Chapter 66
Chapter 66: Scheming
Outside the family housing complex, Su Lin’s car stopped at the entrance. Seeing it was almost half-past nine, Su Lin said with a hint of helplessness, “I didn’t expect that we’d have to queue up for dinner. It’s late now, Xiaowan. Won’t your parents say something?”
Xiaowan, smiling, replied, “My parents might not even be off work yet. They are usually very busy and often come home late. And even if they are home, they wouldn’t say much.”
Su Lin nodded, “Then I’m relieved. Go on, see you at school tomorrow.”
“Sure! This time I’m definitely going to score higher than you,” Xiaowan said, raising her little fist in a gesture of determination.
“Hehe, it’s good to be confident. Let’s see the results tomorrow.”
Xiaowan, watching the feigned smile on Su Lin’s face, felt like punching him, but considering their stark difference in combat abilities, she ultimately just stepped out of the car in annoyance.
Watching Xiaowan’s retreating figure, Su Lin thought to himself that her silhouette was definitely killer-grade. Just one more month, and they would officially be in a relationship.
With a smile, Su Lin drove away.
Entering the gate, Xiaowan saw two cars in the garage, indicating that both her parents, Lin Guoqiang and Wang Xiaoqian, were home. She didn’t pay much attention to this, as she had come home late before.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw her parents staring at each other, seemingly in the middle of an argument.
Xiaowan’s eyes darted around before she greeted, “Mom, Dad, I’m back,” intending to quickly head to her room.
But Wang Xiaoqian wouldn’t let her off so easily, “Xiaowan, why are you in such a hurry? Where have you been so late?”
“Mom~! I just went out for dinner with some friends,” Xiaowan responded.
“Where did you have dinner?”
“At a barbecue restaurant on Xingfu Avenue. It was crowded tonight, so we had to wait for a table. That’s why I’m late. What’s up?” Xiaowan asked, sensing something odd about her parents’ behavior, especially their strange looks.
Wang Xiaoqian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. As long as it was just dinner, she was worried there might have been more to it. Little did she know, Su Lin indeed had other plans, but with Xia Shiyu around, they couldn’t go through with them.
“Oh~! Did you go alone?”
“No, why would I go that far alone? I went with friends.”
“Who were these friends?”
“Mom, what’s with the interrogation today?” Xiaowan frowned, her keen mind sensing something was off.
“It’s just that I’m worried about you dating~~,” Wang Xiaoqian sighed.
“Dating… How could that be? I’m not dating anyone,” Xiaowan said, her face turning red.
Both Lin Guoqiang and Wang Xiaoqian exchanged a look, realizing her blushing was akin to an unwitting confession.
Wang Xiaoqian stepped forward, “Xiaowan, are you sure you’re not dating anyone at school?”
Xiaowan nodded, “Really, I’m not.”
In her mind, Xiaowan thought about her bet with Su Lin, which hadn’t come into effect yet, so technically, they weren’t dating. Only after the bet would they officially be in a relationship.
Wang Xiaoqian observed Xiaowan’s expression, sensing she might not be dating now, but things could change soon. And she was pretty sure Xiaowan had developed feelings for a boy, likely Su Lin.
“Sweetie, your dad and I aren’t against you dating, but high school and college are crucial stages of your life. You should focus on your studies,” Wang Xiaoqian said.
“Mom, I’m second in the whole school. How can you say I’m not focused?”
“Second in the school? Weren’t you always the first?” Lin Guoqiang suddenly asked.
“It’s all because of that freak Su Lin. He scored 746 out of 750, with full marks in everything but Chinese. He’s not human, so he surpassed me,” Xiaowan said, stamping her foot, though she seemed more pleased than angry about it.
Lin Guoqiang felt a pang of frustration, wondering why she was proud of someone else’s achievements.
“746? That’s high. Is Su Lin really that good?”
Xiaowan nodded, “After today’s exam, I checked his answers. I was wrong again. He’s probably scored over 740, so I’m second again.”
“Oh? Xiaowan, isn’t there a parent-teacher meeting after midterms?”
Xiaowan nodded, “Dad, you’re so busy. You’re not thinking of attending the parent-teacher meeting for me, are you?”
Lin Guoqiang said righteously, “No matter how busy, I can’t neglect our daughter’s important matters. I’ll attend this parent-teacher meeting.”
Xiaowan looked at him as if she’d seen a ghost. Since elementary school, Lin Guoqiang had never attended a parent-teacher meeting for her. It was always Xiaowan who went, her solid academic performance usually keeping the teachers from fussing.
“Are you serious, Dad? You’re really going to attend the meeting for me?”
Lin Guoqiang nodded, “Of course. I feel guilty for never having done it before. Let me know when the school sends the notice, and I’ll make time.”
“Okay~! Thanks, Dad.”
Seeing Xiaowan’s smile, Lin Guoqiang was speechless, surprised that she was so happy over a mere parent-teacher meeting. At the same time, he wanted to meet Su Lin again.
Although they had dined together previously, Su Lin hadn’t said much, with the adults dominating the conversation. This time, he wanted to gauge Su Lin’s character.
Lin Guoqiang exchanged a look with Wang Xiaoqian, who then took Xiaowan to the bedroom for a new round of questioning.
An hour later, the couple discussed Su Lin in the bedroom.
“Xiaowan didn’t say it outright, but I can tell she really likes that Su Lin. She’s always been obedient and independent, so I don’t think she’s dating yet. What do you think, Lao Lin?”
Lin Guoqiang looked at Wang Xiaoqian and said, “I need a cigarette~!!”
“You dare!!”
“I can’t think without smoking,” Lin Guoqiang said, somewhat aggrieved.
“Smoke, smoke, smoke, it’ll kill you someday.”
“I’m telling you, just one.” Who would have thought the authoritative Lin Guoqiang would be so afraid of his wife? Lighting up, he said thoughtfully, “The way things are now, separating them directly won’t work; it would backfire.”
“But letting things develop is also not an option. Xiaowan is no match for that boy Su Lin. In just over a month, she’s taken a liking to him. That’s not something ordinary kids can do.”
“So we need to find a solution that works for both sides.”
“What solution? Tell me.”
“If force doesn’t work, then let’s try a softer approach. Starting tomorrow , let’s try to come home early. Xiaowan eating dinner outside isn’t ideal. What do you think?”
Wang Xiaoqian nodded, “What else?”
“Pick up and drop off from school~!! This way, their only time together will be at school, where there are people everywhere. I doubt that Su Lin would dare to be too bold there.”
“Can you do pick-ups and drop-offs?” Wang Xiaoqian gave Lin Guoqiang a skeptical look.
“Err… If I can’t, there’s still you,” Lin Guoqiang said, trying to please.
“But we need a valid reason. If we say this outright, it won’t work. Xiaowan is too perceptive.”
“Just say it’s for the college entrance exams. For her exams, both a mayor and a chairman will make time. She can’t refuse, can she?”
Wang Xiaoqian narrowed her eyes and nodded with a smile, “Not bad.”
“After the exams, we’ll take her to the Imperial Capital, and then for college, either go abroad or to Tsinghua or Peking University.”
“I definitely disagree with studying abroad, but Tsinghua or Peking University is okay. But what if Su Lin follows her there?”
“Hehe, I hope he does. The Imperial Capital is full of hidden talents, and Tsinghua and Peking University are gathering places for the nation’s top students. By then, Su Lin’s competitiveness, hehe…”
“Aren’t you afraid that our daughter will be taken away by someone else?”
“In the stronghold of the elite, Xiaowan’s standards will only rise. Eventually, she’ll set them so high that even we can’t find fault.”
“A daughter has to marry someday.”
Wang Xiaoqian remained silent.
“Alright, let’s do as you said. You do the morning drop-off.”
“Why me?” Lin Guoqiang’s face fell.
Wang Xiaoqian pursed her lips, the plan sounded good, but executing it would be quite a challenge for them.
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