Free Web NovelChapter 434: Chapter 430: Ignored
When it came to Lin Shan’s situation, Li Zhi and the others were powerless. Lin Shan’s abilities and track record were both excellent; as long as he had support from the province, there would be no problem. But they didn’t know what the province was thinking, so all they could do was wait.
"Don’t worry. This won’t be decided until October at the earliest. My dad mentioned last time that he thinks Uncle Lin should be fine."
Li Zhi comforted Gu’er.
"Yeah, it’s okay. My dad has a good attitude about it. He said it’s fine even if he doesn’t come back. He’s helping the common people either way. It’s just that he can’t take care of the family as much from over there. Besides, my mom doesn’t want him in the countryside and is hoping every day for him to come home."
Gu’er nodded. She knew the matter was out of her hands and she had already done all she could. The nursing home she established over there was doing well and had a great reputation. The Hope Primary School project was also in the planning stages, looking for a location. Even if Lin Shan left, these projects would continue. They were part of her father, Lin Shan’s, political achievements. Moreover, her father had done many practical things to help the local people and was well-regarded, so she felt there shouldn’t be a problem.
"Speaking of which, how’s Sui’er been lately?"
Li Zhi asked about Lin Sui’er.
"She’s doing great. After you guys helped her transfer schools, she’s been studying really hard. My mom says she reads until midnight every day. If you don’t urge her to stop, she won’t rest. At the last parent-teacher conference, her teacher said her academic foundation was weak, but she’s eager to learn and smart. As long as she keeps putting in this much effort, she might actually get into university."
Gu’er was very pleased when talking about Sui’er now. Compared to before, Sui’er was like a completely different person. Now Gu’er was also rooting for Sui’er, hoping she could get into university as she wished.
"Sui’er really has changed a lot. I remember when I first started coming to your house, she was such a sharp-tongued kid. The way she talked to you was so prickly. I never expected her to be like this now. If she gets into university, I’ll buy her a gift she’ll like."
Li Zhi marveled.
Gu’er glanced at him. ’Sui’er has always liked Li Zhi, but he has no feelings for her. And after everything Sui’er went through, she just buried her feelings for Li Zhi in her heart and stopped mentioning him. But Gu’er knew that Sui’er still liked Li Zhi. Li Zhi, however, wasn’t interested. The two of them just weren’t fated to be together. Now that Li Zhi liked Feng Ling, there was absolutely no chance for Sui’er and him. You can never predict matters of the heart.’
"That rascal Lin Zheng hasn’t come looking for me lately. I haven’t seen him for almost a month. How’s he doing?"
Li Zhi then asked about Lin Zheng.
"He’s doing great! He’s shot up and grown into his looks. Dingzi teaches him boxing when he’s free, and he’s gotten really strong now. His grades are in the top three of his class, and he’s the class president. My mom is so proud whenever she talks about him. He even came over a few days ago. He made a pinwheel and said it was for his niece."
Gu’er couldn’t stop smiling as she spoke of Lin Zheng. She remembered him holding the pinwheel and telling her it was for the baby in her belly, and her heart softened.
"How come I didn’t know he came? He’s just closer to Dingzi now, even though I knew him first. He didn’t even come look for me. Seriously."
Li Zhi was a little disgruntled.
"All you have eyes for now is your dear Feng Ling. Tell me, how many times have you hung out with us recently? We invite you, but you always say you’re busy. And you have the nerve to complain that we don’t look for you."
Sun Jiaming chided Li Zhi.
Li Zhi mumbled, at a loss for words. He knew he was in the wrong, so he kept quiet.
Afraid that Li Zhi would be embarrassed, Gu’er quickly changed the subject. The three of them chatted for a while longer, bought a few things, and headed back together.
When they got to their floor, Li Zhi had originally planned to go back to his own apartment. Feng Ling often cooked at his place now. She said that with so many people in the Sun Family, it was too tiring for Aunt Zhao to cook for everyone, and they felt bad always eating there for free. So, she would buy groceries every day after work and cook at the Li Family’s place. Of course, she would still eat at the Sun Family’s home sometimes, but very rarely.
Just as Li Zhi was about to take out his key to open his door, he seemed to remember something. He put the key away and went with Gu’er and Sun Jiaming to the Sun Family’s apartment.
"Aunt Zhao, add some extra rice tonight! I’m eating here."
Li Zhi announced to Aunt Zhao as soon as he walked in.
"Great! You’ve been eating here so rarely lately. Meals aren’t as lively without you telling jokes."
Aunt Zhao agreed with a cheerful laugh.
Li Zhi froze for a moment. ’Lately, he had been completely wrapped up in Feng Ling. No matter what she cooked, he thought it was delicious. Sometimes it was just the two of them; other times, Grandpa Guan would join them, making three. Even when Feng Ling didn’t speak and just ate in silence, he found it cozy. The atmosphere was nice; it felt like home.’
But what Aunt Zhao said today reminded him of how things used to be. ’Before Feng Ling arrived, I almost always ate at the Sun Family’s place. At every meal, I’d have a couple of drinks with Uncle Zhao, Sun Jiaming, and Dingzi. I’d chat with the two grandmas and bicker with Gu’er. Everyone eating together... it was so lively, so cheerful. How wonderful it was.’
’But I never have that feeling when eating at home. Even though I’m with the person I like, I’m not truly joyful. Have I been neglecting everyone since I started liking Feng Ling?’
"Don’t worry, Aunt Zhao. As long as you don’t get tired of it, I’ll keep eating here from now on. I’ll eat here until you chase me away."
Li Zhi added.
"Listen to you! How could it be tiring? It’s just a matter of adding another scoop of rice. The more the merrier. The day before yesterday, the two grannies were just talking about how much they miss you. But you won’t be eating here for much longer. Once you get married, you’ll be living your own life. I’m afraid even if I invite you then, you won’t come."
After saying her piece, Aunt Zhao went to prepare dinner.
Li Zhi stood stunned for a moment before heading into the inner room.
"Li Zhi, you’re here! What have you been so busy with these past couple of days? We haven’t seen you. Xiao Zheng came by the other day and was asking about you."
When Grandma Sun saw Li Zhi, she quickly beckoned him onto the kang.
"What else could he be busy with? He’s busy with..."
Grandma Dingzi chimed in quickly, but she swallowed the rest of her words when she saw Guan Yicai next to her.
"Hasn’t Feng Ling come back yet? Didn’t you go pick her up? She should be getting off work soon, right?"
Guan Yicai asked Li Zhi with a cheerful chuckle.
"Soon, I guess. I came back with Jia Ming and Gu’er today, so I didn’t head over there."
Li Zhi replied. ’Lately, whenever he had free time, he would go over and walk back with Feng Ling and Xinghua, just to spend a little more time with Feng Ling. But for some reason, being asked this by Grandpa Guan today made him feel a little annoyed.’
"Do you know what that girl Feng Ling is making for dinner tonight?"
Guan Yicai continued asking. He was extremely satisfied with Li Zhi. ’The young man was handsome, had a good personality, and came from a well-off family. If his granddaughter married him in the future, she wouldn’t have a single worry for the rest of her life.’
"I don’t know. I came straight here."
Li Zhi shook his head.
"Oh. Well, see what dishes she makes later. If it’s not to my taste, you two can just eat it. I’m eating here. Your Aunt Zhao said she’s making that pork stew with pickled cabbage today. She even made her own blood sausage, and I’ve got a real hankering for it."
Guan Yicai said nonchalantly. ’He felt that life was going very smoothly for him these days.’
