Chapter 249: Dinner

Lin Xiao didn’t take Fang Tianping’s threat to heart at all. After all, he was just a hotel owner. Compared to Lin Xiao’s previous adversaries, Fang Tianping was nothing more than a small fry. As for his so-called underworld connections, Lin Xiao could only chuckle.

If Fang Tianping was foolish enough to try anything against him, Lin Xiao wouldn’t hesitate to make him disappear from the face of the earth.

“That’s good,” Huang Xinyu said, knowing Lin Xiao’s capabilities.

Since he was so confident, she had nothing to worry about.

When they returned home, the moment they opened the front door, Huang Caixing rushed over and threw herself into Lin Xiao’s arms.

She pouted and said, “Why did you take so long? We’re starving!”

Yuan Yu also stood up from the sofa and smiled softly.

“Move aside,” Huang Xinyu said, pinching Huang Caixing’s cheek. “You refused to go buy groceries, and now you’re complaining about being hungry?”

“Hmph.” Huang Caixing reluctantly stepped aside to let her mother in, but she still clung to Lin Xiao like a koala.

Lin Xiao could only smile wryly. However, he didn’t really mind her behavior.

“Big Brother, give me the bags. I’ll take them to the kitchen,” Yuan Yu said softly, walking up to him.

“Alright.” Lin Xiao handed her the bags and patted her head. “Good girl.”

Yuan Yu blushed and smiled shyly, then took the bags to the kitchen.

Huang Caixing’s big eyes darted around, and she jumped down from Lin Xiao, walking around him with her hands behind her back.

“What are you doing?” Lin Xiao asked, puzzled.

“I’m being good too,” Huang Caixing pouted. “Why don’t you praise me, Big Brother Lin?”

“You?” Lin Xiao couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, if you can just stay out of trouble, that’d be great. ‘Good’ is a bit of a stretch.”

Huang Caixing immediately looked displeased and huffed, “You’re so biased, Big Brother. Am I not good in front of you?”

Lin Xiao thought about it for a moment and realized that although Huang Caixing often didn’t listen to others, she always obeyed him. In that sense, she was indeed very well-behaved in front of him.

“Alright, I was wrong. You’re very good too,” Lin Xiao said, patting Huang Caixing’s head.

Huang Caixing tilted her head up contentedly, like a cat, her adorable face breaking into a sweet smile, especially with those shallow dimples that made her look utterly charming.

After praising Huang Caixing a few more times, Lin Xiao went to the living room, sat down on the sofa, and slowly relaxed his body.

The TV was playing a cartoon, which surprised Lin Xiao. He hadn’t expected that Huang Caixing, who was almost eighteen, still enjoyed watching cartoons.

Huang Caixing was always her true self at home, and this time was no exception. She lay beside Lin Xiao, placing her fair legs on his knees, chatting with him in a carefree manner. Mostly, it was her talking and Lin Xiao listening. Lin Xiao responded with occasional nods.

“Caixing, what are you doing out there? Hurry up and come help,” Huang Xinyu’s voice called out from the kitchen.

“No,” Huang Caixing said, turning over on the sofa, lying on her stomach now, exposing a large expanse of her fair back.

She had been pampered from a young age, her skin so delicate that it seemed you could pinch water out of it.

“If you don’t come help, you won’t get any dinner tonight. Even Yuan Yu is helping as a guest,” Huang Xinyu’s voice carried a hint of anger.

Huang Caixing replied matter-of-factly, “That’s because with Yuan Yu helping, there’s no need for me to. Do you really need three people to cook?”

“…”

Huang Xinyu was momentarily speechless. She had no way to deal with her little rascal of a daughter.

After all, she had spoiled Huang Caixing too much since she was little, so much so that she had no authority as a mother in Caixing’s eyes.

“Lin Xiao, can’t you say something to her?” Desperate, Huang Xinyu called on Lin Xiao to step in.

Huang Xinyu had said so much, Lin Xiao couldn’t stay out of it any longer. He cleared his throat and said, “Caixing, your mom wants you to help, so go ahead. Besides, the food you cooked last time was really good. I’d love to taste it again.”

Although Huang Caixing was pampered, she was indeed a great cook. The last time Lin Xiao tasted her food, it was as good as that of a professional chef at a hotel.

“Really?” Huang Caixing’s face lit up with delight, but then she pouted and said, “But if I go, who will keep you company?”

Lin Xiao had already figured out that this girl was a lazybones and a freeloader at home, preferring to lie down rather than sit up. It was truly commendable how Huang Xinyu managed to raise her.

“I don’t need you to keep me company. Go on,” Lin Xiao said patiently.

Huang Caixing twisted around a bit and lazily started to get up, but then collapsed back down halfway.

“I’m too hungry to move.”

Seeing her lazy demeanor, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but laugh and sigh. He raised his hand and gave her a light smack on her butt.

“Go help, no more excuses.”

After the smack, Huang Caixing let out a low yelp, gave Lin Xiao a shy and happy glance over her shoulder, then covered the spot where he had smacked her with her hands and obediently got up from the sofa. She walked slowly and reluctantly into the kitchen.

With Huang Caixing’s help, dinner was prepared quickly—a spicy and delicious hot pot.

The four of them sat around the table like a family, chatting and enjoying the hot pot together.

In this warm atmosphere, Lin Xiao felt a rare sense of relaxation and peace. Encouraged by Huang Xinyu and Huang Caixing, he even drank a little wine.

Time flew by, and before Lin Xiao realized it, it was already past ten o’clock.

“Auntie Xinyu, Caixing, we should head back now,” Lin Xiao said as he stood up to say goodbye and waved to Yuan Yu.

Yuan Yu yawned, stood up shakily, and leaned against Lin Xiao’s shoulder, dozing off.

She had also had a little wine and was now feeling drowsy.

Huang Caixing, unwilling to part, said, “Big Brother Lin, why don’t you stay at my place tonight?”

“No need. We don’t live far away.”

Due to the alcohol, Lin Xiao’s face was a bit red, but he wasn’t drunk at all. His mind was still clear. “You two should go to bed early. See you later.”

With that, Lin Xiao left without any hesitation. Huang Caixing and Huang Xinyu stood at the door, watching his silhouette disappear into the distance. It was a while before they closed the door.

The mother and daughter exchanged glances, not saying a word, both feeling a sudden sense of loneliness.

Lin Xiao held Yuan Yu’s hand as they walked out of the residential area. Because he had drunk alcohol, he didn’t drive and decided to walk home instead.

Yuan Yu’s starry eyes were half-closed, her beautiful face tinged with a faint blush. Under the streetlights, she looked exceptionally charming and elegant.

Seeing that she could hardly walk, Lin Xiao didn’t say much. He simply lifted her into his arms.

Yuan Yu murmured softly, instinctively wrapping her arms around Lin Xiao’s neck and resting her head on his shoulder. She wiggled a bit and comfortably closed her eyes.

Holding Yuan Yu, Lin Xiao headed towards Maple Leaf Street, where Yuan Yu’s home was located.

However, they hadn’t gone far when a group of people blocked their way.

This group seemed to be waiting specifically for Lin Xiao. At the front was a fierce-looking, burly man, shirtless, holding a steel pipe as thick as a baby’s arm.