Supreme Heir Son-in-law
Chapter 82 Buying a House (Request for Collection and Explosive Updates - 1)

Chapter 82: Chapter 82 Buying a House (Request for Collection and Explosive Updates Chapter 1)

When Lin Mengchen was thrown out, Lin Mengyao and Xu Ke stood among the crowd, witnessing everything firsthand. "Do you think I was too harsh on her? But has she considered what those words would mean to you if others heard and remembered them? She’s no longer a child; she knows how much gossip this will stir against you in Locheng, yet she still said it. Compared to the harm she’s caused you, what I’ve done to her is only a fraction."

Xu Ke held Lin Mengyao’s cool fingertips and whispered softly in her ear.

"I know, I’m just a little sad. I never thought our paths as sisters would lead to this."

After all, Lin Mengchen had been her sister for over a decade. Watching her be dragged away in front of the entire high society, losing all face, Lin Mengyao felt indescribably distressed. She blamed Xu Ke for being too ruthless, but his words dispelled her resentment, leaving only endless melancholy.

Who could have imagined that the sister who used to follow her around and act coquettishly would grow up wanting to destroy her?

"There’s nothing to be sad about; you still have me." Xu Ke patted Lin Mengyao’s head and led her toward the center of the banquet.

In the heart of the banquet, Old Yun was happily chatting with his old friends. Upon seeing Xu Ke suddenly appear with Lin Mengyao, Old Yun’s brow furrowed slightly.

"Which family are you from, young man, that you don’t even understand these basic courtesies?" Old Yun said irritably.

"Old Yun." Old Jin, who also attended the banquet, discreetly tugged at Old Yun’s sleeve and, under his puzzled gaze, whispered in his ear, "His surname is Xu."

"What’s so special about being named Xu?" Old Yun was about to say more when, in the next moment, his wandering mind snapped back to focus. Old Yun looked at Old Jin with a suspicious glance, and Old Jin nodded slowly under Old Yun’s stare, then softly added, "That Xu from the Shangjing Xu Family."

Old Jin’s words confirmed Xu Ke’s identity, causing Old Yun’s half-narrowed eyes to suddenly widen uncontrollably. The Shangjing Xu Family dominated among the four great families, and even those like them, living far away in Locheng, had heard of the Xu Family. They just hadn’t expected someone from there to appear in this small place, so far from Shangjing.

Old Yun trembled slightly, retrieving his dropped jaw, and looked at Xu Ke with increasing respect.

"I am Xu Ke, and this is Lin Mengyao." Xu Ke glanced at Old Jin and Old Yun whispering like children, then spoke expressionlessly.

"Ah, it’s young friend Xu. At my age, my eyesight and mind aren’t as sharp as they used to be. Please forgive me for not recognizing you earlier." Old Yun cast a grateful glance at Old Jin before speaking cheerfully to Xu Ke, his respectful tone shocking those waiting to see Xu Ke make a fool of himself.

The onlookers were already stunned by Old Yun’s prior disrespect toward Xu Ke, and now his respectful attitude was jaw-dropping. Even Lin Mengyao widened her beautiful eyes in surprise at Xu Ke, though her surprise contained a hint of displeasure, which she wasn’t even aware of. It was clear Xu Ke’s failure to introduce her identity made her feel uncomfortable.

"Grandpa, who is he, and why are you being so polite to him?" The Yun Family’s little princess, Yun Rulan, tugged at Old Yun’s sleeve, dissatisfied with Xu Ke’s lack of respect for her grandfather.

Old Yun didn’t know how long Xu Ke had been in Locheng, but judging by Old Jin’s familiarity with him, it seemed he’d been here for quite some time. Since no word of his presence had spread, it was likely Xu Ke did not want his identity exposed. Contemplating this, Old Yun reached a conclusion, patted his granddaughter’s hand on his arm, and smilingly said, "Don’t be rude to the guest. Is this what I always teach you? Go greet him." Though seemingly angry, Old Yun gave his granddaughter a knowing look.

Yun Rulan didn’t understand why her grandfather wanted her to befriend this person, but she obediently moved from Old Yun’s side to stand opposite Xu Ke, lifting her skirt and charmingly saying, "I hope you won’t mind my earlier jokes. I’m Yun Rulan, and if you ever need anything in Locheng, feel free to reach out to me." Yun Rulan blinked her big eyes at Xu Ke, her exposed canines adding to her sweet and cute appearance.

But whether intentionally or not, Yun Rulan’s disregard for Lin Mengyao left Xu Ke completely indifferent towards her. His expression chilled visibly, and he entirely ignored Yun Rulan’s attempt to greet him, instead turning to Old Yun and saying plainly, "I heard the Yun Family is building a villa area on Kangshi Mountain. I wonder if you could save me a spot."

This charming and sweet Yun Rulan received a mere cold glance from Xu Ke, relieving Lin Mengyao, who had been on edge, with a sense of sweetness rising in her heart. However, Xu Ke’s formidable display today also subtly stirred a sense of urgency within her, making her feel that the gap between them was widening and Xu Ke was growing more distant from her.

Worried, Lin Mengyao unconsciously tightened her grip on Xu Ke’s hand, prompting him to glance down at her.

Lin Mengyao returned a smile to Xu Ke and quietly stood beside him, continuing to play the role of his supporting presence.

"Of course you can. I’ll give you whatever spot you like." Old Yun patted Yun Rulan’s back to comfort his neglected granddaughter but maintained a smile despite Xu Ke’s lack of courtesy to her.

"No need for that. I’ll pay full price. I’ll have Old Jin pass on my choice once I decide." Xu Ke didn’t accept Old Yun’s goodwill and, after saying what he wanted, turned to leave with Lin Mengyao, leaving an indignant Yun Rulan behind.

This scene unfolded and ended quickly, so Lin Zike, who arrived later, missed it entirely. He sat idly in the rest area, playing with the cutlery before him, bored and counting the time.

Despite the brief incident, observant individuals caught the exchange. Although their distance meant they couldn’t hear what was said between Xu Ke, Old Yun, and others, conversing for a while indicated Xu Ke’s remarkable presence. Consequently, when Xu Ke withdrew from Old Yun’s circle, the swarm of people eagerly approaching to engage demolished Lin Mengyao’s plans to intercept Xu Ke for a conversation.