Ever since returning from Xiyuan Village, the girl had been in a constant state of excitement.
Sometimes, when no one was around, she would even break into a silly smile for no reason.
‘He likes me… he likes me…’
In the kitchen, Lin Xinyuan absentmindedly stir-fried dishes, her thoughts drifting far away.
What she didn’t know was that someone had already walked in behind her, arms crossed, quietly observing her every move.
Only after finishing the last dish did she finally turn around, ready to call Grandpa Qin and Qin Nanfeng to eat.
But the moment she turned, she realized that someone had been standing behind her the whole time, startling her.
“Ah!” Lin Xinyuan let out a soft cry. Then, as if recalling something, the blush on her face deepened, and she grew a little nervous.
Still, she put on an annoyed expression. “What’s wrong with you? Standing behind me without saying anything…”
That was what she said, but in truth, she wasn’t angry. She just felt embarrassed, worried that her earlier behavior had been noticed.
Qin Nanfeng didn’t respond. He walked straight up to her and raised an eyebrow. “Xiaoyuan, it’s my birthday today. Aren’t you planning to give me something?”
So that was it…
Lin Xinyuan secretly let out a sigh of relief, feeling a bit fortunate.
After all, if this guy had really noticed her thoughts… then she wouldn’t be able to face anyone again…
“Of course I have something! I’ll give it to you tonight… in the room!”
Her gaze wavered slightly. After speaking, she pushed the annoying guy aside and hurried out with the dishes, as if afraid of facing him any longer.
“This girl…” Qin Nanfeng shook his head with a chuckle.
Everything that day seemed calm and ordinary, without much disturbance—yet it was also a special day.
After lunch, the old man drove them in his three-wheeled vehicle to a nearby market to buy ingredients.
As soon as they arrived and parked, Grandpa Qin wandered around inside like he had found a new toy, picking out ingredients.
The vendors there seemed very familiar with him, as if by unspoken agreement.
Not only were their goods fresh, but the prices were often lower. Some stall owners even chatted with Grandpa Qin like old friends.
When they saw Lin Xinyuan and Qin Nanfeng standing beside him, they were quite surprised.
Some of them vaguely recognized Qin Nanfeng, but none recognized the girl.
Only after Grandpa Qin explained did they understand, and they all smiled and praised her warmly.
In such an atmosphere, they quickly finished shopping and returned home to prepare for the special dinner that night.
The old man had always believed in spending money wisely.
Although he had earned a lot, he rarely spent it carelessly, investing most of it in his descendants.
However, when it came to food, Grandpa Qin never wanted to compromise.
Since it was Qin Nanfeng’s birthday—and the first time in years he could celebrate it with his eldest grandson—Grandpa Qin spared no expense. Delicacies from land, sea, and sky were all prepared.
After returning, Lin Xinyuan thought about it and decided to order a cake, so she asked Grandpa Qin for his opinion.
As for someone else’s opinion?
Hmph… it wasn’t up to that guy anyway…
Grandpa Qin didn’t mind. He had tasted cakes long ago in his youth. Though he preferred traditional buns and noodles, he didn’t dislike them.
After getting his approval, Lin Xinyuan immediately ordered a fruit cake that was neither too big nor too small.
Even though Grandpa Qin mentioned that several people would come tonight, she figured that with so many dishes already, it was better to avoid too much waste.
After placing the takeout order for evening delivery, Lin Xinyuan got busy with Grandpa Qin.
Qin Nanfeng had originally wanted to help prepare the fish and meat, but she firmly refused, and Grandpa Qin agreed.
After all, it was his birthday…
Qin Nanfeng shrugged helplessly and could only sit aside. Under his grandfather’s instructions, he helped with simple tasks, like snapping beans.
As he worked, he would occasionally glance at the girl’s focused expression while she handled the ingredients, a faint smile forming on his lips.
The old man, noticing this, nodded to himself.
By a little past four in the afternoon, after more than two hours of work since returning, they finally finished preparing all the ingredients.
Not long ago, Grandpa Qin realized they were missing some seasonings and had sent someone to drive out and buy them.
Lin Xinyuan had just washed and dried her hands and was about to sit down and rest when she suddenly heard movement at the front door.
Thinking Qin Nanfeng had returned, she hurried over to open it.
But the moment she opened the door, she froze.
The people outside were not the young man, but a family of three.
A well-dressed couple, both looking to be in their early thirties, stood there with a little girl around eleven or twelve. All of them were quite good-looking.
But… why did that beautiful woman look so familiar?
It felt like she had seen her somewhere before…
And why was she smiling at her… how strange…
“H-hello? Who are you?”
For a moment, Lin Xinyuan couldn’t recall where she had seen them. Her expression showed confusion with a hint of caution as she instinctively stepped back half a step.
On the other side, the moment Qin Changyin saw Lin Xinyuan, she immediately knew this must be the granddaughter-in-law her father had mentioned.
After taking a closer look, she couldn’t help but feel impressed. Seeing the girl’s cautious retreat, she found it rather amusing.
So this was Xiao Feng’s chosen girlfriend? His future wife?
A bit cute…
At that moment, Qin Changyin approved of her nephew’s taste.
But like Grandpa Qin, she also felt that Qin Nanfeng had somehow ended up with someone far better than he deserved.
She had kept in touch with her sister-in-law and knew about Qin Nanfeng’s actions over the past few years. She shook her head inwardly, thinking of her late mother…
But no matter what, she was happy and approving that her nephew had turned his life around.
Though… she did feel a little sorry for this girl…
Looking at Lin Xinyuan’s clear and shy demeanor, she felt the girl might be completely wrapped around Qin Nanfeng’s finger.
With that thought, she exchanged a glance with her husband, Xu He, and they both nodded slightly, satisfied.
“Ah, you must be Xiaoyuan, right? I’ve heard about you from Dad. You really are very pretty!” Qin Changyin stepped forward warmly and took the girl’s hand.
“Eh…”
Startled by the sudden gesture, Lin Xinyuan tried to pull her hand back. But upon hearing her words, she froze, her almond eyes widening as realization struck.
“You’re… Aunt?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
Qin Changyin was a bit surprised to be recognized, but she was delighted.
However, Lin Xinyuan didn’t relax. Instead, she grew even more nervous. She quickly stood straight and greeted them respectfully.
“Hello, Aunt! Hello, Uncle!”
Qin Changyin smiled brightly and nodded. “Hello, Xiaoyuan!”
Xu He, on the other hand, seemed more reserved but still polite and approachable. “Hello, Xiaoyuan.”
After greeting them, Lin Xinyuan’s gaze shifted to the quiet little girl.
Just as she was thinking about how to greet her, she noticed the child staring at her with an unfriendly expression. She froze, confused.
“This is Ruoruo,” Qin Changyin said as she led the girl forward with a smile. “Ruoruo, hurry and greet your sister-in-law.”
At those words, the little girl immediately became unhappy and protested, “No!”
She hid behind her father, glaring at Lin Xinyuan with a mix of defiance and challenge in her eyes.
“Ruoruo, behave,” Xu He said, his voice turning stern.
Xu Ruoruo clearly feared her father. After hesitating, she reluctantly greeted Lin Xinyuan.
“H-hello… sister-in-law…”
After speaking, her eyes darted around, and she suddenly ran into the courtyard without another word.
“Grandpa!”