Chapter 2: Rejected Engagement

Lin Chuanzi sat quietly to the side, his face darkening as he listened to Ling Shixuan’s grievances against Lin Feng. He spoke with anger, “Hmph, it seems your daughter has quite a problem with my Feng!”

“Brother Lin, please don’t be upset,” Ling Weihua hurried to explain. “The child hasn’t even spent time with Lin Feng yet. She’s speaking without thinking. Rest assured, the marriage we discussed still stands.”

“Shixuan, I really like you! Don’t worry, after you marry me, I’ll make you happy. Please, say you’ll marry me!” Lin Feng anxiously clasped Ling Shixuan’s hand.

“Bastard, let go of me! What are you doing... Let go of my hand!” Ling Shixuan struggled against Lin Feng’s roaming hands, her voice trembling with anger and shame.

Watching his son’s unruly behavior, Lin Chuanzi felt utterly helpless. Ten years ago, he and his wife had moved from Yanjing to this city. Through his efforts, he had built the illustrious Lin Group in Zhanhai City. Yet, his devotion to work had left him little time to discipline his son, and with an indulgent mother, Lin Feng had become the laughingstock of the city.

No one knows their son better than a father. Lin Chuanzi understood his son’s shortcomings all too well. Since Lin Feng lacked ambition, his only hope was to find a capable daughter-in-law to take over the family business one day. Otherwise, when he was gone, who would care for Lin Feng? Given his son’s ineptitude, the Lin Group would be ruined within a year if left in his hands. He was thoroughly satisfied with Ling Shixuan—she was competent in business and, with proper guidance, could easily manage the Lin Group. Unfortunately, she was unwilling.

“Dad, Uncle Lin, you both see what he’s like! I won’t marry him—not even if it kills me. I’d rather die!” Ling Shixuan looked at her hands, red from Lin Feng’s grip, tears rolling down her cheeks as she recalled his repulsive touch. Without another word, she stood up and left in distress.

“Shixuan, hey, why are you leaving? Wait for me!” Lin Feng, seeing her leave, anxiously called out, then got up to chase after her.

“Stop right there, you fool!” Lin Chuanzi barked furiously at Lin Feng. As expected, Lin Feng froze, not daring to move.

“Brother Lin, look at this mess. When I get home, I’ll give Shixuan a good talking-to. She was truly out of line,” Ling Weihua quickly apologized.

With a resigned sigh, Lin Chuanzi replied, “Weihua, this isn’t Shixuan’s fault. Our Lin family owes you an apology. Don’t scold her. As for the marriage between these two children, let’s just forget it.”

“Dad, how can you just forget it? Didn’t you say Shixuan would marry me?” Lin Feng protested anxiously.

“Weihua, let’s leave it at that. I have some matters to attend to. Feng and I will take our leave,” Lin Chuanzi said, ignoring Lin Feng’s pleas as he rose to say his farewells. He walked out towards his waiting car.

Seeing his father leave, Lin Feng hurriedly bid Ling Weihua goodbye and ran to catch up.

As soon as they returned to the Lin family mansion, Lin Feng ran to his mother in tears. Of everyone at home, his strict father was the one he feared most, but his father’s one weakness was his wife, Lin Feng’s mother, Liu Runli.

“Mom, look at this! The engagement party was completely ruined. Dad wouldn’t even let me chase after Shixuan—he dragged me straight home,” Lin Feng complained, sulking beside Liu Runli and shaking her hand.

“Chuanzi, what’s going on? Is that Ling family girl rebelling now? She thinks she’s too good for my Lin Feng? I don’t care for her either. Letting her enter our family is already being generous,” Liu Runli snapped, clearly displeased after hearing Lin Feng’s grievances.

“Hmph, what do you know? Over-indulgence ruins a child. Just look at your son—what kind of man has he become? If you hadn’t spoiled him all these years, would he be like this now?” Lin Chuanzi’s tone was equally irate, his mood still sour from the day’s events.

Liu Runli, angered by his response, retorted, “So what if I spoil him? He’s my own son—if I don’t dote on him, who will? Lin Chuanzi, you’re getting bold, aren’t you? Daring to speak to me like this today!”

“You... I don’t want to argue with you,” Lin Chuanzi began to retort but swallowed the words. Over the years, he had been so focused on his career that he seldom had time for the family. If not for his wife’s tireless support at home, the Lin Group wouldn’t be what it was today. Their marriage had always been harmonious, with scarcely any quarrels, and he felt he owed her a great deal. So, in most matters, he chose to give way to her.

“Well? Don’t you have a lot of complaints? Are you looking down on me now? Come on—say it!” Liu Runli pressed, unwilling to let the matter rest.

“That’s enough—stop arguing! There’s nothing more to say. From now on, don’t mention that Ling family girl again. The matter is settled,” Lin Chuanzi shifted the subject, refusing to engage further.

“Hmph, so be it! Does the Ling family have the only eligible daughter in all of Zhanhai City? I have plenty of friends with lovely daughters. Feng, I’ll introduce you to them another day,” Liu Runli huffed, venting her frustration before turning to comfort Lin Feng.

But Lin Feng was not satisfied with his mother’s arrangements. He wanted only Ling Shixuan, and he pleaded, “But Mom, I still want Shixuan. Please talk to them again for me.”

“Hah, you still dare mention Ling Shixuan? Look at your behavior—during the gathering, was that any way to act? On your first meeting, you grabbed her hand and touched her as you pleased. Did you think her father and I weren’t there?” Lin Chuanzi scolded, clearly still upset by the incident.

“Son, you really shouldn’t have done that. Why were you in such a hurry? Once you’re married, you can do as you like. Why rush things now?” Liu Runli scolded as well.

“Mom, I was just anxious. Can’t you think of another way to help me?” Lin Feng continued to plead.

“All right, all right. I’ll see what else I can do. Don’t worry,” Liu Runli comforted him.

Hearing that Lin Feng still wanted to pursue Ling Shixuan, Lin Chuanzi’s anger flared. He shouted, “Another way? I’m telling both of you—don’t think about meddling with Ling Shixuan anymore. Our family has already been refused in public—how can I ever show my face again? If you dare pester her again, I’ll break your legs myself! Now go to your room—I can’t stand the sight of you.”

Seeing his father furious, Lin Feng immediately stopped talking, hurriedly stood up, and went off to his room, afraid that if he moved any slower, his allowance would be cut off.

Yet, as he walked, a flash of light shimmered across his chest and vanished into the jade pendant hanging there. All this happened in the blink of an eye, and Lin Feng, distracted by his parents’ quarrel as he walked, noticed nothing at all.