Chapter 75: Meeting the Parents (Part Two)

Upon entering the mall, Qin Ruolin led Lin Feng straight to a world-renowned men's boutique.

“Welcome, how may I assist you?” The sales associate greeted them with a professional smile and genuine enthusiasm.

“Where are this season’s new arrivals?” Qin Ruolin asked.

“They’re right over here, ma’am. If you need any details, I’d be happy to introduce each piece,” the associate replied, pointing to the most prominent display in the store.

Qin Ruolin nodded, “I’ll browse myself. If I need help, I’ll call you.”

“Of course. Please take your time,” the associate answered politely, stepping aside.

Qin Ruolin headed to the new arrivals section and quickly selected a shirt and a suit.

“Go try these on,” she said, handing the chosen garments to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng didn’t protest—he was already here, after all. He took the clothes into the fitting room. But as he changed, the price tags startled him.

The suit cost a staggering one hundred and twenty thousand, and the shirt eight thousand.

“This is daylight robbery!” Lin Feng cursed inwardly. After changing, he stepped out.

Qin Ruolin and the sales associate were waiting outside. As Lin Feng emerged in the suit, both women were momentarily stunned.

Lin Feng, dressed in the fine suit, was exceptionally handsome—he could easily outshine any leading man in a romantic drama.

Even Qin Ruolin, accustomed to seeing countless celebrities and pretty boys, was caught off guard by how striking Lin Feng looked.

“This kid is really easy on the eyes,” she thought, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Sir, this suit fits you perfectly…” the associate gushed, her compliment genuine rather than a sales pitch.

“I think it suits me too,” Lin Feng admitted, shaking his head. “But the price doesn’t suit me…”

“Sir, we’re running a promotion—new arrivals are at a five percent discount. Now is a great time to buy…”

“A five percent discount counts as a sale?” Lin Feng was speechless. At these prices, even a fifty percent discount would be out of reach.

“This is the set. Ring it up,” Qin Ruolin said, heading straight to the cashier.

“Hey…” Lin Feng wanted to stop her, but calling her name would expose her identity, so he swallowed his words.

Qin Ruolin was decisive and paid with her card without hesitation.

“Keep it on, don’t bother changing,” she told Lin Feng as he caught up.

“Miss, please pack up his original clothes,” she instructed the associate.

“Certainly.” The associate went to retrieve Lin Feng’s clothes from the fitting room.

“These clothes are too expensive. We should return them,” Lin Feng whispered in Qin Ruolin’s ear.

“You’re not paying for them!” Qin Ruolin shot him a glare.

“Still, I feel like I’m mooching off you wearing these,” Lin Feng replied, face creased with unease.

“I never took you for someone with such a macho streak!” Qin Ruolin scoffed.

“A man shouldn’t let a woman buy his clothes,” Lin Feng said seriously.

Qin Ruolin exhaled lightly. “How about this—consider the money I spent as a loan to you. Pay me back when you start earning, or buy me a set of clothes yourself.”

“Well…”

“No ‘well’ about it. That’s settled! If you really feel uneasy, pay me interest. But my interest rates are steep,” Qin Ruolin said with a smile.

“Alright then, it’s a loan,” Lin Feng agreed.

They left the boutique, and Qin Ruolin dragged Lin Feng into a shoe store, purchasing a pair of leather shoes costing over twenty thousand.

With his outfit complete, they returned to the underground parking lot.

“I feel like I’ve been adopted by a rich lady…” Lin Feng joked with resignation once they were in the car.

Qin Ruolin pursed her lips. “Honestly, with your looks and aura, you really do have the potential to be a kept man. Since you’ve fallen out with the basketball association, who knows if you’ll play again. Maybe I should introduce you to some wealthy women?”

“If you’re willing to keep me, maybe I’d consider it—but those older ladies, no thanks…” Lin Feng laughed.

“Dream on! I, Qin Ruolin, need to keep a man? I have admirers lining up from Beijing all the way to Times Square in America,” Qin Ruolin declared with pride.

“I believe it. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll join the queue at Times Square myself,” Lin Feng joked.

“Is that so? If you’re serious, I might let you cut in line,” Qin Ruolin teased, her smile seductive.

“Alright, I’ll let you know when I want to skip ahead,” Lin Feng shrugged.

“Hmph~!” Qin Ruolin pouted and started the engine.

Twenty minutes later, the car stopped at the rear entrance of a renowned Beijing restaurant.

Many upscale dining and entertainment venues have a so-called “VIP entrance.” Lin Feng had heard about them, but had never used one.

Qin Ruolin knocked on the door. The attendant who opened it instantly greeted her with a beaming smile. “Sister Ruolin, you’re here.”

Qin Ruolin acknowledged him. “Which private room is the old man in?”

“The Qian Room.”

She nodded, leading Lin Feng upstairs with practiced ease.

“You seem very familiar with this place,” Lin Feng remarked with curiosity.

“I own this restaurant,” Qin Ruolin replied, stopping before a wooden door.

Lin Feng looked up; above the door hung a plaque inscribed with “Qian Room.”

“We’re here. The old man is inside.” As she spoke, before Lin Feng could react, her soft hand slipped around his arm.

A faint fragrance wafted over him—a scent Lin Feng recognized from the plane, when Qin Ruolin had fallen asleep in his arms.

Qin Ruolin knocked gently.

“Come in,” a deep male voice came from within.

She pushed open the door, entering the private room arm-in-arm with Lin Feng, her face radiant.

“Old man, we’re here.”

Inside sat a single man—her father, Qin Weiguo.

“Good afternoon, Uncle Qin,” Lin Feng greeted him.

Qin Weiguo glanced at Lin Feng, then at Qin Ruolin, who was half nestled into Lin Feng’s arms, and shook his head lightly.

“Sit down.”

“Thank you, Uncle Qin.”

Lin Feng took a seat opposite Qin Weiguo, with Qin Ruolin settling beside him.

The room was elegantly furnished in a vintage style, with solid wood tables and chairs, and two famous calligraphic paintings adorning the walls. At that moment, Qin Weiguo was arranging a tea set, clearly preparing to brew tea.

“Let me do it, Uncle Qin,” Lin Feng offered.

“You know how to make tea?” Qin Weiguo was slightly surprised.

“A little.” Lin Feng smiled. “When I was young, my grandfather loved tea. I picked up the skills by watching him. He always kept a copy of Lu Yu’s ‘Classic of Tea’ by his bedside. Whenever I was bored, I’d read it, and over the years, I lost count of how many times I went through that book.”

“Oh? Not many your age have read the ‘Classic of Tea’,” Qin Weiguo said, turning to Qin Ruolin. “Girl, did you tell him ahead of time that I like tea?”

“I did not,” Qin Ruolin answered firmly, shaking her head.

“Really?” Qin Weiguo was skeptical, and looked at Lin Feng. “Since you claim to have studied the ‘Classic of Tea,’ let’s test you. If you can’t answer, it means you’re lying…”

“Please ask, Uncle Qin. If it’s about the ‘Classic of Tea,’ I can’t promise I know it all, but I recall at least seventy or eighty percent,” Lin Feng replied.

“Alright. Tell me, how many types of utensils for brewing and drinking tea are recorded in the ‘Classic of Tea’?” Qin Weiguo asked in a deep tone.

“Old man, what a boring question! Who would remember that?” Qin Ruolin pouted. She doubted Lin Feng had read the ‘Classic of Tea’—he was far too young for such tedious books.

Trying to shield Lin Feng, Qin Ruolin attempted to brush the matter aside.

Yet Qin Weiguo ignored her, pressing Lin Feng, “Do you know?”

Lin Feng smiled lightly. “If I remember correctly, there are twenty-nine types.”

…