As an orphaned individual, Lin He originally had no real concept of such matters. She recalled an incident involving a former colleague, whose family home was located in the same city where they worked. The colleague was married, but her in-laws were from out of town. She and her husband lived alone, occasionally visiting her parents' house. The colleague had an elder brother. Shortly after her brother married his wife, the sister-in-law requested a set of house keys, suggesting it would make entry and exit more convenient. However, the household already distributed one key to each resident, and there were no spares. Yet, the sister-in-law genuinely found it inconvenient not to have one.

That day, upon returning home, the colleague's father proposed that she lend her spare key to her sister-in-law. "You're married now," he reasoned, "and you don't return daily anyway. If you visit occasionally, someone will be home; whether you have a key or not doesn't matter much." The colleague handed over the key, then went to her office and wept for a long time, crying with profound sadness. Lin He understood the situation somewhat after hearing about it, but she couldn't fully grasp the colleague's true feelings.

It wasn't until now that Lin He fully understood the colleague wasn't grieving over a mere key. It was the realization that after living in her parents' home for so many years, constantly moving in and out because her in-laws lived elsewhere, she had never felt any difference between her life before and after marriage. But the issue of the key suddenly made her feel categorized as an outsider in her own family. At the very least, her father’s attitude indicated that the daughter-in-law was family, but the daughter was not. It was a sudden, difficult truth to accept: the place she had called home for over two decades no longer entirely belonged to her. The current ache in Lin He’s heart mirrored that exact feeling; the profound attachment to this home was precisely why the sorrow was so sharp.

However, Lin He knew this was likely transient. A married daughter might struggle with this reality initially, but once she had children and established her own household, she would automatically place herself outside that originating unit. This was the inherent difference between a son and a daughter, especially in this ancient setting.

Chen Er watched Lin He sitting lost in thought and called out, "Big Sister, what's wrong?"

Lin He smiled at Chen Er and replied, "Nothing. I was just thinking about what eldest sister-in-law might be like. You all have seen her, but I haven't yet. I wonder when Eldest Brother’s wedding is set?"

"When I was home, Mother mentioned the twenty-sixth is an auspicious day. If we can rush back, it should be set for then. But Eldest Brother hasn't agreed yet. Mother insisted we must return before the twentieth, and sooner if possible, because the household is busy," Chen Er explained.

Lin He nodded. She actually wanted to return sooner as well. Eldest Brother’s wedding was something she definitely didn't want to miss. Over the years, to him, Da Bao could be considered closer than their parents. Moreover, she wanted to see what their future sister-in-law was like. Judging by Chen Er and Xiao Bao’s expressions, they didn't seem entirely satisfied, and Da Bao seemed displeased too. Lin He wanted to meet her soon. Although Da Bao's marriage needed to consider the family's standing, Lin He genuinely hoped Da Bao wholeheartedly accepted the match, not just for others' sake. After all, he had a long life ahead, and he would be spending that entire life with his wife.

Thinking these things over, Lin He felt an increasing urgency to return. Regardless of when the construction finished here, Wen Ning Xuan was overseeing things. Her presence now was only needed for occasional check-ins; she wasn't playing a critical role. Besides, the main building work was nearly complete; her absence wouldn't matter for the subsequent details. She would discuss this with Wen Ning Xuan when he came over that evening.

It was already early December. She decided to let Chen Er and Xiao Bao play for a couple more days before heading back. They should arrive around the fifteenth, leaving plenty of time. Lin He then suggested, "Chen Er, let's play here for two more days and then return. Eldest Brother’s wedding means the household will be busy, and we need to go back to help. Do you and Xiao Bao have any other places you wish to see? If so, I'll take you tomorrow."

"Go back so soon? I haven't even been here a few days," Chen Er grumbled slightly, clearly reluctant.

"You came for a visit, that’s all. Are you planning to stay here permanently? We need to return for the New Year celebration too," Lin He said, playfully poking Chen Er’s forehead.

Though unwilling, Chen Er still nodded in agreement, realizing that Big Sister was right; there were many tasks awaiting them at home, and she needed to behave sensibly.

When Wen Ning Xuan arrived that evening, Lin He discussed the matter with him. Wen Ning Xuan considered it for a moment before responding, "Then here is the plan: I will clarify everything over the next few days, and I will accompany you all back in a couple of days. Ling Xiang and the others will stay here to manage things. The factory is also nearly done; only minor clerical tasks remain. You can check on it tomorrow."

Lin He thought this was acceptable. Wen Ning Xuan’s own family was surely urging him to return for the New Year. Ling Xiang and the others here were trustworthy, having managed the factory construction from the start. She agreed, telling Wen Ning Xuan to wrap up his affairs quickly so they could leave in a few days.

In the following days, Lin He and Wen Ning Xuan were indeed busy. Although the main structure of the factory was almost complete, countless details needed sorting out. Additionally, regarding Caidie Xuan, since it was year-end, there were numerous ledgers to review. Lin He and Wen Ning Xuan dedicated the majority of their time to finalizing all the accounts.

Three days later, Wen Ning Xuan and Lin He returned home with Chen Er, Xiao Bao, and Zi Yu. They were accompanied by Ling Xiao and a young servant to manage the carriage. The group on the carriage was cheerful; the presence of the two small children ensured constant bursts of laughter filled the vehicle.

Outside the carriage, Ling Xiao heard his young master’s laughter and felt a stirring of emotion. His young master was significantly more cheerful than before, which must be entirely due to the young mistress's influence. Perhaps only a woman like her was worthy of his master. His previous notions that Lin He was beneath Wen Ning Xuan had completely vanished. One only truly understood a person after extended interaction. Although she was just a young girl who didn't appear overly shrewd, living within a large family like the Wen clan, she might struggle against the other women there. However, as long as she cherished his master and treated him sincerely, and since she was chosen by him, she was their mistress—the person they were bound to respect.

Lin He and her group weren't in a tremendous hurry on this return journey, but Lin He also didn't dawdle. They followed their planned route and arrived home after about six days. Wen Ning Xuan dropped Lin He and the others off at Da Bao's pastry shop. He looked at Lin He, said nothing further, and departed. Da Bao was quite surprised to see Lin He and the others return so early, but he was genuinely overjoyed. Especially with Lin He’s return, Da Bao felt he had many things to tell her, many matters requiring her counsel. Seeing Da Bao’s state, Lin He smiled and said, "It’s getting late today. Let's stay here tonight, and we will all go back together tomorrow."

Chen Er and Xiao Bao were delighted, and Da Bao was equally pleased. It was a perfect opportunity to talk with Lin He while their parents were away. (To be continued.)