Chapter 116: You Rustic Fellow

Page 1/3

“What difference does it make, big brother? Don’t think I’m unaware—you married your sister-in-law just two weeks after you got together,” Wang Baoguo said bluntly, determined to challenge Lin You.

“We were engaged,” Lin You replied.

“Engaged or not, you went from meeting to marriage in just half a month,” Wang Baoguo insisted, fixating on that point. “You say my time was short, but yours wasn’t much longer either.”

“Zhu Yan’s personality is different from your sister-in-law’s, and you don’t get along with her temperament,” Lin You countered.

Just as he finished, Xia Yan, overhearing, disapproved. “Hey, Lin You, how do you know Baoguo and Zhu Yan’s personalities don’t match?”

Lin You glanced at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes—he hadn’t expected Xia Yan to start challenging him too. “Don’t stir up trouble,” he said.

“This isn’t stirring up trouble. You tell me today—what kind of personality does Zhu Yan have, and what kind do I have?”

“I’m on my sister-in-law’s side. Big brother, if you can’t explain yourself, don’t expect dinner tonight,” Xia Yan turned to Wang Baoguo and gave a thumbs-up. “Baoguo’s right. If you can’t give a good reason, tonight’s dinner is just for us.”

Lin You was dumbfounded. What started as a critique session between the two of them suddenly shifted onto him, and it looked very unfavorable.

“Ahem...”

“Don’t try to dodge—speak up.”

Xia Yan’s tone was fierce, clearly signaling she wouldn’t let him off if he didn’t clarify today.

“I... you...” Lin You stammered for a long moment before gathering his thoughts. “Compared to these two, we’re different. I may not say much, but I’m more mature than Baoguo in how I handle things. Yan Yan is younger than Zhu Yan, but she isn’t as stubborn.”

As Lin You spoke, his eyes softened as he looked at Xia Yan. “Using Yan Yan’s words, though we haven’t been together long, we were both drawn by each other’s charm—it’s mutual.”

His gaze then shifted sharply to Wang Baoguo. “As for you, never mind everything else—your constant foolishness, do you really think Zhu Yan suits you?”

Hearing Lin You’s compliment, Xia Yan’s mood lifted. It was hardly the moment to side with Wang Baoguo.

Page 2/3

Seeing Xia Yan silent, Wang Baoguo whispered anxiously, “Sister-in-law, say something. We’re on the same side.”

“Comrade Baoguo, I think big brother has a point. From what I know of Zhu Yan, she prefers someone mature and steady like him.”

Lin You quickly protested, “Why drag me into this again?”

“I’m just speaking the truth. Besides, I’m talking about personality here—you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

“I’m not worried,” Lin You shut his mouth, signaling Xia Yan to continue. He had successfully disrupted their alliance and could now watch their internal strife from the sidelines.

A faint smile crept onto Lin You’s lips but quickly disappeared.

That brief flicker was caught by Xia Yan’s sharp gaze.

“Sister-in-law, what are you... We had an agreement...” Wang Baoguo said anxiously. Without Xia Yan’s strong support, pursuing Zhu Yan would be infinitely harder.

Xia Yan waved him off, signaling him to relax. Facing away from Lin You, he did not notice her subtle gesture. “But, Lin You, as big brother...”

The moment she said “but,” Lin You’s guard snapped back up. “No buts.”

His interruption was forceful. Xia Yan immediately replaced her stern look with a smile—though now her smile hinted at mischief.

“Lin You, let’s talk this through. I’ve been thinking seriously, and I believe Zhu Yan and Baoguo are actually quite compatible.”

“Why?”

Curious, Lin You leaned in to hear what she had to say.

“Like you said, Zhu Yan is serious and stubborn. People like that lead rather dull lives with little joy. Baoguo, on the other hand, is different. Even if he’s a hopeless romantic, his personality is good—he brings color to Zhu Yan’s life...”

Both men found some of the words unfamiliar—like “hopeless romantic”—but her reasoning was sound.

Wang Baoguo nodded continuously.

Lin You fell into thought.

Xia Yan pressed on with a sharp point whispered into Lin You’s ear, “Don’t you want your good brother to find his happiness? I think they really suit each other. Even if you don’t help, don’t stand in Baoguo’s way. Let him try and see how it goes.”

Page 3/3

“Just like us at the start—you said to take time getting to know each other. Baoguo hasn’t even spent much time with Zhu Yan, and you’re already calling it incompatible... too hasty,” Wang Baoguo nodded eagerly, thinking even higher of his sister-in-law.

Lin You wasn’t opposed to Baoguo and Zhu Yan being together.

He had overheard some pressure from Zhu Yan’s family about marriage.

Though he had no romantic feelings for Zhu Yan, she had cared for his three children for years, and he regarded her as family.

He wanted her to be happy, and he knew Baoguo well.

So, on the contrary, he hoped the two could be together.

But he worried Baoguo might be one-sided in his feelings, and Zhu Yan unwilling, making his involvement awkward.

Lin You was silent for a moment.

“Baoguo, big brother asks—do you truly want to pursue Zhu Yan? Have you really given up on the woman from before?”

“Big brother, do I look like a fool?” Wang Baoguo smiled bitterly. “I was young and reckless, didn’t listen to you all, stubborn as ever.”

“Zhu Yan is more like a light in my life... I thought I’d never find love again, but the moment I saw her... I swear, I understood what love at first sight really meant.”

Lin You watched him and couldn’t help but stand and give him a playful kick. Baoguo yelped and fell onto the ground.

“When did you learn to be so cheesy?”

Brushing himself off, Wang Baoguo stood up. “Big brother, can you please find time to read more books? How about some essays or novels?”

“What do you call cheesy? This is love! Don’t you get it, you old-fashioned...” Lin You was about to raise his leg again, but Xia Yan stopped him.

“I think Baoguo’s right!”