Leaving the scene of the Gambling Stone Convention, Lin Mo returned to his dormitory at Tian Nan University.
The night passed like water, and early the next morning, Xia Mengdie was already waiting for Lin Mo at the school gates.
When she saw Lin Mo arrive, she immediately showed a face full of surprise, as if she were a wife eagerly looking out for her husband's return from afar.
Before Lin Mo could reach her, Xia Mengdie took the initiative to approach him, joyfully saying,
"Mo, you're here."
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Not at all, seeing you is the happiest thing for me."
"Let's go, we're off to wish your grandfather a happy birthday."
They quickly hailed a taxi and headed to the Xia Family residence.
The weather wasn't great today, but Xia Mengdie's mood was a mixture of shyness and joy. This was the first time she had ever brought a boy home since she'd grown up.
Although it was just to wish her grandfather a happy birthday, it held great significance for Xia Mengdie.
While the Xia Family hadn't reached the status of being among the top ten families, they were definitely a significant clan.
The entire Xia Family villa covered an area of about five or six acres, very luxurious; by today's market value, it was worth at least several billion.
Even though it was still morning, the Xia Family's gates were already bustling with people coming and going to offer their birthday wishes, countless in number.
Clearly, Old Master Xia still had considerable prestige and fame.
When the taxi stopped, they were immediately met with many disdainful glances.
After all, who among the guests coming to wish Old Master Xia a happy birthday didn't arrive in a luxury car?
At the very least, they would be driving a small SUV worth a couple of hundred thousand.
Xia Mengdie, however, didn't care at all; she took Lin Mo's hand and walked towards the Xia Family's main gate.
Seeing this scene, many people frowned slightly:
"Is this young man Xia's daughter's boyfriend?"
"Judging by how close they seem, perhaps it's true."
"Alas, the Xia Family's daughter's taste isn't particularly good, is it? How come she picked such a penniless guy?"
Hearing the voices around them, Xia Mengdie didn't care at all. In her eyes, as long as she liked him, no matter what others thought, it wouldn't change how she felt inside.
As for Lin Mo, he also couldn't be bothered to take issue with these people; after all, how could ants comprehend the position of a dragon?
As Xia Mengdie was leading Lin Mo by the hand, just before they entered the Xia Family villa, a middle-aged man and woman approached Xia Mengdie.
"Die'er, you..."
The middle-aged man appeared surprised to see Xia Mengdie, and his face showed obvious displeasure.
As for the middle-aged beautiful woman, she glanced at Lin Mo, and her phoenix eyes revealed a hint of appreciation.
Lin Mo gave her a first impression of being tall and straight, handsomely masculine.
Xia Meng Die first glanced at the middle-aged couple, then, with a shy smile, introduced, "Dad, Mom, this is my boyfriend, Lin Mo."
"Die'er, your taste isn't bad," Mrs. Xia said with a slight smile, seemingly in praise.
As for Father Xia, he frowned slightly and glared at Lin Mo, saying to Xia Meng Die, "Meng Die, Dad has told you not to casually choose a boyfriend, and certainly not the kind who can't provide you with happiness and a future."
"Dad, I'm sure Lin Mo will make me happy. Can't you trust your daughter's judgment just once?"
"It's not that Dad doesn't trust you, but most men these days aren't up to much. Besides, you and he just arrived in a taxi—I saw everything."
"What's wrong with taking a taxi? Dad, does love really have to be measured by money and status?"
"Meng Die, Dad is saying all this for your own good. Right now, you might not think it's a big deal, that's only because you haven't really stepped into society yet. But when you understand the importance of power and status, you'll know that finding someone truly worthy of you is what happiness is about. If it's the wrong love, it's better to end it sooner rather than later."
"Dad, what are you really trying to say?"
Father Xia didn't answer but glanced at Mrs. Xia and said, "You take Meng Die inside first, I'd like to have a chat with her little boyfriend."
Xia Meng Die looked at Lin Mo and was just about to say something when Lin Mo simply smiled and said, "Die'er, go in with your mom. Since your uncle wants to chat with me for a bit, I'll just talk with him."
Then, Mrs. Xia took Xia Meng Die towards another part of the villa, while Father Xia snorted coldly at Lin Mo, "Follow me."
Lin Mo remained calm and didn't say much.
Soon, the two arrived in another room. Entering the room, Father Xia sat down behind the desk and asked Lin Mo indifferently,
"Lin Mo, is it? How long have you known my daughter?"
"Over two years."
"What?"
Hearing that, Father Xia became slightly angry, "You little rascal, how dare you secretly hook up with my daughter behind my back!"
Lin Mo slightly furrowed his brow and said in a calm voice, "Don't put it so unpleasantly. Meng Die and I genuinely like each other; it's not a matter of who hooked up with whom."
"Humph! Stop spouting nonsense to me. You just came here in a taxi—I saw it all. Do you know how many companies and assets our Xia family owns in Imperial City? Frankly speaking, your family background doesn't match my daughter's at all!"
"Another thing, do you know how excellent my daughter is? If everything goes as planned, after she graduates from university, master's and doctorate degrees will be within easy reach for her. What about you? I reckon that after you graduate from university, you'll just loaf around, and if you can earn a salary of ten thousand a month, that would be the limit."
Lin Mo looked at him with an indifferent expression and asked, "What are you really trying to say?"
"What am I saying?"
Father Xia stood up, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag with an arrogant tone, "You must be eyeing our Xia family's assets, huh? Let me tell you, although I only have one daughter, not just anyone is eligible to marry her!"
"How about this—I'll give you five million to walk away from my daughter's life. How does that sound?"
Lin Mo gave him a cold glance, his tone icy, "If it weren't for the fact that you're Meng Die's father, maybe I would have already slapped you a few times."
"You think you're very rich, huh? I'll tell you something. Not to mention five million, even five billion laid out in front of me wouldn't make me blink!"
With those words, Lin Mo, hands in his pockets, strolled casually towards the door.
Father Xia, shaking with rage, pointed in the direction Lin Mo was leaving and yelled, "Arrogant kid, who doesn't know how to boast? Acting all high and mighty in front of me, huh? You're nothing but a penniless nobody. Offering you five million is a huge favor already! My daughter is absolutely not going to marry a good-for-nothing like you!"
(I've been updating a bit late these past few days, my apologies. Also, I'd appreciate a recommendation ticket.)