Chapter 70 First Impressions

He wore a pair of old-fashioned glasses with thick lenses on his nose, and his expression was stern.

This person was none other than Lin Li'an's father, Lin Yuanfeng, a veteran cadre who had worked in the government for many years and was known for his meticulous and stubborn personality.

Lin Li'an walked ahead, paused slightly, and said in a low voice, "Dad, I'm back. This is my girlfriend, Qiao Wanyin."

Qiao Wanyin smiled slightly, walked in with a composed gait, and said in a generous and appropriate manner, "Hello, Uncle."

The volume was just right, neither too loud nor too soft.

He was neither overly enthusiastic to arouse suspicion, nor did he show any fear or timidity.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanfeng, who was sitting on the sofa, slowly put down the newspaper in his hand.

His gaze wasn't fierce, but it carried the scrutiny and inquiry unique to the older generation. He looked her up and down before finally looking away.

Then he spoke, his tone neither hurried nor slow.

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

My son has been in the countryside for more than three months now.

They used to send letters reporting the situation one after another, but suddenly those letters have stopped coming.

When he returned this time, he brought back a girlfriend.

This change came too suddenly.

What's more, his wife has never stopped pressuring him to get married.

She spent all her time writing letters urging her son to return to the city for arranged marriages.

What if this is just a charade he put on to appease his parents?

Lin Yuanfeng frowned, deep in thought.

What wouldn't my extremely stubborn son do?

The military initially asked him to return to the city to reflect on his actions for a period of time.

He wouldn't listen to anything I said, and secretly ran off to the countryside saying he wanted to "accept reform."

Ultimately, isn't it just to avoid arranged marriages by parents and to avoid having their lives interfered with?

If that's the case, then this so-called romance is very likely a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Standing beside Qiao Wanyin, Lin Li'an sensed the probing meaning in his father's words.

He turned his head slightly to look at her, then smiled faintly and spoke slowly.

"What else could it be? Wanyin and I just hit it off, and it just happened naturally that we decided to be together."

Hearing this, Qiao Wanyin, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly, but she still maintained a smile on her face.

You're quick-witted; at least you didn't distort the truth in front of your elders.

At least he said he "felt a connection with her".

Instead of saying unpleasant things like Qiao Wanyin insisting on marrying him.

Hmm, that's not bad either.

As she pondered, a slight smile played on her lips as she nodded.

"What? You're officially dating?"

As Su Yufeng poured the water, her hand trembled slightly without her noticing.

"Wanyin, where are you from? Are you also an educated youth sent down from the city?"

Although this girl is pretty, she doesn't seem like the type who can settle down and manage a household.

However, he didn't say much after entering the room, and his expression and behavior were quite restrained, which made him seem quite composed.

If they really met while working together as educated youth.

That's somewhat plausible.

After all, they are both intellectuals who have received further education, so it's a good match.

Qiao Wanyin responded gently, "Uncle, Aunt, I'm not actually an educated youth sent to the countryside. I'm a local girl born and raised in the countryside."

Upon hearing this, Su Yufeng felt a chill run down her spine.

My whole body stiffened involuntarily.

Her son is so outstanding!

He got a job in the county's cultural troupe before he even graduated from university. He was handsome, educated, and kind-hearted.

How could he possibly marry a girl from the countryside?

No, I must find a chance to properly persuade my son later.

This kind of girl is not suitable at all.

The smile on her face vanished completely, replaced by a resentful glare at Lin Lian standing beside her.

"You made such a big decision without even telling your parents. You're really becoming more and more opinionated."

Her tone was slightly stern.

"Marriage is not a game. How can one person make such a life-long decision? Parents should be involved to give their opinions and advice."

Seeing this, Lin Li'an raised his head and said seriously.

"Mom, from childhood to adulthood, you have always taught me that we should treat everyone equally and that hardworking and kind people are the most lovable, right?"

Su Yufeng was speechless for a moment, unsure how to retort, her face turning slightly pale: "What... what are you saying? When did I criticize anyone just now?"

Lin Li'an simply shrugged lightly.

“You didn’t directly criticize anyone, but everyone can see and understand your every move. Have you considered what kind of thoughts this will make Wan Yin think?”

Qiao Wanyin blinked but remained silent.

Surprisingly, being straightforward has its advantages.

It's always much more comfortable to talk things out face-to-face than to keep it to yourself or risk misunderstandings.

She slightly raised her chin, revealing a smile that carried a hint of determination.

Seeing the slightly awkward atmosphere before her, she slowly began to speak: "Uncle and Aunt, although I come from the countryside and haven't received much education, I still have a heart that wants to strive for improvement."

"I'm learning new things with Li An now, and I'm planning to take the college entrance exam next year!"

She spoke sincerely, and a glimmer of light shone in her eyes.

Su Yufeng was speechless after being silenced by her son's words, and she still felt a tightness in her chest.

At this moment, he had no time to pay attention to Qiao Wanyin's words. He simply turned his head away, not even wanting to look at her again. He preferred to ignore her and didn't want to say anything more.

Lin Li'an spoke in a calm tone.

"Mom, haven't you been urging me to find someone soon? Now that I've brought someone home, you're not satisfied?"

"If you want to continue this stalemate, then we'll head back now."

He had long anticipated that his mother would not be too satisfied with his choice.

So the decision was made before bringing the person back.

No matter what happens, he must protect Qiao Wanyin and never let his girl suffer any grievances in front of his parents.

Hearing these words, Qiao Wanyin felt a mix of emotions.

The Lin Li'an before me is still the same Lin Li'an.

However, his attitude toward his parents seemed quite different from before.

This man...

Are we still living in a rebellious age?

Or is it that he became so stubborn in order to protect her?

"Lin Li'an, is this how you talk to your mother?"

Su Yufeng's lips trembled slightly with anger, her brows furrowed tightly, and she quickly walked to her son, staring at him with icy eyes.

She said it, and she was anxious as much as she wanted to be.

Actually, all I wanted was for my son to settle down and start a family as soon as possible, so he could have a stable life.

But her true thought was that she absolutely could not accept a rural girl with no education and an ordinary background.

Even her outstanding looks were of no use.

"What good is being beautiful if you have no knowledge in your head? How will you make a living in the future?"

She felt a vague unease, though her first impression of Qiao Wanyin wasn't bad.