42: What's wrong with Chapter 42?

After leaving the exam hall, Lin Xi spotted Chen Fan from afar. She quickened her pace and walked straight towards him.

Chen Fan took two steps forward to meet her and immediately asked, "How did it go?"

Lin Xi didn't speak. The slight smile she had on her face a moment ago vanished instantly, replaced by a faint sadness.

Chen Fan's heart skipped a beat, and his voice tightened slightly. "What's wrong? You didn't do well?"

Lin Xi remained silent, lowering her eyes. A hint of sorrow was faintly visible in her gaze, and her lips were pressed tightly together.

Chen Fan grew a bit anxious and took a step forward. "It doesn't matter if you didn't do well in English. You did well in the other subjects; your total score will definitely—"

Before he could finish, Lin Xi suddenly looked up and let out a giggle, her eyes curving into crescents. There was no trace of her previous sadness left.

Chen Fan stood there, stunned for a few seconds.

Then he realized he had been played.

"Very well," he narrowed his eyes and took a step forward, "you dare to trick me."

Lin Xi hadn't finished laughing and instinctively took a half-step back. "I was wrong..."

Before the words were even out of her mouth, Chen Fan had already reached out and grabbed her.

"Where were you wrong?" He looked down at her, his hand resting on her waist. He wasn't using force, but he didn't intend to let go either.

Lin Xi dared not move. Her face flushed bright red, and her eyelashes fluttered gently.

"...I was wrong."

Chen Fan didn't let go.

Lin Xi glared at him and whispered, "You... let go first."

"I can let go," Chen Fan said slowly, a slight smirk on his lips, "but first tell me, will you dare to trick me again next time?"

Lin Xi pursed her lips and stayed silent.

Chen Fan raised an eyebrow.

"...I won't dare to again." Lin Xi's voice was as small as a mosquito's.

Only then did Chen Fan release her and take a half-step back.

"Hmph~" Lin Xi glared at him, reached out to smooth her rumpled hem, and glared at him again. "You childish brat."

Chen Fan didn't speak, just looked at her and smiled.

Lin Xi felt embarrassed by his smile, looked away, and muttered, "The exam is over. What now?"

"I don't know." Chen Fan thought for a moment. "Go home first? Uncle and Auntie are still waiting at the school gate."

Walking to the school gate, Lin Xi's parents were indeed already waiting there—Father Lin was leaning against the car, and Mother Lin was standing on tiptoe, looking this way.

But to Chen Fan's surprise, his own parents had also come.

And they were currently standing together with Lin Xi's parents.

Wang Mei and Chen Jianjun were standing next to that silver skoda octavia, chatting with Mother Lin, smiling. Father Lin stood to the side, nodding occasionally.

The two cars were parked side by side, one black and one silver, quite conspicuous.

Chen Fan was stunned for a moment.

What was going on?

"Dad, Mom." Chen Fan called out.

Mother Lin was taken aback by the sound, a flash of surprise in her eyes. "This child, Xixi and him haven't even started anything yet, and he's already calling me Mom."

Before she could react, Wang Mei, who was standing nearby, smiled and waved. "Finished the exam? Come over quickly."

Mother Lin realized then that Chen Fan had been calling Wang Mei.

She was stunned for a second, then the smile on her face deepened—so the person she had been chatting with for over an hour was actually Chen Fan's parents.

This was such a coincidence.

After the two of them walked over, Chen Fan first greeted Mother Lin and Father Lin. "Auntie Zhang, Uncle Lin."

Then he turned to his own parents and introduced Lin Xi, who was standing beside him. "Dad, Mom, this is my classmate, and also Uncle Lin and Auntie Zhang's daughter, Lin Xi."

"Hello, Uncle, Auntie." Lin Xi bowed slightly, her voice soft.

Wang Mei smiled as she looked her over, her eyes full of affection. "This young lady is really beautiful."

Mother Lin leaned over and chimed in with a smile. "Sister Wang, I really didn't expect Xiaofan to be your son."

Wang Mei was stunned for a moment, then looked at Father Lin, and turned back to ask Mother Lin. "You've met Xiaofan before?"

"Yes," Mother Lin nodded with a smile and pointed to Father Lin beside her. "For these past two days, Xiaofan has been taking our old Lin's car to the exam hall. They've been going together every day."

Upon hearing this, Wang Mei smiled helplessly but with relief, looking at Chen Fan. "This child, he wouldn't let us drive him, fearing it would be a hassle for us to run back and forth, yet he ended up troubling you to pick him up. He's really inconsiderate."

Mother Lin quickly waved her hand, interrupting with a smile. "What trouble? It's all on the way! Xiaofan didn't want us to drive him at first because he was afraid of inconveniencing us; he insisted on it."

Chen Fan and Lin Xi stood to the side, watching the two women chat more and more enthusiastically, forgetting that their own son and daughter were still right there.

"By the way, since the two children have finished their exams, why don't our two families go eat together? It'll be a nice way to celebrate the children finishing."

Wang Mei was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a smile. "That would be great. It just so happens I'm too lazy to cook."

The two women looked at their respective husbands at the same time.

Chen Jianjun, standing by the car, nodded.

Father Lin also nodded.

And so it was decided.

Chen Fan and Lin Xi exchanged a look.

Lin Xi's eyes were full of "What is this situation?"

Chen Fan shrugged, indicating he didn't know either.

After deciding on a place, both families got into their respective cars.

The silver-gray Buick Excelle and the silver skoda octavia drove out of the school gate, one after the other.

The two cars drove for half an hour on the road and stopped in front of a large restaurant called Juxianlou.

The group walked inside. A waiter led them upstairs to a private room.

The private room was named "Zhongnan Pavilion," and pushing open the window revealed the night view of the county's main street.

Wang Mei and Mother Lin sat next to each other and started chatting as soon as they were seated.

Father Lin seemed very familiar with this place; he took the menu and started ordering.

"Let's have the Gourd Chicken, it's their signature dish." Father Lin flipped a page. "Steamed Streaky Pork, Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin, Golden Thread Oil Pastry..."

Mother Lin interjected from the side, "That's enough, that's enough. Six people can't eat that much."

"It's fine, we'll pack up what we can't finish." Father Lin didn't even look up as he continued ordering. "And a Guanzhong Braised Dish, a Hot and Sour Pork Tripe Soup. For cold dishes... let's have the Sliced Pork with Garlic Sauce, and a Mustard Cabbage."

He closed the menu and handed it to the waiter. "That's it for now; we'll add more if it's not enough."

The waiter acknowledged and turned to leave.

Chen Fan glanced at Father Lin.

Father Lin sensed his gaze and looked over.

Chen Fan didn't look away and smiled. "Does Uncle Lin come here often?"

"Yeah, work gatherings are often booked here." Father Lin picked up his teacup and took a sip. "The food is decent and affordable."

Chen Fan nodded.

Wang Mei was chatting happily with Mother Lin nearby, having moved from the college entrance exam to the neighborhood environment, and from the neighborhood environment to the children's childhoods.

After the dishes were served.

Father Lin picked up the drink on the table and cleared his throat.

"I'm driving today, so I can't drink alcohol. I'll use tea instead."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Chen Fan and Lin Xi.

Wang Mei and Mother Lin quickly picked up their cups, and Chen Jianjun also raised his teacup.

Chen Fan and Lin Xi exchanged a look and simultaneously picked up the drinks in front of them.

"Thank you, Uncle Lin," Chen Fan said.

Lin Xi followed quietly from the side, "Thank you, Dad."

The six cups clinked together, making a crisp sound.