Chapter 423: The Lin Family Is Born Knowing How to Choose and Let Go

That evening.

Lin Zhao lay in bed for a long time, unable to sleep.

“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Gu Chenghuai rolled over and pulled her into his arms.

“I’m thinking about what’s happening with Dad and Mom in Haicheng,” Lin Zhao rubbed her cheek against her husband’s solid chest.

“Shall I quietly look into it and see what’s going on?” Gu Chenghuai gently patted her back, his voice low and calm.

Lin Zhao hesitated. “Never mind… Dad and Mom don’t want me meddling.”

She let out a heavy sigh.

“Sleep now. Your parents will come tomorrow—don’t oversleep.”

Lin Zhao flipped over irritably, and before she knew it, she fell asleep.

Gu Chenghuai was torn between laughter and exasperation.

Lin Zhao’s agitation had affected him; after a moment’s thought, Gu Chenghuai decided to investigate.

A quick check revealed a few hypocritical parasites.

He held real power in the military and had an extensive network, but for local affairs—especially in a place like Haicheng, where power structures were tangled—he couldn’t just snap his fingers.

That didn’t stop Gu Chenghuai from using his methods.

At the very least, he could make those people suffer.

From the shadows, Gu Chenghuai launched one small move after another, leaving them no peace—within days, they were nearly driven mad!

That’s a story for later.

…

The next day, after eating, Lin Zhao was escorted to school by her parents and Gu Chenghuai.

Besides Lin Zhao’s own school, Gu Xingye and others were taken by Gu Yucheng to register, while Lin Siyear and the rest were sent by Lin Shi and his wife.

Qianbao and Yaobao naturally went with their parents.

Lin Heling and Song Xi didn’t accompany their grandchildren to school; they simply handed out money—ten big bills each.

For the first time in their lives, Lin Siyear and the others had so much cash in their pockets—their smiles nearly twisted their mouths.

Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma! Thank you, Auntie!! Auntie getting into university is amazing!!!

Seeing the children’s smiles, the Lin couple realized their grandchildren hadn’t thought much about it—they felt both helpless and amused.

The Lin family, it seemed, were born knowing how to make choices, how to maximize benefit.

Lin Heling had visited Huaqing University before; coming again, she noticed it had changed greatly.

Though they came to drop off Lin Zhao, the couple walked side by side across campus, talking, occasionally glancing at each other and smiling—no third person had room to intrude.

Lin Zhao rolled her eyes. “I was just lucky.”

Gu Chenghuai bit back a smile.

Since their home was nearby, Lin Zhao registered as a day student and didn’t need pointless socializing—she didn’t even keep a bed at school.

Just after collecting her books and about to head home, a clear voice called out to her.

“Lin Zhao, leaving already?”

Lin Zhao recognized the voice—she turned to see Nan Nan standing a short distance away, arms crossed, smiling at her.

“Nannan?” Lin Zhao’s face lit up instantly.

Nan Nan lowered her arms and walked over.

She stretched out her arms and gently hugged Lin Zhao.

“Finally, we’ve met again,” Nan Nan said, smiling.

She politely greeted Lin’s parents, nodded to her friend’s husband, and greeted Yubao and the others.

“You’ve been here so long and never came to see me,” Nan Nan said, her tone affectionately reproachful.

She was tall; Lin Zhao was half a head shorter. Looking up at her, Lin Zhao smiled. “I’ve been busy—just moved, so much to do. I planned to come find you in a couple days. Now I’m staying in the capital—we’ll have plenty of time to get together.”

Nan Nan hadn’t been angry to begin with; hearing this, she was instantly soothed.

“Are you getting used to it here?” she asked, concerned.

Lin Zhao replied, “I am. You know me—I adapt quickly.”

“Good. I’ve reserved a table nearby. Let’s go—eat while we talk.” Nan Nan was enthusiastic.

Lin Zhao readily agreed. “Sure, I’m treating you today. But first we need to drop off Yubao.”

Nan Nan immediately offered to come along.

So now there was one more person to see Yubao off.

After registering Yubao, the group headed to the restaurant.

Over dinner, Lin Zhao learned that Nan Yi had gotten into the research institute as planned, and Nan Nan taught at the Foreign Languages College.

The same university Lin Zheng had applied to.

Lin Zheng had always been calm and sharp-witted, ever saying he wanted to be a diplomat—he was now half in.

All those years, she’d studied English, French, and Japanese under De Shu, and mastered them all.

De Shu often regretted he knew too little—he wished he could teach her even more.

Lin Zhao had nothing to say to such a display of effortless excellence.

She herself stumbled through English.

“My niece is at the Foreign Languages College—could you keep an eye on her?”

Nan Nan instantly agreed. “No problem. What does she want to do?”

Lin Zhao answered, “She wants to be a diplomat.”

“Fine ambition,” Nan Nan praised. “I have family working in that field—I’ll arrange for her to meet my cousin.”

“That’s wonderful!” Lin Zhao’s eyes brightened. “My family has no one in this field—we’re completely lost. If someone could guide her, Zheng Zheng’s path would be so much smoother. Thank you, Nannan.”

Nan Nan said, “We’re friends—you don’t need to thank me.”

“I’m so lucky to have a friend like you!” Lin Zhao’s words were sweet.

“I think I’m luckier than you.”

After dinner.

Nan Nan had been eager to take Lin Zhao to the Friendship Store; after dinner, she made plans to go with her on the weekend, showed her the way, then left.

…

After registering everyone and settling the college students, Gu Yucheng and Gu Qingzhou left first; Lin Shi and his wife stayed in the capital to sightsee.

Lin Heling and his wife returned to Haicheng—the courtyard the Lin family had reclaimed needed repairs, and they planned to oversee it themselves.

Gu Chenghuai reported to the Capital Military District and began his duties.

He had been transferred; he needed to get to know people and procedures. At first, he could only live in the military’s assigned housing, returning to the city occasionally to see his wife and children.

Lin Zhao and the children were busy with school and had no time to miss him.

…

Not long after school started, just as the new students were adjusting to university life, one person’s arrival shattered the household’s peace.

Lin Zhao asked and learned this person had been sent by Chief Engineer Zhou, with the purpose of taking Qianbao to the Young Talent Class.

In that instant, she felt as if her soul had split in two.

She only then realized that if Qianbao went there, he wouldn’t be allowed to return home.

“Comrade Lin?” The young man sent to collect him was confused and called out again.

Lin Zhao snapped back to herself. “...To pick up Qianbao... He’s at home. Come in.”

She turned and walked inside, calling out, “Qianbao, come out—Grandpa Zhou has sent someone to get you.”

Qianbao stepped out of his room, seeing his mother’s expression, his handsome little face clouded with worry.

“Mom?”

“Nothing,” Lin Zhao forced a smile, having prepared herself mentally. “I just hate letting go of my son.”

Qianbao willingly leaned into her arms. “Mom, I’ll come back to see you often.”

How easy would that be?

Lin Zhao shook her head inside, but showed nothing on her face.

“Alright. I’ll come visit you too.”

Hearing the voices, Yubao and the others came out.

“When will Qianbao come back?” Gu Zhihang hugged his brother’s shoulder, looking heartbroken.

“I don’t know,” Qianbao said.

Gu Zhiyu added, “I’ll go with you.”

Gu Zhili quickly followed. “I’m coming too.”

He and Gu Zhihang attended the same school and major, so they lived here.

“I want to see my brother off too!” Yaobao clung tightly to her little brother’s hand, her eyes reddening, lips pressed shut to keep from crying.

“Let’s go,” Lin Zhao said.

The man sent by Chief Engineer Zhou drove a car; Lin Zhao quickly packed Qianbao’s belongings, and the children got in.

A four-wheeled car was far faster than a bicycle.

They arrived at the destination.

The young man who had come to fetch them went to the guardhouse, made a phone call, then walked back to Lin Zhao. “Someone’s coming to meet us.”

Lin Zhao held Qianbao’s hand and nodded.

As if sensing she would be separated from her brother, Yaobao was deeply uneasy, clinging to Zhiqian’s body without saying a word.

“Yaobao doesn’t want to let go of her brother, but it’s fine—I’ll bring you to visit him when I have time,” Lin Zhao soothed her daughter gently.

The little girl, once comforted, felt her inner sorrow burst forth like floodwaters after a dam broke; tears swirled in her eyes.

She clenched her lips, struggling to hold back, her once-clear voice now thick with sobs.

“When?”

Lin Zhao hugged Yaobao and said tenderly, “When Mom and your older brothers have vacation, okay?”

Seeing the girl’s eyes dim, she hurriedly added, “If one day you miss your little brother so much you can’t bear it, I’ll take leave and bring you—will that do? Don’t be sad anymore, or Zhiqian will start crying too.”

Zhiqian had long looked forward to this day; his face lit up when he saw who came to pick him up. He truly wanted to study alongside other child prodigies, but as he gazed at his sister’s red-rimmed eyes, his joy dimmed slightly.

He looked at Yaobao and said seriously, “I’ll come back to see you whenever I have time. You focus on your studies—I’ll check your homework when I return.”

Yaobao: “...”

Before she knew how to respond, a figure approached from afar.

“Zhaozhao-jie,” the voice called out cheerfully.

It was Nan Yi.

The boy wore a gray turtleneck sweater on top, black pants below, and laced cotton shoes; on his nose sat a pair of black-rimmed glasses—he looked every bit the mature college student.

“Nan Yi? How is it you?!” Lin Zhao exclaimed in surprise.

“I came with my professor,” Nan Yi explained. “The professor wanted to scout promising students early—I have several projects and am desperate for capable people.”

Nan Yi knew Zhiqian well—he understood how brilliant his mind was, how quickly he absorbed knowledge, surpassing even his own childhood self. He told his professor about Zhiqian, who immediately took interest and couldn’t wait to come.

Lin Zhao caught Nan Yi’s implication, turned to Zhiqian, and cupped his face. “Zhiqian, there are very capable teachers inside. Learn well from them.”

Zhiqian nodded solemnly.

“Mm!”

Outsiders weren’t allowed inside, so Lin Zhao couldn’t follow—she could only watch helplessly as Nan Yi led Zhiqian away.

Watching her son’s narrow shoulders, Lin Zhao’s eyes grew slightly damp.

The boy, whose wings had yet to fully spread, was finally stepping out into the world, learning to fly on his own.

Gu Zhiyu watched his sister, now a tear-streaked mess, and squatted down in front of her, facing away.

“Yaobao, big brother will carry you home. You love roast duck—I’ll buy you some.”

Yaobao bent over and climbed onto her big brother’s back, burying her face.

“Still crying, little crybaby? Your eyes will swell if you keep it up,” Gu Zhihang pinched her ear.

“Big brother and I are still here—why cry?”

Yaobao’s voice muffled against her brother’s back: “I want my little brother—I only want my little brother.”

"But once your little brother enters the Young Talent Class, he won’t be able to get out," Gu Zhihang teased. "I heard the kids there have grueling studies and compete with each other—you’ll hardly ever see him. Who’s to blame? You can’t even get in."

Gu Zhili: Zhihang is really asking for a beating.

Yaobao, furious, forgot to cry and glared fiercely at her second brother.

“...I’ll tell Dad you’re bullying me.”

Seeing her spirits return, Gu Zhihang sighed in relief but kept teasing: “How old are you? Why do you still run to tattle? Nobody likes a tattletale—you can’t do that at school, understood?”

Yaobao huffed and turned her head away.

“Mom’s an adult and she tattles too—why can’t I? I will! I’ll call Dad and tattle!”

Gu Zhiyu said: “Big brother will pay for your phone bill.”

Yaobao’s eyes brightened instantly; the thorny rose turned into a gentle iris, her voice softening: “Big brother is so nice.”

Lin Zhao looked toward the bus stop and saw their bus approaching; she urged, “The bus is here—hurry up and get on.”

“Alright.”

The children hurried onto the bus and found seats.

After sitting down, Lin Zhao asked, “What do you want to do?”

“I want to ice skate,” Gu Zhihang answered first.

Gu Zhiyu had no objection: “I’m fine with anything.”

Yaobao glanced at her second brother and said, “Then let’s go ice skating.”

After speaking, she emphasized seriously, “I’m not agreeing because second brother wants to—I want to go too.”

Gu Zhihang was charmed by his sister; his sunny, handsome face broke into a wide grin.

“Alright, alright—you wanted to go yourself.”

The family of four skated for two hours, watched a new movie, ate dinner at a restaurant, and by the time Yaobao had transformed from a drooping flower into a humming sunflower, Lin Zhao took the children home.

Gu Chenghuai, who had returned home only to find no one there: “...”

Watching his wife and children so relaxed and carefree, he gave a helpless smile.

Lin Zhao stepped forward: “Didn’t you see my note?”

“I saw it,” Gu Chenghuai explained. “But I was uneasy, so I went out to check.”

“Did you drop off Zhiqian?” he asked.

Thinking of his late return, a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes.

Today was important for his youngest son—and he, as a father, had missed it.

Lin Zhao saw his mood and said bluntly: “You know how steady your youngest son’s emotions are—he didn’t care whether you were there or not. He was overjoyed just seeing Nan Yi—he practically bounced walking.”

Gu Chenghuai was speechless—and wanted to sigh.

“Call me when you go to see him. I’m truly busy—I barely have time to sleep, and even seeing you is squeezed from my schedule.”

“Of course,” Lin Zhao replied. “Today was too late.”

“Have you eaten?”

Gu Chenghuai: “Not yet.”

“Shall I make you noodles?” Lin Zhao asked.

“I’ll grab something outside,” Gu Chenghuai said, noticing the fatigue on Lin Zhao’s face and not wanting to tire her further.

“I’ll go with you,” Lin Zhao told the children to stay home, then pulled Gu Chenghuai out to find a restaurant.

“There’s a place Nannan and I went to recently—it’s great. I’ll take you—you’ll love it.”

Gu Chenghuai turned his head to look at his wife; sunlight fell on her smiling face, and his heart grew still.

Life passed in quiet routine.

Lin Zhao’s university life was peaceful and fulfilling.

After a decade-long wait, the college entrance exam had been restored; students studied with fierce determination, carrying books everywhere, absorbing knowledge like sponges.

Lin Zhao, influenced by this atmosphere, studied diligently herself.

Not long after the semester began, many people learned that the Literature Department had a girl—strikingly beautiful, yet quiet in nature—

who arrived punctually for every class and left immediately after.

In the ginkgo tree grove, Gu Zhiyu and Gu Zhili, the two youngest university students from the Business School, waited for her.

One called her “Mom,” the other “Third Auntie.”

When they first heard these terms, everyone had been stunned—jaws nearly dropped.

After all... she looked nothing like a mother!

Because of this, the male classmates who had secretly courted Lin Zhao vanished without a trace.