Chapter 279

Chapter 279: Lin Family Meeting

Mei Fang brought Xia Yuan to meet Lin You Xi. Liang Meijuan, who came out to greet them, led the young couple into the courtyard. As soon as Xia Yuan and Mei Fang entered the house, they saw Lin You Xi sitting on the sofa drinking water, while Lin Guochuan sat on one side of the dining room.

It seems like they have already had a heated discussion.

“Uncle Lin, good day!”

Xia Yuan and Mei Fang greeted Lin Guochuan in turn. Lin Guochuan smiled slightly at both of them, “Yuan Yuan, Fang, you’re here to play? You Xi, don’t stay at home, go out and play with your friends?”

Lin You Xi shook her head, “If you don’t solve this matter, I won’t leave the house today.”

“You child…”

Xia Yuan sat next to Lin You Xi, holding her arm to comfort her. Mei Fang ran over to sit beside Lin Guochuan, pulling up a chair, then said softly,

“We’ve heard what You Xi has to say. Uncle Lin, I believe you can understand her feelings. Her words may be a bit forceful, but the issues she’s concerned about do exist.”

“I know you care for me, but I still prefer having something to do… Cough, cough.”

As an experienced construction engineer with over ten years of experience, Lin Guochuan often worked on-site. Whenever there was an issue at the construction site, he would always rush to provide guidance and assistance.

Although this job was very demanding, it used to be a high-paying career in its early days. The main reason why the Lin family was in such dire straits was largely due to the uncle’s influence.

Moreover, Lin Guochuan himself was rather introverted and only focused on his work, not skilled at socializing, which often cost him opportunities for promotion and raises. This was also something Lin You Xi didn’t want her father to continue doing; she didn’t want to see her dad being bullied at work all the time.

“You can go traveling with Mom, plant flowers, take care of cats, or even play cards. These are all things you can do, instead of working on-site where it affects your health greatly.”

Lin You Xi usually maintained a composed demeanor towards others, but when communicating with her father, she appeared somewhat insensitive. Her words were blunt and hurtful. Even Lin Guochuan felt a bit upset:

“Hmm… There are so many people working on-site, none of whom have had problems for decades. Someone has to do this job. Now that you can earn money and help support the family, I’m happy, but I have my own aspirations… Cough, cough.”

Lin Guochuan started coughing frequently, and Lin You Xi sighed, “Look at you now… you’re coughing more often.”

“This is just an old ailment, it gets worse in winter, but it’s nothing serious.”

“How can it be nothing serious? You make it sound so trivial.”

Xia Yuan rarely quarreled with her family and was quite at a loss seeing this situation. She patted Lin You Xi’s shoulder while looking at Mei Fang, who was sitting next to Lin Guochuan. Mei Fang also hoped Lin Guochuan would take better care of his health and cleared his throat before saying,

“Uncle Lin, you know You Xi’s temper… If we can’t reassure her, she probably won’t go to school with us… Plus, given your long-term work in construction, you might develop some occupational diseases…”

“So my suggestion is, since you have time now, let’s take you to the hospital for a check-up. If the doctor says your health is fine, I’ll help convince You Xi to drop her insistence; but if there are any issues, I hope you can rest and recuperate for a while. What do you think?”

At this point, Liang Meijuan nodded from the side, “Old Lin has been coughing for a year or two. I’ve urged him to go to the hospital several times, but every time he starts feeling better, he doesn’t go. I’ve been worried for a long time.”

Xia Yuan listened to everyone explain the situation and thought for a moment, then said casually,

“Coughing all the time… could Uncle Lin have silicosis or lung cancer?”

After saying this, she noticed Mei Fang frowning at her and realized she shouldn’t have spoken so freely. She immediately covered her mouth, “I don’t really understand these things… sorry… don’t take my words to heart.”

“Don’t worry, Yuan Yuan. I don’t smoke, so I shouldn’t get lung cancer.”

Lin Guochuan gave Xia Yuan a slight smile, but he couldn’t help worrying inside.

Although the possibility of lung cancer was low, if it were to happen, how could he handle it?

It wouldn’t matter if he himself suffered, but Meijuan and You Xi would suffer because of it.

Originally, he thought that if Mei Fang could be with You Xi and take care of her, he could feel at ease letting go.

But now…

Lin Guochuan coughed lightly, “I think Fang’s idea makes sense. Since You Xi is so worried about my condition, I should go to the hospital for a check-up.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Lin You Xi thought for a moment, “Right, Mom and Dad can go together for a check-up.”

“No need… I’m perfectly healthy. You Xi, don’t waste your money—”

“Mom, listen to me. Money is meant to be spent, saving it aimlessly is meaningless.”

“Um… You Xi, you’re right.”

Lin You Xi’s current approach had made her the de facto head of the Lin family. She was strict with her father but much gentler with her stepmother.

Lin You Xi insisted on taking Liang Meijuan and Lin Guochuan for a check-up. However, since blood tests and ultrasounds needed to be done in the morning, they could only schedule the check-up for the next day. Thus, the Lin family meeting ended.

After a day of intense discussion, in the afternoon, Lin You Xi was taken by Xia Yuan and Mei Fang for a drive to clear her mind and enjoy some bubble tea.

With childhood friends by her side, Lin You Xi’s mood improved significantly, and she began asking Mei Fang about the details of his visit to meet her parents.

“Scented perfume and fountain pens…”

Lin You Xi thought for a moment, “I remember Lamy isn’t considered a very good pen brand. Giving it to Uncle Xia might seem a bit low-key.”

“In small towns, it’s hard to find high-end pens. My dad doesn’t usually receive gifts, so that pen was probably meant for me,” Mei Fang said. “But Uncle Xia isn’t someone who would care much about this. As long as I show my sincerity, it’s fine.”

“I don’t quite agree… I think Uncle Xia is very detail-oriented. Even a slight lack of attention would be noticed by him.”

“I don’t think so.” Xia Yuan’s daughter chimed in, “I think my dad is strict with others but quite relaxed himself. Apart from the meticulous care he shows my mom, he’s generally laid-back.”

“Regardless, his efforts have brought him to his current position. Uncle Xia is a remarkable person, and we can learn investment and management skills from him.”

Lin You Xi, supporting her chin, looked at Xia Yuan and said, “Speaking of which, if Fang hadn’t worked so hard and earned so much money, do you think Uncle Xia would have accepted him?”

“Hmm… I think he might have opposed it, but he values my opinion a lot.”

Xia Yuan thought for a moment and said with her hands, “I don’t think so… If my dad dared to stop me, I’d hit him with a broomstick!”

“You’re really filial…”

While Mei Fang was complaining, Lin You Xi continued, “Maybe, in that case, you wouldn’t be able to persuade your dad, and Fang would become mine alone… Do you think that’s possible, Yuan Yuan?”

“Don’t think about such things! You’re dreaming!”

Xia Yuan made a silly face at Lin You Xi, and the two laughed in unison.

(End of Chapter)