Chapter 98 Part 1

On Friday afternoon, Lou Yixuan drove to the school to pick up Lin Huayan. This time, she didn’t time it to meet at the South Gate; instead, she drove straight into the garage to wait.

Lin Huayan had taken a cab to school that morning, thinking she might drink a bit in the evening, so she hadn’t driven herself.

Before heading out, Lou Yixuan had been sleeping soundly. It wasn’t until Lin Huayan finished her classes that she messaged her to come pick her up that afternoon.

This was their first week officially dating, and also the last weekend of May.

Lou Yixuan listened to music in the car while waiting for her.

The track playing was that piano piece she’d once deleted from her playlist because Lin Huayan had “disliked” it, only to add it back now because Lin Huayan wanted to hear it.

Lin Huayan first stowed her laptop bag and the handbag full of papers in the back seat, then slid into the front passenger seat. As she buckled her seatbelt, she asked, “Why are you suddenly listening to this piece again today?”

“…” Isn’t it because you wanted to hear it? Lou Yixuan thought. Petty Director Lin.

Getting no response, Lin Huayan buckled up and looked up, suddenly chuckling.

She reached out to pinch the little cat’s puffed-up, round cheeks.

But as soon as she raised her hand, Lou Yixuan grabbed it, saying delightedly, “I knew you’d wear the ring I gave you today.”

Lou Yixuan held up her own left hand and wiggled her fingers. “Teacher Lin, don’t we have great chemistry?”

She was wearing hers too.

Lin Huayan didn’t have many pieces of jewelry; they were all in the drawer of her vanity. The brooch and ring Lou Yixuan had given her were kept in their velvet boxes in that same drawer.

Lou Yixuan wore her ring almost constantly, so she usually left it on the vanity when taking it off—to avoid it rolling into some corner and getting lost.

When she’d put on her makeup and slipped on the ring that morning, she’d wondered: Would Lin Huayan have taken the ring with her?

But she hadn’t opened the drawer to check. She wanted to see for herself when they met.

This telepathic connection felt utterly wonderful.

Lin Huayan took the opportunity to check the burn on the back of Lou Yixuan’s hand. It had faded from yesterday’s bright pink to a darker red, not too severe. It’d probably peel off in a few days and be fine.

“I didn’t wear it during class—just put it on when I came over,” Lin Huayan explained honestly, her tone exceptionally gentle. “Meeting your sister calls for sincerity.”

Wearing a matching pair of rings that declared them a couple to meet Lou Yixuan’s family—that was her sincerity.

“Mm-hmm, I received Teacher Lin’s sincerity loud and clear.”

Lou Yixuan grinned cheekily, then swiftly lifted Lin Huayan’s hand and planted a quick kiss on it. “Let’s go—off to date with my girlfriend.”

Lin Huayan was used to being kissed at home, but out in public—or semi-public, like inside the school—she still felt a bit tense.

Her face flushed as she said, “There are more germs outdoors. Fewer hand kisses.”

Lou Yixuan’s foot paused on the accelerator. She twisted her head to gaze at Lin Huayan resentfully. “Fine, then from now on, I’ll only kiss your mouth no matter where we are. And you better not dodge.”

“…” She wasn’t scolding Lou Yixuan; she was genuinely concerned about hygiene.

“I know what you mean. You’re such a neat freak, but I’m not worried.”

“Good. Now you know.” Lin Huayan twisted her ring and stared ahead. “Drive. We’ll hit traffic if we leave any later.”

They arrived at Youjian Little Tavern a little after six, where Lu Lingxuan greeted them at the door.

Her first words were: “Teacher Lin, looks like our fates are intertwined. Please take care of me from now on.”

Lin Huayan shook her outstretched hand. “I should be the one thanking you.”

Both Lou Yixuan and Lu Lingxuan assumed her “thanks” was for that business card, which had helped her see her heart clearly and decide to be with Lou Yixuan.

So neither asked what she was thanking them for.

Lu Lingxuan skipped further pleasantries and led them inside. “Teacher Lin, you can drink tonight, right?”

“Yes.”

“Great. With you to drink with me, I can relax and let loose a bit more.”

Lin Huayan: “…”

Lou Yixuan linked arms with Lin Huayan and whispered, “She’s a big drinker, and her job involves tons of entertaining, so her wife often pinches her ears and lectures her.”

Lu Lingxuan halted ahead of them, arms crossed as she whipped around fiercely. “Lou Yixuan, can you say that any louder? Think I’m deaf?”

Lou Yixuan ducked behind Lin Huayan. “You’re not deaf—you heard that just fine. Besides, our families will be getting together plenty from now on, and Lin and I are your reinforcements.”

“…” True, she had one more reinforcement now.

Reinforcement? Probably.

Her drinking was a job necessity, wasn’t it? How else could she build tolerance, sample every type of booze, handle business deals, and stay sharp at drinking parties without getting schemed against?

Her parents were getting older by the day. She needed to grow strong fast, stand on her own, integrate into the business world as heir and manager, secure a top spot in the company—not just be “that daughter of so-and-so’s family,” Lu Lingxuan, for everyone to judge.

This was the path she’d chosen. She had to walk it with flair.

But wait—when had her big baby ever been scared of her? Why was she shrinking back like a mouse seeing a cat today?

Playing the “helpless little white flower” again because Teacher Lin was here?

“Heh.”

Lu Lingxuan flashed a creepy grin, not calling her out. Instead, she dropped the aggressive pose and smiled respectfully at Lin Huayan. “Teacher Lin, we’re basically family from now on.”

Lin Huayan didn’t know how to respond to that, so she replied politely, “You and Yixuan are sisters. Staying close and helping each other is only natural.”

Having witnessed Lu Lingxuan’s quirky personality and the sisters’ dynamic firsthand, she wasn’t surprised.

“You two, why are you bickering before even getting to the private room?”

Xu Yaning, who’d been waiting inside, came out at the sound of voices and pinched Lu Lingxuan’s waist. “Is this how you greet our guests?”

As Lu Lingxuan’s expression turned weird, Lou Yixuan took Lin Huayan’s hand and said, “Ya Ning-jie, let me formally introduce my girlfriend: Lin Huayan, Teacher Lin.”

Lin Huayan, uncharacteristically shy, dipped her head slightly and exchanged nods with Xu Yaning by way of greeting.

Lou Yixuan beamed at her. “Teacher Lin, Ya Ning-jie owns Youjian Little Tavern, and Lingxuan’s the wife—legally wed.”

But there wasn’t a trace of surprise on Lin Huayan’s face or in her eyes.

“Honey, age-wise, I’m the little sister.”

Lu Lingxuan seized the moment, pointing at Lou Yixuan with a woe-is-me face. “See? She has someone to dote on her now. No more favoring her.”

“When did I ever favor her?” Xu Yaning rubbed the spot she’d pinched, palm warm against skin, and pulled her closer.

“You did.”

“…” Xu Yaning was at a loss, turning to Lin Huayan for help. “Teacher Lin, Yixuan’s in your hands from now on.”

“Sure.” Lin Huayan’s agreement came quick.

The four entered the private room, where the food was already served, along with two bottles of seasonal Peach Blossom Brew.

They’d barely sat when Lu Lingxuan poured wine for herself and Lin Huayan, raising her glass in apology. “For my rudeness at the apartment last time, I’ll down one as penance.”

She tossed it back briskly. Lin Huayan lifted her glass and drained it too. “The wine smells wonderful. Not Plum Wine.”

“It’s a special day, so of course Peach Blossom Brew.” Xu Yaning refilled Lin Huayan and Lu Lingxuan, then poured iced bayberry juice for Lou Yixuan and herself.

“Yixuan and I are driving, so tonight Lingxuan can keep Teacher Lin company with some drinks. It’s the weekend tomorrow—no early mornings. Enjoy yourselves.”

Xu Yaning raised her glass, and the other three followed.

Lu Lingxuan gave a toast: “Congrats to my big baby—your long-held wish fulfilled at last, winning Teacher Lin’s hand. Teacher Lin, hold on tight, or I’ll knock her out and ship her back to Australia myself.”

“I will. I’ll hold her tight.”

Lin Huayan’s frank acceptance, without a hint of shyness, earned Lu Lingxuan’s respect. “I wasn’t just saying that family stuff for show. Lingxuan and I are real family.”

Lin Huayan nodded with a smile. “I know. That’s why I thank you—for taking care of her and keeping her company all these years.”

Lu Lingxuan suddenly shivered, goosebumps rising all over.

Heavens, was this still the Lin Huayan she remembered?

“Cold?” Xu Yaning touched her arm. “I’ll grab the remote and crank the heat.”

“Not cold, not cold.” Lu Lingxuan chuckled awkwardly, thoughts unvoiced. She raised her glass. “My blessings for Yixuan and Teacher Lin are all in this drink.”

The four clinked glasses.

Amid the crisp chime, four rings gleamed softly.

They each sipped their drinks. Lou Yixuan picked up their bottle by the neck, uncorked it, and sniffed. “Peach blossom scent—feels even more intoxicating than Plum Wine.”

She topped off Lin Huayan’s glass. “Teacher Lin, this bottle’s all yours. If you like it, we’ll take two more home.”

“We’ve got several kinds in the shop. I’ll pack one or two of each for you later,” Xu Yaning said innocently.

But Lu Lingxuan’s mind went elsewhere: “Yixuan, you can drink wine at home too—just watch your limit, don’t drink till you get all flushed and sensitive.”

Lou Yixuan, equally impure-minded, flinched and spilled some wine. Heaven knows she’d planned tonight to put out all the fires lit at lunch and dinner yesterday.

—Teacher Lin, have I finished eating love’s bitterness?

—What you’ve eaten these past few days has all been sweet, hasn’t it?

Not every day, but strawberries planted and eaten daily—yes, sweet every day.

Lin Huayan reached past her, pulled out a napkin, and wiped the glass and table. She took the bottle from Lou Yixuan’s hand.

“Eat your food. I can handle this.”

“…”