Not far from the hotel, Ye Xiaoli appeared hurriedly.
"Miss, Mr. Yang is waiting outside our hotel with people," Ye Xiaoli said quickly, ignoring Yang Qingyin as she cozied up to Luo Zilingâs shoulder, and softly informed them of the situation: "Heâs been waiting here for about an hour."
Waiting for about an hour meant that Yang Yunlin was surely very angryâLuo Ziling and Yang Qingyin both realized this.
Yang Qingyin promptly slipped off Luo Zilingâs shoulder.
Without any hesitation, she grabbed Luo Zilingâs hand and headed back in the direction they had come from, walking briskly.
"Weâre not going back to the hotel, letâs find another place to stay," Yang Qingyin said angrily, "I refuse to believe he will keep searching for us."
"You should really see your dad," Luo Ziling held onto Yang Qingyinâs arm and said earnestly, "Heâs waited for an hour so if we donât meet him, heâll probably be even more furious. I donât want to see you and your dad in a big argument."
Yang Qingyin defiantly refused to meet Yang Yunlin with Luo Ziling, feeling very angry and resentful towards his excessive actions.
"If one day our daughter dates someone we donât like, and she doesnât want us interfering, hiding to avoid us, weâd be very upset."
Shocked, Yang Qingyin glanced at Luo Ziling, then said grumpily, "Stop flattering yourself, Iâm not having a daughter with you!"
"Then letâs have a son. Weâll allow him to charm any familyâs daughter. Our son will surely be better than us, more appealing to girls!"
"Youâre really annoying," Yang Qingyinâs resistance was largely dissipated by Luo Zilingâs jokes, "Whoâs marrying you? Hmph, Iâm not giving birth to your children!"
"How about I invite your dad for a late-night snack," Luo Ziling suggested, then instructed Ye Xiaoli, "Go buy some snacks and bring a few bottles of beer."
Ye Xiaoli glanced at Luo Ziling, then at Yang Qingyin, and seeing no objection from her, nodded in agreement.
To avoid any awkwardness, Luo Ziling let go of Yang Qingyinâs hand, and they walked side by side.
As they arrived at the hotel parking lot, someone approached them.
"Miss Yang, Mr. Luo, please come this way," The man in black who approached gestured for them to head towards the parking lot.
"Letâs head over then," Luo Ziling patted Yang Qingyinâs hand and signaled the man in black, "Lead the way!"
Yang Qingyin followed Luo Ziling and the man in black silently towards a car near the parking lot.
When they reached the car, the door opened and Yang Yunlin stepped out.
Before Yang Yunlin could say anything, Luo Ziling spoke first, "Mr. Yang, I asked Xiaoli to buy some snacks. How about we go up and talk while eating? I think, Mr. Yang, youâd surely not want it spread around that the esteemed mayor of the Imperial Capital had an argument with his daughter and future son-in-law by West Lake. It wouldnât be good for your reputation."
"Dad, if you have anything to discuss, letâs do it in the room," Yang Qingyin chimed in, "Considering you waited tiredly at the hotel entrance late at night, you surely have something to discuss with us. Iâm very tired and want to rest. If you want to talk, letâs do it upstairs."
With that, she turned and walked towards the lobby, not waiting for Yang Yunlin to respond.
Up ahead, two men in black blocked the way, but Yang Qingyin paid them no mind, coldly commanding them: "Move."
The two men in black dared not obstruct Yang Qingyin and stepped aside, making way for her.
Yang Yunlin wanted to erupt in anger on the spot but finally managed to hold it back.
"Alright!" He suppressed his fury, commanding Luo Ziling, "Lead the way!"
The anger in Yang Yunlinâs heart at this moment was indescribable.
He despised his daughter for being so lowly, and hated Luo Zilingâs arrogance.
His resentment towards Luo Ziling grew stronger.
Not waiting for Luo Ziling to react, Yang Yunlin took large steps after Yang Qingyin.
Luo Ziling also hurriedly followed, getting ahead of Yang Yunlin to catch up with Yang Qingyin.
But he didnât enter the elevator with Yang Qingyin; instead, he let her return to the room first.
He waited by another elevator for Yang Yunlin.
When the enraged Yang Yunlin reached the elevator, Luo Ziling politely gestured for him to enter.
Yang Yunlinâs attendants didnât follow; they stayed in the lobby, while others planned to take the elevator shortly after.
Luo Ziling and Yang Yunlin rode the elevator together.
Yang Yunlin didnât glare at Luo Ziling nor said anything. He knew there were surveillance cameras in the elevator, and if impulsive actions were caught and spread, it would be a stain on his life.
After entering the elevator, he turned his head away, trying to avoid the surveillance cameras as much as possible.
Luo Ziling didnât mind at all; he stood as usual, smiling slightly at Yang Yunlin.
Facing Yang Yunlin, Luo Ziling felt no pressure.
Knowing that Yang Yunlin had orchestrated the last incident intending to kill him, Luo Ziling despised Yang Qingyinâs father more, thus psychologically having the upper hand and feeling no fear.
If Yang Yunlin lashed out at him, he wouldnât mind retaliating more fiercely.
Of course, if Yang Yunlin remained calm, Luo Ziling didnât wish to escalate things either.
When the elevator reached their floor, Luo Ziling gestured "please" to Yang Yunlin.
Yang Yunlin snorted furiously and then strode out of the elevator.
Luo Ziling followed unhurriedly, purposely not catching up.
Upon reaching the door of the room where Luo Ziling and Yang Qingyin stayed, Yang Yunlin stopped and knocked heavily.
After a short wait, the door opened.
Yang Qingyin, who had entered the room earlier, opened the door and returned to the room, sitting on the sofa.
Yang Yunlin and Luo Ziling walked into the room one after the other.
Once in the room, Yang Yunlin sat furiously opposite Yang Qingyin.
But before he could speak, Yang Qingyin spoke first, "Dad, donât blame me for anything. Iâm an adult. Iâm responsible for what I do. If you intend to sever our relationship and cast me out as a threat, Iâm willing to accept it."
"Qingyin, donât say that," Luo Ziling said earnestly after sitting beside Yang Qingyin, facing Yang Yunlin, "Mr. Yang, you speak first. Staying at our hotel entrance at midnight clearly means there are important things you want to say to us. Iâm a man who will be a father someday, so I somewhat understand your feelings now. So, say whatever you want, donât hold back. We will listen earnestly!"