Chapter 6: You Should Go Too

At exactly five o’clock in the afternoon, Lin Hexi went to the north gate of the school.

As Lin Tong had said, the Lin family’s car was parked by the roadside waiting for him.

Lin Hexi and Lin Tong didn’t have much interaction, but he could guess that Lin Tong didn’t do this out of a sudden pang of conscience but had something to say to him.

However, he hadn’t anticipated that the topic would be You Chong.

Lin Tong didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point, “Stay away from You Chong.”

Lin Hexi was momentarily stunned, then quickly smiled, “What? Did it upset you that I approached him?”

Lin Tong replied expressionlessly, “I’m glad you understand.”

“But,” Lin Hexi’s tone abruptly shifted, and his expression turned indifferent, “whether you’re happy or not, what does that have to do with me?”

Lin Tong turned his head, and glaring at him with angry eyes, “You should know your place. He’s not someone you can reach.”

After scrutinizing him for a moment, Lin Hexi raised his eyebrow with an ambiguous expression and a subtle tone, “What? Do you like him?”

Lin Tong’s face was full of confusion, suspected that Lin Hexi was deliberately probing him, and said with his gaze hidden with caution, “If you mean liking as friends, of course I like him—”

As if not hearing the first part of Lin Tong’s explanation, Lin Hexi interrupted him coldly, and looked at him with a mix of surprise and pity, “So you do like him? Does Mrs. Lin know her son has fallen for a man?”

The previous indifference and maturity vanished, and Lin Tong, like a lit firecracker, responded furiously, “When did I ever say I liked men? It’s you who likes men, isn’t it?!”

“I do like men,” Lin Hexi sighed, feigning sorrow, “But what can I do? I didn’t choose to be born this way. Yet here you are, using my birth as a reason to stop me from liking someone. Is an illegitimate child not allowed to like anyone? Does an illegitimate child not deserve to have their own love?”

Lin Tong, bewildered by his long-winded argument, took a while to snap back to reality and angrily retorted, “What does it matter if you like men or women? How is that related to what I said to you?!”

Lin Hexi responded leisurely, “How is it not related?”

Lin Tong abruptly paused, then stared at him in shock and suspicion, “You like him?”

Lin Hexi found this amusing. Only now did he realize that the Lin family had raised Lin Tong to be so naive. His half-brother, apart from being pampered and habitually disdainful of him, wasn’t entirely without endearing qualities.

After recalling all the cold words and contempt he had endured from Lin Tong in the past, Lin Hexi decided to tease him, and deliberately curled his lips into a smile, “Why can’t I like him? He’s tall and handsome, comes from a wealthy and powerful family, and has a prominent Adam’s apple. Who knows—”

Lin Hexi suddenly leaned in close, and lowered his voice by Lin Tong’s ear, “Who knows, he might be quite fierce in bed too.”

Lin Tong, enraged, shoved him away, and looked at him as if he were filth desecrating something sacred. His face flushed, and he angrily exclaimed, “You Chong doesn’t like men, and he certainly wouldn’t like illegitimate children like you! Just give up already!”

At this point, Lin Hexi realized that Lin Tong’s affection for You Chong was likely just the admiration and respect a younger brother has for an older brother.

“Then just wait and see,” he said, his smile widening as he leaned back against the car seat, and said with a languid tone, “Let’s see if he actually ends up liking me.”

Lin Tong’s lips twitched with anger, and left him speechless.

The words Lin Hexi said to Lin Tong were mostly lies. He himself forgot them right after saying them, intending only to provoke Lin Tong rather than genuinely pursuing You Chong.

However, he didn’t anticipate that Lin Tong would take it so seriously and, a few months later, report it to You Chong.

Of course, Lin Hexi couldn’t foresee what would happen in a few months. At that moment, he and Lin Tong got out of the car one after the other and walked towards the Lin family’s villa.

Sure enough, Lin Yuanwei, who had been in Northern Europe for more than two months, was at home. Seeing the two of them come in from the entrance, he affectionately took out gifts he had brought back from Northern Europe and handed them to Lin Tong.

Lin Hexi walked past the father and son duo, who were sharing a moment of deep affection, without even glancing at them. And Lin Yuanwei didn’t spare him a single glance.

Used to being ignored by everyone in the Lin family, Lin Hexi maintained his usual calm and indifferent expression. Lin Yuanwei had no fatherly affection for him, and he felt the same towards Lin Yuanwei.

Dinner started at seven, with the four Lin family members taking their seats one after another. Lin Yuanwei was the first to pick up his bowl to drink soup, and only then did the others begin eating.

During the meal, Lin Yuanwei inquired about Lin Tong’s school life, with a hint of gratification in his eyes.

Lin Hexi had been treated like air the entire time, but unexpectedly, Mrs. Lin took the initiative to ask him in a gentle voice, “Xiao Xi, have you made any new friends at school?”

Only then did Lin Yuanwei’s gaze slowly fall on him.

When Lin Hexi first returned to the Lin family, he was far less savvy than he is now. Mrs. Lin appeared to treat him well on the surface, but secretly, she found ways to monitor and suppress him at every turn.

Realizing the hypocrisy of Mrs. Lin, the rebellious teenage Lin Hexi had directly confronted her at the dinner table.

Lin Yuanwei had exploded in rage, accusing him of being ungrateful and shameless. He asserted that if it hadn’t been for Mrs. Lin’s insistence on bringing him back, Lin Hexi would still be wandering the streets, living rough.

While Lin Yuanwei berated him, Mrs. Lin sat quietly beside him. The smile on her lips was still gentle, but her eyes were as cold as the ice on a river in the depths of winter.

Since then, Lin Hexi gradually understood that Mrs. Lin’s decision to bring him back wasn’t out of kindness. After careful consideration, she had decided it was better to keep him under her watch rather than leaving him somewhere she couldn’t control him.

After all, with the Lin family’s wealth, supporting an additional person who was neither here nor there wasn’t a financial burden.

Lin Hexi knew the intent behind Mrs. Lin’s question all too well. He replied indifferently, “I haven’t made new friends. I’m still hanging out with Ning Nan.”

As expected, hearing the name of the Ning family’s illegitimate son made Lin Yuanwei’s face twist with disgust and disappointment.

Lin Hexi smirked and said no more.

Satisfied with his response, Mrs. Lin looked at Lin Tong with even more tenderness, “It’s rare for your father to be back. Stay home for the weekend before returning to school, Tongtong.”

Lin Tong showed a troubled expression, “I have plans with You Chong and the others to watch a car race tomorrow.”

Hearing You Chong’s name, Lin Yuanwei’s mood, which had been spoiled by Lin Hexi, finally improved. “Then go,” he said. After a moment’s thought, he added with some concern, “You’ve been getting along well with You Chong and the others recently, right?”

Lin Tong nodded in response.

“Good, good.” Lin Yuanwei finally smiled, “Tongtong, remember, maintaining a close relationship with You Chong and his friends is good for you, for me, and for our entire Lin family. In the future, we’ll need the support of the You family and the Zhou family for our business and projects.”

Though a trace of discomfort and resentment flashed through Lin Tong, he silently nodded.

The next moment, as he caught a glimpse of Lin Hexi quietly eating, Lin Tong’s mood lifted. He raised his chin and looked at Lin Hexi with a provocative glance, feeling triumphant.

That expression looked just like a three-year-old child in kindergarten, proudly showing off a little red flower received from the teacher to a classmate who didn’t get one.

Lin Hexi laughed silently.

Lin Tong’s face immediately tightened, and stared at him coldly as if questioning what he was laughing at.

Not wanting to engage with a three-year-old child, Lin Hexi lowered his gaze and continued to focus on picking the bones out of his fish.

Lin Tong continued to stare at him expressionlessly.

Noticing where Lin Tong’s gaze was directed, Lin Yuanwei also turned his head, his eyes faintly looking at the obediently silent Lin Hexi. It was as if he was examining the increasingly delicate features of Lin Hexi’s face under the light, or perhaps appraising him like an unsold commodity.

After two seconds, Lin Yuanwei withdrew his gaze and spoke in a deep tone, “You should go with Tongtong tomorrow.”

A brief silence fell over the dining table.

After realizing belatedly that Lin Yuanwei was speaking to him, Lin Hexi slowly raised his head from under the light, still holding the long fishbone he had just pulled out.

“Always hanging around that Ning family’s illegitimate child, what kind of behavior is that?” Lin Yuanwei frowned in displeasure, “Since you’re part of this family, eating our food and using our money, you should do something for this family.”

Despite the harsh words, Lin Hexi’s expression remained unchanged.

Remembering what Lin Hexi had said earlier, Lin Tong across the table was now both shocked and furious.

Taking in his incredulous expression, Lin Hexi smiled lightly and said, “Alright, Father.”