Chapter 81: I Will Do My Best to Break You Up (1/2)

After hesitating for a brief moment, Cheng Xi greeted Meng Qingyang back with a smiling expression. “It’s good to see you, Miss Meng.”

Lin Fan’s mother, somewhat surprised, asked, “Do the two of you know each other?”

Meng Qingyang nonchalantly said, “Yes, Dr. Cheng’s a good person.”

Lin Fan’s mother looked at Cheng Xi again curiously. “That’s good, then.” She patted Meng Qingyang’s hand. “Let me speak with Cheng Xi for a little bit. Wait here for me, alright?”

“Alright.” Meng Qingyang even waved at Cheng Xi amiably. “Goodbye, Dr. Cheng.”

Cheng Xi had seen how temperamental Meng Qingyang could be, so her demure behavior now only felt strange to her. However, she didn’t say anything and brought Lin Fan’s mother into her office instead. “Would you like something to drink?”

Lin Fan’s mother shook her head. “Don’t bother. Let’s just talk.”

Cheng Xi nonetheless still poured her a glass of water before sitting down, facing her.

The gaze that Lin Fan’s mother was directing towards Cheng Xi was exceptionally kind, reminding her of a similar gaze that she had seen many years ago, when Cheng Xi and Lin Fan had been walking through the streets on a school-sanctioned extracurricular activity. When they ran into Lin Fan’s mother, she had looked at her with a similar gaze that was part kind, part gratifying, and part frustrated, saying, “My little Lin Fan also has a friend now.”

At that time, Cheng Xi hadn’t noticed her frustration, but now, as Lin Fan’s mother kept talking, Cheng Xi finally understood what it meant.

Lin Fan’s mother’s speech was long-winded, with two main points. “Cheng Xi, you’re a good child, and I like you very much. I’ve liked you since your high school days. However, you’re not compatible with Lin Fan—he’s suffered through a rough childhood with me, and I don’t want him to suffer anymore. I want him to have an outstanding and successful career.”

So while she did like Cheng Xi, she felt that Cheng Xi couldn’t help Lin Fan.

Cheng Xi listened passively. Only when Lin Fan’s mother finished talking did she ask, “Mrs. Lin, does Lin Fan know that you reached out to me today?”

“I haven’t told him, but I know that you’re a sensible child, and I’ve always liked you. So, I’m sure you won’t do anything that would embarrass both of us later on.” She then leaned in and asked surreptitiously, “You don’t want to do this either, do you?”

Cheng Xi had long since predicted that Lin Fan’s mother would oppose their relationship, having heard all about her aspirations and plans for Lin Fan. All of this was within her predictions, but she didn’t treat it like an obstacle. Lin Fan wasn’t a piece of dough to be kneaded and rolled around, and neither was she. She felt that she and Lin Fan could definitely be happy together. Although she wouldn’t be able to further his career very much, she definitely wouldn’t be pulling him down either.

Furthermore, if Lin Fan wanted to start a business, she had a few connections of her own.

With that in mind, Cheng Xi asked her second question. “Mrs. Lin, what would you consider a successful life?”

Without missing a beat, Lin Fan’s mother replied, “Money and power! We don’t have any power, so we can only focus on making money. Lots and lots of money.” She looked at Cheng Xi, her gaze revealing her naked ambition, so calm that one couldn’t even dislike her. “I know that you definitely can’t understand my thoughts. But no matter what, I only want Lin Fan to be able to live a carefree life, without needing to suffer through hardships or be forced to do something he doesn’t want to because of money.”

“Mrs. Lin, do you feel that having both money and power will allow one to lead a carefree life?”

“Yes!”