238: Chapter 238 Thoughtful Brother-in-Law - 1

The meal concluded in an atmosphere that appeared harmonious on the surface but was actually filled with everyone's hidden agendas.

Jiang Ye wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin and was the first to stand up. "I'm finished. Please, everyone, take your time."

Seeing him stand, the others followed suit and set down their chopsticks.

Zhao Yumei's face was covered in smiles. "We're finished too. The dishes Xiao Jiang arranged were so exquisite; just a little taste of each was enough to get full."

The group left the private room and headed toward the elevator lobby.

Jiang Ye intentionally lagged half a step behind. As he passed by Lin Haoxuan, he casually patted him on the shoulder.

"Lin Haoxuan, wait a moment."

"Huh?"

Lin Haoxuan paused, looking at Jiang Ye with some surprise, and subconsciously glanced at his mother walking ahead.

Zhao Yumei turned back at the sound. Seeing Jiang Ye stop her son, a flash of joy crossed her eyes. Thinking the "brother-in-law" was about to give the "younger brother-in-law" some pointers, she quickly gave Lin Haoxuan a look.

"Oh, good, good. Xiao Jiang, you two chat. You chat. We'll head over to the elevator and wait."

With that, she pulled along a bewildered Sun Na and Wanxing, who was looking back every few steps, and left first.

Seeing the women walk further away, Lin Haoxuan scratched his head and turned to look at Jiang Ye. "What's up?"

"Show me your payment QR code."

"Huh? What for?"

Jiang Ye didn't explain much; he just shook his phone and gestured with his eyes for him to do as told.

Lin Haoxuan frowned suspiciously and stole another glance at his mother, who was looking back from the elevator entrance.

Seeing Zhao Yumei glaring at him, he reluctantly fished out his phone, unlocked it, and opened his WeChat payment code.

Jiang Ye aimed his phone at the QR code. After a soft 'beep,' he tapped quickly on the screen a few times.

Almost simultaneously, Lin Haoxuan's phone vibrated with a 'buzz,' and a payment notification popped up.

「WeChat Pay received: 20,000 Yuan.」

"Twenty thousand?!"

Lin Haoxuan stared at the notification on the screen, his eyes widening instantly, before his brow quickly furrowed again.

"Jiang... no, Brother-in-law! This... this isn't right, is it? We agreed on 200,000! You... you're missing a zero here!"

Jiang Ye's eyelid twitched. He suppressed the urge to roast him and maintained his cold, aloof persona.

"This isn't the bride price money. Aren't you getting married at the end of the year? That sum will be given to you then."

Lin Haoxuan let out an "Oh." Although he didn't quite understand the situation, his finger very honestly tapped [Accept Payment].

"Then... Brother-in-law, what is this money for...?"

As they spoke, they had already reached the restaurant entrance.

Just as Jiang Ye was about to speak, the previous hostess Girl saw him come out and suddenly gave a ninety-degree bow, her voice sweet.

"President Jiang, have you finished your meal?"

After speaking, she held out a tray with a hot towel on it with both hands, offering it respectfully.

"..."

On the face of this hostess Girl, Jiang Ye could clearly read a strong desire for the word 'fairness.'

Mhm... she probably compared pay with that 'high-level extra' in the private room and found out she was actually shorted three hundred, so she felt slighted.

He reached out, took a hot towel to wipe his hands, and then placed it back on the tray, his tone gentle.

"Thank you for your hard work. Secretary Su will handle the subsequent arrangements."

The hostess Girl's face immediately lit up with joy, and she bowed deeply again. "Thank you, President Jiang! Have a safe trip, President Jiang!"

Jiang Ye nodded slightly and stopped his pace, looking back at Lin Haoxuan, who was still pondering over the twenty thousand yuan.

"Even though Wanxing said what she did during dinner to save face for you all, I'm no fool. I know exactly how you treated her in the past."

Lin Haoxuan opened his mouth, subconsciously wanting to make excuses, but Jiang Ye seemed to have anticipated it and cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"No need to explain. I can choose not to pursue past matters, and I'm too lazy to do so, as long as you know what to do from now on."

"I get it, I get it..."

Lin Haoxuan curled his lip, clearly not very interested in this 'lecture.' He gave a casual brush-off and immediately followed up about the money.

"Brother-in-law, then this money... what exactly does it mean? Pocket money?"

Jiang Ye took in his reaction and gave a faint smile. "To be honest, I don't have much of a favorable impression of you all."

He paused, watching Lin Haoxuan's face instantly freeze, and continued.

"But for Wanxing's sake, I won't mistreat her family. Logically speaking, since you're my brother-in-law and you've come to Shengtian, it's only right that I take you out to have some fun and see the sights."

As soon as Lin Haoxuan heard the words 'have some fun,' his eyes lit up. "Right, right, right! Brother-in-law, you're right! It's time to have some fun!"

"However..."

Jiang Ye changed his tone, his face showing a hint of 'difficulty' and 'old-fashionedness' as he sighed softly.

"I've been quite busy these past two days and can't get away. And, to be honest with you, I don't really understand much about... entertainment projects between men."

He spread his hands, looking like a total 'innocent.' "I just asked a few friends, and according to them, twenty thousand should be enough for you to have a good time in Shengtian for two days. If you want to go, arrange it yourself."

These words were like heavenly music, instantly striking a chord in Lin Haoxuan's heart!

How was this 'not understanding'? He clearly understood too well!

He was too embarrassed to go to those kinds of Shengtians himself and was afraid his brother-in-law wouldn't have enough fun, so he simply handed over the cash for him to go enjoy himself!

What a considerate brother-in-law!

Lin Haoxuan suddenly became bashful, rubbing his hands together with a face full of 'embarrassment.'

"Brother-in-law... look at this... this is so embarrassing... making you spend so much..."

Jiang Ye waved his hand, just about to say 'It's fine, let's leave it at that,' when he heard this fellow add another sentence.

"But Brother-in-law... this big Shengtian is the provincial capital after all... the cost of living... hehe, 20,000 yuan... might it... be a bit insufficient?"

"..."

Jiang Ye looked at this guy with a forehead full of black lines—the guy who started calling him 'Brother-in-law' so smoothly the moment the money arrived, yet immediately complained it wasn't enough. He almost couldn't resist giving him a kick.

"Lin Haoxuan, listen well. This money is given for the sake of your sister, Lin Wanxing. Based on how your family treated her before, she's only worth this much to you. Understand?"

Lin Haoxuan was startled by his suddenly cold tone and shrank his neck back sheepishly. For the first time, he felt a bit of regret for not taking his sister seriously all these years.

He smacked his lips and didn't dare say another word.