"What?" Lin Chang furrowed his brow deeply. "This can't be true. Did you make a mistake?"
"Sir, our leader did indeed say so. If you're looking for someone, you can call them out," the security guard apologized with a smile.
"No need," Lin Chang said solemnly.
He didn't have any contact information for Lin Xuan, so how could he even look for him?
Lin Chang drove away with a heavy expression, found a parking spot, and waited outside the school for Lin Xuan to leave.
He was harboring a deep sense of dissatisfaction with Qing University's approach.
Yet, he couldn't afford to lose his temper.
Qing University's largest shareholder was Su Corporation, and he was afraid of offending Su Hua.
After waiting for three consecutive days, Lin Chang finally saw Lin Xuan.
"Xuan'er," Lin Chang spoke affectionately, completely devoid of the arrogance he had displayed toward Lin Xuan at Lin Li's birthday party.
"What do you want?" Lin Xuan frowned.
"Xuan'er, Father has some matters to discuss with you. Let's find a place where we can talk as father and son," Lin Chang said.
"Alright," Lin Xuan nodded. He had nothing urgent to do anyway, so he was curious about what Lin Chang had in mind.
They went to a restaurant near the school.
Lin Chang picked up the menu, intending to order some dishes he thought Lin Xuan might like.
As he glanced at the menu, his brow suddenly knit together.
He had no idea what Xuan'er liked to eat.
Lin Chang had no choice but to push the menu toward Lin Xuan. "Xuan'er, take a look at what you'd like. Order whatever you want."
"There's no need for a meal. Just get to the point if you have something to say. I still need to accompany…" Lin Xuan paused, his lips curling into a sarcastic smile. "The person who's keeping me."
The entire Lin family believed that his relationship with Su Hua wasn't genuine.
Since that was their assumption, he saw no point in explaining.
If they wanted to think of him as being kept, so be it.
For people he didn't care about, their opinions of him didn't matter.
Lin Chang's expression darkened slightly.
He despised Lin Xuan's apparent willingness to wallow in self-degradation.
Lin Chang suppressed the anger bubbling within him and feigned a concerned tone. "Xuan'er, is that woman treating you well?"
He was certain it wasn't.
A woman who only saw Lin Xuan as a toy couldn't possibly be good to him.
Lin Xuan retorted sarcastically, "At least it's better than being in the Lin family. At least I won't be stuck with a monthly allowance of four hundred, nor will I be subjected to abuse from every member of the Lin family."
Lin Chang was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Mr. Lin, if you continue to waste time with idle chatter, I'm afraid I can't stay any longer," Lin Xuan said, making a move to leave.
"Wait," Lin Chang quickly stopped him.
After waiting for several days, this was the first time he had managed to meet Lin Xuan. The next time might be even further away.
The matter of restoring cooperation with the Shen Family couldn't be delayed any longer. Every day that passed was a significant loss.
"Then cut the chatter," Lin Xuan leaned back in his chair, waiting calmly.
"Here's the thing. Due to what happened at Li'er's birthday party, it's clear our Lin Family has wronged Qianqian. His wedding with Qianqian can no longer proceed," Lin Chang sighed.
Lin Xuan frowned.
Why did he have a bad feeling about this?
"Sir, here's your water," the waitress brought over a glass of water and placed it in front of Lin Xuan.
"Thank you," Lin Xuan said, picking it up and taking a big gulp.
Lin Chang continued, "So, Xuan'er, Father wants to transfer Li'er's engagement with Qianqian to you."
"Pfft—"
Lin Xuan hadn't even swallowed the water when Lin Chang's words caused him to spray it all out.
"You said who?" Lin Xuan's face was filled with shock. "Shen Qianqian?"
"Yes," Lin Chang nodded. "When you were still in your mother's womb, the Shen Family and the Lin Family had already arranged a betrothal. It was a mistake that caused Li'er and Qianqian to become engaged."
"Perhaps it was fate that you two were meant to be together, which is why Li'er's situation with Qin Ruoyao occurred."
Lin Xuan was speechless. Absolutely speechless.
He had thought that by mentioning he had a girlfriend, Shen Qianqian would give up.
After all, given Shen Qianqian's status, she had no need to pursue a man who already had a girlfriend.
But then Shen Qianqian approached the Lin Family.
Damn it!
This was not how things were supposed to go.
"This was Qianqian who approached you, asking you to transfer Lin Li's engagement to me, wasn't it?" Lin Xuan stated confidently.
Otherwise, Lin Chang wouldn't have thought of him.
"Yes," Lin Chang nodded. "I've already agreed on your behalf. They want to maintain the original betrothal."
His voice carried a tone of condescension. "As long as you're willing to return to the Lin Family, you can become engaged to Shen Qianqian."
Shen Qianqian was the only daughter of Shen Mao, and such a boon was something Lin Chang didn't believe Lin Xuan could refuse.
"Mr. Lin," Lin Xuan gave a cold smile. "When did my affairs become your responsibility? Don't forget, you've already announced on all platforms that I, Lin Xuan, am no longer your son."
Lin Chang's expression darkened abruptly.
What was Lin Xuan's attitude?
Clearly, he was nothing but a rebellious son!
If it weren't for the fact that he still held some use, Lin Chang wouldn't have deigned to approach him with such humility.
Lin Chang took a deep breath, suppressing the fury within him.
"Xuan'er," Lin Chang adopted a kindly expression. "Father is doing this for your own good. Shen Qianqian is the only daughter of Shen Mao. If you marry her, Shen Corporation will be yours."
"If you're capable enough, the Starlight Group will also be placed in your hands."
"This is certainly better than being with the woman who's keeping you. You'll be able to do as you please, have endless money, and won't need to grovel before her."
Lin Xuan sneered. "Lin Chang, do you really think I'd stoop to your level, sacrificing my happiness for profit? I won't sell myself for money."
"Lin Xuan!" Lin Chang could no longer maintain his facade as a loving father, his voice spiking with anger. "I'm thinking of you! Marrying into a wealthy family and inheriting their company is far better than being kept and having to beg for scraps!"
"Oh, is that so?" Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Are you really doing this for me, or for the company? You know the truth."
Lin Chang's veins bulged on his forehead.
Lin Xuan's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile. "Lin Chang, if I'm not mistaken, the Shen Family must have suggested that as long as I, Lin Xuan, successfully become engaged to Shen Qianqian, then the cooperation between our two families will proceed smoothly, isn't that right?"
"Yes, it's crucial for the company," Lin Chang admitted.
"But what does that have to do with me? I have no connection to the Lin Family anymore," Lin Xuan leaned back, his manner relaxed and indifferent.
Lin Chang's expression darkened. "Lin Xuan, I'm giving you one last chance. Will you return to the Lin Family or not?"
"If you come back, you can enjoy the status of being a young master of the Lin Family. If not, then forget about any betrothal with Shen Qianqian. From now on, you'll fend for yourself out there. When you die, the Lin Family won't even bother to bury you!"