Chapter 80
Lin Sheng had sharply sensed his dad’s real target: the second-year, female high school student, Wu Manwen . So, he briefly sized her up while they were in the midst of introductions .
The girl had long hair, which cascaded down her shoulders . She was wearing a brown jacket on the outside and a simple white tube top on the inside along with a pair of prewashed jeans over her long slender legs and sneakers . Her attire was not cheap by the looks of it . Her face appeared exquisite with makeup, and she also had on purple contact lenses in her big, shiny eyes as well as silver earrings that were as large as eggs . Her flat chest aside, Lin Sheng would rate her an eight over ten .
He then shifted his glance to the boy, Wu Zong . Wearing a silver BB cap, loose T-shirt, ankle jeans, and some silver rings with skulls as decoration on his fingers, the teen was dressed like a little ruffian . However, the impatient look on his young-scholar face did not impress at all .
Wu Manwen and Wu Zong were also assessing Lin Sheng while he was sizing them up . Already a dab hand at makeup since little, Wu Manwen was one of the hottest girls in her school, where boys fell over backward to please and impress her . However, coming from a rather well-to-do family, she was not interested in any Tom, Dick, and Harry . In terms of looks, Lin Sheng was passable . But what she frowned upon was how he dressed .
Lin Sheng rarely decked out like this . It was overly formal and mismatched, definitely looking not right . She swept her eyes over Lin Sheng’s dad; by how he dressed and spoke, Wu Manwen quickly made an opinion of how well to do, or rather poor, this family was . She gnawed the chewing gum in her mouth and rolled her eyes in disdain, not wanting to talk anymore .
Her dad did not ask anyone to meet him when he came over, but the poor father and son had come unsolicited . And they did not decline the invitation out of courtesy . Just this alone, she had enough reason to despise them .
After the pleasantry, Lin Sheng and Lin Zhounian helped the family of four carry their luggage and left the bus terminal .
Lin Sheng had roughly figured out what was in his dad’s mind . Lin Zhounian was overzealous in Wu Manwen, complementing her elegance, beauty, and academic performance before turning around and euphemistically praised his own son . It was the most embarrassing moment in Lin Sheng’s life .
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Listening to the odd conversation and feeling something was wrong, Wu Deshan’s broad smile had collapsed into half-smile . It was not that he looked down upon Lin Sheng . Instead, it was quite the opposite . He had a damn good impression on this peacefully self-assured young man . But the thing was, it was not quite the right time, as both his daughter and Lin Sheng were still too young to talk about relationships . There was no rush for it .
With Lin Zhounina playing host, both families came to a restaurant beside the hotel and had a lavish seafood feast . Lin Sheng was seated next to Wu Manwen . While the adults were merrily chatting, Wu Zong yawned continuously, and Wu Manwen fiddled with her fingers .
“Sheng Sheng, why not share your stories about life in the third year of high school with the juniors?” Lin Zhounian shot a glance at his son .
Lin Sheng looked on helplessly . Apparently, Lin Zhounian’s suggestion was not well received . While Wu Deshan’s reaction was better, his wife appeared a little impatient .
“There’s not much to talk about,” Lin Sheng casually said with a smile, “except that life in the third year is more tiresome and busier that in the second year . ”
“Where do you live? Maybe we can meet up later in the day for dinner, my treat . ” Wu Deshan smiled .
“Huilian Neighborhood, right in the Blackwater district,” replied Lin Zhaonian sheepishly .
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“Huilian Neighborhood? How much is the value of the houses there? Is it a seaside city or a seaport? I’m sure the houses there fetch a high price . ” The woman began to poke into their family background .
“About four thousand yuan,” replied Lin Zhounian candidly .
“Four thousand isn’t bad for a place like that . ” The woman’s expression became even haughtier than before .
Wu Deshan quickly stared down his wife and then looked at Lin Sheng . “Sheng Sheng, how is your study? Do you manage? You look like you have done well . Perhaps you could share a little of your experience with them . ”
Lin Sheng smiled and just when he was about to say something, Wu Manwen sitting next to him suddenly raised to her feet . “Dad and mom, I’m going out to get some fresh air . ” It was a waste of her time sitting there . She thought her dad should have simply made up an excuse to send away the father and son instead of entertaining them . It was not that this father and son did not know they had been traveling the whole day and were drained . It was very annoying with them lingering on . Not waiting for Wu Deshan to respond, she excused herself and walked out of the private dining room .
“Uncle Wu, you all must be exhausted after a long day . If you’d allow, we should leave it to yourselves . We can still talk until next time we meet,” said Lin Sheng calmly, despite Wu Manwen’s abrupt walkout .
“Lin, your son is so much more thoughtful than my two children!” Wu Deshan sighed . “I’m sorry, Lin . Wen Wen is too spoilt . ” Wen Wen was Wu Manwen’s nickname at home . Earlier, just when his face turned stern and was about to chide his daughter for her rudeness, Lin Sheng’s words came, and he could not help looking at Lin Sheng with a pleasant surprise .
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As obtuse as Lin Zhounian was, he already sensed that they were being looked down upon . But running a grocery store all these years had trained him to not display his emotions on his face although he felt a little offended . “It’s okay, she is still young . Who has not gone through the same things at this age?” he said, dismissing the concern . The meeting ended in an awkward atmosphere . There went an expensive seafood feast .
Lin Zhounian and Lin Sheng left before the family of four . Walking on the sidewalk along the main street, both the father and son were silent . Lin Zhounian did not drive today . Even if he did, his ride was only a trishaw that he used to transport goods, and he would be too embarrassed for it .
“I’m sorry, son . ” Lin Zhounian suddenly patted on Lin Sheng’s shoulder .
“I’m fine, dad,” Lin Sheng replied with a smile . “But wouldn’t it too early to talk about this thing? I mean—”
“Not at all . Even your elder sister has a boyfriend now . ” Lin Zhounian sighed .
“What? When was it?” Lin Sheng was transfixed for a while .
“She told us just not long ago . The guy seems to be a good chap, well mannered on the phone and allegedly doing well in his study . But what’s more important is that he treats your sister well . ” Lin Zhounian shook his head . “Well, maybe I’m the one who cannot wait . ”
“I’m only in high school, dad . My biggest task is to study . ”
“That’s pretty self-conscious of you . ” Lin Zhounian could not hold back his smile .
“Because I know what I want in life . ” Lin Sheng smiled .
The father and son chatted along the way, and before they knew it, they had almost reached home . Lin Zhounian had to open his shop for today, so they parted way at the gate of the residential neighborhood . Lin Sheng watched as his dad left . The little drama about Wu Manwen and her family was only a small episode . He would not lose his composure just because of some random people and events . There were so many more things to worry about in life than harping on the slightest annoyance . He did not want these things to get in his way affecting his mediations .
It was Saturday, where he was supposed to check out the progress of the Ironfist Society . He dug up the money and stuffed them in a large briefcase, counted ¥860,000 in total, never mind the small change . He would not use this money in Huaisha because he had another plan in mind .