Chapter 19: Playing Along

The next morning, just as dawn broke, Madam Xia arrived with the entire family at Xia Rusheng’s place. After Manager Yang’s subtle ultimatum the day before, Madam Xia had no face left to continue staying at the resort. Yet, as luck would have it, the temperature plummeted sharply that day, and heavy snowflakes began falling early in the morning. In such weather, returning to City A was impossible, and dragging the whole family around to find a hotel was equally impractical.

Still, what was the meaning of so many people crowding here?

A group of them exchanged glances, hesitant, until Xia Rui finally spoke up: “We just went to check the townhouse we booked earlier. Having so many people in one house is indeed cramped. Your mother is pregnant now, so it’s really inconvenient. Father was thinking, could a few people stay here with you?”

A king-size bed could definitely accommodate several people, but the problem was that she was unwilling!

Just as she was trying to think of a reasonable excuse to refuse, Lin Yichen entered, wrapped in a thick scarf and carrying a bag.

“Oh—Madam Xia, Uncle Xia are here too? If I had known, I would have bought more breakfast,” Lin Yichen said as he opened the paper bag, counting the contents to see if there was enough food.

Xia Rusheng had a sudden inspiration and said, “You stayed up so late last night. When did you get up to buy breakfast? How come I didn’t know?”

Lin Yichen was momentarily stunned; the remark sounded so ambiguous, as if they had genuinely slept in the same bed. Yet his mind worked quickly. Judging by the current situation, he roughly understood Xia Rusheng was fishing for an excuse. Her expression was calm, but her eyes revealed a lonely coldness that unexpectedly stirred a pang of pity in him. Remembering what he had discovered, Lin Yichen suddenly broke into a wide smile directed at Xia Rusheng.

“You slept like a little lazy pig, couldn’t even be woken up. Look, this is the specialty breakfast I ran out of the resort to get from City H. Try it quickly. I ran all the way back, fearing you’d catch cold. Your illness isn’t cured yet; you need to eat while it’s hot.” As he spoke, he tested the temperature with his hand—it was indeed still hot. He wasn’t entirely lying; he had rushed out early to buy this breakfast and ran all the way back.

“Just in time you’re back. I wanted to discuss something with you—”

“No need to discuss, Xia Xia, you and Young Master Lin should just stay here in peace. The rest, Grandma will find a way to deal with,” Madam Xia said. Though surprised by how much the two had changed overnight and displeased that Xia Rusheng, still a minor, was living with Lin Yichen, the only young master of the Lin family, she felt these concerns no longer mattered. As long as Xia Rusheng accepted Lin Yichen and married into the Lin family, she would overlook everything else.

Upon hearing this, Xia Yu bit her lip hard. Ever since yesterday’s visit, she had dreamed of living in this semi-open villa and soaking in the natural indoor hot spring. She had even convinced her mother to find an excuse for her to stay here, but Lin Yichen had spoiled her plans. She was unwilling to accept this!

“Grandma, Sister isn’t eighteen for another two months. Isn’t it inappropriate for her to live with Brother Yichen before she’s an adult?” Xia Yu firmly believed Lin Yichen was just pretending earlier. There was no way he liked that annoying girl, Xia Xia!

Lin Yichen swallowed the half-chewed food and slurred, “What’s the big deal? Xia Xia will be an adult in two months. Besides, I’m already twenty-six. I know what’s right and wrong. I won’t let Xia Xia suffer. More importantly, I really like her. Speaking of adulthood, Grandma Xia, I want to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for Xia Xia.”

Madam Xia had already planned this. In their business circle, once a girl turns eighteen, she officially enters various social events. The coming-of-age ceremony was their first step into these circles and was very important for every business family. Since Xia Xia’s and Xia Yu’s birthdays were close, she originally intended to hold a big joint ceremony. But since the Lin family was willing to host Xia Xia’s ceremony, it was an honor for the Xia family, so she had no reason to refuse.

“Then include Xia Yu’s as well. Their birthdays are near; holding it together will be more lively.”

Xia Yu’s nose twisted in anger. Why was she just an afterthought?

“Grandma, you’re biased. You said before that she should accommodate my schedule!”

Tan Li tugged Xia Yu’s arm, signaling her to stop, but Xia Yu refused to listen. Her eyes reddened as if deeply wronged. Tan Li’s heart ached; in past years Xia Xia didn’t celebrate birthdays, so Xia Yu, spoiled by Xia Rui, naturally wouldn’t accommodate anyone, especially not for a coming-of-age ceremony.

Tan Li signaled Xia Rui, who pondered and decided on a compromise: “How about holding it midway? A coming-of-age ceremony isn’t an ordinary birthday; having either accommodate the other wouldn’t be fair. Mom, what do you think of this plan?”

Before Madam Xia could respond, Lin Yichen said, “I won’t let Xia Xia suffer. I’m waiting for her to come of age so I can propose—I don’t want to wait a day longer. Since Xia Yu’s unwilling to accommodate, then let each have their own ceremony. For Xia Xia’s, I will take full responsibility in my name.”

Madam Xia understood Lin Yichen’s meaning: he didn’t want Xia Xia to endure any grievance and wanted to win her favor.

“Since Young Master Lin insists, we’ll do as you say.”

Lin Yichen threw a flirtatious wink at Xia Rusheng, who ignored him.

After the agreement, Madam Xia looked at the Xia family members and said, “If you want to stay here, book your own rooms. You’ve been warned: if you continue to tarnish the Xia family’s reputation, not only during the New Year but even on ordinary days, we will sever contact. Don’t think that marrying your daughter into the Xia family grants you privileges or power.”

Having finished scolding, Madam Xia left immediately. Xia Rui, still angry from last night, couldn’t bear to face his mother-in-law and followed her out. Tan Li looked at her family with difficulty and finally shamelessly asked Xia Rusheng, “Xia Xia, the resort rooms are hard to book. Auntie wants to ask a favor: since you know the manager here, could you help book another suite?”

Xia Rusheng sneered coldly. To think they still wanted to ask her for help at such a time—did these people have any shame?

“Mom, why beg her? Brother Yichen, I’m in trouble now. Are you helping or not? Don’t forget who helped you last time,” Xia Yu said stubbornly. She refused to bow before Xia Rusheng and would rather be kicked out than beg that hateful girl.

Lin Yichen looked up, then grinned widely: “No.”