Chapter 10

There was definitely more between the Lin and Ji families. After confirming that Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi knew about the betrothal, Lin Qiao suspected this. Given their personalities, they would have clung to this good match even if the Ji family hadn’t contacted them. There wouldn’t have been no contact for over ten years. If Lin Qiao’s father hadn’t died early, leaving her as the only child, Old Mr. Ji, fearing she would have no one to care for her, wouldn’t have arranged the betrothal. Even if Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi caused a fuss, they would have ensured this good match fell to their daughter. The timing of the families’ falling out was also suspicious, happening shortly after those ten years began…

Lin Qiao didn’t seem surprised. “I know, I’ll be careful.” She sincerely suggested to Lin Wei, “I see that Yandu already has people starting their own businesses. There will definitely be more job opportunities in the future. If you can’t continue your studies, you can go to the city in a year or two.”

Lin Wei had a good nature, but staying in the village would only hold him back because of Lin Shouyi and Sun Xiuzhi. With parents like that, what good family would want their daughter to marry him? The country was already opening up, and more opportunities would exist outside.

Seeing her serious expression, Lin Wei nodded, “Take care.”

“You too, brother.”

When they returned from the back of the courtyard, Liu Yulan had already put Lin Qiao’s things in the back seat of the Jeep and was waiting for her.

Lin Qiao had finished talking to Lin Wei and didn’t say much more. She walked over and opened the car door, “Let’s go.”

“Be careful on the road,” Liu Yulan couldn’t help but say, showing some reluctance.

Thinking of Lin Wei’s earlier words, Lin Qiao whispered in her ear, “Mom, do you know why the Lin and Ji families stopped contacting each other?”

“Stopped contacting? When did that happen?” Liu Yulan looked confused.

It was clear she didn’t know. She had remarried by then, and the Lin family wouldn’t have told her.

“It’s nothing, I was just asking.” Lin Qiao didn’t say more, but Ji Duo rolled down the window, “Where are you going? I’ll have Xiao Fang take you.”

Liu Yulan, who hadn’t spent much time with her daughter, let alone her future son-in-law, quickly waved her hand, “No need, it’s not on the way to my village.” She helped Lin Qiao close the car door and left but couldn’t help looking back after a while.

Lin Qiao saw this clearly from the car window but didn’t call out to her. If she did, Liu Yulan would feel uncomfortable, so why bother?

It was unclear if the news from the Lin family had reached the village party secretary, but Lin Qiao had no trouble getting the introduction letter.

As the Jeep drove out of the village, the small stone bridge that had been submerged by rainwater the day before was now fully exposed, though the puddles on the road still reflected the rising sunlight. Fortunately, the Jeep had a high chassis; otherwise, the bottom would have been damaged.

Lin Qiao put the introduction letter in her backpack and took out the letters left by Grandpa Lin and Grandma Lin to carefully read through them. If something had indeed happened between the Lin and Ji families, she might find some clues in the letters. As she read, her eyelids grew heavy, and by the time Xiao Fang stopped to refuel, she had fallen asleep against the seat.

After all, it was a hospital ward with only two empty beds. Ji Duo and Xiao Fang had squeezed together to sleep the night before. Although Lin Qiao had more space, sharing a room with several men and all the commotion meant she didn’t sleep well.

Ji Duo had Xiao Fang roll up the windows, and by lunchtime, Lin Qiao was still asleep. This time, he had to wake her. After calling her name twice, Lin Qiao groggily opened her eyes, “Is it time to eat?”

Her voice was hoarse and unclear. Ji Duo turned around and saw her half-closed eyes and flushed face. She seemed to realize it too, shaking her head to clear it, but only looked more dizzy.

Ji Duo frowned, “Are you running a fever?”

“Fever?” Lin Qiao dazedly raised her hand to her forehead, “I think I’m a bit hot.”

Compared to her usual sharpness, she seemed a bit slow, speaking softly as if mumbling.

Ji Duo didn’t ask further and instructed Xiao Fang, “To the hospital.”

Xiao Fang acknowledged and quickly found the nearest hospital.

In that short time, Lin Qiao had dozed off again. Ji Duo had to knock on the window several times to get her attention. When she opened the door, she couldn’t stop sneezing, shivering despite the midday sun.

It seemed she had caught a cold from the rain the night before.

If only she had brought those clothes, Ji Duo thought, frowning. He took off his military jacket and handed it to her. “Wear this.”

Despite being in the rain, the two soldiers were fine, but Lin Qiao caught a cold. She felt a bit helpless but didn’t resist, gratefully accepting the jacket and putting her arms through the sleeves, feeling better immediately.

At the hospital, it turned out she did have a fever, though not severe enough to require an injection.

Lin Qiao naturally didn’t want an injection, not out of fear but due to distrust of the era’s medications. In Shahe Village, where she was from, there were cases of nerve damage or even deafness from fever injections.

After getting the medicine, they returned to the state-run restaurant, where Ji Duo filled a military canteen with hot water for Lin Qiao.

Sitting at the table, Lin Qiao took the fever medicine first, then held the canteen with both hands, sipping the hot water slowly. As she warmed up, she visibly improved. However, the oversized clothes made her look small, with a face no bigger than a palm. Her eyelashes rested quietly as she drank, and her delicate fingers peeked out from the long sleeves, giving her a strangely obedient appearance.

Ji Duo suddenly thought of his niece and nephew, who had never been so well-behaved. They always caused a fuss when sick.

Perhaps only children who are loved have the luxury of being spoiled when ill. Or maybe only those who grow sharp thorns can protect and care for themselves in such environments.

Ji Duo looked away and used unused chopsticks to place some food on Lin Qiao’s plate. He only realized what he had done after noticing Xiao Fang’s surprised look.

Ji Duo was not known for being approachable, except to his niece and nephew. This was the first time Xiao Fang had seen him serve someone else. Lin Qiao, still groggy, didn’t notice much. She simply ate what Ji Duo gave her.

She was only five years older than Ji Ling and even three years younger than Ji Ze, making her more like a niece.

Thinking of his family, Ji Duo’s expression returned to normal. He placed more food on Lin Qiao’s plate. “Don’t just eat rice.”

The tone was a bit stern, making it hard for Lin Qiao to ignore. She wondered how the Ji family named their children, as the nephew and uncle’s names differed by just one character. She had previously looked at the marriage contract and found it written in wild, cursive calligraphy, making it hard to tell if it was “铎 (duo)” or “泽 (ze).”

When Sun Xiuzhi guessed Ji Duo was her fiancé, Ji Duo didn’t deny it, so he was likely the male lead.

Still a bit dizzy from her fever, Lin Qiao thought that regardless of her feelings, this man was responsible. Sometimes, though, he looked at her like an elder looking at a junior. Could it be that the original character lacked a father figure and thus liked this fatherly type of husband?

The meal passed in a haze of thoughts, and back in the car, the medicine took effect, and she fell asleep wrapped in Ji Duo’s coat.

By the time they returned to Yandu, she felt much better and didn’t let Ji Duo take her straight back to rest. “Let’s go to the hospital. Yesterday’s rain delayed us, and Grandpa Ji and Grandma Ji are probably waiting for news.”

They had left after dealing with the Lin family, stopped at the hospital, and now it was already dark outside. Thinking about the heavy rain yesterday, she figured the old couple wouldn’t be at ease without seeing her. Ji Duo didn’t object.

When they arrived outside the hospital room, they encountered a middle-aged man waiting in the hallway. He was in his forties, with a gentle demeanor and a slightly plump figure. He was likely just back from work, dressed in a Zhongshan suit and carrying a briefcase. Seeing Ji Duo, he greeted him, “You’re back, Second Brother?”

Ji Duo nodded, “Big Brother.”

Seeming to remember to introduce Lin Qiao, the man glanced over, and Lin Qiao sensibly greeted, “Uncle Ji.”

Ji Jun’s smile became a bit strained, “This is Qiao Qiao? You’ve grown so much.” He had just returned and was intercepted by Ye Minshu, who told him about the recent events.

Honestly, he thought it was unnecessary. Since they had agreed initially, why make a fuss now, especially with the old man in the hospital? When he married, he didn’t consider family background; the key was to get along and see if Xiao Ze liked her.

But the words were already said, and he couldn’t contradict his wife or deceive his father, so he vaguely said he was busy and didn’t know if Xiao Ze had a girlfriend. After saying that, he ran into Lin Qiao, making him feel awkward.

Ji Duo noticed but showed no expression. “Aren’t you going in?”

“I just came out. Your sister-in-law went to the restroom.”

“Then we’ll go in first.” Ji Duo said nothing more and opened the door.

As they entered, Ye Minshu came out in her heels, scrutinizing their backs. “Why is that girl wearing Second Brother’s coat?”

Ji Jun, still embarrassed, hadn’t noticed what Lin Qiao was wearing. “Really? I didn’t notice.”

Ye Minshu stared at the door, wanting to confirm, but given the old man’s current attitude towards her, she didn’t go in.

Xu Li, with sharp eyes, noticed immediately, “Did the weather change outside?” She didn’t ask why Lin Qiao was wearing Ji Duo’s coat but about the weather, showing concern for Lin Qiao’s comfort.

Lin Qiao smiled more sincerely, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I wasn’t careful on the way and caught a cold. I’ve been to the hospital, and it’s nothing serious.”

If it weren’t for her heavy nasal voice, she wouldn’t have mentioned it.

As expected, Old Mr. Ji immediately glared at his son, “I asked you to take care of Qiao Qiao, and this is how you do it?”

Ji Duo had anticipated this and didn’t argue. Instead, Lin Qiao explained, “It’s not Little Uncle’s fault. I didn’t listen to him and helped rescue someone.”

Old Mr. Ji caught the key point, “Rescue someone?”

Lin Qiao recounted the previous day’s events and thanked Old Mrs. Ji, “I’m grateful you had Little Uncle accompany me. Now that I’ve retrieved my household registration, I can be at ease.”

She called him “Little Uncle” so naturally that Ji Duo couldn’t help but glance at her.

Old Mr. Ji found Lin Qiao’s gratitude sincere. Having met countless people over the years, he could tell the difference between genuine and flattery. His expression softened, “From now on, the Ji family is your family. Your Grandma Ji and I are your relatives.”

After two days, Old Mr. Ji looked much better, though there was still a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

Recalling how Old Mr. Ji’s face seemed troubled when she first entered, Lin Qiao hesitated but then spoke frankly, “Grandpa Ji, did the Lin family do something to wrong you or the Ji family in the past?”