IP Chapter 77
Incurable Pain | Chapter 77
The Yu family held a family dinner on the 15th of every month, as demanded by the patriarch, under the pretext of “harmony is precious.”
Regardless of how successful they were in business or how high they climbed in society, they must not forget their family.
Although it was unclear whether it was for show or not, because of this “monthly event,” the relationships within the Yu family were indeed better than those of other influential families embroiled in internal struggles.
Perhaps it was because from top to bottom, from the elders to the younger generation, everyone had remarkable achievements.
On August 15th, Yu Luoyin took Bai Xunyin back home.
Compared to his older brother Yu Shitian, who occasionally brought young ladies home, Yu Luoyin, as another male descendant of the Yu family, had never brought a girl home before. So, as soon as they entered, they received significant attention.
Even Yu’s patriarch, Yu Qianxiao, who had already retired, rarely made an appearance upon hearing that Yu Luoyin would be bringing a girl today.
He sat at the head of the table with Yu’s matriarch, his graying hair meticulously arranged. Time had left numerous wrinkles on his face, but it couldn’t dull the sharpness in his eyes.
Yu Qianxiao had seen countless people in his lifetime, experienced many ups and downs far more than the younger generation’s trivial matters. He could discern the character of a person at a glance, and most people, upon meeting his intimidating gaze, would subconsciously feel nervous.
But Yu Qianxiao found that the woman Yu Luoyin brought with him was neither servile nor arrogant.
Because she was attending a “family banquet,” Bai Xunyin dressed appropriately, wearing a dignified and elegant retro-style dress in a smoky pink color, tailored to perfection.
Whenever she needed to dress formally, she usually accompanied Yu Luoyin to various occasions. Although she wasn’t very accustomed to it, she didn’t appear constrained.
When Bai Xunyin met Yu Qianxiao’s gaze, she just nodded politely, as if she were a guest visiting, facing numerous elderly people who wanted to use wealth to build connections. She remained calm and unruffled.
A hint of admiration flashed in Yu Qianxiao’s eyes, but he remained composed and continued his meal.
When he was present, the Yu family’s dining table was always quiet, and no one dared to speak.
Yu Shitian, seated at the end of the table, glanced worriedly at Bai Xunyin across the table. When no one was paying attention, he discreetly sent her a message under the table.
Bai Xunyin’s phone was placed beside her, and a message popped up on the screen: “Sister, take care of yourself. Grandpa is really scary.”
Haha, truly a child.
Bai Xunyin couldn’t help but smile, feeling amused.
Only when a person is guilty do they feel fear and dread towards another person.
But she felt at ease, visiting her boyfriend’s family on equal terms. Naturally, there was nothing to be nervous about.
As the rather dull lunch was coming to an end, Yu Luoyin finally spoke up, “Grandpa, what made you decide to come today?”
Among the younger generation of the Yu family, only he dared to pluck hairs from the old man’s beard since childhood, as he was used to it.
“What do you think?”
Yu Qianxiao finally spoke, and his words slightly eased the tense atmosphere around them. He didn’t mind, wiping the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and giving Yu Luoyin a glance.
“This is the first time you’ve brought a prospective daughter-in-law home. How could I not come to see?”
Yu Qianxiao rarely spoke, but when he did, it was startling. Using the term “prospective daughter-in-law” directly caused a slight surprise among those present.
With this visit, he expressed his appreciation for Yu Luoyin and his approval of Bai Xunyin.
“Grandpa, you really know how to praise me.”
Yu Luoyin couldn’t help but laugh. Under the table, his long slender fingers casually played with the delicate fingers of the girl beside him.
“I haven’t even proposed successfully yet.”
In fact, he hadn’t dared to propose yet.
Who would have thought this old man would shamelessly bring it up like this?
“Oh?”
Yu Qianxiao’s sharp gaze turned to Bai Xunyin. Looking at the girl’s exquisite face, he tried to be gentle.
“Miss, are you dissatisfied with my useless grandson?”
Bai Xunyin’s fingers holding the wine glass paused for a moment before she set it down and wiped her lips. Then, she raised her head to meet Yu Qianxiao’s gaze without flinching.
“There are many reasons why I don’t want to get married for the time being. I’m still young and want to focus more on work. I want to get to know each other better…”
Bai Xunyin smiled and shifted the topic, “But one thing is for sure, I’m not dissatisfied with Yu Luoyin. I like this ‘useless’ doctor. Grandpa, there’s no need for you to belittle him.”
She obviously didn’t appreciate the term “useless” that Yu Qianxiao had just used. Her tone was gentle and polite, but she subtly countered his words.
Yu Luoyin, listening from the side, couldn’t help but smile appreciatively—it seemed like he was seen as a complete freeloader in the eyes of others!
Yu Qianxiao cast a sharp glance at him, resenting him for not being able to stand up for himself.
He had already realized that his grandson was being clearly understood by the formidable girl in front of him, but couldn’t help feeling impressed.
Nowadays, young people are really…talented.
After a meal, Yu Qianxiao clearly understood what kind of person Bai Xunyin was, and then he somewhat admired Yu Luoyin’s choice of girlfriend.
“Sister, I just overheard Grandpa talking to my eldest uncle and my dad.”
After dinner, Yu Qianxiao called his two sons into the study. Seizing the opportunity when Yu Luoyin wasn’t around and Gu Yan and her sister-in-law were busy making tea, Yu Shitian leaned in and whispered something “secret” to Bai Xunyin, unable to conceal her smile.
“I heard Grandpa praising you just now, sister. You’re really amazing. My grandpa rarely speaks so highly of anyone.”
As he spoke, Yu Shitian seemed to recall something and cast a somewhat cautious glance around.
The young girl’s youthful face was full of playfulness.
Bai Xunyin listened quietly, smiling and tilting her head slightly, not appearing particularly pleased.
“Shitian, when you meet someone you like, you’ll understand…”
Bai Xunyin paused for a moment, her voice soft and gentle.
“You’re only interested in him. Many people say that love isn’t just about two people, but I don’t think so.”
So she didn’t care about the opinions of Yu Luoyin’s family about her, whether they were satisfied with her or not.
Bai Xunyin only cared about him, and that’s why she was willing to face all challenges for him.
In Yu Shitian’s somewhat understanding yet confused eyes, Gu Yan approached, smiling at Bai Xunyin.
“Xunyin.”
Although this was a formal meeting with the parents, Gu Yan was still very polite.
“Grandpa wants to have a chat with you in the study. Would that be convenient?”
Since she had come, there was nothing inconvenient.
Bai Xunyin discreetly patted Yu Shitian’s hand, calmly stood up, and nodded.
“Sure.”
With that, her graceful figure followed Gu Yan upstairs, heading to Yu Qianxiao’s study.
She had just signaled Yu Shitian to inform Yu Luoyin when she left, so he wouldn’t worry if he couldn’t find her. But Gu Yan apparently thought it would be more appropriate to divert Yu Luoyin’s attention.
As they climbed the stairs, she softly whispered to Bai Xunyin, “Yu Luoyin just went to fetch wine for Grandpa.”
It seemed they deliberately kept Yu Luoyin busy to have a private “evaluation” of her.
But Bai Xunyin wasn’t afraid at all, with a relaxed smile playing on her lips.
Upon arriving at Yu Qianxiao’s study, she found not only the patriarch but also the matriarch, Yu Yuan, Yu Fan…everyone was there.
It felt like a real interrogation session.
“Xunyin is here, please have a seat.”
Although they all belong to the same family, Yu Fan’s temperament is much gentler compared to Yuxiao and Yu Yuan, just like the stark contrast between Yu Shitian and Yu Luoyin.
Seeing Bai Xunyin enter, fearing that a young girl facing so many unfamiliar elders would feel nervous, Yu Fan quickly tried to ease the tension.
“Just say a few words casually.”
“Thank you, Uncle,” Bai Xunyin politely expressed her gratitude and found a nearby chair to sit down, appearing calm and composed.
“You all called me here. Is there something you want to ask?”
…
A strange silence filled the room.
After a while, Yuxiao was the first to speak, his words polite.
“Actually, it’s nothing much. Since you’re the first girl that Luoyin has brought home, I naturally assume that you’ve reached the stage of discussing marriage. So, I’d like to know more about you.”
Bai Xunyin pondered for a moment, then straightforwardly responded, “My father passed away, my mother and grandparents live in the ancient town at the bottom of Linlan City, they are healthy. I’m currently studying for a Ph.D. at Lan University and working at the Research Institute—Director Gu is already aware of these matters. Is there anything else I need to inform you of?”
She reckoned that her information would be sent to Yuxiao’s desk after she and Yu Luoyin left. It was better to say what needed to be said first.
Her family background was clean, and there was nothing to hide.
“In fact, I brought a gift for Uncle today.”
Amidst the silence, Bai Xunyin turned to Yu Yuan and lowered her head slightly, taking out a delicate USB drive from her bag.
“Luoyin mentioned that his family business is an investment bank, dealing with stock market funds. Although it has nothing to do with the industry I’m in, there are still some things I can help with.”
Bai Xunyin stood up and walked to Yu Yuan, handing him the USB drive.
“This contains the flow of funds in the stock market of Fengyang Group over the past year, which can directly reflect the future trends, making it easier to observe—consider it a gift for you.”
This was why she asked Sheng Wen about Fengyang during their shopping trip and dinner. Bai Xunyin knew that the Yu family was not easy to handle, but she had already decided to be with Yu Luoyin, so she had to come up with a way to get along with his family.
Being obedient wasn’t useful; only by being stronger than them could she earn their respect.
Bai Xunyin didn’t want to be ignored; she wanted to be valued.
So, she came up with the gift of “stock market modeling,” something that could bring substantial profits to the Yu family’s company, naturally earning their respect.
Bai Xunyin knew that Gu Yan was more academically accomplished than her, but ultimately, their fields were different, so only she could produce this model.
And she had also borrowed a lot of help from Sheng Wen’s team during the process of making this model, so naturally, she would also repay him.
In recent times, she had been in frequent contact with Sheng Wen, which occasionally made Yu Luoyin suspicious.
“What were you talking about with that kid?”
Bai Xunyin hadn’t told anyone about her modeling work, so Yu Luoyin naturally didn’t know.
One evening, he even bothered her playfully, “Xunyin, I’m jealous.”
She had to put down her phone and gently stroke his head.
“What should we do then?”
“Do you want me to teach you how to cherish me?”
Yu Luoyin shamelessly said, pointing at his own lower lip, “Just a kiss will do.”
But the aftermath of just one kiss often led to sleepless nights.
Bai Xunyin remembered the process of making this model and couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Her cold eyebrows softened slightly.
Not only Yu Yuan and Yu Fan, but even the patriarch, Yuxiao, was somewhat surprised by her words and didn’t know what to say for a moment.
In fact, their attitude wasn’t one of “interrogation” or “inquisition”; instead, they genuinely wanted to inquire about Bai Xunyin and Yu Luoyin’s future plans.
It’s just that after holding high positions for a long time, they unconsciously appeared domineering.
—But they were unexpectedly outplayed by the soft yet tough young girl.
Wasn’t this USB drive enough to show her attitude?
Did they still need to ask about her and Yu Luoyin’s affairs?
“This…”
Yu Yuan looked at the USB drive in his hand, feeling somewhat at a loss.
“How can we accept this?”
What he held in his hand was something that all investment banks and financial industries coveted, but who would have thought it would be given by a young girl?
“Mr. Yu, I said this is a gift for you and your family,” Bai Xunyin smiled faintly, “You are Luoyin’s father, you don’t need to feel embarrassed to accept it, it’s only natural.”
After saying that, she turned to Yuxiao.
“Is there anything else you want to ask?”
…
Was there anything else to ask?
Three minutes later, Bai Xunyin got up and left the study, giving them space to digest what had just happened.
However, as soon as she opened the door, she saw Yu Luoyin leaning against the wall in the corridor, smiling faintly— he hadn’t gone to fetch any wine at all, and he looked at her with clear and teasing eyes.
Bai Xunyin was startled by his sudden appearance, hesitated for a moment, and then closed the door behind her.
She walked over and asked softly, “Didn’t you go to get wine?”
“What wine? When my mom wants to send me away, I know something’s up.”
Yu Luoyin leaned slightly, his lips lightly touching Bai Xunyin’s.
“I was worried and wanted to ‘save you,’ but…”
But he already knew that his little girl could conquer everything on her own.
And could even make those old men speechless.
“Sweetheart.”
Yu Luoyin couldn’t help but laugh, his voice lazy and affectionate, “You’re so amazing, you know that?”
He finally understood what Bai Xunyin and Sheng Wen had been doing during their recent contacts.
“You’re too good to me, what should I do?”
Yu Luoyin’s voice was low, as if deliberately speaking softly, “I feel like I can’t repay you enough besides being myself.”
Bai Xunyin couldn’t help but want to laugh.
“Okay.”
She restrained the smile on her lips and nodded seriously, “Go back and cook for me.”
The food at the Yu family’s house was terrible, and a table full of delicacies couldn’t compare to the home-cooked meals made by Yu Luoyin, the ‘chef.’
If she wanted a way to repay, Bai Xunyin thought she would probably choose to have Yu Luoyin be her chef for life.
—A simple and plain wish, but that’s what life is about.
Perhaps after getting used to the hustle and bustle, it’s hard to go back to the cold den called ‘loneliness.’
Bai Xunyin had lived such a life for six years, but now she was grateful that the person who pulled her out was Yu Luoyin.
As Hemingway once said, “Unless you’re a bullfighter, no one’s life is all progress without retreat”.
But if two people move forward and retreat together, it’s much better than being alone.