Chapter Three: Father-in-Law? (First update, please support with flowers)

Xue Xi led Chen Hongxu to the study door. She seemed to know something about the guest her father was entertaining, for she didn’t even bother to knock; her face was cold as she pushed the door open and strode in. She was nothing like the polite young woman who had knocked so gently upon first visiting Chen Hongxu’s home.

As the door opened, hearty laughter rolled out. If one listened carefully, a trace of arrogance, almost brazen, could be heard beneath it.

Following Xue Xi inside, Chen Hongxu found only two men in the room. One sat in the main seat—a man in his forties, with a square face and a touch of beard, his expression rather sour. This was, without doubt, Xue Xi’s father—Xue Baishu.

Opposite him stood a young man, barely past twenty, his long hair carelessly draped over his shoulders. His face was so handsome it bordered on devilish, a faint smile still lingering on his lips. He wore a red shirt, and the aura he projected was so forceful it seemed to press upon the room.

Perhaps Xue Xi’s abrupt entrance had caught their attention, for both men looked at her, scarcely sparing a glance for the Chen Hongxu who followed behind.

Upon seeing his daughter, Xue Baishu’s features softened into a smile. “You’ve been away and turned into a wild girl. Have you forgotten your manners? Why barge in without knocking?”

Xue Xi ignored her father’s words, which masked affection beneath a veneer of reproach. She glanced impatiently at the young man and said, “Lan Zhao, since when did you become so persistent?”

Lan Zhao’s eyes flickered with a flash of greed and desire, quickly veiled. He put on a nonchalant expression, touching his nose and shrugging with an air of helplessness. “If I said I missed you, you’d just scold me again. But I really have business with Uncle Xue this time—it’s not just to see you.”

With that, he turned to Xue Baishu, nodded, and continued, “Since we’ve finished discussing matters, I’ll take my leave now. Please consider my proposal, Uncle.”

Throughout, Lan Zhao wore a genial smile, but just before leaving, he cast a fleeting glance at Chen Hongxu—a look, accompanied by a barely audible snort, that put Chen Hongxu doubly on guard.

“Dad, did you miss me?” The moment Lan Zhao departed, Xue Xi dashed across the room and threw herself into Xue Baishu’s arms, clinging to him as she pouted, “What was that hypocrite doing here?”

Xue Baishu chuckled indulgently, smoothing her hair, which had come loose in her leap. Without answering, he looked over at Chen Hongxu, smiling. “You must be the Chen Hongxu whom Master Situ has praised so highly. Young and already a hero—so you’ve agreed to take my precious daughter’s place in representing our Xue family in the Black List contest?”

Chen Hongxu nodded, unfazed by Xue Baishu’s lack of formal greeting. After all, he had just reunited with his daughter; perfunctory handshakes could wait.

A flicker of understanding passed through Xue Baishu’s eyes. “We’re grateful for your willingness to help. But things have changed. The young man who just left is from the Lan family, old friends of ours. He heard we were in a difficult spot and came to offer his assistance—”

A loud crash shattered the air—a glass ashtray lay in pieces on the floor, utterly destroyed. Chen Hongxu looked in confusion at Xue Xi, the culprit.

Ignoring her father’s shock, Xue Xi sprang up, putting distance between them. She glared at Xue Baishu, finger pointed accusingly: “Old man, don’t think you can pull your usual business tricks on me! This man is mine—I found him. I… I belong to him. Your scheming won’t work on my man.”

Chen Hongxu was dumbfounded. He hadn’t caught the subtle bargaining in Xue Baishu’s words, but Xue Xi was different. She knew the Xue family inside and out, perhaps better than anyone except her father. At first, she’d paid little heed, too busy tugging his beard, but the more she listened, the more she realized something was off. The Lan family, usually their rivals, suddenly eager to help? Ridiculous.

Seeing Xue Xi now holding Chen Hongxu’s arm, Xue Baishu sighed, “You’re not even married and already you’ve forgotten your own family. I raised you for over a decade, and you’ve only known him for a month or so…”

“Enough with the whining,” Xue Xi snapped, her face fierce. “Come over here, shake hands, introduce yourself properly. How old are you? Must your daughter teach you basic manners?”

Chen Hongxu could only stare—this father and daughter were a force of nature.

Xue Baishu hesitated; greeting a junior so formally felt beneath him. But when Xue Xi glared, he resignedly rose, muttering, “Alright, alright, don’t threaten to sever ties every time. If I didn’t worry you’d go hungry or get bullied out there, I…”

“Hmph, keep painting me black,” Xue Xi snorted, unconcerned.

Despite his lack of learning, Chen Hongxu knew enough to respect his elders. He freed his arm from Xue Xi’s grip, stepped forward, and introduced himself, giving Xue Baishu a way to save face.

Thanks to Xue Xi’s antics, this counted as Chen Hongxu’s official introduction to Xue Baishu. The patriarch returned to his seat, shaking his head as he watched Xue Xi cuddling up to the stiff Chen Hongxu. “As long as you like him, I won’t stand in your way—no matter who he is. But this situation is truly troublesome. That Lan Zhao wasn’t here to see you; he came to lay his cards on the table.”

“To lay his cards on the table?” Xue Xi echoed in surprise.

“That’s right. Although we tried to keep the old man’s death a secret, there are too many spies in the Xue family. The rise in incidents over the past year proves it. With the Black List competition approaching, the Lan family would never pass up the chance to take a bite out of us. Their condition is an alliance by marriage.”

“Me?” Xue Xi’s eyes darted to the now spacey Chen Hongxu, pride flashing—see, I’m in demand too.

“Of course you. Who else in our direct line is there?”

“Let him keep dreaming. Dad, you’re not actually considering it, are you?” Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and if Xue Baishu answered poorly, the consequences would be dire.

“Of course not. Lan Zhao is shrewd, to put it kindly; treacherous, to be frank. I’d never trust him with you. And those little rumors of his are nothing to impress you, my daughter.” Xue Baishu smiled ingratiatingly.

“These people have too much time on their hands. Didn’t Master Situ already spread the word that we have powerful support? Though Grandpa and he had their old grudges, the man’s character is solid—he wouldn’t trick us in this.” Xue Xi was puzzled. She tried to strike a thoughtful pose, but finding it uncomfortable, slipped her arms around Chen Hongxu’s waist and laid her head on his side, her expression fierce: do not disturb me, or else.

“Situ Shan won’t cause trouble, but he won’t exaggerate either. He said your man is on par with Gu Jisong, but that doesn’t mean he can stop all threats. So, what’s your plan? You’re my only daughter—waste the family fortune if you must.” In a bid to please her, Xue Baishu shamelessly acknowledged Chen Hongxu as her chosen one.

“Let Xu Xu go. He’s strong enough to secure the Black Card. As long as we retain that qualification, no one will dare make a move against the Xue family lightly. If we keep a foothold in the competition, those who act against us will never sleep easy. It’s an unspoken rule—no one wipes out a rival completely before the final moment.” Xue Xi closed her eyes, humming in earnest.

“Fine, the future’s yours to shape. I’m just your money-making machine.” Xue Baishu nodded, conceding her point.

“How could you say that?” Xue Xi caught the plaintive note in his voice, laughed, darted over to kiss his cheek, and then hurried back to nestle beside Chen Hongxu.

“So, that’s settled? Why not show your man around, help him get familiar with the place?” Xue Baishu suggested. “Tonight there may be some troublemakers to deal with—tell him to be ready.”

Hearing the chill in his words, Xue Xi exchanged a glance and a smile with her father, then pulled the now thoroughly claimed Chen Hongxu out the door.

Watching the closed door, Xue Baishu smiled softly and murmured, “Wife, our daughter really has grown up…”