Chapter 4: I Want to Cancel the Engagement!

The Xu family lived in a standalone three-story villa in the city center. The environment was tranquil and the transportation convenient; they could enjoy the complete infrastructure of the bustling city without its noise and clamor. The location was excellent.

After Lin Nan rang the doorbell, a middle-aged woman who looked like a housekeeper opened the door.

“Mr. Lin is here, please come in,” the housekeeper said upon seeing Lin Nan, her eyes briefly flashing with an almost imperceptible sympathy.

She quickly took the gift from Lin Nan’s hands.

Lin Nan smiled slightly and stepped inside.

“Aunt Li, I don’t see many cars outside. Is no one coming to pay New Year’s visits to Uncle Xu and the others today?” Lin Nan asked as he walked in.

It was the first day of the Lunar New Year. Given Xu Pingfeng’s status, there should normally be many visitors coming to pay their respects, yet only two cars—both belonging to the Xu family—were parked outside.

“That’s strange. In past years, the house would have been bustling with guests today, but this year, no one has come,” the housekeeper shook her head.

Lin Nan’s mind stirred quietly, but he didn’t press further.

Soon, he arrived in the living room.

He had visited here many times before and was quite familiar with the surroundings.

On the sofa sat Xu Pingfeng, sipping tea and reading a newspaper.

He was a man in his fifties, dressed in casual home attire, with an air of grace and dignity. Though sitting quietly, his commanding presence was unmistakable—authority without anger.

Beside him sat a refined middle-aged woman. Though not strikingly beautiful, she possessed a graceful temperament and an aura of scholarly elegance.

“Sir, madam, Mr. Lin has arrived,” the housekeeper said, placing the gift in a corner of the living room.

Xu Pingfeng finally looked up, saw Lin Nan, put down his newspaper, and smiled warmly. “Lin Nan, come sit down. Your aunt was just talking about you.”

“Uncle Xu, Aunt Bai, I’ve come to wish you both a Happy New Year,” Lin Nan said with a smile, settling into another single armchair.

“You child, why do you bring gifts when you come to our home? Isn’t this too formal?” Bai Moinong chided, noticing the wine and tea in the corner.

“It’s not exactly a gift. Aunt Bai likes tea, Uncle Xu enjoys wine, so I prepared a little token of respect—a modest expression of filial piety from a junior to elders,” Lin Nan said sincerely, neither humble nor arrogant.

Hearing this, Xu Pingfeng and Bai Moinong exchanged a glance, both showing a hint of surprise.

When did Lin Nan become so eloquent?

Lin Nan’s personality was usually reserved, and he wasn’t good with words. In similar situations before, he would only offer bland platitudes like “just a small token, no real respect.”

“Alright, since it’s your filial respect, we’ll accept it,” Xu Pingfeng said with a hearty laugh.

“Uncle Xu, why hasn’t anyone come to wish you and Aunt Bai a Happy New Year today?” Lin Nan couldn’t help but voice his curiosity.

Xu Pingfeng waved his hand. “Weiwei said she didn’t want to be disturbed on the first day of the New Year and wanted a quiet meal. So, if anyone wanted to come and pay respects, it would have to be from tomorrow onwards. Today, we’ll just keep it simple.”

Lin Nan fell silent.

Xu Weiwei had clearly gone to great lengths to bring up the matter of breaking off the engagement today.

Very few knew about the engagement between Lin Nan and the Xu family. Weiwei obviously didn’t want others to know about it. She wanted to sever ties with him when only a few family members were present, ensuring it wouldn’t affect her otherwise.

“I’ll go call Weiwei down. You young people should chat more,” Bai Moinong smiled and then got up to go upstairs.

At that moment, the housekeeper approached. “Sir, the meal is ready and can be served.”

Xu Pingfeng also stood, patting Lin Nan on the shoulder. “Come, let’s eat. You must drink a few glasses with me today.”

Lin Nan nodded and followed Xu Pingfeng toward the dining room.

Shortly after they sat down, Bai Moinong came downstairs with Xu Weiwei.

Weiwei wore a pale yellow silk blouse paired with moon-white slim trousers. Her delicate features bore light makeup, her complexion radiant as a peach blossom.

Seeing Weiwei, Lin Nan smiled faintly, offering a greeting.

Weiwei, however, wore a stern expression, snorting coldly.

Once all four were seated, Lin Nan addressed Xu Pingfeng and Bai Moinong. “Uncle Xu, Aunt Bai, I came today not only to wish you a Happy New Year but also to discuss something else.”

Weiwei, about to speak about breaking off the engagement, was momentarily stunned.

What was he trying to say?

She seemed to have guessed something. Her pretty face darkened, eyes filled with hostility as she stared at Lin Nan.

She had mentioned breaking off the engagement many times before, but Lin Nan always remained silent, giving no response. He clearly still intended to honor the engagement.

Was Lin Nan planning, today of all days, to announce to her parents that he wanted to marry her soon?

“What is it?” Xu Pingfeng asked with a smile.

Bai Moinong also looked toward Lin Nan.

Lin Nan paused briefly before slowly saying, “Uncle Xu, Aunt Bai, regarding the engagement between Weiwei and me, I have a different perspective now.”

Hearing this, Xu Pingfeng and Bai Moinong were momentarily taken aback.

Weiwei, seeing Lin Nan speak, seemed certain he intended to raise the matter today and express his desire to marry her quickly.

Her parents had always taken a subtle stance on this engagement. No matter how much she protested or caused a scene, they never relented and insisted on fulfilling the betrothal.

So if Lin Nan publicly expressed a wish to marry soon, her parents would probably not refuse outright—at least not on the spot.

Hmph. What a despicable and shameless man! Weiwei seethed inwardly.

She was not alone in this sentiment. Xu Pingfeng and Bai Moinong also felt similarly, their expressions slightly grave.

They had always valued face above all else. Even though Lin Nan was not their ideal son-in-law and seemed reluctant about the marriage, since he and their daughter had been betrothed since childhood and although it held no legal binding, they chose to honor it.

If no other solution presented itself, they would have to reluctantly accept Lin Nan as their son-in-law.

Xu Pingfeng asked with a composed smile, “What are your thoughts on this?”

Lin Nan’s gaze swept over Weiwei and the couple’s faces one by one before he spoke deliberately and clearly: “I want to break off the engagement!”