Chapter 148: Little Green Tea

"General Xiao? Oh, I remember now. He's the general that Father saved, right?" Lin Beitao said.

Lin Sangqian nodded.

Xiao Yawen, the general's daughter, blushed for a long moment before whispering, "My father said that Young Master Yu and Guard Lin are his saviors—which makes them our family's saviors, too. He said we must repay them well in the future."

"Don't be so formal," Lin Sangqian replied. "It was just a small favor for my father."

"Even if it was a small favor, it saved my father's life."

As she spoke, Xiao Yawen suddenly ran to Lin Sangqian’s side, took her hand, and whispered, "Sister, can I come with you in the future? My father is leaving, and this time he won't let me follow him. He wants to leave me in this town, but I want to be with you."

"Huh?" Lin Sangqian was a bit stunned.

This was the first time she had ever met this girl, right? Besides, Xiao Yawen seemed older than her, so why was she calling her "Sister"? Still, she had to admit, the way she said it was sweet and actually quite pleasant.

Oh well, her soul wasn't really that of a ten-year-old anyway; if she wanted to call her sister, so be it.

"Is it okay?" Xiao Yawen asked, her eyes welling up with tears as she saw the hesitation. Her eyelids were already turning red.

"I... I don't mind," Lin Sangqian said, "but I'll have to discuss it with the rest of the family." Though she knew they wouldn't object.

"Thank you, Sister!" Xiao Yawen’s tears vanished instantly.

Zhao Lan’er: "?"

This girl was quite the master of controlling her emotions.

Just then, Xiao Yawen’s gaze fell on her, and she said to Lin Sangqian, "This Sister Lan’er must be your good friend, right? I’m so envious. If I could have a good friend like you, I’d be so happy I could die."

Zhao Lan’er: "..."

What a little green tea bitch! It was clear she was trying to steal Lin Sangqian away from her! Yet, Lin Sangqian seemed to genuinely see her as a dear younger sister, patting Xiao Yawen’s hand and saying, "We’re all friends now. You’ll stay with us, and you definitely won't let your father down."

"Mm!" Xiao Yawen nodded. "I heard that you’re doing business, Sister, so you must need help. If you ever need me for anything, just say the word. I’ll do my best!"

Lin Sangqian was quite moved. She had assumed a general's daughter would be a pampered noble, likely spoiled and arrogant. But Xiao Yawen was clearly just a sweet girl-next-door!

Zhao Lan’er watched indignantly as Xiao Yawen kept holding Lin Sangqian’s hand. Lin Sangqian even gave her chicken feet to eat!

It was over. Her Sangqian was really about to be snatched away!

"What's wrong?" Lin Wenyan asked, oblivious to the situation, seeing her looking unhappy.

"Nothing," Zhao Lan’er replied sourly.

Wuwuwu, from now on, she would have to watch this little green tea hovering around Lin Sangqian every single day!

Just then, General Xiao and Lin Hongda walked out of the house together. The general’s arm was still bandaged, but he looked quite spirited.

General Xiao bowed very solemnly to Lin Hongda and said, "I am sincere in this request. I hope you will consider it carefully, Mr. Lin."

Lin Hongda nodded. "I will. I shall give you an answer as soon as possible."

"Good."

General Xiao turned to see Lin Sangqian and smiled. "Is this your daughter? How lovely. Yawen, now that you’re staying in town, make sure you get along well with everyone."

The upcoming war would likely be more severe than anything they had faced before. No matter how much it pained him, he couldn't keep his daughter by his side.

"I will, Father."

Xiao Yawen arranged to move in three days later, then left with the general.

Liaoshuxia walked out of the house and asked, "What did the general say to you just now?" She had been embroidering in another room and hadn't heard their conversation.

Lin Hongda hesitated for a moment. "Nothing much. Just thanking me and complimenting my skills."

"Oh," Liaoshuxia said, not suspecting a thing.

But Lin Sangqian felt that things weren't that simple. Based on the way the general spoke to her father, could it be that he wanted to... Lin Sangqian frowned, a sudden pang of sadness in her heart. Perhaps her father would be leaving for a long time again.

Lin Sangqian discussed Xiao Yawen moving in with the family. Aside from Zhao Lan’er, who was a bit sulky, no one had any objections.

Three days later, Xiao Yawen moved in. She didn't have much luggage—just some clothes and a few simple pieces of jewelry. Lin Sangqian told her to sleep in the room she shared with Zhao Lan’er. Zhao Lan’er, intent on keeping them apart, suggested she sleep in the middle.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yawen’s eyes welled up again. "I always toss and turn in my sleep. If I sleep on the edge, I’m prone to falling off the bed. Sister Sangqian, Sister Lan’er, could I sleep in the middle?"

Lin Sangqian: "Sure, no problem!"

Zhao Lan’er: "?"

She just does whatever she wants? Lin Sangqian, you heartless woman!

General Xiao didn't come; it was An Yu who brought Xiao Yawen over. An Yu chewed on a plate of chicken feet that Lin Sangqian had made herself, looking satisfied, and asked Lin Wenyan, "Has Guard Lin made up his mind? Is he going with the General?"

"What are you talking about?" Lin Wenyan blinked. "My father is going with the General?"

An Yu froze. "You... you don't know?"

That day, before General Xiao fell unconscious, he had seen with his own eyes how valiantly Lin Hongda had fought off the Yidian invaders. A veteran of the battlefield, he could tell at a glance that Lin Hongda was a rare talent. If he joined the campaign, he would undoubtedly earn great merit and have a limitless future.

"I have no idea!" Lin Wenyan panicked. "Mother, Little Sister, Third Brother, did you know?"

Lin Beitao shook his head, looking stunned. "Father didn't tell us."

Liaoshuxia said nothing; she was dumbfounded.

Only Lin Sangqian wasn't too surprised. She had guessed as much earlier. And knowing her father, Lin Hongda... he would likely agree.

An Yu realized he had made a mess of things and wanted to slap himself. "I thought you all knew..."

Just then, Lin Hongda returned from the Yu residence. Seeing them, he said cheerfully, "Everyone’s back. Eh... what's wrong with you all?"

He sensed the strange atmosphere in the courtyard. Turning to see An Yu winking at him, he immediately realized what had happened. He rubbed his nose. "You all know?"

"Is it true? The General wants you to go with him? To the army? To fight the Yidian?" Liaoshuxia fired off questions like a cannon. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I hadn't fully decided before, and then..."

"And then you decided to go, but didn't know how to tell us, right?" Lin Sangqian asked softly.

Lin Hongda sighed and nodded.

Liaoshuxia’s tears began to fall instantly.