Chapter 40: The First Visit

After Lin Feng and Xia Ruoxi got out of the car in front of the Lin family villa, Lin Feng took Xia Ruoxi by the hand and led her to the door. To Xia Ruoxi’s surprise, instead of taking out a key to open the door, he simply pressed the doorbell a few times.

“Lin Feng, seriously? You don’t have a key? Is this really your house?” Xia Ruoxi asked, a little exasperated.

“Hehe, well, I just don’t like carrying keys when I go out. Sorry, sorry!” Lin Feng explained awkwardly, scratching his head.

As Lin Feng and Xia Ruoxi were speaking, the villa door opened and a beautiful young woman stepped out, saying, “You’re back, Lin Feng.” This girl was Ling Shixuan, the one who had just volunteered to open the door. Whether intentionally or not, she spoke only to Lin Feng, ignoring Xia Ruoxi at his side.

Hearing a girl’s voice, Lin Feng turned his head in surprise and saw that it was Ling Shixuan. He asked, astonished, “Why are you here? Where are my parents? Oh, right, let me introduce you to the person beside me, she…”

Just as Lin Feng was about to introduce Xia Ruoxi to Ling Shixuan, Xia Ruoxi suddenly stepped forward, linking both her hands around Lin Feng’s arm and interrupting him. She addressed Ling Shixuan directly, “Hello, I’m Xia Ruoxi, Lin Feng’s girlfriend!”

Ling Shixuan looked at the girl holding Lin Feng’s arm and found her thoroughly disagreeable. But unwilling to make a scene in front of Lin Feng, she forced a smile and said, “Welcome, Miss Xia. You’re very beautiful!”

Xia Ruoxi studied the girl praising her and from her eyes picked up on a great deal; it seemed Lin Feng was either hiding something or simply oblivious—the girl named Ling Shixuan clearly had feelings for him. Yet Xia Ruoxi was a proud woman. Whatever she liked, be it a thing or a person, competition never daunted her. Especially now, when Lin Feng’s heart belonged to her. With a faint air of nonchalance, she replied, “Thank you, Miss Ling. You’re very beautiful as well. No wonder you’ve been staying with Lin Feng’s family for so long.”

Caught between two women, Lin Feng finally sensed something amiss. For reasons unknown, their conversation felt charged with hostility. As Lin Feng shivered, not knowing how to react, his mother Liu Runli’s voice sounded from inside the house, “Is that Lin Feng? Why are you all still outside? Come in!”

His mother’s call rescued the situation from its awkwardness. Lin Feng immediately pulled Xia Ruoxi inside and said to his parents, “It’s nothing, we were just introducing Shixuan to each other outside.”

In the living room, Liu Runli saw the girl accompanying Lin Feng. She sized up Xia Ruoxi—she was truly a beauty, every bit as attractive as Ling Shixuan. More importantly, she was the one her son liked and was willing to bring home.

From the kitchen, Lin Chuanzhi came into the living room and said, “Why is everyone standing? Dinner’s ready, come to the table and let’s eat and chat.”

“Yes, yes, hurry to the dining room. Let’s eat and talk, all the dishes are ready!” Liu Runli chimed in.

Once everyone entered the dining room, Lin Feng took Xia Ruoxi’s hand and introduced her. “Dad, Mom, this is Xia Ruoxi, my girlfriend and currently the general manager of my company. If it weren’t for her holding the fort these days, the company wouldn’t be where it is now!”

Then, turning to Xia Ruoxi, he continued, “This is my father, Mr. Lin Chuanzhi, my mother, Mrs. Liu Runli, and as for that beautiful lady, I’ve already introduced her!”

“Oh, Xia Ruoxi, right? I’ll just call you Ruoxi, then! I’m quite familiar with you—after all, the news has been full of stories about your company, and quite a few about you as well. Come, sit and let’s talk,” Lin Chuanzhi said warmly.

“Thank you, Uncle and Aunt.” Only after Lin Chuanzhi and Liu Runli were seated did Xia Ruoxi take her place beside Lin Feng.

“Ruoxi, you’ve worked so hard these days. I know what Lin Feng is like—he’s not exactly diligent, so you must be the one managing everything at the company. If he manages to go to work three days a week, that’s already impressive!” Liu Runli said as everyone sat down.

“Auntie, you’re too kind. Lin Feng isn’t as you say—he’s hardworking and highly capable, and he has so much on his plate. Future Vision Tech is just a small part of his career. I’m not as impressive as you and Uncle think,” Xia Ruoxi replied modestly.

After her words, Lin Chuanzhi and Liu Runli looked at her with even more approval. This girl was sensible and put Lin Feng at the center of everything. No wonder Lin Feng was willing to bring her home. At that moment, Liu Runli already saw Xia Ruoxi as her future daughter-in-law, piling food into her bowl as she spoke, “Ruoxi, eat more. You must be busy with work and look how thin you are. You need nourishment, understand? Whenever you have time, come have dinner with us—every day, if you can!”

Seeing her bowl filled to the brim, Xia Ruoxi realized Lin Feng’s parents genuinely liked her and probably accepted her. She quickly replied, “Auntie, I will. I just don’t know if Lin Feng will be willing to bring me next time.”

“He wouldn’t dare refuse! If he does, I’ll skin him and spank him,” Liu Runli said fiercely, glaring at Lin Feng.

Lin Feng, in the middle of his meal, had no idea why he was being roasted. Was this what people meant by ‘getting caught in the crossfire’? Seeing his mother’s angry face, he quickly promised, “I’d love to! In fact, I’ll give Ruoxi a key so she can come whenever she wants. And Mom, could you stop talking about spanking me? I’m not a kid anymore—give me some dignity!”

At this, everyone at the table burst into laughter—except for Lin Feng and Ling Shixuan. Lin Feng was the butt of everyone’s jokes and couldn’t possibly be happy, while Ling Shixuan felt even more left out. She used to be the center of attention at these family dinners, but now that Xia Ruoxi was here, she was completely overshadowed and deeply frustrated.

After the meal, Lin Chuanzhi and Liu Runli were in high spirits, praising Xia Ruoxi repeatedly. Liu Runli even went as far as to talk about their future marriage and asked when they planned to have children. Seeing this, Lin Feng hurriedly took Xia Ruoxi’s hand and said, “Mom, Ruoxi and I still have things to take care of. We’ll get going now!”

“It’s so late! What could you possibly have to do? It’s Ruoxi’s first time here and you’re rushing her off already?” Liu Runli complained.

Ignoring her, Lin Feng quickly led Xia Ruoxi outside, thinking, “Mother, you know it’s her first time here, but who scares people off like you?”

Xia Ruoxi was pulled to the door, and before leaving, she turned back and said to Lin Chuanzhi and Liu Runli, “Uncle, Auntie, I’ll be leaving now. I’ll come visit you again next time.”

Before anyone inside could respond, Lin Feng closed the door, leaving Liu Runli stamping her feet in the living room, fuming, “Look at this child—who does that?!”

“It’s your fault for scaring him off. What parent talks about such outrageous things on a girl’s first visit?” Lin Chuanzhi said helplessly to his wife.

“What do you mean outrageous? I’m just concerned! Don’t you want grandchildren? No point talking to you!” Liu Runli retorted, stomping upstairs in a huff.

Lin Chuanzhi, watching her go, shook his head and sat down with the newspaper.

After leaving the villa, Lin Feng got into the car with Xia Ruoxi. As Lin Feng drove, Xia Ruoxi complained, “Why did you drag me out so quickly? Didn’t you see Auntie really likes me? We were getting along so well!”

He sighed, “Didn’t you see the way my mom was acting? If you’d stayed any longer, she’d have insisted you spend the night—and probably gone ahead and arranged our wedding on the spot!”

“Hmph! You and your wicked imagination. Auntie isn’t nearly as over the top as you make her out to be. She’s a wonderful person!” Xia Ruoxi chided him, siding with Liu Runli.

“Hey, you’ve only met my mom once and chatted for less than two hours, and already you’re on her side. What spell did she cast on you?” Lin Feng asked, genuinely puzzled.

“Hmm, I’m not telling you. By the way, what about that girl, Shixuan? That issue isn’t settled yet!” Xia Ruoxi changed the subject.

“Ah, why are we back to Ling Shixuan? Do all women switch topics so fast?” Lin Feng looked at her in surprise.

“What do you mean 'back to her'? It’s you who’s up to no good, leaving a beautiful woman at home. What are you planning?” Xia Ruoxi said jealously, pinching his arm for emphasis.

“Ouch! Ruoxi, take it easy—I’m driving! What do you mean by that? I’ve already explained it all. Why are you still so jealous?” Lin Feng protested.

“If everything’s clear, then why is she still living at your place? She’s not homeless, is she? What’s her position in your house? I’m your official girlfriend!” Xia Ruoxi complained.

“Well…” Lin Feng hesitated, unable to answer.

“Go on, say it! Feeling guilty, aren’t you?” Seeing him at a loss, Xia Ruoxi pressed him further.

“Alright, I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry, you’re the only one in my heart. After I take you home, I’ll have a good talk with her tonight,” Lin Feng promised, trying to reassure her.