Chapter 34

Chapter 34

Not long after, a curvaceous figure with loose wavy hair and wearing a flowing red dress appeared at the door.

As soon as he saw her, Xiang Yuan hurried over to meet her. “Xi Xi, you’re here,” he said, greeting her warmly.

He took the chance to study her face, partially hidden by her curls. Her makeup was a little too heavy, but she was still naturally pretty.

The meetup went really well—Xiang Yuan was thoroughly satisfied. Taking Xi Xi’s hand, he led her past Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue’s table and introduced them. “These are my classmates, and her younger sister.”

Xi Xi nodded slightly and replied in a somewhat awkward tone, “Hello.”

Lin Xiawan responded calmly, “Hello.”

Lin Tingyue quickly followed, “Hello,” too.

But unlike Lin Xiawan, who met Xi Xi's gaze without hesitation, Lin Tingyue kept her head down the whole time.

“I can’t even look—I hope this is just a hallucination.”

“The thought that this person used to be a full-bearded dude makes my eyes hurt!”

A full-bearded guy?

Ugh, they couldn't unsee it now!

While they were still reeling from the visual shock, Xiang Yuan and his darling Xi Xi had already started ordering.

“Xi Xi, how about steak? It’s their restaurant’s specialty,” Xiang Yuan suggested.

Xi Xi ran a hand through her hair. “I don’t really like steak.”

Most people would have changed the order right then, but not Xiang Yuan!

He pleaded, “Xi Xi, you should give it a try. I mean, what’s the point of coming here if you don’t eat the steak?”

Xi Xi finally gave in. “Alright.”

She slowly reached out and took Xiang Yuan’s hand, flashing him a flirtatious smile. “I’ll eat whatever you order.”

That line, paired with Xi Xi’s smile, made Xiang Yuan’s heart soar. What more could a successful man ask for?

“Xi Xi, you’re a girl. Girls should eat more vegetables and fruits—they’re great for your complexion.”

“Xi Xi, how can you skip carrots? I’m only saying this for your own good.”

“Xi Xi, why so much makeup? You don’t even look like a girl anymore. I prefer something simple and natural. Do you get me?”

Lin Tingyue was fuming.

“What’s going on? Where’s the clash of the titans I was expecting?”

Though everyone in the restaurant seemed to be eating peacefully, they were all eavesdropping on the drama. The mellow background music couldn’t cover up Xiang Yuan’s booming voice.

The gossip was juicy, but the unbearable dad energy was almost too much to handle.

“Clap back! I need to see some payback!”

They wanted to watch too!

"I understand," Xi Xi smiled, eating her steak quietly while also adding plenty of vegetables that Xiang Yuan wanted her to eat.

A notification popped up on Xi Xi's phone, which was lying on the table, and Xiang Yuan accidentally caught sight of it. He said excitedly, "Xi Xi, you actually know about this?"

"Only a bit."

"Then let me test you," Xiang Yuan said, propping his chin on his hand and ignoring his meal. "Do you know who the most interesting character in it is?"

"Let me test you~ So classic, these are all classic 'dad joke' material!"

"Guess there's always a bigger fish—or a bigger 'dad.'"

Just as Lin Tingyue was getting bored, Xi Xi started teaching Xiang Yuan how to download a game and register an account.

Xi Xi even sat down next to Xiang Yuan. Grabbing the phone seriously, she said, "Like this, got it?"

"Got it."

But when Xiang Yuan reached for the phone, he watched helplessly as Xi Xi directly deleted the newly registered account. Handing the phone back to him, she said sweetly, "Try it yourself, sweetie. Let me see if you've really learned."

Xiang Yuan was dumbfounded.

"Hahahaha."

"Guess there's always a bigger fish—or a bigger 'dad.'"

Xi Xi stood up. "I'll be right back," she said.

Even Xiang Yuan, dense as he was, began to sense something was off. He asked, "Xi Xi, are you mad at me?"

"Huh? They're the same type—why would they get mad?"

"Ah, it's not anger at all. Xi Xi just needs to go fix her makeup. If she doesn't, the jig will be up."

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Xi Xi—"

Xiang Yuan reached out to stop her. He originally grabbed her arm, but some of her long hair had fallen over it and was tugged along too.

Xi Xi stepped forward while Xiang Yuan pulled back—and the result was—

Xi Xi’s wig came off, revealing a shiny, hairnet-covered bald head.

"Well, that’s one way to get exposed—didn’t see that coming!"

The onlookers let out a chorus of "Whoa!"

Xiang Yuan was completely panicked. "Xi Xi, what's wrong? Are you sick?"

Xi Xi seized the moment, eyes welling up dramatically. Voice trembling, she said, "Yes, I'm sick. I didn't want to tell you. I didn't come to see you—I came to say goodbye."

By the time she finished speaking, Xi Xi was bawling her eyes out.

"Damn, that’s some Oscar-worthy acting."

"Wait, is your makeup waterproof? Stop crying and go fix it! Or else it’ll be game over!"

"Xi Xi...?"

Xiang Yuan never saw this coming—least of all that Xi Xi would be this into him.

He quickly grabbed Xi Xi’s hand and swore, "Xi Xi, no matter what, I won’t leave you. You have to believe me."

"Really?"

Xiang Yuan nodded firmly. "Really."

Touched, Xi Xi said, "Okay, then I’ll go to the restroom... Ah! What the hell? Watch where you're going! You stepped on me, you know?! Get your manager out here!"

The rough voice startled Xiang Yuan, who had been caught up in the moment.

"Hahahaha—whiplash much?"

The server who’d bumped into Xi Xi immediately apologized, "Sorry, so sorry!"

Xiang Yuan gaped. "Xi Xi, why did your voice just change? It sounds like a man's..."

"What do you mean 'like a man'? He *is* a man."

A man?

Xiang Yuan caught on—Xi Xi had worn a wig, and his voice had sounded off...

Could it be? Xiang Yuan let go of Xi Xi’s hand, his face twisting in disgust. "You’re a guy, aren’t you?"

With the game up, Xi Xi didn’t bother hiding it anymore. "Even if I am, does that mean you won’t love me? You just said you wouldn’t leave me, no matter what."

With that, Xi Xi tried to snuggle up to Xiang Yuan, only to be shoved away in disgust.

Only then did Xiang Yuan realize—Xi Xi wasn’t short at all. Almost his height.

"Love made me stupid earlier!"

"I really do like you, Xiang Yuan," Xi Xi said, gazing at him with soft eyes.

Xiang Yuan felt like he wanted to puke. "Yeah, let’s test that ‘true’ love!"

"After driving off his son’s third girlfriend, his son turned completely against him. Now he’s even looking for a lawyer to cut him off legally. Since then, he’s been trawling online for a new spouse. Someone young, rich, and not the sharpest tool around—like Xiang Yuan—is rare these days."

"And why target Xiang Yuan specifically? Because he’s not picky about gender..."

Xiang Yuan stammered, "But my mom wants grandkids..."

"Why the stammer? Did you actually fall for it?"

Xi Xi’s eyes lit up. "*I* can give you a grandkid."

Lin Tingyue: "?"

"Damn, so her ex’s ex is now her ex’s son?"

Even as they left, Lin Tingyue was still massaging her temples, sighing. She side-eyed Lin Xiawan, only to get caught. She coughed awkwardly and said tactfully, "Xiawan, your class is... something else, huh?"

Hell no. I’ve gotta protect Xiawan. I can’t let those people corrupt her."

Lin Xiawan’s eyes crinkled with a smile.

Not long after, Lin Xiawan sent invitations to the whole Lin family.

Lin Tingyue examined the invitation. “An art exhibition?”

“Yes,” she replied. “Although none of my works are included in this exhibition yet, I’ve been working with the team on it lately. I hope everyone can come.”

“Xiawan, I wouldn’t miss it!”

Lin Xiawan looked at Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong. Bai Yaxin’s voice trembled slightly. “Of course Mom and Dad will be there… I don’t know why, but seeing how well you’re doing makes me want to cry.”

“Mom…”

“I know, I know.”

On the day of the art exhibition, the whole family came out in full force.

As a staff member, Lin Xiawan had a lot to do. After bringing the Lin family into the exhibition hall, she hurried off to work.

Lin Tingyue admired the paintings.

Lin Chengyan stood behind her and said, “If you like anything, I’ll buy it for you.”

But Lin Tingyue was actually thinking—

“No way, no way! How is this worth millions?”

“Ugh, isn’t this highway robbery?”

Hearing Lin Chengyan’s words, Lin Tingyue turned around and said with a deadpan expression, “Second Brother, you might as well just transfer the money directly to me.”

Lin Chengyan: “…”

“Lin Tingyue, your gold-digger act never quits.”

“Second Brother, come here. I have some priceless advice for you.”

“What priceless advice could you possibly have?”

Though he scoffed, Lin Chengyan obediently leaned in.

Patting his shoulder earnestly, Lin Tingyue said, “Second Brother, if you’re going to create an image in the entertainment industry, make sure it’s genuine. Otherwise, one day it might all fall apart.”

“Then, according to your esteemed wisdom, what kind of image should I go for?”

“That’s obvious, isn’t it? A hopeless romantic, of course.”

“Lin! Ting! Yue!”

He should’ve seen that coming.

Lin Tingyue stuck her tongue out and ran off. She dashed up to Lin Yuhuan, who had just arrived, and asked sweetly, “Big Brother, where were you just now?”

Lin Yuhuan replied, “I bumped into a colleague and his wife. We talked for a while.”

“A colleague?”

“Yes, Mr. Song. He’s over there checking out the paintings.”

Lin Tingyue looked over, her eyes went wide.

"That's not even his wife!!!"

Lin Yuhuan blinked: "?"

"His actual wife is coming right now!"

No way!