Chapter 99: Chapter 99

The news of Mo Ying’s return had already reached the ears of Yan Mei and Zu Shi, but they both kept quiet.

After the long day of work, they finally went home. Back at home, Yiling was busy showing her brothers what she had learned in embroidery class, meanwhile Lin Xu was just calculating some of the expenses she had made these past weeks.

Just then, a maid ran towards her, "Miss Lin, Mr. Su has arrived," she informed.

Hearing that, Lin Xu smiled and nodded. "Go prepare some tea and snacks."

"Yes ma’am!" the maid nodded and left.

Facing the kids, Lin Xu said, "Alright guys, I have an important guest... go inside and finish your chit-chat, alright?"

"Yes, Mother!" Yiling replied cheerfully, gathering her embroidery threads as her brothers hurried to help her pack them up.

Mo Yuen grinned. "Mother’s important guest must be another one of those serious merchants again," he teased, earning a small laugh from Mo Bao.

Lin Xu chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Off you go now before he arrives," she said, her tone gentle but firm.

The children nodded and left for their rooms, their giggles fading down the hall just as steady footsteps approached from the courtyard.

Moments later, the maid returned, placing the tray of tea and snacks on the table. "Miss Lin, Mr. Su has arrived."

"Mr. Su," Lin Xu greeted politely, rising from her seat with a smile. "You came earlier than I expected." ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novelꞁire.net

He nodded slightly, returning her smile. "I happened to finish business at the docks earlier than planned, though I wasn’t expecting you to call for me so soon."

"Please, sit," Lin Xu gestured as she poured the tea herself, her movements calm and graceful.

Mr. Su took a seat, his eyes briefly softening as they met hers. "You look well, Miss Lin, rather happier than usual."

Lin Xu smiled faintly. "Life has been peaceful. That’s all I’ve ever wished for."

Then, Mr. Su leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly. "I assume you’ve heard the news... General Mo Ying has returned to the capital."

The teacup in Lin Xu’s hand trembled slightly, the sound of porcelain clinking against the saucer betraying her calm expression.

She took a quiet breath before replying, "Yes... I’ve heard."

Mr. Su studied her face for a moment before speaking again. "The Emperor has announced his marriage to Minister Chu’s daughter. Ten days from now."

Lin Xu’s fingers tightened around the cup. Her lashes lowered, hiding the flicker of pain in her eyes.

"I see..." she whispered, forcing a small smile. "That’s good. He deserves a stable life."

But Mr. Su didn’t miss the way her voice faltered at the end.

He sighed softly. "That will be making his third wife..."

"I see," Lin Xu muttered to herself softly.

Trying to break the awkwardness, Mr. Su then asked, "What is the reason you called for me, Lin Xu?"

Forming a smile on her face, Lin Xu then sighed, trying to summon up a little bit of courage as she then said,

"I’ve been thinking about your proposal the other day... and I’ve made up my mind..."

She paused, her eyes staring directly at him until she finally voiced out, "I agree to marry you, Su Feng."

For a brief moment, silence filled the entire courtyard.

Su Feng froze in disbelief, the words sinking in slowly. His eyes widened just slightly before softening into something gentler, almost fragile. "You... you mean that, Lin Xu?" he asked carefully, his tone low as if he feared saying it too loudly would make the moment vanish.

Lin Xu smiled faintly, though her hands were clenched together beneath the table. "Yes. I’ve thought about it long enough. You’ve been patient with me, helped me more times than I can count. It’s time I stopped running from the past."

Su Feng’s lips parted as he stared at her, the woman he had quietly admired for years, and for once, he couldn’t hide the emotion in his eyes. "I don’t want you to agree because you feel you owe me," he said after a long pause. "I only want you to say yes if you’re truly ready to let someone else into your heart."

Lin Xu lowered her gaze, her voice soft but steady. "Truthfully, for the past three years, every single day the same man crossed my mind... I act like I don’t care or remember him, but the truth is I just can’t forget him. He appeared in my dreams every single night. I want it to e-end, I want to completely forget everything about him..."

Her voice cracked slowly as she forced herself to keep talking, "I want to fully let go... I deserve to find my own happiness as well..."

Nodding, Su Feng stood up and walked close towards her, sitting next to her and pulling her in for a hug.

Lin Xu went still, her breath caught as Su Feng’s arms wrapped around her. The warmth of his embrace seeped through her composure, melting the cold walls she’d spent years building around her heart.

For a long moment, she didn’t move. She just sat there, feeling the weight of his heartbeat against her cheek.

"Lin Xu..." Su Feng’s voice was quiet, filled with emotion he didn’t try to hide. "You’ve carried your pain alone for too long. Let me share it with you. I can’t erase your past, but I can help you start again."

Her fingers trembled slightly as they rested against his chest. "I don’t know if I can love you, Su Feng..."

He patted her slowly. "Then we will take it slow... you lost the man you loved, I lost the woman I loved as well... two hearts broken, but we will mend it back slowly... slowly."

He repeated softly as Lin Xu smiled unconsciously.

"Slowly..." she repeated before her grip around him tightened.

Hovering around Lin Xu was Susu; she stared, not saying anything.

[Poor Host! If only she knew what this wicked author had in store for her... sigh!]