Chapter 21: How could she be my uncle’s girlfriend?

The Song family was bustling with activity.

Chen Fangying had four sons and one daughter; two sons died in the war, leaving the eldest, fourth, and fifth sons. 

The eldest, Song Zhiyuan, was in the Beijing Military Region; the fourth, Song Zhidong, was in the Nan City Military Region. 

Their daughter, Song Zhihua, was married in Beijing to Hao Aiguo, a professor.

It was Sunday, everyone was resting.  Hearing that Xie Lin was bringing his girlfriend home, everyone who could, except Song Zhidong’s family, came.  They all wanted to see what kind of woman had captured Xie Lin’s heart, a man who had been reluctant to marry.

Song Zhenguo and Chen Fangying were mischievous; they knew who the girl was but wouldn’t say, keeping everyone in suspense.

In the living room, the women chatted with Chen Fangying, the men sat beside Song Zhenguo, drinking tea and talking.  The children ran around, their laughter and playful noises mixing with the men’s conversations and the women’s whispers.

Song Huaiqing sat in the living room, listening to the noise, feeling distracted. He wasn’t interested in his uncle’s girlfriend. He wanted to find Lin Yiwan and ask what was wrong. Why hadn’t she seen him twice?  He had to find her again.

Thinking this, he stood up abruptly.

“Where are you going?” Sheng Yuelan grabbed him, her brow furrowed.

“Mom… I’ll just go out for a bit.”  Even at twenty-two, he was still a little intimidated by his strict mother, his voice lowered.

“Sit down! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing! Don’t make a fool of yourself!” Sheng Yuelan’s voice, though low, was authoritative.

Song Huaiqing suppressed his urgency and sat down dejectedly.  Sheng Yuelan softened slightly, seeing his obedience.  She knew he’d been following Lin Yirou, that little vixen. 

She disliked Lin Yiwan, finding her petty, but she disliked Lin Yirou even more pretentious and making men jealous.  Only her foolish son treated her like a treasure, which angered her.

Song Huaiqing sat but his mind wandered.  He thought Lin Yiwan was too willful, then doubted if he had done something wrong.  These thoughts swirled, making him distracted.

After a while, a commotion came from outside.

“They’re here!”

“Little Uncle’s girlfriend is here!”  The children cheered.

The women in the house stood up and went out.

“Come on, Big Brother, let’s see how pretty the future little aunt is.” Song Huishu, Song Zhidong’s daughter, was studying in Beijing and hadn’t gone to the Nan City Military Region with her father.  She loved a good show, pulling her cousin along.

Song Huaiqing, forbidden from leaving by his mother, let her drag him along.

“Oh my!  Wanwan has grown even more beautiful!” Chen Fangying exclaimed.

“Right? I wonder why Arin wouldn’t date anyone.  It turns out he fell for our beauty!” Song Zhihua agreed.

Song Huaiqing had a bad feeling.  Wanwan?  What Wanwan?  His uncle’s girlfriend’s name was Wanwan!

Then he saw a familiar figure at the entrance.  She wore a white shirt and black trousers, her waist slender.  It was a simple outfit, yet she radiated brilliance.

Lin Yiwan?!

Why was she here?  Standing next to his uncle?  He doubted his eyes. He stood frozen.

At the entrance, Lin Yiwan stood beside Xie Lin, her smile shy yet appropriate.  She greeted everyone, her voice sweet and clear, hiding her nervousness. 

Her previous mother-in-law was now her nominal sister-in-law, and her grandmother was her nominal mother-in-law.  She hadn’t expected to be so calm.

“Oh, good child!” Chen Fangying exclaimed happily.

Sheng Yuelan, like Song Huaiqing, was shocked speechless.  What?  Wasn’t her son dating Lin Yiwan?  Now she was Xie Lin’s girlfriend? 

Had she been wrong?  Was Lin Yirou the one dating her son?

Chen Fangying noticed her eldest daughter-in-law’s stunned expression and didn’t receive the gifts, showing confusion.

Song Zhihua also found it strange.  Their usually composed eldest sister-in-law was acting strangely.  But she remained composed, taking the gifts.

“Come in, let’s not stand outside.”  They ushered Lin Yiwan and Xie Lin inside. Song Zhihua led the way, Chen Fangying chatting with Lin Yiwan.

They encountered Song Huaiqing, still frozen in place.

“Huaiqing, what’s wrong? Come in, you’re blocking the way.” Song Zhihua whispered.

Song Huaiqing seemed not to hear, his mind buzzing, his eyes red, staring at Lin Yiwan’s beautiful face.  She was his uncle’s girlfriend?  How could she be?  Hadn’t she promised to marry him?

Sheng Yuelan, unsure what was happening, pulled her son back, fearing he would embarrass himself.

Xie Lin glanced at Song Huaiqing, then at the composed Lin Yiwan, a flicker of something in his eyes, quickly disappearing.

In the living room, Song Zhihua was about to introduce Lin Yiwan, but Song Zhenguo waved his hand.  “No need for introductions! This girl used to come here for candy!  I didn’t waste a single one!”

Everyone laughed. 

The atmosphere was warm. 

Lin Yiwan smiled shyly. 

Her charming appearance was like a dagger piercing Song Huaiqing’s heart. 

He felt a surge of anger.