Chapter 204: Lin Guoqiang parachutes into Donghai

When they got home, before they even had a chance to settle in, Lin Xiaowan's phone rank.

“Who's calling you at this hour?”

Lin Xiaowan shook her head, “Maybe it's a supplier from before.”

She had already delegated most of the company's affairs to Chen Yang, rarely managing the suppliers herself anymore. Glancing at her phone, her expression changed dramatically, “Su Lin, it's my dad calling.”

“Uh... father-in-law is calling.” Su Lin gestured for silence to Xia Shiyu, indicating for Lin Xiaowan to take the call.

“Hello, Dad, have you had dinner? What’s the matter, calling me so late?” Lin Xiaowan asked directly.

Hearing Lin Xiaowan's question, Lin Guoqiang immediately got angry, “What, can't I call you if there's nothing important?”

“Dad, that's not what I meant.”

“Where's Su Lin? Let that young man talk to me.”

Lin Xiaowan looked towards Su Lin, who hurriedly gestured that he wasn't there.

“Su Lin has gone to rest. Dad, what do you want to say?”

“Hmph, don't think I don't know. Su Lin must be right beside you. Put him on speaker; I want him to listen as well.”

Though Lin Xiaowan was somewhat biased against her own family, Lin Guoqiang couldn't deny his daughter, nor could he deny his feelings of irritation towards Su Lin, whom his daughter adored. There was nothing he could do about it.

Realizing Lin Guoqiang must have something important to say, Lin Xiaowan put the phone on speaker, “Dad, I'm on speaker now. What's it about?”

“A few days ago, I received a notification to become the mayor of Donghai. Tomorrow, have Su Lin call his dad, and let's have a meal together, our two families.”

“You received the notification a few days ago and you're assuming office tomorrow? That's so sudden,” Lin Xiaowan exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Guoqiang, unable to contain his anger, retorted, “Well, you might want to ask your boyfriend what he's been up to. Throwing out three big issues at once, do you think Donghai can remain calm? Without someone capable of managing the scene, it would have been turned upside down in days.”

“Dad, Su Lin has been with me recently; he hasn't done anything.”

At this point, Su Lin also spoke up, “Uncle Lin, please don't slander me. I really haven't done anything.”

“Are you finally willing to show up? Couldn't hold it in anymore?”

“If you ask me, the authorities should really take you in. Clearing the airport, clashing with the Song family, you make sure to have the guts,” Lin Guoqiang said sarcastically.

“Cough cough cough... Uncle, you know I was put in that situation; you can't blame me,” Su Lin awkwardly replied.

“Hmph, I couldn't care less about your trivial matters. Just make sure your dad comes tomorrow for dinner so we can discuss future arrangements.”

“You know the saying, 'The tree that stands out in the forest is easily blown down.' Your dad is walking a tightrope; if it weren't for someone protecting him, he'd have died hundreds of times over.”

“You've completely inherited your dad's genes in this aspect; both of you are troublemakers. How did our Xiaowan end up fancying such a troublemaker?”

Listening to Lin Guoqiang's exasperated words, Lin Xiaowan stuck her tongue out.

“Uncle! Enough already. You surely understand my virtues, which Xiaowan sees in me, right? What time are you planning for tomorrow? I'll call my dad right away to schedule it.”

“Let's make it 6 pm tomorrow evening, perfect for a dinner. You're all starting school soon, so stop causing trouble and rest at home until then, got it? As for Donghai's major families and those about to enter, I'll make sure they fall in line.”

Hearing Lin Guoqiang's authoritative tone, Su Lin was somewhat surprised. It seems the Lin family's foundations are truly solid.

Knowing just the families he's heard of entering Donghai amounts to no less than ten. It's just that things haven't stabilized yet, so they haven't started making moves.

“Understood, Uncle. Xiaowan and I will focus on our studies once school starts. But what if someone provokes me?” Su Lin asked with a smile.

“Then you beat the crap out of them. If your dad's big business can't protect you, he might as well find a ditch and bury himself,” Lin Guoqiang said heatedly.

He had interacted with Su Zhenguo more often than Su Lin had with his own father. Ever since Su Lin and Lin Xiaowan became a couple, Su Zhenguo had been showing off to him almost daily. So, in Lin Guoqiang's eyes, both Su Lin and Su Zhenguo were extremely annoying.

“Alright, it's your word, uncle. If someone bullies me, I'll fight back.”

“Hmph, come to Donghai and cause me more trouble, why don't you? So I can clean up after you.”

“I wouldn't dare. Really, I wouldn't dare.”

After hanging up, Su Lin felt somewhat relieved, “I didn't expect my father-in-law to be quite protective. I thought he would tell me to endure it.”

Lin Xiaowan laughed, “Don't be fooled by my dad's gentle demeanor now.” He used to have a fiery temper. It's just that he's more restrained these days. Su Lin, my dad is coming to Donghai. Are you nervous?”

Su Lin shook his head, “Why should I be nervous? It’s just the father-in-law meeting the son-in-law, no fear.”

“Hehe, tough talk. Hurry up and call your dad. Otherwise, with his busy schedule, it might be trouble if he can't make time…”

Nodding, Su Lin took out his phone to call Su Zhenguo. Su Zhenguo wasn't as surprised as Su Lin when he heard the news. He had learned from other channels about Lin Guoqiang coming to Donghai as the mayor.

Moving from Zhongjiang to Donghai seemed like a lateral move, but it was actually a promotion. Donghai is the capital of Jiangnan Province, while Zhongjiang is only a county-level city. Lin Guoqiang’s move could be seen as a significant leap.

In this world controlled by aristocratic families, it’s not always about how long one has served; such jumps in position are not uncommon.

“Tomorrow at 6 pm, right? I’ll arrange the time.”

“That’s settled, then. I’ll go reply now.”

“Alright, just remember to be polite. I’ve heard from Brother Lin many times how you often irritate him. After all, he is your future father-in-law. Give him some respect when necessary,” Su Zhenguo advised.

Su Lin couldn’t help but smile bitterly. When had he ever irritated Lin Guoqiang? It was mostly Lin Guoqiang getting angry at him, if anything.

“Alright, I got it.”

“I’ve got a meeting to attend, so I’ll leave it at that.”

Hanging up, Su Lin checked the time and said in disbelief, “It’s almost 10 pm and still having meetings.”

Lin Xiaowan laughed, “Did you think everyone is like you? Being a boss and living more comfortably than anyone else, hardly needing to handle anything.”

Su Lin replied, “Isn’t Chen Yang managing everything well? With his oversight, operations in Handong Province are advancing rapidly. The company does fine with or without me.”

Thinking of Xia Shiyu’s father still in Zhongjiang, Su Lin turned to Xia Shiyu, “Xiaoyu, how about we also bring your dad over? Donghai offers much better conditions than Zhongjiang. It would be nice to have someone looking after him.”

Xia Shiyu shook her head, “I’ve already asked my dad, and he doesn’t want to come. After his kidney transplant, he occasionally experiences rejection symptoms. He thinks Zhongjiang is pretty good and will visit us in Donghai when he has the time.”

“Hey, he doesn’t think coming over would burden us, does he?”

Su Lin knew Xia Shiyu’s father was a very prideful man, not wanting to trouble others.

“He’s really doing well in Zhongjiang. I send my salary back every month. Right now, my dad and Aunt Wang are enjoying their time together, so let’s not disturb them.”

Su Lin nodded, “Let them know they’re welcome to come to Donghai anytime they want.”

“Mm-hmm~!!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read