In the days that followed, Luo Xiu's life was rather calm.
Every morning, he went to the company with Lin Xiyue and stayed in the office for a while before borrowing Xu Qianqing's electric scooter to slip out and wander around. He would only return to the company right before closing time, and then he would go back to the Lin Family residence with Lin Xiyue.
Having just come down from the mountains into a big city like this, there were many things he wanted to see and experience.
As for Xu Qianqing, she had become a star at the company. She had successfully landed the project with Yuehuang Entertainment City, securing a massive fifty-million-yuan order. At the all-hands meeting, President Lin Xiyue personally took the stage to present her with an award, praising her and promoting her to team leader of Sales Group Three.
「That day.」
Luo Xiu was sprawled across his desk, fast asleep, when the clacking of high heels suddenly came from the office doorway. Xu Qianqing, who was working intently beside him, glanced at the door and frantically poked him.
"Team Leader Xu, what's wrong?" Luo Xiu asked, raising his head, still groggy with sleep.
Xu Qianqing looked at the breathtakingly graceful figure in the doorway and smiled sheepishly. At the same time, she shifted her chair to the side, putting some distance between herself and Luo Xiu.
By this point, other colleagues in the office had also stood up to offer their greetings.
Luo Xiu looked up and saw his "wife" standing there with an icy expression on her face.
"Something up?" Luo Xiu stretched and asked.
Lin Xiyue said expressionlessly, "Pack up. We're going home. I'll wait for you in the car." With that, she turned and left.
「...」
In the parking lot.
Luo Xiu got into the passenger seat of the Ferrari 812 and asked, "It's just past three in the afternoon. Why are we going back so early?"
Lin Xiyue glanced at him and said, "Today is the Lin Family's monthly family banquet."
Luo Xiu looked puzzled. "It's the Lin Family's banquet. What does that have to do with me?"
Lin Xiyue took a deep breath and said patiently, "Didn't you hate coming to work? Why do you seem so reluctant now that I'm letting you leave early?"
Luo Xiu didn't say anything.
He just felt that the office was quiet and a perfect place to sleep. Besides, he had a great beauty like Xu Qianqing to bring him tea and water.
"Is it because you don't want to leave Xu Qianqing?" Lin Xiyue looked at Luo Xiu with a half-smile, as if she could read his mind. "She's already married. Don't get any funny ideas."
Luo Xiu ignored her, lazily leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes to rest.
"In name, you are the Lin Family's son-in-law, so you must attend the family banquet," Lin Xiyue said as she started the car.
「...」
As dusk fell, three large, round nanmu tables had already been set up in the main hall of the Lin Family Villa. All the members of the Lin Family were gathered together.
Everyone was discussing finance, elegantly sipping red wine and sketching out blueprints for a bright future. The only exception was Luo Xiu, who was obliviously feasting on the delicious food that filled the table.
Lin Youpeng and Zhang Cui looked at their son-in-law, looking like they wanted to slap him across the room.
It's as if he hasn't eaten in eight lifetimes! So embarrassing!
Sitting on the other side, Lin Fei and her fiancé, Xu Tao, also cast disdainful glances at Luo Xiu from time to time, whispering to each other. Xu Tao even deliberately placed food in Luo Xiu's bowl, then followed up with veiled, sarcastic remarks. He insinuated that Luo Xiu was a country bumpkin from the mountains who had never seen anything of the world.
Lin Fei, who had always looked down on her cousin Lin Xiyue, would also make sarcastic jabs. Her words implied that Lin Xiyue had married a good-for-nothing who was nowhere near as outstanding as her Xu Tao.
Lin Xiyue, however, seemed indifferent, apparently unbothered by these remarks.
Seeing Luo Xiu only focused on eating, Lin Daqi was extremely disappointed. He suddenly spoke up, "There's been big news in Sea City these past two days. I'm sure you've all heard, right?"
Xu Tao hastily said, "Grandpa, are you talking about Grand Elder Sun's eightieth birthday celebration?"
"Correct," Lin Daqi nodded.
Xu Tao smiled and said, "Grandpa, I've heard Grand Elder Sun will invite big shots from all over Sea City to attend, and there are even rumors that the Sun Family might look for an outstanding company to collaborate with at the banquet."
Upon hearing this, a shocked buzz went through the room. This was undoubtedly explosive news for the business community of Sea City.
Lin Youpeng remarked with emotion, "For a behemoth like the Sun Family to be seeking a partner, it must be a massive project."
Then someone asked, "But isn't Grand Elder Sun bedridden? I heard he doesn't have long to live and the Sun Family is already preparing for his funeral. Why the sudden birthday banquet?"
Xu Tao replied, "It's because a Divine Doctor cured him a few days ago."
"Was it Doctor Li?"
Xu Tao shook his head. "I don't know the specifics, but I'm certain it wasn't Doctor Li. It was a Divine Doctor even more incredible than him."
"My God, there's someone even more incredible than Doctor Li?"
"Taotao, is this news reliable?"
Xu Tao smiled slightly. "Of course, it's reliable. I heard it from a core member of the Sun Family."
Hearing this, the members of the Lin family cast admiring looks his way, showering him with praise. Being acquainted with a core member of the Sun Family was no easy feat.
Lin Daqi's face glowed with satisfaction. He was growing ever fonder of Xu Tao, this grandson-in-law of his.
Zhang Cui glanced at Luo Xiu, who was still eating, and snorted with contempt. She couldn't understand why she had such a useless lump for a son-in-law.
Look at Xu Tao. Now that's what you call capable!
Xu Tao looked around at the crowd, then back at Lin Daqi, and said with a smile, "Grandpa, you're bringing this up now because you hope the Lin Family can attend Grand Elder Sun's birthday banquet, right?"
"Ah," Lin Daqi shook his head gently and sighed. "Of course I wish we could, but that's not realistic. I'm well aware of our family's standing and the gap between us and the Sun Family."
At his words, the rest of the Lin family could only offer wry, helpless smiles.
Xu Tao surveyed the room, then suddenly stood up and declared seriously, "Grandpa, the invitation is a small matter. Rest easy. I can get one by tomorrow. Besides, attending the banquet will allow us to meet more influential people. That alone will be beneficial for our Lin Family."
At these words, all the Lin family members' eyes widened. Even Lin Xiyue looked at Xu Tao, finding it unbelievable.
Everyone present was keenly aware of the gap between the Lin and Sun families. Claiming he could get an invitation to Grand Elder Sun's birthday banquet sounded incredibly arrogant.
"Excellent!" Lin Daqi shot to his feet, beaming from ear to ear. "You truly are a worthy grandson-in-law! Taotao, Grandpa will be waiting for your good news!"
The other family members also heaped praise upon him.
Feeling the fervent gazes around him, especially Lin Daqi's look of approval, Xu Tao felt as if he were floating on air. Caught up in the moment, he declared confidently, "Grandpa, to tell you the truth, I'm very close with Sun Qian of the Sun Family. Getting an invitation is just a matter of saying the word!"
"Sun Qian? You mean Ah Qian, who just got back from the military?" someone exclaimed in shock.
Xu Tao smiled and nodded proudly.
"He's no ordinary person! Xu Tao, how did you become so close with a man like that?"
Just then, the roar of an engine sounded from outside. A moment later, a handsome, sharply-dressed young man walked into the hall.
Upon seeing him, everyone hurriedly got to their feet.
The newcomer was Sun Qian!
The very same Ah Qian that Luo Xiu had beaten up at Yuehuang Entertainment City.
"B-Brother Qian, what brings you here?" Xu Tao was flabbergasted, the shock jolting him partially sober. It felt like he was in a dream.
Ah Qian's expression was impassive and arrogant. He glanced at Luo Xiu, who was still sitting and eating, then said coolly, "By order of my family's Grand Elder, I have come to deliver an invitation to the Lin Family."
...