In the blink of an eye, it was already April. The “see you next time” Lin Yunxu had mentioned ended up taking even longer than he had expected.
Guanzheng Group had launched a new R&D project, and Ji Zhanming went on a business trip to London.
Meanwhile, Lin Yunxu’s long vacation came to an end, and he returned to work.
At the time, he had been invited to step in and salvage that conference in T Country—the one where he was injured—but he hadn’t expected an accident.
LT Company bore responsibility. On top of that, Lin Yunxu had been with LT for eight years and rarely took leave, accumulating plenty of unused vacation days. So his time off was approved without hesitation.
Still, given the nature of his work, even on leave it was impossible for him to completely disconnect.
He continued to participate remotely in consulting, guidance, and online simultaneous interpretation meetings.
So-called “returning to work” simply meant gradually resuming his old routine—flying all over the world again for on-site engagements.
During that entire period, Lin Yunxu and Ji Zhanming only contacted each other once, briefly updating each other on how busy their real lives were.
By the time they were both free, a month had passed.
When Lin Yunxu received the message that Ji Zhanming had arrived at his doorstep, he got up to greet him.
—Today was the day Ji Zhanming would meet his parents.
Before this, they had met once to notarize assets and sign various agreements.
As the founder of a leading tech company, Ji Zhanming’s wealth was immeasurable.
As for Lin Yunxu, although he stood at the very top of his field, the industry’s earning limits were what they were.
So his primary income didn’t actually come from his main profession.
Back when planning his career, he had chosen to work with a translation enterprise rather than take the official route precisely because he needed greater freedom.
He wanted flexibility in choosing conferences and the ability to pivot into other career paths at any time.
So, combined with side investments, he too had accumulated considerable wealth.
He didn’t covet others’ assets, nor would he allow himself to be taken advantage of.
Later, at the dining table, they had refined several details.
One of the topics discussed was whether they needed to go through the usual premarital process of a typical couple.
Lin Yunxu still remembered Ji Zhanming’s answer:
“I’d prefer to inform the elders first that we intend to marry. My grandfather may want to meet you, so I’ll have to trouble you to come with me.”
“If it’s inconvenient, I’ll find a suitable explanation for him—but informing the elders first is not negotiable.”
Up until then, everything had been cold negotiation, treated like contract clauses.
But at that moment, Lin Yunxu finally took Ji Zhanming’s needs seriously.
Any elder who truly loved their child would want to meet, get to know, even assess their partner—and offer advice and blessings before marriage.
Not be brushed aside and suddenly told, without warning, that everything was already done.
Previously, Ji Zhanming had only said the marriage was for his grandfather, without details.
Lin Yunxu had thought he simply wanted to resolve the issue quickly—to give an explanation.
But in that instant, he gained a new understanding of the bond between Ji Zhanming and his grandfather.
It wasn’t perfunctory.
It was respect.
Inform first, gain approval and blessings, then marry.
They themselves might not need that blessing—but it was something the elder longed to give.
That ritual held special meaning.
And Ji Zhanming’s attitude determined how seriously Lin Yunxu would treat meeting his grandfather.
So Lin Yunxu gave his answer:
“Send me your grandfather’s preferences. I’ll prepare properly.”
He also hoped Ji Zhanming would formally meet his own parents first.
He had worried it might trouble Ji Zhanming—but now that concern was gone.
They reached a consensus: complete the proper premarital steps for their elders, then register the marriage.
Since the marriage itself existed to put their elders at ease, they might as well do it well.
As for how they lived afterward—that would be up to them.
That was why Ji Zhanming was here today.
Lin Yunxu walked through the front garden and saw Ji Zhanming stepping out of the driver’s seat.
Dressed in a formal black suit, he was heading to the trunk to retrieve gifts.
Lin Yunxu had sent him a list of his parents’ preferences.
A quick glance showed the gifts were neither overly extravagant nor intrusive.
Most required thought—intangible cultural heritage handicrafts and ornaments his mother, Yu Yiling, liked; refined scholarly curios and fine liquor his father, Lin Zhang, favored.
Everything was just right.
Lin Yunxu cleared his throat, suddenly a bit guilty. “Things got a bit more complicated.”
Ji Zhanming straightened, silently prompting him to continue.
“Well… you should know that both the Lin and Yu families care about me deeply.”
“So?”
Lin Yunxu sighed. “It’s not just my parents. You’ll also have to formally meet relatives from both sides.”
Ji Zhanming: “…”
He instinctively glanced at the villa behind Lin Yunxu.
Noticing this, Lin Yunxu explained, “Today it’s just my parents. The others wanted to come, but since it’s your first visit, I turned them down.”
He wouldn’t spring that kind of situation on him.
“We can meet them after registering the marriage.”
Thinking back to how he had told his family, Lin Yunxu felt a headache coming on.
He had planned it carefully:
First, give his parents gifts they liked.
Second, casually mention Ji Zhanming and that they’d been seeing each other.
Finally, say some good things about him, then bring up marriage.
But when the moment came…
What was meant to reassure his parents somehow felt like asking for approval as a couple.
Lost in thought, he had blurted out:
“Mom, Dad—I’m getting married.”
He froze.
So did Yu Yiling and Lin Zhang.
And then—
Yu Yiling called her parents: “Mom! Dad!”
Lin Zhang called his parents: “Mom! Dad!”
Lin Yunxu was also calling for his parents.
Soon, the house was filled with “Mom!” and “Dad!”
In no time, nearly all the closest relatives on both sides knew.
After hearing the explanation, Ji Zhanming understood Lin Yunxu hadn’t meant to complicate things.
The fact that only the parents were present today was likely already the best outcome he could manage.
Lin Yunxu felt a bit troubled, wondering how to explain things to his grandparents if Ji Zhanming found it too much.
“I understand,” Ji Zhanming said. “Just let me know once you’ve set a time.”
Lin Yunxu let out a breath of relief.
He felt a bit guilty—Ji Zhanming only had his grandfather to consider, while his own side was far more complicated.
“I’ll gladly help with anything your grandfather needs.”
Ji Zhanming wasn’t surprised. “You’re well-loved by your family. Meeting them was inevitable.”
Lin Yunxu softened slightly. “Thank you.”
Then, noticing Ji Zhanming’s tie slightly off-center from handling the gifts, he reached out to straighten it.
Ji Zhanming didn’t move, lowering his gaze to watch him.
After adjusting the tie clip and smoothing his lapel, Lin Yunxu looked up and smiled faintly.
“Not bad. You didn’t dodge—good composure.”
Lin Yunxu usually preferred sitting across from others when dining—both to observe reactions and maintain social distance.
But last time, they had sat side by side on the same sofa to quickly get used to each other’s presence.
“We haven’t known each other long, and neither of us warms up quickly. The elders understand that. But while intimacy takes time, we can’t resist each other’s proximity—that’s the baseline.”
That had been his exact words.
“Alright, let’s go in.”
Just as Lin Yunxu stepped forward, he felt his wrist caught in a warm grip.
Instinctively, he tried to pull away.
But the fingers tightened, holding him firmly.
“Why are you dodging?”
Surprised, Lin Yunxu turned back.
Ji Zhanming lowered his head slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
Then his hand loosened, fingers spreading as if to show he meant nothing by it.
“Not great,” he said lightly. “Your composure needs work.”
Lin Yunxu: “…”
That was the first time anyone had ever said that to him.
At that moment, Ji Zhanming called out, “Mr. Lin.”
“Do you know what this is called? Officials setting fires while forbidding others from lighting lamps.”
“You can do something to others but won’t allow the same in return. Don’t dodge inside.”
There was no sign of nervousness about meeting the parents.
He stepped back calmly, took the gifts, and closed the trunk.
Then looked at Lin Yunxu again.
Lin Yunxu’s eyelid twitched.
Then he heard Ji Zhanming’s calm voice:
“Baseline principle.”