Chapter 21: Feigned Compliance

Xia Rusheng had suspected that Grandmother Xia would not let go so easily. Lin Yichen had once promised to help her reclaim her inheritance, but now, everything had been thrust upon her, forcing her to face it alone. And did she even have the right to say no?

Of course not.

"Father, what is wrong with the company?" Xia Rusheng asked, downplaying the situation; such a question was only reasonable.

"The company’s problems are neither big nor small, primarily a matter of cash flow. Your portion of the inheritance could perfectly resolve our liquidity issues. So, Father was wondering, could you use your money to help us out for the time being? When the time comes, I will certainly find a way to pay you back every cent," Xia Rui said with immense sincerity. There was even a look of worry etched between his brows, as if these problems were truly real.

Xia Rusheng had never paid attention to company affairs and had no way to distinguish truth from falsehood, but one thing was certain: Xia Rui was trying to trick her into relenting. If she didn't give in, she believed that Xia Rui and Grandmother Xia would soon find a way to swallow the inheritance entirely, and then it would truly be lost forever.

"Father, my money is your money. Since the company needs it, you can go ahead and use it. However, I have one request."

A flash of distrust crossed Xia Rui’s eyes, followed by surprise, which finally melted into a gentle expression. "Whatever your request is, Father will grant it."

Xia Rusheng looked at him with eyes full of innocence and sincerity. "Father, I don't care about the shares or the funds; those are just material things. What I truly care about are the two houses my mother left me. They are the only keepsakes left to me by my mother and my maternal grandparents. I don't like unrelated people living in them. Could you please have them move out?"

She spoke with a mix of grievance and coquetry. Looking at her, Xia Rui was inexplicably reminded of that woman again. If he hadn't been so young, arrogant, and prideful back then, perhaps everything would have been different...

"Very well, Father promises you. I will have them move out immediately," Xia Rui said with a smile, his hand absentmindedly brushing Xia Rusheng’s hair.

Xia Rui’s brief lapse in composure gave Xia Rusheng an illusion: it felt as if Xia Rui held a deep, profound love for her. It was just like the first time she had called him "Father"; back then, there had been an undisguisable excitement in his eyes, as if he had finally obtained something he had long craved. But wasn't it true that Xia Rui had no feelings for Xia Xia’s mother? Why would he display such a conflicted, paternal love toward her? Could it really be her imagination?

***

After Xia Rui left, Xia Rusheng called Lin Yichen to ask if there were any other options. However, midway through the conversation, the voice on the other end changed.

"You must be Xia Xia, right?" The person who had taken over the call was a kindly old man. His tone carried a mischievous, playful quality—lively yet intimate, and perhaps even a bit cunning.

"I am Xia Xia. You must be Grandpa Lin, right? Hello, Grandpa Lin." Xia Rusheng realized immediately; she recognized that voice.

In City A, who wouldn't recognize the most authoritative voice of the past?

"What a clever little girl, guessing who I am after just one sentence. Xia Xia, tell your grandmother and your father that I would like to visit them tomorrow. We are about to become in-laws, yet we haven't even met formally; it would be far too rude."

"If you are coming, Grandpa Lin, we would naturally be very happy to welcome you. I will go tell Father and Grandmother right away."

Xia Rusheng agreed repeatedly and said several things to amuse the old man before hanging up. After she went downstairs to deliver the news, Grandmother Xia and Xia Rui appeared pleased on the surface, but the moment Xia Rusheng turned away, their expressions shifted.

"Look at how this has turned out. He’s forced his way to our doorstep. That old man from the Lin family is a politician; he’s every bit as calculating as a businessman. If that inheritance stays with Xia Xia, it will eventually belong to the Lin family. He certainly won't let go easily," Grandmother Xia said, her anger no longer hidden once Xia Rusheng was out of earshot.

When their marriage was first discussed, the patriarch of the Lin family had been so arrogant he hadn't even shown his face. Now, because their initial attempt to intimidate the Xia family hadn't worked as expected, he was stepping in personally. He was determined to force the Xia family to hand over that inheritance!

"Mother, I have already settled this with Xia Xia. As long as she doesn't budge, what can the old man from the Lin family do? We aren't officially in-laws yet, and given the old man's shrewdness, he shouldn't be so tactless as to interfere," Xia Rui said. Thinking of how his daughter had looked earlier, his heart softened. He took the opportunity to mention his promise: "Mother, I intend to return the two villas Shen Yi left behind to Xia Xia. Tomorrow, I will have the Tan family move out."

It was the old lady who had allowed the Tan family to live there in the first place; now that he wanted to evict them, he naturally had to report it to her.

***

"Then where will they live? I don't want them causing a scene here when they find themselves homeless. I’ve seen enough of that family," Grandmother Xia said. She was still bitter about the incident at the resort; in all her years, it was the first time she had ever been kicked out of a resort.

"I will arrange it, Mother. Don't worry."

Grandmother Xia’s mind wasn't on those people anyway, so she said no more. Xia Rui went off to make arrangements for the Tan family, while Grandmother Xia began preparing to host their guest the following day.

By noon the next day, the Lin family patriarch, Lin Qi, arrived at the Xia residence in person. This was the first time Xia Rusheng had seen him in reality. Perhaps because he had been retired for many years and was no longer on screen, Xia Rusheng felt he looked much older than he did on television, yet significantly kinder.

"You must be Xia Xia. Indeed, you are even more beautiful in person than in your photos. No wonder that boy is so taken with you; he has good taste." The elder Lin was over a decade older than Grandmother Xia. His legs were no longer agile, and he walked with a cane. When he first saw Xia Rusheng, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, and he greeted her with a hearty, cheerful laugh.

Xia Rusheng guessed that Elder Lin knew about her plastic surgery. The murder case involving her predecessor had once rocked City A; it would have been difficult for Elder Lin not to know.

"Hello, Grandpa Lin." Before Xia Rusheng could finish her greeting, Xia Yu rushed over from behind, her mouth exceptionally sweet as she called out "Grandpa Lin" repeatedly, making Xia Rusheng appear cold and wooden by comparison.

"This must be Xia Xia’s sister," Elder Lin chuckled. One doesn't strike a smiling face, especially not a sweet-talking young girl. "How well-behaved and cute. Grandmother Xia is truly blessed."

Grandmother Xia smiled noncommittally, though her eyes betrayed her dissatisfaction with Xia Yu. Yet, Xia Yu was completely oblivious. As she walked the elder to his seat and prepared to sit right next to him, Elder Lin suddenly smiled and beckoned to Xia Rusheng. "Xia Xia, come here and sit by Grandpa’s side."