"But Yan Yan, what did you just say about getting married?"
Lin's father suddenly reacted to what his daughter had just said. "Are you dating someone?"
"Not yet, Father seems a bit too sensitive. I was just saying, and besides, I will get married someday. Even if I don't, when the fledglings grow up, they leave the nest." Lin Yan gave Lin's father a heads-up.
"Don't go picking up any new-fangled ideas. Although you've studied abroad for a few years, I still hope your wedding will follow the traditional 'three letters and six rites'."
"I know, it's not even a done deal, why are you worrying about the wedding!" Lin Yan felt that she might not be able to fulfill her father's wish, but she could still appease him.
When Lin Tong and his wife arrived, Lin Yan had finished work early and was waiting for them at the Lin mansion.
As Lin Tong, with his newlywed wife An Ran, reached the door, Lin Yan rose to greet them.
Lin Tong's gaze towards Lin Yan was somewhat evasive, and his attitude towards Lin's father was also a bit off. Lin Yan guessed that her second aunt must have already spoken to Lin Tong about the adoption.
Judging by Lin Tong's demeanor, did he feel guilty towards her?
Lin Yan pretended not to notice Lin Tong's unusual behavior and warmly welcomed them. After arranging for their luggage to be settled, Lin Yan had Zhang Ma serve the meal.
"Let's eat first. You must be tired from the journey. Eat, sleep, and we'll talk about anything tomorrow," Lin's father called out to them.
Lin's father and Lin Yan's attitudes somewhat relaxed Lin Tong. He had only learned from his mother that she had written to his uncle before he left home.
At that moment, he had wanted to give up on coming to Shanghai, as he knew his mother's request was forceful. If his uncle had wanted to adopt, he would have done so years ago and wouldn't have waited until now.
Moreover, there was no such thing as adopting an eldest son. Even if he wasn't his father's favorite child, his father wouldn't agree for the sake of appearances.
What's more, he couldn't bear to leave his mother. However, his mother had said a lot to him, and he knew she meant well for him. He also knew his uncle wouldn't blame him, but he still felt he had let down his uncle and elder sister.
Seeing that his uncle and elder sister's attitudes towards him were as usual, he finally felt relieved, realizing they didn't blame him and his mother. This eased the anxiety that had been knotting his heart throughout the journey.
After they finished eating, they were led to wash up and rest.
Lying in the room prepared for them, Lin Tong finally felt a sense of peace.
"An An, after we rest for a few days, I'll go out and find a job. There are many jobs in Shanghai, and I'm sure I can find a good one. Then we'll move out and try not to trouble Uncle and the others." Lin Tong held An Ran's hand.
Although his mother had prepared a considerable amount of money for him, money would eventually run out. He still had to rely on his own work to support them. He was already married and had his own small family; he should shoulder the responsibility of providing for it.
"Mhmm, I'll also ask Elder Sister if I can find a job. We'll work hard together then."
She was also aware of her mother-in-law's intentions. Lin Tong had been very worried on the way, and she had listened to him talk the entire journey. However, she felt they didn't covet anything from their uncle's family and that they could simply maintain a familial relationship.
They had already agreed to find a place to live after settling in and then live their own quiet lives.
"An An, it's so good to have you!" Lin Tong pulled An Ran into his embrace.
The next morning, when Lin Tong and An Ran woke up, they only saw Lin's father at the dining table eating breakfast. Lin Yan was nowhere to be seen.
"Uncle, Elder Sister isn't up yet?" Lin Tong asked.
"Your Elder Sister has gone out."
"We woke up too late!" Lin Tong felt a bit ashamed. An Ran felt the same.
"It's alright. Your Elder Sister usually doesn't wake up this early. Today, she just had something to attend to, so she left without even eating breakfast. Please sit down quickly and tell Zhang Ma what you'd like to eat."
Lin's father put down his cutlery and instructed Zhang Ma to have Lin Tong's and An Ran's breakfast served. The table was soon filled with dishes.
"We didn't know what Young Master Tong and Young Madam liked, so we prepared a bit of everything. Please try it and see if it suits your taste," Zhang Ma said with a smile as she handed them the tableware.
"Thank you, Zhang Ma." Lin Tong had grown up with Zhang Ma's care, and she felt a close affection for the young master.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Lin's father asked. There were no such rules in their household as 'no talking during meals, no talking while sleeping,' and he enjoyed conversing with the younger generation at the dining table.
"Very well," Lin Tong replied.
"That's good. If you need anything, just tell Zhang Ma. Make yourselves at home."
Lin's father's words "make yourselves at home" made Lin Tong pause for a moment, but then his eyes welled up slightly.
After breakfast, Lin's father called Lin Tong into his study.
Lin Tong stood nervously in the study, guessing what Lin's father was about to say.
"I have considered what your mother wrote in her letter and have also asked for your Elder Sister's opinion. But you are an adult now, and I feel I must seek your opinion.
Now, I want to ask you, are you willing to be formally adopted into my family?"
"I..." Lin Tong didn't know how to respond.
"Tong Ge'er, you grew up with your Elder Sister, and you almost went abroad together back then. Uncle has no son, and he has treated you like his own. Regardless of whether you are adopted into my name or not, our bond will not change.
But your mother wants you adopted into my name for the sake of your future. She fears she won't be able to protect you completely anymore.
Your Elder Sister and I have discussed this, and neither of us opposes your adoption. Furthermore, even if you are adopted, you can still show filial piety to your mother."
Lin's father spoke sincerely. He truly liked Tong Ge'er and did not want to see him neglected and troubled by his own father.
He hadn't told Lin Yan everything that was in his second brother's wife's letter. She had actually been recovering, but one of his second brother's concubines couldn't stand to see her well, fearing that once she recovered, she would reclaim control of the household.
So, she swapped her medicine and poisoned her. Although the poison was not in large quantities, it damaged her foundation. Even though she took revenge, her own health deteriorated. This is why she wanted to have Lin Tong adopted.
Lin Tong had been educated in the ways of a gentleman since childhood and was completely unaware of the intrigacies of the inner chambers. Tong Ge'er's wife was also of a gentle disposition, so she was very worried that after she was gone, her son would be devoured by those people.
It was precisely because of witnessing these events that Lin's father did not want this nephew to be ruined by these matters in the future, which is why he agreed to the adoption.
Once Lin Tong was adopted, he would become part of their eldest branch of the family, with no stake in the affairs of his second brother's concubines and sons. This way, they would have no reason to target him.
"I... Uncle, please let me consider it." Lin Tong lowered his head, hesitated for a long time, and then spoke.
"Alright, take your time to think it over!"