Chapter 60
“Mengyao, come out, I have something to say to you.” Li Lihua shouted from downstairs to Lin Mengyao upstairs.
Li Lihua’s penetrating voice pierced through the door and reached Lin Mengyao’s ears. Lin Mengyao put the invitation away, opened the door, and exchanged a glance with Xu Ke, who was standing outside. Lin Mengyao could roughly guess what Li Lihua wanted to say, despite her efforts to hide it, a trace of less-than-enthusiastic emotion leaked out.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here with you.” Xu Ke naturally took Lin Mengyao’s hand, as if he had done so a thousand times before. Lin Mengyao’s hand suddenly fell into a large palm, making her originally unenthusiastic mood pause for a moment. After hesitating for a moment, she gently held Xu Ke’s hand, and the two walked downstairs hand in hand, leaving Li Lihua momentarily stunned. But she chose to ignore the scene, thinking about more important matters to discuss.
“Give that invitation from your grandmother to your sister.” Li Lihua couldn’t wait for Lin Mengyao to sit down on the sofa, speaking in a tone that was more of a notification than a suggestion.
“This is a reward from Grandma.” Lin Mengyao replied coldly.
“What do you mean a reward? It’s for our family. Besides, what use do you have for that invitation? You’re already married, it would be better for your sister to have it. She might find a rich husband at the banquet, which could bring you benefits and support within the Lin family. Why not?” Li Lihua said, standing with her hands on her hips in front of Lin Mengyao. Behind her, Lin Mengchen raised her eyebrows provocatively at Lin Mengyao, and when her gaze glanced over Xu Ke, she couldn’t help thinking about the man she met at the Emperor Club.
This time at the Yun Family banquet, he would also be there, right? She thought, determined to perform well in front of him and then bring him home to show Lin Mengyao. Let her see how her wimp of a man compares to her knight in shining armor. Lin Mengyao’s face would definitely look ugly then, she might even cry. The more Lin Mengchen thought about it, the more excited she became, and the smile on her lips grew wider.
Xu Ke keenly sensed the malicious gaze and returned Lin Mengchen a dangerous look. His gaze then focused on Li Lihua, who was still blabbering on. His stare successfully shut her up.
“Did you forget your choice that day at the hospital? From the moment you chose to take the agreement, Mengyao owes you nothing anymore, and you have no right to ask her to give up the invitation.” Xu Ke said coldly.
“What does it matter to you, an outsider, when our family is talking? Keep your mouth shut and get lost.” Li Lihua said, looking at the imposing Xu Ke, her neck stiff with defiance.
“Say that again?” Xu Ke squinted slightly, but it couldn’t hide the fierceness in his eyes.
“What if I say it a thousand times? Do you need me to remind you of your status? You’re just a hanger-on, a freeloader. You eat and drink from our family, what right do you have to speak to me this way? If you still want to stay with this family, you better shut your mouth early, or I’ll kick you out and leave you homeless.” Li Lihua said, pointing rudely at Xu Ke’s nose.
“Mom, have you said enough?” Lin Mengyao said coldly, pulling Xu Ke’s hand forcefully.
“Mengchen and I are both your daughters, why are you so biased? People’s hearts have preferences, I’ve never hoped you’d treat us equally, but you can’t be that biased, can you? You know how I got this invitation, it’s the reward of my sweat and blood. Why should I give it up just because you say so?”
“And you’re calling Xu Ke a freeloader. Has he ever freeloaded from you? Since the moment I joined the Lin Corporation, I’ve been paying for all expenses. If anyone’s freeloading, it’s strictly speaking you all living off me. So what right do you have to judge Xu Ke? Also, the car Lin Mengchen drives was bought by Xu Ke, shouldn’t you think about what you’re saying?”
Although Lin Mengyao had defended Xu Ke before, it was always done subtly. This was the first time she confronted Li Lihua so fiercely, standing up for him without hesitation when Li Lihua made things difficult for him.
Lin Mengyao’s display made Xu Ke feel like his heart was soaked in honey. He even forgot what he wanted to say, merely gazing at Lin Mengyao as if he wanted to imprint her into his eyes. Their clasped hands tightened further.
“What did you say? You spoke to your mother and family like that for a man? Do you even have a heart? Do you remember who carried you in her womb for ten months and took care of you, cleaning up after you? Aren’t you grateful at all? Are you that ungrateful? For a man, you can say such things. Do you know how you’re breaking my heart?”
“And think about it, you’re already married. What is the Yun Family banquet? It’s a gathering of young elites. Are you going there only to divorce and remarry? Instead of inviting gossip, let me go. We’re family. If I succeed, won’t I look after you?” Lin Mengchen said with a disappointed, frustrated tone, purposely omitting the topic of the car.
“Ha, should I thank you then?” Lin Mengyao sneered lightly.
“What’s your attitude? Your mother and sister are right. Ever since you got married, you’ve become disobedient and unruly. Have I taught you like this? Is this the Lin family tradition? You’ve almost shamed the Lin family. I think you shouldn’t go to the Yun family banquet, let your sister have it. Now you only disgrace us at home, unseen by outsiders. But if you embarrass us outside, how can we show our faces?” Lin Shichang, usually silent, also sided with Li Lihua and her daughter.