"Why not have a big ceremony?" Lin Xiaoguai frowned as she spoke.
"In our area, it’s due to economic restraints. The bride wears new clothes with a touch of red, the groom wears a Zhongshan suit, and throwing a meal is considered hosting a wedding banquet. You’re not used to our food anyway, so I didn’t invite you to avoid having you travel such a long distance." Yang Xiaoli’s voice was soft and calm.
Lin Xiaoguai was silent for a long time before she said, "I will attend your wedding. If Huihui’s health allows it, she should too."
Yang Xiaoli also fell silent. After a while, she chuckled lightly, "If you guys really want to come, then come."
But Lin Xiaoguai couldn’t muster a smile. After all, Yang Xiaoli hadn’t let go of Su Cheng.
Because of the elders, because of reality, she had compromised. However, her heart remained where it was. That’s why she resisted this marriage that didn’t arise from her own wishes, not wanting her good friends to be part of a wedding she was inwardly rejecting.
"I plan to make a trip to J Province." After returning, Lin Xiaoguai shared her decision with Shen Chi.
Shen Chi immediately frowned, "Why go to J Province all of a sudden? I am really busy lately."
"I’m going alone." Seeing Shen Chi frown, Lin Xiaoguai spoke softly, "Xiao Li is getting married, and I should definitely visit." She decided not to tell him about Yang Xiaoli’s emotional entanglement.
"Why is she getting married at this time?" Shen Chi was somewhat displeased and after a thought he asked, "You’re going alone?"
"Huihui is pregnant; I don’t know if she can make it," Lin Xiaoguai replied.
Then it’s better if Zhu Huixi doesn’t go. Would that mean Wanwan has to take care of her?
With this thought, Shen Chi said apprehensively, "You’ve never traveled far alone before. How can I be at ease?"
Never traveled far alone?
Lin Xiaoguai was taken aback for a moment before realizing he meant in this lifetime. She smiled and said, "I’m a grown person, I’m not road-blind and can read. Can I possibly get lost?"
"What about the shop while you’re gone?" Shen Chi said, still reluctant.
J Province isn’t close to the Capital at all. If his wife went away, it would take at least ten days to half a month. Would he not have to endure the loneliness?
Lin Xiaoguai glanced at him with a half-smile, "Have you forgotten what you once said about letting grandpa help me watch the shop?"
"Grandma can’t read and can’t use an abacus," Shen Chi continued to struggle.
"Grandpa and dad can," Lin Xiaoguai stated flatly.
"What about the kids?"
"They’ll stay with grandpa and grandma, and Mrs. Zhang will go over there too to help take care of them."
Shen Chi ran out of arguments.
Right up until Lin Xiaoguai departed, Shen Chi persistently tried to persuade her to give up the trip, to no avail. Usually, while he spoke his piece, Lin Xiaoguai would instruct Mrs. Yu and Mrs. Zhang on the things to look out for while taking care of the children.
In the end, Lin Xiaoguai did not make the trip to J Province alone. Hearing about her plans to attend Yang Xiaoli’s wedding, Zhu Huixi insisted she would accompany her. Wang Han, concerned for his wife, also decided to take time off work to join them.
"Huihui, how do you feel? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" After getting off the four-day train ride, Lin Xiaoguai asked Zhu Huixi with concern.
"It’s nothing. I’ve already told you I’m fine. I can eat and sleep well, what could be wrong?" Zhu Huixi complained a bit. These two had treated her like a porcelain doll the entire trip.
"Xiao Guai, Huihui, Wang Han, over here!" Suddenly, Yang Xiaoli’s voice rang out.
The three of them looked up and saw Yang Xiaoli, dressed in a black ladies’ business suit, waving while making her way through the crowd, followed by a man with refined features.
Lin Xiaoguai and Zhu Huixi exchanged glances. Could this be Yang Xiaoli’s fiancé?
As both parties met, the man following Yang Xiaoli conscientiously came over to help Wang Han with the bags. Yang Xiaoli didn’t show any unusual reaction but simply introduced him saying, "This is my fiancé Qi Sheng, and these are my good friends from university, Lin Xiaoguai and Zhu Huixi. This is Huihui’s husband, Wang Han, also my university classmate."
After greeting each other, Yang Xiaoli looked at Lin Xiaoguai and asked, "Shen Chi didn’t come?"
"He has intensive training exercises recently and couldn’t find the time," Lin Xiaoguai replied with a mild smile.
Her gaze inadvertently swept over Qi Sheng. This man was probably thirty, and in looks, he couldn’t compare to Shen Chi—even lagging behind Wang Han. Plain and unremarkable, but there was always a faint smile on his face, suggesting he had a calm personality.
She couldn’t discern his feelings for Yang Xiaoli, but the way he looked at her was full of warmth.
"And Little Niangao? Why didn’t you bring him? I thought I’d see her this time," Yang Xiaoli said with a slight hint of blame.