Chapter 1304: Family Banquet
The SUV that came earlier was just right for five people, but it felt too crowded with Lin Tian’s parents added in.
Fortunately, there was also a small truck that the family had bought a few years back, parked by the roadside, so there was no need to call a cab.
Mr. Lo and Ha Wenbing stood at the gate of Lin Tian’s yard, watching the young man and the white SUV go off into the distance, both with expressions as cold as ice.
"That car seems to be worth quite a bit, right?" Ha Wenbing seemed to be asking Mr. Lo, but also muttering to himself.
"A Volvo XC90, around 700,000 to 800,000 yuan," Mr. Lo said, taking a drag on his cigarette.
"700,000 to 800,000 yuan?" Ha Wenbing squinted slightly and asked coldly, "Since when did the Lin Family have so much money to afford such a nice car?"
Mr. Lo flicked his cigarette butt to the ground and stomped it out hard with his foot, saying, "When they built that house some years ago, they blew through almost all their money. Where would they have money for such a good car? It’s all that Lin Tian earned."
"Isn’t that kid just starting high school this year? Where would he get so much money?"
"You, kid, are always staring at the girls. You don’t even watch the news, and you don’t know the big things happening in town?"
"What big thing? Are you talking about Lin Tian? What happened to him?"
Mr. Lo was speechless for a full two seconds. This guy’s even cooperating with Lin Hao’s family on the orchard, yet he doesn’t know anything about their family’s big affairs.
"Mayor, tell me, please."
"That kid went to college to study medicine. His teacher is the best in traditional Chinese medicine in the country. He’s latched onto a big tree and has quite a reputation domestically too."
Ha Wenbing couldn’t help but laugh after hearing this, "Traditional Chinese medicine? People actually still go to see that? I thought it was something else. By the way, his money wouldn’t be from scams, would it?"
Mr. Lo gave Ha Wenbing a bland glance and said, "It’s all based on real skill and knowledge. He even published an article on traditional Chinese medicine in an international journal recently. He’s quite popular, and most importantly, he cured someone in a vegetative state. That can’t be faked."
Ha Wenbing instinctively widened his eyes and said, "No way? That impressive?"
"You can go online and check it out yourself when you get back," Mr. Lo said.
Ha Wenbing said with a gloomy expression, "Why didn’t you say this earlier, Mayor? If that’s the case, might handling the orchard be troublesome?"
The mayor sneered, "What? Don’t want the orchard anymore?"
"Want it! Why wouldn’t I? No matter how good Lin Tian is, he’s just a bookworm studying medicine. I’m not afraid of him, am I?" Ha Wenbing said, lighting up another cigarette for himself. After a few puffs, the image of those four women came into his mind, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Do you know what’s the background of those four women?"
Mr. Lo shook his head, "That I don’t really know, but judging from their demeanor, they should have notable backgrounds. I’m telling you, be careful not to provoke people you shouldn’t, or mess with women you shouldn’t."
"I know," Ha Wenbing replied casually, though the images of them still lingered in his mind.
...
Jufu Hotel, the best in town, though they don’t quite rate any stars. Compared to Celestial Dragon Hotel, it’s like night and day, completely incomparable.
But it was just a casual meal; the hotel’s quality didn’t matter to the four women. Even eating roasted sweet potatoes at Lin Tian’s house would be a joy. It’s not about the quality of the hotel, but about whom you dine with.
The private room Lin Tian booked was on the third floor of the hotel. After they all sat down, they called the waiter to serve the dishes.
"We couldn’t manage to cook at home today, so we’re eating here. Auntie’s been here before, and their food is quite good. Eat plenty," Zhang Nianping said with a cheerful smile, growing more fond of these four girls by the moment.
"Don’t worry, Auntie. We won’t be shy with you," Miaoqiu said, with a playful smile, contrasting her earlier assertive demeanor.
"Auntie just worries that you might be too polite," Zhang Nianping said with a smile, lightly nudging Lin Hao sitting next to her with her elbow.
Lin Hao, initially puzzled, understood as soon as he saw his wife’s gaze on his pocket. He quickly took out a faux leather pouch from his pocket and handed it to his wife.
Zhang Nianping took out four red envelopes from the bulging pouch, handing them with a smile to Liou Qingcheng, Bai Shishi, Mei Ruyan, and Miaoqiu, saying as she did, "This is a little token from Auntie, and you just mentioned you wouldn’t be shy with Auntie, so you mustn’t refuse."
"Thank you, Auntie," the four women said, accepting them with smiles and without hesitation.
Having met their parents, it didn’t make sense to refuse a red envelope given by the elder.
Leaning back in his chair, Lin Tian pretended to sulk, saying, "Mom, why don’t I get one?"
Zhang Nianping waved her chopsticks in the air toward Lin Tian’s head, jokingly saying, "In your dreams!"
The whole table burst into laughter once more.
They finished their meal amid jokes and laughter. Miaoqiu and Liou Qingcheng even complimented the hotel’s chef a few times, making Zhang Nianping all the more pleased. She only worried they wouldn’t like the food.
After lunch, the family came downstairs to find the weather outside not hot, with a cool breeze blowing. Zhang Nianping suggested walking back, not only to help digest the meal but also to show the four girls around town. Although the local malls weren’t as good as in Kanyue City, the air was better, and the environment was nice. Most importantly, leading these four beautiful, fairy-like daughters-in-law around town, greeting familiar faces and saying ’these are Xiaotian’s friends’ was something to be proud of.
The four girls naturally didn’t mind at all, sweetly coaxing Zhang Nianping until she couldn’t stop smiling.
However, Lin Tian and Lin Hao had to drive back; they couldn’t just leave the car there. Fortunately, they hadn’t drunk much earlier.
Because of the driving, Lin Tian and his father arrived home first. Lin Hao sat down on the sofa and began to make tea. He wasn’t as particular about it as Zhao Xuefeng was. He just put the tea leaves at the bottom of the pot, poured in hot water, then poured it into cups to drink.
Placing a cup of tea in front of Lin Tian, Lin Hao said, "Your mom and I used to worry about what kind of wife you should find. I didn’t expect you to bring home four, and they’re so pretty and gracious, I’m happy for you. Also, tell me, there aren’t more, are there?"
Lin Tian blew on the steaming tea, took a small sip, then smiled and said, "How would I dare to find more?"
"Indeed. Alright, enough of this. You’re grown up now; you should know what to do. Earlier, I heard from your mom that Shishi is pregnant? If it’s a boy, will he take the Bai surname?" Lin Hao asked.