Chapter 28 Children, I’m back!

Xiang Yangliang wasn’t targeting Sun Ying, but actually, neither was he targeting himself. What he wanted was to be his father, which means he had set his sights on his mother, and now he wanted to probe his thoughts! Lin Li felt a warmth in his cheeks. It’s not that he couldn’t accept his mother dating again. Frankly speaking, he didn’t particularly care about it, although he probably wouldn’t accept calling the new guy ’dad,’ he could manage not to resist. But not being kept in the dark from start to finish, without any consultation, only to be told when things are nearly settled, and still by the guy telling him! This is disrespectful to him! "I won’t agree with what’s between you two!" Lin Li only regretted not having money. If he had, he’d slap a five hundred thousand card down on Xiang Yangliang’s face and sneer: "Half a million, stay away from my mom." One realizes money’s importance when the need arises. "No no no no no—" Xiang Yangliang was stunned for a moment, then broke into a sweat. "Xiaolin, you’ve misunderstood, I don’t even know your mother yet!" Lin Li’s expression eased a little, calming down. Thinking back, indeed, nothing unusual happened during his call with his mom on Friday. If there was something between them, when he was caught up in an anti-prostitution raid on Friday, it should have been more dramatic. So, while checking my identity information, he must have seen my mother’s photo and developed feelings for her. This is something he could accept. "So, you’re planning to pursue my mom? Not bad, that’s ambitious," Lin Li looked at Xiang Yangliang with a scrutinizing gaze and asked: "But it’s not going to be easy getting past me! What’s your job? Do you have a car and house? Do you love your dad or your mom? Do you prefer salty or sweet tofu pudding?" Xiang Yangliang glanced down, he was still in uniform. Even if not, didn’t Lin Li know what he did? Lin Li seemed to be performing classic abstract skills, but Xiang Yangliang knew too well, he felt that no one understood Lin Li better than him. Lin Li at this moment, was merely covering up his inner turmoil with such abstract behavior. Taking a deep breath, he continued: "No, Xiaolin, I already have a family and can’t possibly pursue your mom. I’m simply hoping to adopt you as my child, like an adopted son, as we seem to get along really well. I’ve talked with my wife, and she has no objections, as this can also make up for your lack of fatherly love." Xiang Yangliang’s wife indeed had no objections, after hearing of his deeds early Saturday morning, she even sympathetically suggested that jumping might hit someone, and recommended poison instead — you truly deserve it. She too found Lin Li to be a pitiful yet endearing child. Upon hearing this, Lin Li was stunned, then his expression turned hesitant and cautious. Seeing this, Xiang Yangliang’s expression softened further, realizing Lin Li’s protective shell was breaking, and he had peeled away to his softest heart. Xiang Yangliang should be thankful for not having mind-reading abilities, or he would have heard this thought: "Uncle Yang can’t or is he infertile?" Anyway, there was no way to have descendants. So here was this outstanding new-era youth, seeing talent and being fond of it, wanting him to inherit his legacy. That was Lin Li’s judgment. Yet, as those words would indeed be somewhat offensive to a grown man, Lin Li was hesitant and cautious, ultimately choosing not to voice them. Regarding making up for his father’s absence, Lin Li didn’t acknowledge it at all. There was no reason, right? They’ve only intersected for one night, and he hasn’t even met his would-be mother yet. If Xiang Yangliang’s family bestows such charity, they might as well adopt all the single-parent families in Xiling Town. Neither emotionally nor rationally could Lin Li accept it. "Thank you, Uncle Yang, I appreciate your kindness, but it’s unnecessary, sorry." Lin Li bent slightly, "thanked" and spoke, using this gesture to express his sincerity. "Xiaolin, Uncle is sincere." "Uncle, it’s really unnecessary." Uncle Yang, once I succeed in cultivation, I’ll use my immortal techniques to cure your ailment, bringing you back to new vitality, seventy times a night. No wonder he led the anti-prostitution operation, maybe there was a tinge of envy and jealousy involved here. When he thought of this, he looked at Xiang Yangliang with some sympathy. Xiang Yangliang felt the special emotion in Lin Li’s eyes, it was probably gratitude, but he also felt his resolve. He had somewhat anticipated rejection because a child like Lin Li, who could build a strong protective shell for themselves, must have a strong sense of pride. Saying more might backfire. So Xiang Yangliang nodded: "Names aren’t important, Xiaolin, if you face any trouble or difficulty in the future, you can always talk to me, I’ll try to help you, why not come over to my house on weekends, eating takeout often is unhealthy." No father in name, but a father in reality. Xiang Yangliang had decided to treat Lin Li better in the future. "Okay, sounds good." Xiang Yangliang knew Lin Li was being perfunctory, but he believed one day he would truly have Lin Li drop all his pretenses in front of him. "Alright, I have nothing else, you should go to class." Actually, Sun Ying not far away had already finished her pulling and was waiting for him, so he said. The road to protect this child is long, but he has plenty of time. "Okay, goodbye Uncle Yang." Now it’s time for class, but that’s not a problem, it’s just the unacknowledged English lesson anyway. ... At the office entrance, the five separated, Lin Li followed Xue Jian back to the classroom. "Lin Li, what on earth were you... what are you doing?" Xue Jian finally couldn’t hold back his middle-aged serious old man’s curiosity, wanting to ask Lin Li the details, only to see him stuffing a banner into his pants. As expected of the talent who managed to infiltrate the massage parlor, his demeanor had a distinct flair. However, thinking about the anti-prostitution pioneer on the banner, Xue Jian suddenly understood Lin Li’s actions. But if the banner were discovered, it wouldn’t be easy to explain. And Lin Li, wearing short sleeves and summer pants, certainly had a hard time hiding it. "Give me the banner." Xue Jian said. "Sure, teacher, there aren’t any names on it anyway, if you like it, you can have it! I noticed you don’t have any banners in your office, it could add some variety." Lin Li happily handed this hot potato to Xue Jian. "I meant for you to take it away when you go home at night!" Xue Jian immediately emphasized. This thing, he wouldn’t even accept it if gifted to him. Hanging an anti-prostitution pioneer in the office, the parents would think the class he led was some kind of obscene den if they saw it. As for a heroic youth, are there youths like himself? "Oh oh." Lin Li nodded. They continued walking. Xue Jian suddenly reacted: "You said I don’t have any banners?!" Lin Li: "..." "That’s not true, you heard wrong." Lin Li quickly explained, noticing Xue Jian’s expression seemed off with a sidelong glance. "I see." "Mm." They continued walking. Ten seconds passed. "The teacher does have banners! Just not hanging in the office! It could easily lead other parents to give them too, and that wouldn’t be good." Xue Jian emphasized once more. Lin Li chuckled along, trying to gloss it over. The more someone emphasizes something, the less they have it. "This matter is over, no need to think more on it. Go back and study well, your initial ranking wasn’t bad upon entering, but it has dropped quite significantly, Lin Li." They had arrived at the floor where class four and the office were located, Xue Jian told Lin Li. The five had agreed not to publicize the matter within the school, a simple commendation letter without details was posted on the bulletin board as a wrap-up. Hearing this, the familiar and fear-inducing pressure of the middle-aged Old Deng surged forth. "Okay, teacher." Lin Li nodded. "I really do have banners..." Lin Li had already turned around, walking back to class, his pace even quickening a bit. Bai Bufan and a few other classmates were standing in the corridor with English books in hand. Probably dragged out for some impromptu recitation. The group had noticed Lin Li too, their faces full of curiosity, wanting to know what he’d been up to. "I’m back!" Lin Li spread his arms out, feeling like a returning Jordan ready to make waves. Bai Bufan: "Hello Back, my name is Bufan, nice to meet you!" Lin Li: "?" The atmosphere dissipated instantly, where did this English humor come from. At this moment, the English teacher happened to walk to the door, her mouth twitching slightly at the dialogue. "Classmate Back, stay as well, recite yesterday’s passage." Lin Li: "..." It was clearly Bai Bufan speaking English nonsense, why was he the one to suffer.