Free Web NovelChapter 414: Chapter 412: God-kin
When Lin Shan walked into the house and everyone saw it was really him, they were all delighted.
"You didn’t even give us a heads-up. We thought you were coming back tomorrow."
Chen Fengjiao took the bag from Lin Shan’s hands and grumbled, but her cheerful expression and sparkling eyes gave her away.
"I was worried I wouldn’t get everything done, so I didn’t want to say anything. Thankfully, it’s all taken care of, so I hurried back."
Lin Shan smiled and gently stroked Chen Fengjiao’s hair.
’Is Dad spoiling Mom like she’s a little girl? No wonder she’s so completely devoted to him.’
Gu’er watched from the side, sighing with a mix of admiration and envy. She hoped that she and Sun Jiaming would still be like this many years from now.
When Lin Shan sat down, Chen Fengjiao hurriedly poured him some water and got him a cigarette. Just as Lin Shan was about to light it, he glanced at Gu’er and put the cigarette back down.
Chen Fengjiao looked at Lin Shan, puzzled. Lin Shan definitely had a smoking habit, especially when he stayed up late, using cigarettes and tea to keep himself awake. His habit had only gotten worse since he’d gone to the township. ’So why won’t he smoke the one I just gave him?’
"My throat’s been a little scratchy the last couple of days, so I’ll skip it."
Lin Shan smiled and said nothing more, but Gu’er was deeply touched. She knew he wasn’t smoking because she was pregnant. Although the concept of secondhand smoke being harmful wasn’t widespread yet, people knew that smoking was bad for your health. Sun Jiaming had already quit. He had also had a word with Li Zhi behind her back, and Li Zhi never smoked in front of her again. She had never mentioned any of this to her father, yet he had put down his cigarette the moment he saw her. How could she not be moved?
"Your throat’s bothering you? Is it serious? Do you want me to go get you some medicine?"
Chen Fengjiao, however, took him at his word. Her world revolved around Lin Shan, and it never occurred to her that he was refraining from smoking for Gu’er’s sake, or that his smoking could be bad for the baby in Gu’er’s womb.
"No, it’s nothing. Just a little scratchy. I don’t need any medicine. Come on, sit down. Don’t fuss over me."
Lin Shan gave Chen Fengjiao’s hand a squeeze, letting her know not to worry.
"Then make sure you drink plenty of water."
Chen Fengjiao handed the glass of water to Lin Shan before finally sitting down.
Lin Shan asked about Gu’er’s well-being and was relieved to hear that she was doing fine.
"Marina," Lin Shan called out.
"Uncle."
Marina nodded. Although she had only met Lin Shan a few times, she had a good impression of him. She was both happy and grateful that he had rushed back just to attend her wedding.
"Marina, you and Gu’er are such good friends, and your family isn’t here with you. I have an idea, but I’m not sure if you’ll agree."
Lin Shan looked at Marina kindly.
"Please, go on, Uncle."
Marina didn’t know what Lin Shan was going to say, but he was her elder. As long as it wasn’t something unreasonable, she would agree.
Gu’er watched her father, vaguely guessing what he was about to say.
"Gu’er says you two hit it off right away and she thinks of you as a sister. That’s why you’ll be getting married from the Lin family home. When a daughter marries, her parents’ blessing is the greatest gift of all. Though your own father isn’t here, I’m certain he is happy for you and wishes you all the best. I know I can’t compare to your father, nor could I ever replace him, but I’d like to officially recognize you as my goddaughter. We would be your godfather and godmother, Gu’er would be your sister, and our house would be your maiden home. From now on, if you ever need anything, you can always come to us and treat our family as your relatives. Are you willing?"
Lin Shan asked Marina. He had already thought it through on his way back. It was rare for Gu’er to find such a close friend, and Marina was all alone in a foreign country. If he adopted her as his goddaughter, it would also sound more proper for her to be married from the Lin family’s home.
Marina stared at Lin Shan, stunned. She had never expected him to say something like this.
Chen Fengjiao was also a little taken aback. Lin Shan hadn’t mentioned wanting to make Marina his goddaughter. But it wasn’t a big deal; she would agree to anything he wanted.
Lin Sui’er said nothing. She had changed; her focus was now on her studies. She tried not to overthink things anymore. She no longer vied for attention with Gu’er, so there was certainly no reason for her to be jealous of Marina.
"Marina, my father is being sincere. If you become his goddaughter, then we’ll officially be sisters. Are you willing?"
Gu’er asked, taking Marina’s hand.
Marina nodded again and again, truly grateful to Lin Shan for giving her a maiden home.
After nodding, Marina suddenly dropped to her knees, startling everyone. Gu’er rushed to help her up.
"Gu’er, let me speak."
Marina shook her head at Gu’er. Then, looking at Lin Shan and Chen Fengjiao, she said, "I truly didn’t expect you to say this. It’s been very hard for me with my father not being here. You are Gu’er’s father, and you’re willing to accept me as your goddaughter. I’m so grateful, and I would love that. I am willing to be your goddaughter because I know you are sincere. I know kneeling is a sign of respect in China, so I will kowtow to you. Godfather, Godmother."
And with that, Marina actually kowtowed.
After she had kowtowed, Gu’er helped her to her feet. Seeing Marina’s reddened eyes, Gu’er felt happy for her too.
"Good, good! I, Lin Shan, have another daughter! This is wonderful. Marina, from now on, this is your maiden home. If that Dingzi ever bullies you, you just tell me, and I’ll take care of him."
Lin Shan nodded, pleased. Marina’s sincerity affirmed that he had made the right decision. While he had done it partly for Gu’er’s sake, it was also because Marina herself was a fine young woman.
"Dingzi is very good to me. He wouldn’t bully me. Godfather, please don’t take care of him,"
Marina said earnestly.
Gu’er let out a snort of laughter, and Lin Shan and the others chuckled as well. Marina was just too adorable.
Between Lin Shan’s return and the whole affair of the adoption, it was almost eleven o’clock by the time everyone finished talking. Gu’er noticed her mother, Chen Fengjiao, repeatedly glancing at the clock and knew she wanted some time alone with her father.
She also noticed the weariness on Lin Shan’s face; he had to be exhausted. Lin Sui’er was dozing off as well, so Gu’er suggested that everyone head to their rooms to rest.
Marina was too excited to feel sleepy, so she and Gu’er chatted for a while longer before the two finally drifted off to sleep.
Gu’er felt as though she had just fallen asleep when a knock came at the door. She glanced outside; the sky was already light. A look at her watch showed it was only five o’clock. ’I just want to go back to sleep,’ she thought, but she knew it must be the stylist who had come to do Marina’s hair and makeup.
She opened the door, and just as she’d suspected, it was the hairstylist and makeup artist. As it turned out, Gu’er knew her—it was Yu Li, the same woman who had done her hair and makeup for her own wedding.
Gu’er thought her work was pretty good, and since she was an acquaintance, she had hired her again for this occasion.
It was Yu Li’s first time doing hair and makeup for a foreigner. Marina had golden hair that was naturally wavy, so it took Yu Li some effort to style it into a beautiful updo.
As for the makeup, Marina’s complexion was so fair that she didn’t need any foundation. Since her eyes were brown, Yu Li used a dark eyeshadow. Gu’er had plenty of lipstick colors, so they tried them one by one until they found the most flattering shade. By the time she was done, Marina was transformed, looking quite different from her usual self.
