Chapter 88: Stubbornness
As soon as ng Zhao Kang appeared, he made his stance clear. He didn’t even glance at Lin Qin and went straight to sit upright in the center of the sofa.
Ti had etched deep marks on his face, these marks transforming into an aura of authority that spread throughout the living room. The atmosphere beca stiflingly oppressive, so much so that everyone kept their heads low, not daring to even breathe heavily.
It was ng Chao’s mother who broke the silence with her bell-like laughter, soothing Lin Qin, "Dad’s just joking; don’t take it to heart."
Lin Qin had already anticipated ng Zhao Kang’s attitude before coming, so he felt little emotional disappointnt now. In response to ng Chao’s mother’s reassurance, Lin Qin gave her a grateful smile.
Lin Qin stepped forward to ng Zhao Kang and, with calm dignity, said, "Grandpa, I’m ng Chao’s boyfriend, Lin Qin."
ng Zhao Kang let out a snort, still refusing to look at Lin Qin, acting as if he didn’t exist.
His cold disregard was a clear attempt to embarrass Lin Qin. As the gaze of everyone in the living room fell on Lin Qin, Lin Qing indeed felt nervous and a bit afraid. He kept silently encouraging himself, repeatedly reminding himself he could handle the situation.
He mustered another smile and handed the gift he’d prepared to ng Zhao Kang, saying, "Grandpa ng, this is an authentic work by Master Wang. I heard from Brother Chao that you enjoy collecting landscape paintings, especially Master Wang’s works. So I sought soone out to find this piece—I hope you’ll like it."
ng Zhao Kang’s eyebrows shifted slightly. What Lin Qin had just ntioned—this painting—had stirred so emotion in his heart. He had a lifelong passion for Chinese paintings, and Master Wang was one of his favorite modern artists. However, Master Wang had stopped creating pieces years ago, and authentic works of his were now exceedingly rare, with each fetching astronomical prices at auctions.
It was evident that Lin Qin had put considerable effort into acquiring this painting.
This gave ng Zhao Kang a sense of being respected, softening his expression sowhat. He finally looked at Lin Qin, took the painting with both hands, and begrudgingly offered a rare complint: "Thoughtful of you."
ng Chao’s mother raised her eyebrows in surprise at this developnt, entirely unexpecting Lin Qin to have softened ng Zhao Kang’s attitude so quickly.
She turned to ng Chao, leaning closer to whisper in his ear, "Did you prepare this painting?"
ng Chao shook his head and quietly replied, "I didn’t even tell him Grandpa’s preferences—it was all his own doing. I was surprised too when I saw it."
Today, ng Chao had only intended to bring Lin Qin ho to et his family; there was no suggestion whatsoever that Lin Qin needed to curry favor with anyone, therefore he hadn’t told Lin Qin about Grandpa’s likes. But Lin Qin had taken it upon himself to learn about them and utterly nailed it, winning over Grandpa so swiftly—it was no wonder his attitude shifted.
A warm surge of emotion washed through ng Chao’s heart. Lin Qin didn’t have to try to please anyone. Yet, to ease ng Chao’s burden, he did his utmost to take care of things himself, even if it ant tackling things he was least experienced at.
This respect and diligence—it was probably the key to touching Grandpa’s heart. ng Chao thought to himself.
Still, ng Chao understood that the matter wasn’t so simple. Grandpa might soften his heart for a painting he loved, but he wouldn’t truly relent and accept Lin Qin who had "no background or status." If Grandpa compromised, it would an sacrificing significant gains for the ng Family. To ng Zhao Kang, ng Chao’s marriage represented an opportunity to secure great benefits for the family.
Thus, no matter how well Lin Qin perford, it all held zero aning to ng Zhao Kang. The inability to bring any financial or business benefit to the ng Family was Lin Qin’s unforgivable "original sin."
Precisely because of this, when ng Chao brought Lin Qin ho, it was more of a notice to his family—a declaration that he had a lover and intended to walk his life with this person. Of course, gaining his family’s blessings along the way would be ideal.
While Grandpa’s attitude softened slightly, he remained staunchly firm toward Lin Qin. If it hadn’t been for Lin Qin bringing Master Wang’s painting, he likely would have already had the butler eject Lin Qin.
After Lin Qin’s initial earnestness, he, upon realizing ng Zhao Kang’s blatant coldness and disapproval, stopped trying to ingratiate himself. He had done what he could, leaving no room for criticism. Regarding ng Zhao Kang’s attitude—it wasn’t sothing he could control. Getting hung up on it would only an chasing humiliation for himself.
Having moved past the verbal abuse, Lin Qin found the world around him opening up noticeably. From this ordeal, Lin Qin learned the most critical lesson: to let nothing weigh too heavily on him. The more deeply you care, the more agony you inflict upon yourself.
Even though Lin Qin was still learning to adapt to this ntality and could still be affected by external forces, he trusted himself. Soday, he would grow incredibly strong, unmoved by joy nor sorrow.
ng Ke returned around lunchti. Upon arriving, he went out of his way to observe Grandpa’s expression. The mont Grandpa turned to glare at him, ng Ke withdrew his gaze, shooting a aningful look at ng Chao instead.
ng Ke: "Grandpa didn’t agree, huh?"
ng Chao shook his head.
ng Ke pursed his lips—unsurprised by the rejection.
From ng Chao and Lin Qin’s situation, ng Ke could already foresee his own future with Han Zhi—likely another clash with Grandpa’s resistance.
Ah, ng Ke sighed silently, lanting internally: Grandpa sure was the biggest obstacle and roadblock in their path to love.
The lunch spread was lavishly prepared by ng Zhao Kang, a blatant display of ng Family’s wealth power. Much like the opulent red-carpet reception earlier, it was ant for Lin Qin to grasp the "clouds versus mud" gulf in status between himself and ng Chao—nudging Lin Qin to give up and abandon any lofty ambitions of climbing the mountain that was ng Chao.
Of course, to Lin Qin, it mattered not at all—he simply found himself treated to an abundant al.
After the al, Lin Qin even smiled and expressed gratitude toward ng Zhao Kang: "Thank you, Grandpa ng, for the hospitality."
ng Zhao Kang couldn’t perceive a shred of inferiority in Lin Qin’s deanor, concluding that Lin Qin was a vain, materialistic man. Why else wouldn’t he feel self-conscious in the face of ng Family’s imnse wealth? Surely it was out of envy for the ng Family, an aspiration to join its ranks, that Lin Qin hid all traces of insecurity.
Of course—it made perfect sense. Lin Qin was an actor, after all, so adeptly hiding emotions must be second nature to him. ng Zhao Kang assured himself thus.
As the luncheon concluded, the butler supported ng Zhao Kang as he headed upstairs to rest. Before leaving, ng Zhao Kang stood and noted, "Oh yes, ng Chao. A guest will be coming over shortly. Make sure to entertain them well and don’t neglect them."
Once Grandpa ascended the stairs, ng Chao’s mother turned to him and advised, "It’s probably a daughter from so family—Grandpa’s likely invited her for you to et. Stay away and spare Lin Qin from any hurt feelings."
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