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

Upon hearing this, Lin Bufan immediately put on an exaggerated expression that said, "What are you thinking about?" and gently flicked Yang Tao's forehead with his finger. "What are you thinking about, Manager Yang? This isn't all for you. It's mainly for me. In a big city like Kyoto, I don't even have a decent place to stay. How embarrassing would it be to tell others about it? I, Lin Bufan, am a well-known boss after all. I can't always... um... stay at my girlfriend's house, right? If this gets out, where will my face be?"

Secondly, I, Lin Bufan, have friends all over the world. If one day my friends want to come and see me, should I bring them here?

Besides, Aunt Xue treats me like her own son now. She wants to come over from time to time to bring you some delicious food and visit us. Your apartment is so small that even when Aunt Xue comes, she doesn't have room to turn around. She feels cramped after sitting for too long. How can you bear to make Aunt Xue stand while she talks? If this gets out, won't people say that I, Lin Bufan, am ignorant and mistreated my future mother-in-law?

Also, look at the thieves that broke in this time, how scary! When we move, our primary concern is safety. We need to find a place with tight security, preferably with a large living room and plenty of sunlight. That way, when Aunt Xue comes over, she can bask in the sun and chat with you comfortably, and I can cook occasionally and entertain her and my friends. Isn't that better than staying in this small place?

Yang Tao was persuaded by Lin Bufan's series of reasons "for aunt, for friends, for safety", and finally stopped objecting!

The next day, Lin Bufan picked up Yang Tao and drove directly to the upscale villa area in the west of the city. Looking out the window at the beautifully designed villas with independent courtyards passing by, Yang Tao gradually felt something was wrong.

"Lin Bufan, did we go the wrong way? Aren't we going to see the apartment? Why are we here?" Yang Tao asked in confusion.

Lin Bufan held the steering wheel with one hand and naturally held Yang Tao's hand with the other, smiling, "That's right, this is it. How can an apartment be as comfortable as a villa? It's spacious, private, and most importantly, safe. Look at this community, there's a guard every three steps and a sentry every five steps. The security guards aren't those three old men who couldn't even put together a set of teeth in your previous community. It's so safe to live here."

Yang Tao's eyes widened. "Villa? You...you want to rent a villa? How much would that cost per month? That's too much. No way!"

"Who said we want to rent it?" Lin Bufan raised his eyebrows and glanced at Yang Tao: "Buy it!"

"Buy?!" Yang Tao's voice suddenly rose, and she almost jumped up from her seat: "Lin Bufan, are you crazy? Villas in Kyoto are so expensive! Just for... just to have a place to stay? You are simply..."

"He really knows how to live, doesn't he?" Lin Bufan took over the conversation, shaking his head proudly, "We did it all in one go, saving the trouble of changing things later. Don't worry, Manager Yang, this amount of money is about the same as a slightly better meal for your boyfriend. It's within my spending power."

Before Yang Tao could say anything, the car pulled up to a model apartment. The sales consultant, already waiting, greeted her enthusiastically. For the next few hours, Yang Tao felt like she was in a dream, as she toured several villas of varying layouts with Lin Bufan. The high-ceilinged living rooms, spacious terraces, fully functional basements, and even small courtyards perfect for growing flowers and plants... Each one captivated Yang Tao, but the thought of the staggering price made her feel incredibly uneasy.

Finally, Lin Bufan settled on a side unit with modern decor, excellent natural light, and a charming little garden. Clearly satisfied, he told the salesperson, "This is it! Please get the paperwork done as soon as possible."

The salesperson was overjoyed and quickly produced the contract and related documents. When asked to provide identification information for registration, Lin Bufan said to Yang Tao naturally, "Taozi, give me your ID."

Yang Tao subconsciously took out her ID card and handed it over. Seeing Lin Bufan hand it to the salesperson, she suddenly realized, "Wait... why are you using my ID card?"

Lin Bufan said as a matter of course: "The house is bought for you, of course I have to use your ID card."

"What?!" Yang Tao was completely stunned. She grabbed Lin Bufan's arm and her voice changed: "Lin Bufan! This is absolutely not possible! This is too expensive! I can't have it! We...we have only been together for how long? This is against the rules!"

Lin Bufan waved at the salesperson, signaling him to go and handle the paperwork first. After he left, he looked at Yang Tao and said jokingly, "Don't worry, Manager Yang, I won't get you a loan like that scumbag Zhuang Yan did. I'll just pay the full amount so you don't have to worry about anything!"

"That's not what I meant..." Yang Tao hurriedly shook her head, her eyes burning. "I know you're different from him, and I'm not worried about the loan or anything. It's just...it's just that this is too expensive. We just confirmed our relationship not long ago, and I...I feel unworthy of it, and I feel uneasy."

Lin Bufan put away his joking expression and looked into Yang Tao's eyes seriously: "Taozi, listen to me. For me, the value of something lies in who it is given to and where it is used. I am happy to spend money on you, and I think it is worth it. This house is not just bricks and tiles. I want to give you a truly safe and comfortable home, a harbor where you can stay in peace no matter what happens. Seeing you worry about that shabby apartment before, I feel bad. Just think of it as fulfilling my wish and letting me feel at ease, okay?"

Seeing that Yang Tao was still hesitating, Lin Bufan continued, "Besides, what's mine is yours, right? Why make such a distinction? If you really feel bad about it, why don't you put in a little more effort tonight?"

"You...what nonsense are you talking about!" Yang Tao's cheeks flushed instantly. Embarrassed and anxious, she raised her hand and hit Lin Bufan's shoulder, but her strength was weak: "Who wants...who wants to work hard at night? You have no sense!"

Lin Bufan smiled and held Yang Tao's wrist, but his eyes became serious: "Okay, no more trouble. Taozi, I'm serious. I think whatever I give you is my due. You deserve the best. Don't feel any psychological burden, okay?"

Seeing the undeniable sincerity in Lin Bufan's eyes, Yang Tao felt the last bit of hesitation and uneasiness in her heart finally dissipate with a warm current. She stopped struggling and let Lin Bufan hold her hand. She nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito but clear and firm: "...Thank you, Bufan. Really... Thank you."

……

After buying the house and completing the relevant formalities, it was almost dusk. Lin Bufan drove Yang Tao back to Xue Sumei's home. When the car stopped downstairs in the residential complex, Lin Bufan turned to Yang Tao and said, "I won't go up. I have some things to take care of tonight."

Yang Tao nodded: "Well, then drive carefully."

Only after watching Yang Tao walk into the unit door did Lin Bufan drive away.

As soon as Yang Tao opened the door with her key, Xue Sumei poked her head out of the kitchen wearing an apron, her face full of expectant smile: "Taozi, you're back? How was your day out with Xiaolin? Has your relationship... taken a step forward?" As she spoke, she wiped her hands with her apron and walked over, her eyes searching Yang Tao's face, trying to find some clues.

Yang Tao felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by her mother. She changed her slippers and replied vaguely, "That's...that's it...what else can I do..."

"Oh, you're still hiding it from me?" Xue Sumei curled her lips in dissatisfaction, moved closer, and lowered her voice: "Tell me, how far has it progressed? The more I see of Xiaolin, the more satisfied I am. You can't be foolish, you have to hurry up, okay?"

Yang Tao's face flushed slightly. She walked to the sofa in the living room and sat down. She picked up the cup of water on the coffee table and took a sip, trying to hide her shyness: "Mom... please stop asking..."

"How can this be called asking around? This is a matter of great importance to your lifelong happiness!" Xue Sumei sat down next to Yang Tao and said earnestly, "Taozi, Mom has been through this before, and I want to tell you, there aren't many men like Xiaolin who are so well-off, have good character, and are so attentive to you. You have to take the initiative and seize the opportunity. It would be best if..." Xue Sumei lowered her voice, with a hint of mysterious excitement, "Hurry up and settle the matter. It would be best if you could have a child soon after you get married. This will make the relationship more solid!"

"Mom!" Yang Tao almost jumped up in embarrassment, her face red as a ripe tomato: "You're getting more and more outrageous! What's the point of having a child or not..."

"How is this outrageous? I'm doing this for your own good!" Xue Sumei became even more excited when she saw her daughter didn't respond: "Look, you're not a child anymore. While mom is still in good health, I can still help take care of you..."

"Oh, that's enough!" Yang Tao was afraid her mother would continue to talk, so she quickly interrupted her. Then she remembered today's important event and thought it would be a good opportunity to change the subject: "By the way, Mom, today... today Lin Bufan took me to buy a house."

When Xue Sumei heard the word "buy a house", her eyes instantly widened like copper bells, and she jumped up from the sofa abruptly, her voice rising octaves with unbelievable ecstasy: "What?! Buy a house?! Oh my God! Xiaolin is... is preparing a wedding house! It's going to be decided?! So soon?! Oh my! This is really... really a great thing!" She slapped her thighs with excitement, her face full of smiles, as if she had already seen the scene of her daughter wearing a wedding dress.

The noise immediately alerted Su Qing and Duan Xifeng, who were resting in the bedroom. The door opened, and Duan Xifeng carefully supported Su Qing, who was still pregnant, out. Su Qing's face was slightly tired, but her eyes were filled with concern. She gently pushed Duan Xifeng's hand away, indicating that she could leave.

"Aunt, what's wrong? What happened? I seemed to hear you shouting about buying a house just now?" Su Qing walked to the sofa and asked softly.

Duan Xifeng also echoed: "Yes, auntie, what's the matter that makes you so excited?"

Xue Sumei grabbed Su Qing's hand and spoke incoherently with excitement: "Qing'er! Xifeng! Good news! Such great news! Taozi said, Xiaolin! Xiaolin took her to buy a house! This must be a wedding house! This shows that Xiaolin really holds our Taozi in his heart. This means that we are going to live a stable life! How can I not be excited!"

Yang Tao was left in tears and laughter by her mother's over-interpretation. Her cheeks flushed red as she quickly waved her hands to explain, "Mom! Keep your voice down! Brother-in-law, Sister Qing, don't listen to my mother's wild guesses! Lin Bufan just...just felt that the place I was living before was unsafe and wanted to move. He didn't even mention getting married! How could it be so fast? What are you thinking!"

"What do you know!" Xue Sumei immediately retorted, with an expression that said, "I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice." "Silly girl! Do I need to say this clearly? A man has taken you to look at houses and buy a house. Isn't this obvious? He's going there to get married! This is the wedding house! It's a done deal! He's expressing his stance with his actions..."

However, as she spoke, Xue Sumei's smile faded and her brows furrowed, as if she had thought of something crucial. Her tone instantly became alert: "Wait! That's not right! This... we haven't even gotten married yet, and he's in such a hurry to buy a house now? Does he... doesn't he have some ulterior motive?" She turned to Yang Tao, her voice becoming more serious: "Taozi, did he tell you whose name he plans to put the house in? Does he want to count it as his personal property before marriage? Later... what if... when we get divorced, you won't get anything? Oh my! I thought Xiaolin was a real kid, but I didn't expect him to be so scheming... so deep? He's really calculating!"

Seeing her mother's thoughts becoming more and more devious and she even began to question Lin Bufan's character, Yang Tao became anxious: "Mom! What are you imagining? Lin Bufan is not that kind of person at all! How could he have such devious thoughts!"

Duan Xifeng, who was listening from the side, couldn't help but interrupt. He helped Su Qing sit down carefully, and sat down on the single sofa next to him, with a look of caution from an experienced person on his face: "Taozi, it's not that your brother-in-law is talkative, but what your aunt said... although it's a bit blunt, it's not entirely unreasonable. Today's society is too complicated, people's hearts are hidden, and there are all kinds of people. Take the vice president of our cooperative company who got divorced a while ago. His wife started a business with him from scratch, but what happened? He transferred all his property cleanly a few years ago, and when the marriage was divorced, his wife didn't get a penny. Why? Because the house and car were all his personal property before marriage, and the game was already set! People like this are really not uncommon nowadays!" As he spoke, he seemed to feel that the example was not convincing enough, and subconsciously added: "Not to mention the distant ones, the recent ones... Isn't Li Wei a living example? Think about it, when you..."

"Oh, Xifeng!" Su Qing quickly slapped Duan Xifeng's arm, interrupting him and glaring at him angrily: "Stop talking! You're bringing up something irrelevant!"

Duan Xifeng also realized that he had said something wrong, and quickly smiled awkwardly and shut up.

Su Qing turned to Yang Tao, her tone much softer, with a soothing tone: "Taozi, don't listen to your brother-in-law's nonsense. He only says nonsense. But... then again, you shouldn't have the intention to harm others, but you must be on guard against others. Auntie and Xifeng are also concerned about you and are afraid that you will suffer. After all, this is a big deal, so it's always better to be more careful."