Chapter 142: Hoping He Can Take a Beating

If it were the seventeen-year-old Lin Xi, she might have chosen to be with Qin Yu at this very moment without a second thought.

But the Lin Xi of today has long outgrown the impulses of that age. She is far-sighted, focusing her energy on the future. While love is important to her, her sense of self is paramount.

Zhou Jingheng understands this, of course. That is precisely what makes her Lin Xi. No one can ever be her tether.

The two did not stay outside for too long, fearing the elders would notice their absence. Upon returning to the Lin residence, Lin Xi could clearly sense an odd atmosphere. She sat on the sofa, feeling suspicious, and carefully observed her aunt opposite her. Then, her gaze swept across the faces of the Zhou couple.

Uncle Zhou wore his usual smile, appearing no different than before, but Aunt Qing seemed changed. When their eyes met, the warmth in hers was practically overflowing; she looked even more animated than when they had first met at noon. Lin Xi had a faint premonition that something significant had occurred while she and Zhou Jingheng were away. Her intuition told her it was likely not a positive development, at least not for her.

After finishing a cup of tea with trepidation, Lin Xi set her cup down, sensing the time was right. Just as she had guessed, the moment the cup hit the table, her aunt asked, "Xixi, were you just out with your second brother?"

"Oh, yes," Lin Xi explained. "We just walked around the entrance."

After a two-second pause, Lin Xi immediately diverted the conversation. "Aunt, I heard from Bai Xu that the fourth brother is going on a blind date?"

This was no trivial matter. Once mentioned, the elders began to discuss it. Aunt Qing was quite surprised, as she had only just arrived and was unaware.

"Cheng Si is going on a blind date?" To Aunt Qing, Cheng Si was an exceptional young man. Back when he was in middle and high school, he had no shortage of admirers. Everyone in the compound remembered how he once brought a female classmate home during his high school years. Cheng Si was glib and knew how to handle people; he was undoubtedly the most charming among the children in the compound. If the others were "reduced" to blind dates, it might seem normal, but for Cheng Si... Aunt Qing truly could not fathom it.

Her aunt nodded to Aunt Qing and then smiled at Lin Xi. "You are certainly well-informed."

"Bai Xu told me." Lin Xi didn't hesitate to sell him out. "He even told me that the girl didn't take a liking to the fourth brother."

Hearing this, Aunt Qing was even more shocked. "Really?"

"It seems so," her aunt explained. "You know about Elder Cheng's health. He is simply trying to hurry and get Cheng Si settled down."

With no outsiders present, her aunt didn't mince words. "Once the old man passes, Cheng Si will have no family left here." Not just in Beijing, but even on his father’s side, he only had a few cousins. There was no one truly close to him.

It was easy to understand the old man’s state of mind. After all, Cheng Si was the grandson he had raised; strict as he was, he had never been sparing with his love.

"That's true," Aunt Qing sighed. "Which family is the girl from?"

"The Su family from Huaicheng. But that child doesn't seem to have any feelings for Cheng Si; she is insisting on meeting Qin Yu."

"She likes Xiao Yu? How did that even involve him?"

Her aunt replied, "At the time, they showed her a photo of Cheng Si, and one of them was a group photo. You know how close Cheng Si and Qin Yu have always been. Through some twist of fate, she’s now making a fuss about wanting to meet Qin Yu."

"I just don't know what Cheng Si is thinking."

Lin Xi poured tea in silence and interjected, "Don't you worry, he won't overthink it. He’s probably happy about it."

Her aunt paused. "You child."

"It's the truth," Lin Xi continued. "He never liked these marriage-oriented blind dates anyway. He’s stood up the previous ones, and even though he got a good thrashing for it, he’ll do it again next time."

Calling it a "blind date" was just a polite term. In reality, it was a rushed encounter for both sides to simply acknowledge one another. Regardless of whether the individuals were satisfied, the parents and elders had already reached a silent consensus, with the next step being to prepare for marriage. There was no room for choice.

This situation was all too common in their circle. The network of connections in Beijing was woven together bit by bit in this manner. Most chose to comply, as many could not withstand the pressure from their elders; power and status were everything. But someone like Cheng Si was truly an exception.

Hearing this, her aunt and Aunt Qing slowly realized that Cheng Si's own parents had been a product of a political marriage—a failed one at that. Cheng Si’s resistance was not without reason. Did Elder Cheng not know something so obvious? He likely did, but unfortunately, the old man truly did not have much time left. Desperate for a solution, he had no other recourse.

"Xixi, don't you get involved in this," her aunt cautioned, fearing she might impulsively act as a lobbyist for Cheng Si.

"I know." Lin Xi understood that she had no right to interfere in their family affairs. "I won't say anything to Elder Cheng."

"Just pretend you don't know."

"Mm-hmm," Lin Xi agreed.

Lin Xi thought this matter had nothing to do with her; the only thing she could do was silently cheer for Cheng Si, hoping he would be more resilient to the "physical discipline" this time. Unlike Elder Bai, who only offered symbolic, verbal reprimands, or Elder Qin, who was a man of few words and harsh actions, Elder Cheng was a mix of both: he never held back his hand, but the verbal scolding was just as relentless.

To her surprise, when she went to visit Elder Cheng that evening with Aunt Qing and the others, the old man asked her to stay behind.

"Xixi, wait a moment." The group turned around. Her aunt started to speak, but Lin Xi stopped her. "Aunt, you all head back first. I'll stay and talk with Grandfather for a while."

It was clear Elder Cheng had something important to discuss. Her aunt was uneasy. "Let Jingheng stay as well. Xixi is afraid of the dark and will be scared to go back alone later."

"Alright," Zhou Jingheng agreed, and Elder Cheng raised no objection.

Once her aunt left, the crowded room became suddenly spacious and quiet. Elder Cheng beckoned them over. "Come, sit."

The old man could no longer leave his bed, so the two sat on chairs by his bedside. Elder Cheng forced a smile, his gaze fixed on Lin Xi.

"Xixi, what do you think of your fourth brother?"

"..." Sharp as Lin Xi was, she understood the implication immediately. "The fourth brother is a wonderful person, excellent in every way."

Before the old man could continue, Lin Xi smiled slightly and added, "However, I only see him as a brother. I have absolutely no other feelings for him."