Chapter 161: The Family Business (3)

Lin Kang looked out the car window at the scenery that was completely unfamiliar to him. Honestly, the man could not remember the last time he went out of the city. It probably had been years and it was to survey a plot of land for a new real estate project.

Gone were the familiar traffic lights, bustling pedestrians, neon shop signs and skyscrapers, in their places though were the green trees, shrubberies and a clear sky that was not polluted by exhaust smog.

When Lin Kang told his driver they were going to the countryside, there was apparent shock on the man's face. However, he did not question his order because Lin Kang was the boss. They had been driving for hours since morning and the scenery changed from the concrete jungle to an actual jungle.

Finally, they arrived at their destination.

If this was the old Lin Kang, he would have turned his nose up at the backwardness of the place. Then again, the old Lin Kang would not have come here in the first place.

The current Lin Kang though found the place had a rustic charm to it and that was solely because this was the place where his wife grew up. Visiting the location that held such importance in her history, Lin Kang felt he had gained a new appreciation and understanding of his wife.

When the car rolled to a stop and Lin Kang stepped out from the door, he noticed there were pairs of eyes looking at him. Then again, that was to be expected because it was hard for a luxury car to not garner attention at a place like this much less a whole entourage which was what Lin Kang brought with him that day. One might assume he had gone overboard but he had his reasons to do so.

They had been attracting the eyes of the local people ever since they entered the village and the villagers had congregated to see which important people had arrived at their humble village and who they were visiting.

Lin Kang would have preferred not to create such a big fuss but it was already too late. 'Perhaps these people will prove useful.' Lin Kang thought as he wandered close to the crowd of villagers.

When he was close enough, Lin Kang asked while pointing at the humble-looking houses nearby, "Excuse me but is this Madam Xiu's home?"

The villagers simply looked at him with their mouths wide open. They seemed to be too awe-struck to muster a coherent response for Lin Kang. Just as the man was about to sigh and turn away, a boy who was dressed in what could only be described as rags said in a high-pitched voice, "Madam Xiu? Mr., are you talking about Auntie Xiu? Yes, that is her place, she always give us scrap breads and cookies whenever she makes them. She's amazing!"

That did sound like what his mother-in-law would do.

Lin Kang turned to smile at the boy. "Thank you, kid."

"You're welcome, Mr."

'Well, you can't say they're not polite.' Lin Kang observed as he turned to walk towards Xiu Ling's childhood home. Lin Kang knocked on the front door and a familiar voice that he had not heard for quite some time drifted out from within. "Please wait for a minute. Coming."

"Yes, good afternoon. How can I help..." The words froze on Mrs. Xiu's lips. Her eyes that landed on Lin Kang's face turned from friendliness to caution in mere seconds. In a more guarded tone, she asked, "Why are you here?"

"Good afternoon, mother..." Lin Kang began to say when he was interrupted by Mrs. Xiu, "Wait a minute, who are you calling mother, Mrs. Xiu will do just fine."

"But Madam Xiu, you are Xiu Ling's mother and thus my mother-in-law so it is only right that I refer to you as..." Once again Lin Kang got cut off by Mrs. Xiu. The elderly woman scoffed, "I have never acknowledged you as my son-in-law so like I said earlier, Mrs. Xiu will do just fine."

The scoff rested uneasily on Mrs. Xiu's face like it was not an expression that the old lady used commonly. It felt like her facial muscle had a hard time moving into place to express the feeling of disdain that Mrs. Xiu tried to show.

Mrs. Xiu welcomed the world and everyone that she met with friendliness and kindness. She often greeted them with a smile. The only exception she had was Lin Kang because this was the man who cruelly kicked her out of his house and forbade her from seeing her own daughter and only grandson. It was already kind enough on Mrs. Xiu's part that she did not chase Lin Kang out with a broom directly. After all, it would only be fair to do so. He chased her out once and she was more than allowed to return the favor.

However, Mrs. Xiu's cordial nature compelled her to give Lin Kang a slight window to explain himself before chasing him out, "So, why are you here. Say what you have to say and leave before I go and get the broom."

Lin Kang knew things would not be so easy before he arrived. Then again, this was his own mistake. He was merely reaping the reward of the effort he sowed. Lin Kang had no one to blame but himself for Mrs. Xiu's aggression.

Lin Kang knew Mrs. Xiu would not hesitate to throw him out if he tried to feed her a long story to persuade her of his stance so he cut right to the point, "Mother, I'm here today because I want to ask you for your blessing for me to be together with Xiu Ling. I've been..."

Once again, before Lin Kang could finish his sentence, Mrs. Xiu cut him off but this time not only with her words but also with her action.

"Never!" Mrs. Xiu slammed the door close.