He sighed softly, “I’m just afraid the CEO won’t agree. To gain more hope, I must handle everything perfectly.”
“Of course,” she understood his meaning, taking the constantly ringing phone, “Hello, I’m Julia… Don’t scream, what?!”
She listened quietly for a while before speaking again, “Okay, I understand.” After hanging up, she immediately dialed another number.
When she finished the call, he curiously asked, “Whose money was stolen? Who is Feng Shaohao?”
Momentarily careless, she forgot to keep it secret, “My sister encountered a pickpocket and lost her credit card, she’s… Ah! Never mind.”
“No, if you’re harmed in any way, how can I face the CEO?” Seeing she wouldn’t talk, he decided to investigate further.
“Sen…” She was dead meat; her sister would kill her.
San Francisco Feng Shaohao brightened the lights and noticed that she not only sounded weak but also looked off, “Haven’t you eaten yet?”
Strange, he was certain she had contacted her family, so why did she look so listless? Even if her sister couldn’t help her, the hotel had a signing service, and she wouldn’t be starving.
“No, I must go home, tomorrow’s flight.” Her watery eyes blinked, filled with infinite expectation.
Feng Shaohao felt a bit surprised but still politely said, “Be careful on the road.”
Lin Qianzhu waited silently for him to say something more. Helpless, she only heard silence, so she had to put away her disappointment and turn her sorrow into strength, “Here! This is what I should pay you for meals and accommodation.”
“No need.” Suddenly there were two cranes folded from US dollars in his palm; he didn’t know whether to return or accept this payment method.
She smiled sweetly, “Hehe, keep it as a souvenir! Can you give me a souvenir too?”
Hearing this, he took out two US dollar bills of equal value from his wallet, “Fold them yourself.”
“I don’t want this!” She stuffed the bills back to him, preferring he pluck a hair as a memento. Ah! After spending time together, she discovered his coolness came from a goose-like nature.
“I won’t take money.” He simply offered the paper crane, letting her choose between the two.
Seeing this, she could only accept the bills and said what she truly wanted, “Can you give me that notebook?”
“No.” He put down his backpack and walked to the bar to pour himself a glass of plum vinegar.
Although she knew she would definitely be refused, she couldn’t help feeling disappointed. “I want to drink too.” Smelling the enticing aroma, she immediately rushed over.
Feng Shaohao poured a glass and handed it to her.
Lin Qianzhu held the cup and took a deep breath, exclaiming, “This plum vinegar is so delicious, it’s addictive after drinking!”
“This is a rare aged plum vinegar.” He was drinking vinegar aged for a long time, naturally different from ordinary plum vinegar.
“So it’s aged, no wonder you’d carry it while traveling. But won’t a bottle be finished in less than a week?” She cautiously tasted it.
The aged vinegar’s sour fragrance was captivating, sweet but not cloying. This naturally mellow taste required time to brew. If possible, she hoped she could also brew love.
Zhongyi, welcome.” Lin Chengjun personally greeted him, giving him a warm embrace.
”Long time no see. Oh! You’ve gained a bit of weight.” Geng Zhongyi took the opportunity to measure his waistline.
Lin Chengjun was afraid of being nagged, and quickly said, “I’ll watch my diet, I’ll watch my diet.”
”That’s best, otherwise I’ll personally design a weight loss plan for you and have you report to the gynecology department.”
Lin Chengjun was amused by him, “Then I’ll have my daughter go instead.”
Geng Zhongyi naturally heard the subtext, smiled, and deliberately skipped the topic, “How is your wife lately?”
”Thanks to you, her health has improved a lot.” Ye Qiyue showed a warm smile.
”Since Zhongyi is here, stay for a few days.” The daughters were about to return from Japan, which would be a perfect opportunity to introduce them.
Years ago, Geng Zhongyi had saved their lives, and the Lin couple felt grateful towards him. Moreover, being young, promising, and from a powerful background, Lin Chengjun had always hoped his younger daughter would marry him and strengthen their connection.
However, after hearing that Jie Sen and Ke Xin were in love, Lin Chengjun was angry but still supported them, and shifted his matchmaking intentions to his older daughter.
Recalling his older daughter spending a night with a strange man, Lin Chengjun’s anger rose again. Alas! Why did his two well-behaved daughters change so much once they left home? Could his wife be right that he was too strict?
Nevermind all that, with the rare opportunity to see Geng Zhongyi, Lin Chengjun was determined to seize the chance to play matchmaker.
Geng Zhongyi smiled and politely declined, “My schedule is packed, I can only appreciate your kindness.”
”Stay at least one night.” He was determined to have them meet, believing Zhongyi would definitely like Qianzhu.
”Don’t be too polite. By the way, recently…” Geng Zhongyi skillfully changed the subject.
Under the Lin couple’s enthusiastic hospitality, he spent an afternoon filled with laughter, while also giving an account to the mothers.
In fact, behind this seemingly simple gathering was helplessness – the mothers were still worried that Feng Shaohao might be gay, knowing he lived in hotels worldwide, and wanted to use connections to have Lin Chengjun arrange a romantic encounter.
Geng Zhongyi naturally wouldn’t play along with the mothers’ schemes, arranging the gathering to catch up and go through the motions, without mentioning a word about Feng Shaohao.
As evening approached, Geng Zhongyi insisted on leaving, and Lin Chengjun tried his best to keep him but couldn’t. Suddenly, he slapped his forehead, laughing at his own confusion, and then pulled him to the study.
”Are these your daughters?” Geng Zhongyi was surprised looking at the beautiful women in the photo, remembering the Lin family daughters as incredibly ugly.
”Yes, to protect them I deliberately made them look ugly. Not many people know about this, and I actually forgot to tell you the truth.”
Geng Zhongyi pretended not to understand his intention, “It’s fine, you had no obligation to tell me.”
Lin Chengjun finally couldn’t help but speak directly, “Of course I want you to know! I’ll be frank – I hope to have you as a son-in-law. Qianzhu will return tomorrow, won’t you meet her?”
”I believe Qianzhu will be a good girl, but I don’t have plans to get married yet.” Geng Zhongyi was not swayed by beauty and returned the photo.
”We haven’t even met, it’s too early to say these things.” Lin Chengjun was full of confidence.
He shook his head and smiled, “We’re like friends across generations. I don’t think the father-in-law and son-in-law relationship would be good. My heart is unsettled, and if I were to hurt Qianzhu, I’d be letting you down.”
”Zhongyi…”
Knowing Lin Chengjun wasn’t giving up, he used his old trick to divert attention, and then discovered something shocking, “What is this? How do you have his photo and information?”
Oops, the detective agency’s investigation materials were left out, “Uh…” Lin Chengjun momentarily didn’t know how to respond.
”Feng Shaohao is my half-brother. Based on this, you need to give an explanation.”
Lin Chengjun was surprised, picking up the materials to review again, “But the detective agency’s information…”
”You’ve wasted your money. Shaohao doesn’t like being disturbed, he’s mysterious and low-key. You won’t find out anything.” Geng Zhongyi brought the topic back, “Why investigate him?”
”Well… Alas! Qianzhu went to Japan and got close to a strange man, and I’m worried he might have bad intentions.”
