Chapter 174: Chapter 167: The Strange Father and Daughter
From Xia Yusheng’s words, Xiao Lin could deduce a lot of information. Firstly, it seemed Xia Yusheng had already known who was behind the downfall of Jiangling Zhang Teng, and the fact that Jiangling Zhang Teng was brought down, and Yanjing Chen Family was collectively silent, aside from the conclusive evidence against Zhang Family’s crimes that angered Hua Muyun, all contributed to Xiao Lin’s astonishing identity.
Secondly, Xia Yusheng’s words revealed that he was originally dissatisfied with the marriage alliance with the Wang Family. This shows how much Xia Yusheng cared for his daughter Xia Xue, bearing immense family pressure to withstand until now, and now with Xia Yusheng’s words, it’s obvious that as Xia Xue’s father, Xia Yusheng is siding with Xia Xue’s choice, that is, siding with Xiao Lin.
Thirdly, the Xia Family wasn’t united without contention, there were certainly other forces, and Xia Yusheng wanted to use Xiao Lin’s power to help him settle internal Xia Family affairs.
Now, Xia Yusheng entrusted Xiao Lin to persuade Xia Xue to return, undoubtedly proving Xiao Lin’s identity as Xia Yusheng’s prospective son-in-law. As long as it’s not Xia Xue’s biological parents obstructing, Xiao Lin wouldn’t care about others too much, and regarding Xia Yusheng’s requests, Xiao Lin wouldn’t shirk anything, as long as he could do it, he would certainly do it.
At this moment, Xia Yusheng appeared quite pleased, looking at Xiao Lin with a smile, speaking in the tone of a prospective father-in-law, "Xiaoxue has been spoiled by me since childhood, so sometimes she has a little temper, please bear with it!"
"I will!" Xiao Lin nodded, the feeling between the son-in-law and father-in-law no longer had that cunning fox-like sense from before. At this moment, Xiao Lin was more like a junior listening to the teachings of an elder.
Meanwhile, the sound of running water came from the bathroom in the ward, suggesting Xia Xue and the others had finished their work, and Xia Yusheng seemed a bit nervous now, hurriedly saying, "Later, you have to help me talk to Xia Xue!"
Seeing Xia Yusheng’s expression, Xiao Lin was momentarily stunned, then internally began to snicker, realizing his father-in-law only dared to show off in front of him, yet when facing Xia Xue, he seemed more like a junior.
"Relax, I will persuade Xia Xue to return, won’t put Uncle Xia in a tough spot!" Although Xiao Lin internally snickered, he still showed the respect due to Xia Yusheng, after all, he was his future father-in-law, being polite certainly wouldn’t be wrong.
In the bathroom, Niu Niu’s mom was wrapped like a dumpling, her whole body covered with green medicine, and then wrapped with plastic film to prevent the medicine from falling off, looking like a green person.
"Xiaoxue, can this work?" Niu Niu’s mom wasn’t much concerned with appearance, although at twenty-six or seven, she looked nearly forty, yet her whole body, including her face, was smeared with these medicines, feeling cool and shivery all over. If it couldn’t be washed off later and she turned into a green person, that would be unpleasant.
"Sis, don’t worry, didn’t Xiao Lin just say? These medicines will be completely absorbed by your body, leaving no residue afterward, and they have beautifying effects. If there weren’t just enough for you here, I’d use them as a facial mask myself!" Xia Xue comforted Niu Niu’s mom.
At this point, Niu Niu’s mom knew she couldn’t escape, just seeking comfort from others, looking at her reflection in the mirror, she found herself ugly, almost like a monster.
"Later, don’t let them come in to see, Xiaoxue, you have to keep the door!" Niu Niu’s mom voiced her first request, frightened even by the sight herself, let alone others.
Understanding Niu Niu’s mom’s feelings, Xia Xue nodded, "Alright, no problem!" Everyone desires to look beautiful, it’s only natural.
Xia Xue opened the bathroom door and heard voices outside, seeming somewhat familiar, but for the moment, she didn’t think much of it, directly asking, "Xiao Lin, who are you talking with? My sister isn’t seeing guests today, tell them to come back tomorrow!"
In the small living room, just as Xiao Lin was about to speak, Xia Yusheng suddenly gave Xiao Lin a look, lowering his voice, "You just help persuade Xiaoxue to go back, I’ll leave first!" After saying that, he went to get up and leave.
"..." Xiao Lin looked at Xia Yusheng incredulously, wondering why he seemed so afraid of Xia Xue, but if Xia Yusheng left like this, Xiao Lin wouldn’t be able to persuade Xia Xue to go back tonight, so he lowered his voice, "If you leave like this, Uncle Xia, I won’t be able to get Xia Xue to go back tonight!" Internally, he also wanted to see Xia Xue’s reaction upon seeing Xia Yusheng appear here, wondering why Xia Yusheng seemed so afraid of Xia Xue, filled with anticipation.
"Oh, an unexpected guest has come, but it’s not for Niu Niu’s mom, it’s for you!" Xiao Lin quickly told Xia Xue before Xia Yusheng could leave.
With no choice, Xia Yusheng looked at Xiao Lin helplessly, but now he couldn’t sneak away. He had to adjust his expression, sitting upright on the sofa, appearing quite dignified, though who knows why he’s afraid of Xia Xue.
"For me? Who is it, let them wait a moment!" Xia Xue didn’t expect her father to come over, casually replied.
Afterwards, Xia Xue helped Niu Niu’s mother lie down on the hospital bed, and then reconnected the various medical tubes that had been previously inserted into her. Even though she wasn’t completely familiar with this task, it wasn’t a problem for Xia Xue. After all, she was a very professional doctor and quite knowledgeable about all of this.
Listening to Xia Xue’s footsteps as she came out of the hospital room, Xia Yusheng’s previously stern expression turned quite remarkable, looking a bit restless and slightly awkward.
Although Xiao Lin could see that Xia Yusheng seemed quite afraid of Xia Xue, he dared not show any hint of mockery on his face. After all, this was his future father-in-law. However, he had already figured out this future father-in-law’s temperament. As long as he stood firmly by Xia Xue’s side, this prospective father-in-law definitely wouldn’t be able to assert his fatherly authority in front of him.
Xia Xue was genuinely surprised to see her father, Xia Yusheng, appear there. When she opened the door and saw her father sitting on the sofa with Xiao Lin standing nearby, she couldn’t help but show a look of surprise and said, "Dad, what brings you here?"
Listening to Xia Xue’s tone, there was no sign of displeasure; instead, there was an air of affection. She then walked up to her father, sat beside him, took his arm, and said in a playful manner, "Dad, why didn’t you call me before coming over? I could have picked you up!"
Xiao Lin was even more puzzled. Why was Xia Yusheng so afraid of Xia Xue? Looking at the genuine smile on Xia Xue’s face, it was as delightful as when his own mother saw him.
Xia Yusheng chuckled and said, "It’s been a while since I last saw you, so I came by to check on you!" Yet, he didn’t dare suggest that Xia Xue should come back with him.
"Dad, as you said, if you want to see me, you could just call me, and I would come to you!" Xia Xue had no qualms, chatting with Xia Yusheng affectionately.
Xia Yusheng’s smile turned a bit unnatural. Glancing at Xiao Lin with a pleading look, he seemed less like a merchant tycoon in the business world and more like an aggrieved daughter-in-law.
Xiao Lin remained silent, pretending not to see Xia Yusheng’s gaze, and then said to Xia Xue, "Xiaoxue, since your uncle came over at this time, we don’t know if he’s eaten yet. Let’s find a restaurant to eat and chat!"
If Xiao Lin hadn’t mentioned eating, Xia Xue wouldn’t have felt anything. Earlier, she spent a lot of energy applying medicine for Niu Niu’s mother, and now she felt hungry, so she immediately agreed, "Dad, have you eaten? Xiao Lin and I haven’t eaten since we got busy!"
Xia Yusheng gave Xiao Lin a glare and, gritting his teeth, said, "Xiaoxue, tomorrow is your grandpa’s birthday. You said before you would return, and now..."
At these words, Xia Xue stood up abruptly, her tone a bit rude, her voice low, and said flatly, "Dad, I’ll go back, but not today. I’ll be back tomorrow night!" Xia Xue’s tone was not to be disputed, almost as if she was the elder here.
Xia Yusheng’s face suddenly looked unpleasant, once again casting a pleading gaze at Xiao Lin, hoping he would intervene. He then said to Xia Xue, "Xiaoxue, tomorrow is not just your grandfather’s birthday, it’s also your engagement day..."
"Dad, I know, I’ll definitely go back tomorrow, but not now!" Xia Xue’s face darkened. "As for the engagement, tomorrow is certainly my engagement banquet. As for who I get engaged to, I believe you know well!" The implication was naturally that tomorrow was definitely Xia Xue’s engagement banquet, and who she got engaged to was only for Xia Xue to decide.
"Xiaoxue, I promise you, if you come back with me now, I won’t let those people bother you!" Xia Yusheng said, though it’s unclear who ’those people’ referred to.
Seeing Xia Yusheng so submissive in front of Xia Xue, especially with the pleading look he cast, Xiao Lin couldn’t help but be curious about why Xia Xue spoke to Xia Yusheng that way. However, he stepped in to mediate, saying, "Xiaoxue, go back with Uncle Xia to prepare. I don’t want my fiancée to be too simply dressed tomorrow. Tomorrow is a grand day, you must dress up beautifully!"
"Xiao Lin..." Xia Xue wanted to say something when Xiao Lin interrupted, "Xiaoxue, trust me, I will definitely give you an unforgettable engagement party!"
Xia Xue thought for a while, glanced at Xia Yusheng, then at Xiao Lin, sighed slightly upon seeing Xiao Lin, and said, "Fine, I’ll listen to you! Come early tomorrow, I’ll be waiting for you!"
As Xia Xue and Xia Yusheng left the hospital, Xiao Lin began to speculate about Xia Xue’s true standing in the Xia Family. From their conversation, it seemed like Xia Xue didn’t really get along with the rest of the Xia Family. But then again, if Xia Xue did get along with them, she probably wouldn’t be renting a place outside. (To be continued. If you like this work, please go to Qidian () to recommend or vote monthly. Your support is my greatest motivation.)