Wen Ningxuan and Xiao Mo walked into the room, and Da Bao immediately dispatched Ziyu to call for Lin He. When Lin He arrived in the main hall, Xiao Mo, Chen'er, and Xiao Bao were already chatting and laughing.

Seeing Lin He approach, Wen Ningxuan gazed at her with eyes full of smiles. As Xiao Mo saw Lin He, a fleeting expression of hurt flashed across his eyes, but he quickly recovered with a grin. "He'er, what's going on with you? Putting on airs, keeping guests waiting here for you."

Lin He entered, observing Xiao Mo's demeanor. She was immensely relieved that Xiao Mo wasn't dwelling on that past issue, still joking with her as before. Lin He returned his smile. "Then I truly apologize for keeping the two young masters waiting. I hope you can forgive my oversight."

"Mmm, that's better," Xiao Mo nodded, saying with a smile.

Lin He glanced sideways at Xiao Mo, then settled into a chair opposite them and inquired, "Why are it just the two of you here today? Where is Uncle Wen?"

"My father is busy and couldn't make it. Besides, Da Bao is getting married; I certainly had to be here. I want to see what Da Bao looks like when he gets married," Xiao Mo replied, still laughing with carefree abandon.

"Brother Xiao Mo, well, now you see, don't you? Isn't Big Brother's hat funny?" Xiao Bao was still intently examining the hat on his elder brother's head.

Chen'er and Xiao Mo joined Xiao Bao in studying Da Bao's hat, continually staring at Da Bao's head. Da Bao grew somewhat embarrassed by their scrutiny, so he simply took the hat off so they could examine it thoroughly. The group huddled together, chattering excitedly over the headwear.

Watching Xiao Mo return to his usual cheerful self, Lin He finally breathed a sigh of relief. Whether Xiao Mo had truly let go or was merely putting on an act, the crucial thing was that he seemed willing to let the matter pass.

As Lin He sat opposite them, observing Xiao Mo and the others joking, Wen Ningxuan sat directly across from Lin He, his lips curved in a permanent smile as he fixed his gaze upon her. Lin He offered him a slight smile and asked, "The New Year is approaching. Have Ling Xiao and the others returned here for the holiday? How are the factory buildings over there progressing? Will they be sorted out before the New Year?"

"Ling Xiao is already back. Ling Xiang and the others are watching things there. The Caidie Xuan won't be closed for the New Year. The factory buildings are mostly done; they'll need a few more months for decoration after the holiday, probably ready for use around April or May," Wen Ningxuan replied.

"Hmm, around that time. Will you be going back there after the New Year?"

"Yes, I plan to go check on things right after the holiday."

Lin He nodded and then fell silent. Meanwhile, Xiao Mo, overhearing the conversation between Lin He and Wen Ningxuan, showed no outward sign of reaction, yet his heart was aching fiercely. Though they discussed seemingly trivial matters, the tone and unspoken understanding between them suggested no outsider could possibly intrude.

Xiao Mo had fallen in love with Lin He a long time ago—so long ago, in fact, that he wasn't entirely sure when it began. At first, he just enjoyed being with her; Lin He knew so many things he didn't. He felt she was different from other women. While his family treated him with utmost respect, Lin He dared to tease him and argue with him. Gradually, he didn't know when it happened, but he started missing her when she wasn't around and frequently replayed her every gesture in his mind when he had nothing else to do at home.

He had considered telling her how he felt, but their usual interactions were built on carefree banter, and he didn't know how to articulate this deeper affection. So, he kept it locked away, believing that simply seeing her often was enough.

When he finally gathered the courage to speak, he noticed that He'er spoke differently to his second elder brother. She would blush when talking to Second Brother, and she put immense effort into creating birthday gifts for him. Furthermore, his Second Brother seemed transformed since meeting He'er; his face held more smiles, and the gentleness in his eyes when mentioning He'er was something Xiao Mo had never witnessed before.

By the time he fully grasped the situation, his Second Brother and He'er were already discussing marriage arrangements. He felt a genuine panic. Unsure what to do, he rushed to confess his feelings to Lin He. But it was already too late. The question he posed to Lin He that day—he already knew the answer, but thankfully, she hadn't voiced it. If his Second Brother hadn't walked in, he didn't know how he would have coped with the outcome.

Now, he felt powerless to change anything. Moreover, seeing how happy He'er and Second Brother were, he couldn't bring himself to force anything. Second Brother was his own full brother, and He'er was the one he loved. If they were happy, no matter how much pain he endured, he couldn't let them become unhappy because of him.

So, Wen Ningmo spent several days in quiet contemplation and resolved to revert to his former self. At least in front of Second Brother and He'er, he couldn't reveal his suffering; it would only make things difficult for all three of them. He decided he must bury this love deep within his heart; their happiness was all that mattered.

As the group inside continued laughing, Ziyu rushed in from outside to report that Madam required the Eldest Young Master to come out, as it was nearly time to fetch the bride. Xiao Bao and the others seemed even more excited than Da Bao, leaping up from their chairs to announce they were going to fetch the bride. They pulled Da Bao out, with Wen Ningxuan and Xiao Mo following behind.

Lin He and the others waited in the courtyard for a while. They heard the sound of firecrackers erupting outside, concluding that the bride had been brought back. After waiting a bit longer, they saw the bride appear.

Today, Yun Qi wore a jacket of brilliant crimson, trimmed with gray lapels, paired with a long, flowing red ru skirt. Her coiled hair was adorned with a full set of silver ornaments. She possessed the clear beauty of youth, combined with the subtle charm of a woman in her prime. Her skin was like congealed fat, her cheeks blooming like peach blossoms—truly a beauty. It seemed the adage that clothing makes the person held true for anyone.

As Yun Qi entered, many onlookers murmured, "Da Bao's wife is so beautiful," and similar comments. Madam Huang beamed beside them, unable to contain her joy.

Next came the ceremony where the bride pays respects to the family by offering tea. This time, Lin He was properly a sister-in-law, and thus she had to accept the tea from the bride.

Lin He had never experienced such formalities before, feeling quite uneasy and shy sitting by the table waiting for the ritual, instead standing aside with Chen'er. When Yun Qi approached to serve tea, Lin He merely took a token sip, then promptly handed over the red envelope she had prepared. However, the youngster Xiao Bao, when Yun Qi bowed to him, sat up deliberately at the table and declared with a precocious air, "Mmm, Sister-in-law, you must live happily with my elder brother from now on."

Xiao Bao's remark brought laughter from the crowd gathered in the courtyard. It was fine for adults to say such things, but for Xiao Bao to say it with such seasoned gravity was genuinely amusing. Even Lin He couldn't help but laugh.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.