Chapter 55: Two Women Meet Again

“Oh, you know each other?” Ling Weihua asked, looking at the two women with a puzzled expression.

Xia Ruoxi smiled and replied, “Yes, Uncle Ling! The first time Lin Feng brought me home for dinner, Shi Xuan happened to be there too. That’s when we met. I didn’t expect to run into her again at the airport today. I believe I can become good friends with her!” As she spoke, she smiled at Ling Shixuan, addressing her warmly and answering Ling Weihua’s question.

Hearing this, Ling Weihua felt a little awkward and apologized to Xia Ruoxi, “Ruoxi, there was a bit of trouble between our two families before. That’s why Shixuan was staying at Lin Feng’s house. Don’t misunderstand, please.”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Ling! Lin Feng has already explained everything to me, so I understand and won’t misunderstand. Please rest assured!” Xia Ruoxi replied graciously.

Seeing that Xia Ruoxi didn’t hold a grudge, Ling Weihua was deeply satisfied. He thought Xia Ruoxi had all the makings of a great leader—not only was she capable, but she was also magnanimous and tolerant, with the potential to achieve great things. In fact, she was even more outstanding than his own daughter, which made him somewhat envious of Lin Feng for finding such a treasure. However, Ling Shixuan, standing nearby, grew even more displeased. If it hadn’t been for Xia Ruoxi, Lin Feng wouldn’t have kicked her out of the Lin family in the first place. Now Xia Ruoxi was stealing the spotlight again, so she couldn’t help but interrupt, “It’s so early in the morning—where are you all off to?”

“Yes, I was just about to ask that too. It’s the New Year, and you’re all at the airport. Are you here to pick someone up?” Ling Weihua added, his curiosity piqued.

Lin Chuanzhi laughed. “We’re actually heading to the capital, too, but we’re going back to our old home for the New Year. I haven’t been back in years. Now that Lin Feng has grown up and even has a girlfriend, the old man at home has insisted several times that we all go back for the holiday. So, we’re catching an early flight. I didn’t expect to bump into you here. If you’re free, Weihua, bring Shixuan over to our place to visit!”

“That’s right! Weihua, if you’re not rushing back after finishing your business in the capital, come over to our house. There aren’t many people I can talk to in the Lin family, so it would be nice if you and Shixuan could join us. I really do like your daughter!” Liu Runli chimed in, helping Lin Chuanzhi extend the invitation.

Ling Weihua’s face broke into a wide grin at the invitation, and he nodded enthusiastically. He hadn’t known about Lin Chuanzhi’s background before—he’d always assumed Lin Chuanzhi was just an ordinary man. But after the matter with Lin Feng’s company, he finally learned that Lin Chuanzhi was the third son of the Lin family, one of the four great families in the capital. Even though he seldom interacted with his family, he was still a Lin. Being invited to visit the Lin family home was an honor even many family heads couldn’t claim, let alone someone like himself, the chairman of the modest Ling Group.

“Hmph, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be welcome,” Xia Ruoxi muttered to Lin Feng at that moment.

Lin Feng heard her complaint but didn’t respond. In his heart, he thought, “How do you know you’re not welcome? Even if it’s true, don’t say it out loud!”

Seeing that Ling Shixuan was questioning Lin Feng and he wasn’t replying, Xia Ruoxi stepped in to smooth things over. “How could you not be welcome? You’re Uncle Ling’s guests. Lin Feng would be thrilled to have you—right, Lin Feng?” She tugged at Lin Feng’s hand to prompt a reply.

Lin Feng only managed a half-hearted “Mm,” his interest waning, and turned his gaze elsewhere.

Liu Runli, noticing Lin Feng’s lack of energy and wanting to ease the awkwardness, explained with a laugh, “That boy was up to who-knows-what last night and wouldn’t get up this morning. He’s probably still half asleep. If there were a bed here, I bet he’d be out like a light!”

Her remark made everyone laugh, instantly dispelling the awkwardness. There was no denying that experience brings wisdom.

“Uncle Ling, what time is your flight? Don’t tell me you also booked the nine o’clock to the capital?” After the laughter, Xia Ruoxi asked Ling Weihua with a smile.

“Yes, we did! Nine o’clock to the capital. You too? What a coincidence!” Ling Weihua was even more delighted to find out they’d be on the same flight.

“I know! What are the odds? We can go together and chat on the plane. That’ll make the journey much less boring!” Lin Chuanzhi added cheerfully.

“That’s right,” Ling Weihua agreed.

Time passed quickly as they chatted. Soon, the airport’s announcement came: boarding for the nine o’clock flight to the capital had begun. Lin Chuanzhi and Ling Weihua’s groups gathered their luggage and headed to the gate. Everything went smoothly, and they soon found their seats on the plane. By coincidence, Ling Weihua and his daughter’s seats were right next to Lin Chuanzhi’s group, which made them all even more excited.

Lin Feng didn’t speak after boarding. As soon as he sat by the window, he leaned back and closed his eyes to catch up on sleep. He was truly exhausted. He hadn’t, as Liu Runli joked, been up to anything sneaky the night before; he just hadn’t slept much. He’d spent the whole night chatting in bed with Mo Tian, fascinated by the stories of Mo Tian’s life in another world. He hadn’t asked before, but at long last, curiosity got the better of him. The more he listened, the more enthralled he became. By the time he finally felt tired, dawn was breaking. No wonder he was so sleepy now.

While Lin Feng rested, Lin Chuanzhi and his wife enjoyed a lively conversation with Ling Weihua and his daughter. The men discussed business, while Liu Runli and Ling Shixuan exchanged gossip. With Liu Runli around, Xia Ruoxi and Ling Shixuan managed to get along well enough, and their occasional banter even made Liu Runli laugh heartily.

Three hours passed quickly, and soon the plane landed smoothly at the capital’s airport. As soon as the plane stopped, Lin Feng woke up, stretched his stiff limbs, gathered his luggage, and disembarked with the others.

Once in the arrivals hall, Lin Chuanzhi turned to Ling Weihua and his daughter. “Our car is waiting outside. Would you like to join us? I can have the driver take you to your destination.”

“Thank you, Brother Lin, but our car is waiting too. Let’s part ways here for now. Once we’ve finished our business in the capital, we’ll come to visit you!” Ling Weihua replied courteously.

“Alright, since you have your own car, let’s leave it at that. We’ll see you at our place soon—I’ll be looking forward to it!” Lin Chuanzhi smiled and bid his farewells.

“It’s settled, then!” Ling Weihua responded, and then, taking Ling Shixuan with him, led the way to the pick-up area.

Watching Ling Weihua’s figure disappear into the distance, Lin Chuanzhi finally turned to his family and said, “Let’s go. The car’s been waiting outside. I’m not sure who’s come to pick us up, but we shouldn’t keep them waiting too long. I haven’t been back in ten years—I wonder how much the capital has changed.”

Liu Runli, hearing the nostalgia in his voice, quickly took his hand and comforted him, “You’ve had a hard time all these years. If it hadn’t been for Lin Feng and me, you wouldn’t have stayed away for so long. If you’d stayed with the Lin family, you’d have achieved so much more by now.”

“Is that so? If that were the case, it wouldn’t be the result I wanted. Maybe what we have now is the best,” Lin Chuanzhi replied with a sigh.

Lin Feng couldn’t stand his parents’ display of affection in front of so many people in the airport. He wasn’t Lin Chuanzhi, so he couldn’t relate. He interrupted impatiently, “Alright, didn’t you say not to keep the driver waiting? Why are you two dawdling here? Let’s get going!”

Their intimate moment was thus abruptly ended by Lin Feng—even though he had a point, Liu Runli still shot him a glare.

Lin Chuanzhi snapped out of his reverie, realizing he’d been a bit sentimental. He picked up his luggage and said with a smile, “Lin Feng’s right, I was being maudlin. Come on, grab your bags—let’s go!” With that, he led the way to the pick-up area.

Although Liu Runli had been stopped from saying more, she couldn’t resist pinching Lin Feng’s arm after Lin Chuanzhi walked ahead, venting her annoyance before hurrying after her husband.

“Ouch,” Lin Feng yelped, looking woefully at the bruise on his arm.

“That’s what you get!” Xia Ruoxi teased, showing not a shred of sympathy as she laughed and followed after Liu Runli.

Lin Feng watched the three of them walk off, shook his head in exasperation, and finally picked up his own luggage to chase after them, all the while lamenting inwardly, “Why am I always the one who gets hurt?”