Xue Jinxu boarded the car at the back seat. She looked over at the rearview mirror at the front. She could see him still standing on his spot where she left him in front of the Four Seasons Hotel.
She admitted that he looked refined and shrewd. He did not look like it, he's one shrewd person – very perceptive, clever and sharp-witted. His dark-rimmed glasses only added to the charm.
'Am I really thinking about his looks right now? His looks were okay.. He looks good actually. Not the usual buff masculine type but the boy-next-door type.'
Her lips twitched upward. She admitted that she's enjoying the attention that she was receiving. It was not superficial like the others.
Turning to Butler Lee at the driver seat she said, "Butler Lee, what's the result of your investigation?"
"All clean Big Miss."
'As I've thought.'
She had performed the standard procedure. She had Butler Lee to conduct an extremely thorough investigation on Chen Linyun. It was all clean.
She was deep in thought. 'I wasn't wrong after all.' After that she relaxed, and out of tiredness she fell asleep in the car. Her phone rang. It was Grandfather calling. She frowned.
"Xu-er, can you come home tonight?"
"What's wrong Grampa? Is something the matter? It's already too late."
"No, nothing's that important. You go home for now. Just give us a visit soonest you can. Just missing my filial granddaughter so much."
"Alright Grandfather. I understand. I will go there tomorrow. Please have a good night's rest Grampa."
Her brows furrowed. She's having a hunch that it was not going to be pleasant. Have I offended Grampa? Did I do something wrong? I cannot think of anything.
The last time Xue Jinxu visited the Old Mansion, Grandpa Xue was silent all throughout the family dinner. He had heard all the sides of the family members albeit it was not intentional due to the sudden ruckus caused by the Second Young Master.
At the Xue Old Mansion.
He was pondering deeply of how to salvage his family's future. After thorough deliberation, he had made his resolve. He called his son and daughter-in-law to his study.
"Father, you want to discuss something important with us?"
"Both of you take a seat." He started.
"My dearest children. I'm growing old too fast. It burdens me to see that our family and our business still lacks stability to stand against the test of time."
"It pains me to see that our precious little granddaughter is singlehandedly fighting for our family's future. She's our pampered little princess. She shouldn't even lift a finger."
Father and Mother Xue looked at each other, but kept their silence. They waited for the Old Master Xue to relay his intent bit by bit.
"Although she's thoroughly against it, I had arranged several matches with her in the past. I was impressed and even a bit hurt that she had rejected all of them."
"However, I believe that it is high time for Xu-er to settle her own marriage."
The couple exchanged worried looks. They knew very well that their tenacious daughter would not agree to this. However this ever stubborn old man had also made a resolve. They were afraid that it will create further conflict and rift between the grandfather and granddaughter duo.
"Father, you know very well Xu-er's stand against this. She does not want a non-family member to be involved in the business."
"It seems that's the only option. To make another family's fine heir to marry into our family."
Mother Xue although trembling, fought back her tears, "Father there's still Guangxi. The child is young now but he'll come around. Are you turning your back against your grandson? He's also your flesh and blood!"
She added, "Xu-er already discussed it with us, she'll oversee Guangxi's training herself. She'll take him under her wing for now."
"We still have our hope, Father. Let's wait a little more."
Grandfather Xue took in all their comments. "Even if Guangxi takes over, Xu-er still needs to get married. She cannot be alone in this world. She's already reached this age, it's high time."
"Can't we let her decide for it herself?" Mother Xue probed.
"Silly child. Xu-er doesn't even know she needs the marriage. We as her elders should guide her to a better future."
Old Master Xue was already determined.
The couple simply sighed. They couldn't do anything now to change his mind. They could only delay.
"Father, can we wait until Guangxi is ready to assume position?"
"That's right Father, there's no rush!"
Father Xue agreed. "Yes there's no rush for the marriage itself. But we have to choose now."
The couple exchanged glances again. "Do you already have someone in mind, Father?"
In which Old Master Xue revealed. "Shi Fan Hai."
Father Xue searched in his mind who Shi Fan Hai is. In the elite circle, few of the families stood to equal their status. However, he did not seem to know who his father is referring to.
"Who's Shi Fan Hai Father? Doesn't ring any bell [1]."
"He's the grandchild of one of my old friends. When he was young he was a sickly child so he was brought up in the countryside. His family holds the biggest conglomerate in China but their main business is in the selling and distribution of petroleum. They are connected to the refineries in Taiwan."
"He's currently based in their business leg in Korea which mainly focused on production of alcohol and other chemicals. They could use our ships to transport their chemicals."
"I've met that child once when I recently reunited with my friend Old Master Shi. He's a modest child but quite talented. He's a good match for our little princess."
Mother Xue was impressed. She was happy with the description of her future son-in-law. "Father you picked well." She paused then continued, "However, I still do not know how Xu-er will take this. We all know how very tenacious she is."
"Hmph. That is where the two of you come in. I already did the picking. You two have to make her see the rationale behind this arrangement. Convince her."
[1] not familiar