As soon as Cao Tiannan mentioned Tang Rou, Lin Feng felt very awkward. Although he believed Cao Tiannan, as a fellow man, should understand some of his hidden desires, Cao Tiannan was, after all, Cao Ying's elder and was unlikely to approve of his actions.

Did Cao Tiannan want him to cut ties with Cao Ying? Lin Feng couldn't help but think of the clichéd scenes in melodramatic love stories, where poor boys coveted by rich girls or Cinderellas brought home by the wealthy inevitably receive a large check from the wealthy parents, with the understanding that they will walk away once they promise to break things off.

Lin Feng glanced at the stern-faced Mayor Cao and speculated facetiously. He probably wouldn't offer me a large check, but given his status, arranging a temporary position in some municipal department shouldn't be difficult. He wouldn't use that as a condition, would he?

"What does Uncle Cao want me to do?" Lin Feng managed to ask with a calm face.

"You must think I want you to stop seeing Little Ying, right?" Cao Tiannan, being a sharp man, noticed the subtle shift in Lin Feng's expressions.

"You're wrong. I don't mind if Little Ying continues to see you." Cao Tiannan's own expression relaxed. "In fact, I hope that you can truly end up together."

"What does Uncle Cao mean by that?" Lin Feng was taken aback. Then, a thought suddenly struck him. Could Cao Tiannan want him to leave Tang Rou?

That was impossible!

Cao Tiannan looked at Lin Feng with a sarcastic smile. He shook his head slowly, "You are indeed a man of feeling. Don't worry, I won't meddle with your relationship with that girl named Tang Rou."

This time, Lin Feng truly felt embarrassed. He had wrongly speculated about Cao Tiannan's intentions twice, and each time, Cao had seen right through him. How could he face anyone now!

"Actually, I just want you to make me a promise," Cao Tiannan said seriously, looking at Lin Feng.

"What promise?" Lin Feng lifted his head to look into Cao Tiannan's eyes.

"I know that young people today tend to be more pleasure-seeking, progressive, and open-minded, sometimes leading rather casual private lives..." Cao Tiannan began calmly, then his tone shifted. "However, as an old-fashioned and conservative man, I want you to make me a promise: if you're not sure you can be with Little Ying in the end, don't enter into a physical relationship with her!"

Though Cao Tiannan hadn't explicitly defined what a "physical relationship" meant, Lin Feng naturally understood. Between a man and a woman, the only truly physical relationship could only be a sexual one.

So, Cao Tiannan meant that if he couldn't marry Cao Ying, he shouldn't sleep with her…

However, Lin Feng hadn't expected Cao Tiannan to be so blunt; it made his old face flush a little.

"Can you keep your word?" Cao Tiannan eyed Lin Feng with interest, like a cat regarding a mouse caught within its claws.

"The promise is simple, but does Uncle Cao trust in my words?" Instead of answering directly, Lin Feng looked at Cao Tiannan, countering his question.

As a man, he could make a promise at any time, but many situations were unpredictable. Even if he promised, breaking that promise might only take a word or even just a look from Cao Ying…

"Of course, I don't trust a promise made lightly. But let me tell you what will happen if you break it," Cao Tiannan said calmly. "The moment I find out you've had a physical relationship with Little Ying, I'll go to your father, Lin Zhonghua, and directly discuss your marriage. I don't care what anyone else thinks! She's my only precious daughter, and I won't let her be wronged!"

So that was Cao Tiannan's underlying threat. If he dared to break his promise and do anything with Cao Ying, Cao Tiannan would directly approach his father, Lin Zhonghua, the commander of the Jiangzhou Military District, to discuss their marriage.

His father, Lin Zhonghua, would undoubtedly approve of a daughter-in-law like Cao Ying, who was an excellent match in terms of family background, appearance, and character. Moreover, with Cao Tiannan personally coming to discuss the marriage, and his own son having already had carnal relations with Cao Ying, marriage discussions would be inevitable…

At that point, he would be forced to make a difficult choice. If he got together with Cao Ying so soon, what would happen to Tang Rou?

Lin Feng didn't dare to imagine how Tang Rou would feel upon learning he was to marry Cao Ying…

Cao Tiannan's move was indeed ruthless. Truly, the older the ginger, the spicier it is… Lin Feng gave a bitter smile, nodded helplessly, and said, "I will keep my promise!"

"Young man, don't blame me. When you become a parent yourself, you'll understand my thinking now," Cao Tiannan said. After seeing Lin Feng nod, he gently patted his shoulder and added calmly, "From now on, I won't interfere in your affairs with Little Ying. You're on your own."

After finishing the discussion about Cao Ying, Cao Tiannan actually left just like that. Although he was curious about Lin Feng's various surprising actions earlier, he didn't proactively ask Lin Feng anything.

With Li Jiawei around, there was very little information about Lin Feng that Cao Tiannan couldn't find if he wanted to.

After talking with Cao Ying and Li Liping for a bit more and reminding them to return to school early, Cao Tiannan, accompanied by Li Jiawei and a group of plain-clothes officers, left Yuefu Hotel.

「In the Audi」

Li Jiawei asked Cao Tiannan curiously, "Mayor Cao, you had contact with Lin Feng tonight. What's your impression of him?"

Learning that Lin Feng might be the Young Miss's future husband, Li Jiawei couldn't help but be curious about Cao Tiannan's assessment.

Cao Tiannan shook his head with a smile. "He is inscrutable. Especially when he confronted Long Shaotian, I was rather stunned. He's not like a greenhorn who fears nothing; rather, he displays tremendous self-confidence. He is not at all afraid of the Qinglong Group."

Li Jiawei didn't know Lin Feng's true family background, so he couldn't understand the other layer of meaning in Cao Tiannan's words. Lin Feng had not only dared to openly provoke Long Shaotian, the chairman of the Qinglong Group, but more importantly, he hadn't been relying on his father Lin Zhonghua's status to act arrogantly. Instead, he had relied on his own strength to brazenly confront Long Shaotian.

After all, Long Shaotian was a powerful figure in the underworld whom even he, Cao Tiannan, had to be somewhat wary of. On what grounds did Lin Feng dare to offend him so brazenly?

Cao Tiannan found it quite puzzling.

Li Jiawei wasn't slow-witted. After hearing Cao Tiannan's confusion, he immediately deduced that Lin Feng's family background was not simple. He considered asking Cao Tiannan for permission to investigate Lin Feng's background.

However, as soon as this thought occurred to him, Li Jiawei immediately dismissed it!

Mayor Cao probably already knew Lin Feng's true background. Why should I stick my nose into it? Choosing a son-in-law is a private matter for the Mayor; the less I know, the better!

「...」

After watching Cao Tiannan's two cars drive off, Lin Feng, Cao Ying, and Li Liping finally headed for the parking lot.

"What did my dad say to you earlier?" Cao Ying leaned into Lin Feng's ear, gave Li Liping a wary glance, and then whispered her question.

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