Chapter 89
"What did you say? You're engaged! When did this happen? How could you not tell us about something this big beforehand!"
It was rare for Lin's mother to get angry. Her daughter was a piece of her own flesh and blood. For such a major life event as marriage, her daughter not only didn't bring her home to meet her, but also got engaged without saying a word.
The already fragile coffee table was slammed twice by Lin's mother, and it wobbled for a long time before finally stabilizing, almost breaking.
I disagree.
Lin Zhi had already guessed this would happen. She was nervous before, but now that she was sitting here and had already said half of what she wanted to say, she was no longer nervous.
"Mom, you won't agree to it without even asking who she is?"
Lin's mother was taken aback for a moment, then stubbornly said, "He didn't even tell your mother about such an important matter as an engagement. I don't think this person is a good person."
The aroma of stir-fried dishes wafted from the kitchen, accompanied by the sizzling sound of oil.
Lin Zhi looked into the kitchen; one small figure was very busy, while the other seemed like a wooden doll.
"Dad, come out too. You might not be able to hear us clearly from the kitchen."
After a while, Mr. Lin came out of the kitchen and sat down next to Mrs. Lin: "Xiao Feng insisted on cooking a few dishes for you, and I couldn't stop him."
Lin Zhi sneered inwardly. Her father was such a noble person, why would he get involved in such mundane matters as firewood and rice?
"My assistant is still waiting for me downstairs, so I'll keep it short: I'm engaged to Jiang Lai."
Seeing that her parents were about to speak, Lin Zhi raised her hand to interrupt them: "I came back today to inform you, not to ask for your opinions. I am very happy with her, and I will not leave her. Besides, haven't you always wanted me to marry into a wealthy family? I have done it."
After Lin Zhi finished speaking, she got up to leave. Her mother hesitated and did not stop her, but her father called out to her.
"Who is this Jiang Lai?"
Lin Zhi turned around and said, "A woman, who is also my lover."
"Woman? Lin Zhi...you're really getting better and better at making us look good!"
Lin Zhi went to the entryway to put on her shoes, saying as she did so, "You don't need to be so angry, because no matter what you say, I won't break up with her. If you want to sever ties with me, I'd be more than happy to, but..."
Lin Zhi looked past her father and at her mother: "Mom, you don't think the same thing as him, do you?"
Lin's mother wrung her hands nervously, her features scrunched up, and remained silent for a long time.
"Lin Zhi, break up with her right now, and I'll let bygones be bygones and pretend nothing happened!"
Everything was just as she imagined. Lin Zhi knew this father too well; she knew that she had guessed every word he said correctly.
"Since that's the case, there's nothing more to say. I'm leaving."
"Get out!" Lin's father roared. "Don't come back once you leave!"
Lin Zhi gave a mumbled "hmm," pressed the doorknob, and walked out of the room.
With a slam, the door closed, and Lin's mother collapsed like a deflated balloon. No matter how much her husband shouted and cursed in her ear, she remained unmoved.
In the kitchen, Lin Feng poured the food from the pot into a plate. The sudden sound of the door closing startled him. He knew that his sister had left and had a big fight with his father.
Jiang Lai? Is she the older sister? Why did Dad separate the sisters?
Lin Feng didn't understand, but she felt that her sister would be happy with Jiang Lai, and that her father was wrong and shouldn't have done that.
The assistant opened the software to watch the cached TV series. She had just finished watching the first episode and was not yet satisfied. Just as she was about to start watching the second episode, she turned her head and saw Lin Zhi walking over in high heels.
It wasn't exactly dull; in fact, it was much easier than when I left before.
"Mr. Lin, you're down so soon?" the assistant asked casually, but immediately realized something was wrong. He was going upstairs to come out, not to have dinner.
Lin Zhi didn't pay any attention. After sitting down, she remained silent for a long time. She pinched her brow, as she had been having headaches for the past few days. She was truly getting old, and her body couldn't take the strain.
"Let's go back to the company. Drive slowly, I need to rest for a while."
"Okay, Mr. Lin."
Min Xuehua's film has been in preparation for two years, and this year is the final stage of the project. Filming is expected to begin in October. She has been busy casting these days and has been getting home very late. Sometimes she doesn't even get back until Jiang Chuanmin is asleep.
Jiang Chuanmin returned home very early today, finally getting a chance to have dinner with his wife.
It is said that when they were young, they were busy with work and often lived in different cities. It was not easy for them to find time to meet for a couple of days. What made them most heartbroken was their half-hour meeting at the airport.
Jiang Chuanmin felt increasingly heartbroken. He had imagined that he could spend his old age with Min Xuehua, but she was still vigorous and wanted to continue making movies.
At the dinner table, Min Xuehua ate in silence, much quieter than before. Jiang Chuanmin knew she was tired, so he picked up his chopsticks and put a few of his wife's favorite dishes into a small dish next to her.
"Old Min, you're getting on in years, it's time for you to take a rest."
Min Xuehua looked up and said, "How old are you? I think you're just too lazy. You don't go to the company often, and you spend all your time at home playing with those walnuts. I think your limbs are going to degenerate."
"Nonsense, playing with walnuts can improve physical health and prolong life."
Min Xuehua smiled, pursing her lips: "You..."
Min Xuehua never thought about taking a break, and even felt that she could work for another ten or five years, but there was another matter that really needed to be put on the agenda.
She put down her chopsticks, organized her thoughts for a moment, and said, "Old Jiang, I heard from Xiao Zhi that Lai Lai has already joined the crew."
Jiang Chuanmin's cloudy eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked excitedly, "Are those rumors true? Lai Lai's depression is completely cured?"
Min Xuehua nodded.
Jiang Chuanmin put down his bowl and chopsticks, got up and walked to the door, bowed three times to the sky: "Thank you, Heaven, thank you, Buddha."
Since Jiang Lai fell ill, Jiang Chuanmin has visited almost every temple, big and small, and has even obtained several amulets. However, seeing that Jiang Lai's condition did not improve, he turned his attention to the Western gods. Fortunately, Min Xuehua stopped him. A few days ago, he heard that the two of them went on a trip abroad, and Jiang Chuanmin's long-held anxiety eased a little. Only today did he truly feel at ease.
At that time, no one was allowed to get close to Jiang Lai except Jiang Wanqiu. Jiang Chuanmin was worried for a long time. During that period, he could not eat or sleep, and he was heartbroken.
"This also requires Xiaozhi to work hard and take care of our Lailai for almost a year."
"Yes, yes, tell her that if she needs any help in the future, she can just ask."
Min Xuehua rolled her eyes at her husband and scolded, "Vulgar! Does she need your help? If you were the same age, her status would definitely not be lower than yours!"
Although his words were barbed, Jiang Chuanmin understood what his wife meant.
Jiang Chuanmin: "You can't owe such a big favor to a junior and not repay it, can you?"
"Take your daughter back."
"Haven't you already signed with her company?"
"Are you getting senile? I meant to marry your daughter off to someone, no... I should say marry her."
Jiang Chuanmin didn't take her words to heart, thinking it was just a joke: "Okay, then I'll marry her."
Min Xuehua was overjoyed: "You said it? I'll tell my daughter right away."
Jiang Chuanmin: ? ? ?
The following night, Jiang Lai dragged her aching body into the car. It was her first day of martial arts training, and her body was covered in bruises.
Upon arriving at the hotel, just before getting out of the car, Anna noticed a strange person loitering in front of the hotel. Because of what happened with Lin Xi, she had become extra cautious.
"Lai Lai, do you know that auntie?"
Jiang Lai does have some "mommy fans," but this person's behavior is really strange. If he's not a fan, he can only be a sasaeng fan or a thug!
Jiang Lai glanced at it, initially thinking she was seeing things, then rolled down the car window for a closer look...
Holy crap!
Jiang Lai rarely swore, and opened the car door to get out, but Anna stopped her.
"Who is it? Don't wander off."
Jiang Lai shook off Anna, jumped out of the car, and said in a low but urgent voice, "That's my mother-in-law!"
"Mother-in-law?" Anna thought for a moment, then suddenly realized what was happening and murmured, "Isn't that Mr. Lin's mother?"
Jiang Lai and Anna walked over discreetly. Lin's mother was waiting for someone when she was suddenly blocked by two dark figures. She looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Is that Jiang Lai?"
Jiang Lai nodded: "Auntie, please come back to the room with me first. There are probably paparazzi around here."
"Okay... fine."
Once upstairs, Jiang Lai dismissed Anna, closed the door, and seemed somewhat at a loss when facing Lin Zhi's mother alone.
"Auntie, what would you like to drink? I have milk and yogurt, and I can also make coffee. The kettle is brand new and clean, bought yesterday."
Jiang Lai was too nervous to say those things; it's not appropriate to serve such things to elders.
Lin's mother looked around the room and said, "No need, I came to see you."
"Look at me?"
"Let's see what makes you so outstanding that you're willing to give up your home for my daughter."
Jiang Lai swallowed nervously, her palms sweating profusely: "Did my sister tell you everything?"
"Yes, I mentioned it yesterday, which is why I came to find you today. Luckily, I have Xiaozhi's assistant's phone number, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to find you."
"Then... Auntie, shall we sit down and talk?"
"good."
Only then did Lin's mother begin to observe Jiang Lai properly. The child was not bad-looking and seemed like a good person. She just didn't know if a child from a wealthy family would do something like starting a relationship and then abandoning the person. She wasn't afraid of what others would say about her; she was only afraid that her daughter would be unhappy and follow in her footsteps.
Jiang Lai was wearing a long-sleeved sweatshirt, with a bluish-purple patch showing at the cuffs.
"Child, what's wrong with you?"
Following Lin's mother's gaze, Jiang Lai looked at her arm and quickly covered it with her other hand: "It's okay, Auntie. It's inevitable to bump and bruise when practicing martial arts scenes. My sister bought me some medicine, I'll just apply it in a bit."
"No stunt double? I've heard that some actors do use stunt doubles?"
Jiang Lai scratched her head and said, "I don't have a stunt double. These moves aren't particularly difficult. Why bother someone else when I can do them myself? But... I have another stunt double."
Lin's mother asked curiously, "What is it?"
"When we were filming kissing scenes... he stood in for me."
Jiang Lai eventually found a body double, but she wasn't needed for most intimate scenes. She was only used when it was impossible to use camera tricks or when the scenes needed to be more intense.
Lin's mother asked, "You don't accept filming kissing scenes with other people?"
Jiang Lai shook her head: "I don't want my sister to be jealous."
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Author's Note: