Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 80 (Part 3)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 80.3 Aiming to Marry in November
In the restaurant, the people at the table sat silently. Elder Qi's funeral lingered in everyone’s minds, almost no one was in the mood to eat and drink.
Xiao Shenxing looked at the two boys sitting together instinctively as soon as they got to the table with complicated eyes. He was suddenly struck with a mystifying epiphany; life and old age, sickness and death, life was impermanent; the most important thing was to grasp the present moment. In a moment of impulsiveness, he opened his mouth and said to Shen Juanying, "These two children's wedding dates..."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly realized he had been too impatient. He turned to look at Lin Runsheng's stiff expression.
Yu Shuyuan stabbed him hard in the side.
Shen Juanying duly held her cup for two seconds, put it down slowly, and laughed dryly, "This..."
She was in no position to interfere, so Shen Juanying never thought of meddling in Lin Jingzhe's marriage from the very beginning. When she had found out he was with Xiao Chi, apart from sheer surprise, she did not have much rejection. Though she accepted it, her husband was different. After all, he is a Lin Jingzhe's biological father. Just from his reaction at the police station back then, it’s hard to know how he’ll react to his son’s marriage.
Xiao Chi said without any misgivings, "Anything works for me. The twenty-eighth day of this month is also pretty good..."
"Don't listen to his nonsense, how can 28th of this month work? It's too hasty." Yu Shuyuan signaled her son to shut up with her eyes, and then hurriedly made amends, "Things are like this, you should also know that Grandma Xiao is able to calculate the most auspicious days, so we discussed it together before. All of the days starting from the second half of this year, or after the tenth lunar month, are pretty good."
Shen Juanying didn't dare to speak. Yu Shuyuan stared at Lin Runsheng's trembling lips, and immediately backed down, "It's also possible in mid-October, that’ll be more convenient for the children to ask for leave."
In the midst of his trembling lips, Lin Runsheng's eye sockets quickly became moist, but he still maintained a serious face in front of the children.
Yu Shuyuan: "..."
Yu Shuyuan asked, "How about… about at the end of October?"
"November? Is November okay?"
"November is fine by me!" Lin Jingzhe couldn't stand the quiet to-and-fro between two sides, and made a decision directly.
Then he looked at Lin Runsheng and asked, "That’s okay right?"
Lin Runsheng felt his son's indisputable aura that was sometimes very similar to that of his wife, Shen Juanying. After a moment of silence, he aggrievedly hummed in consent.
This is the way it’s done! Lin Jingzhe sighed helplessly, negotiating with Lin Runsheng really does not require any skills, it was fine as long as one remained strong willed.
However, although the promise was smoothly made, he knew that Lin Runsheng was inwardly unwilling. After all, his biological son had stubbornly chosen a man as his life-long partner. It would be weird if people of Lin Runsheng's generation could calmly accept such a fact.
Lin Runsheng soon announced he was going out to get some air. Shen Juanying wanted to follow as usual, but was stopped by Lin Jingzhe.
Lin Jingzhe said, "I’ll go."
Xiao Chi was not allowed to follow. Following what he knew about Lin Runsheng in the past, he quickly found his father in a secluded corner of the restaurant.
Lin Runsheng didn't cry, but his eyes were red as he wearily sat in a daze.
Lin Jingzhe walked over quietly and sat down next to him.
The weakness of the middle-aged man was redacted instantly, just like when they met in the police station after the car accident that day, he had turned into someone of a reliable presence.
Lin Runsheng coughed and then in a deep voice, "It's okay, you go back and eat. Let me sit and smoke a cigarette."
"Dad." Lin Jingzhe didn't move, but instead called out while looking at him.
In fact, he is quite seldom called Lin Runsheng. In the previous life, the two were drifted apart, they never mended their relationship. Although it was not as tense in this lifetime, Lin Runsheng was not good at words, and he still rarely talked to him. In the Shen Family, Lin Jingzhe interacted more with Shen Juanying and Shen Tiantian. Most of the time, this habitually silent man would blend into the background while attentively listening.
"Dad." Lin Jingzhe still sighed softly, for many reasons that cannot be said, he apologized, "I'm sorry."
Lin Runsheng was bewildered by his son’s solemn appearance, his serious face twitched several times. Lin Runsheng also sighed after a while, "Don't be like this, I’m the one who should be apologizing."
He raised his hand tentatively, and put it on the back of Lin Jingzhe's head nervously. Lin Jingzhe did not avoid it.
Lin Runsheng mustered up his courage and began to pat him. He was shocked by the unfamiliar feeling in his hand, and the guilt on his face became increasingly obvious, "In a blink of an eye, you’ve already grown this big..."
When he and Jiang Qiaqia divorced, he was only a little child, but now, he was actually a young man who was about the same height as him. In his clear memory, he could still picture Lin Jingzhe being cute and little, blinking his big eyes and calling his father in a milky voice. At that time, he and Jiang Qiaqia quarreled all day long, and Lin Jingzhe was the only comfort in his tired life.
He washed that child's face, dressed him. And on the day he left after the divorce, he even kissed the face of this clingy child who hugged his leg and made a fuss about accompanying his father away. He had lied to him, saying that he was just going out to work and would come back afterwards.
Children always had a kind of six sense. When he left that day, Lin Jingzhe cried very loudly.
However, he had personally lost the very same child who would hug his thigh and softly called him father.
No matter what role Jiang Qiaqia played in their lives, it was a fact that Lin Jingzhe was never raised by him. Lin Runsheng was well aware that he, like Shen Juanying, was never qualified to interfere in his life choices.
Seeing his father's eyes turning increasingly redder, and almost unable to repress his tears, Lin Jingzhe suddenly laughed. He then said in a relaxed tone, "Dad, I told my childhood friends about the two of us, and their parents said that they would like to meet you. When are you free, so we can all have a meal together?"
Lin Runsheng had always been full of curiosity about Lin Jingzhe's actions and acquaintances during the time of his absence, so his attention was quickly drawn away. The tears that were about to burst into his eyes also gradually receded away. He immediately agreed to his son's request, and then began to cautiously ask about Gao Sheng and Zhou Haitang. Lin Jingzhe picked out a few fun and light-hearted events and retold it to him.
— "Teacher Hu often used to bring me breakfast through Gao Sheng."
— "She's a really kindhearted person"
— "Aunt Zhou is very good at cooking. When we have the opportunity, I’ll have to have her show you her cooking."
— "Wouldn’t it be too much trouble?"
— "Gao Sheng now owns his own advertising company, and he has done a lot of work for me, at no cost."
— "What a nice child."
— "Zhou Haitang wants to change his major next semester, but it may be a bit troublesome with his current grades."
— "On a day where I don’t need to lecture, have it come to our house. I will personally tutor him."
Lin Runsheng was very happy to see Lin Jingzhe compiled. Rarely did hisd son give him the opportunity for him to give or do something for him.
Lin Jingzhe calmly took in the excitement uncontained beneath his father’s serious expression. He had never talked so much with his father, to the extent that the unfamiliar feeling between them was visibly gradually melting away at this very moment.
It was hard to describe his current complicated state of mind. The childhood wish he had constantly been hoping for from his previous life has finally become a reality. He once blamed, hated, and regretted, but until this moment, some things that he valued before have become irrelevant; fate truly had a way of messing with people.
Gratitude and resentment, debt and repayment, right and wrong; like the present situation, it was impossible to judge and difficult to accept.
However, for someone who cared about maintaining his face, it was better not to let Lin Runsheng cry in front of the children.
Shen Juanying watched the father and son duo who were talking in front of her while lightly holding onto the shoulders of her daughter who was reluctant to stay put. She let out a sigh of relief.
This conversation could be regarded as delightful and satisfactory, at least the important wedding date was confirmed. The two families returned to the Qi Family's House, and received another piece of good news.
Lin Jingzhe was pleasantly surprised. "Qi Kai was found?"
Dai Gaofeng was the one who had relayed news. "Thank goodness. Thank goodness. He was discovered by the anti-drug team stationed in Myanmar a few months ago near the edge of the forest. I heard that he ran out by himself. My God, that forest is huge, extremely dangerous, and riddled with crooks; it’s a miracle he survived. It was also thrilling. It is said that there were people chasing after him at that time, but they were scared away by the anti-drug team firing their guns."
Lin Jingzhe touched the two strings of beads given to him by Xiao Chi and Grandma Xiao. He subconsciously murmured ‘Amitabha’ before saying, "I’m glad he’s alive."
Although he didn't know whether Qi Kai and Shi Nanxing had anything to do with his car accident, he didn't want them to die in the hands of drug dealers, that would be too humiliating and disgraceful.
He sighed before recalling something else, "How about Shi Nanxing? Weren’t they kidnapped together?"
Dai Gaofeng was silent.
"He’s dead." He said, "Qi Kai said he was killed by those drug dealers. Alas, the Shi Family were already… They probably will really go crazy now."
Lin Jingzhe didn’t feel the least bit happy at the news of Shi Nanxing's death. This justice was not given to him by the law.
He thought of the devastating effects of narcotics in later generations, and just frowned, "Completely defying the law and natural morality."
"I heard that several countries in the Golden Triangle have been suppressing and eradicating for many years, but those bastards keep springing up like weeds, and no matter what the government tries, it’s futile. There’s countless villages that had fallen into their hands. Once those gangs take control, those villagers become something you can no longer describe as human. "
Although Dai Gaofeng took pleasure in the delights in life, he never would consider using drugs. "There are a few key figures in their circle, such as Sha Peng, and Sha Peng's boss, I believe called Pangka. They remain low key and mysterious as hell. It’s a pity, if only we can detain some of the core figures, and obtain some more information, maybe one day we can eliminate everything in one swoop."
As he spoke, he sighed and shook his head. Such a thought may only remain a beautiful reverie. Those fugitives were very cunning; Sha Peng, and especially Pangka. It’s been more than thirty years, yet no one outside knew the latter’s appearance, not to mention their sex.
But no matter what, it was a good thing that Qi Kai survived.
The solemn expression on Dai Gaofeng’s gradually relaxed as he pulled Lin Jingzhe and said, "Nevermind that, Little Lin, I’m disappointed in you! You are lacking in sincerity! We're all good friends, no? Then why didn't you tell me your relationship with Professor Lin? Do you know how surprised I was when I first heard that you two are father and son? You should be punished!"
Lin Jingzhe didn't take the feigned anger on Dai Gaofeng’s face seriously. He just lightly laughed and said, "Next time. When I get the opportunity, I’ll invite Mr. Dai for a drink."
"What Mr. Dai? Call me Uncle Dai! Everyone is a family!" Dai Gaofeng said, "You, Qi Kai, have been mourned for so many days. Finally there’s something worth celebrating. Don’t wait for an opportunity next time, I think today is just fine! Call your dad and your Aunt Shen, let’s all have a drink together!"
Once he was in a mood, no one could stop him. Shen Juanying hurried over to diffuse the situation for Lin Jingzhe, "No no, Ol’Dai, look at the place and time. There will be plenty of opportunities to drink together later!"
"No! You have to tell me a specific date! Otherwise, there’ll never be a set time!"
"November, November! Is November okay?" Shen Juanying complied, and stated a month. "When Jingzhe gets married, I'll make sure to have plenty of wedding wine for you!"
"What?!?!" Dai Gaofeng's eyes widened upon the unexpected news, "Married?! Congratulations!"
Shen Juanying finally prevaricated him, and quickly took Lin Jingzhe away.
Lin Jingzhe is getting married! What unexpected news! Dai Gaofeng momentarily froze in place. At the sight of a few new acquaintances, he hurriedly stopped them in a happy mood.
"Don't go, don't go! Let’s go drink together!" Dai Gaofeng grabbed Xiao Shenxing and said, "We haven't talked together for a long time, I have a niece who is two years younger than Xiao Chi..."
As soon as Dai Gaofeng opened his mouth, Xiao Shenxing knew exactly what he was insinuating. He hurriedly declined, "No need, no need, thank you for your kindness. Xiao Chi will get married soon, so there is no need to introduce any girls."
Right after the announcement of Lin Jingzhe's marriage, another breaking news came crashing down. Dai Gaofeng was flabbergasted; he recalled mulling over Xiao Chi's first flame not too long ago. He was about to get married now?!
Xiao Shenxing's expression was serious, he didn’t seem to be joking. After the surprise, Dai Gaofeng subconsciously let go of Xiao Shenxing's arm and congratulated him.
He then asked, "When will the wedding be held?"
"November." Xiao Shenxing took the opportunity to escape, "Grandma Xiao said that the whole month was good, but the exact date has not yet been determined."
November as well?!
Dai Gaofeng stared blankly at Xiao Shenxing's leaving back. He recalled the news he had just learned from his two good friends, and wiped his face vigorously, making sure he was not in a dream.
This... isn’t this a little too sudden?
After a while, he hurriedly called home. His niece was originally scheduled to get married in September.
Dai Gaofeng felt as if he had accidentally discovered some valuable news, and couldn't wait to share it with his family, "The two families in my compound are getting married in November. November must be an auspicious month! Forget September, push back the date, we should also host the banquet in November!"