"If I hadn't arrived in time, I'm afraid my life would have been in danger," Lu Fan chuckled. "If this wasn't done intentionally, how could it have happened like this! I will pursue this matter to the end."
"You have quite the nerve!" Lin Haitao said coldly. "What abilities do you have? You're just a commoner, speaking like this, are you trying to attract my Lin family's attention? To profit from my Lin family?"
"Lin Ke is my reverse scale. I'm just telling some people," Lu Fan shrugged. "Touch my reverse scale, and you'll face utter destruction!"
"Nonsense!" Lin Haitao pouted. "You're quite good at boasting."
"Enough!" Lin Guoli glanced at them. "No matter what, he's considered half a relative to Lin Ke. How can you be so rude!"
"That's right!" Old Madam Lin nodded, then smiled. "If it weren't for little brother Lu, I'm afraid my life would have been in danger. However, this is a matter for my Lin family, and I hope little brother won't interfere!"
"After Lin Ke completes the ancestral worship, I will propose to the Lin family!" Lu Fan stated directly. "From now on, she will be my wife. Her affairs are my affairs."
Old Madam Lin was taken aback, then frowned. Although Lin Ke was an illegitimate daughter, she was still a blood descendant of the Lin family. The Lin family was a prestigious clan in Jiangbei. Even if they were to take in a live-in son-in-law, Lu Fan was likely not qualified.
"Are you kidding me?" Lin Haitao laughed. "You want to marry Lin Ke? Within Jiangbei, among the younger generation, who dares to make such a bold declaration? Let alone marry her, you don't even have the qualifications to be a live-in son-in-law in the Lin family!"
Lin Ke's face flushed with embarrassment, but she stated firmly, "I will only marry brother Lu Fan!" Sudan Novel Network
"Then it seems they are deeply in love," Lin Haitao said with a smile. "Uncle, you've heard it. Sister Lin Ke doesn't plan to take a live-in son-in-law!"
"I respect Little Ke's wishes," Lin Aotian stated directly. "As long as she's happy."
"I disagree!" Old Madam Lin frowned. "Regardless, Lin Ke is a blood descendant of the Lin family. How can this be so hasty!"
"I think this matter should be discussed again later," Lin Guoli quickly said with a smile. "Today, we are mainly here to see Little Ke. It's best that Little Ke is unharmed."
"We are returning to our hometown for ancestral worship tomorrow! Everyone prepare yourselves," the old lady nodded. "It will be lively in the countryside!"
"Mom, don't worry, I've already made all the arrangements!" Lin Guoli laughed. "Yalan will be back tonight, and we'll return for ancestral worship together!"
"Yalan is coming back?" Old Madam Lin smiled. "Then it will be even more lively! She's a big star now, truly bringing honor to my Lin family!"
"Naturally!" Lin Haitao nodded. "If it weren't for my sister's connections, the Lin Group wouldn't be doing so smoothly."
"Aotian, since Lin Ke is fine, we'll be leaving now," Old Madam Lin said. "We'll go back together tomorrow for ancestral worship!"
Lin Aotian nodded, but his heart was still filled with dissatisfaction. He had long suspected what happened today, but unfortunately, he had no evidence.
The next morning, in the Lin family courtyard, everyone was ready to depart. Lu Fan and Lin Ke were among them. Lu Fan didn't need to go home for ancestral worship, but he was worried about Lin Ke and insisted on accompanying her.
"Everything is almost ready! Shouldn't we be setting off?" Lin Aotian asked.
"Yalan is still in her room!" Lin Guoli laughed. "She probably slept too late."
"Dad, I didn't sleep too late. It just takes a bit of time to do my makeup."
Lin Yalan walked out, adorned with gold and silver, possessing peerless beauty. She wore high heels and a long skirt, looking elegant and noble.
"My daughter is becoming more and more beautiful!" Lin Guoli gave a thumbs-up. "Truly worthy of being a descendant of my Lin family."
Lin Yalan smiled, and at the same time, glanced at Lin Ke. "If I'm not mistaken, you are Uncle's illegitimate daughter, aren't you?"
As soon as she spoke, the atmosphere instantly became awkward. Lin Yalan's blatant remark made Lin Ke even more embarrassed.
"Being good-looking is just skin deep," Lu Fan shrugged. "You don't even know how to speak. I'm truly broadening my horizons!"
Lin Yalan frowned. "Who are you? How dare you speak to me like that."
"Logically speaking, I should be your brother-in-law!" Lu Fan said with a stern face. "Lin Ke will be my wife soon."
"She's just an illegitimate daughter, and you're letting her be so arrogant in the Lin family?" Lin Yalan sneered. "Aren't you afraid of straining your back?"
"Lin Yalan, isn't this going too far?" Lin Aotian said coldly.
"Alright, alright, hurry up and get in the car," Old Madam Lin said. "It's getting late."
Everyone exchanged glances, said nothing more, and walked towards the cars.
The Lin family had arranged a motorcade to go to Qiushan Town, a grand procession.
Lin Ke and Lu Fan sat in one car, while others occupied the remaining vehicles. Soon, the cars started moving.
"Brother Lu Fan, were you serious last night?" Lin Ke's eyes darted away as she looked at Lu Fan. "Do you really want to marry me, or are you just saying that because you're afraid something might happen to me?"
"Of course, I genuinely want to marry you," Lu Fan smiled. "From beginning to end, my thoughts have never changed."
Lin Ke's face flushed with shyness and joy. In fact, she had feelings for Lu Fan all along, but she had never expressed them.
The cars soon arrived at Qiushan Town. The entire town was decorated with lanterns and streamers, looking very festive. Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and everyone who had gone out had already returned.
The Lin family was quite reputable in Qiushan Town and owned a large courtyard. The motorcade stopped by the parking lot, and the sound of firecrackers erupted, making the scene exceptionally lively.
When New Year's Eve arrived, Lin Ke was led by Lin Aotian to the ancestral graves. "This is your grandfather. Go and offer some incense! From today onwards, you are recognized as a member of the Lin family!"
Lin Ke nodded, stepped forward, and lit three sticks of incense. From this day on, she was a true member of the Lin family.
After the ancestral worship was completed, everyone gathered in the main hall of the courtyard. A sumptuous lunch was served, with Old Madam Lin seated at the head of the table.
"After the ancestral worship, when we return to Jiangbei, I want Little Ke to take over the company," Lin Aotian said. "Mom, you shouldn't have any objections, right?"
"Lin Ke is still young and likely needs some experience," Lin Guoli said with a smile. "Brother, why are you in such a hurry!"
"I want her to take over as Vice President," Lin Aotian stated directly. "This is also my atonement for her."
"Aotian, the position of Vice President is no small matter!" Old Madam Lin said directly. "We can discuss this again later!"
Lin Aotian frowned but couldn't say anything more. The combined shares of Old Madam Lin and Lin Guoli were not less than his. Although Lin Aotian had built the Lin family's foundation, it was still based on the Lin family.
After lunch, Lin Ke looked at Lin Aotian. "Dad, I don't want to be Vice President! I don't want to inherit the family business either."
"This is the culmination of Dad's half-lifetime of effort," Lin Aotian said earnestly. "Dad will do his best to leave something for you."
Lin Ke shook her head. "I don't need it. I really don't need it!"
Lin Aotian didn't say anything further. The second branch was eyeing them covetously, and Lin Ke was too kind, which gave him a headache.