Free Web NovelChapter 271: Chapter 271: Joy
Gu’er went into her room. In the living room, Chen Fengjiao was sulking. The moment Lin Sui’er saw Gu’er go in, she ran out and started chattering away with Chen Fengjiao again.
Lin Zheng really disliked what his second sister was saying, so he also announced he was going to wash up for bed and went back to his room.
While the mother-daughter duo of Chen Fengjiao and Lin Sui’er talked in the living room, Gu’er lay on her bed. It would be a lie to say she wasn’t the least bit upset. That was her own mother, and she, too, hoped for some motherly love.
Gu’er rolled over. ’Forget it. Nothing in life is perfect. Heaven has already been more than generous to me. I should count my blessings, not ask for more.’
Gu’er forced herself not to think about Chen Fengjiao. Instead, her thoughts turned to Sun Jiaming and their kiss from earlier that day. Her face grew hot again. ’So this is what it feels like to kiss someone you like? A fluttering heart, shyness, a little bit of fear, and sweetness... but no revulsion whatsoever. If that’s the case, I don’t have to be afraid anymore. I don’t have to be afraid of feeling what I felt in my past life.’
’Sun Jiaming said he wants to marry me soon. He must be looking forward to it just as much as I am, right? Am I really going to marry him next April? That’s only six months from now. Am I really going to become Sun Jiaming’s wife?’
In the darkness, Gu’er touched her burning face, her eyes shining brightly.
Gu’er had trouble falling asleep that night, but thanks to her exhaustion, she slept soundly through the early morning hours.
When Gu’er woke up, she saw that it was already 7:30. She usually woke up a little after six.
"Dad, Mom."
Gu’er greeted Lin Shan, who was in the living room, and then Chen Fengjiao, who was setting out breakfast.
"You must have been exhausted yesterday, right? Hurry and wash up so you can eat."
Lin Shan smiled at Gu’er. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Gu’er washed her face, and the family sat down to eat breakfast together.
"Gu’er, I’ve thought it over. I really shouldn’t have agreed to help Aunt Zheng. Having someone like that in the mall would have likely caused you a lot of trouble. I wasn’t thinking straight at the time, and I didn’t want to completely disregard Aunt Zheng’s request. Please don’t be mad at me."
It was Chen Fengjiao’s way of apologizing to Gu’er.
"It’s okay, Mom. How could I blame you?"
Gu’er was quite happy. ’Dad must have talked to Mom last night,’ she thought. ’Otherwise, she wouldn’t be acting like this today.’
Lin Sui’er secretly pouted. ’Dad is so biased toward my big sister. And Mom... why’d she give in just because Dad said something? It would’ve been so much more fun if she’d kept fighting with Gu’er. Then I could’ve just watched the show.’
"The six employees assigned to you by the city and the district will be arriving today. Do a good job, my girl."
Lin Shan looked at Gu’er with pride. He’d heard about yesterday’s events when he got home and thought Gu’er had handled things well. ’Getting rid of the troublemaker serves as a warning to the others to behave,’ he mused. ’And by using high wages and bonuses to motivate them, there’s no reason she can’t make a success of it.’
"I know, Dad. By the way, I ran into a woman yesterday who insisted she was your goddaughter. She said her uncle-in-law works in your district, that he knows you, and that he calls you ’Big Brother’. She’s probably done a fair bit of damage to your reputation, so I thought you should be aware."
Gu’er recalled yesterday’s incident. She had been reluctant to mention it, but on second thought, she felt she had to. ’It’s hard to defend against villains,’ she thought, ’so it’s better for Dad to know what’s going on.’
"I know who you’re talking about. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it."
Lin Shan nodded, a cold look in his eyes. The woman, Chen Xia, had an uncle-in-law named Huang Cheng, also known as Fatty Huang, who did in fact work in the Yonghong District. He hadn’t recognized him at first, but then Fatty Huang had found his office and started reminiscing about their old village. Since they were acquaintances, Lin Shan had offered a few words of encouragement, telling him to work hard. Ever since then, Fatty Huang had been calling him "Big Brother" this and "Big Brother" that and frequently used his name to get things done. Lin Shan had warned him privately on two occasions, but not only had he failed to change his ways, he’d become even more brazen. The last time, Fatty Huang had used his name to get his wife’s niece, Chen Xia, a job at the department store. She was eventually fired for theft, and the store manager had to explain to him privately that it wasn’t a matter of disrespecting him, they simply had no choice. Lin Shan had been furious, especially since he hadn’t known a thing about it. For Fatty Huang’s niece to now show up at Gu’er’s place claiming to be his goddaughter was simply too much. He would take care of this matter before he left. Otherwise, who knew what other messes would pop up later.
Seeing her father take it seriously, Gu’er said no more. ’Thank goodness that Chen Xia isn’t really Dad’s goddaughter, or I’d be really upset. Not that Dad would ever accept someone like that anyway.’ A smile returned to Gu’er’s face at the thought.
"Did something good happen, Gu’er?" Chen Fengjiao asked. "You seem so happy today."
"No, I’m just happy thinking about the mall opening soon."
Gu’er blushed after she spoke. ’That’s not really the reason, is it?’ she thought. But she couldn’t bring herself to say that out loud.
After breakfast, Lin Shan, Gu’er, Sui’er, and Lin Zheng all went downstairs together.
Sun Jiaming was already waiting downstairs.
"Xiao Zheng, how about we take you to school today?"
Gu’er asked, taking Lin Zheng by the hand. His daycare wasn’t far, and this was his last year; he would be starting elementary school next year.
"Okay! I love it when Brother Jia Ming gives me rides on his motorcycle."
A wide smile spread across Lin Zheng’s face. Sun Jiaming had taken him for a few rides since buying his motorcycle, and the boy loved it, growing very fond of Sun Jiaming.
Sun Jiaming patted the seat in front of him, and Lin Zheng ran over to hop on.
After saying goodbye to Lin Shan, Gu’er got on the back of the motorcycle, and Sun Jiaming drove away.
Lin Shan also left in his car.
Lin Sui’er pushed her bicycle, her face filled with resentment. ’Why? Why do I have to ride a bike? We’re both daughters of the Lin Family, so why does Lin Gu’er get a ride while I get nothing?’
’Li Zhi bought a car, and I begged him twice to take me out for a ride, but he refused every time. Now he won’t even visit our house anymore. It’s so frustrating! Lin Gu’er is already engaged to Sun Jiaming, so why doesn’t Li Zhi like me? I’m just as pretty as Gu’er. Is it because I’m too young? Should I wait two years and try going after him again? But by then, he’ll probably have found someone else, right?’
’Why is everything so irritating? Nothing ever goes my way, and I still have to go to school. I hate school!’ Lin Sui’er fumed as she pedaled her bicycle into the distance.
Gu’er and Sun Jiaming first dropped Lin Zheng off at his daycare. After handing him over to the teacher, Sun Jiaming headed toward the mall with Gu’er.
Gazing at Sun Jiaming’s broad, helmeted back, Gu’er let go of the rear seat handle she usually clung to. Instead, she grabbed the back of his shirt and gently leaned her head against him.
A faint blush colored Gu’er’s cheeks. ’From now on,’ she thought, ’this is the back I will rely on.’
Sun Jiaming felt the shift in Gu’er behind him, and a thrill shot through his heart. He tightened his grip on the handlebars, concentrating on keeping the motorcycle steady. Outwardly, he showed no reaction, but the smile playing on his lips revealed his delight.
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I actually fell asleep in my chair and drooled. So embarrassing. Never mind, back to writing.
