Chapter 127: If You Don't Like Qin Yu...

“I’ll help you put these in the car first.” The assistant motioned to the driver to open the trunk. Lin Xi glanced at the items in his hands—various supplements.

She had to admit, Qin Yu was truly considerate, thinking of everything down to the smallest detail.

Originally, she had planned to stop in Lin City to buy some fruit for her grandparents.

But as it turned out, Qin Yu had already prepared everything in advance.

“Thank you,” she nodded to the assistant.

“No need to thank me, this is all Mr. Qin’s doing.”

“Please get in the car,” the assistant said, opening the door for her. “Mr. Qin said that when you get home, if you have time, send him a message.”

Lin Xi replied promptly, “Okay.”

Once inside the car, Lin Xi unlocked her phone and spent quite some time composing a message before finally sending it.

Meanwhile, Qin Yu was in a meeting.

Suddenly, the phone on the table lit up. He glanced down casually, and upon recognizing Lin Xi’s name, picked up the phone.

The manager reporting opposite him instinctively paused, waiting silently.

Qin Yu read the message, which contained only a stiff thank-you.

His expression remained unreadable as he turned off the phone and tossed it back onto the table. “Continue.”

Traffic wasn’t bad today, so Lin Xi arrived in Lin City twenty minutes earlier than expected.

Her grandmother had stayed home waiting for her, knowing she would return today, while her grandfather went to the clinic alone.

“Is Grandpa okay by himself?” Lin Xi began unpacking her things.

“It’s fine, he can handle it. He’ll be back soon,” Grandma said, eyeing the items Lin Xi had brought with a frown. “You spend money on us again. If you have money, take better care of yourself instead of always thinking about us. Your grandpa and I have everything we need.”

“Your uncle even sends us things every now and then; we can’t eat it all,” she added.

“No, it’s Brother San who prepared these,” Lin Xi admitted.

“Little Qin, huh?” Grandma’s face brightened immediately upon hearing Qin Yu’s name, though she still scolded gently, “That boy doesn’t listen—how many times have I told him not to buy things, yet he keeps doing it.”

“Just keep them. It’s Brother San’s way of showing he cares,” Lin Xi said.

It was clear her grandparents were very fond of Qin Yu. After all, he had always been attentive to them over the years.

“Are you going to see your brother tomorrow?” Grandma asked cautiously while they were selecting vegetables.

“Yes,” Lin Xi replied, no longer as resistant as before, “I’m going with Brother San and the others.”

Seeing this, Grandma breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, going together is best.”

She wouldn’t feel at ease if Lin Xi went alone.

Having company was always better.

“After this birthday, you’ll be twenty-five,” Grandma continued, “Do you have any birthday wishes?”

Lin Xi smiled, “I just wish for good health for you, Grandpa, and Grandpa’s father. Other than that, I don’t have any wishes.”

“Your birthday wishes should be for yourself, not always about us old folks.”

Grandma insisted, “No, think of another one. We’ll save this one for when it’s our turn.”

Lin Xi thought for a moment. “Then I wish for success in my work.”

Grandma was speechless.

“Are you just humoring this old lady?” she teased.

“No, I’m serious,” Lin Xi said with a helpless smile. “Besides that, I honestly have no other wishes right now. Nothing comes to mind.”

She appeared diligent but was actually quite laid-back.

She had no grand dreams or unrealistic hopes—she simply worked hard within her own capacity.

“Don’t you want to think about your future?” Grandma hinted.

Lin Xi understood perfectly. At twenty-five, she hadn’t even dated yet; it was normal for her grandmother to prod her a little.

She remembered a senior from her dorm who came back at graduation with a child, which had shocked her.

Compared to most of her peers, her progress was indeed slow.

Putting down the vegetables, Lin Xi answered calmly, “I’m not ready to consider that yet.”

“Then do you have no plans for this side of things at all?” Grandma pressed, not to rush her but to understand her intentions.

“I don’t,” Lin Xi shook her head. “I’m happy with my current pace of living alone and don’t want anyone else to affect that.”

Grandma sighed quietly, hesitating to say more.

“Grandma, what is it you want to say?”

“It’s nothing,” Grandma smiled at her. “Everyone lives their own way. As long as you’re happy, that’s what matters. I won’t say more.”

“Though I’ve been through life, I can’t say that my choices or experiences are all right. Everyone has different paths before them, and which one you take, how you travel it—it’s up to you.”

Before starting this topic, Grandma had many things she wanted to say to Lin Xi.

But when it came to this point, she suddenly didn’t want to say anything more.

Life offered many choices. No one said you had to live by the book.

“You say you have no plans, but Grandma knows you’re a thoughtful child. Whichever way you choose, always put yourself first.”

“Mm,” Lin Xi stepped forward and hugged Grandma. “Thank you, Grandma. I will.”

Grandma wiped water droplets from her hands on her apron and gently patted her shoulder. “Our Xi Xi, live well and stride forward boldly.”

—

At noon, Grandpa finally returned.

Hearing that Qin Yu had brought over more things, he thought Qin Yu himself had come.

“He didn’t. Brother San had to return to the compound today; he’ll come next time,” Lin Xi lied.

“Little Qin is thoughtful,” Grandpa said, seeming about to say more, but Grandma quickly ladled him a bowl of rice, effectively stopping him, and gave him a meaningful look.

Grandpa relented.

Lin Xi observed the elders’ interaction with a slight smile, understanding perfectly.

Grandpa and Grandma were unusually fond of Qin Yu.

Given Grandma’s earlier hesitation, Lin Xi could guess what they were hinting at.

Most likely, they wanted to play matchmaker.

At lunchtime, Lin Xi had a couple of drinks with Grandpa. Grandma soon put the alcohol away, not letting them drink too much.

“That’s enough, Xi Xi still needs to go back later.”

“Just a little to show good will.”

In the afternoon, Grandpa returned to the clinic, and Grandma stayed with Lin Xi while waiting for the bus.

“Grandma, do you and Grandpa really like Qin Yu that much?” Lin Xi suddenly asked during the wait.

Grandma was slightly taken aback but understood what she meant. After a moment, she replied, “We like Little Qin. He’s quite a good person and treats you well. But whether we like him or not isn’t important.”

“If you don’t like him, then don’t force it...” Grandma began.

Before she finished, Lin Xi shook her head softly, countering, “I’m not sure.”

(End of chapter)