"I’ve witnessed how the fourth branch worked tirelessly to rise and compete against us. It was a tough competition. Although my side did its best, we couldn’t match your branch’s dedication. I would be honored to serve and work alongside Lin Sanju," Lin Zhe said with a smile.
His words and tone were so sincere that the people around, who had been anticipating a dramatic confrontation, were left stunned.
The first branch had lost decisively, and their bitterness was apparent to everyone. No one expected Lin Zhe, who had been unusually quiet until now, to step forward and greet the fourth branch with such genuine warmth.
Li i and Lin Ruo were the most surprised. They never thought anyone from the first branch would co to congratulate them—much less the heir himself.
The couple exchanged a quick glance before responding to Lin Zhe’s remarks.
"It was indeed a tough competition. We look forward to your support," Li i replied with a polite smile. Yet inwardly, she remained cautious. She knew all too well how the first branch operated. Would they really accept this defeat so easily? She doubted it.
From the corner of his eye, Lin Zhe noticed Old Master Lin making his way toward them. His smile grew even more sincere. "Of course. Although I wasn’t chosen, the two decades of hard work and training I invested in preparing to lead the family won’t go to waste. I’ll make sure my skills and capabilities contribute to supporting my cousin."
Clap. Clap. Clap.
"That’s wonderful to hear, Lin Zhe. You’ve made proud, my son." Old Master Lin clapped as he approached. When he reached Lin Zhe, he patted him on the shoulder and looked at him with pride.
"I knew I could count on you. It was a difficult decision to choose between you and Sanju, but you possess the qualities of an elder. When Sanju falters one day, you’ll be the guiding light by his side. I trust you’ll support him."
"Of course, Grandfather."
Old Master Lin chuckled. "That’s the spirit. Unlike your father, who stays in the corner sulking about the loss, you’ve accepted the outco and adapted to the change. With these qualities, I believe you’ll help lead this family to greatness."
"Don’t be too hard on Father, Grandpa. He only wanted the best for . He’ll co around and see that cousin Sanju will do an even better job than I could."
Old Master Lin nodded in satisfaction and praised him again. Lin Zhe maintained his polite smile throughout.
Lin Zhe glanced around and asked, "Is Cousin not back yet? I haven’t had the chance to congratulate him."
Li i, who had also been anxiously waiting for her son, tugged at her husband’s sleeve and whispered, "You should send soone to call him back." She then turned to Old Master Lin and Lin Zhe, smiling politely. "He excused himself earlier for an important call. How about we toast at our table in the anti, Grandfather?"
"Oh, an important call? I wonder if it’s from the investors he t at the Royal Banquet. He must be receiving so good news," Lin Zhe chid in.
For the main protagonist to step away from the crowd for a phone call, it had to be sothing absolutely significant. A call from foreign investors, potentially contributing greatly to the family’s business, seed plausible.
Old Master Lin nodded, sharing the sa thought. "That must be it. It would be nice to hear good news soon."
Li i smiled but remained unsure. Even though it was not an important call, her son wouldn’t disappear this long. "He didn’t share the details with us, but I believe we’ll hear good news soon."
"Good news? Is Master Lin Sanju getting married?"
A loud voice suddenly broke through the chatter of the crowd, causing heads to turn.
The speaker, a man dressed in a sharp dark blue suit, looked around at the surprised faces and shrugged innocently. "What? Did I mishear sothing? I saw Master Lin Sanju earlier with a woman, and they seed rather intimate. Isn’t that the good news?"
The room fell silent before gasps rippled through the guests. Lin Sanju, the newly appointed heir, spotted with a woman and acting intimate? Could he be engaged?
Those who hadn’t caught the earlier discussion began whispering among themselves.
"Is there an engagent announcent coming soon?"
"Oh my, I wasn’t expecting to hear two major announcents tonight. Who is the lucky woman?"
"Master Lin Sanju hid this from us so well! I always thought he was single."
"There’ll be a lot of disappointed ladies eyeing the title of Mrs. Lin tonight."
Murmurs and speculations spread quickly as the guests tried to piece together the situation, their excitent and curiosity filling the air. Their words were unstoppable, quickly reaching to the ears of the people at the front.
Li i and Lin Ruo frowned. As far as they knew, Lin Sanju wasn’t seeing any woman. They were certain this was all just a misunderstanding.
Old Master Lin, overhearing the murmurs, turned to Lin Sanju’s parents in surprise. "Lin Sanju brought a woman here?"
Li i quickly shook her head. "It’s probably a misunderstanding, Grandfather. He has never introduced any woman to us. They must have seen sothing and jumped to conclusions."
"It’s certainly unexpected to hear that Lin Sanju has a woman," Lin Zhe added with a light chuckle. "But he’s a man, after all. There’s nothing wrong if he has set his eyes on soone. Besides, I believe my cousin wouldn’t disappoint Grandfather—or any of us—by choosing the wrong partner. Don’t you agree, Grandfather?"
Old Master Lin nodded thoughtfully. "I have never forced any of you to marry soone for connections against your will. I’ll give my approval as long as the person brings no sha to our family and cos from a respectable background. You both understand that, right?" He directed his gaze at Lin Ruo and Li i.
Lin Ruo nodded imdiately. "Yes, Father. I trust my children to make good choices."
"However, this seems like a misunderstanding," Li i added hurriedly. "My son has been so focused on his heir training and the family business that he hasn’t had ti for personal matters. It wouldn’t be right to assu things and risk damaging both his and that woman’s reputation."
"You’re absolutely right, Auntie. Let’s not jump to conclusions," Lin Zhe replied with an easy smile. "We can wait for my cousin to clarify, but for now, the second event is about to begin. He must be attending to sothing important, so it’s best not to disturb him. How about I step in and assist with the tour instead?"
The couple sighed in relief as the topic finally shifted. However, a flicker of disappointnt crossed Li i’s face. This was supposed to be her son’s mont—to lead the guests to the museum hall.
Traditionally, it wasn’t an official rule in the Lin family, but it was well known that the chosen heir was the one who ceremoniously opened the doors to the museum hall, inviting everyone to glimpse the family’s history.
This was her son’s privilege as the chosen heir.
As Li i hesitated, Old Master Lin gave his approval to Lin Zhe.
"It’s just leading everyone to the museum," he said firmly. "Lin Zhe can escort the guests to the hall, and Lin Sanju can catch up and lead the tour inside. We can’t keep our guests waiting."
With Old Master Lin’s approval, the couple had no choice but to proceed with the second event without their son.
Lin Zhe stepped forward confidently, guiding the guests out of the current venue and toward another part of the mansion. As they walked, he spoke eloquently about the history of the Lin family, captivating the audience.
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