Facing Dong Lin's invitation, Xia Qingling appeared resigned.
She couldn't understand why Dong Lin was still acting this way, even after she had made her feelings so obvious and brought Lin Xiao Tian to meet her family. Did they have to be together just because he was the only son of the Dong family and she was the only daughter of the Xia family?
If there were feelings involved, it would be a different story. But facing Dong Lin, Xia Qingling genuinely couldn't like him.
Xia Qingling preferred accomplished men. Being born into a family of physicians, her requirements for a partner were that he must be superior to her in medical skills and have integrity.
But Xia Qingling knew Dong Lin well. In terms of both character and medical skills, he was completely unqualified. As a spoiled rich kid, Dong Lin's reputation was notoriously bad, and he barely managed to graduate from university.
Later, when he entered the National Medical Hall, Xia Qingling got in on her own merit, while Dong Lin used connections. This was something Xia Qingling truly looked down upon.
However, this was ultimately Dong Lin's personal choice, and Xia Qingling didn't want to interfere. But if Dong Lin wanted to be her man, she had to consider these things.
All of the above led Xia Qingling to completely reject Dong Lin.
Seeing Dong Lin still pestering her at this moment, Xia Qingling was incredibly troubled.
But soon, she had an idea.
"Lin Xiao Tian, invite me to dance," Xia Qingling signaled to Lin Xiao Tian beside her.
Lin Xiao Tian was taken aback. "But I don't know how to dance."
"It's okay, I'll teach you!"
If it were any other time, Lin Xiao Tian would naturally have refused Xia Qingling. But at this moment, he understood that Xia Qingling was using him to make Dong Lin give up completely.
Lin Xiao Tian also had no good feelings for Dong Lin. After thinking for a moment, he finally agreed to Xia Qingling.
"May I have this dance?" Lin Xiao Tian, mimicking what he often saw on television, extended his hand to Xia Qingling.
Their eyes met, and Xia Qingling's cheeks immediately flushed.
"Yes!" Xia Qingling nodded gently.
Then, Xia Qingling took Lin Xiao Tian's hand, and they walked towards the center of the venue.
Dong Lin beside them was petrified.
This was acceptable?
Seeing the strange glances from the people around him, Dong Lin felt so ashamed he wished he could disappear into a crack in the earth.
"Hmph!"
Looking at the two of them on the dance floor, Dong Lin snorted coldly.
Just then, the music began.
As the only daughter of the Xia family, the moment Xia Qingling appeared, everyone consciously made way for her.
"Put your arm around my shoulder!" Xia Qingling reminded Lin Xiao Tian.
But how was Lin Xiao Tian supposed to know how to do that?
"How do I put it?"
He thought of the rowdy kids in his village; they usually walked briskly down the main road. Was it like that?
Seeing Lin Xiao Tian's confused expression, Xia Qingling couldn't help but chuckle.
"You're laughing? I'm making such a great sacrifice for you."
"What's the rush? With me around, I guarantee you'll be the most dashing guy here!"
"No, no, no, I just hope to get through this safely and then wait for the banquet to end."
Facing Lin Xiao Tian's resigned attitude, Xia Qingling smiled slyly.
Soon, Xia Qingling began to lead the rhythm between them.
Xia Qingling guided Lin Xiao Tian all the way to the very center of the venue.
She was wearing a beautiful princess dress today, its hem reaching her ankles. Under the lights, the dress shimmered with specks of blue light. Combined with Xia Qingling's graceful steps, from a distance, she looked like a fairy from heaven.
In an instant, the two of them captured the attention of everyone present.
Old Master Xia stroked his beard and couldn't help but examine Lin Xiao Tian.
"Hmm! Not bad. This young man has a unique spirit, and he's also quite handsome. Qingling's taste is indeed good," Zhao Man commented sincerely.
But Xia Ming, standing beside her, did not agree.
"Just being good-looking isn't enough to be my Xia family's son-in-law. He's still far from it." As the head of the Xia family, Xia Ming was much more pragmatic.
As the two discussed, a voice came from behind.
The couple turned their heads and saw that Old Master Xia had also come over.
"It's not just his looks; this young man's abilities are also quite impressive."
"Father, how much do you know about this young man?" Xia Ming asked.
Lin Xiao Tian's attendance at this banquet was arranged by the Old Master. Xia Ming had always had questions about this.
After all, the Old Master had said that Lin Xiao Tian would be attending as his daughter's boyfriend.
Such a status was extremely sensitive to the Dong family.
But the Old Master insisted, and he couldn't do anything about it. Moreover, he trusted that the Old Master would not harm the Xia family.
However, the Old Master had always remained silent about Lin Xiao Tian's background, and Xia Ming didn't know much about him.
"Xiao Tian, I don't know much either," Xia Long Teng said with a smile.
"Ah?" Xia Ming's eyes widened at this.
Could it be that the Old Master had lost his mind? Inviting someone of unknown origin to a family banquet, and as Qingling's boyfriend, wasn't that clearly provoking the Dong family?
No way!
The Old Master wouldn't be so foolish, would he?
"Father, Qingling is your granddaughter. You wouldn't harm your own granddaughter, would you?" Zhao Man also said worriedly.
Seeing the couple's increasingly troubled expressions, Xia Long Teng could only continue to explain:
"Don't worry, I won't harm Qingling. Since I let Lin Xiao Tian come, I naturally believe he is qualified to be here."
"However, I really don't know much about Lin Xiao Tian's identity, but..."
Saying this, Xia Long Teng paused, then said with a grave expression:
"His identity is definitely not simple!"
After hearing Xia Long Teng's description, Xia Ming's body trembled.
Not simple?
His father had never evaluated anyone in such a manner before.
Someone whom his father considered "not simple," what kind of person was this Lin Xiao Tian?
On the other side of the viewing area, looking at the conspicuous pair on the dance floor, the father and son of the Dong family wore extremely displeased expressions.
"This is too much!" Dong Lin stomped his feet in anger.
Dong Chen, sitting in his chair, also had a very grim expression.
He hadn't expected the Xia family to bring Lin Xiao Tian before everyone so quickly.
"Father, the Xia family is too arrogant. In my opinion, we might as well have a fight to the death with the Xia family. Then we'll see if the Xia family can still be so arrogant," Dong Lin gritted his teeth and said.
Dong Chen was also very angry, but in the end, he shook his head.
He understood Xia Long Teng. This was someone who could contend with his father. If he knew he couldn't defeat the Dong family, he wouldn't do something so reckless.
He must have his own confidence in whatever he did.
"Father, what are you still considering? I think tomorrow we should hold a board meeting and kick the Xia family out of the National Medical Hall directly!"
But in response to Dong Lin's anger, Dong Chen only uttered two words.
"Shut up!"
"Father, I..."
Dong Lin wanted to continue, but Dong Chen glared at him.