“Alright… why don’t you just sleep here for a while? Wait until Auntie gets back,” Lin Xinyu said.
Since his sister didn’t want to return to the residential complex and had nowhere else to go, the only option was to wait in the car until their mother came back.
After all, it wasn’t many hours until dawn.
As for himself? Naturally, he was waiting here too…
“Mm…” Lin Xinyuan, having barely slept all night, felt a bit sleepy after Lin Xinyu said that. She yawned softly, her delicate trailing tone irresistibly charming. “Then, Brother, you should sleep too…”
Saying that, she glanced at Qin Nanfeng and quickly mouthed words secretly while Lin Xinyu wasn’t paying attention.
“Good night!”
After all, she was going to sleep in that stinky yellow-haired guy’s car.
Although she didn’t want to pay much attention to him, politeness was still necessary…
Then she simply lay down.
Since no one was in the back seat, she could enjoy the entire space alone and just lay down.
Qin Nanfeng had been observing the girl through the rearview mirror and naturally noticed this.
He nodded slightly, a smile reaching his eyes, his fingers gently rubbing together.
Come to think of it, he had never really slept in the back seat before…
Really looking forward to it…
Tsk…
In the front passenger seat, Lin Xinyu felt his heart melting when he heard the girl’s words. “Alright.”
But then he suddenly thought of something and looked over at Qin Nanfeng, who hadn’t said a word, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Uh, Qin, about that…”
Qin Nanfeng just smiled, knowing what he wanted to ask — whether he was okay or not.
“It’s still before dawn, no problem. Besides, I promised Auntie I’d take good care of Xiao—”
He emphasized the word “take care” especially heavily, even more brazenly than before.
This made Lin Xinyu twitch the corner of his mouth.
This guy! Never-ending, huh!
Heh… His sister doesn’t even like guys, how could she possibly like you? What a waste of effort…
As long as I keep an eye on her, that’s enough…
Thinking this, Lin Xinyu felt somewhat relieved.
As long as he was here, Qin Nanfeng wouldn’t dare do anything.
He heard Lin Xinyuan say she was going to sleep here for a while and wait for their mother.
The siblings were both very tired tonight, especially Lin Xinyuan, who hadn’t slept a wink all night and had also slept poorly the night before, so she was very sleepy.
Perhaps because she was with familiar people, she fell asleep quickly this time.
Shortly after lying down, she drifted off to dreamland.
Noticing that the siblings had already fallen asleep, Qin Nanfeng quietly turned his head and looked toward the girl resting in the back seat.
Under the light, the girl’s delicate face had a faint smile, wearing his jacket, and seemed to be sleeping soundly.
Only her still somewhat pale complexion and slightly messy black hair betrayed the recent unrest…
“Good night…”
He quietly turned off the interior light, gently closed the car door, and stepped outside.
Leaning against a roadside tree, he pulled out a cigarette from his pack and lit it with a lighter.
He took a deep drag and exhaled a ring of smoke…
This wasn’t him trying to act deep.
It was simply the nicotine craving kicking in…
“Xinyuan…”
“Xinyuan… it’s time to get up…”
A gentle female voice lingered in her ears.
Lin Xinyuan slowly opened her eyes, seeing a figure that seemed like one she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Her voice was a bit hoarse as she murmured in dialect, “Mom… I still want to eat… Soy Sauce Braised Duck today…”
She was still immersed in the dream world, where her mother was no longer the cold woman of before, but had made her this familiar dish…
This dish was actually very simple, flavored only with soy sauce and sugar, using duck meat and ginger as ingredients, yet it embodied the most nostalgic taste for Lin Xinyuan…
Only, she hadn’t eaten it many times growing up, and the ones she made herself would never taste the same…
“All right, I’ll make it for you in a few days. Ah… get up quickly…” Her mother’s smile remained gentle, but she paused for a moment when she heard her daughter’s words, giving a bitter smile before settling into relief.
“Mm…”
With her mother’s support, Lin Xinyuan slowly got up, gradually realizing this probably wasn’t a dream, though her head still felt a little dizzy.
She shook her head; a slight ache followed, causing her to touch her forehead, frowning lightly.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
The uncontrollable itch in her throat and the phlegm told Lin Xinyuan she had unsurprisingly caught a cold…
There was no avoiding it—her body was still too weak…
But generally, most people would catch some kind of cold sooner or later, right?
For her, not having a serious fever was already a blessing.
Seeing this, her mother, as expected, took out some freshly bought meat buns from a nearby bag.
“Eat something first to fill your stomach.”
Lin Xinyuan took one but felt no appetite at all, unable to swallow.
By her side, her mother picked up the Thermos Cup, which held some brewed Cold Medicine.
Seeing her daughter’s conflicted expression, she said, “If you can’t eat, just have one bun. Just fill your stomach and take the medicine.”
Helpless, Lin Xinyuan forced herself to eat.
Fortunately, it wasn’t much, and she managed to finish it with a sigh of relief…
Her mother opened the Thermos Cup but didn’t give it directly to her since it was still hot.
Instead, she used the lid as a cup, poured some in, and handed it over.
“Drink this first, it’s Cold Medicine. If it gets worse, I’ll take you for an injection.”
“All right…” Lin Xinyuan weakly replied, accepting the cup lid.
“Be careful, it’s hot.”
Lin Xinyuan nodded and began to drink slowly.
Only then did she notice that outside, the sky had already brightened quite a bit.
She feebly glanced around inside the car.
Except for her mother, no one else was there.
“Mom… where are they…?”
Her mother stroked her little head and, after seeing she had finished drinking, poured some more.
“I’ve packed both your and my clothes. Your brother and Qin went to help us pack the rest. Once we’re done, we’ll leave.”
“Mm…” The girl responded but then her eyes clouded with confusion as she lowered her head.
“But… where will we go…?”
Lin Xinyuan really didn’t know where to go…
Return to the village? Impossible…
Her father would definitely go back, and since her grandmother had passed away, there was nothing worth staying for there…
“Uh… how about going to Lei City with Mom?” Her mother tentatively asked.
“Lei City…” Lin Xinyuan murmured.
Lei City wasn’t some other prefecture-level city but a county-level city administered by Zhannan City.
According to the girl, it was also her mother’s hometown.
She had stayed there for a while as a child, but that had been more than ten years ago…
“All right.”
Lin Xinyuan agreed.
She wasn’t sure if they were going to see her grandfather or others, as it seemed her mother rarely kept in touch with them.
She didn’t know the reason…
But as long as she was with her mother, Lin Xinyuan felt it didn’t really matter where they went…
Her mother smiled upon hearing her daughter’s reply, her expression noticeably lighter.
She didn’t specify exactly where they were going, but Lin Xinyuan had already agreed, which proved she was gradually accepting her.
That was good…
Before long, Lin Xinyu and Qin Nanfeng returned, carrying the packed luggage.
Their trip had been smooth, and Lin’s father didn’t say much, seemingly expecting it.
“Sis…” Lin Xinyu looked at Lin Xinyuan with reluctance.
He hadn’t expected to part with his only sister so soon after just a few days and really felt unwilling.
Lin Xinyuan smiled.
She had just changed clothes in Qin Nanfeng’s car.
Though her complexion was still a little pale, it didn’t stop her from looking beautiful. “It’s okay, Brother. It’s not like we won’t see each other again. Lei City and Ma County aren’t far apart… cough, cough…”
Though the siblings had only spent a few days together, the girl had already accepted this cousin.
“Yeah…” Lin Xinyu scratched the back of his head and then gave a bright smile, glancing at their mother. “Xinyuan, remember to come back for Auntie’s New Year celebration!”
Though their mother disliked Lin’s father’s family, she had no ill feelings toward Lin Xinyu’s family.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have become friends with Yiyi, and she had agreed to this plan.
Whether they actually went or not was another matter…
Lin Xinyuan hesitated a bit.
She didn’t want to meet too many relatives, but seeing that her mother had agreed, she nodded.
Then Lin Xinyu glanced at Qin Nanfeng and politely said, “Uh… Qin, if you’re still around then, you’re welcome to come too.”
“Much obliged. I’ll definitely come if I get the chance,” Qin Nanfeng smiled.
No one knew what kind of “chance” he was talking about…
“But Auntie, really, do you need me to drive you guys there?”
“No need. I’ve already called a taxi. You’ve been busy enough today!” Their mother waved her hand, her gaze toward Qin Nanfeng growing even more grateful.
The more she looked at him, the more satisfied she became.
She didn’t care how Qin Nanfeng had appeared in Zhannan City.
All she knew was that the relationship between her and her daughter could be mended, and this young man had played a major role in it!
From her perspective, Qin Nanfeng’s willingness to help her daughter must mean their relationship was more than just casual…
Could it be…
Thinking this, her mother scrutinized Qin Nanfeng carefully, then glanced at Lin Xinyuan beside him, making the girl slightly uncomfortable before she withdrew her gaze.
Her mind was made up…
The last time she was on guard; this time, she planned not to interfere.
Let things take their course… as long as he didn’t harm her daughter…
She wouldn’t—
To be honest, she didn’t dare to interfere…
She owed her too much…