Chapter 21: First Meeting Across Lifetimes

In his thirties, Lin Siyuan currently serves as the Head of Tianqi Academy. Like his father, Lin Yanqing, he is a clean-minded official holding a leisurely post.

Lin Siyuan was the top scholar of the sixth year of Sheng'an and is the youngest Head in the history of Tianqi Academy.

He possesses the same composed and dignified temperament as Lin Yanqing, yet he carries an extra touch of gentleness and elegance. Though strict in disciplining his two children, he is a loving father.

Seeing his daughter crying, Lin Siyuan said with heartache, "What is it? Does something hurt? Or were you frightened?"

A thousand emotions and words choked in Lin Jinyan's throat; she was too overwhelmed to speak, only shaking her head repeatedly as large tears fell.

Lin Siyuan looked toward Lin Jin'an. "What is wrong with Yan'er?"

Lin Jin'an stepped forward, patting Lin Jinyan's back. "Don't worry, Father. It's not that Yan'er is in pain. She's just become a bit delicate and prone to crying since falling into the water; she cried even louder when she saw me the day before yesterday. Stop crying, Yan'er, or if you ruin your health, Auntie will have to stay up all night tending to you again. Brother will buy you sugar figurines tomorrow, alright?"

Gu Momo also stepped forward to comfort her. Once Lin Jinyan's emotions stabilized, Gu Momo had a maid bring water for her to wash her face before they reseated themselves.

Once seated and calm, Lin Jinyan spoke softly, "Father, Yan'er's health has already improved greatly. It was just that I had nightmares during the high fever. Seeing you gave me a sense of being in another lifetime, which is why I cried. Please don't worry, Father."

Hearing this, Lin Siyuan smiled. "You must have had a very terrifying dream to frighten you so. When I came to visit you the day before yesterday, you were even talking in your sleep, saying there was danger and telling Father to run quickly. It shows that Yan'er has grown up and knows how to worry about her Father now."

Lin Jinyan's heart tightened. "In the dream... I indeed dreamed that Father was in danger."

Lin Siyuan comforted her, "Do not be afraid, Yan'er. Since it was a dream, it will not come true. It is all in the past. Even if there were real danger, Father would protect you."

Lin Jinyan nodded. "Mhm, Yan'er knows."

In her past life, Lin Siyuan wanted to protect her even as he was dying; how could she not believe him?

Lin Siyuan asked, "Are you able to eat now that you're awake?"

Lin Jinyan replied, "I had some porridge after waking up. I went to pay my respects to Grandfather and Grandmother and then came back. When I returned, Gu Momo gave me a bowl of freshly stewed pigeon soup."

Lin Siyuan said, "That is good. Those two maids, Yuling and Yuxiu, were far too careless with you, actually leaving you by the water alone. If they hadn't been discovered early, it could have turned into a catastrophe. They were expelled from the manor that very night. Now, you only have Yutong and Yulan as personal maids, which is indeed a bit few. In a couple of days, once you are fully recovered, I will find someone from a maid agency to bring some reliable girls. I'll have your Grandmother pick some out, and you can take a look as well."

Just like in her past life, the two maids who were following her the night she fell into the water were expelled from the manor that same night.

It was also after she woke up that two new maids were bought to replace them, only to be successively bribed by that wench Zhou Yuexue.

Thinking of this, Lin Jinyan's mind raced before she spoke, "Father, can we not buy maids from an agency? Yan'er wants to choose them herself."

Lin Siyuan said in surprise, "How will you choose? If not from an agency, where do you plan to get them?"

Lin Jinyan said with a beaming smile, "I want to ask Auntie to help me choose a maid with some martial skills, so that if I ever fall into the water again, she can rescue me immediately."

Lin Siyuan found it amusing. "Was falling in once not enough? Your Grandmother is at home; it wouldn't be quite appropriate to trouble your Auntie for the procurement of servants..."

Lin Jinyan stood up and tugged at Lin Siyuan's sleeve, swaying him back and forth. "Father~ just don't tell Grandmother, alright? I'll just say I saw a girl I liked and wanted her for myself."

(End of Chapter)