Showing Off in Front of a Rival

Chen Hong frowned slightly before turning to Lin Xuan and Su Hua. "Don't just stand there—come in and sit down," he urged.

He ushered Su Hua and Lin Xuan inside.

"I'll make some tea for you."

With the teapot in hand, Chen Hong stepped out but pulled Chen Ling aside before she could enter the living room.

Glancing around cautiously, he lowered his voice. "Ling'er, I know what’s on your mind."

Chen Ling's eyes welled up with tears. "Dad, ever since Lin Xuan came to our orphanage over a year ago, I’ve liked him. But I never imagined he’d get a girlfriend so quickly."

She couldn’t accept it.

They had known each other since childhood, played together, and shared a bond as close as childhood sweethearts. She had met Lin Xuan first—how could some other woman take him away?

Chen Hong sighed. "Ling'er, since Xuan already has a girlfriend, you need to let go of these feelings. Find someone else to like."

He was worried.

His daughter had always been stubborn—once she set her mind on something, she would stop at nothing to get it.

He feared she might try to interfere in Lin Xuan and Su Hua’s relationship, and worse, that she’d end up hurt.

Chen Ling bit her lip, silent.

Giving up like this? Impossible. She loved Lin Xuan too much.

"Ling'er," Chen Hong took a deep breath, "you shouldn’t see Xuan today. Go calm down first. We can’t do something as shameful as being a homewrecker."

"No!" Chen Ling shouted at him.

She had waited so long just to see Lin Xuan again—how could she leave now?

Without another word, she stormed into the room where Lin Xuan and Su Hua were sitting.

A shadow of concern crossed Chen Hong’s face.

It seemed his daughter wouldn’t let go of Lin Xuan anytime soon. He’d have to keep an eye on her to prevent her from doing anything reckless.

Suppressing his thoughts, he strode out to prepare the tea.

Chen Ling settled onto the couch across from Lin Xuan, her gaze darkening as she studied Su Hua before dismissively looking away.

So what if she was his girlfriend?

As long as they weren’t married, she still had a chance to push this woman out of Lin Xuan’s life.

Even if they did marry—divorces happened.

Masking the jealousy in her eyes, she turned to Lin Xuan with a sweet smile. "Lin Xuan, it’s been so long!"

"Mhm." His tone was indifferent.

Though they had often played together at the orphanage, after he returned to the Lin family, they had drifted apart. Now, she felt more like a familiar stranger.

"Lin Xuan," Chen Ling pressed on, resting her chin on her hand, "do you remember our time at the orphanage?" Her voice dripped with nostalgia. "We had so much fun. Remember when we played house? I was always the bride, and you were the groom."

Lin Xuan tensed, stealing a glance at Su Hua.

Hua was the jealous type. Would she misunderstand because of Chen Ling’s words?

Seeing no change in Su Hua’s expression, he relaxed slightly.

Those were just childhood games—meaningless kid stuff.

Thankfully, Hua didn’t seem bothered.

Chen Ling continued, smiling. "You played the groom, and I was the bride. I even cut up a red tablecloth to use as a veil, like in ancient weddings. You lifted it for me."

"Oh, and we almost kissed! But we got too shy and didn’t go through with it."

She recounted every detail, hoping to rekindle Lin Xuan’s fond memories—and stir unease in Su Hua.

Lin Xuan’s scalp prickled.

Why was Chen Ling bringing all this up now?

"That was years ago. We were just kids—let’s not dwell on it," he said stiffly.

Su Hua still looked unfazed, but if this kept up, who knew how long that would last?

"How can we not talk about it?" Chen Ling pouted. "Those were our happiest memories!"

"And remember? We even drank ‘wedding wine’ from bowls with plain water. You promised you’d marry me when we grew up."

Lin Xuan’s eyes darted to Su Hua again.

A faint smile lingered on Su Hua’s lips, her expression unchanged.

The weight in Lin Xuan’s chest eased—but then doubt crept in.

Hua was usually possessive. If another woman so much as glanced at him, she’d sulk. Yet now, after hearing about childhood marriage games and promises, she showed no reaction.

Wasn’t that… strange?

Was this the calm before the storm, or did she genuinely not care?

Chen Ling, too, had been watching Su Hua’s face the whole time.

Seeing no cracks in her composure, Chen Ling clenched her fists in frustration.

This woman was good at pretending.

Chen Ling took a deep breath and continued, "Brother Lin Xuan, even though we were both quite immature back then, I’ve always remembered the promises you made about marrying me. For you, I’ve never even dated anyone else."

"But I never expected... that you’d end up in a relationship."

Her voice grew quiet, tinged with sadness.

"Maybe we’ve just grown up, and there’s no going back."

Chen Hong, who had just reached the doorway, overheard Chen Ling’s words and quickly strode inside.

As he poured tea for Lin Xuan and Su Hua, he interjected, "Xiao Xuan, and Xiao Xuan’s girlfriend, don’t take Ling’er’s words seriously. Those were just childhood promises—nothing to dwell on."

"After growing up, Ling’er and Xiao Xuan barely interacted. Please don’t misunderstand."

"I know," Su Hua replied with a graceful smile, her tone magnanimous. "I won’t misunderstand, because I trust Ah Xuan’s feelings for me."

"Besides me, Ah Xuan would never fall for any other woman."

"Hmph."

Chen Ling turned her head away with a cold snort, muttering under her breath, "Ugh, what a scheming little saint."

Let her gloat for now.

Sooner or later, she’d win Brother Lin Xuan back.

"No misunderstanding is good," Chen Hong chuckled, then stepped out briefly before returning with a plate of fruit, setting it before Su Hua and Lin Xuan.

Su Hua glanced at Chen Ling before cooing sweetly to Lin Xuan, "Ah Xuan, I want some fruit. Feed me, okay?" Her voice dripped with affection.

"Alright."

Lin Xuan nodded, spearing a piece of fruit with a toothpick and holding it to Su Hua’s lips.

Her eyes curved into happy crescents as she took a bite.

After finishing, she pointed at the fruit plate again. "Ah Xuan, I want watermelon next."

So tired, so tired, so tired...

Goodnight, everyone~

Thank you to Little Panda~, Snowless North City, Golden Lion Who Loves Grebes, Dream Painter, and other sweethearts for the gifts!

Uu.