Chapter 92 (1/2)

Lin Wenxi woke up early the next morning. He was just stretching his back when he got such a bad fright that he straightened his back. What he saw were none other than a furious-looking Lin Ziwei, a teary-eyed Huang Xiya, and a steely, expressionless Hong Xuan.

“No!” Lin Wenxi blurted out.

“No, how could we only have one day? How could our reunion last only one day?!”

“You don’t look ill!” Lin Ziwei sneered.

Zhao Yuan stood behind her and gave Lin Wenxi a meaningful look.

Lin Wenxi immediately understood what he meant. “I was feeling under the weather when I met my university classmate. That’s why I decided to come here and rest.”

“Then why didn’t you inform your Uncle Hong Xuan over the phone? Are you so ill that you can’t even make the call?” Lin Ziwei asked coolly.

“After ending the call, I felt dizzy and had to lie down for a day. I’m only feeling better now,” Lin Wenxi said. He was smiling but deep inside, he was shuddering. “I was planning to call you immediately.”

Only then did Lin Ziwei’s expression mellowed. Just as swiftly, he steeled his face. “Remember to keep us informed next time. Let’s go!”

Lin Wenxi was just making up lies. He didn’t really think they would believe him and was surprised that he managed to survive this ordeal. Knowing that his alibi had likely matched up with Zhao Yuan’s, he couldn’t help rejoicing in secret. To make his lie even more believable, he gently placed a hand on his forehead. “The countryside has better air. It doesn’t matter if I stay here for a couple more days. Why don’t you return first and I’ll go back in another two days…?”

“You brat! I know what you’re up to with just a raise of that tail of yours! Watch your attitude! We’re leaving!” Lin Ziwei’s face was filled with anger.

Huang Xiya’s sorrow turned into joy after seeing that her son was fine. She smiled and said, “He won’t be comfortable inside a moving car. Nothing wrong with letting him stay here for a couple more days. This place is pretty nice. He had been working hard for a few months; it’s no big deal to let him rest for a bit.” Lin Wenxi played along and nodded.

Coincidentally, Cao Damiao and Liu Lanhua were just done with their morning farm work. The moment the good-natured farmers saw so many people in their house, they jumped with fright. They hastily asked, “A Yuan, are all these people your friends?”

Zhao Yuan, hit by a wave of awkwardness, immediately tried to lead his aunt and uncle out of the house. Lin Ziwei said with a smile, “We’re Wenxi’s parents. This kid came out to play but he’s coming home with us now.”

Ca Damiao hurriedly but carefully put away his hoe and patted the mud off his body. He gently gave his wife a nudge and said, “I see! So it’s Teacher Lin’s parents. Come, come. Please take a seat! Teacher Lin is amazing! Hey, wife, fetch the wine that I’ve kept for a few years and slaughter the hen to serve the guests! Hurry, hurry! Don’t just stand there!”

“Please don’t be so courteous. We’re just about to leave. I need to thank you for your hospitality to my good-for-nothing son. We’ll return another day to express thanks for allowing him to bothering you.” Lin Ziwei immediately stopped the simple and honest man. He asked with a smile, “How’s the harvest lately? Where are your children studying?”

“Pretty good! A new village is being built and the roads are paved up to our doorway. They even distribute seeds and seedlings for free in the village. We’re rushing for the year-end harvest!” Cao Damiao said. “Wa’er? Well, Wa’er is Teacher Lin’s student. She managed to enter a primary school in town. She’ll be going there once the semester begins in half a year.”

Huang Xiya couldn’t help smiling. Her husband would always steer the conversation back to his profession.

“That’s great. I hope Wenxi wasn’t being mischievous yesterday?” Lin Ziwei asked.

“No! A Yuan took him out to play. He was so happy!” Liu Lanhua walked toward the mass of string beans growing on the bamboo rails with a smile.

Lin Wenxi’s smile froze on his face.