CHAPTER 93: "MARRY ME LIN XU." 1

While Lin Xu’s business was at its starting point of fame, it had really caught the eyes of different rich merchants, but none of them were willing to partner with her and invest, all thinking that she was just a woman with small luck.

"Soon her business will backslide and she’ll go back to having nothing, I won’t waste my money on her."

"Just because she got small sales doesn’t guarantee anything, she better just start preparing to shut her business down."

They all said different things about her pavilion, but she never backed down or let their words get to her.

Then he came along, a young master from a noble family. He decided to invest in her pavilion and support her.

It was two years ago, and now her pavilion has skyrocketed. She built up to five pavilions all around, having 60 percent while he has 40.

Smiling, Lin Xu walked towards the tall man dressed in a purple hanfu. His hair was packed in a neat bun as he smiled at her softly.

"I wasn’t expecting you..."

"Obviously, I wouldn’t miss the kids’ birthday," Young Master Su said with an easy smile, his tone warm and calm. "They’re practically my little siblings now, aren’t they?"

Lin Xu chuckled lightly. "You’ve spoiled them so much already, Young Master Su. I’m starting to think they might like you more than their own mother."

He laughed softly. "Then I must be doing something right." His gaze softened as it lingered on her face. "You look radiant today, Lin Xu. I see business success suits you well."

"Radiant?" she echoed with a faint smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "No, I’m just happy. It’s their big day, after all."

He nodded slowly, his eyes still studying her. "Two years ago, when I decided to invest in your pavilion, everyone thought I was making a foolish decision. Yet now look five branches, hundreds of workers, and even the capital’s merchants are talking about the ’Lady of the Pavilion.’"

Lin Xu smiled faintly, but there was a calm pride in her eyes. "They can talk all they want. What matters is the results."

"True," he said quietly. "And you’ve proven every last one of them wrong."

For a moment, silence settled between them. The courtyard breeze carried the sound of children’s laughter from the back garden.

Lin Xu finally spoke, her tone softer. "You’ve helped me more than you realize, Young Master Su. Without your support, it would’ve taken years to get here."

He waved a hand lightly. "You give me too much credit. I only provided the investment. You built everything else with your own hands."

She laughed gently. "Still, you believed in me when others didn’t. That’s something I won’t forget."

He looked at her for a long moment before replying, his voice low, almost teasing. "Then maybe you can repay me with a cup of wine later. Just the two of us."

Lin Xu gave him a look, half amused. "Careful, Young Master Su. People might misunderstand."

He grinned. "Let them. You’ve always been good at ignoring gossip anyway."

She sighed but couldn’t hide her smile. "You never change, do you? Haha, come this way. The birthday party is at the garden."

Lin Xu led him towards the garden where the others were.

Soon noon arrived, and all the guests came as well. The friends the boys had made from the academy, as well as Yiling’s village friends together with their parents.

The entire party was bustling. While seated together with Yan Mei and Zu Shi, they all talked with other mothers that were present for the party.

She excused herself to get something to drink, but she could feel someone’s eyes all over her.

When she turned her head, she was able to briefly catch Su Feng before he turned his head.

[ Ooohh, looks like someone has a crush on you, Host! ]

Susu’s teasing voice rang out, making Lin Xu pause mid-sip, her brow twitching slightly.

"You’re imagining things again," she said under her breath, setting her cup down.

[ Imagining? Ha! Host, I calculate. That man hasn’t taken his eyes off you for the last five minutes. I’ve tracked at least twelve instances of direct staring! ]

Lin Xu sighed softly, her lips curving faintly. "Maybe he’s just looking around. It’s a crowded party."

[ Uh-huh. And maybe I’m just a decorative floating ball with no advanced scanning system. Please. The moment you turned around, he panicked and looked away. Classic lovestruck behavior. ]

She ignored the smug tone and reached for another cup of wine. "You’re becoming more dramatic by the day, Susu. There’s absolutely no way Su Feng likes me. He treats me like a very good friend. You’re being ridiculous."

[ I don’t think I’m wrong, Host. After all, you two do seem like the perfect couple. He’s rich, a widower with two girls, and you are, umm, a woman abandoned by her two fake husbands. ]

Hearing that, Lin Xu frowned and smacked the flying ball with her backhand.

Pah!

Susu let out a startled beep! as it wobbled through the air, spinning wildly before steadying itself again.

[ Ow! Host! That actually hurt my data core! Why’d you hit me? I’m just stating facts! Did I forget to add you have kids too! ]

"Facts?" Lin Xu hissed under her breath, her smile fixed in place so no one nearby would notice. "You call that nonsense a fact? Watch your mouth before I toss you in the pond again."

[ Gasp! You wouldn’t dare! ]

"Try me," she muttered, taking a slow sip of her wine with a deceptively calm expression.

Susu dared not try her.

[ See ya later, Host! ]

It disappeared.

Sighing, Lin Xu thought of Susu’s words for a brief second before taking it off her mind.

"Lin Xu, what the heck are you even thinking? Su Feng is totally not interested in you in that kind of way." She shook her head slightly before returning back to Yan Mei and the rest.