Chapter 18 Lifting the Siege
Xie Lin stood there with one hand in his pocket.
He was wearing a black t-shirt, with the top two buttons of the collar casually undone, revealing his smooth collarbone. He had broad shoulders, long legs, and deep-set, sculpted features, with a rebellious and unruly air about him.
His upturned, almond-shaped eyes lazily swept across the room, finally settling on Lin Mianmian's slightly pale face. His precious Mianmian was still so beautiful, but her complexion wasn't very good.
Xie Lin strode over at a leisurely pace, his footsteps particularly clear in the suddenly quiet restaurant.
Upon seeing who it was, the boy's arrogance instantly diminished, and he stammered, "Th-thank you."
Xie Lin ignored him and walked straight to Lin Mianmian's table. He was so tall that when he stood next to Lin Mianmian, the shadow he cast almost completely enveloped her.
He bent down and gently touched Lin Mianmian's slightly cold face with his fingertips. His brows furrowed, and his voice was filled with undisguised heartache: "Who made my darling unhappy, hmm?"
The intimate address and unabashed attitude silenced the chattering group instantly, their expressions a fascinating mix of emotions.
Bai Susu's delicate and aggrieved expression was almost too much to bear. She forced a smile and tried to speak: "Brother Xie Lin, we are just..."
Xie Lin glanced at her with a cold and irritating look, successfully making her swallow back what she was about to say.
Xie Lin straightened up, one hand still in his pocket, and with the other hand casually picked up a pretty little cake that was still unopened on Bai Susu's table, and held it to her lips, his tone so gentle it could melt your heart: "Eat something first."
"Honey, let me take care of some trash for you."
He then turned around, looking directly at the group at the table, a half-smile playing on his lips, but his eyes were chillingly cold: "Who was it that just now, saying my wife was marrying up and that I was just playing around?"
No one dared to utter a sound. Xie Lin chuckled lightly, a laugh that sent chills down everyone's spine. His gaze fell on the woman who had started the trouble: "You, you said it."
Woman B shrank back in fright. Xie Lin didn't press her further, but instead turned his gaze to Bai Susu, who was trying to remain calm.
His tone was laced with undisguised sarcasm: "Bai Susu, is your Bai family so poor you can't even afford to eat, or is this how you're raised that you need to bring a bunch of nobodies to bully the person I, Xie Lin, cherish so much?"
"Brother Xie Lin, that's not it. We're just concerned about Mianmian."
Bai Susu tried to salvage the situation, and tears welled up in her eyes.
Xie Lin seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. “Caring for her”? “Leading a group of people to mock her food and clothes, pointing fingers at her and scolding her for not giving her face, is that what you call caring for her?” He paused, and then spoke each word clearly throughout the entire restaurant.
"Besides, do you even know me? Just call me brother. We've only met once, including today."
"Since you're so casual, does that mean you can call anyone 'Dad'?" Xie Lin asked sharply.
Xie Lin pointed to the dog-like senior student outside the cafeteria and said to Bai Susu, "Where's your dad? Go bark!"
Bai Susu's eyes reddened even more.
"Listen up, everyone. Lin Mianmian, it was me, Xie Lin, who pursued her. I begged her to be with me, even shamelessly."
"I've never cared for anyone so much in my life, I'd give my life for her."
He took a step forward, getting closer to the group at that table, and his reckless, crazy energy really came through.
"From now on, if I ever hear anyone say a bad word about my wife, or see anyone give my wife a hard time, I will do my best to stop them from doing so."
"Regardless of gender, I, Xie Lin, have a hundred ways to make it impossible for you to survive in Beijing's social circles. If you don't believe me, go ahead and try."
His gaze finally landed on Bai Susu's pale face, and he warned her mercilessly: "Especially you, Bai Susu. Stop with your fake tears."
"And I heard from others that you and I are engaged?" Xie Lin sneered.
"That was a joke my dad made to your dad when he was drunk. Anyone who takes it seriously is an idiot."
He twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing an almost cruel smile: "If I find out again that you're causing trouble for Mianmian, I won't mind having your Bai family replace you with a more sensible daughter."
These words struck Bai Susu like a thunderbolt, leaving her utterly terrified. She stared at Xie Lin in disbelief, unable to believe that he would go to such lengths for Lin Mianmian.
Xie Lin, however, was too lazy to waste any more words with them. He bent down again and, as if no one else was around, coaxed Lin Mianmian, "Sweetie, don't be angry anymore. Let's go somewhere else to eat. Your husband will take you to your favorite private kitchen, okay?"
He reached out, not to pull, but to slip his hand under Lin Mianmian's knees and back, and lifted her steadily into his arms!
Lin Mianmian gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, her cheeks flushed: "Xie Lin! Put me down!"
"I won't let go." Xie Lin hugged her tighter, lowered his head and rubbed his nose against her hair, his voice muffled and a little aggrieved: "It's their fault for bullying you."
"My heart aches for you, I can't bear to say a harsh word to you."
He held Lin Mianmian in his arms as if she were a priceless treasure, and strode away from the restaurant amidst the shocked, fearful, and envious gazes of everyone present.
"So Bai Susu is just a clown after all," a girl watching the drama remarked.
"It was all staged. I really thought Lin Mianmian was the mistress. Turns out she was the one." Another girl chimed in. Bai Susu's face darkened upon hearing this.
Xie Lin stopped at the door without turning his head.
The voice was icy as it left behind the final words: "You caused trouble here today and got humiliated. I advise you to put away your vengeful schemes. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences."
The restaurant was deathly silent. Only Bai Susu remained standing there, her face ashen, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.
Lin Mianmian, who was being held tightly in Xie Lin's arms, listened to the strong heartbeat in his chest and felt his undisguised protection and favoritism. Her heart felt like it had been hit hard by something, both sour and burning.
But can this preference really last?
She didn't believe Xie Lin could remain devoted to her forever. After all, human nature is complex.
For a girl like her who has never experienced parental love since childhood and has been caught in too much rain, she suspects that anyone who holds an umbrella for her is deliberately getting close to her in order to hurt her.
Moreover, her partner is a top-tier heir in Beijing's elite social circle—rich, loving, fit, and with impeccable character. He saves her from danger time and time again; even novels wouldn't dare write something like this.
Her family background was completely incompatible with his in every way. They were from completely different social classes. If the gap weren't so large, she might have given it a try.
Now, Lin Mianmian sighed silently to herself, wondering what she should do.
"Snap out of it! Sweetie." Xie Lin called out affectionately.
"What are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought, huh?" He smiled, looking at the girl's delicate face.
Suddenly, Lin Mianmian's phone beeped.
"Aa ...
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