Why didn't you tell me earlier that my little sister is still waiting for me?

Xue Sumei was momentarily stifled by Lan Caiping's vehement, gloomy words. Her earlier euphoria was instantly dampened. She opened her mouth to retort, only to find that the other person's words made some sense. She'd been so caught up in her happiness that she hadn't really thought about it... How could a big boss be so idle?

But she couldn't admit defeat, especially in front of her old rival Lan Caiping! Xue Sumei immediately stiffened her neck and forcefully argued, "You...what do you know! How can it be the same? Our Xiaolin is the boss! Do you understand? A boss is someone who pays people! He has plenty of people working under him, so why does he have to do everything himself? That's called good management, knowing how to enjoy life! Unlike the guy your Weiwei found, he sounds like a high-level employee. Of course, he has to look after the boss and be on call at any time!"

Although she spoke with a firm tone, Xue Sumei couldn't help but feel suspicious, and her fiery excitement cooled a little. Lan Caiping's words were like a small thorn, quietly piercing her heart.

She couldn't help but think back: Xiaolin hadn't really said anything specific about what kind of company he ran, or how big it was... And he seemed to have quite a flexible schedule. He could volunteer all day yesterday, and he could go to Taozi's place early this morning...

Could it be that... that old witch Lan Caiping was right? Xiaolin... wasn't really that capable? Was he just bragging?

As soon as this thought came to her mind, Xue Sumei suddenly felt uneasy. She quickly exchanged a few sharp words with Lan Caiping, then hung up the phone, making an excuse that she had something to do.

After hanging up the phone, the elation and glow on Xue Sumei's face completely disappeared, replaced by a hint of anxiety and doubt. She could no longer sit still and paced back and forth in the living room, her brow furrowed.

Su Qing looked at her aunt and asked with concern, "Aunt, what's wrong? What did Aunt Lan say again?"

Xue Sumei stopped and looked at Su Qing worriedly: "Qing'er, you say... Xiaolin... he... he really can't have any problems, right? What Lan Caiping said does make some sense. How can a big boss be so idle? And still be around Taozi every day? Is he really... really a liar?"

Hearing this, Su Qing quickly comforted her, "Aunt, don't scare yourself. Aunt Lan was just arguing with you, are you taking her words to heart? Xiaolin doesn't look like that kind of person. Besides, there are many ways to start a company. Maybe Xiaolin's company is already on the right track and doesn't need him to keep an eye on it all the time? Or maybe he's just efficient and can manage his time well?"

Despite Su Qing's efforts to comfort her, Xue Sumei's suspicions, once planted, were difficult to dispel. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She muttered to herself, "No... No... I have to find out the truth... This is a matter of great importance to Taozi's life, and I can't be careless!"

A plan for "reconnaissance" quickly took shape in Xue Sumei's mind. Her eyes became determined, and she picked up her phone again and began to search for phone numbers - she had to find an opportunity to find out whether this "future son-in-law" Lin Bufan was real gold or copper!

After the call was connected, Xue Sumei tried to make her voice sound casual and natural: "Taozi, are you awake? Have you eaten yet?"

Yang Tao was fixing her hair in front of the mirror in the hallway. Lin Bufan stood behind her and naturally smoothed down a strand of her hair. She answered into the phone, "Just finished eating. Mom, what's up?"

Xue Sumei asked tentatively: "That... Xiaolin... is he still with you?" She held her breath and listened carefully to the movement over there.

"No... no! He left early! He just... just gave a bouquet of flowers, said a few words and left. I was just about to catch up on some sleep." Yang Tao thought Xue Sumei was going to ask about her and Lin Bufan again. In order to prevent Xue Sumei from asking endlessly and disturbing her date with Lin Bufan, she chose to lie. As for saying that she had just finished a night shift and was catching up on some sleep - this obviously could not be a stumbling block to love!

Xue Sumei obviously didn't expect Yang Tao to lie. After confirming that Lin Bufan was not there, she immediately revealed her true purpose: "Taozi, Mom wants to ask you something... Do you know Xiao Lin... What exactly does he do for a living? What kind of company does he run? How big is it?"

Hearing this, Yang Tao frowned slightly, and said in a puzzled tone: "Mom, why are you asking this all of a sudden? Why are you asking me this? It's so presumptuous."

Xue Sumei sighed and roughly recounted her conversation with Lan Caiping, especially emphasizing Lan Caiping's doubts about "a real boss couldn't possibly be so idle." After she finished, she realized that this made her seem somewhat indecisive, so she quickly added, "Of course, Mom doesn't distrust Xiaolin! Mom also thinks Lan Caiping's words are pure jealousy and nonsense! But...but these words, like a thorn in my heart, make me feel a little uneasy. Let's get to know her better, so we can have a clearer understanding and refute her with more confidence in the future, right? Mom is doing this for your own good, just to be on the safe side, nothing else."

Yang Tao glanced at Lin Bufan, who had a playful look on his face, and she wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into. She really didn't expect her mother to say that. If she had known, she might as well have said that Lin Bufan was there!

To escape the awkward situation, Yang Tao quickly said, "Mom! How can you believe everything you hear? Aunt Lan was just arguing with you, and you really took it to heart? Lin Bufan and I... we're still together, we haven't even started dating yet, and you're already asking about his company and assets? How can you be so unreasonable? I'm marrying someone based on his character, not his money!"

"Oh! My silly girl!" Xue Sumei's voice immediately rose, with an anxious look of "hate iron but not steel": "Why are you so naive? Do you think I only care about money? I'm afraid you'll be cheated! For men, ability and sincerity are linked! If he really has great ability, that's great; but if he doesn't have that ability but insists on bragging, then that's a character problem! It's a problem of integrity! This is much more serious than being poor! I'm an experienced person, I've eaten more salt than you have eaten rice. When judging a person, you have to be comprehensive! Financial status is also an important aspect of measuring whether a person is reliable. How can this be called going for money? This is called necessary understanding!"

Yang Tao still felt that her mother's behavior was too rash. Moreover, Lin Bufan was right beside her, so she naturally couldn't agree. "Anyway, I don't think this is a good idea! It's so rude!"

Seeing her daughter's refusal to budge, Xue Sumei began to grow angry and said in a tough tone, "Alright! You think it's not good, so you don't want to ask, right? Okay, then I'll ask! I'll call Xiao Lin right now and ask him directly!"

"Mom! Please don't!" Yang Tao was anxious when she heard this. If her mother asked directly, how embarrassing would the situation be? She quickly stopped her: "What are you doing? This is so rude!"

Xue Sumei pressed on: "So are you going to ask or not?"

Yang Tao was forced into a corner and had no choice but to compromise. He sighed helplessly and said, "...Okay, okay! I'll ask! I'll ask, okay? I'm really impressed by you..."

Xue Sumei was finally satisfied, and her tone softened: "That's about right. Remember to ask quickly, and get back to Mom when you've figured it out."

"I know, I know. I'm hanging up now."

After Yang Tao hung up the phone, her cheeks felt slightly hot. Holding the phone, she didn't dare to look back at Lin Bufan. Her eyes were wandering, and she was so embarrassed that she could dig a three-bedroom apartment with her toes.

"Um...my mom...she is..." Yang Tao turned around and tried to explain, but couldn't find the right words. Her voice became smaller and smaller. "She's just worrying about nothing. Don't take it to heart..."

Lin Bufan wore a knowing smile. Far from being displeased, he walked forward very considerately and naturally reached out to help Yang Tao tidy up the non-existent mess of hair on her temples. He said in a relaxed tone, "Ask me, my Manager Yang. If there's anything you want to know, just ask. I promise to tell you everything I know and will absolutely cooperate with the organization's investigation."

Seeing Lin Bufan so calm and not angry at all, Yang Tao felt relieved, but she still hurriedly defended herself: "Who wants to censor you! I didn't mean that! I just... I just think my mother is too reckless. How can she pry into other people's privacy like this..."

Lin Bufan gently held Yang Tao's hand, his tone gentle and tolerant: "No need to explain, I really understand. Aunt Xue is just worried and confused. As a mother, it is normal to worry about her daughter's lifelong affairs and to investigate the future son-in-law in many ways. This shows that Aunt Xue is really thinking about you, and I am so happy."

After a pause, Lin Bufan suggested, "How about this, since Aunt Xue wants to know, why don't we make it official? You call Aunt Xue, Sister Qing, and Brother-in-law, and I'll treat everyone to a simple lunch at noon. I'll choose the place, and it'll be like a formal visit to Aunt Xue and her family. I can also take this opportunity to give everyone a brief introduction to my situation and have a chat to reassure Aunt Xue."

Upon hearing this, Yang Tao looked at Lin Bufan hesitantly: "Is this... appropriate? Is it too formal? It feels a bit sudden..." She was actually a little nervous, as the progress seemed a bit too fast.

"What's inappropriate about this?" Lin Bufan said calmly, looking at Yang Tao sincerely. "I'm serious about you, Yang Tao. Since this is a relationship with the intention of marriage, I should have explained some of my personal circumstances to Aunt Xue and her family as early as possible. This isn't to show off, nor is it to pass scrutiny, but to express my sincerity and respect. By talking frankly like this, Aunt Xue will understand and feel at ease. Only then can she feel more at ease... well..." Lin Bufan deliberately dragged out his words, with a playful smile: "Only then can she feel more at ease to leave her precious daughter in my care, right?"

Yang Tao's face flushed red again, her heartbeat inexplicably accelerating, and an uncontrollable sweetness surged into her heart. She lowered her head shyly, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes, but she still refused to give in. In a coquettish and arrogant tone, she whispered back, "Who...who wants to be left in your care...stop being so sentimental...hum..."

But the slightly upturned corners of her mouth and the joy that could not be hidden in her eyes had already exposed her true feelings.

"Yes, yes, yes, I'm being sentimental. I'm a toad wanting to eat swan flesh. I'm shamelessly begging Manager Yang to be kind and give me a chance. Let me treat my aunt and family to a simple meal. Give me a chance to express my feelings. Is that okay?"

As he spoke, Lin Bufan took advantage of the fact that Yang Tao was concentrating on listening to him and was caught off guard, and quickly gave her a light kiss on her smooth cheek.

There was a soft "pop" sound, as if a switch was pressed.

Yang Tao froze instantly, her eyes widening as if she'd been acupunctured. The next second, she reacted, her cheeks flushing rapidly, all the way to her ears. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her fur instantly exploded. Embarrassed and annoyed, she raised her hand to hit Lin Bufan: "Lin Bufan! You filthy scoundrel! You're taking advantage of me again!"

Lin Bufan had anticipated this and nimbly jumped back, easily dodging Yang Tao's fist with a triumphant smirk on his face: "Hey, Manager Yang, mind your image! Beating is love, scolding is affection, and you're hitting and scolding me, I'm going to misunderstand!"

"I didn't misunderstand you! I must teach you a lesson today!" Yang Tao was angry and embarrassed. She grabbed her bag and chased after Lin Bufan and threw it at him.

Lin Bufan dodged while laughing and running around the living room: "Auntie told me yesterday that I should be responsible for you. Does your touching me count as domestic violence?"

"Domestic violence! Who are you from?! Stop right there!"

The small apartment was suddenly filled with laughter and chasing sounds, and the air was filled with a sweet and cheerful atmosphere.

……

At noon, the sun is shining brightly!

The restaurant arranged by Lin Bufan is located in a quiet neighborhood in a busy city. It is an independent European-style building. The white exterior walls, exquisite carved ironwork and romantic warm yellow lights all demonstrate its elegant and tasteful style.

As soon as the car stopped, a middle-aged man in a neat suit, who looked like a manager, came up quickly with a respectful yet warm smile on his face and personally opened the car door for the group.

"Mr. Lin, welcome. Everything has been prepared according to your instructions." The manager bowed slightly and spoke in a humble tone.

Xue Sumei, Su Qing, and Duan Xifeng got out of the car and were all stunned by the spectacle. Xue Sumei even looked closely at the impressive storefront and the manager's attitude towards Lin Bufan. Her doubts dissipated, and she was filled with curiosity.

Entering the restaurant, the interior is even more breathtaking. With its high ceilings, ornate crystal chandeliers, soft carpets, and abstract art on the walls, every detail exudes understated luxury. Most surprising of all, the vast restaurant is completely empty and eerily quiet.

"Huh? Why is there no one in this restaurant today?" Su Qing couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Yang Tao also noticed it. She gently tugged at Lin Bufan's sleeve and lowered her voice, a little annoyed and distressed: "Lin Bufan, you... you booked the whole place? How much does that cost?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Bufan looked at Yang Tao with a puzzled expression: "Spend money? Spend what money?"

"The money for booking the whole theater!" Yang Tao felt that Lin Bufan was playing dumb.

Lin Bufan then pretended to be enlightened, then revealed a funny expression and replied in a low voice, "Are you stupid? We own a shop, why would we spend money?"

Although Lin Bufan's voice was soft, in the quiet environment, it was still clearly heard by Xue Sumei next to him.

Xue Sumei stopped abruptly, her eyes widening instantly. She looked at Lin Bufan in disbelief, her voice rising an octave: "Xiao...Xiao Lin? You mean...this...is this the shop you opened?"

Lin Bufan smiled and nodded, his tone as normal as if he was saying that the weather was nice today: "Yes, Auntie. Oh, but this is my first time here too. I'm usually too busy, so these stores are managed by professional teams. I just look at the reports occasionally."

Even Yang Tao was surprised: "Is this your first time here? Your first time in your own store?"

"Yes," Lin Bufan explained as he pulled out the main chair for Xue Sumei naturally. "This restaurant is a branch of another Western restaurant in Kyoto. The main restaurant is in Shanghai. There are branches of similar size in major cities across the country. Well... there are about eighty or ninety of them. How can I have the time to visit them all?"

Lin Bufan spoke casually, as if discussing a trivial matter, yet Xue Sumei, Su Qing, and Duan Xifeng were stunned. Yang Tao also stared at Lin Bufan with her mouth slightly open, unsure how to react.

Noticing this scene, Lin Bufan couldn't help but smile secretly. Sure enough, the cup is only fun when it is filled!