Lin Chen was arm in arm with Mo Yu, feeling blissful. Her scent, delicate and girlish, intermingled with the soft rub of their arms against each other, setting Lin Chen's heart racing.
As they entered the hotel, they were greeted by a man and a woman. The man was around fifty, while the woman looked much younger, about thirty.
"Mo Yu, you finally came," the middle-aged man said, a sigh of relief escaping him as he saw Mo Yu.
However, Mo Yu's expression remained unchanged, and she whispered into Lin Chen's ear, "Lin Chen, this is my father, and that woman is my stepmother."
The middle-aged man, Li Jinshan, is a minor manager at a medicinal company in Zhonghai.
"Oh, Mo Yu, you brought a friend!" the stepmother Zhang Meiqi remarked, following beside Li Jinshan.
Li Jinshan also noticed Lin Chen and asked, "Mo Yu, who is this?"
Mo Yu said, "He is Lin Chen, a friend of mine."
"A friend?" Li Jinshan frowned upon observing Lin Chen's dress and manner.
Zhang Meiqi scoffed, "Not sure which prominent family's young master he might be? What do your parents do?"
Li Jinshan also stared intently at Lin Chen, waiting for an answer.
"Dad, Aunt Zhang, what are you talking about?" Mo Yu said, displeased.
Lin Chen, indifferent, smiled lightly, "I'm no scion of a prominent family; both my parents are farmers."
"Farmers?" Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, both Li Jinshan and Zhang Meiqi's expressions shifted slightly as they exchanged glances.
Li Jinshan, observing the two holding hands with an intimate demeanor, cooled his tone: "Mo Yu, keep your distance from this kid; he's not worthy of our Li family."
"Exactly, Mo Yu, look at this kid. He clearly wants to climb up our family tree, using you to escape poverty - a poor boy like him, how could he be worthy of you?" Zhang Meiqi chimed in.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Lin Chen is my friend, and I won't allow you to slander him ," Mo Yu angrily retorted.
"Humph, Mo Yu, you're still young; you don't understand the viciousness of this world. You know, there are many rich second generation boys chasing you because you're beautiful; why would you pick a poor boy from the countryside?" Zhang Meiqi furiously said.
Li Jinshan also snorted, "Boy, I advise you to stay away from our Mo Yu; you two are simply not a match; I will never allow my daughter to marry a pauper like you."
"Dad, enough! Ever since you've been with this woman, you've become more and more greedy. Regardless of Lin Chen's background, I like him. You want me to marry Zhao Jinlong; do you even know what kind of person he is? You're pushing your daughter into a pit of fire!" Mo Yu said, tears brimming in her eyes.
"You-you ungrateful girl, what nonsense are you talking about? Say that again," Li Jinshan, angered, coughed twice and shouted.
Zhang Meiqi, while patting Li Jinshan's back, said, "You ungrateful daughter, do you know how much your dad worries about you every day? You're so thoughtless; do you really want to drive your father to his grave?"
Seeing her father cough violently, Mo Yu's heart softened, and she fell silent.
Lin Chen, noticing this, a trace of coldness crossed his lips.
Li Jinshan's cough was clearly feigned; he was just putting on a show with Zhang Meiqi.
Unfortunately, Mo Yu was too kind, and fell for their deceit.
Mo Yu's eyes welled with tears, her appearance stirring feelings of pity.
Just then, Lin Chen spoke up, "Mo Yu, it's alright; I'll go inside and have something to eat. Don't worry, with me here, no one can bully you."
Watching Lin Chen's retreating figure, Zhang Meiqi sneered, "A toad lusting for swan meat, why would Mo Yu ever marry a penniless guy like you?"
At that moment, Li Jinshan stopped coughing and said, "Mo Yu, I've already spoken with the Zhao family. You're going to meet Young Master Zhao soon, let's settle this matter today. As for that young man, don't even think about it."
Hearing their words, Li Moyu's tears kept swirling in her eyes. She was thoroughly disappointed with her father.
Lin Chen sat at an empty table, eating food, but his gaze was fixed firmly on Li Moyu.
Meanwhile, under the coercion of Li Jinshan and Zhang Meiling, Li Moyu held a wine glass, toasting the rich second-generation attendees.
Li Moyu's expression was cold, full of reluctance.
Although Li Moyu's demeanor was indifferent, her appearance still gained favor from many people.
However, Li Moyu continually kept everyone at arm's length, merely going through the motions.
"Hey, can you stop making that bitter face? That's Young Master Zhao in front of you. Perform well and try to win his favor," Zhang Meiqi said coldly.
"Favor? Aunt Zhang, I've said it before, I don't like Zhao Jinlong at all," Li Moyu retorted discontentedly.
"Young Zhao Jinlong is the eldest son of the Zhao family, with assets nearly worth tens of billions. And he is the future successor of the Zhao family. It's a rare opportunity, Mo Yu, listen to me, forget that poor boy, understand?" Zhang Meiqi said coldly.
Li Jinshan also sneered, "Mo Yu, perform well later and everything will be fine. If Young Master Zhao is displeased with you, forget about attending university and playing basketball. Just stay home and learn some manners. You have to agree to this marriage, whether you like it or not."
At this moment, Zhao Jinlong approached with a beaming smile, holding a wine glass, "Hello Uncle Li, Aunt Zhang, hello Mo Yu."
"See how polite he is? Mo Yu, this is the kind of young man you should cherish," Zhang Meiqi said.
"Nephew Zhao, I've heard you and Mo Yu study at the same school. You should become closer in the future!" Li Jinshan said ingratiatingly.
Zhao Jinlong looked at Li Moyu, a hint of lewdness flashing in his eyes.
Being one of the school beauties, Zhao Jinlong had pursued her before, but Li Moyu never paid him any attention.
This time, with Li Jinshan willingly offering Li Moyu to him, he was naturally ecstatic.
"Uncle Li, rest assured, from now on, Mo Yu and I will be family. I will take good care of her," Zhao Jinlong said with a smile.
"Good, good, that's wonderful," Li Jinshan nodded in agreement.
"Who is family with you? Are we even familiar?" Li Moyu said coldly.
"How can Mo Yu speak to Young Master Zhao like that?" Li Jinshan said angrily.
As the music started, Zhao Jinlong, seemingly undisturbed, extended his hand: "Mo Yu, may I have this dance with you?"
Upon hearing Zhao Jinlong's invitation for Li Moyu to dance, Li Jinshan and Zhang Meiqi's faces lit up with glee, interpreting it as Zhao Jinlong taking an interest in Li Moyu.
But just then, a figure suddenly appeared in front of everyone. Lin Chen grabbed Li Moyu's wrist: "Mo Yu, this music is great. Let's dance."
Lin Chen said this and without further ado, pulled Li Moyu into the dance floor.
Zhao Jinlong stood frozen in place, watching Lin Chen and Li Moyu in the dance floor, his expression turning increasingly ugly.