HCB Chapter 2013 My Dearest Aunt Qiao
Chapter 2013 My Dearest Aunt Qiao
Logically speaking, the first to arrive should be the in-laws, namely the Qin family.
As Qin Ruobai's family, they were definitely among the first special guests to arrive before eight o'clock, and they were her greatest support.
Guests usually arrive gradually, usually after nine o'clock.
But to everyone's surprise, the Lin family arrived first!
The Lin family, as Li Xiangnan's former in-laws, naturally have a special emotional bond.
After all, Lin Chuqiao was his ex-wife, and ever since she went to work in the countryside in Lijia Village, the Li and Lin families had been inextricably linked.
Although the two parted ways and divorced peacefully due to various reasons, the fact that their two families were once the closest of in-laws could not be changed!
But Li Xiangnan did have a strange feeling in his heart.
Because today's occasion is not just any ordinary event. If it were his child getting into university or having a wedding banquet, the fact that the Lin family would be the first to arrive would certainly be a sign of respect and solemnity.
Today's occasion is the full moon celebration of her and Qin Ruobai's child.
It was the most important first holiday for him and another woman's child!
The fact that the Lin family arrived at this time, especially so early, seemed to be "stealing the show"!
However, Li Xiangnan's thought was fleeting.
Because this Lin family is different from other Lin families.
His marriage and divorce with Lin Chuqiao were not messy or chaotic; on the contrary, they were a regrettable event that could not be happy for either family.
This large family didn't cause any bizarre incidents with the Li family, and on the contrary, they got along very harmoniously.
Lin Jianzhou is really good to himself.
To be honest, Li Xiangnan was always grateful. If it weren't for Lin Chuqiao and that marriage deal, he wouldn't have had the idea of coming to Yanjing.
"Xiao Li, I'm so sorry! I'm getting old and just couldn't sleep! I got up early this morning and urged them to come over quickly, because I was afraid that if I was late, I would delay their help!"
As soon as Lin Jianzhou got out of the car, he rushed over, shook hands with Li Xiangnan, and explained his purpose.
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangnan's earlier doubts vanished.
"Uncle Lin, what are you saying! I'm more than happy to welcome you! Your whole family has worked so hard!"
It seems the Lin family came here without any ulterior motives; they genuinely care about the Li family.
Even Lin Jianzhou, the Minister of Health, who is extremely busy, took a day off today to spend time with him in the courtyard.
This truly filled Li Xiangnan with admiration and gratitude.
"Xiang Nan! You look so handsome today!" Lin Weimin walked over with a big laugh and hooked his arm around his neck.
Lin Youwei and Lin Muyu pulled their mother out of the car, and burst into laughter when they saw this scene.
Lin Chuqiao got out of the car from the other side, her face cool and aloof, but when she saw Li Xiangnan, she still managed to force a smile and handed him over.
"Thanks to you all, please come in!" Li Xiangnan reached out and shook his hand, warmly inviting him inside.
"Xiao Li, you don't need to worry about us today. Didn't we agree beforehand that we all have our own tasks? You go ahead and do your thing!" Lin Jianzhou waved his hand, patted his son's shoulder, and led Lin Youwei and the others into the yard.
Lin Chuqiao was left standing alone.
"..." Before Li Xiangnan could react, only he and the other person remained in the room.
Lin Chuqiao raised her eyes, her cool gaze sweeping over the people coming and going at the courtyard gate, bustling about helping out. Her eyes were full of envy. "Congratulations to you and Ruobai!"
"..." Seeing her expression, Li Xiangnan felt a strange unease, and nodded. "Thank you!"
In the morning light, Li Xiangnan and Lin Chuqiao stood facing each other.
The hustle and bustle at the courtyard gate seemed to be separated for a moment by an invisible barrier, leaving only a subtle silence between the two.
Lin Chuqiao wore a clean light gray Lenin suit today, her hair neatly combed back, revealing her smooth forehead and her stunningly beautiful face.
She was thinner than she had been in Hongshan County a few years ago. The stubbornness in her eyes was still there, but she had also gained a certain indescribable calmness.
Like the lake water in late autumn.
“Let’s go inside,” Li Xiangnan said, stepping aside to break the silence. “It’s quite cold outside!”
Lin Chuqiao nodded, but didn't move. Her gaze passed over him and landed on the bright red and lively scene that had already begun at the entrance of the courtyard.
“The courtyard is beautifully decorated,” she said softly, her tone unreadable. “Ruobai… must be very happy.”
"Yes, she's been busy for a long time!" Li Xiangnan followed her gaze and turned to see Qin Ruobai holding Xiao Xitang, surrounded by several female relatives, smiling gently and brightly.
That indescribable feeling welled up in his heart again.
Once upon a time, in the mud-brick house in Lijia Village, Hongshan County, he and the woman in front of him, Lin Chuqiao, also talked about their hopes for the future.
He wanted to have a child with her, like so many couples in the world, having litter and litter of children.
At that time, he was so eager and longing. The blueprint he described was so simple, yet it seemed to be a matter of utmost importance between the two of them.
For him, it was a huge deal.
For her, insignificance was something she had never even considered.
He recalled that time, the cold light in her eyes, as if she had never seen his reflection.
She also recalled that time, when the light in his eyes was as bright and dazzling as it is today, capable of shattering all obstacles in the way.
Now, times have changed, and he is someone else's husband and someone else's father.
Lin Chuqiao's nose tingled, and she could barely hold back her tears. She could only lower her head, take out the red envelope she had been clutching tightly in her pocket, and pretend that she had just remembered it. "Here, for Xitang, take it quickly!"
Caught off guard, Li Xiangnan instinctively reached out to answer, but regretted it as soon as he did.
At first glance, you can tell it's a red envelope. It feels heavy in your hand, carefully sealed with red paper, and neatly written on it in pen: To Xiao Xitang—Dearest Aunt Qiao.
"Chu Qiao, you're too kind!" Li Xiangnan quickly declined, swiftly slipping the other woman's arm back into his own and taking a step back.
He was even more startled. Just by touching it, he knew that such a thick envelope contained at least a lot of money!
This level of generosity far surpasses that of ordinary social interactions!
"What are you doing? This is for Xiao Xitang!" Lin Chuqiao exclaimed in surprise, her eyebrows arching as she said with displeasure, "You take it!"
"I don't want it!" Li Xiangnan shook his head, his voice resolute. "You've wrapped too many bags. How can you do this..."
"Then let's go to the accounting office to register! We can't mess up the etiquette!" Seeing that he wouldn't accept it, Lin Chuqiao smiled charmingly and turned to walk towards the table that had been temporarily set up in front of the screen wall in the courtyard.
There, Zhang Jingyang and Tao Zhengtie were busy with their tasks, one keeping accounts and the other collecting money. Some people who were helping out were afraid that they wouldn't have time later, so they lined up and urged the two newcomers to hurry up and start collecting gifts.
"Hey—" Li Xiangnan called out, and she had no choice but to follow without stopping.
Walking to the gift table, Lin Chuqiao placed the thick red envelope on it and smiled at Zhang Jingyang, saying, "Brother Zhang, please remember this: Lin Chuqiao of the Lin family!"
Just as Zhang Jingyang was about to start receiving gifts, he stood up with a big laugh, shook hands with her, and casually took the red envelope. He was immediately startled by its weight, and cold sweat poured down his back.
He glanced at Li Xiangnan subconsciously, and a bitter feeling welled up inside him.
broken!
There's something special about this red envelope!