0129: The Mixed-Race Grandson

Xu Lin reheated the rice and served it to both of them, having just finished massaging her legs.

"Alright, that's enough. Go wash your hands; thank you for your hard work."

"It's nothing, no trouble at all," Chu Fengyi replied with a nod, heading toward the bathroom.

As Xu Lin set down the bowls and chopsticks, his mother waved him over. He leaned in close.

"What is it?"

"Did you teach her to be like this?"

"Teach her what?"

"She's suddenly become so... I can hardly get used to it."

"Isn't that a good thing? But I really didn't teach her. I noticed she looked a bit thinner after her trip, so she might have run into some trouble. I'll ask her about it."

"Hmm."

"So, you've changed your opinion of her?"

"I just think having a mixed-race grandson would be quite nice."

"..." Xu Lin was instantly humbled; his mother was truly something else.

However, he remembered something—what if Qin Yunhe had gotten pregnant from yesterday? What should he do? Hormonal contraceptives were surely harmful to the body, and he felt too awkward to ask about it. He would check with her later when things settled down. Honestly, he did want a child, but if he had one now, pursuing other girls would make him more than just an average scumbag.

Chu Fengyi emerged from the bathroom, and Ms. Li hurried to invite her to sit. The two began their lunch.

Chu Fengyi took a bite and her eyes narrowed. "This egg-fried rice is delicious."

"Glad you like it, but that's all there is. One bowl each."

"By the way, why are you home at this hour? School shouldn't be over yet, right?"

"I had some things to take care of, so I took leave."

"Things to take care of, huh?" Chu Fengyi arched a delicate eyebrow.

"But I haven't been slacking on the exercise routine you set for me while you were away."

"Good. I'll check on your progress when I have the chance."

"Actually, I've dragged your sister into exercising too."

"Oh, that's good. Chu Qingchan has been lazy as anything since we were kids. If she's actually thinking about working out, she must have gained weight."

"Perhaps. Speaking of which, as the chairwoman, is it alright for you to be away from the office so often?"

"If the company relied solely on the chairwoman to get things done, it might as well go bankrupt! I didn't hire those people to sit around doing nothing."

"Fair point."

Seeing Chu Fengyi return to her usual domineering, big-sister persona, Xu Lin felt much more at ease. She had probably just been genuinely exhausted.

"I'm finished. I'll leave the dishes to you. I'm going to rest, and thank you, Fengyi, for bringing so many gifts."

"It was just a small token."

"You two keep talking. I'm on the night shift, so I'm going to get some rest."

"Alright, Ms. Li."

As Ms. Li retreated into her bedroom, Xu Lin felt a sense of relief; he always felt a bit constrained with his parents around.

"Is there something you wanted to ask me?" Chu Fengyi said, head down, as she finished the last of the rice in her bowl. It seemed her praise hadn't just been polite; his Level 2 cooking skill was truly effective.

"I do, actually. Did something happen while you were away this time?"

"Do you think I've changed that much?"

"Quite a bit. You look worn out, and your temper is gone, which worries me."

"Would you be less worried if I beat you up?"

"Haha, not exactly."

"I visited my father on the way back."

"Did he scold you, or did he tell you to bring your sister back?" Xu Lin felt a pang of nervousness. He had no standing to face the father of these two young ladies.

"No, it was my mother. She realized I was in love and told me to bring you home."

"..."

"Do you want to go back?"

"Your sister asked me the same thing. I can't go right now."

"Are you afraid?" Chu Fengyi looked at him, waiting for his answer, more serious than usual.

"It's not your father I fear, but the fact that I'm not good enough yet. I'm not worthy of you both, which is why I need to work harder."

"Actually, we don't care about those things."

"But to earn your father's approval, I must! I want to stand tall and become your husband."

"Oh? Xu Lin! You've revealed your true colors now! What do you mean 'us'? Wanting to have both sisters? Even if you achieve great success, I doubt he'll ever agree to that."

"I was just saying..."

"My father is a greedy man. Both my aunt and my mother were perfect women, yet they were both shackled to him."

"But your father accomplished what many men only dream of, didn't he?"

"He only caused both the women who loved him to be hurt. My aunt and my mother actually used to have a decent relationship, but because of him, they became strangers."

"I won't let that happen. I will make everyone happy."

"That's impossible. Women aren't that kind. Jealousy is human nature; how could anyone agree to share a man with another woman?"

Chu Fengyi carried her bowl toward the kitchen, and Xu Lin followed.

"Would you be jealous of your sister?"

"Of course. But within the family, it's not quite as... Wait, something's not right. Xu Lin, you don't actually have designs on both of us, do you!?"

Chu Fengyi had initially thought Xu Lin was joking, but the more they talked, the more suspicious she became. Was this guy really planning to have both sisters?

"Cough! I'm serious!"

What Xu Lin had experienced yesterday had helped him grow, but more importantly, it had solidified his resolve: to pursue his goal of winning over all twelve, and at the very least, to take responsibility for every girl who loved him!

"Then I choose to withdraw. You can marry Chu Qingchan."

"Hey? Why? I thought you didn't get along with her?"

"I just don't want to compete with her."

If Chu Qingchan had heard those words, she would likely have been moved to tears and hugged her.

"But Xu Lin, I'm afraid that you have other ideas, don't I?"

"What other ideas could I possibly have?"

"What about that starry-eyed class monitor of yours? And that Ms. Su? And... what about that senior, Bai? What's going on with all of them?"

"Chu Fengyi, you're a big boss, why are you so gossipy! By the way, I have news: your sister has teamed up with Ji Yun."

"Teamed up with that little girl? For what?"

"They're working together to stop me from being a playboy and pursuing other girls."

"Ha? What kind of harem anime plot is this? Has Chu Qingchan lost her mind? No way, I have to go ask her!"

Chu Fengyi suddenly felt like something was wrong with her own family; her sister was actually collaborating with a rival! Did she really think that just because she was a few years older, she could keep that girl in check?

From the first time they met, she knew the girl was a formidable opponent. Liu Qinuan was an obvious "green tea" type, forced to adapt to the entertainment industry's environment. But Ji Yun was the type of girl who exuded a sense of "first love"—that purity and gentleness weren't faked. Yet, she wasn't clumsy; she was quite clever, which was a lethal weapon against young men like Xu Lin.

She felt her foolish sister was no match for her. If Xu Lin had to choose, she feared her sister would suffer a crushing defeat.

"Your sister went to see Teacher Guan during the day."

"Forget it, I'm going to find that girl and have a chat."

"Don't... she's just a high schooler. Are you jealous?"

"Heh, jealous? I'm just worried about that foolish sister of mine, Chu Qingchan!"

Chu Fengyi glared at him and headed outside. Xu Lin followed, feeling helpless. He knew he couldn't beat her—he only had one "Martial Arts Master" trial card, and the side effects... if he used it on Chu Fengyi, he might end up becoming "Eunuch Xu" the next day. Better to rely on himself.

Having tasted the forbidden fruit, Xu Lin found himself craving more, but he had to be patient! They were all his treasures, and he had to protect and cherish them. Everything would fall into place in time.