Chapter 118

Chapter 118

"Did you say 'grandson'?"

Cao Min and Lin Ruzhi both turned pale. What’s happening?

As they entered the hall, they pulled Lin Xingyun aside into a corner. Lin Ruzhi asked in a low voice, "Do you even know her family background?"

Lin Xingyun found it odd. "Dad, didn’t you say before that as long as I liked her, it was fine? Why are you asking about her family background the moment I bring Wang Lan home?"

Seeing his son’s expression, Lin Ruzhi seemed to realize something. He said in shock, "You know nothing about her?"

Lin Xingyun stammered, "I-I wouldn’t say nothing."

At least he knew her name and gender.

As for family background—he was a member of the Lin family, and he wasn’t short on money. Even if Wang Lan’s family wasn’t well-off, he was confident he could support her.

"You—you—you—!"

Lin Ruzhi felt his chest tighten with anger. Pointing at Lin Xingyun’s nose, he scolded, "You useless brat!"

It’s not the thief you fear, but their schemes.

And here his son was, naively believing there were no thieves in the world at all.

Lin Ruzhi gritted his teeth. "How did I raise a son like you?"

Who wouldn’t snap after being scolded the second they got home? Lin Xingyun shot back, "Well, you already had me, whether you wanted to or not. If you have something to say about Wang Lan, just say it outright. What’s the point of beating around the bush and scolding me?"

He was basically calling his dad insane.

Cao Min couldn’t take it anymore. "Xingyun, how can you talk to your father like that? He’s just worried about you. How could you bring just anyone home?"

His father scolding him was one thing, but now even his mother thought Wang Lan was no good?

Lin Xingyun bristled. "Wang Lan is my girlfriend, not the kind of person you’re making her out to be. Grandpa approves of her!"

With that, Lin Xingyun stormed back into the hall. Wang Lan was chatting happily with Lin Hong, and when he entered, both turned to look at him.

Lin Hong grinned. "Xingyun, your partner is wonderful. Grandpa approves."

"Grandpa, you’re out of your mind!"

"Never mind. Since when can’t a grandson-in-law count? Besides, other families have to go through childbirth to add to their numbers, but our family can do it directly."

Lin Chengyan was in stitches—he’d never realized how sharp Lin Tingyue was.

While Lin Chengyan was enjoying the show, Lin Ruzhi and Cao Min looked ready to blow a fuse.

They clearly weren’t ready for their son to come out like this.

Lin Xingyun also heard Lin Tingyue’s inner thoughts, but he didn’t care. He must’ve pulled an all-nighter gaming—now he was even hearing things. He sat down beside Lin Hong. "If you’re happy, Grandpa, I’m happy."

Then, whether on purpose or not, he glanced at Lin Ruzhi and Cao Min. *So what if you look down on her? Grandpa’s already on her side.*

Lin Ruzhi was speechless.

Then he burst out, "Over my dead body!"

"Dad, what don’t you agree with?"

Lin Hong echoed Lin Xingyun’s question: "Yeah, Ruzhi, what’s the issue?"

"Dad," Lin Ruzhi whispered, leaning toward Lin Hong, "This person’s background is shady."

"We should be careful, given the Lin family’s standing, but you can’t just say that outright—you’re totally embarrassing her."

Bai Yaxin was surprised; the old man actually cared about her dignity.

After dinner, the old man insisted Lin Xingyun and Wang Lan stay overnight—the old house had plenty of spare rooms.

Since the old man had the final say, Lin Ruzhi had no choice but to stay with Cao Min as well.

As a couple, Lin Xingyun and Wang Lan were given the same room. Watching Xingyun’s eager expression, Lin Tingyue mentally wished him luck as she left.

"Seriously, Xingyun, get a clue. You hooked up with some guy’s girlfriend overseas, and now you’ve brought her home? Didn’t it occur to you why she kept refusing to share a room? Something’s definitely off."

"Wait till he sees hers is bigger than his—he’ll probably pass out."

Talk about drama!

But everyone still headed home.

You can’t fix stupid. After Lin Tingyue’s thoughts, even Lin Ruzhi and Cao Min tried reasoning with Xingyun out of family concern, but he was convinced they were out to get him.

Whatever.

Hope he survives the shock.

The next morning, Bai Yaxin greeted Lin Tingyue with: "Xingyun got hauled to the ER last night."

Lin Tingyue, still drowsy, snapped awake at the dining table. "What happened?"

Bai Yaxin coughed. "You know... *that*."

She hedged, figuring her daughter would connect the dots.

Just as expected—

"Wait, she *dominated* him?"

"If Uncle and Aunt hadn’t been on guard, she’d have pulled it off... Is this really about revenge for a girlfriend?"

"This feels straight out of a bad soap opera."

Bai Yaxin didn’t get the reference. Earlier, Cao Min had sobbed over the phone, saying Xingyun might need a psych eval.

He had it coming.

Bai Yaxin gave a half-hearted "there, there"—what else was there to say?

"Mom, this toast is *amazing*."

Lin Tingyue grinned like she’d won the lottery.

"Yep, butter-roasted. Want to pack some for work?"

"Sure, I’ll share with my work squad."

After speaking, Lin Tingyue noticed Bai Yaxin looking at her with a warm, proud smile. Lin Tingyue asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm just happy," Bai Yaxin reached out and patted Lin Tingyue's head. "Our Ting Yue is so capable—she excels at everything she does."

"Of course!"

Lin Tingyue bit into her toast, chin raised proudly like a pleased puppy.

Bai Yaxin chuckled softly and got up to pack some toast for her.

Lin Tingyue carried the toast to the car, thinking no one would drive her today. But then the window rolled down, revealing Lin Xiawan's face.

"Get in already," Lin Xiawan said gently. "Why are you just standing there? Don’t you worry about being late?"

"Okay."

Lin Tingyue walked around to the other side and got in. After settling the toast, she fastened her seatbelt. Once ready, she turned and said, "Sis, I can actually drive myself. You don’t need to bother."

"Did you say the same to Big Brother and Second Brother?"

"No."

"Then why is it only with me that you don’t want me to drive you?"

Lin Xiawan gave her a wounded look.

Lin Tingyue: "!!!"

"Lin Xiawan, stop making that face?!"

Lin Tingyue never expected the novel's cool, composed heroine would turn out like this. Thinking back, she realized she might be the one to blame.

Lin Tingyue: "."

Awkward.

Hearing Lin Tingyue's outburst, Lin Xiawan smiled. "Tingyue, why aren’t you saying anything?"

Lin Tingyue: "..."

She quickly explained, "Sis, I didn’t mean it like that. Of course I’m happy you’re driving me—I just don’t want you to get tired."

Her voice took on a whining tone.

Her heart melted, and Lin Xiawan patted Lin Tingyue’s head. "I understand."

Lin Tingyue couldn’t help but wonder—had Xiawan really taken it to heart?

Would they be fighting about it again tomorrow morning?

"Sis, will you drive me tomorrow too?"

Lin Xiawan’s eyes lit up. "You want me to drive you tomorrow?"

Lin Tingyue grinned. "Having a beautiful and gentle sister take me to work is something to show off about."

This made Xiawan beam, her beautiful face radiant in the morning light. "Then I’ll keep taking you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay."

Outside the company, Lin Xiawan encountered Yao Aoyun and waved at Lin Tingyue.

Watching the two walk side by side, Lin Xiawan thought, "Would her ranking have to drop again?"

Yao Aoyun asked, "Was that your sister just now?"

"Yeah," Lin Tingyue paused before adding, "I think Ms. Yao should know about our family matters."

"I've heard some things."

"Then will Ms. Yao ask me about it?"

"Why would I?"

"Not even curious?"

Yao Aoyun raised an eyebrow. "Director Lin should concentrate on work."

Lin Tingyue chuckled.

In the elevator, Lin Tingyue handed Yao Aoyun some toast. "My mom made it. Try some, Ms. Yao."

Yao Aoyun accepted it without much hesitation.

In the office, Yao Aoyun opened the packaging. The aroma of butter and toast filled her senses. She took a bite—it went perfectly with the rich coffee by her side.

Leaning back in her chair, Yao Aoyun thought that Lin Tingyue had a natural charm. Any complicated relationship became simple around her.

If Lin Tingyue could turn someone initially hostile like her into a friend, then getting along with the original "real rich daughter" probably wasn't difficult either.

At nine in the morning, Yao Aoyun and Lin Tingyue brought Wei Qianfeng along to discuss collaboration with another company.

There were many competitors, and Yao Aoyun pointed out each one to Lin Tingyue.

Watching their bosses' heads nearly touching, Wei Qianfeng suddenly felt like a third wheel.

As she looked around, the representative from Xinrui appeared, saying their CEO had encountered an urgent matter and wouldn't be coming.

"What emergency could be more important than this project?"

"Exactly! Even if Xinrui is impressive, we came with full sincerity. You can't just blow us off like this!"

"Our team worked through the night for this..."

"Was it decided beforehand?"

The moment those words were spoken, everyone got angry.

"What's the meaning of this? Is Xinrui not even pretending anymore?"

"Not even following procedure?"

"Seems two companies didn't show up..."

"Could there be some drama?"

Lin Tingyue opened her phone.

"Whoa, can't blame Xinrui's CEO—he really can't come."

No one paid attention to the sudden voice, focusing instead on why the CEO of Xinrui couldn't make it. Everyone in the meeting room strained to listen.

"Allegedly, he was caught by his wife having an orgy in the executive lounge."

Everyone: "!!!"

"Turns out, the heads of those two absent companies were also in there."

Everyone: "???"

Now THAT'S some dirty business!