Chapter 30 Forced to move
Ultimately, the Zhou family respected Lin Li’s wish to postpone the wedding for the time being. However, Mother Zhou made it clear that if Lin Li ever decided she wanted a wedding later on, she simply had to say the word; no matter when it happened, the Zhou family would certainly make sure the ceremony took place.
After dinner, the group parted ways outside the hotel. Zhou Han drove Lin Li and her parents home, while a driver arrived to pick up Zhou’s parents. Mother Zhou, considerate of the fact that Lin Li’s parents rarely visited Jiangcheng, suggested that Lin Li and Zhou Han spend the next couple of days showing them around the city; meanwhile, she took the young Zhou family member, Zhou Jiabin, back to the government compound with her.
On the drive back, Lin’s parents sat in the rear seats. Father Lin, likely overjoyed, had had a bit too much to drink; he kept holding his wife’s hand and repeating, "Our Xiao Li has really found the right person this time. Zhou Han is better than Cheng Xiang—Zhou Han is better than Cheng Xiang..."
Mother Lin patted her husband, secretly worried that Zhou Han might take offense and silently cursing the "old fool" for acting up while drunk.
While inwardly scolding her husband for saying things he shouldn't and worrying about Zhou Han’s reaction, she glanced nervously toward the front seat. She offered an awkward, apologetic smile and said, "Lao Lin... Lao Lin has really had too much to drink; he’s just talking nonsense—pure drunken nonsense..."
Zhou Han smiled and replied calmly, "We have some hangover-relief tea at home that works wonders. I’ll give Dad some when we get back so he doesn't wake up with a headache tomorrow."
Seeing that he hadn't taken offense or read too much into the comments... Mother Lin felt reassured and smiled warmly, saying, "Ah-Han, running your own company must involve a lot of socializing and entertaining, doesn't it?"
Zhou Han nodded, keeping his eyes focused on the road ahead as he smiled and replied, "Yeah, that kind of socializing is unavoidable; these days, business is mostly conducted over dinner."
Mother Lin nodded in understanding, adding with concern, "You really need to be careful, though. Drinking too much alcohol is bad for your health."
Zhou Han nodded. Suddenly, he freed one hand to grasp Lin Li’s—who was sitting in the passenger seat—holding it tightly as he smiled and said, "I’m not worried anymore. With Lin Li by my side from now on, she’ll make hangover tea for me."
Lin Li, who had been somewhat lost in thought, was caught off guard by his sudden grasp of her hand; she stared at him blankly, looking endearingly dazed.
----- please read the translation from https://irisatdusk.blogspot.com/
It took a moment for Lin Li to snap out of it; she shot Zhou Han a glare—out of her mother's line of sight—and pulled her hand away.
Zhou Han glanced at her, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
Upon returning home, Zhou Han first helped Father Lin sit down on the sofa, then went to the kitchen to get the hangover tea he usually took himself. After helping Father Lin drink it, he assisted him into the bedroom.
Father Lin didn't have a high tolerance for alcohol, but he was a well-behaved drinker. Aside from a few things he’d said to Mother Lin in the car, he didn't do anything out of line or cause a scene; after drinking the tea, he simply lay down on the bed and fell fast asleep.
Mother Lin fetched some water and wrung out a towel to wipe Father Lin’s face, helping him sleep more comfortably. As Mother Lin carried the washbasin out of the room to empty it, she spotted Lin Li standing alone before the floor-to-ceiling window connecting the living room to the balcony. With her arms crossed over her chest and an impassive expression, her mood was unreadable.
Mother Lin rinsed the basin and placed it in the bathroom; when she returned, Lin Li was standing in the exact same position, seemingly having not moved at all.
With a soft sigh, Mother Lin walked over and gently patted her on the shoulder. Only then did Lin Li snap out of her reverie; she turned her head and offered a faint, forced smile. "Mom."
Mother Lin stood beside her, gazing at the potted tree on the balcony outside the window; the night breeze made its leaves flutter gently.
"Mom, aren't you tired? Why aren't you back in your room resting?" Lin Li asked softly.
Mother Lin didn't answer directly; instead, she asked, "Has Zhou Han gone back to the study to work?"
Lin Li nodded and said casually, "He still has a few things to finish up."
Mother Lin nodded and fell silent, her gaze fixed intently on the view outside, her expression serious.
Seeing her mother say nothing more, Lin Li didn't know what to say either; she remained quiet and turned her head to look outside as well.
----- please read the translation from https://irisatdusk.blogspot.com/
Lin Li was startled by the question and hurriedly replied, "No, I haven't."
No matter what she said, her actions betrayed her; the way she didn't quite know what to do with her hands gave away her true feelings.
Mother Lin turned to look at her with a faint smile, reached out to hold Lin Li's hand, and said gently, "Silly girl, a ten-year relationship isn't something you can just forget easily. Why force yourself to pretend everything is fine?"
"I..." Lin Li looked away, unable to meet her mother's eyes, and stubbornly whispered, "I haven't; I really have forgotten."
No one knows a daughter better than her mother; she knew perfectly well whether Lin Li had truly forgotten. Her expression had changed so noticeably when Cheng Xiang was mentioned in the car—it would have been strange if she *had* forgotten.
Zhou Han must have noticed it too, which was likely why he had deliberately taken her hand to snap her out of her reverie. She was gratified by Zhou Han's understanding and tolerance. She believed that with his acceptance and affection, even if Lin Li couldn't yet let go of that ten-year relationship, she would eventually move on completely—reaching a point where she could look back and simply smile.
Seeing that Lin Li stubbornly insisted she hadn't, Mother Lin said no more; she simply took her daughter's hand and led her toward her room. Lin Li had initially been lost in her own thoughts; it was only after her mother led her back to her room that she snapped out of her reverie. She stared blankly at her mother, puzzled. "Mom, why did you bring me back to my room? Is there something you want to tell me?"
Her mother glanced at her, walked over to slide open the built-in wardrobe, and pointed at the clothes inside. "Go on—pack these up and move them over."
"Move?" Lin Li was even more confused. "Move where?"
Her mother gave her an exasperated look, stepped forward to poke her forehead, and scolded her with a smile, "Where else would you move? To the room you share with Zhou Han, of course!"
"Ah!" Lin Li was shocked. She hurriedly waved her hands in protest. "No, no need for that. We... we’re fine the way we are. It’s perfectly fine; there’s no need for the hassle of moving things around."
"Don't talk nonsense!" her mother chided. "You’re a married couple now; sleeping in separate rooms looks terrible. If guests were to visit, we’d be a laughingstock. And if your mother-in-law saw this—thinking you disliked Zhou Han coming to bed late and disturbing your sleep—what do you think she would make of it?"
"I..." Lin Li opened her mouth to argue, but realized her words sounded feeble; there was nothing she could really explain. Zhou Han had already laid out the narrative, and she was forced to keep spinning the same web of lies.
Sighing, her mother spoke earnestly, "Xiao Li, now that you’re married—a wife and a daughter-in-law—things can't stay the way they used to be. A little bickering between a couple can be part of the fun, and a husband might indulge you because he loves you, but you mustn't be stubborn or unreasonable. Anything taken to excess does more harm than good."
"I—I didn't... It’s not what you think!" Lin Li felt helpless; she realized that no matter how she tried to explain, it was impossible to make them understand.
Mother Lin, dismissing her protest as a childish tantrum, continued, "Xiao Li, listen to Mom. It’s not easy for two people to come together and become husband and wife; it’s a blessing cultivated over past lives, and we have to cherish it. A marriage can't rely solely on love—or whatever 'feelings' and 'passion' you young people talk about—because those things don't last. You need consideration, understanding, and tolerance. Put yourself in each other's shoes instead of always focusing on your own emotions. Wouldn't it be better to understand and look out for one another, rather than struggling through life with friction?"
----- please read the translation from https://irisatdusk.blogspot.com/
Seeing her lack of reaction, Mother Lin gave her a playful, reproachful nudge. "Don't just stand there grinning foolishly—did you actually take in what I said?"
Lin Li nodded with a forced smile, offering a perfunctory, "Yes, yes, I heard it—I took it all in." She *had* to say she took it in; otherwise, her mother would likely keep right on lecturing.
Only then did Mother Lin nod in satisfaction. She tugged at Lin Li and said, "Come on, pack up your things and get them moved over there." As she spoke, she began pulling Lin Li’s clothes out of the wardrobe herself.
Watching this unfold, Lin Li could only press her fingers against her throbbing temples.
After sitting in the study for over two hours, Zhou Han finally finished his outstanding work. He emerged from the room, kneading his sore neck and rolling his head to ease the stiffness. The study was just a few steps away from the master bedroom.
Zhou Han opened the door and walked straight in; having been truly exhausted by the long day, he didn't notice that the bathroom light was on. He walked right up to the bed, took off his jacket, and—feeling weary—grabbed his pajamas from the walk-in closet before heading straight for the bathroom.
He opened the door without a second thought, immediately catching the hazy scent of body wash. Just as he frowned, realizing something was amiss, he looked up and found himself locking eyes with a pair of wide, stunned eyes!
----- please read the translation from https://irisatdusk.blogspot.com/
TN: LOL
Comments
Post a Comment