After returning from Lin Manor, Lin Hui and He Jian Shan basically started counting down the days until the New Year.
Before the holiday, they made time for a visit to Qiushan Garden. This had been agreed upon during their flight back—it felt appropriate to make an appearance under a different identity. Lin Hui’s calm demeanor on the matter prompted He Jian Shan to ask, “If we go, will you feel uncomfortable? Like awkward or nervous?”
Lin Hui, confident as ever, declared, “Me? Lin Hui? Social butterfly.”
But words were just words. When they actually arrived, Lin Hui couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness. Sitting in the car, he adjusted his breathing repeatedly. He Jian Shan noticed and quietly teased, “Me? Lin Hui? Social butterfly.”
Lin Hui shot him a glance. “…Oh, you’re just full of yourself, aren’t you?”
He Jian Shan chuckled. “Assistant Lin, have you forgotten what I’ve told you?” Leaning in close, he said seriously, “Everyone likes you.”
Lin Hui stared at him in silence, and He Jian Shan nodded affirmatively. “Everyone.”
They arrived at Qiushan Garden just in time for dinner. Unsurprisingly, He Jian Chuan opened the door. Lin Hui suspected that He Jian Shan standing right behind him was the only reason He Jian Chuan restrained himself from blurting out “sister-in-law,” instead bowing his head politely and greeting, “Brother.”
As soon as they entered, they were ushered directly to the dinner table. Before they left, He Jian Shan had said they should arrive a little late to avoid excessive small talk. Lin Hui had initially thought, What’s wrong with chatting? But now, he realized what a brilliant decision it was. Apart from himself and He Jian Shan, the four other people in the house—including Hong Jie—seemed calm on the surface but were clearly overwhelmed internally.
It showed in small ways:
– He Zhao, in his usual composed manner, still managed to stumble over a simple sentence: “Uh, Lin Hui, try this wine. Pretty good. You’re not driving, right?”
– Jiang Qing, ever dignified, got tangled in her own words: “Don’t call me ‘Auntie’… I mean, no, don’t call me Jiang… Just Auntie is fine. Xiao Shan always calls me that.”
– He Jian Chuan, the most stable of the lot, still managed a cheeky “Brother, Sister-in-law, try this—it’s delicious!” The emphasis on “sister-in-law” sounded almost like a taunt.
– And Hong Jie? She didn’t say a word but quietly piled every spicy dish onto Lin Hui’s plate.
Lin Hui couldn’t help but laugh.
It was clear to him that no matter how He Jian Shan currently felt about He Zhao or the He family, he had clearly gone out of his way to have an open dialogue with them for Lin Hui’s sake.
Realizing this, Lin Hui suddenly calmed down. If everyone else was more nervous than him, what was there to be anxious about?
The lunch went smoothly. Once Lin Hui found his footing, he brought his A-game, making everyone feel comfortable and laugh with ease. Though He Jian Shan never explicitly introduced Lin Hui as his partner, it was an open secret, and everyone understood the purpose of the meal. Lin Hui thought this approach was perfect; too much formality would’ve just made things awkward.
After lunch, Jiang Qing discreetly signaled Lin Hui to follow her to the study.
Lin Hui thought to himself, Here we go—classic drama plot incoming. Let’s just hope she doesn’t hand me some kind of He family heirloom bracelet.
As soon as they entered, Jiang Qing got straight to the point. “Xiao Hui, thank you. I know you’ve been helping Xiao Chuan a lot. I didn’t get a chance to thank you after the annual meeting.”
Lin Hui quickly shook his head. “It’s nothing. He really is talented at singing.”
“He’s talked to his father,” Jiang Qing continued. “After a lot of thought, he’s decided to pursue music as a career. He wants to see how far he can go. His father agreed.”
Lin Hui was surprised but smiled. “That’s great news. Congratulations to him.”
Jiang Qing sighed. “His father always knew he wasn’t cut out for corporate life. Sending him to Wan Zhu was just his way of trying to keep the brothers close. What he couldn’t do himself, he wanted his kids to make up for.”
“We’ve fought over this so many times. He’s been stubborn all his life, but he doesn’t realize that family bonds don’t last forever.”
Lin Hui didn’t know how to respond to that.
After hesitating briefly, Jiang Qing said, “About Xiao Shan’s mother…”
Lin Hui nodded quickly. “I know. I know everything.”
Jiang Qing let out a long breath. “That’s good, that’s good. Some things are hard for me to say. But you may not know—when we learned about you and Xiao Shan, we were relieved.”
Lin Hui froze.
“Xiao Shan… The first time I saw him was at my wedding. He sat there the whole time, not smiling even once.”
At the time, Jiang Qing was nervous. She knew her role as a stepmother was awkward, but while all the other kids were having fun, He Jian Shan, barely a teenager, sat alone like a shadow about to fade.
When they returned to the main table after toasting guests, Jiang Qing impulsively clinked glasses with him, forcing a family-like gesture.
She noticed a flicker of light in his eyes.
No one is born to be lonely.
“If it were anyone else, we might not feel so assured,” Jiang Qing said with a smile. “But it’s you, Lin Hui. It’s you—it’s perfect.”
Lin Hui lowered his gaze and replied softly, “Yes, it’s me.”
Jiang Qing handed him two red envelopes. “Here’s your New Year’s money—one for you, one for Xiao Shan.”
Lin Hui hesitated to accept, but Jiang Qing waved him off. “I know you don’t need it. It’s just for good fortune. Happy New Year.”
As they left Qiushan Garden, Lin Hui couldn’t help but marvel at receiving red envelopes as an adult.
The rest of their New Year’s Eve was filled with joy and warmth. As midnight approached, Lin Hui fell asleep on He Jian Shan’s shoulder, but woke just in time to wish him, “Happy New Year.”
Smiling, He Jian Shan replied, “Thank you, Lin Hui, for being here. For making this world something I truly love.”
