Chapter 108

Chapter 108

This took Ying An by complete surprise.

He had always thought Lin Tingyue was pretty dense—even if he panicked over the words "blind date," she wouldn’t notice anything.

But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Had Lin Tingyue suddenly caught on to something, or had she realized something?

Ying An turned to look at Lin Tingyue, and what greeted him was her lovely face. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, forgetting even to defend himself, until Lin Tingyue stepped back.

"Did I scare you, Mr. Ying?"

Lin Tingyue looked at Ying An, concerned. "Mr. Ying, why aren’t you saying anything?"

Ying An replied blankly, "What am I supposed to say?"

"Oh no, I’ve totally flustered Mr. Ying."

So, had Lin Tingyue just been teasing him? Ying An pursed his lips.

"Actually, I was just joking too," Lin Tingyue blinked, "How was that, Mr. Ying?"

Looking at Lin Tingyue’s innocent face, Ying An thought to himself—when he said he was joking, he wasn't being truthful, but Lin Tingyue was probably truly joking.

Ying An said, "It was great. If our director were here, he’d definitely be satisfied."

Except his voice had somehow grown hoarse, adding a hint of something unreadable to his originally magnetic tone.

Lin Tingyue sheepishly stuck out her tongue and poured Ying An another glass of water. She wouldn’t pull that again.

"Thank you, Miss Lin."

"You’re welcome. So, did you take the day off today?"

"We had a night shoot last night, so I’m off today."

"Oh." Lin Tingyue nodded. Then she asked, "Since you finally have a break, aren’t you going home to visit?"

"I already went home."

"Of course Mr. Ying would go home," she muttered to herself. "Lin Tingyue, what kind of dumb question was that?"

"Well..."

"Miss Lin, you don’t have to feel obligated to make small talk."

"I... I’m a chatterbox by nature."

Ying An chuckled. "Is that so?"

"Strange, it feels like Mr. Ying is in better spirits now."

Ying An paused. Was his change in demeanor really that obvious?

Ying An stayed about an hour before leaving. Lin Tingyue watched him get into the car and, after thinking for a second, wished him, "Break a leg with filming."

"Thank you, Miss Lin."

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Watching Lin Tingyue's figure shrink in the rearview mirror, Ying An felt certain that this project would go smoothly.

On her way back to the living room, Lin Tingyue received a call from Fan Qing—

"Hey Qing Qing, what's up?"

"Yue Yue, my mom's good friend's restaurant is having a friends-and-family night tonight. Want to come eat? There's lots of delicious food."

"I'm in! Text me the address. Let me change and I'll be right out."

"I'll drive you."

"Okay, call me when you arrive."

As Lin Yuhuan stepped out of his room, he bumped into Lin Tingyue humming a song.

Noticing she had changed clothes, he asked, "Heading out?"

"Yeah, Qing Qing invited me to dinner."

"Alright."

Lin Tingyue suddenly remembered something and stopped to ask, "Ge, are you the only one home tonight?"

Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong had gone to visit relatives, Lin Chengyan was at a party, and Lin Xiawan had gone shopping with Yang Yuxing and was even spending the night at the Yangs'.

Lin Yuhuan thought for a moment and smiled. "Looks that way."

"So what are you having for dinner, Ge?"

Lin Yuhuan reached out and patted Lin Tingyue's head. "Ting Yue, don't worry about me. I can cook for myself—unlike Second Brother."

Lin Tingyue grinned, her eyes curving. "Okay, I'm off then!"

"Alright, call me if you need anything."

"Mhm."

As Lin Tingyue stepped out of the estate gates, Fan Qing was already waiting curbside.

Spotting Lin Tingyue, she walked over with a rose between her teeth. "Hey gorgeous, all alone?"

"Yeah, what about it?"

"I'm flying solo too. Wanna hang out with me?"

Lin Tingyue bit back a laugh, tilting her head to study Fan Qing for a moment before saying, "I'll think about it."

"Still thinking? Someone as amazing as me? You couldn't find another like me if you tried, okay?"

Fan Qing furrowed her brows, then simply manhandled Lin Tingyue into the passenger seat.

She walked around to the driver's side, got in, and raised an eyebrow. "Well? Not bad for an amateur actress, huh?"

Lin Tingyue said with exasperation, "Qing Qing, just throw away those cheesy CEO romance novels of yours."

Fan Qing: "?" "Hmph," Fan Qing started the car. "I'm keeping them—might even hire my own film crew to bring them to life!"

Here's the edited translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

"Wait, that's actually a thing?"

"Mmm... all the male actors have to have six-pack abs."

Lin Tingyue looked at Fan Qing eagerly and said coyly, "Qing Qing babe, can I join too?"

Pfft, like you could say no to that.

Fan Qing lifted her chin and declared, "Of course, what can I say? You're my bestie."

Lin Tingyue gave her a big smooch. "Qing Qing, you're the best!"

Ugh, such a flip-flopper.

The car soon arrived at the restaurant entrance. The place had traditional Chinese decor, with even the waitstaff dressed in Hanfu.

As soon as the two stepped inside, a woman made up like an imperial concubine greeted them, batting her eyelashes.

"OMG gorgeous! I'm totally yours!"

Fan Qing: "?"

Well there goes my performance.

The woman smiled and said, "Qing Qing, you're here! And this must be your good friend, Lin Tingyue, right?"

"Yes, Auntie. Auntie, you're so beautiful," Lin Tingyue gushed.

Qu Nian covered her mouth with a light laugh. "You kids sure know how to flatter."

"Auntie Qu," Fan Qing glanced around and asked, "Has my mom arrived yet?"

"Your mother said she'll be a little late. I'll have the server take you to the private dining room first."

"Okay."

Fan Qing and Lin Tingyue walked hand in hand to the private dining room.

Since it was a soft opening (trial run), there weren't many guests today. After Feng Shuiyun arrived, the waitstaff started bringing out dishes.

The private dining room door was left open, and every word from a man at the table directly across from them came through loud and clear.

"Let me tell you, the new General Manager Qin can't hold a candle to the previous Manager Tong."

A young woman at their table asked, "Why? I've worked on two projects with Manager Qin, and she seems really capable."

The man gave her a sidelong glance and poured her a glass of wine. "Xiao Wei, you're still too young. She's a real crafty old fox—playing innocent in front of you is like taking candy from a baby. Xiao Wei, you'd better keep your guard up, or you'll end up getting scammed and still helping her count your money."

It sounded plausible, but the women nearby all frowned in unison. So freaking condescending.

The girl called Xiao Wei adjusted her black-framed glasses. "Brother Cao, I already told you, I'm on medication and can't drink."

Cao Hui tutted disapprovingly. "What's wrong with young people these days? Always picking up nonsense from the internet—suddenly they're on meds, allergic to alcohol, whatever excuse to get out of drinking. This is the workplace now, the real world, not school anymore. If you can't drink, how's that gonna fly? You need to build up your tolerance."

[Eye-roll] Fan Qing muttered, "Yeah right, 'toughen up'."

"But Manager Qin said it's fine if I don't drink. She said there's no rule about it."

"Xiao Wei, whose side are you on—mine or Manager Qin’s?"

Cao Hui was furious, slamming his glass down hard, making the table rattle. The sound sent Xiao Wei’s heart racing.

The others at the table jumped in to smooth things over. "Xiao Wei, hurry up and apologize to Brother Cao."

"Yeah, Brother Cao, she didn’t do it on purpose. Tell you what—Xiao Wei can down this drink as an apology."

Still, Xiao Wei didn’t budge.

Cao Hui’s face turned even stormier. He rapped his knuckles on the table. "Sure, that Qin Luan doesn’t have to drink. How did she even get her director position? Her projects probably came the same way—using her looks to sleep her way to the top."

Xiao Wei’s eyes widened. "Brother Cao, how can you say that about Manager Qin? Do you even hear yourself? That’s slander!"

"So what?"

"Tsk tsk, now we see how petty a man can be."

Whose voice was that? The group looked around, baffled.

"Just two days ago, this man named Cao Hui slipped a hotel keycard into Manager Qin’s project proposal. He camped out in a bathrobe all night, but Manager Qin never came."

Huh?

So Brother Cao was the one trying to climb into Manager Qin’s bed?

People traded awkward looks. Cao Hui wasn’t ugly, just painfully average—nothing special to look at. Where did he get the confidence to think Manager Qin would ever be interested in him?

Cao Hui scratched his chin, confused. Why did it feel like everyone was looking at him strangely?

"What?" Cao Hui frowned. "Am I wrong?"

"Say it again if you dare."

A sharp, no-nonsense voice sliced through the chatter. Then, a woman stepped out of the private room nearby. You could tell just by her stance—this woman meant business.

Fan Qing muttered, "Wait… is that Manager Qin?"

Lin Tingyue nodded.

Fan Qing, still seething seconds earlier, perked up instantly. "Oho. Brother Cao’s about to get what’s coming to him."

Qin Luan stopped beside Cao Hui. She tapped her phone against the table and arched a brow. "Nothing to say now?"

Cao Hui shot up, sweating bullets. "M-Manager Qin! I—I didn’t expect you here!"

Qin Luan crossed her arms. "I figured your team deserved a treat after killing yourselves on that last project, so I gave you an invite to this restaurant’s soft opening. And yet..."

With her jet-black hair and striking red lips, Qin Luan exuded an overwhelming presence. Cao Hui’s shirt was soaked with sweat. "Manager Qin, I didn’t know you were here. I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry—"

"The nerve of mediocre men never fails to amaze me."

Qin Luan chuckled. "What in your wildest dreams made you think I’d want you?"

"Manager Qin—"

"Xiao Wei, come join me inside."

"Right away, Manager Qin."

Xiao Wei shouldered her backpack and followed President Qin into the private room with her head held high.

Slumped over, Cao Hui muttered, "It's over, everything's over."

Fan Qing in the private room exclaimed excitedly, "That was awesome!"

Feng Shuiyun picked up food for Fan Qing and Lin Tingyue, saying, "This just goes to show, don’t badmouth people behind their backs."

Fan Qing was cracking up, "But who’d be as dumb as that moron anyway?"

"Qing Qing."

"Alright, Mom, I got it. I won't laugh anymore."

Looking at Fan Qing's smiling face, Feng Shuiyun shook her head and said dotingly, "Go ahead and laugh."

Qu Nian stepped into Qin’s booth and remarked, "It seems President Qin won’t be getting a membership card here today?"

President Qin asked, "Why?"

"Because you had to deal with something disgusting."

President Qin replied, "Honestly, I’ve been disgusted since he handed me that room key."

Qu Nian propped herself on the table, smiling at President Qin, "So, what will President Qin do about it?"

"What will I do?" President Qin made a slicing motion with her hand.

Xiao Wei’s eyes widened in shock, "P-President Qin, are you going to... cut someone?"

"I’m just joking. But I’ll still get a membership at your restaurant, Boss Qu."

Qu Nian raised an eyebrow, "What made you change your mind?"

President Qin handed over her bank card, "Gotta support my wife’s hustle."

W-wife?!

Xiao Wei’s brain almost fried. She looked at President Qin, then at Qu Nian—were they a couple?

Xiao Wei covered her face. Cao Hui really picked the wrong fight.

"Wait, what? Auntie Qu and President Qin are a thing?!"

Fan Qing squealed from their booth.

Feng Shuiyun reminded her, "Lower your voice."

"Okay, okay."

Then, she tugged Lin Tingyue’s arm and whispered, "Yue Yue, they’re really a lesbian couple?!"

Lin Tingyue stayed silent.

She swore she’d heard this before.

...

On the fourth day of the new year, Old Man Lin was so pissed that he landed in the hospital.

Lin Rusong rushed over and learned the issue wasn’t too serious—just requiring a few days of hospitalization for observation—and sighed in relief.

Standing by Lin Hong’s hospital bed, Lin Rusong said earnestly, "Dad, why do you have to be like this?"

"Do you know what Aunt Xu said? She said she’d never be with me in this lifetime!"

"Huh, is that really a shock? Did Grandpa seriously think Grandma would take him back?"

This was said quietly so Lin Hong wouldn’t hear, or he’d blow a gasket.

Lin Jiaxin muttered darkly, "Dad, if you’d treated Aunt Xu even a little better back then, things wouldn’t have turned out like this."

Lin Hong sat up angrily, "Do you guys still not get where the root of the problem lies?"

"Where? Isn’t it right here with Grandpa?"

The Lin family all seemed to agree, and the room went dead silent.

Clutching his chest, Lin Hong gnashed his teeth and said, "You ungrateful kids."

He clapped his hands in frustration, "Of course, it’s all because of Lin Jiasi! Yinan’s so gentle—it must be Lin Jiasi who instigated this. Lin Jiasi’s deliberately making things difficult for me, even targeting her own father. That Lin Jiasi... I should’ve just gotten a dog."

"Get a dog? Yeah, great idea."

Bai Yaxin patted Lin Tingyue’s head, but Lin Tingyue wasn’t even listening. With the ward so chaotic, there was no point sticking around, so Bai Yaxin took Lin Tingyue outside.

"Mom, is something wrong?" Lin Tingyue put down her phone and looked at Bai Yaxin with concern.

Bai Yaxin took Lin Tingyue’s hand and said, "It’s nothing. It was too stuffy in there, so I brought you out for some fresh air."

"Okay."

The two took the elevator down to the lobby and spotted a vending machine. Bai Yaxin asked, "Are you thirsty? Should I buy you a drink?"

"I’m not thirsty. Do you want one, Mom?"

"I’m not thirsty either."

Bai Yaxin and Lin Tingyue looked for a place to sit, but before they could reach the seating area, a loud "Mom!" came from behind.

Bai Yaxin instinctively turned around and saw a young woman striding toward a middle-aged woman.

The middle-aged woman tried to avoid her, but the young woman grabbed her shoulders and turned her face around. Xun Xinyan’s eyebrows shot up, "Mom, it really is you?"

Since her daughter saw her, hiding was pointless. Xun Man nodded, "Yes, it’s me."

"Mom, are you sick? Why didn’t you tell me if something was wrong?"

"It’s nothing, just my usual aches. You’re busy with work..."

"Mom," Xun Xinyan said disapprovingly, "No matter how busy I am, do I not even have time to accompany you to the hospital?"

"I know, you’ve always been a good daughter."

"Of course! Mom, have you finished your check-up? Hand me your paperwork, I’ll take you to..."

Bai Yaxin sighed, "How sweet—a mom looking out for her daughter, and a daughter taking care of her mom."

"Yes, except this mom’s here for a pregnancy check-up."

What?

"No need, I can handle it myself..."

Xun Man tried to stop Xun Xinyan, but the slip was already in Xun Xinyan's hands. After glancing at it, Xun Xinyan blurted out, "Mom, you're pregnant???"

"I..."

Xun Man couldn’t look her in the eye.

Seeing her mother like this, Xun Xinyan’s heart ached. She gently held Xun Man's hand and said softly, "Mom, I’m not blaming you. I’m just in shock. After all, I haven’t even met this guy yet. And Mom, you’re older now—you’re high-risk for pregnancy. I’m worried about you."

"Xinyan," Xun Man stroked her daughter's hand, "I know, sweetheart."

"Mom, when can I meet him?"

Xun Man froze. "When things settle down... I’ll arrange for you to meet."

"What kind of man does that? Letting you come to the hospital alone—what if—"

"I’m fine. Let’s go."

Xun Xinyan perked up. That voice—why did it sound so familiar?

A man walked over, took Xun Man’s arm, and locked eyes with Xun Xinyan.

Xun Xinyan staggered back. "Xiao Kun?! How could it be you?"

"Talk about a twist! The daughter’s boyfriend is also the mother’s boyfriend."

Bai Yaxin’s mind reeled.

Xun Xinyan’s gaze fell on Xiao Kun’s arm entwined with Xun Man’s. Her voice dripped with scorn, "All this time, I suspected you were cheating, but I never imagined your affair partner would be my own mother!"

Her words echoed through the crowded hospital.

Cheating with one’s mother-in-law—now that’s a new low.

"Xinyan, I didn’t know she was your mom..." Xiao Kun lunged for her hand in desperation.

She jerked away.

"What’s that supposed to mean? If she weren’t my mom, would cheating be fine then?"

"That’s not—"

"Xinyan, don’t blame Xiao Kun either."

Xun Man’s sudden interjection stunned Xun Xinyan. Fighting back tears, she asked, "Mom, what do you mean?"

"It means I sought out Xiao Kun deliberately—to test whether he’d truly stay loyal to you."

Testing him by sleeping with him?

This was beyond messed up.

Xun Xinyan was reeling from what was happening to her.

After explaining, Xun Man squeezed her hand and said, "Xinyan, he’s trash. I’ll get rid of it. You deserve better."

Xun Xinyan's eyes were vacant as she choked out the words, "So, Mom, do you still think we're mother and daughter?"

"Of course we are," Xun Man said, caressing Xun Xinyan's hair with unsettling tenderness. "In this world, your mother loves you most."

Xun Xinyan finally broke down, shoving Xun Man's hand away and running out.

Bai Yaxin was still in shock, murmuring, "How could something like this happen?"

"Indeed."

Lin Tingyue had heard her share of drama, but how this one unfolded caught her completely off guard.

After sitting in the lobby for a while, Bai Yaxin messaged Lin Rusong, who said he'd be right down.

Exiting the elevator, Lin Rusong walked up to his wife and daughter. Seeing his exhausted expression, Lin Tingyue asked, "Dad, what's wrong?"

"Grandpa's throwing a fit. Jiaxin's giving him the cold shoulder."

Bai Yaxin seized the key point. "And what about you?"

"I'll make finding a caregiver top priority."

"That's better. Let's go home then."

Lin Rusong slipped an arm around Bai Yaxin's waist. "Mm, let's go."

...

On the morning of the fifth day of Lunar New Year, the Lin family was surprised to see Lin Tingyue dressed and ready to go out so early.

Lin Rusong held his cup and remarked, "Now this is unusual. Tingyue, why are you up so early?"

Lin Tingyue tied the belt of her coat. "Dad, don't you know we welcome the God of Wealth on the fifth day?"

Lin Rusong: "..."

Lin Yuhuan asked, "Are you going to the Temple of Wealth?"

Lin Tingyue nodded.

Lin Chengyan, who'd been holding back, finally spoke up: "I think our family should just get ourselves a God of Wealth statue."

Lin Tingyue, totally oblivious to the sarcasm, replied, "Really? Second Brother, I support that idea!"

Lin Chengyan: "..."

This little money-grubber couldn't even tell sarcasm anymore.

Lin Yuhuan put on his watch. "Want me to give you a ride?"

"Sure."

"In that case," Bai Yaxin declared, "we might as well all go pay respects to the God of Wealth."

No one had any objections. After breakfast, they all set off for the nearest Temple of Wealth.

They took the family's six-seater, and Bai Yaxin asked, "Are you all still wearing the protective charms I gave you?"

Lin Chengyan said, "Mom, I won't even take it off to shower."

Bai Yaxin smacked Lin Chengyan, "If it gets wet, the talisman won't work anymore!"

Lin Chengyan rubbed his head, "I was just joking."

"You had that coming!"

Lin Chengyan: "..."

Man, I really am at the bottom of the family pecking order.

They arrived at the temple of the God of Wealth. Not only did they pray to the deity, but they also made a temple donation.

The monks offered them vegetarian food, but Bai Yaxin preferred to return home. Around ten o'clock, they reached the villa gate.

Bai Yaxin nudged Lin Rusong, "Lin Rusong, am I seeing things? Is that the God of Wealth at our gate?"

Lin Rusong replied, "You're not seeing things—I see him too."

The figure was cradling a golden ingot that gleamed brightly.

"The God of Wealth has descended! I've got to greet him!"

Lin Tingyue threw open the car door and rushed over, but misjudged her momentum and plowed right into the figure's chest.

There was a pause. "Miss Lin?"

Eyes wide, she tilted her head back. "Mr. Ying? What are you doing here?"

Ying An smiled and handed her the golden ingot. "I heard it's tradition to welcome the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the new year."