Chapter 52: Give It to Me
The next morning, Lin Gantang and Mr. Lin went to the cemetery.
Lin Gantang stood before her mother’s grave, gazing at her mother’s photo on the tombstone. Her heart felt as if it had been soaked in water, aching and heavy.
Mr. Lin caressed the stone tablet, placing her favorite gardenia beside it. As he wiped the tombstone with a handkerchief, he chatted with his departed wife about the children’s affairs.
“They’ve grown up and become sensible,” Mr. Lin spoke with relief to his deceased wife.
The sky gradually grew overcast, dark clouds gathering to shroud the city.
Mr. Lin called Lin Gantang to return with him, smiling and noting that her mother would be concerned if she saw them getting wet in the rain.
Lin Gantang took a few steps and caught sight of Gu Zhichuan’s figure leaving from a distance. She glanced at the tombstone over there, signaling Mr. Lin to go ahead while she approached to have a look.
Standing where Gu Zhichuan had been earlier, Lin Gantang saw the grave of a young woman.
In the photo, she had long, straight black hair, a delicate and gentle face, and a simple, innocent smile.
The tombstone bore the words ‘Tomb of Lover Ruan Ning’.
Lover.
Lin Gantang noticed the blooming pink calla lilies by the tomb.
She remembered the pink calla lilies Gu Zhichuan had arranged for her wedding.
She chuckled.
Quite ironic, wasn’t it?
“Gantang, it’s raining. Hurry up!” Mr. Lin’s voice called out.
“Alright.”
Lin Gantang turned and left the cemetery.
Back home, Lin Gantang resumed her unfinished tasks, collecting market data and analyzing it. She had decided to open a shop and was currently predicting and assessing the future trends in various industries.
Not being a professional, she acknowledged that she lacked the innate talent of individuals like Lin Zhaonan and Yin Zhen. With guidance from Mr. Lin the previous day, she stumbled along earnestly in her learning and preparation.
Mr. Lin was pleased with her effort.
Lately, the weather hadn’t been favorable, with occasional rains, so Lin Gantang and Wen Yanqing hadn’t made any plans to go out.
Wen Yanqing missed Lin Gantang and did not leave after work. Instead, he sat at his desk and video-called Lin Gantang.
They continued their respective activities during the call. Lin Gantang worked on organizing information, while Wen Yanqing absentmindedly flipped through documents. His gaze remained fixed on Lin Gantang, reluctant to look away.
“Has anyone adopted Little Leopard Flower?” Wen Yanqing asked softly, as if afraid his voice might startle her.
“Not yet. It’s temporarily being cared for on the third floor, in the guest room next to mine,” Lin Gantang replied.
“By the way, would you like to see it?” Lin Gantang suddenly grew interested, setting aside her pen and picking up her phone. “Let me show you. It’s become much steadier now compared to when I first found it.”
Wen Yanqing heard the tapping sound of her slippers as she hurried, followed by the creak of a door opening. Soon, a kitten with striped fur appeared on the camera.
The little leopard flower struggled to climb up the edge of a bamboo basket. Lacking the strength, it tumbled down and ended up displaying its white belly.
“It’s full of energy, more grown-up than in the photos you sent earlier,” Wen Yanqing commented.
“Auntie Zhang has been taking good care of it,” Lin Gantang said, gently patting the kitten’s head.
Wen Yanqing’s gaze softened as he looked at the fair and delicate hand that appeared on the screen. “Give it to me.”
Lin Gantang was taken aback, raising her phone to look at him on the video. “Are you adopting it?”
“Yes, my place is quiet. Having a cat around would be nice,” Wen Yanqing said, smiling.
Lin Gantang knew that Wen Yanqing was no longer living with the Wen family. He had purchased a house beside the Yuanshui River and was living alone.
“But Little Leopard Flower is still quite young. It needs to be fed several times a day, and you’re at work during the day. There’s no one at home to care for it.” Lin Gantang pondered for a moment. “How about this? Let it grow a bit more here, and then you can take it back with you?”
“Sure, I’ll head over to see it now. Is that okay?” Wen Yanqing inquired.
“Sure, from now on, it will be your little kitten,” Lin Gantang replied happily, glad to have found a home for Little Leopard Flower..