Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love

The items presented next were each more valuable than the last—an Imperial Green jade ruyi scepter, Tang Dynasty tea porcelain, and so on. The sight left everyone utterly stunned.

The feeling was akin to passing the ancient imperial examinations with flying colors, marrying a princess, and having your entire family ascend to prominence with you.

"This display is a bit much, isn’t it?"

"Are they afraid no one knows how rich they are?"

"But they *are* that rich."

To give away such valuable gifts without even batting an eye... most wealthy families wouldn’t bear to part with them.

Once the reality of the situation sank in, Xue Yuanqing didn’t even know how to describe his feelings.

"Brother Lin, these items are far too valuable. We can’t accept them."

Accepting such valuable things... The problem is, we’d never be able to return the favor. Even if we sold everything we own, it wouldn’t be enough.

"Brother Xue, this is just a token of my sincerity. It has nothing to do with the price. You must accept it."

"Brother Lin..."

If it had been anything else, Xue Yuanqing certainly wouldn’t have objected. He would have welcomed it even if the man had only brought a bag of fruit.

But this... How can I possibly accept it?

"These are gifts for the children. To refuse now would be treating me like a stranger. Come, come, sit down and have a drink."

Xue Yuanqing quickly sat down.

At that point, it was time for the feast to begin. The hotel staff started bringing out the dishes one after another. During the meal, Xue Yang inevitably made another toast and gave a speech of thanks, winning a round of applause.

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Lin Zhenhai, seizing the joyful moment, took Xue Yuanqing’s hand and said, "Since the kids love each other so much, how about this? I’ll make the decision. When they go back up north to Yancheng, we’ll hold an engagement ceremony for them. I hope Brother Xue has no objections."

"An engagement ceremony!"

His words instantly caused an uproar.

"Who was it that just said they wouldn’t approve? You call this disapproval?"

Sitting beside Lin Zhenhai, Lin Xi’s cheeks flushed crimson.

An engagement! I just discussed this with Si Wen a few days ago, and now Dad is bringing it up today.

Before today, she had been worried her father wouldn’t even attend Xue Yang’s housewarming banquet. He had mentioned bringing a gift, but Lin Xi hadn’t seen him go out to buy anything. It wasn’t until this morning that she finally couldn’t help but ask Secretary Li. That’s when she learned he was heading to Huicheng Airport to pick up a shipment. That shipment contained the very housewarming gifts her father planned to give Xue Yang’s family.

Lin Xi didn’t think twice and went with Secretary Li to Huicheng Airport, which was the main reason she was almost late.

Xue Yang was also slightly startled, clearly not expecting Lin Xi’s father to suddenly make such a proposal.

Xue Yuanqing laughed heartily. "The kids love each other, so of course, I have no objections to an engagement."

"I have no objections either," Zhong Hailan said. She had been worried Lin Zhenhai wouldn’t let his daughter marry her son. Hearing this, her anxious heart finally settled.

"Shouldn’t the engagement ceremony be held at the groom’s home? What kind of arrangement is it to hold it at the bride’s side?" Xue Yuanxia muttered under her breath. Having been repeatedly humbled today, however, she no longer dared to speak loudly. When she saw her husband frown, she immediately fell silent.

Yang Xiaozhi and Chen Fang didn’t say a word. It was someone else’s business and had nothing to do with them.

However, Chen Fang’s thoughts were in a tangle. Xue Yang would rather marry into her family than pursue my cousin again? After my last conversation with my cousin, I knew she had feelings for Xue Yang. Strong feelings, at that. If he had just persisted for a year or two, he could have definitely won her over. A person like my cousin is difficult to pursue, but once you win their heart, they’ll be loyal to you for a lifetime. It’s all upside, no downside.

"I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel like Xue Yang’s future father-in-law looks familiar," remarked Brother Zhong, Zhong Hailan’s second older brother.

"If you said Lin Xi looks familiar, that’d be understandable—she’s gorgeous. But saying her *father* looks familiar is just too much."

After all, it was natural for people to think a beautiful woman looked familiar. But feeling a sense of familiarity with a man in his sixties was a bit of a stretch. You didn’t need to try and curry favor like that just because the man was wealthy.

"No, I’m serious, he really looks familiar. Don’t believe me? I’ll find proof." Unconvinced, Brother Zhong stubbornly took out his phone, determined to find evidence.

I can’t be wrong. Xue Yang’s future father-in-law is definitely someone important.

So he went directly to a financial news website to search.

The others thought he was crazy. The man was a local tycoon from Yancheng; how could any of them possibly know him?

"I found it! Lin Zhenhai, the chairman of Lin Corporation!"

"Lin Corporation!?"

The name caused a wave of astonishment to ripple through the surrounding people.

"That’s right! Lin Xi’s father is the chairman of Lin Corporation! Look, doesn’t the photo on here look exactly like him?"

Hearing this, those nearby immediately leaned over to look. Sure enough, the photo of Lin Zhenhai, the chairman of Lin Corporation, was a perfect match for the man seated at the head table. To say they looked similar was an understatement—they were identical.

The guests at today’s housewarming banquet might not recognize the latest pop stars, but they would certainly know the chairman of Lin Corporation. Lin Corporation was deeply intertwined with their daily lives. Many of them had benefited from the company, their lives gradually improving over the years.

Once Brother Zhong’s group figured it out, the others naturally caught on as well. From that point on, the way people looked at Xue Yang changed once again.

「...」

Later that afternoon, some of Hui City’s leaders invited Lin Zhenhai to dinner, so he made his excuses and left early. Lin Xi naturally went with him.

"Looks like I have to go back on my word. I won’t be able to pick you up. Let’s head back to Yancheng together the day after tomorrow," Xue Yang said, gently stroking Lin Xi’s soft hair.

"Okay."

Afterward, they continued to see the other relatives and friends off. Soon, only Xue Yang’s family and their closest relatives from both sides remained in the hotel.

Xue Yang and Xue Yuanqing went to see the last of the guests out.

With the others gone, Xue Yuanxia found her chance to speak again, her tone dripping with envy. "No wonder Xue Yang is buying houses and opening a massive car dealership at such a young age. Turns out he has such a powerful father-in-law backing him up."

"Big Sister, what nonsense are you spouting? Xiao Yang achieved everything on his own. He didn’t rely on outside help like you’re suggesting!" Zhong Hailan could hardly believe her ears. No matter what, Xue Yang was Xue Yuanxia’s nephew, yet she was spreading such malicious rumors about him. Zhong Hailan could usually ignore the things her sister-in-law said about her, but today...