Chapter 46: I Refuse to Marry Xu Damou

Lou Family Residence.

Wu, the housekeeper, who was chatting with Lou Xiao’e’s parents, suddenly changed her expression upon hearing the noise at the door. How could they be back so soon? Could it be that Xu Damao failed to win over Lou Xiao’e?

“Wu, please step outside. I have something to discuss with my parents,” Lou Xiao’e said as she sat down on the sofa.

“Miss, you and Damao…” Wu began, but Lou Xiao’e shot her a sharp glance, causing her to retreat awkwardly.

“Xiao’e, this is your future mother-in-law,” Lou’s mother said sternly.

“She’s not. I don’t like Xu Damao,” Lou Xiao’e spoke frankly.

“Nonsense!” Lou Bancheng slammed his hand on the table. “Xiao’e, don’t you understand the family’s situation? This isn’t about liking or disliking.”

Hearing the thud, Wu, who was eavesdropping from a distance, finally walked away satisfied.

“I know. You just want to find a way out for the Lou family,” Lou Xiao’e bit her lip lightly. “You want me to marry Xu Damao to show loyalty to certain people, right?”

Lou Bancheng snorted coldly but remained silent.

In truth, he himself was reluctant to see Lou Xiao’e marry Xu Damao—after all, Xu Damao was the son of a servant in their household.

But without this alliance, who knew how many eyes would be on the Lou family?

Being the wealthy Lou Bancheng, even though most assets had been turned into joint ventures, the wealth in his hands was still staggering.

“Actually… if you want to stabilize the Lou family, I have an even better option,” Lou Xiao’e said shyly.

“Oh?” Lou Bancheng’s interest was piqued.

His daughter had been pampered and coddled since childhood, almost afraid of breaking or spoiling her, and as a result, Lou Xiao’e was free-spirited and carefree, never interested in such matters.

When it was first proposed that she marry Xu Damao, Lou Bancheng had even wept bitterly.

“Dad, do you remember that doctor we met at Grandpa Zhao’s place last time?” Lou Xiao’e blushed as she spoke.

“Who? Lin Shaowen…” Lou Bancheng was suddenly stunned, then slapped his forehead. “Xiao’e, you met him?”

After returning from Zhao Qingming’s place, he had immediately sent someone to gather information about Lin Shaowen.

A top medical student from the university, the favored disciple of Director Qin, who had turned down an extremely lucrative position at Xiehe Hospital to work at a steel mill.

Both his parents were senior intellectuals and martyrs’ relatives.

Such a background was truly formidable.

So what if you came from three generations of poor farmers? His father had sacrificed his life for the country—how could you compare?

“Yes, I met him,” Lou Xiao’e admitted, blushing. “But don’t get your hopes up. He’s quite annoying and may not even want to marry me.”

Lou’s mother and Lou Bancheng exchanged a glance, recognizing the signs of youthful infatuation.

“Xiao’e, tell your mother what kind of person Doctor Lin is,” Lou’s mother urged, holding Lou Xiao’e’s hand.

“He is very kind, but a bit annoying…”

After shyly recounting Lin Shaowen’s actions in the courtyard, Lou Bancheng and his wife both chuckled softly.

Especially Lou’s mother, who had thought that anyone bold enough to tell Madam Zhao “not to entice the doctor with benefits” would be a rigid person, but she never expected him to be so amusing.

Moreover, with a stunning beauty living just outside the door, Lin Shaowen’s indifference showed he was a true gentleman.

“Mom, let me tell you, Lin Shaowen’s flowers are especially beautiful—more beautiful than ours—and he’s very clean…” Lou Xiao’e babbled nonstop, causing Lou Bancheng to smile wryly.

His daughter was clearly smitten.

“Really? Then I must see for myself,” Lou’s mother said affectionately.

“But there’s a problem,” Lou Xiao’e fretted. “You don’t know, Lin Shaowen is really annoying. He even said to me… that I have feelings for him.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Lou’s mother was surprised.

Lou Xiao’e told her about following Lin Shaowen to his home, which made her mother laugh and cry at the same time. A young, unmarried girl trailing after a young man to his house—wasn’t that a sign of interest?

“Reason? What reason do you need?” Lou Bancheng said sternly. “Your mother’s health isn’t good, Lin is an excellent doctor, take her to the steel mill for a check-up…”

“Yes, Dad is smart,” Lou Xiao’e brightened immediately. “Tomorrow is Monday, we’ll go then… No, I need to check my clothes first. Too many people work at the steel mill. I can’t dress too conspicuously.”

With that, she scampered upstairs.

“You’ve raised this daughter for nothing,” Lou’s mother said with a bitter smile.

“She’s too optimistic. Lin Shaowen isn’t someone you can easily win over,” Lou Bancheng sighed.

“Oh? Even you, Lou Bancheng, can’t handle something?” Lou’s mother was surprised.

“Did you know that Old Zhao has recovered?” Lou Bancheng asked.

“Yes, I visited the hospital yesterday and spoke briefly with Madam Zhao,” Lou’s mother nodded.

Lou Bancheng said no more and closed his eyes to rest.

Lou’s mother pondered for a long while before smiling bitterly.

Lin Shaowen ignored even someone as influential as Zhao Qingming; what did the Lou family amount to in comparison?

Nanluogu Alley.

West Wing Courtyard.

“What’s wrong? Feeling down?” Lin Shaowen looked at Qin Huairu, who seemed gloomy.

“No,” Qin Huairu forced a smile.

“Let me guess, is it because of Lou Xiao’e?” Lin Shaowen pulled her into his arms.

“Actually… Miss Lou is quite nice,” Qin Huairu said softly.

“She is,” Lin Shaowen nodded. “But if I married her, our marriage wouldn’t last more than ten years.”

“Why?” Qin Huairu was surprised.

“There are many things you’ll understand later,” Lin Shaowen smiled.

“Then… what if I said yes? Would you marry Miss Lou?” Qin Huairu asked urgently.

“If fate allows, why not?” Lin Shaowen murmured. “But… companionship is the longest confession of love. When apart for too long, feelings have a shelf life.”

“I don’t understand.”

Qin Huairu buried her head in his chest.

“It’s good you don’t. Honestly, I don’t understand either,” Lin Shaowen shrugged.

“I will always be with you,” Qin Huairu whispered.

“Mm.”

After holding her, Lin Shaowen rolled up his sleeves. “I happened to have some good ingredients. I’ll cook today.”

He then headed toward the kitchen.

“I’ll help you.”

Qin Huairu immediately followed.

But when she saw the palm-sized Australian lobster in the kitchen, she was startled and stepped back twice.

She had never seen such a huge prawn before—it looked monstrous.

“This is Australian lobster, very delicious,” Lin Shaowen smiled.

“No way, it’s disgusting,” Qin Huairu shook her head hastily.

Half an hour later.

“Shaowen, this is delicious,” Qin Huairu praised loudly.

“If you like it, eat more,” Lin Shaowen smiled and shook his head.

The seasoning was simple—only soy sauce.

If only there were some wasabi and beer, it would truly be a feast.

“I’ll just have a little taste.”

Qin Huairu placed the peeled shrimp meat into Lin Shaowen’s bowl.

She liked to eat it, but with only two lobsters, she couldn’t eat too much.

“Silly, there’s plenty of this stuff. I have my sources,” Lin Shaowen pushed the bowl back. “Whenever you want some, just tell me, and I’ll get it for you.”

“Really?” Qin Huairu was delighted.

“I don’t think I’ve ever lied to you, have I?” Lin Shaowen smiled.

“No, you wouldn’t lie to me.”

In Qin Huairu’s heart, Lin Shaowen had surpassed everyone else.