"Don't worry, it's not Chen Qianqian. Even if you liked her, she might not like you back. It's someone else."
Lin Yan spoke a plain truth. Chen Qianqian was, after all, a wealthy young lady with both looks and background. If Su Chen didn't have some strength of his own, she might not have taken a liking to him. Even though she might not, Lin Yan still intended to play matchmaker.
After all, Su Chen was his brother-in-law, and he should help him out. Lin Yan thought Chen Qianqian was a good girl, and the most crucial point was that the Chen family was in Modu. Forming a marriage alliance wouldn't be detrimental to them.
Directly asking might not succeed, so he had to do it subtly.
"Forget it, brother-in-law. I'm still young, and it's probably because I'm not mature enough that I got tricked. I want to be alone for a while. I'm sorry, brother-in-law, for causing you trouble today."
Seeing that Su Chen didn't seem to have this intention, Lin Yan didn't ask further. After a brief chat, Lin Yan stopped bothering him.
When Lin Yan returned, Zhang Yingrong and Fu Qingyun had already gone into the kitchen. They weren't having the kitchen cook tonight; instead, Zhang Yingrong and Fu Qingyun were cooking themselves.
Both of them were good cooks, and Lin Yan felt a slight anticipation. It seemed like tonight would be a combination of northern and southern cuisines.
According to Chinese customs, the New Year's Eve dinner was very grand. Preparations had to start before three o'clock, otherwise, there wouldn't be enough time.
"Mom, do you need help?"
Su Mojin pulled open the kitchen door, wanting to go in and lend a hand, but she was ushered out by Fu Qingyun and Zhang Yingrong.
"No need. Qingyun and I are enough. You, just keep Lin Yan company or go see the children."
Zhang Yingrong wiped her hands as she pushed Su Mojin out.
See the children? Su Mojin pouted. The control over the children had long been snatched away.
With Lin Guoxiong around, they basically didn't have to worry about the children's matters. He alone was more than enough.
This also allowed Lin Yan and Su Mojin to relax a bit. The two little ones would be a hundred days old in another month and were at an active stage.
"Dad, you're saying you found the Wei family's hiding place?"
On the second floor, Lin Yan sat by the bed and heard Lin Guoxiong's words, his brow furrowing slightly.
It had been some time since the Wei family escaped abroad. During this period, they had been searching for them, and they didn't expect the other party to reveal their whereabouts so quickly.
"Yes, and the place they are staying is somewhere you've been before, in Country A. Speaking of which, we should thank Lina. If it weren't for her, we might not have gotten this news."
Lina, Lin Yan was slightly stunned, then remembered. The female tycoon in the entertainment industry in Country A, who also had cooperation with their Lin Corporation.
This year, in the market for joint-branded items and helmet sales, besides China's domestic market, the second-largest market was Country A. Lina's promotion played a significant role in this.
"I've already sent people to handle it. You don't need to worry about this matter."
Lin Guoxiong said it very calmly, his meaning clear: eradicate them completely.
Lin Yan nodded. Although it was brutal, he agreed. Enemies must be crushed decisively, otherwise, they would become endless trouble.
At six in the evening, a table full of dishes was served, and the family gathered around the dining table.
"Wow, it smells so good!"
Looking at the table full of dishes, Su Mojin sniffed and couldn't help but exclaim.
After three hours of busy work, Fu Qingyun and Zhang Yingrong made a total of twenty-seven dishes. Their cooking power was quite impressive, and even Lin Yan was amazed by this large spread.
A pure blend of north and south, with double the dishes. It wasn't exactly high-end, just completely home-style. Wealthy people don't necessarily have to make Western dishes for New Year's; local specialties are still the preferred choice.
Cola chicken wings, sweet and sour pork ribs, braised pork, and the northeastern specialties of Guo Bao Rou and pineapple sweet and sour pork – seeing these dishes made Lin Yan swallow.
In addition, they also made some nourishing soups, their steaming aroma filling the entire dining room.
Su Hongyun brought over a case of Maotai, planning to have a few drinks with Lin Yan and the others today.
"Alright, no more staring, let's start eating."
Under the bright lights, everyone was seated. Fu Qingyun called out.
"Before we start, let's have a toast as a family first~"
As the head of the family, Lin Guoxiong raised his glass and started, and after clinking glasses, everyone picked up their chopsticks.
"Husband, try this braised pig trotters, it's delicious, fragrant and tender."
Su Mojin put a piece of braised pig trotter on Lin Yan's plate, asking him to try it. This pig trotter was her mother's specialty and her favorite dish when she was a child.
Lin Yan took a simple taste, and it was indeed good. Su Mojin's cooking style completely followed her mother Zhang Yingrong's, so all the dishes tonight were to his liking.
"Come, Yan, let's have a drink. Dad wishes you even better results next year."
"Okay, Dad."
Pouring a glass of baijiu, Lin Yan and Su Hongyun clinked glasses. The fiery liquid went down his throat, the taste of baijiu lingering on Lin Yan's tongue. As someone who didn't drink often, this baijiu was already strong liquor for Lin Yan.
"Dad, Lin Yan isn't good at drinking, you should drink less with him."
Seeing her father pulling Lin Yan to drink baijiu, Su Mojin glared at her father and said something to Su Hongyun.
"Haha, you girl, you're already telling your old man what to do after getting married."
"I can't be bothered to manage you!"
"It's fine, it's a happy occasion today, I don't mind drinking with Dad."
Lin Yan felt it was nothing. Since his father-in-law liked to drink, he would accompany him for a bit. It was New Year's Day today, and happiness was the most important thing.
"See, Yan says it's fine, so don't worry too much."
"But... alright, you two should drink less."
Su Mojin was mainly worried about Lin Yan's alcohol tolerance. The last time they drank a bottle of red wine, it had already made Lin Yan's face red. After a bottle of baijiu, who knew what he would look like.
Su Hongyun and Fu Qingyun watched the three of them and smiled, not interrupting. Life was only interesting like this.
The family ate until past nine in the evening. Su Hongyun, respecting his daughter's wishes, didn't drink much, only having three drinks with Lin Yan. Lin Yan's face was only slightly flushed, but he wasn't drunk and remained clear-headed.
As for the dishes on the table, they only had a small bite each, leaving so much that it could only be saved for breakfast tomorrow.
Lazily leaning on the sofa, the family chatted while cracking melon seeds.
Around ten o'clock, Lin Guoxiong went upstairs to coax the children to sleep. Zhang Yingrong and Fu Qingyun got busy again, as there was another meal of dumplings at midnight. Su Hongyun went in to help.
In the end, Lin Yan and Su Mojin found themselves idle again.
"Husband, is it really okay for us not to help?"
Su Mojin sat next to Lin Yan, her small face flushed from drinking.