"Well, let me see how your business is doing next year, okay? Don't think I'm being too realistic."
"No, no, I understand. You're doing this for Wanwan."
"Good, let's have a drink together."
"I'll toast to you."
Although Xu Lin didn't really like drinking, especially hard liquor, he forced himself to drink a glass.
After Father Su finished his drink, his stern face finally relaxed, making the atmosphere at the dinner table much lighter.
"Hey, Xiao Xu, tell me about what you write. I like to read in my spare time."
"Ah... Sure."
Although what Xu Lin wrote might be too novel for someone of Father Su's age, at least he didn't write anything too bizarre.
So, Xu Lin briefly introduced the plot and the main storyline. As he spoke, Father Su took out his phone and started searching.
"Is this the one?"
"Yes."
"I'll read it in my spare time. Not bad, it's understandable that a story like this can become popular."
"Thank you for the compliment, Uncle. It's just a little bit of cleverness. I've always been good at writing essays since I was a kid."
"Then why didn't you go to college? Family issues?"
After hearing Xu Lin's story, Father Su became even more satisfied with this son-in-law. He liked reading himself, especially fantasy stories.
Few people knew that as he read more and more, he understood how hard it was to write a good story.
He had tried himself and wrote poorly, but he didn't expect his son-in-law to write quite well. Now he had something to brag about to his colleagues.
"No, no, although my family wasn't wealthy, my parents were healthy. It's just that I was bad at math. My Chinese and English were good, but I couldn't pull up my math score."
Your English is good? Su Qingwan rolled her eyes at Xu Lin.
Although Xu Lin's English grades had improved a bit, it was still his worst subject. Did he have some issue with her English class?
Feeling Su Qingwan's gaze, Xu Lin looked at her and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I remember your English wasn't that good, right?"
"Yes, but it got better later."
"Oh, then I'll check you next time."
"I've graduated; I've almost forgotten it all."
"No problem, just show me what you remember."
"Alright."
Xu Lin knew there was no escaping Teacher Su's scrutiny. But English was something he had worked hard on.
Teacher Su wasn't wrong. Among the three main subjects, English was his worst, despite his efforts. The issue was mostly with listening, so it wasn't just about writing. He might need to watch some English documentaries.
"Don't make things hard for Xiao Xu. He doesn't use English often anyway."
"I'm not making it hard for him. Eat some meat." Su Qingwan said, adding more meat to Xu Lin's plate.
Xu Lin quickly ate some rice and finished the pile of meat slices that had accumulated like a small mountain on his plate.
"By the way, Wanwan, Xu Lin has plans for the future. Do you have any thoughts? Weren't you planning to study abroad?"
Mother Su glanced at her daughter. She remembered her daughter mentioning this about a dozen times. She wanted to study abroad for two years and then come back to start a tutoring school.
"Ah, no need to go. Everything is fine here at home; there's no safe place abroad."
Xu Lin wholeheartedly agreed with his father-in-law, especially since he had been reborn from the end of 2020. He understood this point even better.
"Mom, I'm not going anymore. I can open a tutoring school at home just the same. My initial thought was to go abroad to enrich myself."
"Then come back and open a tutoring school with a title. But actually, I can hire teachers, can't I? Finding a few excellent teachers would be even better."
"Yes, but if you want to be the boss, I won't give you any money. You should work in a school for a few years first."
"Xu Lin will give me money."
"Alright, next year when I make money, I'll fully support you."
Xu Lin actually thought that being a teacher was a good profession, even a lifelong iron rice bowl, but spending a whole life as a teacher could indeed be a bit dull.
So, he quite supported Teacher Su in having something she wanted to pursue, just like Ji Yun, who aspired to accomplish something big.
Her ambitions were much larger than his current plans, but it depended on Chu Fengyi's opinion since she was the financial backer.
"Xiao Xu, do you have any siblings?"
"No, there are just three of us in our family. My grandparents live in the countryside, and my maternal grandparents live in the neighboring province, which isn't too far. It's just a day's drive."
Father Su nodded, then looked at his wife and daughter.
"When you have time, you should visit them."
"Okay."
"I've actually been there already."
Su Qingwan raised her arm. Xu Lin's parents were completely unaware of this, and it would be bad if they got startled.
"But you still have to visit. Also, Wanwan, find a chance to visit Xu Lin's grandparents too."
"They're getting old and surely want to see their granddaughter-in-law. Xu Lin, if you have time, you should also visit Wanwan's grandparents."
"Of course," Xu Lin smiled and nodded.
Not to mention his grandpa, his grandma would be overjoyed to see a beautiful girl and would definitely want her to be her granddaughter-in-law.
"By the way, isn't the light in the storage room broken? Xu Lin, could you change it? We have light bulbs at home."
Su Qingwan suddenly remembered. Every time she went there to get or put things, it was pitch black, and it was a bit scary at night.
"I'll go change it."
"He hasn't even finished his meal yet. Wanwan, don't be so thoughtless."
"It's okay, Auntie. I'll just change it quickly. Is it just a regular bulb? Besides regular bulbs, I can only handle simple ceiling lights."
"Just a regular bulb."
"Then I'll go."
"I'll show you the way," Su Qingwan also stood up and led him towards the door.
"Alright."
As they walked out, Mother Su looked at her husband with a full smile.
"How do you feel about it now?"
"It's fine, let's see how it goes. The important thing is not us, but whether our daughter likes him and he treats her well."
"That's not what you said earlier."
"..."
Xu Lin followed Su Qingwan downstairs, took a deep breath, and his whole demeanor instantly collapsed.
"I'm exhausted, my nerves were too tense."
"Just be yourself, no need to be perfect."
Her parents were very satisfied with his performance, but she could also sense how hard Xu Lin tried.
"Thanks for the effort."
She gently held Xu Lin's arm and leaned lightly against his side. Feeling her warmth, Xu Lin's fatigue eased a bit.
"It's something we have to go through sooner or later."
Dealing with the father of the two Chu family sisters was the real challenge. Without some accomplishments, he wouldn't even dare to approach.
But after meeting Su Qingwan's parents tonight, Xu Lin also realized an even more difficult situation.
Dealing with twelve girls was already hard enough, but the most terrifying thing was the parents and families behind these twelve girls. They were the real formidable opponents.