Table for Two

Noticing Xiu Ling standing at the door, Elder Lin ordered her to take a seat at the table. Xiu Ling moved to oblige. Elder Lin poured a cup of tea for his daughter-in-law before putting down the tea pot. He took a sip of the tea before he asked, "Xiu Ling, do you know why I'm putting forth this challenge?"

While Xiu Ling ruminated for the answer, the pair of eyes that studied her was filled with intellect and wisdom. Xiu Ling had a broad idea in mind and she shared it with Elder Lin, "Is it because you wish to give me a chance to prove myself?"

Elder Lin nodded with approval. "I know you will understand it... unlike that son of mine. He has been blinded recently." Blinded by what Elder Lin did not elaborate but both of the individuals present knew what it was.

Instead of dwelling on that issue, Elder Lin expertly changed the topic by adding, "I've mobilized the entire board of directors because if you manage to win the challenge, then you'll be able to turn their impression around once and for all."

Xiu Ling had not considered that. She knew Elder Lin was setting up the whole thing to give her a chance to prove herself but she did not realize there was a reason why he had asked the whole board of directors to act as witness to the challenge. She was already mighty impressed by her father-in-law's forethought but Xiu Ling had no idea that was not the full extent of Elder Lin's careful planning.

"Do you know why I need the board of directors to be present?" Elder Lin asked.

"Is it because this way they'll be satisfied with the post that Lin Kang has given me at the company and they will stop creating those office rumours?" Xiu Ling speculated.

Elder Lin took a sip of the tea and continued, "So you have heard about those rumours." Elder Lin sighed, "People nowadays are spending too much time gossiping about others instead of working. Xiu Ling, you are half-right. If you complete the challenge, you'll be able to raise your head high at the company and more than that, you'll be treated as Lin Kang's equal."

Confusion appeared on Xiu Ling's face, she understood the first place but she was lost about the second part. Why would she need to appear as Lin Kang's equal? What does that have to do with anything?

Seeing the befuddlement on Xiu Ling's face, Elder Lin posed another question, "Xiu Ling, have you noticed Lin Kang has gotten increasingly public with your relationship?"

Now that Elder Lin mentioned that, Xiu Ling realized that was indeed the truth. Unlike when she just married into Lin family, Lin Kang now would invite her to go to events with him like he wanted to show her off to the world.

However, Xiu Ling found that to be honestly quite sweet. She failed to see wherein lies the problem. Believing her father-in-law would eventually get to it, Xiu Ling nodded as an answer to his question.

"Of course, this is through no fault of your own, it is simply how the business world operates. Our competitors might spread nasty rumours about you. Now only the company is talking but if our competitors are involved, perhaps the whole world might be talking.

"Lin Kang might not mind it, Xiu Ling, you might even not mind it yourself but I will not allow my grandson to grow up with these kinds of rumours flying around him.

"Therefore, the solution is to show the world that you are Lin Kang's equal and that you are both formidable forces that are not to be trifled with. That way, no one would dare to say anything and you might even get people to come rallying behind you."

Xiu Ling considered what Elder Lin had to say and she had to admit her father-in-law had even greater caution than herself and even Lin Kang. He had seen into the future and came up with the solution before the problem showed itself as a problem. With a leader like this, no wonder Lin Corps could stay at the front of the game for so many years.

In that situation, there was nothing Xiu Ling could say other than thank you. Other people, like Lin Kang, might think Elder Lin was purposely creating trouble for Xiu Ling and in reality, he was merely trying to help her and the Lin family. However, this did not mean that Elder Lin was not a fair person because when Xiu Ling thanked him, Elder Lin stopped her with a serious tone, "Xiu Ling, don't thank me so soon. What I've done is to extend you a challenge, you still need to depend on yourself to overcome this. Do not expect I will fix the test in your favour."

"Of course, father." Xiu Ling knew her father-in-law to be a fair person so she expected nothing less. If she was to win this challenge, it would have to be in a fair manner.

Elder Lin did not wish her good luck or success at the challenge instead he warned her of the possible consequence if she failed. Elder Lin's facial expression turned stern as he told Xiu Ling, "Based on what I've said earlier, Xiu Ling, I know you understand the importance of this challenge."

Xiu Ling nodded.