Chapter 58: Sharing the Same Bed

Grandmother listened to what Lin Feng said, and upon learning that her grandson had brought his girlfriend home, she quickly wiped the tears from her face and cheerfully asked Lin Feng, “Really? Where is the young lady?”

“Right here, Grandma. Let me introduce her to you—this is my girlfriend, her name is Xia Ruoxi,” Lin Feng replied, seeing his grandmother’s mood finally settle, and hurriedly pulled Xia Ruoxi forward for the introduction.

Grandmother, delighted by the introduction, grabbed Xia Ruoxi’s hand from Lin Feng, laughing warmly as she pulled the girl closer. Xia Ruoxi, caught off guard, blushed and appeared shy and slightly embarrassed. The others who witnessed the scene could not help but laugh joyfully.

But not everyone shared this lighthearted sentiment. Old Master Lin, upon hearing Lin Feng’s introduction, felt a jolt in his heart. He knew Xia Ruoxi from the investigation he had conducted while dealing with Lin Feng’s company. He had not expected her to be Lin Feng’s girlfriend, let alone that Lin Feng would bring her home. The old man was dissatisfied with Xia Ruoxi’s background, knowing she was merely an orphan. In families such as theirs, marriages were about matching backgrounds. He had hoped to arrange a union for Lin Feng with a girl from another family, but dared not force the matter and could only keep his displeasure to himself. He called out to the crowd at the door, “Alright, everyone, don’t just stand here. Let’s go inside, it’s cold out!”

“Yes, yes, Dad’s right. Mom, let’s get inside, it’s cold out. Your health isn’t good, you mustn’t catch a chill!” Liu Runli, upon hearing the old man, quickly urged Xia Ruoxi to help her escort the elderly inside.

The family chatted in the hall for a while, had a simple lunch, and then rested in the living room. As the elders’ health wasn’t great, they retired to their rooms early. Lin Feng’s family, having woken early to catch their flight, also felt tired and went to rest once the elders departed.

However, Lin Feng and Xia Ruoxi found themselves in an awkward situation. In Zhanhai City, they lived separately, but now, having come to the Lin family in Yanjing, with Xia Ruoxi introduced as Lin Feng’s girlfriend, the family had prepared a room for the two of them with a single bed.

“How are we supposed to sleep?” Xia Ruoxi, sitting on the bed with a flushed face, shyly asked Lin Feng.

“Well, how else? Didn’t you see there’s only one bed here? And it’s big enough for the both of us,” Lin Feng teased, amused by her shy demeanor.

“But, but…” Xia Ruoxi hesitated, fidgeting nervously.

Before she could finish, Lin Feng had already begun to take off his coat. Xia Ruoxi, startled by his actions, panicked and jumped up. “Ah! What are you doing?”

Lin Feng, seeing her startled, felt speechless. He wasn’t doing anything to her—was there really any need to be so scared? He replied, somewhat annoyed, “Come on, what else would I do? Of course, I’m going to bed! I’m exhausted; I didn’t get enough sleep on the plane. I’m going to sleep first.”

With that, Lin Feng ignored Xia Ruoxi, finished taking off his coat, and climbed into bed, leaving Xia Ruoxi standing there confused. Soon, the sound of his gentle snoring drifted from the bed, showing just how tired he really was—he had already fallen asleep.

Xia Ruoxi watched Lin Feng sleeping, hesitating at the bedside for a long time. In the end, she steeled herself and murmured, “Anyway, I’m already considered part of the Lin family, what’s there to be afraid of? Let’s treat this as a preview.” After comforting herself, she removed her coat and quickly slipped under the covers. Even though Lin Feng was asleep, she dared not get too close, clutching the blanket and moving to the edge of the bed, as though keeping her distance brought her some sense of security. After tossing and turning for a while, fatigue finally overwhelmed her and she drifted into a deep sleep.

While Lin Feng’s family rested, the scene in Old Master Lin’s room was quite different. The old man looked at his wife, puzzled. “What do you think it means that Lin Feng brought Xia Ruoxi home?”

People outside assumed Lin Feng’s grandmother was just an old lady unconcerned with worldly affairs, but at their level, everyone knew she was even more formidable than his grandfather. Many times, when crises struck the Lin family, it was her strategies that saved the day. Old Master Lin discussed many matters with her.

“Hmph, what’s there to it? The grandson found a girlfriend and wanted to introduce her to the elders, that’s all,” she replied, her tone gruff.

“Sigh, I know you’re still upset about my stubbornness back then, and the falling out with Third Brother. But look, Third Brother has come back now; shouldn’t you let go of that grudge?” Old Master Lin, seeing her displeasure, quickly tried to appease her.

She remained unmoved, continuing sternly, “I warned you not to provoke Third Brother’s son, but you wouldn’t listen, and now you’ve suffered for it. You promised not to interfere in his marriage—are you going back on your word?”

“It’s not that I’m reneging, but marrying an orphan—how can I hold my head up as a member of the Lin family?” Old Master Lin frowned.

“Hmph, what’s wrong with being an orphan? You were just a cowherd yourself once. So now that the Lin family has grown, you look down on others?” she retorted, her words sharp.

“Alright, enough. Can’t you give me some advice? How should we handle this?” Old Master Lin pleaded.

“Hmph, let Lin Feng handle it himself! No matter what kind of girl he brings home, as long as Lin Feng and Third Brother’s family agree, then I’ll agree too!” she affirmed.

“But if he really marries her, what will people say about our family?” Old Master Lin sighed.

“I’ll say it again: you’d best support your grandson, and our whole family must accept Xia Ruoxi’s background. Otherwise, see how he reacts. Honestly, I can’t fully read that child, but his achievements surpass anyone in our family, maybe even in all of Yanjing. He alone could represent a family. Handle it carefully, or you may end up alienating him from the Lin family,” she advised.

“But if Lin Feng sets a precedent, and the younger generation follows suit, it’ll be hard to manage,” Old Master Lin worried.

“Hmph, what’s hard about it? If they’re as capable as Lin Feng, we can let them do as they please. If not, they must follow the family’s arrangements,” she answered firmly.

“Sigh, I suppose that’s all we can do. Now Lin Feng is the honored guest—we have to treat him with utmost respect,” Old Master Lin said, feeling somewhat dejected.

“With a grandson like that, you should count yourself lucky! Just the foreign agency rights for computers have brought enormous benefits to the Lin family,” she continued, her words mocking.

Mentioning the foreign agency rights, Old Master Lin felt a bit proud, but soon his expression changed and he sighed again. His wife, noticing his mood, chuckled and teased, “Now you know the pain. I’ll be watching how you resolve things in the end!”

“Don’t gloat. You’re part of this family too, you know. I asked you for advice before, but you stayed silent!” Old Master Lin grumbled, displeased.

“What advice could I give? There are only a few places in populous regions with foreign agency rights. Tell me, how many families are interested in this business? Haven’t you men discussed it many times—have you made up your minds whom to cooperate with?”

“Not yet. We can refuse the smaller families, but not the major ones. And as for the top officials, though their family backgrounds aren’t large, they’re currently in power. If things go badly, it could hurt our own family. I’m worried—after several discussions, we still haven’t decided,” Old Master Lin said anxiously, pacing the room.

“Hmph, when everyone’s here tonight after dinner, you men can discuss it again, and ask Lin Feng’s opinion too. Though I doubt he’ll share his thoughts. When he handed over this lucrative deal to the Lin family, he already calculated you all into it. It’s a thankless task,” she said, amused.

“Hmph, you can still laugh? What kind of grandson schemes against his own family!” Old Master Lin grumbled, even more upset.

“Haha, it’s not really scheming—more like letting you willingly fall for it. An open move, and you can’t help but go along!” the old lady laughed, finding her grandson increasingly to her liking.

Seeing his wife so cheerful over their family being outmaneuvered by their own grandson, Old Master Lin’s face turned darker and darker.

His wife, seeing his discontent, continued to prod him, “Enough, don’t act so aggrieved. The Lin family has gotten a huge advantage. Just think how much profit this brings! Yes, there’s risk, but the rewards far outweigh it. If you don’t want it, you can hand this fat piece of meat over. The Murong family has been envious for ages. If you say no, they’d snatch it up instantly!”

“Hmph, now that the prize is at hand, how could I give it up? I’m no fool! Regardless, tonight I’ll press that rascal for answers. He’s thrown the problem at us, but you’d better offer some advice too, instead of just watching the show!” Old Master Lin said, gritting his teeth.