Chapter 425: Clearing Up Misunderstandings

The next day, the morning light filtered through the blinds, casting mottled shadows on the floor. He Tingchen leaned against the accompanying chair, his brow furrowed in a frown due to a light sleep.

His black shirt still had wrinkles from last night, his knuckles rested on his knees, and even in his sleep, his posture revealed a tension that was difficult to relax.

After knocking on the door twice, he suddenly opened his eyes, and the red bloodshot in his eyes was particularly clear in the morning light.

Lin Rushang pushed the door open and came in, gently placing the thermos in her hand on the bedside table.

She looked at the dark circles under his eyes and reached out to smooth out the wrinkles between his brows, but his fingertips held hers as soon as they touched her skin.

He Tingchen opened his dark eyes and looked at her.

Lin Rushuang: "I woke you up."

He Tingchen's voice was hoarse from just waking up, but the temperature of his palm was surprisingly hot.

"No, you know I never sleep well, especially when you're not around.

Lin Rushang had expected this to happen, so she pried open his fingers and put a cool towel on his eyes.

"Go back and get some sleep. I've got a nurse."

The coolness of the towel made He Tingchen close his eyes comfortably, and her fingertips brushed across his cheekbone.

"I was already very tired from the business trip a while ago, and he has been helping me with my dad's affairs these past two days."

"fine."

He took off the towel and sat up straight, his eyes falling on the thermos she brought. "Go and see him off later, and you'll have fulfilled your responsibility."

Lin Rushuang knew He Tingchen's temper, so she stopped trying to persuade him. She opened the thermos and put out the porridge, steamed eggs, and side dishes. Then she turned to Master Li on the bed and said,

"Master Li, I brought some light breakfast. Please see if it suits your taste."

The millet porridge in the white porcelain bowl was cooked soft and sticky, sprinkled with fine meat floss, and the steamed egg custard was trembling.

Mr. Li opened his half-closed eyes a little, glanced at the exquisite small portions of food, and spoke in a light tone.

"Thank you for your trouble."

He picked up the spoon and scooped a mouthful of porridge. As the warm rice aroma spread on his tongue, he caught a glimpse of Lin Rushang carefully helping He Tingchen straighten his shirt collar. Her movements were so natural as if she had done it a thousand times.

He Tingchen noticed Master Li's cold tone and frowned.

"She got up early in the morning to buy these, and you have such an attitude."

"I feel so bad now..."

Mr. Li put down the spoon, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

This boy is much more humane than before. His eyes used to be indifferent, as if covered by a layer of fog.

The ward door was pushed open again.

Li Wenyuan walked in carrying a lunch box. When he saw Lin Rushang, he paused and his eyes fell on her with a hint of imperceptible attachment and complexity.

"Uncle."

He put the food box on the table. It contained buns, porridge, and eggs, but they were obviously not as exquisite as the ones Lin Rushuang brought.

"Well, your aunt and I are going to attend her father's funeral later. You stay here and take good care of the old man."

He Tingchen picked up a tea egg, peeled it and handed it to Lin Rushuang's mouth.

"Try it."

Lin Rushang subconsciously opened her mouth and bit it, and when she raised her eyes, she met He Tingchen's cunning gaze.

This intimate gesture was like a fine needle, causing Li Wenyuan to clench the plastic bag in his hand.

He watched as He Tingchen gently wiped away the egg crumbs on the corner of Lin Rushuang's mouth with his fingertips, and his Adam's apple rolled twice.

"It's almost time, let's go."

He Tingchen picked up his suit jacket from the chair and greeted Master Li.

"I'll come over in the evening, you should have a good rest."

"Um."

The footsteps disappeared at the end of the corridor.

He Tingchen followed her out of the ward, and the mirror in the elevator reflected their clasped hands.

As the car drove out of the hospital gate, he suddenly took out a velvet box from his pocket. After opening it, the jade bracelet inside shone with a warm light in the sunlight.

"Grandpa gave it to me. He said it was passed down from my grandmother."

He held her wrist and gently put the jade bracelet on it. The size was just right.

"Jiang Yuyan begged him several times but he didn't give it to her."

Lin Rushuang looked at the emerald green on her wrist and said, "It seems that the relationship between you has eased a lot."

He Tingchen's lips were still tense: "No."

Lin Rushuang snorted softly, "You're just being stubborn."

The black car slowly drove into the cemetery, and the tombstones stood silently among the green pines and cypresses.

The sound of soil falling on the coffin was dull and heavy. Lin Rushang knelt in front of the grave, watching her father's name buried in the yellow earth.

In the end, she sent Lin Jianguo on his last journey. She didn't ask for anything else. She knew that Lin Jianguo was as partial to Lin Yuxi as Master Lin, but she only wanted to have a clear conscience.

She just does what she should do.

But what Lin Rushuang didn't expect was that the frail Master Lin also came along. Uncle San saw the surprise in Lin Rushuang's eyes and whispered in her ear.

"The old lady insisted on coming to see your father off for the last time. We all thought that he was old, so we decided to fulfill his wish."

"Yeah." Lin Rushuang had no objection to this matter.

Mr. Lin, who was not far away, suddenly stood up straight. His cloudy eyes swept over the onlookers and friends, and he suddenly spoke. His voice was hoarse but every word was clear.

"Today, in front of Jianguo and everyone, there are some things I feel I need to say."

He took out the title deed and share certificate from his pocket.

"From now on, the Lin family's assets will be inherited by Lin Rushuang."

A low murmur was heard in the crowd. Lin Rushang looked up suddenly and saw the regret surging in Master Lin's eyes.

"Before, your father and I were not friendly with each other. We always protected Yuxi, thinking that we were protecting the Lin family..."

His voice was choked, and his skinny hand rested on her shoulder.

"It is our Lin family who has wronged you. On behalf of your father, I want to apologize to you."

Lin Rushang looked at her father's name on the tombstone, her eyes warmed, but she just shook her head gently.

None of this matters anymore. For her, there are some things she can’t get, so she has given up and is no longer obsessed with them.

Giving up obsession means giving up yourself.

Mr. Lin didn't say much. He knew that no material compensation could relieve the harm done to Lin Rushuang, and a few words could not overcome the grievances in her heart.

But that was all he could do.

After the ceremony, Mr. Lin said to Lin Rushuang.

"Rushuang, I want to stay with your dad for a while longer."

"Well, we'll wait for you outside."

He Tingchen and Lin Rushuang left the cemetery and prepared to go out for some fresh air.

The two of them sat on a bench under the tree, and He Tingchen handed them mineral water.

"The old man looks like he's suddenly come to his senses."

"Whether he has come to terms with it or not is no longer important to me. His apology is indeed too late."

Lin Rushang looked at the tombstone in the distance and suddenly smiled.

"It's all over."

What she has learned over the years is not to be obsessed with anyone or anything. If things always go against her wishes, then God may have other plans.

Just let it be.

Half an hour later, the two walked back to the cemetery and saw the staff waving at them panicked from afar.

Lin Rushuang's heart sank suddenly. When she walked closer quickly, she found that Mr. Lin was leaning against the tombstone with a peaceful smile on his lips and half of a yellowed family photo in his hand.

That photo was taken on Lin Jianguo’s tenth birthday. The little boy was riding on his father’s shoulders.

Lin Rushang felt complicated at that moment. She didn't expect that Master Lin would leave the world in this way.

He Tingchen gently embraced the trembling Lin Rushuang.

Suddenly I realized that some reconciliations are destined to be completed in such a heavy way.