For a moment, the only sound was Yu Jingfeng shouting loudly from the other end of the phone: “Hello? Hello? Hey! Are you still there?!”
Probably not…
Lin Zhang looked like he wanted to say something but held back. Lin Yunxu could read him perfectly.
About thirty percent of it was not knowing where to even begin criticizing, thirty percent was frustration at his lack of backbone for being “the one underneath,” and forty percent was regret at having failed to cover for him.
But President Ji of the renowned Guanzheng Group showed impeccable composure. With one hand in his pocket and a calm expression, he said, “Hungry? Auntie asked me to call you in for dinner.”
Lin Yunxu’s head throbbed. In the place he felt most at ease, he had let his guard down.
What nonsense had he just blurted out?
“……”
Countless I’m doomed flashed through his mind. He quickly replied to Yu Jingfeng, “Something came up. Hanging up.”
After ending the call, he cleared his throat and responded with an “Oh.”
Then, appearing completely calm—at least on the surface—he set down the watering can and walked toward them.
He was best at keeping his emotions off his face. No matter what happened, he could always maintain an air of composure and refinement.
At times like this, it was best to say nothing.
No explanations. No pretending to brush it off. No clumsy attempts at “high EQ” damage control—those usually only made things worse.
If the enemy doesn’t move, neither do I.
Don’t lose your footing.
Lin Zhang clearly knew his way of handling things and smoothly changed the topic. “You barely ate earlier—it’s about time you were hungry.”
Lin Yunxu curved his eyes into a smile at Ji Zhanming, quietly observing his expression.
“You’re lucky. My mom doesn’t cook often, but today she made one of her signature dishes. Make sure to try it.”
Ji Zhanming’s expression remained calm. “My honor.”
“You should know that,” Lin Yunxu said lightly, his voice tinged with amusement.
Just as they were about to step inside, someone lightly tugged his wrist.
Lin Yunxu’s heart skipped a beat as he turned to look.
Thankfully, the incident at the door earlier had left a deep impression on him—he still remembered not to avoid physical contact.
Still, the sudden touch caught him off guard.
The man said nothing. He simply took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the dirt from Lin Yunxu’s fingers.
Lin Yunxu quietly watched his lowered gaze until the man looked up again.
“All set. Let’s go in.”
Lin Yunxu let out a small breath of relief. “Mm.”
Walking ahead, Lin Zhang had witnessed the whole thing.
Although Ji Zhanming let go right after cleaning his hand, the distance between them had already closed. As they walked and spoke quietly, their arms and elbows brushed lightly against each other.
Because of his wife’s profession, Lin Zhang spent quite a bit of time online to keep up with trends.
But at that moment, he suddenly wondered if all that scrolling had warped his brain.
Looking at the two of them—though they lacked the clingy intimacy and fiery passion of young couples—he suddenly understood what people online meant by “a parents’ kind of love.”
It was steady. Calm. Reliable enough to weather anything.
A sense that no matter what happened, there would be no arguments—only mutual support and equal communication to solve problems.
It gave a feeling of reassurance.
As if they were perfectly suited for each other.
Lin Zhang knew their relationship hadn’t reached that stage yet—but the “field” two people created together mattered.
Thoughtful, he withdrew his gaze.
Lin Yunxu was someone who quickly moved on from embarrassment. Once something passed, it passed—he wouldn’t dwell on it.
Back in the dining room, Yu Yiling and Aunt Wu came out of the kitchen together, smiling. “Why did it take so long just to call someone?”
Lin Yunxu and Lin Zhang stayed silent. Ji Zhanming answered calmly, “We waited for Yunxu to finish his call.”
At the mention of a phone call, Yu Yiling grew alert. “It wasn’t work, was it?”
“No,” Lin Yunxu said helplessly. “I cleared my schedule today. It was Jingfeng.”
Yu Yiling laughed immediately. Turning to Ji Zhanming, she explained, “He’s my nephew from my side of the family. The kids are all curious about you—probably calling to ask about you.”
“They’re just playful, like to join in the fun. No bad intentions. You’re about the same age—you might even get along in the future.”
Ji Zhanming nodded naturally. “I know. I even heard Yunxu praising me.”
“Oh?” Yu Yiling raised her brows. “What did he praise you for?”
“My looks.”
Lin Yunxu: “……”
Lin Zhang: “……”
Yu Yiling, however, laughed brightly. “Well, that’s honest—you are good-looking.”
Then, still smiling, she looked at her son. “Why so quiet now?”
Lin Yunxu cast Ji Zhanming a half-smiling glance before replying, “I’m just giving you the chance to talk.”
As soon as he said that, Yu Yiling lightly smacked the back of his head.
Soon, the table was filled with dishes, their aroma faintly lingering in the air.
Their family didn’t have a rule against talking during meals.
They ate at an unhurried pace, chatting occasionally, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
In mid-to-late April, the weather was pleasant—light jackets in the morning and evening, single layers during the day.
After dinner, Lin Yunxu took Ji Zhanming for a walk by the lake to help digestion.
The residential area had excellent surroundings, rich with natural scenery. They walked along a lush, tree-lined path until it opened up to a shimmering lake, sunlight scattering across its surface like golden sparks.
Lin Yunxu was in a good mood.
Ever since announcing his plan to marry, aside from some curiosity and gossip, things had grown much quieter around him.
The elders were no longer worried either; their spirits seemed lifted.
As for his parents, initial concern was only natural.
But in the long run, a stable and harmonious relationship could be seen as a form of companionship—something that reassured them on a subconscious level.
An imperfect analogy: Ji Zhanming was almost like a “hostage” he left behind in the country.
But there was something important Lin Yunxu needed to confirm first.
He suddenly stopped and turned to look at Ji Zhanming, who halted as well.
“We’re still getting married, right?”
Ji Zhanming: “…Yes.”
“Got it.” Lin Yunxu responded crisply.
Ji Zhanming knew he was asking because of what had happened in the garden—confirming whether he might back out.
But this person truly had a strong sense of inner balance.
Even when Ji Zhanming had deliberately brought it up at the table earlier, Lin Yunxu had remained calm and unruffled.
Now, he didn’t ask for reasons, didn’t dwell on opinions—only cared about the final outcome.
When something had already happened, what defined a person was how they handled it.
Lin Yunxu had clearly shown maturity, stability, and a strong inner core.
So although Ji Zhanming’s impression of him had shifted slightly, it didn’t change the fact that he remained the most suitable partner.
Walking along the lake, without elders around, they returned to a proper, neutral distance.
Not distant—but not intimate either.
No one would guess they were about to get married.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Yunxu asked, “Earlier, you told my parents your own parents are on their way back. What kind of impression should I give them when we meet?”
Back when Tang Lilan introduced Ji Zhanming, she had mentioned some basics.
His mother was a renowned pianist with exceptional artistic status; his father was a researcher in the field of physics.
In many ways, their families were well matched.
Tang Lilan had also said, “That couple is famously devoted to each other. Zhanming is their only child, so they dote on him immensely.”
“I live in the same neighborhood as his grandfather and have seen them together—they respect him greatly, almost to the point of indulging him. You really don’t need to worry about family dynamics.”
But since discussing marriage, Ji Zhanming had rarely mentioned his parents.
Lin Yunxu could sense there were personal reasons.
He wasn’t someone who lacked tact, so he hadn’t asked before.
But sooner or later, he would have to interact with them—he needed some preparation.
After asking, he turned to look at Ji Zhanming.
The man’s expression remained calm, unchanged.
The question didn’t seem difficult for him at all.
“My mother tours internationally most of the year, and my father is usually in the lab. They’re both very busy, so we won’t see them often after marriage.”
Lin Yunxu nodded thoughtfully.
On the surface, it seemed Tang Lilan hadn’t exaggerated—his parents did sound quite good.
But something still felt slightly off.
Still, Lin Yunxu wasn’t overly curious about others’ privacy. He knew where to draw the line.
Now that he understood how to face them, he smoothly changed the subject.
“Alright, last thing.”
“Let’s pick a date. We can go get the marriage certificate.”