Chapter 269: Does He Really Want to Make Amends to Her, or Is There an Ulterior Motive?
Chapter 269: Chapter 269: Does He Really Want to Make Amends to Her, or Is There an Ulterior Motive?
Yun Sheng’s heart stirred. She wondered if their tense standoff just now was actually about her. Suppressing her doubts, she followed Lin Zhenye’s gaze and looked toward Su Yuanzhou.
Compared to Lin Zhenye’s burning anger, Su Yuanzhou’s expression was much calmer. Seeing Yun Sheng look over, he gave a slight nod and said in a deep voice, "Take a seat first. We really need to hear your opinion on this matter."
Yun Sheng nodded, holding Si Jin’s hand as they walked to the other side of the sofa and sat down. Their movements as they took their seats were natural and intimate. Si Jin even pulled her a little closer to him, never once letting go of her hand, his posture displaying an undisguised possessiveness.
Su Yuanzhou quietly glanced at Si Jin. His eyes held a faint trace of scrutiny, yet he maintained a polite restraint, quickly shifting his gaze back to Yun Sheng. Once they were settled, he spoke slowly. "Yun Sheng, I came here today to discuss something with you. The Su Family wants to host a formal recognition banquet for you."
A recognition banquet?
Yun Sheng’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Su Yuanzhou had mentioned this to her back in Zone 10, but she had said she needed time to think and hadn’t given him an answer. To think he would come looking for her at the Lin Family’s home right after they returned to the Capital Star. No wonder Lin Zhenye looked so awful.
She had been back on the Capital Star for quite some time now, and rumors about her origins were flying everywhere. Yet, as her biological father, Lin Zhenye had never once brought up the idea of throwing her a recognition banquet. If the Su Family were to host one first, wouldn’t that be a direct slap to Lin Zhenye’s face? After all, if the mother’s side of the family hosted the recognition banquet for the biological daughter before the father’s side did, where would the Lin Family put their pride once word got out?
Yun Sheng took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulence in her heart. She said hesitantly, "As I said before, I need to think about the banquet a little more." She had already planned to leave the Lin Family once she officially became an employed guide at the Tower. Under these circumstances, there was really no need to get further entangled with the Su Family.
Hearing this, Su Yuanzhou showed no dissatisfaction on his face. He just patiently said, "Yun Sheng, I know you have reservations. That’s why I made a special trip here today to discuss it with you both. The Su Family wants to host this banquet for two reasons. First, we want to formally recognize you as my niece and let everyone know that you belong to the Su Family, and that the Su Family will protect you from now on. Second, we want to clear your name and quell the rumors out there, so people won’t carelessly gossip about you anymore."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhenye slammed his hand against the armrest of the sofa. "Protect her?" he barked sharply. "She is my daughter! It is not the Su Family’s place to overstep! If there is a recognition banquet to be held, our Lin Family will host it. Why would we need the Su Family to interfere? Su Yuanzhou, you’re clearly doing this on purpose. You deliberately want to humiliate the Lin Family!"
"I deliberately want to humiliate the Lin Family?" Su Yuanzhou looked up at him, his expression darkening. "Lin Zhenye, put your hand on your heart and tell me honestly—what have you done for Yun Sheng since she returned to the Capital Star? Do you know what people out there are saying? They say she’s useless. They say that even though she and Lin Yueyao were switched at birth, she’s inferior to Lin Yueyao in every way, which is why the Lin Family hasn’t acknowledged her! The Su Family is hosting this recognition banquet simply because we don’t want her to suffer any more grievances, not because we want to steal your daughter."
"You—!"
Lin Zhenye was left speechless by Su Yuanzhou’s words. His face turned alternately green and pale. The anger in his eyes burned even brighter, yet he couldn’t find a single reason to refute him. What Su Yuanzhou said was the truth. Because of Lin Yueyao, and because of the Lin Family’s pride, he hadn’t spoken up for Yun Sheng or publicly acknowledged her identity, even though he knew about the rumors going around!
Hearing their exchange, Yun Sheng felt a jolt in her heart. She instinctively looked at Su Yuanzhou, a clear trace of surprise flashing in her eyes. She had never expected him to defend her like this. But was this defense genuine, or did he have an ulterior motive? After all, even her own biological mother, Su Wan, had always felt distant, like there was an invisible barrier between them, and had never publicly acknowledged her identity either.
If even Su Wan was like this, what more of Su Yuanzhou? As her biological uncle, he had never made an appearance when she first returned to the Capital Star and was at her most isolated and helpless. There was absolutely no emotional foundation between them; they hadn’t even spent any proper time together. For him to suddenly be so eager to host a recognition banquet for her and defend her so firmly now—what exactly was he planning? Did he truly want to make amends, or was there some other purpose? Countless questions churned in Yun Sheng’s mind, making her feel faintly uneasy.
Perhaps sensing the uneasiness and doubt in her eyes, Si Jin, who was beside her, suddenly gave her hand a gentle squeeze. The warmth of his palm firmly enveloped her fingers, and his thumb lightly brushed against her palm twice. It was as if he was silently telling her not to be afraid because he was there.
Feeling Si Jin’s comforting touch, Yun Sheng’s tense nerves relaxed slightly. She let out a soft breath. Never mind. Whether Su Yuanzhou’s intentions were true or false, and whatever ulterior motives he might be hiding, she had no plans to delve into them for now. She would just take things one step at a time.
She was no longer the helpless Yun Sheng walking on thin ice like when she had first arrived in this world. Her spiritual power had grown considerably, and she now had the ability to protect herself. Plus, she had Si Jin by her side. Even if things developed beyond her expectations, the worst-case scenario would simply be cutting ties with the Lin Family and the Su Family.
"Lin Zhenye, I don’t need your approval for the recognition banquet. I only care about what Yun Sheng wants." Ignoring Lin Zhenye’s ugly expression, Su Yuanzhou turned to look at Yun Sheng. His tone carried a bit more solemnity, stripping away the hostility he had just used against Lin Zhenye. "Yun Sheng, think it over carefully. You don’t need to have any reservations, and you don’t need to accommodate anyone else. Just follow your heart. I hope you can give me an answer soon. The Su Family is always waiting for you."
Meeting his gaze, Yun Sheng’s eyes held no unnecessary emotion. She just gave a light nod. "All right. I will figure it out as soon as possible and give you an answer."
She wasn’t brushing him off, nor was she making any promises. She simply responded truthfully, neither letting down his good intentions nor forcing herself.
"That works. I’ll head back for today." Seeing her agree, Su Yuanzhou said nothing more. He stood up, straightened his suit, and prepared to leave.
Off to the side, Lin Zhenye still wore a dark expression. He sat motionless on the sofa, not even lifting his eyelids, showing zero intention of seeing the guest out. Seeing this, Yun Sheng gently pulled her hand free from Si Jin’s and stood up. Out of basic politeness and considering that Su Yuanzhou had just spoken up for her, she offered politely, "I’ll see you out."
She then accompanied Su Yuanzhou out of the living room.
Just as they reached the entrance of the front hall, they bumped into Su Wan and Lin Yueyao head-on.
Seeing Su Yuanzhou, Su Wan’s tone carried a hint of surprise. "Yuanzhou, what brings you here? Why didn’t you tell me in advance?"
Lin Yueyao closely followed suit with a greeting, wearing a sweet and docile smile on her face. "Uncle Yuanzhou." As she spoke, she subconsciously tightened her grip on Su Wan’s arm, leaning her body closer in an intimate posture.
Su Yuanzhou’s gaze fell on their linked arms. His brows furrowed unconsciously, and a clear trace of dissatisfaction flashed in his eyes. Ignoring Lin Yueyao, he looked expressionlessly at Su Wan and dropped a harsh critique: "So muddle-headed."
With that, he walked away.
Stunned by his scolding, Su Wan stood frozen in place, the smile completely stiffening on her face.
Beside her, Lin Yueyao’s expression instantly changed. She gently shook Su Wan’s arm and said aggrievedly, "Mom, does Uncle Yuanzhou have a problem with me? Why would he say that to you? Is it because I’m not your biological daughter, so he dislikes me, and by extension, is unhappy that you treat me so well?"