In the afternoon, Lin Jinsheng busied himself preparing dinner for Ye Tian, as he had an appointment at seven o'clock, so they ate an early dinner.
Zhu Yuting was also not idle. She was pregnant and had prepared a lot of snacks, which she now brought out to entertain her future son-in-law.
Dinner was ready when the doorbell rang. It was Lin Ni and her boyfriend, accompanied by a fashionable young woman in her early twenties. She was strikingly beautiful, not quite as stunning as Lin Ziyi, but close.
"Godfather, Godmother!" The young woman immediately greeted Lin Jinsheng with a smile and hugged them.
"Sister Ziyi!" Then she threw herself into Lin Ziyi's arms, like a little girl.
Lin Ziyi smiled slightly. "Xiao Ying, when did you get back?"
Xiao Ying smiled. "I returned yesterday. I came specifically to see you all today."
Lin Ziyi introduced Ye Tian. "Brother Tian, this is Xiao Ying, my god-sister. Seven years ago, Xiao Ying was still in high school, but her family was not well-off, and they didn't want her to continue her studies. Xiao Ying didn't want to give up, so she went to the roadside to collect waste to sell. She was bullied by a group of street thugs. My father happened to pass by, saved Xiao Ying, took her as his god-daughter, and sponsored her university education. Xiao Ying worked very hard and was admitted to a government-funded overseas study program, earning a Master of Laws from Stanford University."
Ye Tian smiled. "A Master of Laws from Stanford, impressive. I recall that this university's law program is ranked among the top globally, and many prominent lawyers in the United States come from Stanford."
Xiao Ying was poised and graceful. She smiled. "You must be Brother Ye Tian. I've heard a lot about you, but this is our first meeting."
Lin Ni said, "Dad, Xiao Ying has brought some good news this time. Xiao Ying has passed the bar exam in the United States."
As his god-daughter, her success reflected well on him. Lin Jinsheng smiled. "That's great! My Xiao Ying is about to become a great lawyer!"
Xiao Ying smiled and took out a card, handing it to Zhu Yuting with both hands. "Godmother, this is the money I earned working as a paralegal in the United States. Though it's not much, it's a small token of my appreciation."
Zhu Yuting was overjoyed and smiled. "Xiao Ying, you're so thoughtful. But Godmother doesn't lack money, you keep it for yourself. And if you need anything, just tell your Godfather and Godmother, we'll help you."
Xiao Ying smiled. "Godmother, please accept it. It's my filial piety to you and Godfather."
Lin Jinsheng asked, "Xiao Ying, have you gone home yet?"
Xiao Ying said faintly, "Not yet."
Lin Ziyi quickly said, "You should stay with us for a few days. Come, Xiao Ying, I'll take you to see my walk-in closet. Pick out anything you like."
The sisters went upstairs. Lin Jinsheng sighed softly and said, "It seems Xiao Ying still refuses to forgive her parents."
Ye Tian asked, "Uncle, is Xiao Ying's relationship with her family not harmonious?"
Lin Jinsheng explained, "Xiao Ying's family favors males over females. She has two younger brothers and an older sister. At the time, Xiao Ying was ranked first in the entire school, but her family still wouldn't allow her to study. Xiao Ying was desperate then. When I met her, she was being bullied by street thugs, but she wasn't afraid at all; her eyes were exceptionally resolute. I was moved by this young girl at the time."
Zhu Yuting added, "It wasn't just that they wouldn't let Xiao Ying study. Xiao Ying's father is also lazy and good for nothing. He wanted to sell the teenage Xiao Ying to a forty-five-year-old widower in town, simply because he was willing to pay thirty thousand as a bride price."
Ye Tian frowned. "What kind of parents are they!"
Zhu Yuting continued, "Who would have thought? We all pitied Xiao Ying and brought her to our home. At that time, her father even brought people to cause trouble. Fortunately, Xiao Ying proved herself, first by getting into Tianjing University, and then by getting a master's degree from a prestigious foreign university."
Ye Tian remarked, "She is indeed very hardworking. If I were her, I wouldn't forgive such parents either."
Lin Jinsheng said, "But they are her biological parents after all, so she should still visit them. Xiao Ye, you and Ziyi accompany her home tomorrow. I'm worried about her going alone."
Ye Tian nodded. "Alright."