Chapter 82: 82. Lin Shuxuan [3]
After everything had been finalized, Lin Shuxuan rose from his seat.
"I’ll take my leave."
Zhao Luhao stood as well and personally escorted him to the entrance of the reception hall.
He made no attempt to stop the mysterious youth. Some people were better left unquestioned.
Watching the veiled figure disappear into the distance, Zhao Luhao silently tightened his grip on the signed agreement.
The Zhao family had just secured an opportunity that countless clans could only dream of.
Nearly half an hour later, far from the Zhao family estate, Lin Xuan finally removed the bamboo hat and let out a long sigh of relief.
"That should do it."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He had successfully created a new persona.
From this day onward, there would be a mysterious "Master" standing behind the Lin family.
Soon enough, rumors would naturally spread from the Zhao family.
When other clans inevitably came knocking to inquire about the source of the Lin family’s pills, all he needed to do was tell them a simple story.
"An elder passing through Azure Willow City happened to take an interest in one of our disciples. In exchange for taking that disciple as his student, he agreed to refine pills for the Lin family for a limited period."
It was simple yet believable and most importantly, the Zhao family would unknowingly serve as the perfect alibi.
After all, no one would believe Zhao Luhao had agreed to such a favorable cooperation agreement unless he truly believed an unfathomable alchemy master stood behind the Lin family.
Just then, a familiar mechanical voice sounded in Lin Xuan’s mind.
[Congratulations for establishing a solid alliance with the Zhao family.]
[You have brought the Lin Clan one step closer to divinity.]
Lin Xuan chuckled to himself.
"’Raising My Clan to Divinity’..."
He looked toward the distant horizon, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"If my life were a novel, that would be a rather fitting title."
At the very same time, Zhao Luhao’s heart was filled with immense confusion.
He was currently seated opposite Su Qinglan in one of the Zhao family’s reception halls.
Not long after the mysterious youth calling himself Lin Shuxuan had departed, Su Qinglan had arrived at the Zhao family estate bearing gifts.
Naturally, after signing the cooperation agreement, Zhao Luhao regarded the alliance with the Lin family far more favorably than before. Upon hearing that the Lin Clan’s Treasurer had come to visit, he had personally gone out to welcome the guests.
Now, seated before him, were Su Qinglan and a young girl.
She had been introduced as the Lin Clan’s Young Patriarch, Lin Xuan’s daughter.
The child sat quietly beside Su Qinglan, calmly sipping tea with manners that were far too refined for someone her age.
Throughout the conversation, Zhao Luhao had casually mentioned the name Lin Shuxuan, expecting at least a flicker of recognition.
Instead...
"I beg your pardon?"
Su Qinglan looked genuinely puzzled.
"I’m afraid I don’t know anyone by that name."
Zhao Luhao turned toward the young girl.
She tilted her head slightly before shaking it as well.
"I’ve never heard of him either."
For a brief moment, the room fell silent.
Zhao Luhao frowned.
Neither of them knows him?
That seemed impossible, the youth had clearly introduced himself as a member of the Lin family.
Yet both the Lin Clan’s Treasurer and the Young Patriarch appeared completely unaware of his existence.
A thought suddenly surfaced in Zhao Luhao’s mind.
Could it be... The mysterious master gave him a new name and intentionally concealed his disciple’s identity from the rest of the Lin family?
The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
After all, an existence capable of refining Pure Quality Qi Refinement Pills would naturally value secrecy.
If too many people knew of his whereabouts, it would only invite unwanted attention.
With that thought, Zhao Luhao wisely chose not to pursue the matter any further. The less he knew about such an expert, the safer it would be for everyone involved.
At the same time, Lin Zhaoyue quietly lowered her teacup, her expression remaining as calm as ever.
Yet beneath that composed exterior, her thoughts were muttering the name with curiousity.
Lin Shuxuan, shuxuan...
She silently repeated the name several times.
The more she thought about it, the stranger it became.
In the Lin family’s naming generation...
’Shu’ belongs to Father’s generation... doesn’t it?
Her fingers tightened slightly around the teacup.
No way...
Her gaze subtly shifted toward Zhao Luhao, who was already discussing future cooperations with Su Qinglan.
No way... right?
The absurd thought had only just surfaced in her mind, yet the more she examined it, the harder it became to dismiss.
"What does the Young Miss think?"
Su Qinglan’s gentle voice pulled Lin Zhaoyue out of her thoughts.
She blinked once before looking up from her teacup.
"My apologies."
She lightly lowered her head.
"May I ask what you were discussing? I’m afraid I wasn’t paying attention."
Her voice was soft and courteous, carrying not the slightest trace of impatience.
"I apologize for my rudeness."
Seeing her sincere demeanor, Zhao Luhao could not help but smile.
"The Young Miss is remarkably polite."
He let out a helpless sigh as another figure came to mind.
"Unlike my own daughter."
A hint of exasperation appeared on his face.
"When she was your age, she spent her days running around beating up children from the other families."
Su Qinglan nearly choked on her tea.
Zhao Luhao simply shook his head with a bitter smile.
"To this day, I still can’t get over the amount of money I had to spend compensating their parents."
Lin Zhaoyue gently set down her teacup before speaking in her usual polite tone.
"My father raised me very well."
The words were simple yet their meaning was anything but.
There was an old saying:
If a child errs, the parents bear the first responsibility.
Su Qinglan’s expression froze.
Please don’t get offended...
She silently prayed as her eyes instinctively drifted toward Zhao Luhao.
The atmosphere in the room grew strangely quiet.
"Hahaha!"
Zhao Luhao burst into hearty laughter.
"You’re right, it is indeed the responsibility of parents to discipline their children."
A trace of self-mockery appeared on his face.
"In that regard, I failed her as a father."
He looked at the courteous little girl before him and nodded with genuine admiration.
"Your father truly is a great man."
A gentle smile bloomed on Lin Zhaoyue’s face.
"Yes, my father is the greatest."
There was neither hesitation nor exaggeration in her voice, to her, it was simply the truth.
After a brief pause, she continued politely,
"And you, Sir Zhao, senior Sister Zhao Moying has grown into a wonderful person."
She met Zhao Luhao’s eyes with a sincere smile.
"So I believe you have not failed as a father either."
Zhao Luhao was momentarily stunned and then a warm smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Thank you, Young Miss."
For the first time in many years, he felt that perhaps all those years of worrying had not been in vain after all.
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