Chapter 444 - 442: Meeting
"I wish I could have met you earlier," Lin Xi said regretfully. That way, she could have grown up with him. Childhood sweethearts. Just the thought of it was a very happy thing.
"It’s not too late to meet now."
"That’s true," Lin Xi said, taking Xue Yang’s arm as they walked toward the hotel.
Such a dazzling Lin Xi left Lin Zhenhai rooted to the spot, momentarily unable to move.
As soon as they reached the lobby, Lin Xi keenly sensed that the atmosphere in the hotel was a bit strange, and Xue Yang naturally felt it too. Upon closer inspection, they realized that all the hotel staff had gathered on the first floor, neatly lined up on both sides. Clearly, they were there to welcome some important person. Soon enough, they saw who this important person was.
When they saw the person standing in the middle, both Xue Yang and Lin Xi were stunned.
"Dad?"
Hearing this, Xue Yuanqing and Zhong Hailan both looked over. What was going on?
The sight of Lin Zhenhai shocked Xue Yang as well. He never expected to run into Xiao Xi’s father here.
Zhong Hailan and Xue Yuanqing gave Xue Yang questioning looks.
Xue Yang immediately led Lin Xi and his parents over to Lin Zhenhai and confidently made the introductions. "Dad, Mom, this is Xiao Xi’s father, Mr. Lin Zhenhai."
He knew he would have to face this day sooner or later, but he never imagined it would be under circumstances like these. He wasn’t prepared at all.
It wasn’t their first meeting, but last time, he didn’t know Lin Zhenhai was Lin Xi’s father. The feeling was completely different. This time, he was obviously far more nervous.
As the head of the family, Xue Yuanqing stepped up. He took a step forward and extended his right hand. "Hello, I’m Xue Yang’s father, Xue Yuanqing, and this is my wife, Zhong Hailan."
Lin Zhenhai stared at Xue Yuanqing’s extended hand, seeming to hesitate. Lin Xi gave her father a pleading look, hoping he would indulge her just this once.
In the end, his reason won out. He extended his hand, shook Xue Yuanqing’s, and said, "Hello. I’m Xiao Xi’s father, Lin Zhenhai. I didn’t expect to meet you all here."
Lin Zhenhai was a man accustomed to weathering great storms; he would never display any dissatisfaction in public.
"Hello, Mr. Lin. Xiao Xi has told us a lot about you. You’re a remarkable father; you’ve raised her so well. We’re all very fond of her."
Lin Zhenhai paid close attention to the reactions of Xue Yang’s parents. When they heard his name, they didn’t seem particularly surprised. Looks like they don’t know my status yet. His deep gaze shifted to Xue Yang. But Xue Yang has always known who I am.
Xue Yang called out with composure, "Hello, Chairman Lin."
"Chairman Lin?" Lin Zhenhai questioned.
Xue Yuanqing and Zhong Hailan both shot Xue Yang a confused look.
Xue Yang hurriedly corrected himself. "Hello, Uncle Lin." What does he mean by that?
Jiawen Li, knowing the chairman preferred to keep a low profile, quickly had the hotel owner disperse the welcoming staff. The atmosphere in the hotel lobby immediately returned to its usual bustle.
Lin Zhenhai grunted, not giving Xue Yang a kind look.
Lin Xi pouted unhappily.
Lin Zhenhai glanced at her. "Come with me."
Lin Xi looked back at Xue Yang, who nodded, signaling her to follow. Xue Yang then told his parents to go back to their room and change out of their wet clothes. They didn’t linger; meeting their future in-laws while looking so disheveled was indeed impolite. Xue Yang, however, stayed behind to wait for Lin Xi.
Lin Zhenhai didn’t take her far, stopping in a less crowded area.
"Dad, what brings you here?"
"Miss Lin," Jiawen Li explained from the side, "the Chairman came mainly to check on the seaside resort project."
For the Lin Corporation, a small seaside resort hardly required Lin Zhenhai’s personal attention.
Lin Xi looked at her father. He must know I’m here. He came specifically for me. I just didn’t expect to see him so soon.
Lin Xi hugged Lin Zhenhai’s arm, wheedling like she did when she was a child. "Dad, have you eaten yet? It was low tide today, so we caught a lot of seafood. We were just about to go back to the hotel to cook it."
Lin Zhenhai’s brow furrowed. "You went into the sea?" Look at her. She doesn’t have the slightest air of a proper young lady.
"Not exactly, Dad. It just happened to be low tide, so we went out to have some fun. The tide has come back in now, so we returned."
Lin Zhenhai observed Lin Xi closely. She was drenched from head to toe. He frowned even more deeply. She looks a complete mess, with no sense of decorum.
"Dad, I’m going to go change first. We can eat together afterward, okay?"
Lin Zhenhai nodded. Seeing her chance, Lin Xi quickly ran off as if making an escape.
I can’t believe I ran into Dad in Hui City. And for him to see me in such a disheveled state... Is he going to drag me away and never let me see Xue Yang again? If he tries that, I’ll defy him to the death.
"Xue Yang, let’s go back and change clothes."
Lin Xi ran up to Xue Yang and took his hand. At that moment, her racing heart began to calm down a little.
The two of them went back to their hotel room. Zhong Hailan had already changed into dry clothes. Seeing Lin Xi return, she asked with concern, "Xiao Xi, did your father give you a hard time?"
"Don’t worry, Auntie, I’m fine. I just came back to change."
"Go on, take a hot shower so you don’t catch a cold. Xiao Yang, you hurry and change out of your wet clothes, too. I’ll go make some ginger tea. Drink it while it’s hot when you two come out."
"Got it, Auntie."
"Got it, Mom."
Just as the two young people went into their room, Lin Zhenhai arrived as well. Seeing him, Zhong Hailan greeted him somewhat reservedly, "Hello."
Lin Zhenhai’s expression softened slightly. "Hello. May I come in and sit down?"
"Of course, please come in. I’ll go get my husband."
Zhong Hailan showed Lin Zhenhai to a seat at the tea table in the living area, then immediately went to their room to drag Xue Yuanqing out of the bathroom.
"Honey, I’m not done showering! Why are you in such a rush to pull me out? I’m still covered in sand, I need to rinse off," he said, trying to head back into the bathroom.
"Xiao Xi’s father is here. He’s in the living room."
Hearing Zhong Hailan’s words, Xue Yuanqing stopped in his tracks. "I’ll go put on some clothes," he said. He couldn’t meet Xiao Xi’s father wearing nothing, after all. How rude would that be!
Lin Zhenhai could overhear their conversation. From the way they interacted, he could tell Xue Yang’s parents were easygoing people. A family like that was usually a good one.
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