You went on a blind date and presented an A-level wanted criminal as a meeting gift?

The day before he set off, Lin Chen returned to his old house.

The small tea room remains the same as always.

The wooden sign at the entrance that read "Qingxin Yashe" was slightly crooked. Shen Manyun didn't want the hassle of nailing it back on, so she left it crooked.

When Lin Chen pushed open the door, Lin Zhiyuan was sitting by the window with a pot of Huangshan Maofeng tea in front of him and an old pipe in his hand, slowly puffing away.

Shen Manyun poked her head out from the kitchen, saw Lin Chen, smiled briefly, and then immediately stiffened up.

"So you finally decided to come back? How many days has it been since you last came home? Your mother has been waiting for you like the stars and the moon—"

"Mom, I have something important to do."

Lin Chen sat down directly opposite Lin Zhiyuan and poured himself a cup of tea.

Shen Manyun wiped her hands as she walked out of the kitchen, sat down on a chair next to her, and looked Lin Chen up and down.

Her woman's intuition told her that something unusual was amiss.

"What important matter is it? Speak."

"I'm going to Beijing the day after tomorrow and I might stay for a while."

After he finished speaking, the tea room was silent for a few seconds.

Lin Zhiyuan continued puffing on his pipe, but his gaze shifted from the window to Lin Chen.

Shen Manyun's expression froze at first, then a series of emotions quickly switched across her face—surprise, worry, reluctance, and finally she forced a smile that appeared calm.

"Going to the capital? For how long? What for? Who are you going with? Is there anyone to meet you there? Where will you stay? What will you eat—"

"mom."

Lin Chen interrupted her rapid-fire speech.

"It's for work purposes, I can't go into details, but someone will arrange everything, and I don't have to worry about accommodation or transportation."

Shen Manyun's eyes reddened, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she just reached out and took Lin Chen's hand, squeezing it again and again.

"You've always been headstrong since you were little, and I can't stop you."

Shen Manyun sniffed.

"Just one thing: don't be reckless, and don't try to tough things out."

"If anything happens to you, your mother will..."

"What are you saying?"

Lin Zhiyuan tapped his pipe on the corner of the table to extinguish the embers.

He stood up, walked up to Lin Chen, remained silent for a few seconds, and then slapped Lin Chen hard on the shoulder.

The palm strike was quite powerful, but Lin Chen remained completely unmoved.

Lin Zhiyuan's hand stopped on his shoulder, his calloused fingers tightening slightly.

"A man's ambition lies in all corners of the world."

The old man's voice was low, and there was an undisguised reluctance in his eyes.

"Go ahead, but don't embarrass the Lin family."

"dad."

"Alright, alright, what kind of behavior is this, a grown man acting all fussy?"

Lin Zhiyuan waved his hand, turned around and sat back down, then lit his cigarette again.

But Lin Chen noticed that he was smoking twice as fast as before.

Just then, the door to the tea room was pushed open.

"Auntie! I'm here! I made the osmanthus cake myself today."

Su Ke'er skipped in, carrying a food container, with her hair in pigtails and wearing a light yellow sweatshirt. She looked like a freshly peeled peach.

She saw Lin Chen pause for a moment, then her eyes lit up instantly.

"Brother Lin Chen! You're here too! Perfect timing, try some of my pastries!"

Su Ke'er placed the food container on the table and opened it with a series of clattering sounds.

The osmanthus cake was a little crooked in shape, but it tasted really good.

Shen Manyun wiped her eyes, took the pastry, tasted a piece, and forced a smile.

"Ke'er, your cooking skills are getting better and better."

"Of course! I've learned from you several times."

Su Ke'er puffed out her chest triumphantly.

Then she keenly sensed the heavy atmosphere in the tea room and looked left and right.

"What's wrong? You all look strange."

Lin Chen glanced at her.

Shen Manyun spoke up.

"Xiao Chen is going to the capital the day after tomorrow and may stay for a while."

Su Ke'er's smile froze on her face.

The osmanthus cake she was about to put in her mouth froze in mid-air for about two seconds.

Then she put the pastries back in the box, very gently.

"How long will it take?"

"uncertain."

Su Ke'er lowered her head and looked at the tips of her shoes.

Lin Chen got up and walked up to her.

This girl is usually very carefree, like a balloon filled with sunshine.

But Lin Chen knew her too well.

The more silent she remained, the more turbulent her inner world became.

He saw through the deep disappointment and worry hidden in her eyes; it wasn't feigned, it was genuine sadness.

But Su Ke'er was silent for only a few seconds before raising her head and flashing a bright smile at Shen Manyun.

"Auntie, Brother Lin Chen is going to do something important. We should stay home and behave ourselves so as not to distract him."

She walked over to Shen Manyun, took the aunt's hand, and spoke in a serious tone that was unlike her usual carefree self.

"I'll come keep you company every day from now on! I'll help you with the shop, make tea, and chat with you; I promise you won't be bored!"

Shen Manyun looked at Su Ke'er, and her eyes reddened again.

She reached out and touched Su Ke'er's face: "Good girl..."

Lin Zhiyuan watched this scene silently from the corner, smoking his pipe even more intensely.

A tender feeling welled up in Lin Chen's heart.

This girl is always like this; she can act spoiled and unreasonable in front of him, but when it really matters, she's more sensible than anyone else.

He reached out and grabbed Su Ke'er's wrist, pulling her aside.

"Brother Lin Chen, what are you doing—"

Lin Chen didn't say anything, but simply pulled her into his arms.

Su Ke'er froze instantly, her ears turning bright red.

She instinctively tried to struggle, but Lin Chen's arm was locked around her like an iron clamp, and she couldn't move at all.

"I... Auntie and Uncle are still watching." Su Ke'er's voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's buzz.

Shen Manyun and Lin Zhiyuan were indeed watching.

Shen Manyun's expression was "Not bad," while Lin Zhiyuan's expression was "You brat."

Lin Chen lowered his head, his lips close to Su Ke'er's ear, his voice very low.

"Once I've established myself in the capital, I'll bring you there first."

Su Ke'er's eyelashes trembled.

She didn't look up, but buried her face tightly in Lin Chen's chest, her hands slowly gripping the back of his clothes.

He nodded heavily.

Lin Chen could feel that the fabric on his chest was dampened by something warm.

He didn't say anything, but tightened his arms around her and rested his chin on the top of her head.

In a corner of the tea room, Lin Zhiyuan took a final drag of his cigarette, stood up, and walked toward the kitchen.

As he passed by Shen Manyun, the old man muttered something under his breath.

"That brat, where did he get his cunning from?"

Shen Manyun rolled her eyes at him: "Whatever."