When Ye Huilian saw her son dressed in fine clothes, she realized what an outstanding young man he was and smiled.
She did not say so aloud, but her heart was filled with sweetness.
Her son had grown up, filling her with pride.
As Lin Hao walked inside, he said, “Uncle Lin was joking. Mom, don’t take him seriously.”
Ye Huilian gave a light snort. “That’s how it is. No one knows your capabilities better than your mom. I don’t ask you to become rich or honored; I only ask that you stay safe, healthy, and well.”
They carried the things into the house.
Lin Yaoyang did not say anything else. After all, this was Lin Hao’s affair, and saying more would be useless. Time would prove everything.
When they got home, Ye Huilian poured them tea. As a woman, she excelled at housework.
Ye Huilian kept the house in excellent order. Although it was small, it was still a pleasant home.
Lin Hao sighed inwardly. They would probably buy a new house soon, so they would not live here much longer.
He planned to buy a better house, at least one better than Xu Yanyu’s home.
Only then could Lin Hao’s status be properly displayed.
Ye Huilian cooked that day. They had brought dried bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and other ingredients from the countryside, along with plenty of Lychee.
They certainly did not have to worry about lacking food.
Ye Huilian busied herself in the kitchen, preparing stir-fried mushrooms with sliced meat, pork stewed with dried bamboo shoots, Braised chicken, stir-fried greens, and, last, steamed fish.
This meal could be considered quite sumptuous.
The three of them ate a whole tableful of dishes, giving the scene the air of a comfortably well-off family.
When Lin Hao ate, he did not observe too many formalities. This was his own home, so he could eat however he pleased.
Ye Huilian watched her son eat with delight, happiness written across her face.
Lin Hao chewed a mouthful of food and said indistinctly, “Mom, eat. Why are you staring at me?”
Ye Huilian smiled and nodded. “Mm, eat more. Grow strong, and grow a little taller. Then there won’t be any girl you can’t win over.”
“Pfft!”
Lin Hao nearly spat out his food but held it back.
Lin Yaoyang set down his bowl and sighed. “What a pity there’s no wine.”
Ye Huilian glared at him. “My son is only eighteen. Don’t teach him to drink. It will interfere with his growth.”
Lin Yaoyang smiled bitterly. “All right, Huilian, you’re right.”
Ye Huilian withdrew her gaze, picked up a piece of meat, and placed it in Lin Hao’s bowl. “Son, eat. Afterward, go find your friends.”
Lin Hao did not want to eat any more, but Mom had put it in his bowl, so he ate it.
After the meal, Lin Yaoyang hurried back to the countryside.
And Lin Hao?
Lin Hao chatted with his friends.
Su Qingwei sent a thinking expression: It’s already the twenty-third. The results come out tomorrow. Don’t tell me you’re still in the countryside.
Lin Hao told her: No, I’m already back in Guicheng.
When Su Qingwei saw the message, she was delighted and typed at once: Then I’ll come find you now.
Lin Hao typed: Why are you looking for me?
Su Qingwei came up with an excuse: To go running with you.
Lin Hao replied: I just finished eating. I don’t think I can run yet.
Su Qingwei did not give up: Then let’s take a walk.
Lin Hao reluctantly agreed: All right.
Thus, Lin Hao and she arranged to meet outside.
During this time, Lin Hao also chatted with other people.
Fang Zhanpeng urged him: Lin Hao, you have to come back this time.
Lin Hao poked at him: I’m back already.
Fang Zhanpeng was delighted: It’s good that you’re back. No one can live in a place like the countryside; there are too many mosquitoes and insects. Did you get tanned?
Lin Hao denied it: Not at all. I’m still the same me as before.
Fang Zhanpeng grew excited: I’ll come find you and hang out!
Lin Hao replied: I’m busy.
Puzzled, Fang Zhanpeng asked: You have a date with a beauty?
Lin Hao answered honestly: Something like that.
Fang Zhanpeng was astonished: Damn, being handsome really lets you do whatever you want. I wonder how she compares with Xu Yanyu, though.
Lin Hao replied again: There’s no comparison. I can’t explain it—you’ll know once you meet her. But she isn’t my girlfriend, and I’m not planning to get a girlfriend yet.
Fang Zhanpeng was speechless: Haozi, what you said is asking for trouble. You’re going on dates while claiming you don’t want a girlfriend. You have all the makings of a scumbag!
Lin Hao closed the chat window and did not reply to him again.
At that moment, Su Qingwei arrived.
Today, Su Qingwei wore a pair of casual pants and a white cartoon T-shirt. This simple outfit accentuated her youthful beauty.
When she saw Lin Hao, he seemed somewhat unfamiliar, and her thoughts began to churn.
They had not seen each other for many days.
Upon meeting again, they first looked each other over.
Su Qingwei looked at the top of his head and said, “Lin Hao, did you grow taller? You aren’t tanned at all.”
Lin Hao touched his forehead and said, “Yes. I’m now 180 centimeters.”
Su Qingwei smiled sweetly. “Is that the standard height for a male idol?”
Lin Hao teased, “You’re so tall that I need to grow more. To walk beside you without feeling pressured, I’ll have to reach at least 183 centimeters.”
The girl before him was 170 centimeters tall. If Lin Hao were not a little taller, it would be difficult for him to keep her in check.
“What are you saying?”
Su Qingwei blushed and walked forward.
Lin Hao followed behind her.
They walked along the Riverside. A cool breeze blew over the water, stirring the girl’s hair across her face and giving her a tousled beauty, while the boy’s expression was resolute.
Lin Hao plucked a flower and said, “Do you want this flower?”
Su Qingwei teased him, “How stingy. You think a wildflower can seduce me? Honestly.”
Lin Hao smelled it, then tossed the flower into the river. “I’d better feed it to the fish. At least the fish won’t reject me.”
They could see the river rippling as a fish below ate the flower. It was a red carp.
Su Qingwei’s undershirt trembled, and she said, “Lin Hao, that’s not what I meant.”
Lin Hao looked into her eyes. “I don’t want to find a girlfriend for the time being. I also met a beautiful girl in the countryside. She should be attending Jinling University next year.”
“I see.”
Su Qingwei realized she had a rival and asked curiously, “Is she preparing for the Gaokao?”
Lin Hao nodded. “Yes.”
“So what do you mean?”
“We’re still young. Let’s relax for a few years first. It’s too early to make a choice now.”
Lin Hao clasped his hands behind his back. The wind over the river grew stronger, but he remained unruffled, steady as a tower.
Su Qingwei’s eyes lit up. She walked onto the bridge by the river and tossed a stone downward. “I understand. Let’s focus on growing first. While we still have the chance to grow, let’s grow strong and healthy.”
Ripples spread across the water, creating a beautiful scene.
Lin Hao leaned against the bridge. “I’m planning to buy a house. Where are there houses near your home?”
Su Qingwei thought for a moment, then turned to face him with furrowed brows. “Eight thousand per square meter. It’s expensive, and the down payment would be huge!”
Lin Hao looked relaxed. “Houses in Guicheng are cheap. For less than one million, you can get a house of over one hundred square meters.”
“Less than one million?”
Su Qingwei found Lin Hao’s words difficult to understand. He seemed to regard One Million as insignificant.
She realized that Lin Hao no longer dressed plainly. He had a sense of style. That shirt fit him perfectly and gave him a mature Aura.
Su Qingwei was almost captivated.
Lin Hao picked up a leaf and looked at it against the sky. “I’m going to buy a house tomorrow. Are you free?”
Su Qingwei was astonished. Her slender Phoenix Eyes fixed on him. “Lin Hao, are you serious?”
“Of course.”
Lin Hao answered with certainty.
“Can you get a loan for one million right now?”
“No, I earned it myself. I found an antique, and after selling it, I made several million.”
“Tsk.”
Lin Hao’s words shocked Su Qingwei. No wonder he seemed calm and composed in everything he did. It turned out this fellow had several million.
He had become a millionaire before even entering university?
After recovering from her shock, Su Qingwei gave Lin Hao a thumbs-up. “Lin Hao, your Energy Circulation is good.”
“We’re going house hunting tomorrow. Don’t stand me up.”
“All right. Tomorrow, I’ll contact a friend of my father’s. He sells houses, so it’ll be more convenient for us to buy one through him.”
The two settled the details of buying a house the next day.