Chapter 23: Going with the Flow

Xia Rui’s retort was choked back by a few sharp words from Xia Rusheng, and even Madam Xia felt that Xia Rui had spoken out of turn.

"Move out as I told you to. Once this grandchild is born, we can discuss other matters. I will say this once and for all: do not expect to use your pregnancy to turn the world upside down. Without the Xia family, there would be no Xia Rui. Even if the child in her belly were made of solid gold, it wouldn't earn you the slightest advantage. The Xia family is not a place for you to negotiate terms. Learn to quit while you are ahead, or do not blame me for being heartless."

Madam Xia’s cold tone silenced the Tan family. Chen Yan wanted to make another scene, but Tan Xue pulled her sleeve to stop her. Xia Rui secretly cast a look of gratitude toward Tan Xue.

"Fine, we'll move! It’s no big deal! Once my grandson grows up, I’ll be able to have whatever I want, hmph!"

Chen Yan boasted arrogantly, clearly trying to intimidate Madam Xia and Xia Rusheng. Madam Xia, finding this family increasingly detestable, quickly ordered the servants to see them off. By the afternoon, the Tan family had moved out completely, and Xia Rui handed the property deeds for the two villas to Xia Rusheng.

"Xia Xia, keep these safe. It was my fault before; I didn't consider your feelings and let them live there for so many years. Please don't hold a grudge against your father."

Xia Rusheng flashed a wide smile and said, "Don't blame yourself, Dad. You've already done so much. Didn't you help me get the houses back? I always knew you cared for me."

Xia Rui touched Xia Rusheng’s hair with a dazed expression. Xia Rusheng suppressed the nausea rising within her and maintained her sweet, bright smile.

"How could I not care for you? You were just too rebellious in the past to notice. In truth, I have always treated you and Xiaoyu the same. Both are my children; how could I be biased? You should smile more—look how pretty you are when you do."

As he spoke, a flicker of something else appeared in Xia Rui’s smiling eyes alongside his feigned affection. Taking advantage of her good mood, he added, "Xia Xia, Elder Lin made himself very clear today. I will certainly return the inheritance your mother left you, but before that, could you do your father a small favor?"

Xia Rusheng felt truly disgusted, but she had to endure it.

"Go ahead, Dad. If I can help, I certainly will."

A flash of joy crossed Xia Rui’s face as he excitedly gripped her hand. "Go and find out for me exactly which plot of land Elder Lin was referring to."

"But Dad, didn't you say the company was facing financial difficulties? Buying land must be very expensive. Does our family still have that kind of money?"

Xia Rui’s expression shifted. Having told one lie, he now had to spin more to cover it. After a pause, he explained, "I will find a way to manage the funds. Fengcheng Investment is just now entering the real estate sector. If we can bid on a plot with high potential, we won't just make a huge profit—we’ll secure the company’s footing in the industry. That is why this land is so crucial. Xia Xia, please help me find out. Elder Lin likes you so much; he will surely tell you."

Xia Rusheng was no fool. This information was the bargaining chip the Lin family had given her to reclaim her inheritance; she would not reveal it so easily. However, she could not refuse him outright, so she arranged to meet Lin Yichen the next day to put on a performance.

To her surprise, it wasn't just Lin Yichen who showed up—Elder Lin himself had come as well.

"An old man like me isn't interrupting your date, is he?" Elder Lin joked before looking at her. "I know why you asked Yichen to meet you. You’re quite sharp, little girl."

Xia Rusheng gave a playful smile. "Since you’ve already called me sharp, I might as well be sharper. Elder Lin, charity begins at home—just tell me which plot it is. If the Xia family can't buy it, surely I can."

Elder Lin sipped his tea. "Do you have the money to buy it?"

Xia Rusheng smiled, undeterred. "Who says I need money? I can find a partner—I provide the information, they provide the capital. It’s a perfect way to profit without risk."

Elder Lin laughed heartily, admiring the girl more and more. She was neither servile nor overly cunning in his presence, a stark contrast to her cautious, obedient demeanor at the Xia house. She was a girl who knew how to adapt to different environments—smooth, yet not worldly-wise. She would make an excellent wife for a family of politicians.

"If you can truly pull off such a feat, that’s a fine idea," Elder Lin said nonchalantly, glancing at Lin Yichen.

The comment sparked an idea in Xia Rusheng’s mind. A candidate immediately jumped to mind, though it wasn't the one Elder Lin was hinting at. She remained non-committal, but Elder Lin took her silence for understanding. He used his tea to draw a symbol on the table, then tapped the top-left corner.

Xia Rusheng was startled—that was the land behind the Hyatt International Hotel.

Elder Lin dipped his finger in the tea again and drew two more zones around the plot. "Right here," he said. "A major project is coming to City A."

Xia Rusheng’s face lit up with a plan. After seeing Elder Lin home, she met with Lin Yichen privately, intending to be honest with him. But before she could speak, he leaned back, looking lazy and indifferent. "Let me state this first: I won't listen to the old man. He wants me to invest just to pave the way for my future in politics. I have no interest in that; running my media company is enough for me."

"That works perfectly, because I wasn't planning on partnering with you anyway," she replied just as bluntly.

"So, you're going to give up on those plots?"

"Of course not," Xia Rusheng firmly denied. That land, situated right behind the Hyatt, was key. If she could get someone to acquire it and compete with the Hyatt, she knew the Su family would have a very difficult time. "Not only will I not give up, I will make sure I get those plots!"

Lin Yichen eyed her sideways, skeptical. She couldn't even get her inheritance back; aside from some cash, she had nothing. Those plots would not be easy to secure.

"If you need help, just ask. I have the money. After all, you are my fiancée. When a wife is in trouble, a husband like me won't sit idly by."

Xia Rusheng glared at him with disdain. "Don't forget the conditions of our engagement! And stop calling me 'wife'—you might not find it cringeworthy, but the waiters are already uncomfortable."

Lin Yichen waved his hand, thick-skinned. "I've done all I can. Look, I even dragged my grandfather into this. And he’s given you the opportunity. As long as Xia Rui isn't completely short-sighted, you’ll get your inheritance back. The rest is out of my hands."

"You certainly know how to shirk responsibility!" Although she said this, she wasn't actually angry. It was true that the Lin family had done enough; they weren't married yet, so it was improper for them to intervene too deeply. In a sense, her agreement with Lin Yichen had been fulfilled.

"I’m serious. If you’re in trouble, don't carry it alone."

Lin Yichen spoke lightly, but his words carried a surprising weight for Xia Rusheng. She was touched, but she ultimately shook her head. An agreement was an agreement; she didn't like owing people too much because she couldn't afford to pay it back.

Besides, while Lin Yichen was wealthy, there was someone even wealthier.

She needed to find a benefactor far more powerful than him.