Lin Xinyan was so flabbergasted that she was lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Wen Xiaoji introduced Chen Shihan to Lin Xinyan. “This is my girlfriend.”
Chen Shihan seemed rather uneasy to be there, considering that she had had a fall-out with Lin Xinyan before. Now, meeting Lin Xinyan again as Wen Xiaoji’s girlfriend only made things even more awkward.
“Congratulations on your wedding day and best wishes for a happy life together!” Chen Shihan put on a stiff smile as she wished Lin Xinyan.
Chen Shihan had a similar background as Wen Xiaoji. Both of them were born in rich families but had come down in the world. In order to make a living on her own, she went on to join the army together with Wen Xiaoji, instead of following what had been arranged by her father, Chen Qing.
Chen Shihan and Wen Xiaoji knew each other very well as they grew up together. Because of that, they had never thought of getting involved with each other romantically before.
However, the days they had spent with each other at the military camp made them realize their feelings for each other.
Wen Xiaoji explained it in a joking tone, “I have decided to subdue the demon in her before she went on to wreak havoc.”
Annoyed by how he talked bad about her, Chen Shihan nudged him with her elbow.
Lin Xinyan was not a petty person who dwelled on her past. Therefore, she decided to let the bygones be bygones and greet them with a pleasant smile. “I’m very happy to have you guys here.”
Chen Shihan bit her lips guiltily. “Thank you.”
Having learnt her mistake, Chen Shihan was very apologetic to what she had done to Lin Xinyan and Zong Jinghao before. She just realized how forgiving and generous Lin Xinyan was, as she did not ask her to leave right away.
At the thought of all the things she had done to Lin Xinyan back then, she couldn’t help but feel ashamed.
Zhuang Zijin stood up and pulled out a chair at the table for Lin Xinyan. “Come over here and grab a bite.”
She knew Lin Xinyan must have been too busy to have time to eat that entire day.
Then, she turned to look at Zong Jinghao, “Why don’t you sit down with Yan and eat something too?”
Zong Jinghao sat down and placed an arm around Lin Xinyan’s waist. Everyone sitting at the table was their family members and close relatives. The atmosphere was fairly pleasant, especially after all the misunderstandings between them had been cleared up. In the meantime, Wen Xiaoji and Chen Shihan took a seat next to Wen Qing.
Wen Qing tried to strike up a conversation with Lin Xinyan many times, but he had no idea what to say to her. Just as no one at the table was talking, Shao Yun proposed, “Jinghao, let’s have a drink.”
Zong Jinghao filled up his glass with wine and downed it at one go. “Are you reaching your limit?” Shao Yun asked.
Shao Yun saw him dropping by every table just now to have a toast with the guests.
In fact, Zong Jinghao could still go a long way as long as he was careful enough to stick to only one type of alcohol. “So, are you trying to say you want more?”
Then, Zong Jinghao refilled Shao Yun’s glass.
Shao Yun chuckled, “How can I stop at just one glass at your wedding ceremony with Yan?”
After they finished their second glass of wine, Wen Qing finally spoke up, “Yan…”
He had been looking for a chance to talk to Lin Xinyan the whole night. Seeing that she was about to finish her meal, he knew it would be too late if he waited any longer.
Although Lin Xinyan had no problem getting along with Wen Xiaoji, she was not so sure when it came to Wen Qing.
Wen Qing did not require Lin Xinyan to address him as her uncle right away, knowing she had yet to accept their relationship.
“I have a gift for you.”
He took out a box from Li Jing’s bag and handed it to Lin Xinyan.
Lin Xinyan had no idea what could be inside the box. After some hesitation, she took it over. “Thanks.”
“You don’t have to stand on ceremony. Didn’t you say before that we are a family?” Wen Qing’s eyes became red-rimmed when he mentioned that. As he got older, he started yearning for kinships and enjoying the company of his family more.
Lin Xinyan placed the gift box on her lap, at a loss of what to say to him.
“I’m very happy to see Jinghao and you getting married, and I really wish the two of you a happy life ahead. Jinghao really cares about you a lot as he’s willing to forgive me for your sake. So, please treat him well too.”
Keeping her eyes downcast, Lin Xinyan responded, “I will.”
She would prefer not to reveal her emotional side to the others at the table.
When the ceremony came to an end, Zong Qifeng helped the newlywed to walk the guests out of the ballroom. Meanwhile, Li Jing made use of the chance to have a chat with Lin Xinyan. “Please come visit us whenever you’re free.”
Li Jing understood her husband very well. Although Wen Qing did not invite Lin Xinyan to visit him just now, deep down inside he wished she could come very fervently.
Lin Xinyan agreed.
She would go visit them when she was emotionally ready.
One of Shen Peichuan’s subordinates was entrusted with the task of sending Zhuang Zijin back. Before she left with him, Zhuang Zijin said to Lin Xinyan, “I’ll be released right before your due date. So, I can take care of you after you give birth to your baby.”
Lin Xinyan drew her to her embrace and asked her to take good care of herself.
Zhuang Zijin promised she would do so.
After sending some of their close ones off, Zong Jinghao asked Lin Xinyan whether she was tired; she responded with a nod.
“Let me handle Su Zhan’s matter next time.”
Lin Xinyan had totally forgotten about that matter. Shaking her head, she insisted, “Let’s get it over and done with tonight.”
To stop Zong Jinghao from trying to dissuade her, she added, “I’m fine. I’m just feeling tired because my bulging belly is getting heavier and it makes it harder for me to move around. I won’t be at ease if I don’t settle that matter tonight. Yes, I promised Qin Ya that I wouldn’t tell Su Zhan about it. Yet, Su Zhan found that out himself by chance, so I didn’t break my promise.”
She was determined to help Su Zhan, as her heart went out for him who had been going through quite a challenging time lately. Also, she could tell Qin Ya still had feelings for him though she always treated him quite harshly.
Then, they started executing their plan. Firstly, Zong Jinghao asked Qin Ya to send Lin Xinyan back to the lounge by using the excuse that he needed to attend to some emergency.
According to his plan, Lin Xinyan would then ask Qin Ya some questions about Su Zhan in the lounge. Meanwhile, he would lure Su Zhan to stand outside the lounge with some excuse so that he could be there to hear what Qin Ya had to say about him.
