Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 232 Preparations Before Attending the Wedding Banquet
The father and daughter returned to Nanyu. As soon as they entered the house, Lin Yi ran out with a shovel, grabbed Chen Xinyue, and looked her up and down, feeling extremely distressed. "You've lost weight and look haggard! You've suffered abroad! Poor thing, your parents are so heartless. How could they bear to let you go to that foreign devil's territory alone without worrying about you? It makes me so angry!"
"Come on in, come inside! Grandpa's got a big watermelon for you, plus ice cream, and oh yeah, a cake too. Your mom made it this morning before she left, and it's in the fridge. It smells amazing, go eat it!"

Lin Yi talked on and on, not giving Chen Xinyue a chance to interrupt.

It wasn't until they entered the living room that Chen Xinyue said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Grandpa, I want to eat your steamed cod, braised prawns, braised pork, mushroom and chicken soup, blanched pork belly, and egg fried rice!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi immediately called the wholesale store and asked the staff to send some ingredients back.

He turned around and went to wash the rice and steam it.

Chen Ruiyu, Chen Ruiming, and Xu Xinyi returned from the gymnasium together and saw Chen Xinyue helping Lin Yi in the kitchen, so they all gathered around her.

The two little ones hugged Chen Xinyue affectionately, pestering her with questions.

Chen Xinyue answered patiently throughout.

Seeing the children chatting and laughing, getting along well, Lin Yi was secretly delighted, though he didn't say it. He then asked the children to help with the chores, "Grandpa is making a big meal for you tonight, so hurry up and help."

The children cheered and circled around the kitchen.

When Lin Qin came home from get off work, the meal was almost ready. The mother and daughter hugged affectionately for a while before sitting down at the table together.

During this time, Lin Yi kept putting food on Chen Xinyue's plate and said with a smile, "It's good that you're back. Have you decided where you want to work? Do you want to take the civil service exam or become a teacher like other people? If you don't like either of them, you can go to your mom's company or your dad's place, or you can open your own shop. In the past few years, your grandpa has bought a shop for each of you, so you won't starve even if you don't do anything."

This is what Lin Yi is most proud of.

Seeing Lin Yi so happy, Chen Xinyue didn't dare to reveal her own plans for a moment. She just smiled vaguely and said, "Grandpa, I'm not in a hurry. Just like you said, our family has resources, so we're not afraid of not being able to support ourselves. Besides, I've come back from studying abroad, and I have my own ideals and ambitions!"

Her smug little face made everyone burst into laughter.

Chen Wenjun quickly changed the subject, "Dad, Xinyue is still young. She has been studying all these years and has never had a proper time to play. She has just graduated and definitely needs to relax for a few years. As long as she is in China, she can do whatever she wants."

Instead of worrying about her, you should worry about A-Jian. That guy is already 27 years old (by Chinese reckoning), and he's been doing very well in Guangdong Province all these years. He's not coming back, and he's not dating anyone. Your sister and Da-Hai are getting really anxious. Every time we call, they go on and on about it for ages.

Lin Yi thought about it and agreed with Chen Wenjun's point. "That kid A-Jian is really out of line. As the eldest of this generation, he hasn't set a good example! I'll call him later and ask him properly. If he doesn't have a girlfriend, Ya Ya can see if any of your good friends can introduce him to someone. I think your friends are all pretty good."

This conversation then turned to Chen Xinyue.

She quickly smiled apologetically and agreed first.

After dinner, Chen Xinyue and Chen Ruiyu went for a walk in the fields to aid digestion.

The summer evening breeze along the river dispelled the daytime heat, and a cluster of sunset clouds lingered on the horizon, waiting to fade before nightfall. The air was filled with the sounds of cicadas, birds, frogs, and insects—a lively and bustling cacophony.

Chen Xinyue followed behind Chen Ruiyu and casually asked, "Brother, haven't you had a girlfriend all these years of going to university and studying abroad?"

"Why are you suddenly gossiping about me?" Chen Ruiyu turned around, amused, and looked at her graceful younger sister. Meeting her curious and persistent gaze, she smiled helplessly and said, "I'm quite low-key, and because of my health, most girls feel sorry for me at first glance. As soon as I see that kind of look, I instinctively keep my distance from them."

In addition, because of my birth mother, to be honest, I don't like to casually approach men, so isn't it normal not to date?

"No, no." Chen Xinyue walked to Chen Ruiyu's side. "Brother, not all girls are like that! Like Mom, I vaguely remember how poor our family was when Mom married Dad with me. The two of us could only squeeze into the cabin and couldn't even lift our heads. At that time, Mom was very good to Dad and to you. They supported each other to get to where they are today."

They still have a very good relationship. If Mom could share both joy and hardship, you are their son; you can have the same love they have!

Chen Xinyue looked completely confident.

Chen Ruiyu was truly encouraged by her and smiled brightly, "Great! I appreciate your kind words. By the way, Grandpa just asked you what your plans are for the future, why didn't you say anything? Are you not thinking of staying in Anshi?"

Chen Xinyue nodded guiltily, "I want to go back to the capital. My parents have bought us a house, and our household registration is still there. There's no reason for me to come back without doing anything. What was the point of all my hard work over the years?"
Everyone has to give it their all in life to prove their worth. My demands aren't high; just give me a few years to see how far I can go so I won't have any regrets later.

Chen Ruiyu wholeheartedly supported her idea, and deliberately lowered her voice to remind her, "Tell your mother to help you, at least you have to persuade your grandfather first."

As people get older, they always hope to be surrounded by their children and grandchildren. Lin Yi raised them all, and their bond is exceptional. Lin Yi would never want Chen Xinyue to go to the capital alone.

Chen Xinyue nodded with a troubled expression.

For the next few days, she stayed at home with Lin Yi, and occasionally went shopping with Lin Qin to buy pretty clothes, bags, shoes and jewelry.

Preparing to attend the wedding banquet.

Before they knew it, the day of the marriage between the Xue, Zhang, and Ling families arrived. The wedding was held at the Anshi Grand Hotel. Chen Xinyue wore a champagne-colored tight-fitting mermaid dress that Lin Qin had made for her. Her hair was styled by a stylist who came to her home to do a one-time big wave curl. She also wore a thin rhinestone headband, small pearl earrings, and a set of pink gemstone jewelry. She looked like a socialite.

Lin Qin was extremely satisfied. "This is how a young girl should dress. How youthful and beautiful!"

Lin Yi chimed in, "Yes, yes, your mom has good taste. This whole outfit looks so charming!"

Chen Xinyue was both amused and exasperated. "Mom, Grandpa, it's not my wedding, why are you dressing me up like this? Besides, I don't like this color of dress. I like the black velvet one, I want to wear that one."

"Hey! Champagne color suits you, black doesn't look good!" Lin Yi quickly advised.

Chen Xinyue insisted on changing, and the two couldn't persuade her otherwise, so they had to compromise.