"Don't cry, don't cry."
Wan Suizhou said, "It's a joyous occasion that Kongshan has been released, but it's unacceptable for him to shed tears in the street."
The old man, with a touch of coaxing affection for the younger generation, treated the two awkward individuals as if they were children.
"uncle!"
Wanwan rushed up and hugged Wan Kongshan's legs, with a thousand words she wanted to tell him, such as how she and her grandfather went to find Magistrate Cao, what everyone discussed that night, what the sun looked like when it rose in the morning, and so on.
But after uttering the word "uncle," she swallowed the rest of her thoughts, letting her small embrace explain the rest of her longing.
Wan Kongshan's heart stirred, and he was about to explain that he was dirty, but after his throat bobbed, he didn't utter a single word. He just reached out and rubbed his little, curved head.
"Don't cry." Zhang Xiu casually wiped his face and shouted to everyone present, "Thank you all for today, folks! To celebrate my return, please come to Wanjia Restaurant for a meal! The price is half price!"
The crowd that was about to leave turned back, celebrating and thanking each other noisily, and then went to Wanjia Restaurant in groups.
That day, the business of Wanjia Restaurant was booming, and the air was filled with a festive and lively atmosphere. Everyone apologized or thanked Zhang Xiu when they saw him!
Zhang Xiu arranged for the Wan family to sit at a table, and personally cooked the dishes. When serving the dishes, his arms were full of plates, and he was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground, but he was still beaming with joy.
It wasn't until late at night that the customers at Wanjia Restaurant gradually dispersed. Zhang Xiu gave the waiter a few simple instructions and then led the younger generation and the Wan family father and son home.
The news of Wan Kongshan's release in the street quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Hailan Village. Villagers spontaneously came to visit him, and Lin Lan was one of those who came to visit.
"Brother Lin! Sister Yang'er!"
Wanwan was delighted to see the two of them and strode over to give Lin Yang'er a big bear hug. Lin Yang'er was so overwhelmed by Wanwan's enthusiasm that she leaned back.
"Wanwan, aren't you going to hug Brother Lin anymore?" Lin Lan bent over, his light eyes crinkling with laughter, his face bearing his usual gentle smile, and his black hair falling obediently by his ears.
If she were a young girl in her prime, she would probably fall in love countless times.
The warmth that rushed towards her made Wanwan feel cozy all over, and she couldn't help but open her small arms and hug Lin Lan's bent upper body.
Lin Lan bent down even lower in response.
The sight of the two figures, one big and one small, embracing warmed the hearts of everyone present. Only Xiao Qi remained aloof and cold as ever, seemingly in a different scene from the others.
Especially when he saw Lin Landou hugging him, the chill in Xiao Qi's eyes intensified.
Wanwan held him tightly, and Lin Lan patted her small back before slowly letting go.
"Actually, Brother Lin came today to take Wanwan to the Lin residence to play."
Lin Lan still wore a smile that lingered on her face. "Madam Lin must miss you terribly. Wanwan, come with me to visit her."
Wanwan tilted her head, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned around and pulled Xiao Qi in front of Lin Lan.
Xiao Qi was stunned for a moment, and in the blink of an eye, he had already followed Wanwan for several steps.
"Wanwan wants to take Brother Xiao with her too."
Wanwan snuggled affectionately against Xiao Qi's arm, looking at Lin Lan expectantly, as if Xiao Qi were some furry, beloved creature to her.
Lin Lan's smile faded slightly as she looked at Xiao Qi.
At this moment, Xiao Qi's earlobes turned a light pink from Wanwan's sudden intimate gesture. He seemed a little awkward, but he did not avoid Wanwan's hand.
Lin Lan scrutinized him for a while, and Xiao Qi returned the same indifferent gaze.
"If Young Master Xiao is willing, the Lin family would certainly welcome him." Although she was speaking to Xiao Qi, her tone was as if she were speaking to Wanwan.
This is a kind of subtle, almost imperceptible disregard.
Unaware of the subtle and strange atmosphere between the two, Wanwan playfully shook Xiao Qi's arm, "Great! Wanwan wants to go see Old Madam Lin with Brother Xiao."
Thus, the four of them arrived at the Lin residence with different feelings.
As soon as Lin Lan entered the door, she excitedly called out to the inner courtyard, "Madam! Look who's here!"
Hearing Wanwan's laughter, Old Madam Lin quickly reached for her cane and had her maid help her out of the room.
The sunlight was perfect, and Old Madam Lin's neatly coiled silver hair was coated with a gentle gold, reflecting a beautiful light.
As people get older, their eyesight deteriorates. Old Madam Lin squinted as she walked, trying to make out her features, until Wanwan couldn't help but throw herself at her feet and she finally saw the little girl's face clearly.
Today, Wanwan wore a yellow padded jacket, and she looked round and chubby, like a sweet and soft little dumpling.
"It's Wanwan." The old lady immediately beamed and lovingly touched Wanwan's little face.
Wanwan responded cheerfully, "Hello, Grandma!"
"Okay, okay!"
The old lady smiled kindly, then pouted as if scolding Wanwan, saying, "Why hasn't Wanwan come to see me for so long? Have you already forgotten about this old woman? This time you absolutely must stay here with me for a few days."
"No, no," Wanwan said sweetly, rubbing against the old lady's large hand. "Wanwan loves Grandma the most! It's just that Wanwan has been too busy lately!"
It was indeed very busy. Wanwan was so young and almost experienced a separation. Looking back now, I still feel a little scared.
Wanwan snuggled closer to the old lady, like a little kitten.
“Wanwan has things to do when she gets back, so she probably won’t be able to stay at the manor for long.”
Xiao Qi suddenly interrupted the two of them.
Old Madam Lin looked up at him, her expression changed slightly, and her gaze lingered on him for a while.
Whether it was because the sunlight was too strong or the temperature was too high, when Lin Taijun looked at Xiao Qi, she almost thought she was seeing things.
Xiao Qi looks so much like someone he remembers...
At that time, Old Madam Lin lived in the capital and was only acquainted with that person.
Although Xiao Qi was still young and his face still had a touch of childishness, his eyes, which seemed to hold ice, his ever-vigilant and wary expression, and his aloof and arrogant temperament were simply a miniature version of the person in her memory.
"Child, you look familiar. May I ask who your father is...?"
The old lady's increasingly serious expression made Xiao Qi a little wary.
He put on a childlike, innocent smile and looked at Madam Lin in the clear sunlight. "Madam, people from different places naturally look alike. I suppose the person you remember is from my hometown..."
Xiao Qi just smiled faintly, like an ignorant child.
While Madam Lin was deep in thought, Xiao Qi reached out and pulled Wanwan over, continuing, "Wanwan and I have things to do and must return soon. I hope Madam will grant us permission. I will definitely come to see you with Wanwan next time we have time."
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