"You like Lin Feng!"

Suddenly, Tang Zhendong spoke these words as calmly as if they were an afterthought, which startled Tang Rou. An acute embarrassment pulsated through her, making her feel as though her deepest secret had just been laid bare.

"I've watched you grow up since you were a child. Do you think you can keep anything from me? Heh, I just want to remind you not to make decisions solely based on your feelings, even when it comes to someone you like. Don't be too impulsive. You must get to know them clearly and carefully understand their character. Who knows, they might be a lecher, or they might be after our family's fortune..."

"Dad, Lin Feng is definitely not that kind of person..."

The moment Tang Rou spoke, she realized it sounded somewhat inappropriate. Wasn't this an indirect admission that Lin Feng was her boyfriend? Immediately, she lowered her head, too shy to say another word.

Seeing this, Tang Zhendong was even more convinced of his suspicions. With a resigned, bitter smile, he stood up and said, "You're grown up now, and Dad doesn't want to interfere too much in your affairs. You can make your own decisions about your life. However, you must let Dad know beforehand, okay? Everything Dad does is for your future happiness and well-being."

"Okay."

"It's late. Go to bed."

「...」

The next day, while Lin Feng was still drowsy, a call came from Jiang Xiuyun.

"Son, how did it go with Tang Rou yesterday?"

"Um... not much happened."

"HEH HEH, don't try to fool your mother. I asked the community security guard for the surveillance footage today. You didn't return to the complex until after twelve o'clock last night... HEH HEH, no excuses now. Honestly tell me, what did you two do? Oh, and son, don't you dare take advantage of her. Whatever you do, think clearly and remember to take safety precautions..."

"Safety precautions... Mom, can you please not be so nosy? You actually went to check the security office's surveillance footage? I really give up on you..."

Lin Feng, who had wanted to sleep a little longer, found all his drowsiness dispelled by Jiang Xiuyun's meddling. He got out of bed and glanced at the time—damn, it was already 12:30 PM!

"You're already 18, so Mom won't meddle in your affairs. However, Little Rou is the daughter-in-law your mom has her heart set on. You have to find a way to win her over for me."

"Mom, are you even my real mom? Are you the one getting married or am I..."

"Alright, alright, alright. If you don't like Little Rou, that's fine too. But then you'd better find someone for Mom who's even better than Little Rou, understand? If you do, bring her home, and Mom will vet her. Let me make this clear: if she can't pass my inspection, don't even think about bringing her into this house ever again."

"Ugh... Mom, you've really set your mind on Tang Rou, haven't you? Okay, you win. I'm going for lunch. Hanging up!"

Lin Feng was utterly defeated by Jiang Xiuyun. However, he couldn't possibly tell his mother that his confession to Tang Rou last night had been successful and that she was now his girlfriend. After all, a relationship was between two people, and it wasn't good to let family know too soon.

He casually ate some fried rice at a stir-fry restaurant near the entrance of his residential complex. Just as he was about to head home, Tang Rou called. "Lin Feng, are you busy this afternoon? My dad and I attended a banquet at the Jiahe Hotel, and I'm free this afternoon..."

Hearing this, Lin Feng quickly replied, "Tell me the location. I'll come pick you up."

「...」

In the Jiahe Hotel parking lot, Tang Zhendong and his housekeeper, Guo Yun, got into the car. The car started and headed towards the company.

At this gathering of entrepreneurs, many had brought their accomplished sons and daughters. Tang Zhendong had initially intended to bring Tang Rou out to see more of the world. He was confident that any of the CEOs' sons he picked could easily outshine Lin Feng. Perhaps then, Tang Rou would stop being entangled with that Lin Feng.

However, to his surprise, despite the endless stream of wealthy young bachelors who approached Tang Rou to chat, she remained aloof and seemed preoccupied, apparently not interested in any of them. This couldn't help but make him uncomfortable.

What annoyed Tang Zhendong even more was Tang Rou's subsequent refusal to let the driver take her home. It was obvious that if Tang Rou wasn't going home, she could only be waiting for Lin Feng to pick her up.

"Sigh!"

Sitting in the car, Tang Zhendong's brow furrowed with worry as he thought about how his usually obedient daughter had recently been repeatedly talking back to him because of Lin Feng. He lit a cigar, gazed out the car window, and sighed repeatedly.

"Master, you're worrying about Miss's affairs, aren't you?" Guo Yun perceived Tang Zhendong's thoughts.

Tang Zhendong nodded. "Who else could it be? In business, a loss of a few million is just a loss. But Rou'er is different; she's the apple of my eye. I can't let her be with a boy who has no prospects. Besides, she's only just turned eighteen; she's a bit young to be dating..."

As he spoke, Tang Zhendong shook his head continuously. Actually, he wasn't opposed to Tang Rou dating. He was simply worried that she was too naive and might be deceived. He also didn't want Tang Rou to end up with a man who had no future.

And Lin Feng, in Tang Zhendong's eyes, had a family background that was average at best. His mother seemed to be in a management position at a bank, and his father was in the military, though Tang Zhendong didn't know his specific role. What concerned Tang Zhendong more was the peculiar aura Lin Feng exuded. It wasn't something a boy in his teens should possess. Even he, a seasoned veteran of the business world, found it difficult to see through Lin Feng, let alone someone as pure and innocent as Tang Rou.

Therefore, Tang Zhendong was most worried that if Tang Rou and Lin Feng were together, Lin Feng would bully and deceive her.

"That Lin Feng kid, I heard his grades improved later on, and he applied to Jiangzhou University..."

"No wonder Rou'er insisted on applying to Jiangzhou University, no matter what!"

Before Guo Yun could finish, Tang Zhendong exclaimed in surprise, "So Lin Feng went to Jiangzhou University! It seems Rou'er really is..."

Seeing Tang Zhendong's immense worry, Guo Yun said, "Master, you've always doted on Miss since she was little. If you forbid Miss from associating with Lin Feng, I'm afraid Miss will resent you for the rest of her life..."

"That's precisely what I'm worried about, that Rou'er will resent me for life..." Tang Zhendong closed his eyes and sighed.

"So, right now, all we can do is carefully observe this Lin Feng. How about this: when you have some free time in a few days, I'll arrange for you to meet Lin Feng?" Guo Yun suggested.

Tang Zhendong opened his eyes, tossed the cigar butt out the window, and then nodded resignedly. "It seems that's the only way. Go and arrange it. Once I've dealt with company matters in the next few days, I really must talk to that Lin Feng kid. I'm going to be completely frank with him this time. You'll come with me. We need to thoroughly assess this boy's character and integrity."

"Understood. I will arrange the meeting with Lin Feng as soon as possible, according to your schedule."

"Good. Also, Rou'er must absolutely, under no circumstances, know about this."

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