Chapter 38

Learning that her second brother was coming, Lin Ting’s mood brightened even more.

On the way back, she eagerly asked her mother-in-law for details about what her third aunt had said.

Hu Xiu shook her head. “I was asking Danier how her blind date went when Meihua mentioned it. She only knew the approximate arrival time.”

Lin Ting was also concerned about Danier and asked, “Was it the boy with eight sisters?”

Danier had once reluctantly agreed to meet a man whose family had eight older sisters. Afterward, she had run to town and called Lin Ting in distress, complaining about how strange the blind date was.

Lin Ting hadn’t expected that even after all that, Second Aunt was still trying to arrange matches.

Hu Xiu shook her head. “No, that’s old news. Guilan has found several more.”

Lin Ting was speechless. “Did Danier meet them?”

Hu Xiu smiled. “No. Meihua told me today that Danier refused all of them. She decided to repeat her third year of junior high school and take the high school entrance exam in June.”

“Really? That’s great!” As a teacher, Lin Ting was happiest when her younger relatives followed her advice.

Hu Xiu, who valued education highly, added, “Yes, it’s good to study for another two or three years. High school graduates are only about 20, still young. But Guilan isn’t happy about it. I’ll write her a letter to persuade her and send some tuition money for the children.”

Lin Ting nodded. “You’re right. I’ll help if I can.”

She turned to Huo Xiao, who was holding their daughter. “Write a few words of advice later.”

The tuition fee wasn’t much, but their willingness to support the children’s education mattered.

Especially coming from Huo Xiao, his uncles were likely to listen.

Huo Xiao nodded. “Okay.”

Chatting and laughing, they soon arrived home.

Since Lin Ting wasn’t sure about Lin Wei’s schedule or if he had time to visit home, she decided to go to the communications office and call her eldest brother, who worked at a furniture factory.

Huo Xiao followed her into the bedroom, put his arm around her waist, and lifted her slightly in his arms.

Lin Ting was confused until he pinched her cheek and concluded, “You’ve lost weight.”

Realizing what he was doing, Lin Ting touched her waist, which hadn’t changed much, and said, “You can even tell?”

Huo Xiao had noticed her exhaustion and how she fell asleep instantly at night. He picked her up and placed her on the bed, then squatted down to remove her shoes and socks. “Aren’t you tired? Get some rest first. I’ll call your eldest brother.”

Lin Ting was indeed tired. After a few seconds, she agreed. “Then… ask my brother about his family too.”

“Okay,” Huo Xiao said.

After confirming that Lin Wei was on a mission, Lin Ting abandoned the idea of picking him up and decided to wait at the army base.

Time passed quickly, and a week later, it was Saturday.

After school, Lin Ting didn’t go home immediately. She sat in the principal’s office with Gu Fang, discussing plans to take Fang Cuihua to the division art troupe’s special recruitment exam next Wednesday.

To take the special recruitment examination, a recommendation is required.

Gu Fang could write a recommendation letter from her former unit, but it was too far away. At a loss, she and Lin Ting decided to go straight to the principal.

Principal Huang was a kind leader who truly cared about the children’s future. After hearing Lin Ting and Gu Fang’s plan, he praised them before contacting his superiors. He also personally spoke with Fang Shuigen.

Previously, when Lin Ting and Gu Fang visited, the Fang family did not believe their eldest daughter could join the art troupe. They were also unhappy about losing a worker at home. However, since Principal Huang was a war hero, the couple had no choice but to smile and nod in agreement.

Now, the division’s art troupe had responded, and the test was scheduled for Wednesday. The three of them gathered in the office to decide who would accompany the child.

As Fang Cuihua’s most trusted teacher, Principal Huang assigned Lin Ting to go. However, concerned that the higher-ups might not take the matter seriously, he decided to go himself as well.

After leaving the principal’s office, Gu Fang seemed unhappy. Once they retrieved their bags and left the teaching building, she linked arms with Lin Ting and quietly complained, “I wanted to go with you to the division’s art troupe. I heard the main actors are very handsome.”

“I’ll check for you later,” Lin Ting replied, knowing Gu Fang loved to admire good-looking people.

Gu Fang laughed and teased, “Aren’t you afraid Captain Huo will punish you?”

Lin Ting frowned. “The pillar you mentioned—is he a man?”

“Did you think all pillars were women?”

Lin Ting scratched her nose, realizing she had assumed so. Seeing her reaction, Gu Fang chuckled. “You’re too honest. We’re not doing anything wrong. What’s wrong with admiring handsome men? I just like looking at good-looking people. Love for beauty is… is…”

Lin Ting noticed Gu Fang stammering and looked toward the school gate, where a crowd of female students gathered, staring at a tall man in a white stand-up collar shirt and black trousers.

Lin Ting was surprised to witness such an idol drama-like scene. Then, she gasped, “Second Brother?!”

“This is your second brother?” Gu Fang was stunned, appreciating his handsomeness when she heard Lin Ting’s words.

Lin Ting nodded. “Yes, didn’t I tell you he was coming?” She rushed forward, calling, “Second Brother!”

Lin Wei, her brother, smiled. His peach blossom eyes curved charmingly, making him look even more handsome. At the time, people favored square-faced men, considering them more manly. However, young girls had always admired delicate features.

Lin Wei had the kind of youthful charm popular among young women. He had obviously dressed up today, making him even more striking.

Lin Ting reached him and smiled. “When did you arrive?”

Lin Wei first examined his sister carefully. Seeing her happy and at ease, he felt relieved. Then, he said gently, “Two hours ago.”

Lin Ting’s eyes widened. “You waited for me for two hours?!”

Lin Wei tapped her forehead lightly and took her bag. “What are you thinking? I arrived just in time for your dismissal. Is this your friend?”

Lin Ting followed his gaze, then smacked her forehead, laughing. “I almost forgot! Brother, this is my good friend Gu Fang. She takes good care of me.”

Lin Wei, grateful to those who treated his sister well, smiled warmly. “Comrade Gu Fang, hello! I’m Lin Wei. Thank you for looking after Tingting.”

Gu Fang, smitten, blushed. “Comrade Lin Wei, hello! It’s actually Tingting who looks after me.”

After the introductions, Gu Fang looked between the siblings, noticing their 50% resemblance, especially in their peach blossom eyes. Satisfied, she waved goodbye and ran off, giving them space to talk.

“Your friend is nice,” Lin Wei commented.

“Of course! I wouldn’t get along with her otherwise. I’m a little hungry—let’s go home before the students swarm you.”

Lin Wei patted her head. “Let’s go. Mom and Dad sent you a lot of food.”

“Did you bring it by car?”

“Of course.”

Lin Ting eyed his crisp white shirt. “Did you change clothes after joining the army?”

Lin Wei flicked her forehead playfully. “What, do you think I’m sloppy? I dressed up so people wouldn’t think our family is careless.”

Lin Ting, who was used to bickering with her brother, rubbed her forehead and said, “There’s no need to dress up like a fairy.”

Thinking about the scene earlier, anyone unaware might have thought a celebrity had arrived.

“Fairy?!” Lin Wei, who had only been called a “pretty boy” before, was stunned. He poked his sister angrily. “What nonsense are you saying, little girl? I’m a man!”

Lin Ting covered her face and moved aside. “Then… a male demon?”

Lin Wei narrowed his eyes. “I think you need to be taught a lesson!”

Seeing his reaction, Lin Ting held back her laughter and ran, but after only a few steps, she bumped into someone.

Huo Xiao, who had come to pick her up, steadied his wife and smiled. “Why are you running?”

Feeling backed up, Lin Ting quickly hid behind her husband. She peeked out and grinned at her brother. “Male demon!”

Lin Wei: …

Huo Xiao: …