Protecting Loved Ones
Lin Residence.
Su Li, both expectant and anxious, stood at the door with everyone else, waiting for the wedding procession to bring the bride back home.
They craned their necks in anticipation, and finally, the moment arrived—the bride was home!
From afar, they saw Dr. Rowan Lin dismount and stride purposefully to the bridal sedan, kicking open the door and lifting Margaret Evans out.
The look on Dr. Rowan Lin’s face as he held the bride—pure joy, as if he’d just found a priceless treasure.
Everyone burst into laughter, crowding around Dr. Rowan Lin as he carried the bride into the ceremonial hall, crossing over the fire basin.
The ceremony began—the newlyweds bowed to each other.
Dr. Rowan Lin’s parents had long passed away, so the elders of the Lin family took the main seats.
Margaret Evans’s parents had also been gone for many years. Her eldest brother served as her father, her eldest sister-in-law as her mother, so her uncle David Wang and aunt Linda Wang took the main seats.
Watching his little sister remarry, David Wang was so moved that he burst into tears, overwhelmed with happiness.
After the ceremony, Margaret Evans was escorted to the bridal chamber. Su Li, along with Belle, Mrs. Penny, and Wu Caiwei, went in to keep her company.
Meanwhile, Alexander Hayes accompanied his father-in-law to socialize and drink.
Inside the bridal chamber, Margaret Evans sat shyly, just like a young bride, both nervous and bashful—making the younger girls laugh.
"Mom, you must be hungry. Have something to eat." Su Li, having just married herself, knew how tiring it was for a new bride and figured Margaret Evans was definitely hungry.
But to her surprise, Margaret Evans was even more traditional than Su Li, quickly replying, "I can't eat until the veil is lifted."
"Mom, if you starve, Dad will blame me!" Su Li laughed, covering her mouth.
Just as Su Li finished speaking, Dr. Rowan Lin’s hearty laughter rang out.
Everyone turned to see Dr. Rowan Lin stride in, greeting the girls first, then saying to Margaret Evans, "Xiaowan, I have to go out and drink with the guests. Don’t go hungry—let the children take care of you and fill your stomach first. Ali, look after your mom well. I’ll come back later. Those rascals outside are just waiting to drown me in wine. If I don’t go, your good husband will be the one they target."
Su Li immediately understood that Alexander Hayes must have gone to help her father block drinks. Now that Dr. Rowan Lin wasn’t there, they’d set their sights on Alexander Hayes.
Feeling sorry for Alexander Hayes, Su Li quickly said, "Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll take good care of Mom. You’d better hurry!"
Dr. Rowan Lin burst out laughing. "Alright, alright, Ali, look at you being so protective—afraid your husband will drink too much, aren’t you? Haha, your husband can hold his liquor, he never gets drunk!"
At this moment, Margaret Evans spoke up, her voice gentle as water: "Brother Lin, you should drink less, too. Too much is bad for your health."
Dr. Rowan Lin was overjoyed by Margaret Evans’s concern, feeling as sweet as if he’d tasted honey.
Su Li egged them on from the side, covering her mouth: "Dad, you’re always teasing me, but look, Mom cares about you too. You both should drink less."
"Alright, alright, my good girl!" Dr. Rowan Lin, in high spirits, laughed heartily and strode away.
"Mom, see, Dad said you should eat. If you don’t, he’ll blame me later." Su Li immediately used Dr. Rowan Lin as her shield.
Margaret Evans obediently relented, letting Belle lift her veil a little before she finally started to eat.
The wedding banquet lasted late into the night. Only then did Dr. Rowan Lin, half drunk, return to the bridal chamber. Seeing the groom had come back, Su Li and the other girls sensibly slipped away, leaving the newlyweds alone.
Outside the bridal chamber, Alexander Hayes stood there, smiling slyly at Su Li, his grin as cunning as a fox. Su Li knew right away he was up to no good.