[Wei Qishui and his wife were university classmates. When they graduated, Wei Qishui proposed to her and she agreed. They quickly registered their marriage, but Wei Zheng never liked this daughter-in-law, feeling she wasn't from a suitable social class. After learning his son was married, he kept finding ways to make his son go on blind dates.]
A married man still going on blind dates?
The crowd's gaze toward Wei Qishui gradually filled with disgust.
[Oh my, Wei Qishui initially refused, but to be filial to his father… What a devoted son indeed. If you didn't want to go, your legs belong to you – could your father really tie you up and force you? Your wife really drew the short straw marrying you. He went on several blind dates, none satisfying until one day, fate brought him together with Chen Jiao.]
[Chen Jiao was exactly like his dream lover – elegant and gracious. They chatted about everything, watched movies, took walks… Wait, so they started dating?]
[Wei Qishui became convinced Chen Jiao was his true love, believing he only married Jiang Leyu because he hadn't met Chen Jiao yet. His heart told him he must have Chen Jiao… How disgusting.]
Lin Tingyue made gagging sounds.
[Please, if you can't recognize true love, just don't get married, okay?]
[And this Wei Qishui actually thought Chen Jiao liked him – hahaha, what's to like? He's typically ugly and short, his only redeeming quality being his wealth. Of course Chen Jiao only likes your money!]
[You think you met your dream lover, unaware she was precisely tailoring her approach to your standards to trap you.]
Wei Qishui and Wei Zheng's faces turned inexplicably grim, Wei Qishui's gaze toward Chen Jiao particularly complicated.
Chen Jiao smiled and asked, "What's wrong, Qishui?"
Impossible. If Chen Jiao really only liked his money, why would she refuse when he heard about her family's financial difficulties and prepared to give her five million?
Chen Jiao couldn't possibly be after his money!
[Wow, Wei Qishui actually tried to give Chen Jiao five million, but she refused.]
[Tsk tsk, Wei Qishui's net worth is far more than five million – probably already over a hundred million. Why would Chen Jiao give up a billion for five million? Even a fool would know how to choose.]
Wei Qishui's vision went black as he collapsed to the floor with a thud.
[What was that noise?]
Lin Tingyue glanced down.
[Wei Qishui really has strong nerves, huh? Jiang Leyu is about to storm the hotel entrance, and he can still sleep?]
What? Jiang Leyu is coming?
Wei Qishui scrambled up from the floor.
[Wow, medical miracle.]
Scattered laughter began emerging around them.
Lin Yuhuan finally experienced the feeling of witnessing drama firsthand. As he went to support Bai Yaxin, he noticed from his peripheral vision that his elegant mother had long been unable to contain herself, nearly suffering internal injuries from suppressing her laughter.
Wei Zheng urged everyone to go inside quickly. The hotel was large – as long as Jiang Leyu couldn't find them, the situation wouldn't become too embarrassing. As for the Chen Jiao matter, he'd deal with that later.
[Too late now.]
[Old man, when you made your married son go on blind dates, you should have anticipated this day would come.]
A taxi pulled up at the hotel entrance, and out stepped a woman in a floral-print dress with tousled hair. This was Jiang Leyu. In the blink of an eye, she was standing before Wei Zheng and Wei Qishui.
[It's happening! My favorite part!]
Jiang Leyu pointed at Chen Jiao beside Wei Qishui and demanded, "Wei Qishui, who is she?"
"Leyu," Wei Qishui stammered, "let me explain."
"Explain what? Someone told me you were on a blind date, and I didn't believe it, but now…"
"Leyu, I didn't…"
"You didn't what? You didn't go on a blind date, or you didn't cheat?" The furious Jiang Leyu glanced at Wei Qishui's hand. "If you had nothing to hide, why did you take off your wedding ring?"
[He didn't just take it off—he never wears it unless Jiang Leyu is around.]
Wei Qishui instinctively hid his hand behind his back.
Wei Zheng had seen enough. He spoke with authority, "Enough of this commotion."
He glared sternly at Jiang Leyu. "Leyu, why must you be so aggressive and make everyone uncomfortable?"
[Expected. The old man can't do much, but he's great at shifting blame.]
"I'm being aggressive?" Jiang Leyu laughed in disbelief. "Dad, I know it's your birthday today. It's fine that you didn't tell me. I came specifically to wish you a happy birthday, only to witness this scene… Who's really being aggressive and pushing their luck? You know the answer, Dad."
Jiang Leyu was making indirect accusations. Wei Zheng's face darkened. "Jiang Leyu, you say you're married to Qishui, but where's the proof? Do you have a marriage certificate? Any documentation?" He glanced dismissively at the ring on Jiang Leyu's finger and sneered, "Are you relying on that ring?"
[Ahhhhh! This old man is infuriating! Does she have to shove the marriage certificate in his face?]
[But who carries their marriage certificate around these days?]
"I brought it."
A deep male voice came from behind the crowd.
[Huh?]
[This is getting intense!]
Lin Tingyue turned around and saw a man who resembled an Overbearing CEO striding over gracefully. He flung the documents right into the faces of Wei Zheng and Wei Qishui.
Four copies in total—two for each.
[How fair… Wait, why four?]
[Ah, this man is actually Chen Jiao's husband?]
[So that's it. After Jiang Leyu sensed something was wrong, she tracked down Chen Jiao's husband, and they specifically chose today for this confrontation.]
Lin Tingyue glanced at Wei Zheng, who looked like he was about to faint from rage.
[Can't deny they picked the perfect day for this.]
The three members of the Lin Family had enjoyed the gossip feast, but gossip couldn't replace actual food. With the banquet ruined again, they had no choice but to find another restaurant.
Lin Tingyue sighed inwardly.
[Why do we always end up missing meals?]
Bai Yaxin and Lin Yuhuan exchanged a knowing look at Lin Tingyue. Of course, it's because wherever you are, drama follows.
Plop.
A piece of watermelon Lin Tingyue had been munching on fell onto the table. She looked up, bewildered.
Bai Yaxin burst out laughing and handed her a tissue.
…
Back home, Lin Xiawan had already returned. Seeing Bai Yaxin, she thrust a bouquet into her arms.
It was a bunch of white Pride roses, blooming beautifully.
Bai Yaxin was visibly touched and surprised. She asked Lin Xiawan, "What made you think of buying flowers for Mom?"
Lin Xiawan said, "I happened to come across it on my way back, so I bought a bouquet."
[That's not true at all! Sister Xiawan went to the flower shop early in the morning to order it.]
[It was specifically to give Mom a surprise!]
Lin Xiawan: "…"
Lin Tingyue, you're making this really awkward for me!
Bai Yaxin pursed her lips and smiled lightly. She gently stroked Lin Xiawan's hair and said, "Mom really likes it. I promise to cherish this bouquet as much as I cherish you."
Bai Yaxin's palm was warm, and the warmth spread from her hand to Lin Xiawan's body. Lin Xiawan nodded.
Bai Yaxin asked, "Have you finished all your school matters?"
Lin Xiawan replied, "There's still a bit left."
[What else is there to do at school?]
[But since the plan to earn money through the variety show fell through, should I look for something else to do?]
Lin Shengyan heard this as soon as he entered the living room. What variety show fell through?
Looking at Lin Tingyue's wistful expression, he suddenly understood. He sat down on the sofa and said, "Director Zhu called me today."
Lin Tingyue's eyes clearly lit up. "Can we start recording?"
Lin Shengyan nodded: "He's already found a replacement. He should notify you in the next couple of days."
[Looking at Second Brother's expression, there shouldn't be any issues this time!]
[My ten million! My ten million!]
In a daze, Lin Shengyan seemed to see Lin Tingyue's eyes turn into glowing copper coins. He couldn't help but laugh – this hopeless money-grubber, Lin Tingyue.
[But just to be safe, I'd better ask. The entertainment industry is too complicated. What if Director Zhu can't handle it?]
Lin Shengyan: "…"
Lin Tingyue, since when did you become such a seasoned schemer!
Lin Tingyue looked at Lin Shengyan and said, "Second Brother, what's that person's name?"
Lin Shengyan paused. "I don't know."
After thinking for a moment, Lin Shengyan also felt it necessary to ask. He said, "Wait a moment, I'll ask Director Zhu."
Lin Tingyue nodded obediently.
Director Zhu replied quickly. Lin Shengyan said, "His name is Jin Zhao, he's a rising traffic star… I've interacted with him before. He's good-looking and has decent character."
He was a very polite young man who knew how to respect others.
But…
Lin Tingyue let out a sharp scream.
[No no no! We absolutely cannot have this person!!!]
If Lin Tingyue was having such a strong reaction, this person probably had some gossip.
In Lin Shengyan's chat with Director Zhu, messages kept coming through one after another. Director Zhu was very confident.
Director Zhu: This time it definitely won't fail. I've investigated thoroughly, checked all his credit records, and even looked at his criminal record. It's foolproof.
[Ahhhhhhh! Don't be fooled by his innocent and cute appearance! He actually visits prostitutes in private!]
Lin Shengyan stared at Director Zhu's "foolproof" message and fell into deep thought.
He replied based on what Lin Tingyue had said, and Director Zhu's reaction was intense.
Director Zhu: Impossible! Absolutely impossible! He doesn't have any criminal record at all!
[Sigh, soliciting prostitutes only leads to detention. Detention doesn't leave a criminal record. As long as no one exposes him, he can continue in the entertainment industry, using the persona his agency created to gain fans.]
Director Zhu: Oh right.
Detention doesn't leave a criminal record – why hadn't he thought of that! Director Zhu sent a crying emoji.
Just reading those two words, Lin Shengyan could imagine Director Zhu's despair. The entertainment industry was indeed too complicated – Director Zhu really couldn't handle it!
Lin Shengyan cleared his throat lightly and said, "Director Zhu mentioned he needs more time to consider. The variety show recording will be delayed for a few more days."
Lin Tingyue straightened up.
[Could Director Zhu have found out?]
[Better a quick amputation than slow decay. If the program airs and we have to pixelate this guy during the live broadcast, just thinking about it is exhausting.]
Lin Shengyan neither confirmed nor denied it.
Bai Yaxin, who had been following the gossip throughout, watched as Lin Tingyue slumped back down dejectedly. She suggested, "Why not go to the company with your elder brother tomorrow to take a look?"