Chapter 22: She can only be Song Huaiqing’s aunt

The Song family was lively.

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

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, and everyone was home, having heard Xie Lin was bringing his girlfriend.  They all wanted to see who had won his heart.

Song Zhenguo and Chen Fangying knew but wouldn’t say, keeping everyone guessing.

In the living room, the women chatted with Chen Fangying, the men with Song Zhenguo, drinking tea and talking. Children ran around. Laughter and playful noises mingled with adult conversations.

Song Huaiqing sat, distracted. He wasn’t interested in his uncle’s girlfriend; he wanted to find Lin Yiwan and ask why she hadn’t seen him.  He had to find her.

He stood up abruptly.

“What are you doing?” Sheng Yuelan grabbed him.

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

“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 firm.

Song Huaiqing sat down, his impatience simmering.  Sheng Yuelan softened, seeing his obedience.  She knew he’d been chasing Lin Yirou. 

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

Song Huaiqing sat, his mind racing. He thought Lin Yiwan was too willful, then doubted if he had done wrong.  These thoughts swirled.

A commotion came from outside.

“They’re here!”

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

The women went out.

“Come on, Big Brother, let’s see how pretty the future little aunt is.” Song Huishu pulled her cousin along.

Song Huaiqing, unable to leave, was dragged 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?  His uncle’s girlfriend’s name was Wanwan!

He saw Lin Yiwan at the entrance.  She wore a white shirt and black trousers, looking radiant.

Lin Yiwan?!

Why was she here?  Next to his uncle?

He was stunned.  Lin Yiwan 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.

“Oh, good child!” Chen Fangying exclaimed.

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

Chen Fangying noticed her eldest daughter-in-law’s stunned expression. Song Zhihua, usually composed, also found it strange.  But she remained composed, taking the gifts.

“Come in, let’s not stand outside.”  They ushered Lin Yiwan and Xie Lin inside.

They encountered Song Huaiqing, still frozen.

“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.  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 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 struck Song Huaiqing.  He felt a surge of anger.

Sheng Yuelan hissed at her son.  Regardless of their past, Lin Yiwan was now his aunt. The Song family couldn’t afford the scandal. 

And if he liked her so much, why hadn’t he brought her home?  Why was he with that little vixen?  What was this show of affection?

Song Huaiqing hung his head, his shoulders trembling.  He couldn’t accept that Lin Yiwan was his uncle’s girlfriend. 

Just days ago, she had smiled at him.  How could things change so quickly?  Was it just a job?

Lin Yiwan didn’t care about Song Huaiqing’s thoughts.  Since their divorce, they were done.  Sitting beside Xie Lin, she chatted politely with the elders.  Thanks to Sheng Yuelan’s strict upbringing, she could handle this.

Lin Yiwan brought out gifts.  “This is medicinal wine made with my grandmother’s recipe. My grandfather drank it every night. I made a lot and brought two bottles for everyone to try.”

Song Zhenguo took the wine, smelled it, and felt a pang of sadness.  “Good child, you’re thoughtful.  I drank this with your grandfather, it’s good stuff. It eased his old injuries.” 

The doctor had said Zhao Yuanyi wouldn’t live past sixty.  He lived to sixty-five, thanks to this wine. 

The wine tasted the same, but his old friend was gone.  Leaving a lonely granddaughter made him sad.

Lin Yiwan’s eyes welled up.  Besides her mother, her grandfather had loved her most.  Without him, her life would have been worse. 

But in her previous life, she had been obsessed with Song Huaiqing and distanced herself from her grandfather. 

Not being able to return to his lifetime was her biggest regret.  She wanted to apologize.

Seeing her tears, everyone felt sympathy.

“Old man, why bring this up on a happy day?  Let’s take care of Wanwan, for your sake!” Chen Fangying scolded Song Zhenguo, comforting Lin Yiwan.  “Good girl, you have us now. We’re your family. Tell Aunt… anything.”

Lin Yiwan was moved.  In her previous life, Song Zhenguo had asked if she had any difficulties.  Fearing Song Huaiqing would be scolded, she said she wanted to gain experience in the countryside. 

She still remembered his pained and self-reproaching look. This was another reason she married Xie Lin; everyone in the Song family, except Song Huaiqing, was good to her.  Even the strict Sheng Yuelan had good intentions.

“I know, Aunt.” Lin Yiwan couldn’t call Chen Fangying “Grandma” anymore. Xie Lin’s parents married late; when he was born, Song Zhiyuan was a teenager. 

They had no other children, so Song Zhenguo adopted him but didn’t change his surname.  Xie Lin grew up in the Song family, like a brother to them.

Lin Yiwan and Xie Lin being together was a huge shock to Song Huaiqing.

Besides the wine, Lin Yiwan brought mung bean cakes. They were different from store-bought ones; the crust was fragrant and crispy, the filling sweet and slightly salty. 

The children’s eyes lit up. They wanted to praise her cakes but were hesitant because of Xie Lin.  They ate and stole glances at Lin Yiwan.  When she smiled, they beamed.

Song Huaiqing watched Lin Yiwan, his heart aching.  She had always revolved around him, but he found her annoying, less considerate than Lin Yirou. 

He wanted distance.  Now, seeing her with his uncle, he couldn’t accept that she was marrying someone else!  If not for Xie Lin, he would have grabbed her and asked why she did this! 

But he couldn’t, only watching his grandparents treat her like a daughter-in-law.

After a long chat, the cook served lunch.  The dishes were simple fish, meat, eggs, and vegetables.  But in this era, it was a feast. 

Resources were scarce; even cadres practiced frugality.  Though Song Zhenguo was a high-ranking official, the food was similar to ordinary families, only more plentiful.

Song Zhenguo was in a good mood, drinking several glasses of the medicinal wine with Xie Lin.  He made his eldest son drink ordinary baijiu. 

Song Zhiyuan was used to his father’s double standards.  Xie Lin was like a younger brother to him. 

Hao Aiguo didn’t drink, and Song Huaiqing rarely did, but he drank several glasses today.

Chen Fangying kept serving Lin Yiwan food, piling it on her plate.

“Aunt, I’m okay, I can serve myself.” Lin Yiwan said, moved and helpless.

“You’re too thin, eat more. Come to the compound often, I’ll cook for you.”  Chen Fangying genuinely cared for her.

Lin Yiwan ate until she was full.  Afterward, everyone moved to the living room.  Lin Yiwan went to the bathroom.

She went to the bathroom in a corner at the back of the house. 

After washing her hands, she was about to return to the living room when Song Huaiqing appeared, blocking her path.