Chapter 82: Chapter 82

Chapter 82: Su Lin: My Sacrifices are Enormous

In the afternoon, Su Lin and Lin Xiaowan saw Zhao Yanyan off, waiting until her bus completely disappeared before returning to their car.

Su Lin, noticing Lin Xiaowan’s tired and subdued demeanor, expressed his concern with a touch of sympathy, “Xiaowan, you must be exhausted today, huh?”

Lin Xiaowan shook her head, “It’s okay, just a lot of phone calls. The truly busy one is Chen Yang, managing both the supermarket and the warehouse.”

Su Lin chuckled, “Yangzi has a strong ability to handle pressure. The more pressure, the better he performs.”

“Chen Yang is being fully utilized by you, not just him, Xiaoyu and I are also being squeezed dry by you,” Lin Xiaowan remarked.

“Su Lin, how do you perfectly utilize everyone’s strengths like that?”

Su Lin gently stroked Lin Xiaowan’s hair, “It’s all about using people effectively, a skill that requires learning. Xiaowan, in this aspect, you have much to learn from Xiaoyu.”

“Mhm!”

“Let’s head back. We’ll stay until nine, then calculate today’s income, and I’ll drive you home,” Su Lin suggested as he started the car.

“Su Lin…”

“Hmm? What’s up, Xiaowan?” Su Lin looked puzzled, sensing Lin Xiaowan had something on her mind.

“Su Lin, if you meet a girl in the future in the capital or the magic city who is more beautiful and capable than me, what would you do?”

Su Lin scoffed, “There might be girls more beautiful, and maybe some as capable, but none who meet both criteria.”

“But what if there are? Would you leave me for her?”

Su Lin shook his head, “That’s impossible, Xiaowan. Humans aren’t like animals. I have feelings. Just because someone is beautiful and capable doesn’t mean I’d abandon you.”

Su Lin didn’t continue his thoughts aloud, which was basically to keep both women if possible.

“Xiaowan, this doesn’t sound like you. What’s wrong today?”

Lin Xiaowan sighed, then shook her head, “I’m worried I won’t be able to keep up with you in the future. You’ve already achieved so much, and soon you’ll be expanding to Donghai.”

“You’re smart and capable, Xiaowan. How could you not keep up with me?”

“If there comes a day when I can’t keep up?”

“If that day comes, I’ll stop and wait for you,” Su Lin replied calmly.

His casual assurance deeply moved Lin Xiaowan. Su Lin was ambitious and goal-oriented, yet willing to pause for her, showcasing his sincere affection.

“Su Lin, don’t worry, I won’t hold you back.”

“Hehe, Xiaowan, you’re overthinking things. Instead of worrying, give me a kiss or a hug of love; that works better than anything,” Su Lin said with a grin.

Lin Xiaowan rolled her eyes, her earlier sentiment dissipating, “I thought you were being noble, and then this happens.”

“Being noble is for outsiders, not you. And remember, in five days…” As Su Lin’s gaze became more intense, Lin Xiaowan felt increasingly flustered, knowing exactly where he was looking.

She also felt pleased inside. Her allure was still strong, evident in Su Lin’s mischievous eyes. She wondered, when the time came, should she stop him or not?

In the end, Lin Xiaowan couldn’t come up with a satisfactory answer. She thought that if Su Lin really made a move, she probably wouldn’t stop him. “Su Lin…”

“Mhm?”

“It’s the final monthly exam in five days.”

“Ah, Xiaowan, are you so eager to become my girlfriend that you can’t wait? If that’s the case, I’d be willing to oblige,” Su Lin said jokingly.

“That’s not what I meant. I mean, if, and I’m just saying if, you win against Ye Feng, can we keep our relationship a secret from Xiaoyu for now?” Lin Xiaowan asked tentatively.

“Why keep it a secret from Xiaoyu?”

“If Xiaoyu finds out we’re dating, she’ll feel uncomfortable and might not hang out with us anymore. I really like it when the three of us are together, carefree. Even if we wait until university, that would be fine.”

Su Lin remembered Xia Shiyu saying something similar on the bed in the villa, but her intention was different from Lin Xiaowan’s.

Xia Shiyu wanted to support him silently, so their relationship shouldn’t be known to Lin Xiaowan, whereas Lin Xiaowan worried that revealing their relationship might drive Xia Shiyu away.

Su Lin was about to agree to Lin Xiaowan’s request when a thought struck him.

Feigning a pitiful tone, Su Lin said, “Xiaowan, think about how pitiful I am. I finally get to date you, but it has to be a secret affair, hidden from Xiaoyu. Isn’t it the same as not dating if she can’t know?”

“I don’t want this either, but Xiaoyu…”

“I understand your feelings towards Xiaoyu, but you should also understand mine.”

After hesitating, Lin Xiaowan made a decision. She leaned closer and whispered something into Su Lin’s ear.

Startled, Su Lin abruptly pulled the car over and asked, “Xiaowan, are you serious?”

Blushing, Lin Xiaowan nodded, “Yes, but only once, Su Lin. Not more than that.”

“Once it is. We have a deal, Xiaowan. You can’t back out,” Su Lin said, his eyes shining with mischief.

Lin Xiaowan felt her heart race, realizing she might have just walked into a trap.

“Let’s go. Xiaoyu is waiting for us,” she urged.

“Not so fast. First, a little interest. Considering my great sacrifice and the one-time opportunity, you owe me a little extra.”

“Wh-What kind of interest… No, no, no…”

Ten minutes later, the car finally resumed its journey. Lin Xiaowan glared fiercely at Su Lin.

“This guy… He’s too much!”

Meanwhile, Su Lin hummed a tune, savoring the memory of his recent experience.

“Not bad at all!” he thought, pleased.