Translator: StarveCleric Editor: StarveCleric
…
The truth was that Lin Jiage had been rather busy during this period of time as well.
Other than managing the projects he had taken on, he had to help out with the organizing of his grandfather’s birthday banquet, and more importantly, he had to plan out his confession to Shi Yao as well.
Loaded with work, his days also passed by swiftly. A week before his grandfather’s birthday, he received a call informing him that the things he had ordered were ready. That was one matter struck off his task list, but it was swiftly replaced with another concern: How could he ask Shi Yao out after his grandfather’s birthday banquet?
While he was vexed over this matter, another two more days passed.
It was the weekend, and as his grandfather’s birthday banquet was just next week, Lin Jiage returned back home to check if there was anything that needed help with.
Saturday afternoon, Lin Jiage and Lin Jiayi were the only ones at home to have lunch.
Having arrived earlier in the dining table than Lin Jiage, Lin Jiayi finished her meal faster and placed down her chopsticks first. Despite so, she remained seated on the dining table, showing no signs of leaving at all.
Lin Jiage’s instincts told him that there was something amiss with Lin Jiayi. Nevertheless, he continued with his meal unhurriedly and gracefully, completely treating Lin Jiayi as if she was nonexistent.
It took quite a while before he finally ate his fill. As soon as he placed down his chopsticks, Lin Jiayi passed a serviette over to him, saying, “Come, wipe your lips.”
Such incongruous actions could only mean that treacherous currents are hidden beneath the exterior…
Glancing at Lin Jiayi’s impeccable smiling face, Lin Jiage didn’t take the serviette offered by her. Instead, he took another one from the dining table himself and wiped his lips slowly.
The serviette offered by Lin Jiayi can’t be called a serviette but money notes…
With such a thought in mind, Lin Jiage tossed the serviette he had used on the table and prepared to leave the dining table. He knew that he had to get away from the dangerous figure who had been eyeing him the entire meal.
However, before he could even rise to his feet, Lin Jiayi had already spoken up, “My beloved brother, our grandfather’s birthday is coming up, but I still don’t have a gown ready yet. Can you accompany me to the mall in the afternoon to help me pick out some clothes?”
It was a question which Lin Jiage did not even have to spend a single second thinking about in order to answer, “No.”
Only a fool would go shopping with her… Is she the type who needs someone to shop with her? What she really needs is an ATM machine!
“Are you really going to be that cold-hearted and callous to me?” Lin Jiayi blinked her eyes. “Then… why don’t I put it this way then? My beloved brother, our grandfather’s birthday is coming up. Have you prepared your clothes yet? If not, why don’t I accompany you to the mall in the afternoon to help you pick out your clothes?”
Lin Jiage’s response was even sharper and more decisive than before, “There’s no need for that.”
Only a dimwit would accompany her for her shopping trips… Is it even possible for such kindness to come from her?
“Jiage, I am really concerned about you. How can you reject me so heartlessly?” Lin Jiayi sighed sorrowfully. “As the saying goes, ‘a grown son can’t be retained’. You aren’t even married yet, but the relationship between us has already grown so distant…”
(This is an adaptation to the phrase ‘a grown daughter can’t be retained’. In ancient China, daughters are usually ‘married out’ because a wife is expected to follow her husband. Back then, it meant that parents mustn’t attempt to keep their daughter to themselves no matter how much they miss her because that would be no different from holding her back. In modern days though, it has become a phrase that symbolizes heartlessness. Once the daughter marries out, it would be as if she’s cutting all ties with her parents, thus hinting at the callousness of a daughter.)
Heh… Isn’t money the only factor you take into account when you measure the closeness of your relationships with others?
Lin Jiage scoffed coldly inside as he rose to his feet and walked away, completely paying no heed to Lin Jiayi’s theatrics.
In the face of her escaping prey, Lin Jiayi did not fluster at all. Instead, she sat confidently in her chair as she continued with her lamentation, “… My younger brother really comes nowhere in comparison to my sister-in-law. Forget it! I was hoping to find someone to help us carry our bags, but since my younger brother is unwilling to help us on this little favor, I guess I’ll just have to go out alone with my sister-in-law then…”
Lin Jiayi shot a glance at Lin Jiage as she spoke, and just as she had expected, the latter’s footsteps had trailed to a halt.
The corners of her mouth inched upward as she continued, “… Since my younger brother bears to see two weak ladies lugging their bags along, I guess we have no choice but to rely on ourselves then!”
After saying her piece, Lin Jiayi got up, stretched her back lazily, and confidently strutted out of the dining room.