“You did right,” Liang Yufeng spoke before Lin Mei could, fully approving of Lin Jingchu’s actions. “You’re still young. Who knows what kind of people are in bars? What if you run into danger?”
After speaking, Liang Yufeng added, “She’s not allowed to go either from now on.” Lin Jingchu nodded, “I understand.”
On this matter, the two of them could reach an agreement.
Everyone present today was familiar with each other. The elders all knew about Lin Jingchu’s feelings for Jiang Yuekai, and despite all these years, he still hadn’t managed to win her over.
Shen Su and Feng Feng, having watched Lin Jingchu grow up, couldn’t help but worry for him. They hadn’t said anything before because Jiang Yuekai hadn’t shown any interest, but today…
Having been through it themselves, a brief observation was enough for them to discern the subtle shift between the two young people.
During the meal, Shen Su teased, “Has Yuekai dated anyone since starting college?”
Jiang Yuekai replied, “No.”
Shen Su pressed, “That’s impossible. You must have had many admirers. Our Yuekai is so outstanding.”
Feng Feng chimed in with Shen Su, “Just because you have many admirers doesn’t mean you have to date them. Our Yuekai has high standards.”
Shen Su continued, “That’s true. Yuekai’s arranged marriage is with Jingchu. With such a gem in front of her, it’s only natural she wouldn’t settle for anyone less capable than Jingchu.”
Jiang Yuekai chuckled. Could these two be any more obvious in their matchmaking intentions?
Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng already knew Jiang Yuekai liked Lin Jingchu. They tacitly refrained from speaking. However, Lin Mei and Xing Zheng, unaware of this, said, “As long as Yuekai likes him, her judgment won’t be wrong.”
Xing Zheng, unlike Lin Mei, was less understanding. He turned to look at Lin Jingchu, feeling a bit exasperated by his lack of progress. They had been living together for almost a semester, yet there was no advancement. Was he even trying to pursue her?
Lin Jingchu, met with Xing Zheng’s glare, smiled helplessly and offered no explanation.
Judging by Jiang Yuekai’s demeanor, she likely didn’t want the elders to know about their “relationship” for the time being. Therefore, he would cooperate unconditionally.
Jiang Yuekai indeed hadn’t announced anything, skillfully chatting with the elders. Lin Jingchu couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment, always feeling like he was something to be hidden. He was a man of few words, so during the meal, he didn’t participate much in the conversation, sitting quietly by himself, occasionally interjecting a few words.
Feng Feng, keenly sensing Lin Jingchu’s subdued mood, initiated a conversation with him. “Jingchu, how are your graduate school applications coming along?”
“They’re almost finalized. I’m getting a direct promotion to the master’s program in my major,” Lin Jingchu replied.
Feng Feng nodded. “After your master’s, will you go abroad, or will you go help your father with his business?”
“I’ll see how things are at the time.” Whether to go abroad or not primarily depended on Jiang Yuekai.
Although Lin Jingchu didn’t explicitly state it, Feng Feng understood his meaning and knew he didn’t want to pressure Jiang Yuekai over this matter.
Therefore, Feng Feng didn’t pry further but said, “You’ve never been one to cause worry since you were young. You’ve planned your studies and career yourself. What about your love life? Should I introduce you to someone? What kind of person do you like?”
Jiang Yuekai, who had been chatting with Lin Mei, stopped upon hearing this and looked towards Lin Jingchu, as if eagerly anticipating his answer.
Seeing this, Feng Feng felt he had a good grasp of the situation.
Jiang Yuekai was starting to care. She hadn’t shown such concern for Lin Jingchu’s dating choices before.
“I like someone a bit lively. Other than that, I don’t have any specific requirements,” Lin Jingchu’s answer was very general.
Feng Feng said, “Perfect. My boss’s daughter has a great personality, and she’s a year younger than you. You should exchange WeChat contacts and chat sometime.”
Lin Jingchu replied with a simple “Mm,” agreeing readily.
His reaction was quite unexpected.
From the moment he answered Feng Feng’s first question, Jiang Yuekai had knitted her brows. Upon hearing him say he would exchange WeChat contacts, her expression grew even more displeased.
Lin Jingchu happened to catch this with his peripheral vision and allowed himself a subtle smile. This tactic was taught to him by Chen Ao, known as a test.
Jiang Yuekai’s attitude towards him had indeed changed recently, but she was always the one in control. A casual word or gesture from her could completely throw him off balance.
Chen Ao had been exasperated by his lack of assertiveness and had advised him to learn to fight back, even offering several suggestions. However, Lin Jingchu hadn’t had an opportunity to use them until now.
Today, Feng Feng had cooperated with him very well.
Hearing Lin Jingchu’s response, Lan Lan leaned over and asked Jiang Yuekai, “What’s going on? Weren’t you two getting along quite well recently?”
Jiang Yuekai had said she wanted Lin Jingchu to confess to her first. Lan Lan was full of confidence in her daughter and never imagined she would falter.
Lin Jingchu had always been reluctant to accept such matchmaking. Why had his attitude suddenly changed today?
A light dawned on Jiang Yuekai’s face, and she chuckled, “We are getting along quite well.”
Before Lan Lan could ask further, Jiang Yuekai followed Feng Feng’s lead and said, “Brother Jingchu is finally opening up. He’s finally looking for a girlfriend. It seems I’ll have a sister-in-law soon.”
Except for Shen Yujin, everyone else understood the implication of Jiang Yuekai’s words.
Only Shen Yujin, with her naive innocence, asked, “Then what about your arranged marriage?”
Although Shen Yujin’s thoughts were too simple, her question was very timely. Feng Feng and Shen Su both looked at the two protagonists with interest, eager to see how they would handle it.
Everyone knew about the arranged marriage between Lin Jingchu and Jiang Yuekai. However, as sensible elders, none of them had ever brought it up in front of the two, nor did they intend to use it to force the children together. Of course, if the two could develop feelings for each other, that would be another matter.
Lan Lan and Liang Yufeng were also curious. Lin Jingchu liked Shen Yujin so much; they wondered what his attitude was towards this arranged marriage…
“That wasn’t an arranged marriage; the elders were just joking,” Lin Jingchu said with great tact, as if showing great respect for Jiang Yuekai.
He had been expecting to see a hint of disappointment on Jiang Yuekai’s face. To his surprise, Jiang Yuekai actually chimed in, “Mm, it’s all fake. Let’s look forward to the sister-in-law Brother Jingchu finds for us.”
After speaking, Jiang Yuekai glanced towards Lin Jingchu. Oh my, he had learned to fight back now. Where did he study the textbook?
If it were another girl, she might have become disappointed and angry because of this, only to be completely controlled by him later. But she was Jiang Yuekai; how could she be so easily manipulated?
Indeed, upon hearing this answer, Lin Jingchu’s shoulders stiffened noticeably.
Liang Yufeng frowned, slightly displeased with Lin Jingchu’s reaction. He asked Lan Lan in a low voice, “What does this kid mean?”
Lan Lan had also been a bit confused, but as soon as Jiang Yuekai spoke, she understood everything. These two were still in a tug-of-war.
Lan Lan said, “What do you know? This is foreplay.”
Liang Yufeng asked, “You mean he deliberately said that for Yuekai to hear?”
What kind of foreplay was this? A father couldn’t stand to see his daughter being bullied, even if it was a joke.
Lan Lan, well aware of how protective Liang Yufeng was, could only say, “Don’t worry unnecessarily. I think your daughter must have provoked Jingchu quite a bit.”
Otherwise, with Lin Jingchu’s personality, how could he have “counterattacked” her?