Chapter 22 The Matter of the Poetry Pavilion

When Lin Feng hung up the phone, Liu Runli, his gossip-loving mother, immediately leaned in and asked, “Was that a call from the daughter of the Ling family? Are you still in touch with her? Could it be...”

“Mom, what are you thinking? There’s nothing between us. I have no idea why she suddenly called and asked me out!” Lin Feng explained helplessly to his inquisitive mother; otherwise, who knew what outrageous things this exceptional woman might do if he didn’t clarify.

“Sigh, the Ling family hasn’t had it easy lately. The third generation of the Wang family from Yanjing has been active in Zhanhai City these days. Somehow, he’s taken a fancy to the Ling family’s daughter and has been pressuring them to marry Ling Shixuan. Their days must be tough now; Lin Feng, when you see Ling, don’t say anything harsh, alright!” Lin Chuanzi, who was well-informed about the goings-on in Zhanhai City, added from the side.

“Got it, Dad. I’m not that gossipy, okay? I’m heading out now.” After placating his parents, Lin Feng hurried out to Haixia Plaza. When he entered the café on the first floor, he found Ling Shixuan already waiting for him. Lin Feng took the seat opposite her.

“So, what’s the matter, beautiful Ling? You suddenly called me out—what do you want to talk about?” Lin Feng asked as soon as he sat down.

Ling Shixuan gazed at Lin Feng in silence, quietly studying him as if she were meeting someone new.

“What’s wrong? Say something. Why are you staring at me like that?” Lin Feng felt uneasy under her gaze and quickly asked.

“You’ve been quite prominent lately. Was everything you did before just an act—including liking me, pursuing me?” Ling Shixuan looked calmly at Lin Feng and questioned.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve been prominent. It’s just normal business, really—all the rumors are from the media. As for the past, it was all real, including liking and pursuing you—but that’s not the case now,” Lin Feng replied sincerely, without a second thought.

Ling Shixuan clearly didn’t believe him, continuing to press, “Why not now? Can someone change so quickly?”

“Maybe after being rejected so many times, I just lost the feeling. Or perhaps, all my energy goes into work now; I don’t have the time anymore,” Lin Feng answered lightly.

“So, if I don’t reject you now, could you marry me right away?” Ling Shixuan suddenly looked at Lin Feng with agitation.

“What? Are you out of your mind? Didn’t you hate me? Why are you clinging to me now, talking about marrying me? Are you crazy, or did I hear you wrong?” Lin Feng stared at the excited Ling Shixuan in surprise.

“I’m not sick, and you didn’t hear wrong. Young Master Lin, you’re skilled enough to fool everyone, but I don’t believe you were that kind of person before. Look at how much you’ve changed compared to before—back then, you couldn’t wait to drag me into bed, but now your eyes are so calm and unfamiliar. How can someone change so much in such a short time?” Ling Shixuan argued again, refusing to believe him.

“That’s your opinion. Interpret it however you want; I won’t insist. But I don’t want to get involved in your affairs, and we don’t have such a deep relationship. You should handle your own issues,” Lin Feng said, uninterested.

Ling Shixuan was stunned by Lin Feng again, staring at him in shock. “What! You already know, but I haven’t even told you what’s going on. How do you know what I want to say?”

Lin Feng replied mysteriously, “Heh, Zhanhai City isn’t big. What I should know, I know; what I shouldn’t, I know anyway.” For him, Ling Shixuan belonged to the past, so he felt no need to explain much.

Ling Shixuan stared at Lin Feng, then slowly said, “You have indeed changed—more mysterious now. Since you know what’s happening and still agreed to meet me, doesn’t that mean you’re willing to help?”

“Stop right there, beautiful. Knowing your business and meeting you are two different things. I only came out because I was bored and wanted to pass the time. Besides, I have someone I truly care about; I don’t want her to misunderstand. So you’ll have to solve your own problems,” Lin Feng hurried to clarify when he saw Ling Shixuan was misunderstanding.

“You really won’t help me? You’ll just watch me fall into misery?” Ling Shixuan tried to tempt Lin Feng with her big, watery eyes, hoping to sway him.

“Come on, don’t use your charms on me. I’m immune. There are too many beauties in this world for me to deal with. Besides, how do you know it’s misery? The Wang family in Yanjing is a prominent clan. You could become their young lady, maybe even win over that third generation Wang and make him devoted to you alone. You’d really hit it big then!” Lin Feng teased.

“You bastard, Lin Feng, I hate you!” Ling Shixuan glared at him, her eyes reddened.

Lin Feng ignored her changing mood and said, “Hating me won’t help. It’s not me who put you in this position—your family agreed to your marriage. You should talk to your father! Anyway, it’s lunchtime. Time to head home and eat with our families.” With that, he leisurely stood up and walked away.

Ling Shixuan watched Lin Feng’s retreating figure with a sense of resignation. She had wanted to drag Lin Feng into her troubles with the Wang family, and if she had to choose between Wang’s scion and Lin Feng, she would much prefer Lin Feng—at least, she didn’t dislike him, unlike that infamous third-generation Wang from Yanjing. But Lin Feng clearly had no intention of helping. Seeing him reach his car, Ling Shixuan made up her mind. If both options were pits of fire, she’d rather choose Lin Feng’s. With that thought, she hurried after him, thinking, “I’m going to stick to him, no matter what.”

“What’s this, Miss Ling? You have your own car, right? Or you could just take a taxi. Are you hoping to hitch a ride with me?” Lin Feng said, speechless as Ling Shixuan caught up.

“Hmph, I’ve had a falling out with my family. I’m staying in a hotel, and all my cards have been frozen. I have no money and nowhere to go. I don’t know many people here in Zhanhai, and nobody else is willing to help me. So now, I can only rely on you,” Ling Shixuan said, opening Lin Feng’s car door and slipping into the front passenger seat.

“Hey, hey, what’s with you? How can you just get into a stranger’s car? Get out!” Lin Feng said angrily at her shameless behavior.

“Now you’re pretending you don’t know me? How could we be strangers—I was your former fiancée, wasn’t I?” Ling Shixuan poked her head out the window, smiling sweetly at the annoyed Lin Feng.

“I... I—” Lin Feng was so flustered by her shamelessness that he was stuck for words.

“Ah, women like her are the worst trouble,” Mo Tian, watching the scene from nearby, chimed in. In the end, Lin Feng had no choice but to start the car and take Ling Shixuan back to the Lin family villa.

Meanwhile, Lin Chuanzi and Liu Runli, waiting at home for Lin Feng to come for lunch, were stunned when Lin Feng walked in with Ling Shixuan. Both stood speechless for a while before Ling Shixuan broke the awkward silence, “Uncle Lin, Aunt Liu, I’m really sorry for the intrusion. I had such a good chat with Lin Feng in the café, and he invited me for lunch, so I shamelessly tagged along. I hope I’m not bothering you too much!”

“Oh, no, not at all. Your father and I are old friends—it’s perfectly normal for you to come for lunch. You’re such a sweet girl,” Lin Chuanzi replied, eager to ease the tension.

“Yes, yes, your Uncle Lin is right. We’re more than happy to have you with us, especially since Lin Feng invited you,” Liu Runli added, polite as soon as she heard Lin Feng had extended the invitation.

“Thank you, Uncle, Aunt. Sorry to trouble you,” Ling Shixuan replied sweetly, surprising Lin Feng. Normally, she wasn’t the gentle type, but she had never been so demure. Damn, this woman was quite the actress! Claiming he invited her—what a joke; she’d just shamelessly followed him home. Lin Feng grumbled inwardly but couldn’t say it out loud in front of his parents.

After Liu Runli took Ling Shixuan to the dining room, Lin Chuanzi finally found a moment to quietly ask Lin Feng, “Why did you invite her over? You know what getting involved with her at this time means.”

“Dad, don’t listen to her nonsense. I never invited her—she just shamelessly followed me. She’s had a falling out with her family, has no money or place to go, and I took her in out of pity. Don’t worry, Dad, I know what I’m doing. This is just my way of testing the Wang family to see what moves they’ll make,” Lin Feng explained with a smile.

“Sigh, you’re playing with fire, you know. But since things are as they are, I’m on your side. Let’s go eat before we’re late and let that girl suffer,” Lin Chuanzi said, patting Lin Feng’s shoulder.

“Come, Shixuan, eat more. Look how thin you are—it makes me feel sorry for you. You need to eat well and put on some weight,” Liu Runli said, not even waiting for Lin Chuanzi and Lin Feng to sit down, piling food into Ling Shixuan’s bowl.

Lin Feng, seeing his mother’s enthusiasm, complained, “Mom, how can you do that? Those are all my favorite dishes, and you’re giving them all to her. It’s useless for her to eat more—it’ll just make her fat!”

“If you’re worried about missing out, hurry up and eat. Shixuan is a girl; you should know to let her have some,” Liu Runli retorted, looking at Lin Feng with disdain, now firmly allied with Ling Shixuan.

“That’s right—not a shred of gentlemanly conduct. What do you mean it’s useless for me to eat? Aunt Liu just said I’m too thin and should eat more—didn’t you hear?” With Liu Runli backing her up, Ling Shixuan immediately squared off against Lin Feng.

“I... I’m the host here, you’re the guest. Don’t act like you own the place!” Lin Feng replied curtly, then unhesitatingly joined in the scramble for food. If he didn’t, at his mother’s pace, there’d be nothing left soon.

For a while, the battle for food between Lin Feng and Ling Shixuan kept the table lively, amusing Lin Chuanzi and Liu Runli. The atmosphere was cheerful and harmonious. As the meal was nearly over, Lin Chuanzi suddenly said to Liu Runli, “Runli, why don’t you go upstairs and prepare a spare room.” Then he turned to Ling Shixuan, “Shixuan, you can stay here for a while. Our home is quiet, and Lin Feng is such a dull fellow. With you here, the house will be a lot livelier.”