Chapter 121:

Lin Yining fell in love, and it all started when she heard others talking about the heartthrob of the medical department. She didn’t know who had rated him, but his reputation had spread far and wide.

Hearing about him so often piqued her curiosity, and she wanted to see him for herself. But time and again, she missed her chance. At first, Lin Yining was just curious about what he looked like, but after repeatedly failing to catch a glimpse, she became determined.

She wouldn’t rest until she achieved her goal.

People had practically turned him into a legend, and all she wanted was to see him—was that too much to ask?

She knew Gu Shi was busy. He was the top student in the medical department, the kind favored by professors. Every department had its standout students, but even among geniuses, there were those who stood out even more. Gu Shi was one of them.

In the end, she managed to get her hands on Gu Shi’s class schedule and started auditing his lectures. Finally, she saw him in person—and at that moment, Lin Yining’s heart skipped a beat.

It was love at first sight for someone who valued looks above all else.

But looks alone weren’t enough; character mattered too. The more she observed him, the more she fell for him. After secretly watching him for a while, she decided to take the initiative. She couldn’t just walk up and confess her feelings, so she had to find a way to get to know him. Given his rigid routine—class, lab, dorm—the only place she could intersect with him was in lectures. So, Lin Yining became a regular auditor.

She was already busy, but now, for him, she packed her schedule even tighter.

Her roommates teased her, saying she was blinded by love.

Lin Yining didn’t mind. Yes, she was busy. Yes, she was exhausted. But she was happy.

She had no interest in medical courses, but for him, she forced herself to slog through those hefty textbooks. She knew it was useless for her career—she had no intention of going down that path—but she justified it by saying, “Learning more never hurts.”

Drops of water wear away stone. Little by little, Lin Yining got to know Gu Shi, became his friend, and eventually, they started dating.

When they officially became a couple, Lin Yining was overjoyed. She called Yu Xiang’an to share the good news.

Her roommates were shocked. “Won’t your mom object?”

Lin Yining replied, “My mom said as long as my grades don’t drop, I can date whoever I want.” She conveniently left out the part about not doing anything inappropriate—just thinking about it made her blush. But she wasn’t planning on crossing any lines; she was still a student, after all.

Her roommates were beyond envious of such an open-minded mother.

They wouldn’t dare tell their own mothers—they’d get an earful.

Even though they were dating, they didn’t spend every moment together. Lin Yining had her own classes, a double major, and calligraphy practice with Teacher Shi. She was swamped.

Gu Shi was just as busy. Medical students rarely had free time, and sometimes they wouldn’t see each other for days.

Eventually, they settled on library dates.

They could each focus on their own work while still being together.

Their frequent appearances together soon led others to guess their relationship. People called them a perfect match—a brilliant scholar and a beautiful lady.

Every time she heard such comments, Lin Yining would cover her face and giggle like a fool.

She also called Lin Yihong to tell him the news. When he heard, his feelings were complicated—his little sister had fallen for someone?

“Do Mom and Dad approve?”

Lin Yining said, “Mom doesn’t object. Dad told me to be cautious, not to reveal too much about our family, and to observe carefully for a few years.”

Lin Yihong nodded in agreement, then realized she couldn’t see him and cleared his throat. “Then you’d better stick to that. Don’t forget—some people lose all sense when they fall in love. Don’t be one of them.”

Lin Yining huffed, “I’m not stupid.”

In the dorm, she presented herself as coming from a middle-class family. She never mentioned what her parents or grandparents did for a living.

Wang Lipan, who knew the truth, couldn’t help but darken his expression. Lin Yihong patted his shoulder but said nothing.

His sister had no idea, but he knew Wang Lipan had feelings for her. Now that she had a boyfriend, there was nothing to be done.

If it were him, he’d have confessed the moment he realized his feelings and tried to win her over. But he understood Wang Lipan’s hesitation.

Clearly, Lin Yining saw Wang Lipan as just a good friend. If he suddenly confessed, it would shock her. If she didn’t feel the same way, their friendship might never recover. That was why Wang Lipan didn’t dare cross the line.

Lin Yihong privately thought Wang Lipan would’ve been a good match—someone he knew well and trusted. But when it came to love, the heart wanted what it wanted.

When Lin Duzhong found out, he had someone discreetly investigate.

The boy came from a clean background—both parents were doctors with no scandals. That was good enough.

He didn’t demand an illustrious family for his great-granddaughter’s future husband. As long as he was a good person who treated her well, that was all that mattered.

Being a doctor was fine too—he’d been one himself.

Lin Yining and Gu Shi dated sweetly for two years.

Then they broke up.

Gu Shi went abroad to study. That wasn’t the issue.

Lin Yining also planned to study overseas. What she hadn’t expected was that Gu Shi, once abroad, decided he didn’t want to return—he intended to immigrate.

Lin Yining: “…”

The moment she learned this, her heart sank. Her attitude toward Gu Shi cooled, and in turn, when he realized she had no plans to settle abroad, his feelings for her faded too.

With an ocean between them, their relationship had relied on phone calls and letters. Now, communication dwindled to almost nothing.

When they finally spoke again, Gu Shi suggested they break up.

Lin Yining agreed immediately. She hadn’t expected him to say those words so easily, so lightly, as if their relationship meant nothing.

That must mean their love had meant nothing to him.

After the breakup, Lin Yining bought alcohol and snacks, then went to her apartment to drown her sorrows.

She didn’t want to get drunk in the dorm—that would’ve been too pitiful.

Between sips, she wiped away tears.

Two years of love, gone after just one year abroad. It couldn’t withstand the allure of foreign lands.

She’d misjudged him.

After two days of moping, she emerged more composed and even more diligent than before.

Shi Changtian remarked that her calligraphy had improved significantly.

Lin Duzhong: “…”

Growth was good, but this kind of change was worrying. He feared she hadn’t truly moved on.

When Lin Yihong found out, he hesitated, then told Wang Lipan.

Wang Lipan immediately flew to see her.

He hadn’t given up.

Lin Yihong sighed and let it go. Whether Wang Lipan could become his brother-in-law was up to fate now.

As for Lin Yining dating, Lin Chuanbai and Yu Xiang’an saw no issue. She was in college, an adult—what was wrong with dating?

Once she started working, she might never again meet someone who made her heart flutter so easily.

Yu Xiang’an also didn’t believe her daughter was the type to lose all rationality in love. If she had bad luck and the guy turned out to be no good, then it’d be a lesson learned.

Lin Yining waited six months after the breakup to tell Yu Xiang’an. Then, after graduating, she went abroad for an exchange program. Less than a year after returning, she announced she was getting married.

Yu Xiang’an: “???”

Sweetheart, did you skip a major step?

The man in question was Wang Lipan.

Lin Chuanbai and Yu Xiang’an were familiar with him—they knew his background well. Their families were well-matched in status.

When it came to marriage, they naturally informed Lin Duzhong and the elders. Wu Zheng personally came too—she kept in touch with this granddaughter far more often than with her own son, Lin Chuanbai.

Now that Lin Yining was getting married, she wanted to be there to show her support.

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai didn’t have much room to intervene—the older generation was eager to take charge.

The Wang family had their own wealth.

Lin Yining stayed in the capital to settle down, while Wang Lipan had been transferred elsewhere. In a few years, he might be reassigned again, so they bought their marital home in Beijing.

Wang Lipan’s grandfather held a rank similar to Lin Houpu’s. They weren’t extravagantly wealthy—that would’ve been problematic—but they did own a inherited courtyard house in a prime location, passed down from Wang Lipan’s maternal grandparents.

Neither of their jobs would make them rich, but they had family assets to fall back on. The shops Yu Xiang’an had bought for Lin Yihong and Lin Yining when they started college had appreciated—one was demolished and replaced with two larger properties.

Even without working, the rental income alone would keep Lin Yining comfortable for life.

For the wedding, Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai prepared generous gifts.

They’d started setting things aside for their children long ago.

They’d already given property and shops, so now they added cars, jewelry, antiques, and some company shares.

When the dowry list was presented, the Wang family remained composed, showing no signs of greed. Yu Xiang’an nodded in approval—it was rare to find people who could resist the lure of wealth.

Li Yujiao, however, struggled to keep her composure. The total value of the properties, shops, cars, cash, and jewelry made her breath quicken. Lin Yining would never have to worry about money—even her children would be set for life. How would they ever spend so much?

She couldn’t help feeling resentful. Lin Houpu’s pension was generous compared to most, and medical expenses were covered. With a wealthy son and daughter-in-law, the family lacked for nothing—if something was missing, they’d replace it themselves, or Lin Yining would bring it over. Their money was theirs to spend freely.

But the key point was this: their disposable income was limited to their pensions. Retired and unable to take side income, they couldn’t spend as freely as Lin Yining. Her granddaughter Xuanyuan certainly couldn’t either.

Her expression betrayed her thoughts. Lin Houpu noticed and shot her a warning look—what was she doing?!

The Wang family noticed too but paid no mind. They were about to become relatives and knew the family dynamics. This was the step-grandmother, notorious for mistreating her daughter-in-law. She had no say over the children from the first marriage.

Lin Yining’s wedding passed smoothly. For Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai, little changed—until their daughter had children, and they became grandparents.

Yu Xiang’an didn’t know what Lin Chuanbai thought, but she reflexively touched her face, checking for wrinkles.

Her heart would forever be eighteen!

But her daughter wouldn’t stay eighteen forever. Now she was a grandmother—the title alone carried weight, a sense of age and time passing. She was a grandmother now.

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

Happiness mingled with a pang of melancholy.

She was actually a grandmother!

Hard to accept.

She moped about it for a while afterward.

When Lin Yining went into labor, Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai waited anxiously. In her final trimester, Yu Xiang’an had stayed close to reassure her. Wang Lipan couldn’t always be there, and giving birth was terrifying—especially with twins.

Work kept Wang Lipan from returning in time.

When the time came, Lin Yining delivered twin girls safely.

Seeing the tiny newborns, Lin Yining—pale from exhaustion—burst into tears. She clutched Yu Xiang’an’s hand.

“Mom, childbirth is so hard. Raising me and my brother must’ve been so difficult for you and Dad. I’m already scared—they’re so small, so fragile. They know nothing, like blank sheets of paper. What if I hurt them? What if I fail to teach them right? It’ll be years before they grow up and understand. What do I do?”

Yu Xiang’an hugged her gently, stroking her hair. “It’s okay. If you don’t know how, I’ll teach you. If you’re unsure, you’ll learn. You’ve studied child development—don’t worry too much. If I could do it, so can you. Don’t be afraid. Everyone starts somewhere. When your dad and I first had you two, we were just as clueless, but we managed.”

Remembering those early chaotic days with Lin Chuanbai, Yu Xiang’an smiled.

“So don’t be scared. Mom’s here.”

Wang Lipan’s mother, a military doctor, was too busy to stay long. After two days, she had to return, entrusting Lin Yining’s care to Yu Xiang’an. Yu Xiang’an understood, and Lin Yining preferred having her own mother around during confinement rather than a mother-in-law she barely knew. It was more comfortable for everyone.

Wang Lipan’s mother couldn’t come to help with childcare, so she provided financial support instead—she paid for two maternity nurses. She also brought a lot of things: piles of baby clothes, silver bracelets, a Guanyin pendant, small toys, and all sorts of miscellaneous items, filling two large suitcases.

Both Wang Lipan and Lin Yihong were absent during Lin Yining’s childbirth and the baby’s full-month celebration. Lin Yining wasn’t without regret, but she had already anticipated this situation from the beginning.

She wasn’t alone, though. Her mother was always by her side, along with her uncle, great-grandfather, and many other relatives.

Little by little, Lin Yining learned how to hold a baby, bathe such a tiny child, and change diapers. The maternity nurses assured her she didn’t need to learn these things, but Lin Yining insisted. She might not be familiar with them, but she couldn’t afford not to know. Yu Xiang’an agreed—this was the right mindset. She might not have to do it often, but in case of an emergency, she wouldn’t be helpless.

The maternity nurses stayed until the twins were two months old, after which they hired specialized nannies to take care of the children.

Lin Yining, being young, recovered quickly. After her postpartum confinement, she moved in with Lin Duzhong.

Lin Houpu didn’t stay in one place for long—sometimes he lived in the retirement home, other times at home. This “home” was a siheyuan (courtyard house) under Lin Chuanbai’s name. It was spacious, with plenty of rooms and modern amenities, making it comfortable to live in.

Lin Houpu preferred the retirement home, while Lin Duzhong favored the siheyuan, saying it had more “human warmth.” The house had been purchased with Lin Duzhong’s preferences in mind—close to places where he could play chess or fish, with schools and shopping centers nearby.

With family around, Lin Yining didn’t have to worry about nannies mistreating her children while she was at work.

Children grow up fast. Before she knew it, the twins were three years old.

Since they were fraternal twins, the sisters didn’t look identical. One resembled their father, while the other took after their uncle—though with softer features. Sometimes, looking at them, Lin Yining would jokingly complain, “It feels like they’re my brother’s kids, not mine at all. So unfair!”

Yu Xiang’an would laugh every time she heard this, while Yu Qingshan would shake his head in amusement. “What nonsense are you saying?”

Lin Yining sighed. “It’s not nonsense. It’s the truth.”

Yu Qingshan chuckled. “You…” If anything, he thought this granddaughter was just like her mother—both “ruthless” in their own way, entrusting their children to others at a young age. His daughter had succeeded, and he suspected this granddaughter would too.

Lin Yining, labeled as “ruthless,” didn’t see it that way.

Ruthless? Not really.

She couldn’t revolve her entire life around the children, playing the doting mother.

Her routine now was feeding them in the morning before sending them to an expensive early education class. The fees were so high that her salary alone couldn’t cover them—she had to dip into rental income. But the high cost came with benefits: the center was close to the university and run by a classmate’s sister, so she trusted it. After the morning session, she’d pick them up for lunch, then leave them with the nanny and Lin Duzhong in the afternoon while she worked. In the evening, they’d have dinner together, but she didn’t spend all her time with them afterward.

More than once, Lin Yining had lamented to Yu Xiang’an, “Women really get the short end of the stick.”

Her situation was still manageable—she had help with household chores, freeing her up somewhat. But the children still consumed much of her time, often without her realizing it.

Thinking about this and that, checking on the kids, exchanging a few words, playing with them for a bit—before she knew it, an hour or two had slipped away.

Some had suggested she quit her job, but Lin Yining refused without hesitation. After years of hard work, giving it all up felt like a waste—not just for her career, but for herself.

Practicing calligraphy for so long, studying for years—only to go home and raise children?

Not that children weren’t important, but she couldn’t let them become her entire world.

Some of her classmates had married soon after starting work, then quit to become full-time homemakers. Lin Yining clung to Yu Xiang’an’s hand and whined, “I don’t want to end up like that. Back then, we studied together—life was tiring, but fulfilling. Now when I meet up with her, all she talks about are her kids and husband. If I bring up anything else, she doesn’t know, doesn’t care, and often doesn’t even understand. It’s like she’s completely disconnected from society. Terrifying. I refuse to become that.”

Yu Xiang’an chuckled and patted her hand. Even after becoming a mother, Lin Yining still retained her coquettish charm. “Do what makes you happy. If I had returned to being a housewife back then, we wouldn’t have built the family fortune we enjoy today.”

Her business, Wuwei, had expanded globally.

She didn’t know the exact net worth of others, but she knew she was now a top taxpayer in the special economic zone, enjoying government privileges. To her, wealth was just a number.

Money bred more money, and the figures kept growing.

Lin Yining thought of all the things in daily life that her family had stakes in and stuck out her tongue playfully.

During the floods two years prior, her mother’s donations had topped the list.

It wasn’t just cash—it included supplies, too. Combined, they made a huge splash nationwide, earning coverage on CCTV.

Watching it, Lin Yining had swelled with pride.

That was her mother!

Amazing!

The reason Yu Xiang’an and the others had gathered so completely this time was twofold: first, for the twins’ birthday, and second, for a rare family reunion. Wang Lipan and Lin Yihong both had leave and wanted to make the most of it.

Lin Yihong and Wang Lipan were about to arrive, and Yu Xiang’an was busy in the kitchen prepping ingredients.

Lin Yining and Lin Chuanbai were assisting her. Tonight’s dinner would be hot pot—one seafood-based, the other tomato and beef brisket.

Yu Xiang’an had prepared five or six different dipping sauces alone.

As Lin Yining washed tripe and placed it in a bowl, she watched her mother swiftly and evenly slice fish fillets, each piece nearly identical in size and thickness—a sight both skillful and pleasing.

She turned back to her task. The floor was lined with ingredients: beef slices, kelp knots, dried tofu skin, shrimp, spinach, lettuce, and more.

The seafood broth emphasized freshness. Lin Duzhong, mindful of health, usually ate lightly at dinner. Seeing such a spread, he had a feeling tonight would be an exception.

Around the large round table, Wang Lipan and Lin Yihong sat ramrod straight, their military bearing unmistakable.

Lin Houpu adored them, seating them on either side of him and peppering them with questions about what he was allowed to ask.

The three-year-old twins were wholly absorbed in watching the bubbling broth in front of them, paying no attention to the unfamiliar man glancing their way repeatedly.

Lin Duzhong, happily eating tofu served by Lin Chuanbai, beamed at the lively scene.

Lin Yihong, meanwhile, reveled in his mother’s doting as she kept ladling food onto his plate. Suddenly, he heard a familiar name and turned toward the financial news on TV.

The anchor’s crisp voice announced, “…XX Company’s stock price has surged 387% compared to three days ago, delighting shareholders. Many who missed out are now lamenting their oversight. Next, we have an interview with XX Company’s CEO, Ms. Wang Xiaoya…”