Lin Tao didn’t take Ye Ling seriously and did not intend to respond to her. However, Gao Xique, after hearing Ye Ling’s words, hesitated for a while before lifting her head, looking timid, "We...we are dating." Thıs text ıs hosted at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Ye Ling’s suspicion was confirmed, and she nodded in understanding. So, it was ; it made things easier. Ye Ling ignored Gao Xique and turned her attention to Lin Tao, who stood there as if she owed him money. After sizing him up and down, she finally spoke.
"We’re here because of Bai Lianhua. Yesterday, she tried to kill herself by hitting her head at my family’s compound, asking us to help her with the issue of you harassing her. I heard you’re seeking her out because you don’t have money to get married. Now that everyone knows each other, let’s lay everything out in front of Gao Xique."
"Do you know each other?" Lin Tao asked Gao Xique by his side, then suddenly realized, "The cousin you mentioned, could it be him?"
Lin Tao was pointing at Shen Bin, who was standing silently beside them.
Upon being questioned by Lin Tao, Gao Xique felt even more guilty, nodded, and glanced at Shen Bin pleadingly, seemingly hoping that he wouldn’t say much. Ye Ling was puzzled by Gao Xique’s attitude. Even though they were getting married, Gao Xique and Shen Bin had nothing between them. Plus, Shen Bin was not the type to gossip, so worrying that he would reveal their past was impossible. Gao Xique appeared to be naive, so why was she acting now?
But Lin Tao’s reaction gave Ye Ling some clues.
As soon as Gao Xique nodded, Lin Tao’s demeanor shifted completely, warming up enthusiastically to Shen Bin, "So you are the cousin Xique mentioned! We must be fated to meet. When I marry Xique, we’ll be counting on you to look after us. Look, now that everyone’s here, don’t just stand around, please sit down. I’ll go wash some apples for you."
The Lin Family lived in a flat, but the house was neatly kept. After speaking, Lin Tao turned and left, leaving the three of them inside. Ye Ling turned to Gao Xique, "No wonder Lin Tao wants to marry you—turns out you have a good cousin."
As a man, Shen Bin was not suited to say certain things, so Ye Ling had to be the one to speak up. Besides, Ye Ling also thought of advising Gao Xique not to exploit Shen Bin’s status to boast outside.
"Cousin, I didn’t say much, I just mentioned your dad is a leader, nothing else. He doesn’t know about those matters." Gao Xique pleaded.
And the matters she spoke of, Ye Ling could guess some of them, likely about Gao Xique almost marrying Shen Bin. No one would be foolish, and since she was marrying Lin Tao, she wouldn’t reveal the negative parts of her past. Bringing up a leader’s identity without adding more was indeed a wise move. Seeing Lin Tao’s reaction and his intention to marry Gao Xique made it clear; the Lin Family was willing to turn a blind eye to Gao Xique, who came from a rural area.
Even Bai Lianhua was dismissed, yet Gao Xique was chosen. Ye Ling mused, it could only mean Gao Xique had a cousin who was a leader’s son.
"What you said is true," Shen Bin spoke calmly, "But my dad being a leader can’t assist you much. When you marry, you should discuss it well. Don’t make any moves under my dad’s name; otherwise, it might backfire on you."
Gao Xique was close to tears, nervously peeking outside, "I understand all of this. He’s working at the grain bureau, and I’m at the hospital, so there won’t be much need to trouble you, cousin. You know, I’m already this age; if I don’t marry soon, I won’t find a good one."
So, please help me just this once.
Ye Ling perceived her underlying thoughts, "Are you aware of his dealings with Bai Lianhua?"
"He told me that woman seduced him because she wanted to marry him," Gao Xique lowered her head, twisting the edge of her garment, "I don’t care about his past, as long as he treats me well from now on."
Ye Ling nodded; they’re a match in a way. You disregard his past, and he overlooks yours, perfect.
Hearing her husband’s faint cough, Ye Ling refocused, "Since you’re aware, it makes things easier. I’ve said my piece; do you want to take charge, or should he decide?"
"I...I don’t know about that matter." Gao Xique wouldn’t dare admit she gave Lin Tao the advice, "But since we all know each other, let’s just forget about it."
Ye Ling didn’t care much about what was truly happening between them. She came to resolve the issue concerning Bai Lianhua. "Alright then, since that’s settled, let’s agree that if this happens again, no matter the real truth, we should discuss it openly. If she’s driven to death by you, and you’re charged with extortion, no one will be able to help."
Upon hearing Ye Ling’s words, Gao Xique’s face paled even more, "Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I will definitely talk to Lin Tao."
Lin Tao entered with a plateful of apples just as she spoke, "Have some apples."
"No need. Regarding that issue, in the future, stop harassing Bai Lianhua. Since you’re getting married, live your life right and don’t take twisted paths," Shen Bin bluntly stated without any pretenses.
Lin Tao’s smile froze for a moment before he responded with a grin, "I’ll remember you, Cousin."
Ye Ling glanced, recognizing he was perceptive.
Indeed, with a leader’s dad, this big fish was much better than Bai Lianhua. Not lingering longer, Ye Ling and Shen Bin left the Lin Family’s door and headed back home in their car.
In the car, Ye Ling wanted to ask Shen Bin whether they should inform the Shen Family about Gao Xique. But they both remained silent due to the cold war between them. It wasn’t until they arrived at the compound that Shen Bin spoke first, "I’ll go to the army first. I might have to return there tomorrow or the day after. I’ll send the driver to inform the Shen Family."
Ye Ling didn’t respond, but now she knew what she wanted to and felt at ease. She got off the car and went straight home. Shen Bin glanced at his wife’s departing figure before instructing the driver to head to the army.
On another note, Lin Tao felt regretful after discovering that Gao Xique’s cousin was Shen Bin, "Had I known, I wouldn’t have gone after Bai Lianhua. Your cousin must have a bad impression of me now, right?"
"No, cousin didn’t say anything bad about you while he was here," Gao Xique, posing as a fake cousin, didn’t dare to boast in front of Lin Tao.
Lin Tao was pleased to hear this, "Rest assured, I’ll behave well in the future."
Gao Xique nodded absentmindedly. Seeing that it was getting late and intending to go home, Lin Tao pulled her back onto the bed, "With everything disturbed by them today, another moment here won’t hurt."