Chapter 309: Conversation Two

Lin Zhenfeng looked up at the sky, was silent for a long while, and said, "At first Mom and I were over there, and when we learned you got married we thought you were acting on impulse, or maybe you'd been bewitched by that kid Lu Cheng. Now it seems he really does have something that attracts you."

Lin Qingyan admitted this point: "Dad, you've never had any contact with Lu Cheng; if you get to know him better you'll find he's not only an interesting person but also a very thoughtful one."

"Oh? Then it seems I indeed don't know Lu Cheng well enough. Hearing you praise him so highly makes me actually want to meet that kid."

Hearing her father's words, Lin Qingyan became excited: "Dad, does that mean you approve of me and Lu Cheng?"

Lin Qingyan very hopes to obtain her family's approval, especially her father's approval.

But faced with his daughter's question, Lin Zhenfeng did not give a clear answer.

"Dad can only say I support your decision, but you also have to get Mom's approval."

Lin Qingyan became disappointed again: "Why do we still have to listen to Mom's opinion? You could just decide directly."

Lin Zhenfeng laughed and shook his head: "Our family isn't a one‑man show; traditionally I handle external affairs, Mom handles internal matters. We're a family; if there are opinions we must communicate and reach consensus."

Otherwise, if Mom holds onto her opinion, even if she eventually approves your marriage, she'll still feel resentful, which is not good for family unity.

Lin Qingyan understood her father's meaning; matters at home have always been Mom's responsibility.

For example, when guests arrive, should we entertain them? How should we entertain them?

For example, when someone comes to the house to conduct business, should we help them? How should we decline?

For example, during festivals, what gifts should we buy, whose homes should we visit…

And so on—these matters, though outside Dad's work yet related to it, are all handled by Mom.

Dad's position is not suitable for dealing with these matters directly.

It's like when someone comes to the door for business; if Dad refuses, it harms the relationship; if he doesn't refuse, it goes against principle. At that moment Mom can play a very good mediating role.

Mother Yu Wanrong is a very clever woman; she can always handle such troublesome matters in an orderly and effortless way.

She neither makes guests embarrassed on the spot nor gives the Lin Family cause for complaint, and she also doesn't make her husband feel troubled.

Therefore, Lin Zhenfeng holds great respect for his spouse.

From this perspective, even Lin Qingyan truly admires her mother from the bottom of her heart.

"Yan Yan, your mother hasn't had it easy; these past few years she's endured hardships with me. Think about it—what kind of life did your mother lead before? After marrying into our Lin Family, what life does she lead now? You should know she comes from a wealthy family, a true lady."

"She can stay by my side without leaving, so Dad cannot ignore Mom's opinion; that's respect. Whether a marriage can endure long‑term precisely requires a foundation of mutual respect."

Listening to her father's words, Lin Qingyan didn't know what to say and lowered her head anxiously.

Lin Zhenfeng saw this, patted his daughter's head and said, "Alright, Dad says this so you understand—we're a family, a family must be united, must communicate, and you shouldn't be angry at Mom anymore."

Lin Qingyan nodded, leaned on her father's shoulder: "I know, I haven't been angry at Mom; I just feel she doesn't understand me."

Lin Zhenfeng sighed: "These past few years we haven't been able to stay by your side; you've gone through a lot and have grown and changed a lot… How about this: Dad will find a time to have a good talk with Lu Cheng. He's been back for a few days, and Dad really should visit the Lu family."

Lin Qingyan became happy, snuggling affectionately on her father's shoulder: "I still like listening to Dad; he's especially philosophical, unlike Mom…"

"Cough cough!" Lin Zhenfeng quickly coughed twice; Lin Qingyan noticed Mom walking over from behind and hurriedly stopped speaking.

Yu Wanrong, having already heard, said, "I want to say it outright, don't keep whispering with your dad."

Lin Zhenfeng quickly explained, "No, no, how could we speak ill of you? We were just praising you a moment ago."

Yu Wanrong didn't believe, "The two of you together, praising me? You just muddy the waters."

Lin Zhenfeng and his daughter exchanged a glance and laughed at each other.

Sitting under the pavilion, Yu Wanrong continued speaking to her husband: "I heard everything just now; you're going to the Lu family, right? Then you don't need to go."

Sitting under the pavilion, Yu Wanrong continued speaking to her husband: "I heard everything just now; you're going to the Lu family, aren't you? Then there's no need for you to go."

"You listen to me finish! Dad just returned, everything is unstable, not suitable for traveling around. Moreover, given Dad's position, there's no need for him to lower his status by going to the Lu family."

Lin Qingyan, slightly displeased, said, "Look at you, saying that again!"

"You don't need to worry about what I say; in any case Dad isn't suitable to go to the Lu family. If he must go, I'll go; I'll go tomorrow."

Lin Qingyan, a bit concerned, said, "If you go, you must speak properly with Uncle Lu."

Yu Wanrong sighed helplessly, then tapped her daughter's forehead: "You, as expected, are a married daughter whose water has been splashed out; now you're no longer of one mind with Mom, always leaning toward that Lu family."

Lin Qingyan embraced her mother's arm: "I'm not out of sync with Mom; Uncle Lu's family has been so kind to me, we should at least…"

"Fine, tomorrow I'll bring more gifts when I visit, that should be okay."

"Mm‑hmm, thank you, Mom."

Seeing her daughter's happy expression, Yu Wanrong's face showed little smile.

She had already decided; concerning the Lin Family's political future, an alliance with the Qin Family is very necessary.

At this moment the Lin Family's stability is paramount; romantic entanglements must be set aside.

The reason she proactively suggested going to the Lu family is that her daughter's temperament is too stubborn; no amount of persuasion works, so she decides to speak properly with the Lu family and let them voluntarily dissolve the marriage.

And the reason she took the initiative to say she would go to the Lu family is that her daughter's temperament here is too stubborn; no amount of persuasion works, so just have a proper talk with the Lu family and let the Lu family proactively dissolve the marriage.

At this moment the Lu family, upon learning the Lin family will pay a visit, is suddenly in a panic.

Chen Xianglan paced anxiously in the room: "Sigh, the Lin family really are high officials; they even send advance notice before visiting, probably fearing we won't be able to host them properly. Hey Old Lu, how shall we dine tomorrow?"

Lu Beitang, holding a Newspaper, thought briefly: "How else can we dine? Of course we go to the State-run Hotel. Since they've taken the initiative to visit, we can't neglect etiquette here."

Chen Xianglan agreed: "Eating at the State-run Hotel works too, just the dishes shouldn't be too cheap; I'm worried the household funds aren't enough."

"If the money's insufficient, just take out the passbook; we can't let the Lin Family have any complaints—this concerns our son's reputation."

Lu Beitang's idea is simple: he has already taken out the best items, and no one would have any objections.

Chen Xianglan hurriedly went to fetch the passbook: "Our San'er isn't home either; didn't he say he's gone to Shencheng to discuss some R&D project? He's quite urgent, probably won't return for a few days."

"That's fine; originally this matter is for adults to sit together and discuss. Whether he returns or not makes no difference, as long as we don't drop the ball."

For the Lin Family's upcoming visit, the Lu family prepared abundantly a day in advance, only awaiting Yu Wanrong's arrival.

For the Lin Family's visit this time, the Lu family made ample preparations a day early, just waiting for Yu Wanrong to come.