“What kind of business is it?”

Zhang’s father and Zhang Mama exchanged a glance, then turned to Lin Xi and asked.

Lin Xi smiled faintly, unscrewed a bottle of mineral water, took half a sip, and said softly, “It’s a deal that benefits both you two and me.”

Zhang’s father grew impatient and blurted out, “Miss Lin Xi, stop beating around the bush. Just get to the point. Whether we take this deal or not, we’ll decide after hearing what you have to say.”

Xiao Hu immediately bristled and snapped at Zhang’s father, “What are you so anxious about? Are you eager to hold your grandson or rush off to dinner?”

Zhang’s father’s face twitched twice, clearly showing his displeasure with Xiao Hu.

He didn’t really blame Xiao Hu, though. After all, they were all in the same boat. If someone spoke to his wife like that outside, he’d unhesitatingly stand up for her—that’s basic decency for a man. Still, being cut off like that left him feeling a bit put out.

Just as he was about to say something, his wife beside him chimed in, “This young…”

Before she could finish, Lin Xi jumped in first, “All right, let’s drop the pleasantries. Let’s all calm down and get down to business.”

Lin Xi’s single sentence silenced everyone.

Xiao Hu immediately fell silent.

Although Zhang’s father and Zhang Mama were still annoyed, they somehow found themselves obeying Lin Xi—as if little schoolchildren dutifully listening to their teacher.

Lin Xi wasted no more time. Smiling, she addressed the Zhangs directly: “Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, let me be frank: Xiao Hu and I came here specifically to intercept you two. If we’re not mistaken, the way you’ve been rushing around must mean you’re heading to find your son to talk about that Liu Qingqing affair, right?”

“You… how did you know?”

Zhang Mama’s face was filled with surprise and confusion. After all, such a private matter had never been shared with anyone—not even their own son—except for the two of them when they discussed it between themselves. How could these two possibly know?

Zhang’s father was equally taken aback. He puffed out his cheeks and thought hard for a while, then asked Lin Xi and Xiao Hu with an unusually solemn expression, “So you’ve been keeping tabs on Liu Qingqing—and on us, too, right?”

Lin Xi neither confirmed nor denied, her beautiful face still wearing that charming smile. “Judging by your reaction, I guess I’m pretty much right.”

“So what now?”

Zhang’s father asked.

Lin Xi replied, “That’s why we came—to stop you in time. Please don’t go through with it just yet.”

Zhang’s father pressed further: “But why? If you know so much, you must also know that in just a few days, our son and that woman are going to get married. If we don’t act, are we really going to sit back and watch things spiral into a situation we can’t possibly reverse?”

“Of course not,” Lin Xi said with a gentle smile. “Like I said, I want to make a deal with you two—a deal that benefits both us and you. So naturally I’m not going to stand by and let you watch your own son walk straight into that fire.”

“Then what exactly do you mean? Pardon my clumsiness—I really can’t grasp your meaning or figure out your intentions. If you’ve got something to say, please spell it out clearly!”

Zhang’s father said.

Lin Xi answered calmly, “Simply put, I hope Uncle Zhang and Aunt Zhang will stop putting so much pressure on your son, Mr. Zhang Yang, and especially avoid making this a done deal. I want Liu Qingqing and your son, Mr. Zhang Yang, to go ahead with their wedding as planned.”

End of Chapter 252: Counterattack 179