Chapter 59: The Shrewd Grandmother

"That's men's business, nothing for me to meddle in. I'll just prepare tonight's meal. It's been so long since we've had such lively company!" The old lady, in rare good spirits, said cheerfully.

By the time Lin Chuan Zhi's family had all awoken, it was already afternoon. Both the eldest and second uncle's families had returned, and the Lin family's living room in Yanjing was bustling with activity. When Lin Feng woke, he looked around, not seeing Xia Ruoxi in bed, assuming she had gone out. But when he turned, he saw her at the desk, working on her laptop.

As Lin Feng stirred in bed, Xia Ruoxi noticed and, seeing him look her way, couldn't help but speak. "I didn't ask you on the plane, but why are you so tired all day? Did you really not sleep last night?"

Lin Feng didn't answer immediately. He sat up, stretched lazily, and leaned back against the headboard, grabbing a pillow for support. Only then did he reply comfortably, "Let's not talk about last night. But you've been working all afternoon. Are you afraid to sleep in the bed? Are you planning to spend tonight like this too?"

"Thanks for your concern. I did nap a bit while you were asleep, but you slept so soundly like a pig, you didn't notice me at all," Xia Ruoxi replied, a little annoyed.

Hearing that Xia Ruoxi had also lain down to sleep, Lin Feng felt a pang of regret. What a perfect opportunity to savor her beauty, wasted just like that! He shook his head, trying to clear his groggy mind. After a pause, he asked, "What time is it now?"

"It's already past five. Look at you, sleeping the whole afternoon! Is this what you do when you're not at the company, just laze around at home?" Xia Ruoxi gave him a playful glare.

"Ah, it's so late already? The eldest uncle and everyone must be back. I bet my father is in the hall. Why didn't you go out when you got up?" Lin Feng was surprised by the time, then curious about Xia Ruoxi.

"It's my first time here, and I don't know anyone. It'd be awkward to go out alone, so I stayed in, waiting for you to wake up so we could go together. But you were sleeping so deeply and I got bored, not sure what to do in the room. That's why I worked on the computer, dealing with business and waiting for you," Xia Ruoxi explained as she glanced at her screen.

When she finished, Lin Feng got out of bed and began to put on the jacket he'd taken off before sleeping. As he dressed, he said to Xia Ruoxi, still at the desk, "It's late. Let's go out. The whole family must be outside, and we're hiding in here—it doesn't look good, especially on our first visit."

Xia Ruoxi couldn't help but tease, "As if you need to tell me! It's not me who slept until now. I've been dressed and ready, just waiting for you. Once you're done, we can go out!"

Lin Feng grinned sheepishly. "Well, why didn't you wake me when you saw it was so late?"

"You think I didn't want to? The problem is, you can't be woken! You have the worst temper when you wake up," Xia Ruoxi complained, recalling her earlier attempts to rouse him.

"Ah, I see! Well, forget I said anything. I'm dressed now, let's go. We shouldn't keep everyone waiting," Lin Feng said, embarrassed by her complaints and eager to change the subject.

Xia Ruoxi noticed his attempt to deflect but didn't point it out. She tidied up the papers scattered on the desk, shut down the laptop, and walked over, linking her arm with his.

Seeing Xia Ruoxi take his arm, Lin Feng smiled silently and led her out of the room toward the living room.

The living room was indeed crowded, a rare sight. Usually, it wasn't so lively, but with Lin Feng's family returning, the old patriarch had called all direct relatives home, leaving out those less closely related. The conversation was centered on Lin Feng.

When Lin Feng and Xia Ruoxi entered, following the cheerful voices, the whole room—young and old—turned to look at them, and the chatter abruptly stopped. The silence was awkward until Liu Runli noticed and quickly broke it. She stood from the sofa, hurried over, took their hands, and led them to her seat before turning to Lin Feng with a mock reproach. "Why are you out so late? Don't tell me you just got up!"

Lin Feng looked at her in confusion and whispered, "How did you know?"

Liu Runli touched her forehead, speechless. "You really did just wake up!" But now wasn't the time to scold, with so many people present.

With her lead, the room returned to its lively chatter. A middle-aged woman opposite Liu Runli remarked, "Ah, Lin Feng's grown so much! Truly handsome, and he even brings his girlfriend home. Much better than your cousin!"

"Sister-in-law, look, Lin Feng's a bit confused. I should introduce everyone, or these two youngsters won't know how to address you! Lin Feng, Ruoxi, let me introduce you. The lady who just spoke is your eldest uncle's wife—call her aunt. Next to your uncle is your second uncle's wife—call her second aunt. As for the younger ones, let them introduce themselves," Liu Runli continued after the woman finished.

No sooner had Liu Runli said that than the youngest girl in the crowd eagerly stood up. "My turn! Lin Feng, cousin, I'm Xiaoxue. When I was little, I loved playing with you, but then you left with third uncle and we never met again!"

"Well, I don't need to introduce myself. Lin Feng and Ruoxi already know me," said Lin Yu, standing among the men.

After clarifying the family relationships, Lin Feng felt a bit sentimental. The third generation of the Lin family wasn't large—just two boys and one girl, counting himself. He kept this thought to himself, then took Xia Ruoxi's hand and stood up to introduce her. "Uncles, aunts, let me introduce the beautiful lady beside me—my girlfriend, Xia Ruoxi."

Having been introduced, Xia Ruoxi stood gracefully and greeted the elders. For a moment, everyone exchanged polite words, not yet familiar, but Lin Xue'er, who had already been introduced, showed no shyness. She clung to Lin Feng and chatted briskly with Xia Ruoxi about girls' topics.

When Lin Xue'er was delighted, she suddenly turned to tease Lin Feng. "Cousin, so Ruoxi is your company's CEO? Isn't that a bit like robbing your own house?"

Lin Feng felt a tinge of embarrassment at being teased by a kid. He pretended to be annoyed and glared at Lin Xue'er. "You're just a child, what do you know?"

Lin Xue'er was clearly defiant. Being the youngest and a girl, she was spoiled rotten. She retorted, "I'm not that young! I'm eighteen now, an adult!"

"Hmph, eighteen isn't anything special. You're still a little kid," Lin Feng deliberately provoked her.

"You jerk! Bullying me! I'll go complain to Aunt Runli," Lin Xue'er said, seeking support from Liu Runli.

Second Aunt, unable to bear it, quickly intervened. "You! The older you get, the less respect you show. Is there no one who can keep you in line?"

Liu Runli liked Lin Xue'er, always had since she was little, and now felt the same affection. Seeing her scolded, she stepped in to defend her. "Second Sister, it's fine! Girls should be lively and cute. That way, they won't be bullied outside!"

"Right, Auntie is absolutely right! Auntie is the best, Mom's the worst!" Lin Xue'er quickly hugged Liu Runli's hand, turning to her mother.

"You little rascal!" Second Aunt was at a loss, helpless against her daughter's antics. This girl was the princess of the family; nothing she said would have any effect.

Seeing her mother subdued, Lin Xue'er turned her gaze back to Lin Feng, smiling mischievously. "Cousin, this is my first time meeting you. Shouldn't you give me a gift? Where's my present?"

"Lin Xue'er!" Second Aunt barked sharply.

"It's fine, Second Sister. Xue'er is right. Lin Feng's the older cousin; he should bring gifts for the younger ones on their first meeting!" Liu Runli agreed, and Xia Ruoxi nodded as well.

Lin Feng looked at the girl’s expectant eyes. The grandfather, uncles, and father all watched, clearly amused, ready to see him embarrassed. Lin Feng could only ask the little girl, "Go on, what do you want from your cousin? Just so you know, your cousin is poor—every time I go out, I take the bus or walk!"