheeky, making Grandfather Bai chuckle and scold him.

Qin Yu frowned coldly at Bai Xu, who pretended not to notice, his smile widening.

“I’ll go over then,” Lin Xi took the opportunity to retrieve her hand and quickly crossed to the other side.

Because Grandfather Cheng’s health was poor, he and Cheng Si arrived last.

With Cheng Si there, there was rarely need for anyone else to keep him company.

Lin Xi sat between Bai Xu and Qin Yu, quietly eating. Bai Xu, acting gentlemanly, even peeled two crabs for her, which she accepted without hesitation.

Like Qin Yu, she had a cleanliness obsession. Usually, she wouldn’t eat shrimp or crab, anything requiring hands, since even after washing, the smell lingered.

But if someone peeled them for her, it was different.

Grandfather Bai, having drunk a little too much, suddenly asked, “Xi Xi, has any young man caught your eye lately?”

Lin Xi paused, looking at Grandfather Bai and replied obediently, “Not yet.”

“What about that boy from the Lu family?”

She answered frankly, “We met once, but I didn’t really like him.”

“I see.” Grandfather Bai watched her with a smile. For some reason, Lin Xi felt a bad premonition.

Sure enough, the next moment, Grandfather Bai said half-seriously, half-jokingly, “Your fifth brother is still single—why not give the two of you a try?”

!

For an instant, Lin Xi’s expression could no longer be described as merely shocked.

“I don’t think so. Fifth brother and I…” She glanced at Bai Xu, who was resting his head in his hand, watching her, his eyes clearly saying he was staying out of it—as if it had nothing to do with him.

She shot him a look, and Bai Xu smiled slightly, continuing to enjoy the spectacle.

Left to her own devices, Lin Xi braced herself and replied, “We’re not suitable. Fifth brother and I are too familiar.”

“Oh, can you really say that with a clear conscience?” Bai Xu finally piped up, exposing her. Too familiar? That was a stretch.

Lin Xi glared at him.

“You two haven’t seen each other in years,” Grandfather Bai wasn’t ready to let go of his future granddaughter-in-law. “You’re about the same age, I think it would work.”

He turned to recruit Lin Xi’s grandfather, “What do you say, Old Lin?”

Lin Xi’s grandfather, weakened by illness and sometimes unclear of mind, was unusually lucid at this moment and firmly refused, “What are you talking about? Xi Xi is still very young, there’s no rush.”

“My grandson may have been a rascal in his younger days, but he’s changed for the better. Look, they’re such a good match!”

“No, absolutely not.” Old Lin was so startled he stopped eating, waving his hands repeatedly, as if any more of Bai family’s food and Lin Xi would be given away to them.

Lin Xi’s grandfather didn’t have such plans; in his mind, Lin Xi was still the child she used to be.

But Grandfather Bai simply thought he didn’t favor Bai Xu—after all, Bai Xu’s “dark history” was no secret in the compound.

So Grandfather Bai compromised, waving his hand grandly and pointing to his grandson-in-law. “Old Lin! If you don’t like my grandson, surely you have no objections to my grandson-in-law?”

“My grandson-in-law, Qin Yu! You watched him grow up too. Look, you can’t possibly dislike him!”

Grandfather Bai was relentless, his words always startling. Now Lin Xi didn’t dare touch her food, feeling as uneasy as if sitting on needles.

“Grandfather Bai…” She tried to stop the farce, but Grandfather Bai was determined to make her his granddaughter-in-law, even pulling in Qin Yu’s grandfather as a persuader.

“Old Lin, Old Qin and I have always treated Xi Xi as our own granddaughter—you know that! So let’s just make it official, strengthen the family ties!

Come on, just nod your head now, and tomorrow Old Qin will bring Qin Yu over with the engagement gifts!”

(End of chapter)