Chapter 615 - 596: Harmony and Joy

"Just now outside, I was holding her hand, but she ran on her own. She’s walking much more steadily now, even when not holding her hand. She can play well with the other kids and didn’t fall over," Han Yi whispered to Lin Wan.

"Now that it’s summer, wearing less clothing lets her move her legs more freely. It seems that we can make her some cotton pants with exposed feet this winter."

"Let’s put her in the room, it’s too noisy outside." The two of them placed the child in Grandma’s room.

There are quite a few men in the Lin Family. A group of men were either drinking tea or playing chess together.

Grandma Lin saw her daughters-in-law and daughters chatting idly around her and, having nothing much to do, suggested they play a round of mahjong at home.

Liang Hongmei didn’t know how to play, so Lin Wan and Mu Qing pulled her to sit down, guiding her through it.

The younger women in the family stood behind their respective mothers, not allowed to peek at others’ tiles. Grandma was still going strong, already winning two rounds.

"Today whoever loses will wash the dishes, we agreed on this," Lin Wan, showing her humorous side, played small tricks with her daughters-in-law.

"Alright, alright," the second aunt, apparently accustomed to this, nodded with a smile.

Mom played a few rounds and started catching on, able to play without her or Saozi’s guidance, even winning a round.

Dad, who was drinking tea with his uncle and younger uncle, wasn’t at ease about Mom. He alternated between bringing her a cup of water himself and glancing over to offer a tip or two.

It made the younger ones almost unable to bear watching.

Quickly, Sister-in-law Wang Xi suggested that they form another table. The household had two sets of tiles available.

Thus, Lin Wan teamed up with Saozi, the eldest sister-in-law teamed up with Lele, and Sister-in-law Wang Xi, along with Lin Yuan, sat facing one direction.

With two tables of people, the house turned into a mahjong parlor, and they got so wrapped up in it that they even forgot about dinner.

In the end, it was Dad who cooked the meal.

"Ah, look, Big Brother’s family, the whole family can cook well. Truly envy-inducing," the younger auntie said while eating Lin Guozhi’s meal, marveling at how fate seemed to gather all the good cooks in one house.

Her family didn’t have even one person who could cook.

Mu Qing chuckled on the side, "Auntie, you got it wrong, I’m not good at cooking."

"That’s why, Qingqing, you are blessed. Since you’re not good at cooking, people at home won’t let you into the kitchen. A woman who doesn’t have to cook; how blissful is that?"

The younger auntie’s words drew laughter from the women present.

After dinner, the family gathered to discuss the brother’s wedding. If held here, there would be many friends and family attending.

The eldest grandson of the Lin Family is getting married, so it definitely needs to be grand. They’re not letting the young couple worry about it; they just have to wait to become the bride and groom.

In the evening, Grandpa and Grandma initially wanted them to stay over, but there weren’t enough rooms. Lin Guozhi promised Grandpa.

He’d bring them over tomorrow and try to spend time with them these days.

After the family returned to their home, seeing the early hour, they sat together drinking tea and chatting.

The custom on Dad’s side is that when a son gets married, he can also live with his parents.

Thus, they hadn’t prepared a separate yard for the kids; Lin Guozhi, having discovered them at last, didn’t want to separate.

Except for Xiao Wan, who got married and has her own home, she can’t live here regularly, which is a bit regrettable, but everything else is fine.

"Tomorrow, let’s also buy a set of mahjong tiles for home. Whenever you come back, the whole family can play a few rounds," Liang Hongmei, having just been introduced to mahjong, was somewhat hooked.

"Yes, yes, Mom, buy them," when the New Year comes, they can also play then.

Little Star played all day today and didn’t eat much during dinner. Now it’s time for bed, but she started feeling hungry again.

Lin Wan and Han Yi were in the kitchen with Little Star, working together to make an egg custard for the child.

The little girl ate most of the bowl, and after eating, she wanted to sleep. Lin Wan, worried she might have indigestion, massaged her belly while watching her fall into a deep sleep, feeling relieved.

"Did you win or lose while playing cards today?" Han Yi moved the child towards the edge of the bed, slid up from behind to hold Lin Wan and the child, making it less likely for the child to fall off or be accidentally squashed.

"Won twenty cents, haha."

Han Yi affectionately tapped Lin Wan’s nose. Lin Wan turned her head and gave Han Yi a kiss on the lips.

Han Yi reacted quickly, not giving her a chance to turn away, held her face for a deep French kiss.

"The brother and sister-in-law next door are there," Lin Wan murmured.

"They’ve been apart for several days since their wedding, probably even more eager than us. We’ve been old married folks longer than them; we’re more experienced. Just keep it quiet,"

Lin Wan smiled, whispering, "Shameless."

Han Yi chuckled, hugging Lin Wan and rolling slightly on the bed before starting to undress...

The next day, after the family ate, Lin Guozhi took them to the Lin Family, planning to come pick them up at night.

Lin Yuan didn’t leave last night, waiting for Xiao Wan to come over so they could go shopping together.

The surrounding neighbors knew that Lin Guozhi’s son and daughter had arrived, and many friends came by to offer their blessings.

Lin Wan, along with her brother and others, helped Grandpa entertain guests all morning.

Lin Yuan’s in-laws lived right in this compound, and she and Wang Yuan were childhood friends. The two families got along well regularly, so in the afternoon, Lin Yuan and her let the children stay at home while they went out to have fun.

Just as they stepped out, walking along the path in the compound, they encountered a familiar face.

Someone Lin Wan had seen before, it was Gao Ran, Han Yi’s former battle companion.

Upon seeing him, Gao Ran also recognized him.

Surprised, he went over to greet them, "Sister-in-law? What a coincidence, you and Lin sister... you both?"

Being from the same compound, Gao Ran knew Lin Yuan. Additionally, Wang Yuan was from the S City military’s district, and Gao Ran thought Lin Wan and Lin Yuan were acquainted and specifically came to find Lin Yuan.

"We’re going shopping together. You live here?" Lin Wan responded with a smile.

Slightly unnaturally, Gao Ran nodded about his family, saying, "My wife lives in this compound. By the way, how’s Han Yi doing lately?"

"Oh, he’s in the compound now as well, at the Lin’s house. If you have time, you can go over and find him to hang out. He’s feeling bored at home," Lin Wan said.

"Really? I’ll head over there right now," the old friends hadn’t met in a while, so Gao Ran was a bit excited, saying goodbye to the two of them in a hurry and rushing towards the Lin Family.

"Xiao Wan, how do you know Gao Ran?" Lin Yuan asked curiously.

"Gao Ran used to be in the S City military’s district and was a partner with Han Yi. Also part of the shooting team," Lin Wan explained.

"Oh, I wasn’t paying attention to that. But, he has been in the Z City military district for several years."

"I didn’t expect that Gao Ran is married now too. Who is his wife?" Lin Wan asked curiously.

No sooner than she finished, Lin Yuan pursed her lips, saying, "The wife Gao Ran married isn’t exactly great. Anyone my age in this compound knows that Wang Leqin is unreasonable since she was young. Her parents spoiled her as the only daughter, raising her to be bossy and pampered. And Gao Ran being from your dad’s compound, both families thought they were well-matched and arranged the marriage for the two of them. Gao Ran probably didn’t know Wang Leqin’s personality. At first, they got along quite well, but after just half a year of marriage, they often argue, and Wang Leqin runs back to her parents’ home all the time. Gao Ran has been coming over daily to bring his wife back."

"Sigh, just like women should choose their husbands wisely, men should be careful when picking a wife. An unhappy family can affect one’s career too. I’ve realized this through two lifetimes," Lin Wan remarked.

"Who doesn’t say so? Other people’s business is not something we can get involved in. Oh well, let’s not bother about them. Let’s hurry up. You don’t know this, but I have been working at the hospital daily, with early and late shifts, never having a decent rest. Fortunately, my mother-in-law watches the child for me, otherwise, I’d be even more tired," Lin Yuan said.

"Your family has Wang Yuan in S City and you in Z City. Are you both planning to keep this up?"

"What else can we do? Even if I followed him into the team, I wouldn’t be allocated a good place. The hospital here is nationally renowned, and now, although I’m still following my mentor, in a couple of years, I’ll be able to see patients and take students myself. But fortunately, Wang Yuan is about to be transferred back. Grandpa and my father-in-law’s idea is that once he’s back, Wang Yuan should also follow Han Yi into that team for logistics. My father-in-law’s family is the only one for three generations; they don’t want Wang Yuan to be in danger."

"It’s human nature, understandable, serving the country. Being in any position is serving,"

"Ah, there’s no other way. My father-in-law’s family is just him alone, and when it’s Wang Yuan’s turn, he’s also the only one. We were thinking of having more kids, but we haven’t had any after so many years."

Lin Wan smiled, saying, "No worries, when Ze Yang finds a wife who can have children, let them bring more into the family."

Lin Yuan laughed, "I’d like that."

Lin Wan squinted with a smile.