Chapter 29: Overhearing Their Conversation by Chance

Hearing his heartfelt words, Xia Yan felt an inexplicable sense of happiness rise within her. Looking at Lin Hongzhe before her, she knew that the days of harmonious companionship between them were not far off.

“Put your schoolbag down, wash your hands, and get ready to eat,” she said, walking over to the child, bending down with a sweet smile and gently ruffling his hair.

This made Lin Hongzhe blush; as he looked at her smile, memories of his mother ruffling his hair and smiling in the same way surfaced in his mind. He turned and walked toward his room, stealing a glance at Xia Yan at the doorway, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly—so brief that Xia Yan almost missed it.

Lin Hongzhuo came out of the kitchen smiling. “Aunt An, I want the big bone with a bit of fatty meat.”

“Hey, you really know how to pick! That piece was saved for your father,” Xia Yan laughed. “Besides, from now on, don’t call me Aunt An. I’ve changed my name; now it’s Xia. Remember?”

Though he didn’t know why An Yan had changed her name, Lin Hongzhuo nodded earnestly. As he walked to his room, he called out, “Brother, Aunt An has changed her name. Now we should call her Aunt Xia.”

But as he entered the room, another surprise awaited him.

Xia Yan hadn’t turned around yet when the little one ran out happily. “Aunt... Aunt Xia, is this toy for me?”

Lin Hongzhuo fiddled with the toy gun in his hands. She had heard him mention it once or twice, and seeing it on her way home, she bought it for him.

“If it’s in your room, of course it’s for you,” she replied.

“Thank you, Aunt Xia!” Lin Hongzhuo bounced with joy.

Lin You had just entered the house when he heard the child’s laughter. Lin Hongzhuo, seeing him return, immediately started showing off his toy gun.

“You’ve worked hard, coming back and having to cook right away,” Lin You said, lifting his dark eyes, his tone no longer as cold as when he first met Xia Yan. This trip back to his hometown had brought their relationship to a rapid and intimate closeness.

That meal was a happy one for the whole family, especially the two boys, who ate so eagerly that their mouths were covered in oil. Lin Hongzhuo kept praising Aunt Xia’s cooking.

The next morning, Xia Yan woke naturally. Warm-warm, sleeping beside her, hadn’t yet stirred. Xia Yan rose quietly and discovered breakfast already prepared on the table. Though simple, the slightly burnt rice porridge showed Lin You had put in his best effort.

Later in the morning, while Warm-warm and Egg Two played in the yard, Xia Yan finally found time to pick up a novel and read.

As noon approached, she fed Warm-warm early, sent her to the neighbor’s house, and then carried lunch to the brigade headquarters.

Just as she arrived at the entrance, she saw a familiar figure. Lin You’s face was dark as he spoke to Zhu Yan. From afar, Xia Yan couldn’t hear their conversation, so she quickened her pace.

Gradually, Lin You’s voice reached her ears.

“Doctor Zhu, I’ve explained so many times. I am very grateful you helped look after the three children, but we really aren’t suitable!”

“Lin You, do you think you can just say we’re not suitable and that’s it? If we’re not suitable, then don’t let me hope for anything. I admit I volunteered to care for the three children, but you never refused!” Zhu Yan’s voice was clearly agitated.

Listening from a short distance, Xia Yan found some sense in Zhu Yan’s words. Lin You had indeed handled this poorly, even somewhat irresponsibly.

“Doctor Zhu, I admit there was a time I seriously considered our relationship,” Lin You spoke candidly. Before Xia Yan appeared, he had indeed thought earnestly about the two of them.

Zhu Yan’s face lit up instantly. “I knew you had considered it!”

“But marriage isn’t just about two people; it’s about two families. After your mother spoke with me, I stopped thinking about it entirely,” Lin You explained.

Zhu Yan’s emotions flared again. She reached out and grabbed Lin You’s arm. “Lin You, give me a chance—give us a chance, please! That An Yan is not right for you.”

“Doctor Zhu, I’ve already written the marriage application,” Lin You replied, pulling a paper from his pocket. The first line clearly read “Marriage Application.”

Zhu Yan’s face went pale. She snatched it from him and tore it to shreds.

At that moment, Jiang Weiguo, carrying lunch from home, walked in from outside. He immediately spotted Xia Yan peering around the corner of the wall, puzzled, and raised his hand to greet her.

“Comrade An, you brought lunch for Little Lin? Why are you standing out here instead of going in?” His voice rivaled a loudspeaker.

Xia Yan quickly gestured at Jiang Weiguo to hush.

“When did you get here?”

Jiang Weiguo was still confused about her nervousness, but Lin You had already walked over to her side.

“I just... just arrived...” Xia Yan replied, guilty.

“Don’t you know your ears turn red when you lie? Did you hear everything?” Lin You asked.

Xia Yan touched her ear. Was it red? It felt a bit warm. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I just didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.”

Zhu Yan came over and stood on Lin You’s other side. Jiang Weiguo, realizing what had just happened, coughed awkwardly and headed to the office with his head down.

“An Yan—”

“My name is Xia Yan.”

“I don’t care what your name is. It’s good you heard our conversation. I’ve known Lin You for years. I understand him better than you do, and I know the three children better. I am more qualified to be their mother,” Zhu Yan declared, making her intentions clear. In her mind, as long as they weren’t married, there was still room to turn things around. Since Lin You wouldn’t listen, she decided to talk to Xia Yan.

This time, Xia Yan didn’t get as angry as she had during her first encounter with Zhu Yan; instead, she felt some understanding. If it were her, and the man she loved was suddenly claimed by another woman, she would feel terrible too. She would confront the man, demand clarity, and fight for another chance.

“Doctor Zhu, I understand how you feel. But sometimes, love isn’t about how long two people have been together; it’s about how it feels. I admit that when I first arrived, I did resent you a bit, but now, I genuinely want to be with Lin You.”

Zhu Yan was unmoved, retorting sarcastically, “Feeling? How long have you even been with Lin You, and you talk about sincerity? Your sincerity seems worthless.”

Xia Yan didn’t argue further. Her marriage to Lin You was already decided; only the final procedure remained. This was something Zhu Yan would have to accept on her own. Saying more would only make Xia Yan seem boastful or vindictive.

“Remember to eat lunch while it’s hot. Warm-warm is still at Aunt Wang’s. I’ll head back now,” Xia Yan said, placing the aluminum lunchbox into Lin You’s hands. She added, “Drink more water—don’t sit for too long.”

Zhu Yan grabbed her hand. “Don’t leave yet. We haven’t finished our conversation...”