Chapter 52: The Flower Festival Arrives (Part 3)

Lin Qiyue hurriedly cupped his hands in apology, then looked at Mo Yu, "Brother Mo, let's set off first."

Mo Yu nodded, turned, and walked toward the ceremonial procession on the left. Soon, he reached the very front, stood still at a distance, and cast a thoughtful gaze toward Lin Chuyi's side. That young girl was lowering her head, busy puttering away at something, completely unaware of what was happening over here.

"Chuyi, stop fiddling with that. If we delay any longer, we really are going to miss the auspicious hour," Lin Qiyue urged hurriedly before quickly trotting off to catch up.

Originally, the task of welcoming the guests would never have been assigned to Mo Yu. However, because Lin Jiujiu and Lin Wuyue were far too young to handle such a duty, Mo Yu had taken it upon itself.

"Two young misses, we should hurry along as well."

Lin Chuyi was still tinkering with the items in her pouch when Lin Jiujiu pulled her toward the ceremonial procession on the right. She had no choice but to halt her movements and obediently follow along.

Seeing that all four of them were fully prepared, the older woman who had spoken earlier immediately called out in a loud voice, "Set off!"

At once, the lively sounds of suonas and firecrackers burst into the air.

On the side welcoming the women, Lin Chuyi and Lin Jiujiu served as the hosts, while on the side welcoming the men, Mo Yu and Lin Qiyue took on that role. The two grand and bustling retinues headed toward the main entrance, their very first task being to promptly go and greet the participating women and men.

"Why aren't you joining in on this festival?" Looking at the beaming Lin Qiyue beside him, Mo Yu could not help but feel a touch of curiosity.

Come to think of it, Lin Qiyue was already seventeen, and in two months he would turn eighteen—an age quite suitable for marriage.

Hearing this, Lin Qiyue touched his nose somewhat shyly and replied, "I would rather find the person I like naturally. If it is meant to be, we will cross paths when the time comes."

Mo Yu chuckled softly, "You certainly take things easy."

As they spoke, they had already reached the main gate. Lin Zhixiang, along with the little ones and the household servants, had been waiting respectfully on the side for a while. Upon seeing them approach, another wave of firecrackers erupted, crackling endlessly and creating a tremendously festive atmosphere.

Catching sight of Mo Yu, Lin Zhixiang hurried forward and bowed respectfully, "Sorry to trouble you."

"Think nothing of it. I'm quite curious myself," Mo Yu said with a smile, waving a hand dismissively.

Lin Zhixiang nodded deferentially, then turned to Lin Qiyue and instructed, "Take good care of the Young Master."

Lin Qiyue instantly rolled his eyes, "I know, Dad!"

What he simply could not fathom was why his father treated Brother Mo with a level of attentiveness that no one could possibly match. If he did not know the deep devotion his father held for his mother, he would have suspected that Brother Mo was actually an illegitimate son his father had fathered outside.

Lin Wuyue curiously glanced at Lin Chuyi's cloth pouch, suddenly let go of Lin Siyue's hand, and ran over. Tugging at Lin Chuyi's sleeve, he piped up, "Eldest Sister, I want to eat some too."

Hearing this, Lin Chuyi hurriedly pulled a large package from her bag and stuffed it into the little fellow's small pocket. "There you go. Take this to share with your brothers and sisters. Go on back now, Sister has work to do."

Blinking his large eyes, Lin Wuyue stared at Lin Chuyi and said unhappily, "Eldest Sister, the ones you bought yesterday weren't like these. There were raw dates..."

Lin Chuyi hurriedly clamped a hand over the little boy's mouth, saying through gritted teeth, "Be a good boy, Little Wu. Sister will give them to you when she gets back, but not right now."

If this were anywhere else, it might not have mattered, but their old man was glaring over with a tigerish gaze right from the side. How could this brat be so completely oblivious to the mood?

She had entirely forgotten that a child just over two years old could hardly be expected to read the room; being thankful he wasn't throwing a tantrum was already a blessing.