Misunderstanding

Jing Fengqin was a local of Qingshui and knew quite a bit about the Lin Family, so she gave Zhang Shuai a rough rundown of how powerful the Qingshui Lin Family was.

In short, the three Lin brothers were famous figures in Qingshui City. The eldest worked in politics and was currently the Party Secretary of a prefecture-level city in a southern province. The second, Lin Yuemin, was in business and had assets worth tens of billions. The youngest served in the military and was said to hold the rank of regimental commander.

After hearing this, Zhang Shuai also began to wonder whether Lin Xiuwen might be Lin Yuemin's daughter. But he couldn't just ask Lin Xiuwen directly, so he took his phone back from Jing Fengqin and sent Sun Xiaoya a message.

"Xiaoya, is Lin Xiuwen Lin Yuemin's daughter?"

Sun Xiaoya replied quickly. "You're only figuring that out now? She is Lin Yuemin's daughter. And I'm warning you, don't go after her just because her family is wealthy. Xiuwen has high standards. There's no way she'd be interested in you!"

Zhang Shuai thought that if Sun Xiaoya found out he and Lin Xiuwen were dating, she might fall out with Lin Xiuwen, and their friendship would probably be over. He also had no idea what Sun Xiaoya would think of him. She might assume he was the sort of person who tried to marry into a rich family.

This was a bit of a headache. No wonder Lin Xiuwen had told him not to reveal their relationship to Sun Xiaoya.

"Sister-in-law, you were right. Lin Xiuwen really is Lin Yuemin's daughter."

Jing Fengqin's mouth fell open in surprise. A moment later, she gave Zhang Shuai a thumbs-up.

"Xiao Zhang, you'd better hold on tight to Lin Xiuwen. With her, you'll never have to work hard again. If you really become Lin Yuemin's son-in-law, don't forget to give your brother Qiang a hand."

Zhang Shuai felt a little uncomfortable. It sounded as if Jing Fengqin thought he was a pretty boy living off a woman. How could someone as proud as Zhang Shuai accept that?

"Sister-in-law, I'm with Xiuwen because I love her, not because her family is well-off."

Jing Fengqin hastily replied, "I understand. It's true love. I get it."

Although Jing Fengqin said that, Zhang Shuai could still tell from her expression that she seemed convinced he was trying to marry up. He was about to explain, but then suddenly gave up. Some things only sounded less believable the more you explained them. The more you explained, the more it seemed like you were making excuses.

Forget it. Let them misunderstand him. Zhang Shuai couldn't be bothered to explain anymore.

After the meal, as Zhang Shuai headed downstairs, Jing Fengqin insisted on going with him, carrying Lele while Wang Qiang walked beside her. She also wanted to see the new car Zhang Shuai had just bought.

Unexpectedly, when the elevator reached the twenty-sixth floor, a young woman got on. Zhang Shuai froze. It was Sun Xiaoya.

As soon as Sun Xiaoya saw Zhang Shuai, she greeted him excitedly.

"Brother Zhang Shuai, what are you doing here?"

Zhang Shuai hadn't expected to run into Sun Xiaoya and explained with a wry smile, "I came to a friend's place for a free meal."

Sun Xiaoya immediately greeted Wang Qiang. "Brother Qiang, I'm Zhang Shuai's friend. My name is Sun Xiaoya, and my dad is Sun Zhengcai!"

Wang Qiang looked at Sun Xiaoya, then glanced at Zhang Shuai and smiled. "So you're Director Sun's daughter. How did you meet Zhang Shuai?"

"I met Brother Zhang Shuai at driving school. We were learning to drive together."

Wang Qiang suddenly understood. "Was there also someone named Lin Xiuwen learning to drive with you?"

Sun Xiaoya looked surprised. "Huh? Brother Qiang, how do you know Lin Xiuwen? She's my best friend!"

Wang Qiang was about to say something when Zhang Shuai panicked. He was afraid Wang Qiang would let something slip. If Sun Xiaoya found out about his relationship with Lin Xiuwen, Lin Xiuwen would definitely blame him.

"Brother Qiang, Sun Xiaoya and Lin Xiuwen are both good friends of mine. Why are you asking about that...?"

Wang Qiang was good at reading people. Seeing Zhang Shuai's expression, he stopped asking.

A little while later, the elevator reached the first floor. Zhang Shuai and Wang Qiang's family stepped out, and Sun Xiaoya followed behind them.

When they reached the spot where Zhang Shuai had parked, Wang Qiang and Jing Fengqin looked at his brand-new Biguan Di car with envy.

"Zhang Shuai, you really bought a car? Be honest with me. Where did you get the money to buy it? Was it that girl of yours..."

Before Wang Qiang could finish, Zhang Shuai interrupted him without hesitation. He was really afraid Wang Qiang would let something slip.

"Brother Qiang, I earned the money for the car myself. Don't go making things up..."

The more Zhang Shuai tried to explain, the more Wang Qiang and Jing Fengqin were convinced that Lin Xiuwen had helped him buy the car. But with Sun Xiaoya there, they had to save Zhang Shuai some face, so they didn't ask anything else. They just walked around the new car, their eyes full of undisguised envy.

Sun Xiaoya looked at the car's green license plate and said, "Brother Zhang Shuai, why did you buy an electric car? Aren't gas-powered cars more convenient to drive?"

"This model has a range of four hundred kilometers, which is more than enough for me. I also compared the value for money of several models on the market. This one's affordable and offers a lot for the price. It's a pretty good car."

Sun Xiaoya smiled and changed the subject. "Brother Zhang Shuai, school starts tomorrow. Are you going with us? What are you going to do with your car?"

"I'm definitely driving it to school!"

Sun Xiaoya asked in confusion, "It's over three hundred kilometers from Qingshui to Hanjiang, and you'd have to take the expressway. You haven't even had your license for a year, so you're not allowed to drive on the expressway!"

Zhang Shuai smiled. "There is that rule, but even if I drive on the expressway, it's not a big deal. I'd only get fined two hundred yuan. Besides, it's not like I'm bound to get caught by the traffic police."

Sun Xiaoya thought he had a point and smiled. "That's true. With your driving skills, you'll definitely be fine on the expressway. In that case, why don't you drive Xiuwen and me to school? I can save the money I'd spend on a high-speed train ticket."

"I don't mind taking you to school, but have you asked Xiuwen? Is her family going to send someone to take her there?"

"I'll ask Xiuwen in a bit. If someone from her family is taking her, then the two of us can go together."

"All right. Ask Xiuwen when you get a chance." With Wang Qiang and Jing Fengqin there, Zhang Shuai couldn't refuse Sun Xiaoya, so he agreed casually. "Brother Qiang, I'll head back now. I still have to pack. I'm leaving for Hanjiang University tomorrow, and I probably won't be back for half a year."

"All right. It's good for you to go to university and learn more. With more knowledge, you'll surely have a bright future."

Wang Qiang and Jing Fengqin watched Zhang Shuai drive out of the residential complex before taking their child upstairs. As soon as they stepped into the elevator, they suddenly realized Sun Xiaoya had followed them in too.

Wang Qiang looked surprised and asked, "Sun Xiaoya, didn't you just go downstairs to head out? Why are you going back upstairs now?"

"Brother Qiang, I came to find you on purpose. I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it? Go ahead."

"Brother Qiang, you and Zhang Shuai are pretty close, right?"

"That's right. Zhang Shuai and I grew up together. We've been friends since we were kids."