Chapter 977

At the tail end of August, Wuzhou's summer hasn't left yet.

Sunlight baked the airport expressway, the air steamed with a barely perceptible terrifying heat wave, and the traffic in the distance seemed to tremble slightly.

Today Lin Dongfan personally served as the driver.

Son Lin Fuxing sat in the front passenger seat, daughter Zhao Xia sat in the back, leaning against the window scrolling on her phone. Light music played in the car, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was unusually quiet.

With school about to start, the two siblings were heading back to Jing to study.

Chu Lingxi had originally come to see them off, but was temporarily called away by the school for a meeting; as she left, she was reluctant to go, urging Lin Dongfan to make sure he got the two children safely onto the plane.

Lin Dongfan glanced at Zhao Xia in the rearview mirror.

He instructed: "When you get to Jingcheng, don't forget to give your mom a call. If she doesn't answer, keep calling until she picks up."

Zhao Xia didn't even look up: "I know, you've said this three times already."

"Yeah, although my mom's not the sharpest, she's in her forties, not a three‑year‑old kid—how could she be kidnapped?" Lin Fuxing gave Lin Dongfan an eye roll.

At that moment, Lin Dongfan really wanted to slam the brake with one foot and pull over.

Then educate that unfilial son with a fist.

After thinking it over, he decided against it.

Beating a child is illegal.

Lin Dongfan snapped bluntly: "When I'm talking to your sister, you'd better shut your mouth, old man. Last time you drove without a license, I still haven't settled the score with you—don't get too full of yourself."

Lin Fuxing shrank his neck and immediately shut his mouth, knowing better.

The car turned into the parking lot.

Lin Dongfan casually found a parking spot and stopped.

The three of them got out of the car.

Lin Fuxing voluntarily went to the trunk to move the suitcases.

Zhao Xia stood aside, phone in hand, still scrolling videos. Lin Dongfan was about to lock the car when a hurried footsteps sounded from behind.

"Wait for me!"

Lin Dongfan turned his head at the sound.

He saw Yang Qing running over, holding a paper bag, sweat covering his forehead.

He wore a wrinkled striped casual outfit, pants equally wrinkled, leather shoes covered in dust, as if he had come straight from a criminal investigation scene.

Lin Dongfan asked with a smile: "What are you running over here to join in the fun for?"

"Who's joining the fun?" Yang Qing panted, bending over to rest his hands on his knees for a few seconds: "Fuxing is heading back to Jingcheng; as his future father‑in‑law, how could I not come see him off?"

Lin Fuxing's face flushed instantly.

Zhao Xia lifted her head, her gaze sweeping between Yang Qing and Lin Fuxing, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Uncle Yang, who in your family is so unlucky? Xiao Nan or Xiao Bei?"

"Zhao Xia, you can't badmouth your brother like that—he's perfect in my eyes." Yang Qing said solemnly: "Your brother and my Xiao Nan have been childhood sweethearts, innocent and close; your dad has already agreed to this."

Zhao Xia looked at her father Lin Dongfan; seeing him say nothing, she took it as acquiescence.

Zhao Xia then looked at Lin Fuxing; seeing the usually shameless Lin Fuxing, his face now red as cooked shrimp skin, he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

"Brother, you can do it." Zhao Xia gave a thumbs‑up, teasing: "When did this happen? How come I didn't know?"

"Nothing of the sort—don't listen to Uncle Yang's nonsense."

Talking about this in front of his sister, Lin Fuxing still felt a bit embarrassed.

Yang Qing pulled a book from the paper bag and shoved it into Lin Fuxing's hands: "Take it; you can read it when you're bored on the road. Once you're in Jingcheng, study hard and don't disappoint the expectations I and your father have for you."

Lin Fuxing lowered his head to look, and almost popped his eyes out.

He saw the cover emblazoned with large characters—《Guide to Raising a Worthy Son‑in‑Law》—and beneath it a line of small print: "From entry to mastery, teaching you how to be a qualified son‑in‑law." He flipped to the front page, where Yang Qing's handwritten signature read: "To the worthy son‑in‑law Fuxing, hoping you achieve success soon. —Yang Qing."

Afraid his sister would tease him.

Embarrassed, Lin Fuxing shoved the book back into Yang Qing's hands: "Uncle Yang, what is this? Did you buy it at a street stall?"

"What's wrong with a street stall? Books there are knowledge too." Yang Qing shoved the book back again: "You'd better read it carefully; I'll quiz you later."

"Hahaha, I can't—I'm dying of laughter…"

Zhao Xia clutched her stomach, squatting on the ground laughing: "Uncle Yang, you're so talented. If my brother ever marries Xiao Nan, are you going to have to give him a graduation certificate too?"

"Of course." Yang Qing nodded seriously: "Not only a graduation certificate, but also a degree diploma, and outstanding graduates even get a bonus."

"……!!!"

Lin Fuxing was so embarrassed he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

Lin Dongfan stood aside, watching this farce, merely smiling and saying nothing. Just then the airport announcement sounded, reminding passengers to board.

"Take your luggage and follow me."

Lin Dongfan led the way ahead; Yang Qing, apparently worried the future son‑in‑law would tire, hurriedly pulled Lin Fuxing's suitcase over, shouldering it like a laborer.

Until he saw the two brothers off at the security checkpoint, Yang Qing lingered, reluctant to take his eyes off their retreating figures.

Lin Dongfan kicked him: "All right, they're gone."

"Call me when you get there." Yang Qing waved at the two siblings as they walked away, only lowering his hand after Lin Fuxing replied.

They left the airport hall.

Lin Dongfan tossed Yang Qing a cigarette: "The bureau chief's position—you didn't get it; feeling disappointed?"

"What's there to lose?" Yang Qing lit the cigarette, disdainful: "I never had any interest in that Place City Bureau position; you're the one trying to shove me into a fire pit."

Lin Dongfan asked with a smile: "Then which position are you interested in?"

"If you're capable, push me toward a ministry post; I'm more interested in the chief position of the superior criminal investigation bureau." Yang Qing exhaled a light puff of smoke, as if life ought to be carefree and easy.

Lin Dongfan laughed and scolded: "You shameless bastard, I'll send you off to Jing right now…"

He hadn't finished speaking.

A size‑43 foot had already kicked Yang Qing in the butt.

Yang Qing was kicked and staggered forward two steps, steadied himself, turned and flashed a grin at Lin Dongfan: "This is what you said; I'll go back and write a résumé, you hand it in."

"Write away, I'll burn as many copies as you write," Lin Dongfan said.

Yang Qing narrowed his eyes with a smile: "Damn, that's slick." As if nothing had happened, he brushed off the dust on his backside and strode off with a step that acknowledged no kin toward the parking lot.

As he walked, he said: "By the way, Fu Xinping is also talented—he actually managed to snatch the meat from my mouth. So is it you who's incapable, or me?"

"You're incapable," Lin Dongfan said.

Yang Qing stopped and turned back: "Bullshit, no matter what position I drive in, I can at least speed for half an hour! How am I incapable?"

"Your brain is incapable."

Lin Dongfan took a slow drag of his cigarette.

He replied leisurely: "Old Guo said you lack grassroots leadership experience—a glaring weakness. Even if I were a master of drawing pies, I couldn't fill this gap of yours."

"Got it, it's you who's incapable."

Yang Qing turned and walked away: "Take comfort, later I'll get you a vat of deer penis wine to really tonic up, striving to get your back straight as soon as possible—damn it."