RL (AT) Chapter 22: Marriage Matters

Chapter 22: Marriage Matters

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Sulo

 

After Lin Mo and Lin Cheng had discussed what they needed to, they went to the fruit orchard the next day to pick the ripe fruit. But this time, Mama Lin didn’t agree with Lin Mo going anymore, and made him watch the two children at home.

Lin Mo was going to make something to store dried fruit and jams, juices and pastries.

Since Lin Cheng’s body recovered, their fruit picking speed was naturally faster. When they returned with the first batch, Mama Lin and sister-in-law Lin followed them back. They removed the basket full of fruit from the cart, and the two men of the Lin family strolled to the fruit orchard again.

After Lin Mo and the two of them talked about the steps, the three began to peel the fruit. The thickness of the slices needed to be moderate so Mama Lin and sister-in-law Lin were responsible for peeling and Lin Mo was responsible for slicing.

After cutting the fruit, Lin Mo put the fruit pieces in the bamboo strainer, and put them in the place where the air was ventilated and the sun was shining, and then continued the work.

Lin Xiaoya, who was sitting in the yard, was a little bored. She looked up at her grandmother and mother, and then at Fourth Uncle, who was holding the fruit.

“Fourth Uncle, Xiao Ya also wants to play.” Lin Xiaoya got up and walked over with her short legs, gently pulling at Lin Mo’s trouser leg.

Lin Mo took the time to give her two washed pears, and said, “Darling, Fourth Uncle is not playing. Go to your brother.” The movement of cutting fruit did not stop.

“Okay.” Lin Xiaoya, holding two pears in both hands, nodded and walked towards the door.

Lin Xiaoya and Lin Xiaonan sat on one side, holding pears on the threshold. Lin Xiaonan chewed more than half of it, and Lin Xiaoya looked up and saw Cheng Yan coming from afar. No, she saw exactly what was in the small bamboo cage he was carrying.

Lin Xiaoya looked sideways at Lin Xiaonan, “Brother, Uncle Cheng came to trouble him again.” 

“Oh, yes.” Lin Xiaonan looked up and continued to nibble on the pear.

“Uncle Cheng has something in his hand. I’m going to see if it’s a rabbit.” Lin Xiaoya took the half eaten pear in her left hand, stood up using her right hand and walked towards Cheng Yan.

When Lin Xiaonan heard this, he raised his head and looked at Cheng Yan with astonished eyes. He saw his sister walking toward Cheng Yan and thought for a second before also standing up and running over with his little legs.

Lin Xiaoya went to Cheng Yan, grabbed his clothes, looked up at him, and said as she followed him, “Uncle Cheng, you are here.” 

“Mn.” Cheng Yan responded and slowed his pace.

“Uncle Cheng, is it a rabbit inside?” Lin Xiaoya blinked at him.

“No.”

“Oh.” Lin Xiaoya responded.

Lin Xiaonan came and followed Cheng Yan. He looked up at the small bamboo cage he was carrying. Lin Xiaonan asked, “Is it a dog inside?” 

“No.” Cheng Yan said dryly.

“Then… Who is Uncle Cheng going to give it to?” puzzled Lin Xiaoya. There was only one white animal in it. If it was given to them, it seemed that it would not be enough for her and her brother.

Cheng Yan chuckled for a moment and said, “…I’m here for your Fourth Uncle.” 

“Why? So… Then I’ll go and call Fourth Uncle.” Lin Xiaoya finished and ran into the yard on her short legs.

As soon as Cheng Yan wanted to call out and stop her, he heard Lin Xiaoya shouting as she ran over. His feet stopped for a while, and his face was a little unnatural.

“Fourth Uncle! Uncle Cheng came to trouble you and brought you a rabbit to…” Lin Xiaoya stopped and scratched her head. She was puzzled. What was it for? It seemed Uncle Cheng didn’t say.

“Who’s here?” Lin Mo heard Lin Xiaoya’s voice coming from outside the yard, but he couldn’t hear her clearly.

Lin Xiaoya went to Lin Mo and repeated, “Uncle Cheng came to trouble you~” 

Lin Mo’s hands stopped moving and he looked up at the door to see Cheng Yan being led in by Lin Xiaonan. They didn’t touch or look at each other. Lin Mo lowered his head and continued to cut fruit.

Mama Lin, who had also heard her granddaughter’s words, looked up at Cheng Yan who came in and asked, “Cheng Yan, why are you here today? Didn’t you go to town?” 

“Just came back.” Cheng Yan put the things in his hands aside, and Lin Xiaoya and Lin Xiaonan squatted there to watch. After washing his hands, Cheng Yan went to Lin Mo. Cheng Yan stood by for a few seconds before insisting, “I’ll cut it.” 

Lin Mo looked up at him, put the knife down, and moved aside, “…Remember to keep the thickness moderate.”

Cheng Yan picked up the knife and cut it according to Lin Mo’s method, his speed twice as fast as him. Lin Mo saw this, and went to the side to lay the fruit slices, and then took them to dry.

The dried fruit was almost all cut, and Lin Mo began to prepare the jam. But this time he taught sister-in-law Lin first, and then they went to work on it together.

It was almost noon. Father Lin and Elder Brother had made several trips back and forth. Lin Mo and their work was almost the same. When Father Lin came back from the last trip, Lin Mo gave them some of the final work, and went to the kitchen with Lin Xing and Lin Chen to cook.

Mama Lin saw Mo’ger was not sick, so she allowed him to. Anyway, they all liked the food made by Lin Mo. While all the fruit outside was being processed, Lin Mo made the meal. Cheng Yan moved the last jar into the warehouse, stood up and pinched his sore arms.

Father Lin put the jar down carefully, stood up and said, “Cheng Yan, please stay for dinner. Mo’ger has already cooked the meal.” 

When Cheng Yan, who wanted to refuse, heard that Lin Mo made the meal, he paused and nodded, “Okay.” 

“Why are you here today?” Father Lin questioned as he walked out of the warehouse.

“I needed to talk to you and aunt Lin about something… with Lin Mo.”

Father Lin glanced at him and asked with a smile, “About you and Mo’ger?”  

Last night, Lin Mo said something about him and Cheng Yan. Father Lin and Mama Lin were also aware of it, but he didn’t expect Cheng Yan to come here today.

“Mn.” Cheng Yan’s expression was a little unnatural.

“Okay, let’s talk after dinner.” Father Lin patted him on the shoulder and walked out laughing. 

Standing in the same place, Cheng Yan felt his ears burning and decided to wait for a while. After Cheng Yan went in, the rest of the people basically sat in their seats, and the only vacancy was next to Lin Mo. But now, Cheng Yan was not embarrassed. He went straight to sit down.

Lin Mo glanced at Cheng Yan, who was sitting beside him, but did not speak. While eating and listening to their conversation, Lin Mo sometimes asked him a question or two.

After dinner, sister-in-law Lin and Mama Lin grabbed all the dishes and washed them. Lin Xing and Lin Chen sat down and didn’t want to move. Lin Xiaonan and Lin Xiaoya were running in the hall, and finally stood beside Lin Mo.

When Mama Lin came back from washing the dishes, Father Lin motioned to Cheng Yan, “Aunt Lin is here, you can say it.”

“Say what?” Mama Lin wiped the water off her hands and looked puzzled.

“Cough… I want to ask aunt Lin what needs to be prepared for marriage.” Cheng Yan gave a low cough, which sounded unnatural. Fortunately, the others couldn’t see anything on his face. “What do I do? I don’t know since I don’t have elders in my family.”

Mama Lin gave Cheng Yan a detailed description of the process before and after the marriage, and Cheng Yan listened carefully throughout. Lin Mo looked at Cheng Yan. He could only understand the general idea in his mind. He really couldn’t understand how Cheng Yan could listen so attentively.

Lin Xing and Lin Chen, who were paralyzed after eating, heard half of it before realizing that they were discussing the marriage between Cheng Yan and their Fourth Brother.

“When did big brother Cheng and Fourth Brother decide they were going to get married?” Lin Xing pushed Lin Chen next to him and asked in a low voice.

Lin Xing remembered that not long ago, he asked Fourth Brother if he liked brother Cheng. At that time, Fourth Brother clearly said he didn’t like him. Now he was talking about marriage?

“You’re asking me? How would I know?” Lin Chen pushed his head away, stood up and walked away. Seeing this, Lin Xing got up and followed him.

Then… Then Lin Xing saw Lin Chen standing still next to Lin Mo and listening to the adults.

Lin Xing, “…”

“Fourth Brother… Fourth Brother, come here.” Lin Xing saw that they were seriously discussing the marriage process, and no one noticed him, so he whispered.

Lin Mo glanced at Lin Xing and looked back to see Father Lin and Mama Lin still talking to Cheng Yan, so he got up and walked over.

“What do you want me to do?” Lin Mo went over and asked.

“Fourth Brother, do you really want to marry brother Cheng?” Lin Xing looked back at the trio, then looked back at Lin Mo before asking in a low voice.

“Mn.” Lin Mo nodded.

“You said before that you didn’t like brother Cheng.”

“Mn… It’s hard to explain feelings. Sometimes you can’t stop the feeling of liking someone when it comes. You’ll understand when you grow up.” Lin Mo touched his head and said this, then walked back and sat down to listen to his parents.

Lin Xing: …