Lin Leyao hung up the phone immediately.
At this moment, inside the Huanning Group building, Xin Ying, wearing silver-rimmed glasses, was handling her work when Kong Anqing knocked on the wooden door of her office.
Kong Anqing: "President Xin, Miss Wenwen has arrived."
I glanced at the time displayed on the computer screen.
6:30 PM
It's already after get off work hours, what is Xin Wenwen doing here at this time?
Xin Ying took off her glasses, pinched the bridge of her nose, and said, "Let her in."
Chapter 22
Xin Wenwen drove to the Huanning Group building that afternoon. She stayed in the car for a long time, including making the phone call to Lin Leyao downstairs.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally decided to meet her aunt in person.
The quiet office door was soon knocked on, and Xin Wenwen walked in.
Xin Ying looked up and saw Xin Wenwen with a serious face, wondering what was troubling her.
She didn't ask, and instead looked down at the documents in her hand.
Xin Ying didn't speak, and Xin Wenwen didn't make a sound either. Time passed quietly, and the room was completely silent.
After reviewing several documents, Xin Ying closed the pen on the table, looked up at Xin Wenwen sitting on the sofa not far away, and asked, "Why are you here today?"
Xin Wenwen's expression changed, and she asked, "I received a call from Dad saying that you're bringing people home for a family dinner, Aunt. Are you getting married, Aunt?"
Xin Ying glanced at her indifferently and gave a definite "hmm".
Xin Wenwen whispered, "Auntie, why didn't you tell me you were dating someone? You could have at least given me some time to prepare."
Xin Ying's deep gaze fell on her, and as if thinking of something, he slowly said, "I didn't originally plan to get married suddenly, but after seeing her, I suddenly wanted to."
"..." Xin Wenwen laughed awkwardly twice, "What does she look like? What does she do for a living? How old is she? I don't know her. Aunt, won't you let us meet her first? I can prepare in advance for the family dinner!"
"No need," Xin Ying refused decisively. "It's just a meal together to get to know people and know what to call them when we meet in the future."
Xin Wenwen paused for a moment, then gritted her teeth and asked in one breath, "Auntie, I have a question for you! If you fell in love with your best friend's ex, would you be with her?"
There was a moment of silence in the room. Xin Ying's eyes darkened, and she asked, "Why do you mind? Did your girlfriend swindle your best friend out of money, or did your girlfriend cheat on you and get together with you?"
Xin Wenwen's face stiffened for a moment, and she answered softly, "No, none of them."
Xin Ying's expression returned to its usual blankness, and she said calmly, "Maybe your partner broke up with your friend because your friend betrayed her. In that case, you've done a good deed."
"Hehe." Xin Wenwen gave an awkward smile.
"Don't think too much. People from the Xin family can even marry their own sister-in-law." With that, Xin Ying threw the pen on the table and stood up. "Alright, Wenwen, it's already past get off work hours. If there's nothing important, just talk on WeChat. I need to go back to the old house. Do you want to come with me?"
The man who married Xin's sister-in-law was the third uncle, who had been living abroad for over ten years and had never returned to China.
Through communication, Xin Wenwen understood her aunt's thoughts. Xin Wenwen shook her head sadly and replied, "I've made Dad angry recently. I'll go back on the day of the family banquet."
"Um."
Xin Ying walked ahead, with Xin Wenwen following closely behind. Just as they stepped out of the office, Xin Ying suddenly turned around and asked, "I heard you've been dating someone in the entertainment industry lately?"
What was it called again?
Xin Ying had long forgotten the name and appearance of the person who had been rumored to be having an affair with Xin Wenwen.
Upon hearing Xin Ying's words, Xin Wenwen immediately stopped in her tracks and nodded blankly.
Xin Ying said earnestly, "If you really like her, bring her home so your dad can meet her. You're his only child, and if he knows you genuinely like her, he'll agree."
Xin Wenwen responded softly, "Okay."
On Friday afternoon, a black Pagani was parked in front of a luxury apartment building.
After Lin Leyao got into the car, Xin Ying started the car and drove along the road towards the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Both women were dressed exquisitely today. Lin Leyao wore a white pleated long dress with a shirt collar, the collar, cuffs, and hem adorned with hand-embroidered freesia patterns. The collar buttons were pearl and silver thread, giving her a quiet and refreshing look. Xin Ying also wore a white shirt with the same freesia pattern as Lin Leyao.
After getting into the car, Lin Leyao unexpectedly took the initiative to break the awkward atmosphere: "Long time no see."
Xin Ying replied, "Long time no see."
After a moment of silence, Xin Ying asked, "Have you brought all your documents?"
"I brought everything."
"good."
When they came out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, each of them had a red booklet in their hands. Lin Leyao opened the cover and saw the bright red ID photos inside.
One had deep brown curly hair and a bright, beautiful face; the other had short, straight black hair and a cool, aloof appearance. They both looked at the camera, and surprisingly, they seemed harmonious.
Lin Leyao adjusted her mask and let out a breath.
I never expected to get our marriage certificate so easily.
The two did not go home. Instead, the black car drove along the bustling avenue to the city center and stopped in front of a very famous restaurant in S City.
The two got out of the car. Xin Ying picked up several gift boxes she had bought from the back seat and said, "These are gifts for your uncle and aunt. Is this alright?"
Lin Leyao noticed the gifts as soon as she got on the bus. Seeing that these were valuable items that Ji Rong and Lin Shujun liked, it was clear that Xin Ying had specifically inquired about their preferences beforehand.
Lin Leyao replied, "You prepared things that they like."
No one had arrived at the reserved private room yet, so the two of them sat down and Xin Ying confirmed the dishes with the waiter.
Time passed slowly, and Lin Leyao took out her phone to check the time.
There were only fifteen minutes left until the agreed time, and Ji Rong and her stepfather still hadn't arrived.
It wasn't until half an hour past the agreed time that someone knocked on the door of the private room.
Ji Rong, Lin Shujun, and Lin Zhipei entered.
Xin Ying stood up and politely greeted, "Hello, Mom and Dad."
A single address left Ji Rong and Lin Shujun frozen in place.
Ji Rong's face was stiff. She had deliberately delayed arriving late for this meal because she was still angry about finding out at the last minute that Lin Leyao was going to marry into the Xin family.
She usually only associates with socialites and doesn't really know much about Xin Ying. When she learned that Lin Leyao was being married to the youngest daughter of the Xin family, she inquired about a lot of information.
After thoroughly understanding the Xin family and Xin Ying, her initial desire to manipulate others diminished considerably. However, she was used to being arrogant and remembered that Lin Leyao hadn't told her about this, so she threw a little tantrum this time.
Unexpectedly hearing this address right in front of her, Ji Rong stammered, unprepared for a reply. Lin Shujun, sitting next to her, laughed first and said, "Alright, Xiaoying, please sit down."
As everyone took their seats, Lin Leyao, who was next to Xin Ying, froze after hearing her call out "Mom and Dad," and sluggishly followed Xin Ying's movements. It wasn't until everyone was seated that she came to her senses and glanced sideways at Xin Ying's calm profile.
After addressing her and taking her seat, Xin Ying remained expressionless as she spoke earnestly with Lin Shujun. No one noticed that her thin ears were bright red.
Xin Ying then took out the gifts she had prepared one by one.
A purple clay teapot was prepared for Lin Shujun, a handbag from a well-known luxury brand was prepared for Ji Rong, and an oil painting was prepared for Lin Zhipei.
When Ji Rong saw the logo on the packaging box, her expression instantly changed from serious and displeased to one of joy.
Upon opening the box, you'll find a very rare, limited-edition bag.
Ji Rong picked up the bag, examined it carefully, and said with great surprise, "Xiao Ying, where did you buy this bag? I've had it in stock for over half a year."
Xin Ying said, "A friend helped me buy it from overseas."
Having received this gift, Ji Rong could no longer maintain her previous expression and became much kinder to Xin Ying.
Lin Zhipei, who was standing quietly to the side, also received her gift. At this moment, no one paid attention to her. She quietly opened the box and saw the oil painting inside.
Upon seeing the signature, her eyes widened instantly.
She had seen this painting when she and her mother attended an auction a while ago. The aunt who accompanied them knew that Lin Zhipei was studying oil painting, so she suggested that her mother take a picture of the painting and hang it at home so that she could appreciate it often.
After hearing this suggestion, the mother took this picture on the spot.
However, another person also took a liking to the work, and the two kept raising the price until it reached a point that Ji Rong could no longer afford. Lin Zhipei sensibly called a halt to the price increase.
I never expected that this artwork would now be in my hands again.
So, is the person who spent a fortune to buy this painting Lin Leyao's future husband?
It's just a simple gift to meet someone, yet they're willing to spend such a high price.
Xin Ying is so good to her older sister...
Lin Zhipei looked down at the oil painting, the gloomy look in her eyes hidden by her drooping eyelashes.
The waiter knocked on the door, and the dishes were quickly served. Everyone ate and chatted.
Although her attitude had softened considerably, Ji Rong was still unhappy because Lin Leyao hadn't told her about the marriage alliance with the Xin family.
After ordering, Ji Rong began to speak: "Le Yao, why did you suddenly marry Xiao Ying? You're only twenty-five years old. Isn't this the prime of your career?"
Upon hearing this, Xin Ying looked at Lin Leyao beside her with some surprise.
Huanling Group is facing a cash flow problem, and Ji Rong, Ji Hongchen's only daughter, is completely unaware of it.
Even if her family didn't say anything, anyone who cares even a little about their company should know this. Lin Leyao's mother... Xin Ying frowned slightly.
No one noticed Xin Ying's expression at this moment. Lin Leyao replied calmly, "Twenty-five years old is not young anymore. She's five years past the legal marriage age, so it's time for her to get married."
Lin Leyao did not directly answer Ji Rong's questions.
Hearing this answer, Ji Rong frowned and said unhappily, "I asked you a question! Why won't you tell me anything? You're always affectionate with your maternal grandfather. Aren't you my biological child?"
As soon as she finished speaking these questions, Xin Ying frowned.
Lin Shujun and Lin Zhipeng, who were standing to the side, seemed to have gotten used to the way Ji Rong and Lin Leyao spoke. Ji Rong's tone did not cause the two of them to change their expressions at all. The father and daughter were eating their meal in silence.
Not wanting Xin Ying to see the two arguing, Lin Leyao put down her chopsticks and replied seriously, "Mom, how could I not know that I was born of you? I grew up with my maternal grandfather, how could I not be close to him? There are some things I don't say because you'll find out in time, so you won't worry if you know in advance."
Hearing this, Ji Rong was still not satisfied. She snorted and said, "You didn't want to live with me when you were little and insisted on living with your maternal grandfather. Now that you're older, you insist on becoming an actress. Your work schedule is not fixed at all. Tell me, how many times a year can you come home?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Leyao remained silent, unwilling to reply.
Ji Rong continued, "Now that you're married, and I know the Xin family well—it's a large family with many members, and Xiaoying manages such a big company, she's usually very busy. I think you should try not to go out to film anymore and just focus on handling your family matters. After you have children, you'll have more time to spend with them. You're at the perfect age to have children; if you wait until you're past your prime childbearing years, you'll suffer the consequences."
Upon hearing this, Lin Leyao's face immediately turned cold. She put down her chopsticks, looked at Ji Rong, and said coldly, "Mom, Xin Ying invited you to dinner today. Can we not talk about these things?"