A widower's entertainment

As the end of 1997 approached, the courtyard houses in Xinghua Hutong were quiet.

But things were far from peaceful outside, because a financial crisis had already begun in Thailand and was even starting to sweep across the whole of Asia.

Of course, things weren't peaceful inside the courtyard house either.

Because Lin Zhaoqing is in a relationship, and he even brought his girlfriend home.

Lin Youcheng glanced at his son, Lin Zhaoqing, who would be graduating from university next year. Although university graduates were no longer guaranteed job placement, Lin Zhaoqing clearly didn't need to worry about finding a job. Just like the teaching job that Lin Youcheng had specifically found for Zhao Gensheng, Lin Zhaoqing, having graduated from a physical education teacher training college, would naturally be able to find a job as a physical education teacher.

However, Lin Youcheng did not expect that Lin Zhaoqing, who will be graduating from university next year, would already be bringing someone home.

Lin Youcheng didn't know whether Lin Zhaoqing should say he was bold or that he trusted him as a father; ignorance is bliss.

Although he didn't directly mention his girlfriend, only saying she was a classmate, Lin Youcheng, a literary writer who was good at writing romance novels, could tell at a glance that there was nothing he couldn't know. He glanced at the female classmate who was standing aside, still thinking about helping with the work, and then looked at Lin Zhaoqing.

Okay, Lin Zhaoqing didn't directly say it was his girlfriend, so he just assumed it was a female classmate and said, "Zhaoqing, don't keep your classmate busy, sit down and have some fruit."

The female classmate's surname is Zhao, and her given name is Zhao Li. She is also a student at the Physical Education Teacher Training College. She is good at volleyball, tall and thin, with bright eyes, and quite pretty.

"Zhao Li, stop busy."

Zhao Li was actually a little embarrassed. She didn't want to come, even though she knew that Lin Zhaoqing's family lived in Beijing. However, Lin Zhaoqing suggested going to the courtyard house, so she was dragged along and met Lin Zhaoqing's father.

It can be said that Zhao Li knew immediately that Lin Youcheng had seen through the relationship between her and Lin Zhaoqing.

This made Zhao Li inexplicably nervous. Of course, she had heard Lin Zhaoqing say that his father was a writer, which made Zhao Li even more nervous. She had read Lin Youcheng's novels before, but she never expected that one day she would meet Lin Youcheng's son and meet Lin Youcheng himself.

"Teacher Lin, all of us students really like your work."

Hearing Zhao Li's words, Lin Youcheng smiled and said, "Thank you, but don't be too reserved here."

Xie Shuhua, who was standing to the side, nodded and said, "Yes, don't be too reserved."

"It's snowing outside. Stay and have dinner with us. You can leave when the snow stops."

Lin Youcheng nodded upon hearing Xie Shuhua's words and said, "Yes, let's eat before we leave."

As she spoke, she glanced at her son again, wondering what he was thinking. He was so stubborn, bringing his classmates home in this weather.

Although it was the weekend, the house was warm and cozy, but it was snowing outside.

Xie Shuhua knew that Zhao Li might feel embarrassed, so after talking with Zhao Li for a while, she asked Lin Zhaoqing to take Xie Shuhua to visit the courtyard house next door.

Lin Zhaoqing then left with Xie Shuhua, followed by Lin Zhaohuan and Lin Zhaole, as well as their youngest follower, Lin Zhaoyuan.

Lin Zhaoqing held Lin Zhaoyuan's hand and talked to Zhao Li.

Zhao Li smiled and helped Lin Zhaoqing hold Lin Zhaoyuan's hand. It was obvious that Zhao Li knew before she came that Lin Zhaoqing had seven siblings, and she was quite surprised by the number of siblings.

Of course, what was even more surprising was that Lin Zhaoqing's youngest sister was not even four years old.

This family is certainly lively.

"Zhaoqing, your house is so lively."

"This hasn't even started yet. My older sister is in graduate school, and my younger sister is still editing videos. They're not here. If they were, it would be even more lively."

Zhao Li smiled and nodded when she heard Lin Zhaoqing's words.

……

Xie Shuhua watched Lin Zhaoqing leave with his classmates and couldn't help but laugh, saying, "I didn't expect Zhaoqing to actually bring female classmates home."

"She's really grown up."

Hearing this, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but shake his head. He hadn't expected it either. But to be honest, Lin Zhaoqing was twenty-two years old this year, and he would be twenty-three after the New Year. Naturally, he should be dating, and he might even be of marriageable age. However, Lin Zhaoqing's sudden bringing a female classmate back still surprised Lin Youcheng.

"Youcheng, I think in a few years, the children will all be getting married and starting their own families."

Upon hearing Xie Shuhua's words, Lin Youcheng raised an eyebrow and then nodded, knowing that Xie Shuhua was telling the truth.

Thinking of Lin Zhaoqing bringing his female classmate home, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but think of his eldest daughter, Lin Zhaoxi, who was studying medicine for her master's degree. After the New Year, Lin Zhaoxi would be twenty-five years old. Although he wasn't in a hurry for his daughter to get married, he had never heard Lin Zhaoxi mention having a boyfriend.

"Xi'er, she hasn't even brought anyone back yet, but I didn't expect Zhaoqing to bring people back first."

Hearing Lin Youcheng's words, Xie Shuhua couldn't help but laugh and said, "Maybe Xi'er has a boyfriend, but she just hasn't told us. Didn't Zhaoqing and the others see someone taking Xi'er home before?"

Lin Youcheng also remembered this incident, but at the time, Lin Zhaoxi didn't seem to care about it, and he didn't know whether Lin Zhaoxi had actually done it or not.

This is also because Lin Zhaoxi has always been very mature and sensible. Lin Youcheng naturally wouldn't ask these questions. After all, Lin Zhaoxi still has to go to school and pursue a master's degree, unlike Lin Zhaoqing, who is about to graduate and still brings his classmates home.

"To be honest, if Xi'er really brought someone back, I'm afraid you wouldn't feel this way now."

Xi'er brought people back?

This……

Upon hearing Xie Shuhua's words, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but think that if Xi'er really brought someone back, he would probably scrutinize her carefully, and his entire mindset would be different.

He was even a little worried that he might be too picky and that his gaze might scare the boy that Xi'er brought back.

After all, this was about to kidnap his daughter, so how could he possibly be in a good mood?

Thinking about it, Lin Youcheng couldn't help but think that if his daughters really got married in the future, he might feel a little sad. After all, it's different from his son getting married. When a daughter gets married, she goes to another family.

The snow in the courtyard was falling heavier and heavier. Because it was close to New Year's Day, the Lin family was not the only one living in Beijing; the Zhao family and the elder brother Lin Youcai's family were also there.

Lin Youcheng would invite them over for a get-together whenever he had time. Although Zhao Gensheng felt that his relationship with Lin Youcheng wasn't that close, he knew about the kindness his uncle Lin Youcheng had shown his family, so he naturally wouldn't refuse and would visit Lin Youcheng whenever he had time. Now that it was New Year's Day, they would naturally spend it together.

As for Lin Youcai, he had also heard from Lin Youcheng about Lin Zhaoqing bringing a female classmate home, and couldn't help but laugh and say, "Looks like Zhaoqing learned it from you."

Well, those words made Lin Youcheng a little embarrassed.

Although she didn't learn from him, the result is that she did. She had Lin Zhaoxi at the age of twenty-two. Even if Lin Zhaoqing and Zhao Li really got together later, it would only be much later than Lin Youcheng.

Hearing Lin Youcai's words, Fang Mei, the eldest sister-in-law, glanced at Xie Shuhua, wondering if Xie Shuhua would mind, and glared at Lin Youcai.

Lin Youcai realized he didn't need to say that, so he asked instead, "Where is Zhaoqing's female classmate from?"

Fang Mei chimed in, "Why would I ask so many questions? Don't scare them. They might just be classmates."

Lin Youcheng nodded when he heard what his sister-in-law Fang Mei said. Indeed, he didn't ask those questions because he felt it was inappropriate. As for whether their relationship was just that of female classmates, Lin Youcheng felt he could tell.

"Whether or not they are classmates, Zhaoqing is getting old and will graduate next year. In fact, he is the first in his generation to graduate and start working."

This was indeed true. Although Lin Zhaoxi had already graduated from university, he continued to pursue a master's degree, which meant he was still a student at the university.

Lin Youcai said with a smile, "Youcheng, after Zhaoqing starts working, I'm afraid it won't be long before he gets a wife."

Lin Youcai and Xie Shuhua said the same thing, and Lin Youcheng was also well aware of this.

He actually hoped that his children would all have their own beautiful love and marriage in the future, after all, this was also the wish of the elders. However, Lin Youcheng still felt a little dazed, as time went by too fast.

"Time really flies!"

"you do not say!"

Fang Mei nodded repeatedly and said, "Zhaoqing is about to graduate from university."

Although Lin Zhaoqing is about to graduate from university, Lin Youcheng still has a son, Lin Zhaoyuan, who hasn't even started school yet. As a father, he doesn't feel particularly old. This is probably the only advantage of having a large age gap between his children.

"I heard that Zhao Man plans to apply to a military academy next year?"

Lin Youcheng nodded and said, "Yes, he plans to apply for a military academy, and if he doesn't get in, he plans to join the army."

What Fang Mei and Lin Youcai said next was something they hadn't expected.

Fang Mei was well aware that Lin Youcai's family was very well-off; they could live a life without worrying about money. With such a family background, it was extremely rare for their child to join the army. They couldn't bear to let their child suffer.

Even though Fang Mei was only her aunt, she still felt reluctant and worried when she thought about Lin Zhaoman joining the army.

"Serving in the army must be very tough."

Lin Youcheng nodded upon hearing Fang Mei's words and said, "Yes, it depends on him, and we respect his opinion."

Well, Fang Mei didn't say much after hearing Lin Youcheng's words. Besides, this was Lin Youcheng's son, so as his aunt, she naturally couldn't say much. Of course, to be honest, joining the army is a good thing, especially since it's very difficult to join. However, Fang Mei felt that Lin Youcheng's children didn't have to suffer that hardship.

Otherwise, one could study medicine like Lin Zhaoxi or become a director like Lin Zhaomei; why bother joining the army?

These were just Fang Mei's own thoughts. If Lin Zhaoping and Lin Zhaoan were to join the army, she definitely wouldn't agree. There was no other reason; this was simply her heart as a mother.

Lin Youcai didn't think much of joining the army; on the contrary, he thought it was a pretty good thing. He said, "It would be great to develop in the military. Of course, it would be even better if you could get into a military academy."

Lin Youcai also felt that if he wanted to join the army, it would be best to get into a military academy.

Lin Youcheng naturally thought the same thing, saying, "We'll know when the college entrance exam comes next year. I hope he can get into a military academy."

“Zhaoman can definitely do it. His academic performance is not bad, and his physical fitness is also very good.”

Lin Youcai knew his nephew very well. Although Lin Zhaoman didn't talk much, he was always very sensible and would help take care of his younger siblings. Lin Youcai had heard that Lin Zhaomei had even helped film a short video and had been running errands all to take care of his older sister, Lin Zhaomei, and not want others to bully her.

Such a child truly warmed the heart of his uncle.

Lin Youcai thought of Lin Zhaoman and said, "If Zhaoman goes to the army, he will definitely become an excellent soldier."

Lin Youcheng nodded upon hearing Lin Youcai's words. He also believed in Lin Zhaoman, and of course, his greatest wish was for Lin Zhaoman to be safe and sound.

When the family gets together, the conversation naturally revolves around the children. This includes Lin Zhaoqing's female classmates, Lin Zhaoman's college entrance exam next year, the movies Lin Zhaomei has made, Lin Zhaohuan and Lin Zhaoman's academic performance, and of course, Lin Zhaoping and Lin Zhaoan's situation in university.

While talking about children, we also talked about the houses that were demolished in Chunfeng Lane, Decheng, and some things from the past, as well as some things happening now. These are all topics of conversation.

Of course, in the end, it will still come back to the children, since children are the topic that parents care about the most.

Since it was a gathering, the children were all there too, but most of them were watching TV. The TV series "Bright Sword" had just finished airing on CCTV, but its second run had already begun. It can be said that the ratings were already very high. You should know that the ratings for the finale once approached 42%, making it a truly successful TV series.

There's a constant stream of news about the TV series "Bright Sword," and various media outlets have given it high praise. After all, it's a mainstream work that's deeply loved by the people, which naturally earns it recognition from higher authorities.

As Lin Youcheng and Lin Youcai were chatting, Lin Zhaole rushed in, beaming, and said, "Dad, my eldest sister is back."

They're back, so what?

Lin Youcheng didn't know what was going on with the smile on Lin Zhaole's face, and then he heard Lin Zhaole say, "Big sister, she also brought her classmates back."

"It's the same person who pushed the cart to take the older sister home before."

"..."

Lin Youcheng twitched the corner of his mouth.

Okay, so he really did bring his classmates back.

Lin Youcheng had mixed feelings, but he shook his head and smiled. The children had really grown up. (End of Chapter)