Chapter 52: A Family Trip and an Unexpected Encounter

The next morning, Shen Jing’an, as usual, was picked up by a car at the school gate, carrying a box of dirty clothes. Lin Duo subsequently took the bus to leave, though this time, Wang Linshu wasn’t beside her.

Upon returning to the familiar fruit shop, Lin Duo felt a knot of apprehension. After all, her adoptive parents had always been very fond of Wang Linshu and shared a deep relationship with his grandfather, Uncle Wang Desheng. If word got out, it would undoubtedly be quite embarrassing for them.

To her relief, however, her adoptive mother, Wu Bijuan, merely chatted with Lin Duo about school matters, a warm smile gracing her lips. It seemed Wang Linshu hadn’t mentioned the incident to his family.

Around noon, her adoptive father, Yue Renhui, descended from upstairs, having caught up on sleep. A mysterious smile played on his lips as he addressed her.

“My dear girl, do you have any plans for this holiday?”

“Plans? I suppose I’ll review my studies and help out with the shop,” Lin Duo replied honestly, blinking.

Yue Renhui chuckled softly and gave a knowing look. Wu Bijuan then pulled out a sign from beneath the cash register, which read: ‘This Shop Closed on the 2nd and 3rd for Two Days’.

Lin Duo was a little bewildered. “Closed? Why? Those are precisely the days when business is good!”

As if performing a magic trick, several train tickets appeared in Yue Renhui’s hand.

“Because our family is going on a trip tomorrow and the day after! You know Huxing City, right? The scenery is beautiful. Coming from the north, you probably haven’t been there. The tickets and accommodation are all booked. Just be ready to leave on time tomorrow morning!”

With a look of pleasant surprise, Lin Duo took the train tickets and examined them carefully. “Dad, why the sudden thought of a trip?”

Yue Renhui affectionately stroked Lin Duo’s little head. “You’ve been in Nan’an City for over a year now, yet our family has never gone on a trip together. I actually had this idea after your junior high exams, but it never materialized due to various reasons. Nan’an City, though large, is mostly just tall buildings with little to see. It’s better to go to Huxing; it’s not far, only an hour by high-speed rail. We can leave tomorrow morning and be back the night after.”

“Thank you, Dad!” Lin Duo happily hugged Yue Renhui’s sturdy waist.

Yue Renhui, with a benevolent expression, continued to pat her head as if she were a kitten.

****

The following morning, the family of three hung up the ‘closed’ sign, took the bus to the train station, then proceeded through the waiting hall to validate their tickets and board the high-speed train.

This was the first time in her life Lin Duo had ever ridden a high-speed train, and her first trip since arriving in Nan’an City sixteen months ago. Her heart swelled with excitement.

She gazed unblinkingly at the scenery flashing past outside the window, her spirits soaring like a bird circling high above.

Across the aisle from the Yue family sat a balding middle-aged man. Having nothing else to do, he leaned over and struck up a conversation with Yue Renhui.

“My friend, is this your daughter? She’s truly beautiful and vibrant!”

“Haha, isn’t she though!”

“Where does she go to school?”

“Nanli Affiliated Middle School.”

“Oh, that’s a key municipal school! If only my son were half as capable as your daughter!”

“You’re too kind. Your son is quite the talent himself!”

Though Yue Renhui said this, his face was brimming with pride. He casually put an arm around Lin Duo beside him.

Lin Duo, docile as a kitten, nestled her soft body against her adoptive father. The middle-aged man watched, sighing repeatedly with emotion.

“It’s truly better to have a daughter! My son, he worries me sick, sigh…”

The middle-aged man’s son, who was about the same age as Lin Duo, sat beside him, secretly glancing at Lin Duo. His father, keenly noticing this, unceremoniously pinched his son’s ear.

“You little rascal, what are you staring at? Go and get into a key municipal school like her first!”

The train arrived on schedule. Yue Renhui walked ahead, carrying the large suitcase, while Wu Bijuan held a smaller one. Lin Duo followed behind, her hands empty, feeling a little uneasy.

“Dad, Mom, let me carry some luggage too, please?”

“No need, no need! You just focus on having a good time this trip!” Wu Bijuan said, smiling as she gently stroked Lin Duo’s cheek.

“But…”

Yue Renhui chimed in with a chuckle. “Look at your slender arms; you’re not built for carrying heavy things. So, when you look for a husband in the future, make sure to find someone strong. Otherwise, moving things will be a hassle!”

Lin Duo’s face instantly flushed crimson. “Dad, stop it!”

“Haha, alright, I know our girl is shy! Oh, right, we have a lot of luggage, and our accommodation is nearby, so let’s just hail a taxi!”

Although Lin Duo didn’t have an ID card, being with her parents meant checking into the hotel was seamless. Yue Renhui had booked a family suite with three large beds, a clean bathroom and floor, and a balcony for fresh air. As for the itinerary, Yue Renhui had already planned it all. After dropping off their luggage, the family quickly set out.

Lin Duo’s first fifteen years of life had been exceptionally monotonous. This was her first time visiting such a beautiful tourist city. Whether it was the azure lake water or the exquisite gardens, everything filled her with joy.

She bounced along like a little rabbit, constantly pulling her adoptive parents to take photos. Unbeknownst to Lin Duo, dressed in her T-shirt and shorts, she herself was a sight to behold for others.

Many tourists, upon seeing the pretty, lively, and energetic girl, would often offer kind smiles. Some even secretly snapped photos, capturing the beautiful interaction between the girl and the scenery.

Afternoon arrived, and having skipped lunch and walked a considerable distance, the family was more or less hungry. Yue Renhui, having anticipated this, led them to a locally renowned specialty restaurant. He generously ordered many local dishes.

The restaurant’s lobby was vast, and its widespread fame meant a constant stream of tourists flowed in and out. In high spirits and enjoying the superb food, Lin Duo ate a little faster than usual.

She didn’t forget to put some food into her adoptive father’s bowl. “Dad, eat more. Your appetite wasn’t this small before!”

Yue Renhui accepted all the dishes from his daughter, but his expression held a hint of strain. “Ah, I don’t know what’s wrong lately, my appetite has been getting worse.”

“Dad, do you want to go to the hospital to get it checked?”

“Haha, my body has been robust since I was young; I haven’t even caught a cold once. My girl doesn’t need to worry!”

Amidst their casual chat, Lin Duo’s keen ears caught a seemingly familiar voice. She followed the sound to the entrance, and what she saw made her chopsticks clatter onto the table.

“Daughter, what’s wrong?” Yue Renhui stopped mid-chopstick, asking with concern.

“N-nothing…” Lin Duo hurriedly lowered her head, picked up her chopsticks, and continued eating.

Yue Renhui, having been in business for so many years, was quite perceptive to people’s emotional reactions. He looked towards the entrance as well, seeing only the service staff guiding two new groups of guests to their seats, with no apparent anomalies.

“If it’s nothing—*cough*, but…” Yue Renhui didn’t finish his sentence before suddenly breaking into a violent cough.

Lin Duo quickly patted her adoptive father’s back with concern. “Dad, are you okay?”

After about ten seconds, Yue Renhui finally stopped coughing. “I’m fine… I ate too fast just now and choked a little.”

The commotion drew the attention of a newly arrived guest, whose gaze swept over. In that instant, Lin Duo’s heart had never pounded so fast. She deliberately kept her head bowed low, preventing that person from seeing her face.

Lin Duo had never imagined the world could be so small. For the guests who had just entered the restaurant were none other than her original family: her biological father Lin Fu, her biological mother Mao Qianwei, and her older brother Lin Cheng.