Lin Zhuonan appeared refined and amiable, hailed as a musical talent. However, those who knew him were aware that all talents harbored a degree of eccentricity, and his temper wasn't as placid as it seemed.
Most people, however, were deceived by his facade and unknowingly offended him.
"Cousin!"
Lin Youyou had only taken two steps before someone stopped her.
"Youyou?"
"Sis..."
Upon seeing Lin Suixiang, Lin Youyou couldn't help but pull her aside and complain, "Sis, look, Cousin is helping outsiders instead of me!"
"What's wrong?" Lin Suixiang had seen Lin Zhuonan offer a faint smile when greeting her cousin, without even pausing his steps.
She pointed towards Chu Qiao and Qichi in the distance. "I merely called that woman an actress, and Cousin became unhappy."
Lin Suixiang faltered for a moment before sighing helplessly, "Youyou, can you think before you speak?"
"Alright, alright, I know. I forgot Cousin is also in the entertainment industry."
"It's more than just that," Lin Suixiang said sternly. "Have you forgotten Auntie?"
Lin Youyou finally realized. "Oh, I forgot about that woman!"
Lin Zhuonan's mother had been a popular singer. In her era, before the concept of "traffic" existed, she would have been a definitive queen of it! She retired upon marriage at the height of her fame, remaining a regret in the hearts of her fans.
Catching the hint of contempt in Lin Youyou's words, Lin Suixiang warned, "Youyou! Watch your words!"
"Oh, I know~ Auntie! Is that better?" As she spoke, she complained, "I really don't understand you all. The Lin family has always treated us as a disgrace and refused to acknowledge us. Why should we try to curry favor? Besides, Dad is doing well in the Xiao family; he's practically second only to the king. Why bother with the Lin family at all?"
Lin Suixiang's expression turned cold. "You must never let Dad hear you say that."
Lin Youyou whispered, "I'm only saying this to you~"
Looking at her sister, Lin Suixiang patiently explained, "No matter how capable Dad is, he's merely the Xiao family's steward. In the old days, he wouldn't even be entitled to his own surname; he'd be given the surname of the master's family. No matter how well he did or how high his status, he would always be an appendage of the master's family."
Lin Youyou listened to her sister's words, her brow slightly furrowed.
"Therefore, it doesn't matter if the Lin family acknowledges us or not. What's important is that Dad's surname is Lin, and our surname is Lin."
Lin Suixiang looked at her sister and continued, "You like Xiao Qi, don't you."
Lin Youyou started, her cheeks immediately flushing. "Sis... I just..."
"Enough. Whether you like him is your business, but you must understand one principle. The granddaughter-in-law of the Xiao family is absolutely not allowed to be the daughter of a steward. However, if you are a granddaughter of the Lin family, that's another matter entirely."
Lin Youyou's eyes suddenly brightened. "Sis! I understand!"
Lin Suixiang added, "Within the entire Lin family, only Cousin has always been willing to maintain contact with us. He is also the eldest grandson of the Lin family. If we want to reconnect with our ancestors in the future, we will need his help. How foolish of you to offend him at this time!"
"Oh, Sis, you can't blame me! You should have told me sooner!"
Lin Suixiang simply shook her head. "Alright, just do what you need to do."
Lin Youyou thought of something and circled back to her, smiling as she looked at her. "Sis, why do I feel like you're the one in a hurry to reconnect with our ancestors? You want to marry into the Xiao family soon, you want to marry Xiao Yi, right!"
Lin Suixiang's face turned slightly red, and she avoided her gaze. "Aren't you going to apologize to Cousin?"
"Alright, alright! I'm going now."
Before Lin Youyou left, still lingering, she teased, "Sis, you don't need to worry. In my eyes, the only person worthy of Xiao Yi in this world is you!"
Lin Suixiang pursed her lips. Her sister's words had successfully pleased her.
Just as their father had said, even though Xiao Yi was currently infatuated with Xia Weiliang, it was merely a man's momentary confusion. Xia Weiliang would never be accepted by Xiao Deye. He had only agreed to Xiao Yi's pursuits to allow him to engage with the family business, after all, Xiao Yi was his most promising heir. Xia Weiliang was merely a tool for him to exploit. When Xiao Yi truly took over the Xiao family, he might not even fancy this woman anymore.
Just as her father had said, she only needed to wait quietly, patiently...
There were many guests. Lin Youyou searched for a long time before spotting Lin Zhuonan.
As she was about to approach, she saw Chu Qiao standing beside him. Qichi was nowhere in sight now. Chu Qiao was holding a plate piled high with food and, without any regard for her image, was squatting in front of an animal cage, staring intently at it. Beside her, Lin Zhuonan was smiling at her, his doting gaze making it hard to doubt their relationship.
No wonder Cousin was protecting her so fiercely. So, that was it... Lin Youyou's impression of Chu Qiao worsened. An actress was still an actress, truly accustomed to such unscrupulous methods to get ahead! She rolled her eyes and walked over, "Cousin!"
Lin Zhuonan looked up, and upon seeing who had arrived, simply responded with a faint, "Oh."
Chu Qiao also turned her head. Seeing a stylishly dressed young woman, she, being straightforward and uninhibited, asked without much thought, "Cousin? Your cousin? No, I've met all your sisters."
Her teasing gaze clearly indicated she was joking with Lin Zhuonan. Because Lin Zhuonan had had many "cousins" before, Chu Qiao would playfully ask him if this was another one of his cousins whenever she saw a beautiful girl.
Lin Youyou also heard this, her expression turning unsightly. Undoubtedly, this woman was deliberately trying to embarrass her!
Lin Zhuonan didn't clarify, out of consideration for Lin Youyou's feelings, and merely introduced them, "Chu Qiao, my childhood friend."
"Childhood friend?"
Lin Youyou deliberately said, "Cousin, I've met all the friends you usually hang out with. How come I don't remember having a childhood friend like this?" As she spoke, she deliberately looked Chu Qiao up and down, the contempt in her eyes successfully drawing Chu Qiao's attention. This girl... harbored hostility towards her!
Lin Youyou ignored her and walked up to Lin Zhuonan, taking his arm and whispering, "Cousin, I was wrong just now. Please don't hold it against me~ You know I've always been abroad, and sometimes I can't even speak the Mandarin properly..."
Ugh. Chu Qiao truly felt nauseated. Other things aside, using the excuse of not speaking her mother tongue properly was simply too lame! She lowered her head and continued eating.
Lin Zhuonan smiled. "How could I bicker with a young girl? Besides, I wasn't angry. You're overthinking it." He gently withdrew his hand and patted her head.
Just then, a somewhat slender figure approached, took the plate of food from Chu Qiao, which had appeared out of nowhere, and handed her another one. "Eat."
Chu Qiao tilted her head up and gave him a bright smile. "Thanks!"
Qichi looked at her, and her smile gradually dispelled the gloom in his eyes.