C18 Look down On!
Standing beside Bai Shuang, Suen Lianhua couldn't help but furrow her brow, her delicate face taking on a contemplative look. Had Lin Yuan not pointed it out, she might never have realized that the location was indeed perfect for sniping.
No, if this man truly had such skills, why would he agree to be the Bai Family's son-in-law?
"Do you really believe that?"
Just as Bai Shuang's spirits were waning, and she could barely stand to give Lin Yuan another glance, Suen Lianhua unexpectedly chimed in.
Lin Yuan nodded immediately. He wasn't entirely convinced of Suen Lianhua's professional acumen, but right now, she might just be the key to mending his strained relationship with Bai Shuang.
That spot, unnoticed by the average person, was now out in the open, and it was impossible for Suen Lianhua to remain oblivious.
"If that's true, then you're quite perceptive. That spot could indeed be problematic. I hadn't noticed it myself."
Lin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Surely, Bai Shuang would believe him now.
Suen Lianhua looked at Lin Yuan with a mix of skepticism and intrigue. Could this man actually possess such talent?
Initially, she was reluctant to believe, dismissing it all as mere coincidence. Yet, she couldn't shake off the memory of Lin Yuan's extensive knowledge of red wine, or how he managed to summon the manager of Dihao Hotel with just a phone call.
This man had a knack for surprises.
At that moment, the door swung open. Ye XiaoXiao entered, now dressed in fresh, tidy attire.
Lin Yuan exhaled in relief. The girl had some sense after all.
Had she not entered as she did, without bringing back the coat he had left, how would he have explained himself?
"Since you're staying with me, I'm responsible for you. In the future, if you're going out, make sure to let me know. You didn't answer my calls earlier, and it scared me half to death."
Following the roadside attack, Bai Shuang was on edge, her concern for Ye XiaoXiao palpable. If Ye XiaoXiao were to get caught up in something, what then?
So when Bai Shuang got back to the villa and couldn't find Ye XiaoXiao, she called immediately, but no matter how hard she tried, there was no answer.
Confronted with Bai Shuang's earnest and anxious expression, Ye XiaoXiao humbly cast her gaze downward and responded in a hushed tone. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion, compounded by Lin Yuan's presence at her side—how could she possibly explain this?
"I just met up with an old classmate for a bit, and my phone died. Don't worry, I'm not in any danger," Ye XiaoXiao assured with a smile. Yet, catching a glimpse of Lin Yuan, she couldn't help feeling a twinge of guilt, avoiding his gaze.
"The streets seem a bit unsafe these days. Be extra cautious, okay? Also, come back home with me tomorrow—it's Great Grandpa's birthday," Bai Shuang said, lifting her head to look at Lin Yuan, her voice tinged with reluctance.
"My dad's out of town on business, but he made a point of asking me to bring you home and introduce you to our family's relatives and elders. You'll need to make a good impression tomorrow; we can't have you embarrassing my father," she added.
Lin Yuan nodded, his smile unwavering.
The Bai family, a prestigious local dynasty with a century-long legacy, commanded respect and influence. Great Grandpa's birthday would surely draw a crowd of notable guests.
Such events typically attracted a large turnout, and Bai Shuang's father, concerned about potential threats to his daughter, had insisted she attend with Lin Yuan. Otherwise, Bai Shuang, true to her nature, would never have considered bringing him along.
Lin Yuan had never been the apple of Bai Shuang's eye; their marriage was a product of her parents' wishes, nothing more.
"Are you really going to take him with you? I remember your sister mentioning that no one in your family is fond of him," someone pointed out.
Despite being the legitimate heiress of the Bai family's patriarchal line, Bai Shuang's relationship with her extensive family, including numerous cousins, was strained. Her exceptional abilities from a young age had sparked both admiration and resentment among her peers, particularly the women, leaving her somewhat isolated.
Bai Shuang's marriage to a man considered worthless by her family was well-known and had long been a topic of gossip. Regardless of her own accomplishments, in the eyes of some, marrying such a man was seen as her greatest downfall.
In Lin Yuan's presence, Ye XiaoXiao refrained from being too blunt, yet her implication couldn't have been clearer. She was suggesting that bringing Lin Yuan back would only invite ridicule, wasn't she?
Lin Yuan kept quiet, but there was a subtle squint in his eyes. As the esteemed War God, was he really going to be a source of embarrassment for Bai Shuang?
He wasn't one to concern himself with the opinions of others, but the thought of his wife facing such indignity was intolerable. He began to strategize silently.
"I must adhere to my father's wishes. Tonight, I'll take you to get a tailor-made suit. Tomorrow, you won't need to say a word—just stand by my side with a smile," Bai Shuang explained with a hint of resignation to Ye XiaoXiao, before turning to address Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan certainly had the looks and the presence, but he exuded a laid-back air that suggested nothing really mattered to him. Bai Shuang often felt that he was too nonchalant.
Under normal circumstances, it might not be an issue, but in the circles of influential families, Lin Yuan wouldn't be given much thought.
"We can't just let him show up unprepared. Tomorrow is his grandfather's birthday, and I've even selected a gift," Ye XiaoXiao remarked, taken aback.
The patriarch of the Bai Family was known for his modesty, yet he held an esteemed position within the clan. The Bai Family's current prosperity was largely attributed to him, and rumors abounded of his close ties with key figures in the capital—he was the family's cornerstone.
The news of his birthday had spread far and wide. Despite considering her own family quite powerful, Ye XiaoXiao had still meticulously chosen a valuable gift to present for his birthday celebration.
"Grandpa is not like most people; he doesn't fuss over formalities. He's been fond of me since childhood. As long as Lin Yuan makes a good impression tomorrow, whether or not we bring a gift is inconsequential. In fact, purchasing something cliché and extravagant might even displease him," Bai Shuang said, her face lighting up with fondness at the mention of her grandfather. In the family, next to her father, it was her Great Grandpa who adored her the most, having been by his side since her earliest days.
"Honey, don't worry. I've already taken care of the gift. If he's the elder you hold in the highest regard, then he is the elder I respect the most," Lin Yuan assured her.
Lin Yuan was well aware of the upcoming birthday celebration. He took it very seriously—how could he not be prepared? He had even gone to the lengths of selecting a precious and appropriate gift from the treasure vault of the War God Shrine.
"Don't be foolish. You can't seriously believe that some trinkets of gold, silver, and jade will please Great Grandpa. That's more likely to earn his disdain," Bai Shuang said, thinking Lin Yuan was being overly clever.
Every year, as Great Grandpa's birthday approached, there were always those who mistakenly believed their expensive gifts would win his favor. They failed to realize that Great Grandpa wouldn't spare those items a second glance.
To a man of his years, riches and jewels had long since lost their allure. What he cherished most was the warmth of family ties.
Bai Shuang understood this well, which is why she had never bothered with lavish gifts. Instead, she made it a point to be there for him, offering her company during the holidays.
"Honey, trust me, he's going to love what I've picked out," Lin Yuan said with unwavering confidence.
Bai Shuang's brow furrowed with concern. "Leave the gift to me. Right now, we need to focus on the Farsi Empire's delegates—they're nearly here. Go get ready to welcome them."