189: A conversation between two men

Chen Yuanhua reached out to interrupt Chen Yuxi, not letting her continue her explanation. Instead, he looked at Lin Zifeng and said, "County Magistrate Zifeng, you wouldn't mind coming to the study for a chat with me, would you?"

Seeing Chen Yuanhua stand up, Lin Zifeng stood up as well and said, "Of course, Secretary Chen."

"Yuanhua, Zifeng, we aren't at the office, so stop calling each other 'Secretary' and 'county magistrate' with every sentence."

"It sounds so formal and distant. We're going to be family from now on, so don't communicate like that at home."

Li Jing said with a smile.

"Alright, Auntie, I'll do as you say," Lin Zifeng readily agreed. Chen Yuanhua also nodded slightly, and the two of them walked upstairs one after the other.

Chen Yuxi watched their retreating backs, looking worried and as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Li Jing stepped forward, took her hand, and comforted her in a low voice: "Don't worry, Yuxi. Nothing's going to happen. Your Father won't let Zifeng be mistreated."

"I know Your Father; he definitely won't object to you two being together."

"Just rest easy and come to the kitchen with me to help prepare lunch!"

After saying this, Li Jing pulled Chen Yuxi toward the kitchen.

Lin Zifeng and Chen Yuanhua arrived at the study. Seeing a complete tea set on the table, Lin Zifeng reached out to pour a cup for Chen Yuanhua and then poured one for himself.

"Zifeng, I heard Yuxi say just now that you two have been dating for nearly three years?"

"If we follow that timeline, you were still serving in Heping Town back then, weren't you?"

"At that time, did you know Yuxi was my daughter?"

Chen Yuanhua asked meaningfully.

"Uncle Chen, I used to be Zhang Yuhao's Secretary. When he and I were both being investigated by the Discipline Inspection Commission, I was the first to be released. I was the one who called Yuqing to tell her that Zhang Yuhao was in trouble."

"That was when I met Yuxi and Yuqing, and I also learned about their relationship to you through Zhang Yuhao."

"Actually, when Yuxi and I first started being together, I had some reservations. I was afraid you would misunderstand my motives."

"That's why we kept our relationship private all this time."

Lin Zifeng spoke with an open and honest expression.

"I didn't expect you to be so sensitive, but I can understand your concerns."

"Now that it's just the two of us, speak to me openly. Once you knew about Yuxi's relationship to me, was that a factor in your decision to be with her?"

Chen Yuanhua stared intently at him as he asked. As a father, he wanted to know if Lin Zifeng loved his daughter wholeheartedly or if he had other intentions.

"Uncle Chen, to tell you the truth, I truly love Yuxi. I never intended to gain anything through her."

"If it were possible, I'd actually prefer it if my future wife didn't have a father who was a high-ranking official."

"Beyond not wanting people to misunderstand my purpose for being with Yuxi, I want to achieve the success I desire through my own hard work."

Lin Zifeng spoke very bluntly. Since this was his first time speaking with Chen Yuanhua as Chen Yuxi's boyfriend, he didn't want to leave any lingering doubts in the man's mind.

Seeing how frank and direct Lin Zifeng was, Chen Yuanhua nodded in satisfaction.

"To rely on one's own efforts to become a county magistrate in one's twenties requires not only enough talent, but also a necessary amount of self-confidence and pride."

"As long as you don't think I'm being arrogant, that's fine."

The more the two talked, the more pleasant it became. The slight restraint and tension in Lin Zifeng's heart slowly vanished.

While the two were chatting happily in the study, Chen Yuqing also returned home. Hearing the voices of Li Jing and her sister in the kitchen, she walked straight in.

As she entered the kitchen, she asked curiously, "Mom, Yuxi, what are you two talking about? You seem so happy."

"Yuqing, you're back? I have some good news for you,"

Li Jing said happily.

"Mom, what's the good news? You were being so mysterious, insisting that I come home for this."

Chen Yuqing asked casually.

"Yuqing, your sister brought her boyfriend home! He's in the second-floor study chatting with Your Father right now."

"Since your future brother-in-law is here, of course I had to call you back to meet him."

Li Jing said straightforwardly.

Hearing the news from Li Jing, Chen Yuqing guessed a possibility, but she still looked at Chen Yuxi and asked with a smile, "Yuxi, you've done a good job keeping this a secret, haven't you?"

"You've already brought him home and I'm only just finding out. I wonder who this 'Mr. Right' of yours is?"

"Sis, stop teasing me. You know him very well—it's Zifeng."

"We've been together for nearly three years. We only kept it hidden because of various concerns."

Chen Yuxi said quickly. Now that she had brought Lin Zifeng home, she no longer had any reservations.

"Wow, Yuxi! I didn't expect you and Zifeng to pull off such a secret affair. You've been together for that long? You really kept me in the dark!"

"I kept trying to persuade you to pursue a relationship with Zifeng; it seems I was worrying for nothing."

Chen Yuqing said, feigning anger.

"Sis, Zifeng and I both had a lot of concerns, which is why we chose to hide it from you and Mom and Dad."

"Please understand, okay? I know my sister loves me the most, so don't be mad at me, okay?"

As Chen Yuxi spoke, she stepped forward and hugged Chen Yuqing's arm, swaying it as she acted spoiled.

"Alright, Yufei, how could I be mad at you? I couldn't be happier that you and Zifeng are together!"

Although Chen Yuqing said she was happy, there was a trace of bitterness deep in her heart. It was just that she ignored it herself, so the feeling wasn't very obvious.

"You two sisters come over and help! It's getting late, let's hurry up and make lunch!"

Li Jing said with a smile.

The two sisters agreed and went to help together.

The three of them prepared a large, festive table of food. Just as Chen Yuxi was about to go upstairs to call Lin Zifeng and Chen Yuanhua for dinner, the two appeared at the top of the stairs, laughing.

"Zifeng, I told you lunch would be ready. It seems our timing is perfect."

Chen Yuanhua said with a laugh.

"I could smell the aroma from the study. Auntie's cooking must be excellent; I'll have to make sure to savor it in a moment."

Lin Zifeng said as he and Chen Yuanhua walked downstairs together.

Seeing the harmonious scene between the two, the mother and daughters were happy. Chen Yuxi, in particular, breathed a sigh of relief, her heart finally at ease.

After Lin Zifeng saw Chen Yuqing, he quickly greeted her.

Chen Yuqing smiled and said, "Zifeng, I didn't expect us to actually become family. This is wonderful. I wish you and Yuxi a swift journey to marriage and a lifetime of happiness together."

"Thank you for your blessing, Yuqing. I will definitely make Yuxi happy from now on."

Lin Zifeng spoke with complete sincerity.

"Zifeng, don't just stand there talking. Come and sit down. Let's eat and talk."

Li Jing invited him warmly. Lin Zifeng agreed and sat down at the dining table with the others.