CHAPTER 101: CRASHING A WEDDING 1

Su Feng left soon after, and Lin Xu stood up quietly, her expression unreadable. She walked slowly into her room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, a small glowing ball of light appeared near her shoulder, floating lazily in the air.

[ So, Host, you’re getting married again, huh? ]

Susu’s teasing voice echoed softly, breaking the stillness.

Lin Xu didn’t respond. She simply moved toward the dressing table beside her bed and sat down. The reflection staring back at her looked calm, but her eyes carried a distant heaviness.

She began to remove the hairpins from her hair one by one, placing each one carefully on the table. Her long dark hair fell freely down her back as the last pin came loose.

[ Oh, come on, Host, at least say something!" Susu hovered closer, circling around her head. "You agreed to marry Su Feng shouldn’t you be happy? ]

Still, Lin Xu said nothing. She opened the small drawer in her table, neatly arranging the pins inside. Her fingers brushed against something cold, and when she looked down, she saw a few of her rings lying there.

She picked one up, tracing the delicate design with her thumb. A quiet sigh escaped her lips.

[ What is it, Host? Are you still sad about losing your earrings? ]

Susu asked, her tone softening.

Lin Xu smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "I wanted to wear them a few months ago," she said softly. "They were the first earrings I ever owned after I came into this world."

Her voice grew smaller as she added, "And then one day, they just went missing. Only one was gone... the other remained. It’s silly."

[ Earrings go missing all the time, your rich just buy a new one! ]

Rolling her eyes, Lin Xu walked towards her wardrobe to change into a more comfortable outfit when suddenly, the sound of heavy raindrop was heard.

From outside she could hear the msids running trying to pack the cloths she has washed and spread inside before the rain touched it.

After changing into a comfortable clothe, Lin Xu slowly walked out of her room. Walking towards the small balcony.. she stared at the rain slowly.

Stretching her hands to fill the cold droplets on her skin.

"It’s just like that night." She muttered, Susu just floating behind her, silent.

"Three years ago, on a cold night like this.. a man saved me but even now, he’s gone." She said quietly before turning around in a hurry and heading back into her room.

****

The next morning, At the Wei Lai Pavilion.

"What!? You’re getting married!"

Yan Mei’s voice rang out through the Wei Lai Pavilion, making everyone turn their heads. Realizing how loud she’d been, she quickly covered her mouth, cheeks turning red. "Oops... sorry!"

Zu Shi nearly dropped the cup in her hand, staring at Lin Xu with wide eyes. "Wait! you’re serious? You actually accepted the proposal?"

Lin Xu chuckled softly, her calm smile making them even more stunned. "Yes, I’m serious. Su Feng and I have both decided. We’re getting married."

Yan Mei blinked a few times before blurting, "When!?"

"In two days," Lin Xu replied simply.

"What!?" both women shouted at once, drawing a few glances from nearby tables.

Zu Shi leaned forward, disbelief written all over her face. "Two days? That’s way too soon! Why so fast?"

Lin Xu lowered her gaze slightly, her tone steady but quiet. "Because I wanted it that way. I don’t want to drag things out. The sooner it’s done, the better."

Yan Mei frowned, her voice softening. "Xu’er... are you sure you’re ready for this? I mean really ready? To move on from Mo Ying?"

For a moment, Lin Xu said nothing. Then she smiled gently. "Yes, I am. It’s time to stop holding on to someone who’s already gone. I’ve made peace with it."

Zu Shi reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "If this is what you want, then we’ll support you."

Yan Mei nodded quickly, her eyes glistening. "Yes! We’ll help you get ready for the big day."

Lin Xu smiled warmly as both of them leaned over to hug her.

But just as they pulled away, Yan Mei suddenly blurted out, "Wait, do the kids know yet?"

Lin Xu froze for a second, then sighed with a small smile. "Not yet. I’ll tell them tonight."

Zu Shi groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. "Oh boy... "

"What’s wrong?" Lin Xu asked panicking slightly.

Exchanging looks. Yan Mei and zu shi smiled awkwardly.

"Well I’m sure Mo Yuen and Mo Bao may not completely hate the idea of you getting married. I mean, they did like Mo Ying but over the years they have gebd to just hate him for leaving like that." Zu shi explained.

"The real problem we are dealing with here is ’yiling’ it has been three years yet she still has hope that Mo Ying would return one day." Yan Mei admitted.

"She may not be in full support of this marriage since she still holds on to Mo Ying." Zu shi sighed.

"You guys have a point.. I still have to take to her." Lin Xu rushed her hands to massage her temple slightly.

"Sigh! It’s just an hassle to have a daughter who’s more of a daddy’s girl." Saying that, Lin Xu turned around and walked towards her office while Yan Mei and Zu shi just laughed.

After the day ended, Lin Xu went home.

When she entered the courtyard, she saw Yiling sitting at the table, writing something.

"Yiling, what are you writing?" Lin Xu asked.

Yiling quickly covered the paper. "It’s nothing, Mother! You can’t see it yet."

Lin Xu smiled a little. "Alright, but don’t stay out too long. It’s getting cold."

Yiling nodded and followed her inside.

Mo Bao and Mo Yuen were in the main hall playing a game.

"Mother’s home!" Yiling said.

"Welcome back, Mother!" the boys said together.

"You all seem happy," Lin Xu said with a small smile.

"Of course," Mo Bao said. "But Brother Yuen is cheating again!"

"I’m not!" Mo Yuen replied.

Lin Xu laughed a little, then sat down. Her voice turned calm. "I need to tell you something important."

The children looked at her.

"I’m getting married," Lin Xu said.

The room went silent.

"Married?" Yiling asked. "To who?"

"To Mr. Su Feng," Lin Xu answered.

Truly she did see their shocked and unhappy expression but Mo Yuen and Mo bao quickly hid it forming a small smile on their lips.

Mo Bao blinked. "The man who visits sometimes?"

"Yes," Lin Xu said softly. "He’s a good man."

She looked at their expression trying to see if there was any doubts of sadness in them

Mo Yuen nodded slowly. "If it makes you happy, Mother, then I’m fine with it."

Lin Xu smiled and touched his head. "Thank you." truly they have grown up so much.

But on the other hand, Yiling looked upset. "So you already forgot about Papa Ying?" she said quietly.

"Yiling..." Lin Xu called, but Yiling turned and ran out.

"Give her time, Mother," Mo Yuen said gently. "She’ll understand later."

Lin Xu stood still, her heart heavy as she looked toward the door Yiling ran through.

***

Lin Xu walked quietly down the hall toward Yiling’s room. The sound of soft sobs could be heard even before she reached the door.

She didn’t open it right away. Instead, she took a deep breath, then gently pushed it open.

The room was dim, only a small lantern burning on the table. Lin Xu’s eyes moved to the corner, behind the thin curtain near the window the same spot Yiling always hid whenever she was upset.

Lin Xu walked over slowly and stopped beside the curtain. "Yiling," she said softly.

There was no reply, only a quiet sniffle.

Without pulling the curtain aside, Lin Xu sat down beside it on the floor. For a long time, she didn’t say anything. She just sat there, listening to her daughter’s quiet crying.

After a while, Yiling’s voice came from behind the curtain, weak and trembling.

"Mama has forgotten Papa Ying!"

Facing her, Lin Xu shaked her head, "No baby. I haven’t forgotten him."

"Then why are you getting married to Mr. Su, it’s not fair," she broke into tears once again but this time Lin Xu pulled her in and hugged her.

"Listen Yiling, Mo Ying she happy with his family so we should be happy with ours. Mr. Su can’t possibly replace Papa Ying but he can still give you all the things you wished Papa Ying could."

She then cupped her small swollen face. Forcing her to look her way.

"I’m done thinking and hoping he will come back because the truth is he would never come back. Whether you like it or not, I’m getting married to Mr. Su and that’s final."

And with that, pulled her in for a tight hug. Yiling tried to resist but her Mama was just too strong, Alas she gave in and soon fell her sleep in Lin xu’s arms.