Marry a female star at a bargain price

Chapter 282, Section 283: Inviting the enemy into the urn, only to find oneself trapped within it.

The four people were sitting in the study on the third floor.

Without Zhou Xiuping's attempts to lighten the mood, the moment the door closed, an awkward atmosphere, like formaldehyde evaporating from a crack, instantly enveloped the entire room.

To break the awkward silence, none of the three members of this family can be relied upon.

Lin Xiao is the only hope for the entire village.

However, at this moment, his thoughts inappropriately wandered, and he suddenly realized that the four parties involved who had recently monopolized the entire internet were now unexpectedly gathered together.

Good guy.

No planning or editing is needed; all you need is a wide-angle lens, and the footage can be uploaded online and become a wildly popular S+ level variety show.

Lin Xiao had already thought of a name: "Walking with Mayor Lin's Family," inspired by the American TV show "Walking with the Kardashians."

This is not about riding the coattails of the parallel universe trend at all.

In fact, in terms of drama and popularity, Lin Xiao and his wife's family's recent drama is no less than that of Lao Ka's family.

They're just not as daring as the Kardashians.

Anyone with a thicker skin and a collective decline in their beliefs can easily make a fortune while riding this wave of popularity, simply by manipulating things.

"I'm thinking too far ahead, too far ahead..."

Lin Xiao realized that his thought process was getting increasingly absurd and quickly brought his attention back to the room.

He stood at the door.

In the small study, Han Haijun sat behind the desk, while Liu Liyun and Han Xixi sat on the lounge chairs in front of the bookshelves, neither looking at the other.

Lin Xiao sighed inwardly.

Realizing that if I didn't say anything today, mushrooms would probably grow all over this room.

"Um... Dad, Mom!"

Lin Xiao took the initiative to speak, "Today is Xiao Chu's 100th day, and it's a rare occasion for our family to get together again. There's something I've been thinking about for a long time, and I've decided to be honest with you both..."

Before she could finish speaking, Han Xixi immediately turned her head, her face filled with panic.

This reaction caused Han Haijun and Liu Liyun, who had been calm, to become curious and flustered.

"What's wrong? Why are you so serious... You two aren't getting a divorce too, are you?!"

Liu Liyun said in a panic.

The word "also" made the already awkward atmosphere in the room even more intense and fragrant.

It's even a bit pungent!

Lin Xiao quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no, Mom, don't worry, Xixi and I have a very good relationship, we won't get a divorce!"

Liu Liyun patted her chest: "You scared me! I thought it was because of the recent trending topics that you two had a fight and were going to... As long as you don't get a divorce, nothing is more important than your little family being together and happy!"

Liu Liyun was telling the truth.

She has been a leading cadre for many years and has seen many ups and downs. Among women, her hair is not considered long.

Rao is so.

The recent week or so of exposure, cyberbullying, and trending topics have been overwhelming and relentless, leaving her quite speechless.

Now, Liu Liyun is no longer able to withstand any setbacks or turmoil; her vulnerability is no less than that of Lin Xiaoxi, who is just over 100 days old.

Lin Xiao also knew that his mother-in-law had been suffering recently.

First came the divorce, then the cyberbullying, and then she was disciplined by the organization because of her son-in-law's promotion... It seemed as if God was making her make up for all the hardships she hadn't endured in her smooth-sailing first fifty years of life.

God: Surprise?!
Lin Xiao felt heartbroken, but even more so, he felt guilty, because all the causes and effects of the past two years, to put it bluntly, originated from that "sugar baby photo" taken by Han Haijun and his daughter.

And this photo was taken by him.

This secret was initially known only to him and his college best friend Zhang Peng. Later, when his ex-girlfriend Jiang Xueying discovered it, Lin Xiao took the initiative to confess to his wife Han Xixi.

No one else knew about it.

Even though the recent trending topic was unprecedented, the "secret" behind Lin Xiao's exceptional promotion, the details of the "sugar baby photo" were exposed, and all sorts of things about Lin Xiao and his father-in-law's family were revealed and posted online.

However, the fact that Lin Xiao was the original author of that "sugar baby photo" has never been revealed.

Otherwise, the trending topics wouldn't be like this now; the buzz, discussion, and drama would at least double.

Even if Lin Xiao nails himself to the pillar of shame, he probably can never clear his name.

Of course, he had no intention of turning himself in online.

I won't confide in netizens about this kind of thing, since we're not that close.

But after thinking it over, he decided to be honest with his parents-in-law.

After all... well... how should I put it... I've almost killed my father-in-law and mother-in-law!
If he continued to hide it, Lin Xiao felt he was worse than an animal.

So even after he opened his mouth, his wife kept winking and shaking her head at him, signaling him not to say anything.

But Lin Xiao had already made up his mind.

"Dad, Mom, two years ago before National Day, Dad and Xixi went to the mall to buy Mom a gift for her 50th birthday. As a result, a photo of the two of them holding hands was taken and posted online, which triggered a series of events..."

He took a deep breath and finally said, "Actually, I took that photo!"

One sentence made Han Haijun and Liu Liyun's eyes widen at the same time. Their tacit agreement confirmed that even after their divorce, they were still bound by an inescapable entanglement.

A silence that lasted ten seconds fell over the room.

Ten seconds later, the gazes of the two middle-aged men had changed from initial curiosity and doubt to sharpness and vigilance.

The two exchanged a glance instinctively; in those few seconds, the divorce certificate became invalid!
Another ten seconds of silence.

Finally, Han Haijun, as the head of the family, spoke up: "You took that photo, causing Xixi to be cyberbullied and her career to plummet. Then you went on blind dates, had a whirlwind marriage... We thought all of this was a match made in heaven, but in reality, you had ulterior motives all along, didn't you?"

"No, Dad!!"

Before Lin Xiao could answer, Xi Xi shouted excitedly.

However, before he could say the second sentence, Han Haijun sternly stopped him: "I'm asking Lin Xiao, not you!!"

Liu Liyun, unusually, once again stood on the same side as her husband, pulling her daughter aside and saying sternly, "Xixi, don't say anything!"

Xi Xi was anxious and flustered, but due to the pressure she had been under since childhood, she obediently shut her mouth.

Lin Xiao had anticipated the current situation from the moment he decided to tell the truth.

"no!"

He said calmly.

Han Haijun didn't believe it, his tone still stern: "How can we believe you? If taking that photo was really just a coincidence, why didn't you tell us the truth almost two years later, when you had so many opportunities? Only now, after you and Xixi have a child, and to put it bluntly, it's a fait accompli, do you finally confess to us... How can we believe you?"

Han Haijun's voice wasn't loud, but it was powerful; the imposing presence of a department-level leader was undeniable.

Lin Xiao was prepared to face the wrath of thunder.

But when the moment actually came, I couldn't stop feeling flustered, and it took me a long time to calm down.

"Dad, Mom, I know that whatever I say now will be difficult to regain your trust!"

Lin Xiao said sincerely, "Especially now, your only daughter has married me and had a child. You two have also suffered cyberbullying and organizational punishment for protecting my future... while I, as the instigator, have been completely unscathed. On the contrary, I have gained both fame and fortune and a happy marriage and family."

"Given this situation, let alone the two of you, even I myself suspect that all of this is my own conspiracy, a grand deception meticulously designed by me as a self-made man to climb the social ladder..."

"But Mom and Dad, I really don't have that ability, nor could I possibly have schemed and plotted my way to this point! If I really had that kind of cunning, and I'm not bragging, with that cunning and my creative talent, even without the help of you two leaders, I could still achieve both fame and fortune. Of course, a happy marriage and family would be impossible, after all, there's only one Han Xixi in this world!"

Xi Xi watched the game from the sidelines, her heart pounding with tension.

So much so that when a love confession was suddenly thrown out in the midst of such a tense battle, she was completely caught off guard.

She only realized it belatedly after Lin Xiao finished speaking.

Her face flushed red instantly.

After listening to Lin Xiao's words, Han Haijun and Liu Liyun exchanged a glance, agreeing with his logic and reasoning.

After all, Lin Xiao's abilities over the past year or so—not to mention his exceptional talent in music composition, just his courage and excellence in his main job—have far exceeded the couple's expectations.

The couple had long believed that their son-in-law's future was limitless and that he would surely surpass his father-in-law, Han Haijun.

Not to mention, he can also write songs, maintaining the identity of a mysterious musician.

He could achieve financial freedom effortlessly if he wanted to!
To be honest, having such a superpower but not using it shows a level of composure and determination that would put Han Haijun and Liu Liyun to shame.

Ask yourself honestly—if you gave each of them a large sum of money and asked them to resign from their current positions, that would be a good idea.

They admit that their ideals and beliefs are not yet that firm, and the answer is self-evident.

Extend your own feelings to others!

Lin Xiao accomplished what they couldn't, demonstrating his deep love for his job. His later participation in the "Young Seedling Program" to work in rural areas further proves this point.

Such a young man with ideals, beliefs, and talent.

The thought of suddenly associating him with an image of cunning, shrewdness, and ruthlessness in the pursuit of power was something Han Haijun and Liu Liyun simply couldn't bring themselves to do; it just felt awkward.

So deep down, I'm already inclined to believe that it was indeed an accident, a coincidence.

However, believing is one thing.

After all, the two had just experienced an unprecedented online attack and were still subject to organizational punishment. Under no circumstances could they easily forgive Lin Xiao, the "instigator".

So the couple's eyes remained indifferent.

“Tell me the whole story from beginning to end!” Han Haijun said.

"it is good!"

Lin Xiao started by explaining why he went to the mall on the day the photo was taken, then talked about his complaints with his classmate Zhang Peng that night, and how Zhang Peng sold the photo to an entertainment reporter through professional channels...

The story continued until he was invited to Liu Liyun's house for a blind date, and he recognized that his blind date was actually the woman in the "sugar baby photos" he had taken, and then it suddenly stopped.

What followed was that after the blind date, Han Xixi took the initiative to bring up the matter of "marriage of convenience".

The preceding section detailed Lin Xiao's personal crimes, which he made no attempt to conceal.

But when it comes to this part, it's my wife's "recklessness" that gets in.

Xixi grew up to be a well-behaved girl... although she is often not well-behaved at all, and when she is stubborn, nothing can change her mind.

But in Han Haijun and Liu Liyun's eyes, their daughter is definitely the best in the world, without any flaws.

Therefore, Lin Xiao is now facing a choice.

To tell the truth would be to expose the wife's "true colors," making the story more coherent.

If he doesn't say it, he can only come up with the excuse of "love at first sight" to explain his whirlwind marriage with Xixi.

But that would be tantamount to lying.

This is clearly not appropriate in today's frankness session.

Lin Xiao hesitated for a moment.

at this time.

Xi Xi, who had been silent until now, finally spoke again, her face resolute as if she were facing certain death: "I was the one who proposed the whirlwind marriage to Lin Xiao, and we weren't really married at the time, it was my manager who..."

She picked up the conversation and recounted what happened next in detail.

Han Haijun and Liu Liyun were both dumbfounded.

Today's candid session was packed with information, leaving both leaders completely bewildered.

Especially the South Korean Navy.

He came today to talk to his son-in-law about something.

Before she could even begin what she wanted to say, she was bombarded with barrages from her son-in-law and daughter, leaving her completely stunned and utterly speechless!
Han Haijun: No, what kind of world is this? Don't they know how to respect their elders?
Silence fell over the room again.

After revealing her secret, Xixi let out a long sigh of relief, feeling incredibly relaxed.

She and Lin Xiao exchanged a secret glance, the young couple winking and praising each other's bravery.

It gave me a strange feeling of high school students flirting in class.

Lin Xiao was in a cheerful mood, as if it were springtime.

If he hadn't seen his bewildered in-laws, he would have burst out laughing.

"I'm so guilty, I'm such a terrible person!" he thought to himself.

After a while.

Liu Liyun asked doubtfully, "So, are you two... really together?" Lin Xiao nodded quickly, "Really, more real than pearls!"

He wished he could kiss his wife right there and then to prove that their love was stronger than gold.

But because the scene was too stimulating, they gave up and changed it to holding hands with Xixi instead.

"Dad, Mom, although Xixi and I started our marriage in a very frivolous way, we were genuinely attracted to each other and developed real feelings for one another during our time together. Otherwise, Xiao Chu wouldn't have been born... No matter how silly we are, we would never joke about having a child!"

Lin Xiao said seriously.

These words finally brought Han Haijun and Liu Liyun's rollercoaster-like emotions back to normal for the time being.

The couple fell silent for a moment.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao knew that his parents-in-law had already believed and accepted the truth, but they were just not emotionally ready to switch back to reality.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Dad, you said you wanted to talk to me... what's up?"

Rather than continuing the awkward silence, Lin Xiao decided to quickly move on and change the subject.

This tactic was indeed effective.

Hearing his son-in-law's question, Han Haijun, though still gloomy, said, "It's like this: regarding your performance at the press conference the day before yesterday, the provincial leaders spoke with me yesterday to learn about some things. I'm here today mainly to convey the opinions of our superiors!"

Upon hearing this, all three of them simultaneously became serious and upright.

The eerie atmosphere of the confession session was completely dispelled.

"You say!"

Han Haijun was speechless for a moment, glancing at the mother and daughter beside him.

Lin Xiao noticed his concerns and smiled, "I've already made up my mind to resign, so organizational discipline is dispensable to me now. Therefore, whatever the content of this conversation is, my wife and mother-in-law can listen. Please just say it!"

Han Haijun frowned, then nodded.

"We were talking about your resignation... Are you really sure?"

The South Korean Navy asked seriously.

Lin Xiao had anticipated this question, and smiled, looking rather irritating.

"Was that you asking, or was it the organization asking?"

"Is there a difference?"

"Of course there is a difference!"

Lin Xiao laughed and said, "If the organization asks, then it means I've resigned, I'm definitely resigning, and nothing can change my mind. But if you ask... then it means I can resign or not, there's room for negotiation, and a lot of room for negotiation!"

Two sentences completely baffled the family of three in the house.

Xixi was the most knowledgeable, but even she only had a vague understanding and didn't know what her husband was up to.

"What...what does this mean?" Liu Liyun asked.

"hey-hey!"

Lin Xiao smiled without saying a word, then looked at his father-in-law, indicating that he should speak first.

The South Korean Navy probably understood.

He watched the entire press conference the day before yesterday and knew that his son-in-law's resignation and retirement from the entertainment industry in front of the entire internet was definitely suspicious.

If the attitude is really that resolute, why hold a press conference?
Just submit a resignation letter to the organization and post a statement of leaving the industry online. It's that simple. There's no need to make a big fuss about it.

Lin Xiao not only held a press conference, but also invited all the well-known media outlets in the country and launched a live broadcast on Douyin, the platform with the largest traffic.

This situation suggests that it's not as simple as just retiring from the entertainment industry.
This is clearly a fight to the death!
Han Haijun had long seen through his son-in-law's plan; he just didn't know what it was!
In fact, until ten minutes ago, he still couldn't figure out what Lin Xiao was trying to do.

But just after the confession.

Han Haijun suddenly realized something – this kid did so much, probably entirely for them, and also to atone for his sins!

"I asked you a question, so tell me the truth!" Han Haijun said sternly.

"it is good!"

Lin Xiao agreed, but still refused to tell the truth directly. Instead, he smiled slyly and said, "But Dad, before I tell you the truth... tell me first, when the higher-ups talked to you, did they reveal any other information?"

The father-in-law and son-in-law stared at each other for three seconds.

Han Haijun couldn't maintain his serious expression any longer and burst into laughter unexpectedly.

This laugh left the mother and daughter beside her completely bewildered.

I wondered: When did they make up? I wasn't distracted at all, how come I didn't notice at all?
Han Haijun, his face flushed, said, "There is indeed something to it. Although the leader didn't say it explicitly, the general idea is that they will reinvestigate our family's affairs, and if the situation is true, they will rescind the punishment against Comrade Liu Liyun."

"As for me, a warning is inevitable, but... I won't be dismissed. I can continue in my current position in Yizhou!"

With barely suppressed joy, Han Haijun uttered those last words.

The stone stirred up three waves, and the three people in the room reacted very differently.

Although Lin Xiao had expected it, he still felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders and breathed a sigh of relief.

Han Xixi was extremely shocked, never expecting that her father would be "dismissed" from his post.

Liu Liyun remained the most composed.

Having served as a leader for so many years, she has a very keen political sense and has always been vigilant about the unusual behavior of the South Korean Navy in recent months.

Therefore, when Han Haijun proposed a divorce, she did not object at all.

Of course, this feeling that "there must be another reason why he brought up divorce" was also a good way for her to comfort herself.

After all, there was such a thought in mind.

Liu Liyun can then completely shed the identity of a "middle-aged abandoned woman," and easily get rid of the slap in the face that her ex-husband filed for divorce because he "didn't have a son."

After all, he had "other hidden reasons".

With this kind of expectation and self-suggestion, Liu Liyun was able to remain calm, composed, and rational after ending a 25-year marriage.

The family members highly approve of Director Liu's ability to take things in stride.

But even Liu Liyun didn't know how long she could maintain this stance.

After all, a pregnant woman's child will eventually be born, and the truth about the ex-husband's "hidden story" will eventually come to light.

What if this "hidden truth" just won't come out no matter what?

That proves that the pregnancy was faked, and he didn't actually have any hidden reasons; he just wanted a divorce for the reasons that were out in the open.

Liu Liyun knew she was strong-willed, so she couldn't bear this blow.

Fortunately.

As she predicted, the "hidden truth" had been in Old Han's mind all along, and today was the joyous day of his impending delivery...

Hmm, something just doesn't feel right?
Han Xixi couldn't help but ask, "Dad, just because you and I went to a luxury store, got photographed, and the photos were posted online, you're going to be dismissed? This...this is too much! We bought the bags with our own money, is this considered a violation of discipline...?"

Xi Xi was both shocked and remorseful.

After all, it was my mother's insistence that I go to the luxury store to buy her a gift.

At first, Lao Han was worried about the negative impact and didn't want to go.

I finally went because she persuaded me.

If Dad really gets dismissed because of this.

No matter what, Xixi couldn't accept it, let alone forgive herself.

Only then could she temporarily put aside her father's resentment that he had abandoned his wife and daughter because she had given birth to one, and speak to him for the first time in three months.

Han Haijun savored the memory of his daughter calling him "Dad" and couldn't help but smile like an aunt.

"No, no, of course not..."

Seeing his daughter's self-reproach and concern, Han Haijun, unusually flustered, hurriedly said, "I was dismissed because of other matters, and I have been under investigation for half a year... Of course, I myself have certainly not done anything illegal or disorderly; the investigation is due to some work-related mistakes."

"I won't go into details. A month ago, the organization made its decision: he was simply dismissed from his post, without any further serious consequences. He was retained in a nominal position and then transferred back to Ninghai. Everything has been settled, but the official dismissal document hasn't been issued yet."

"The official document was supposed to be issued soon. But I never expected that at this critical juncture, our family's affairs would be brought up and exposed on the internet, attracting such widespread attention."

"The organization suspended the dismissal and transfer procedures until the day before yesterday, after your press conference, when the higher-ups called me in for another talk and announced the new disciplinary action..."

Upon hearing this, all three breathed a sigh of relief, but their emotions were completely different.

"I've finished speaking, now it's your turn!"

Han Haijun looked at his son-in-law with a gaze that was filled with eight emotions: doubt, gratitude, appreciation, expectation, vigilance, excitement, relief, and worry, which were like a pot of thick eight-treasure porridge.

Lin Xiao nodded, his mood completely at ease.

He stopped hiding his feelings and said directly, "Dad has said everything, so I have nothing more to say. Of course, I have no intention of resigning or leaving the music industry... or rather, it doesn't matter whether I resign or leave the industry, I can accept either."

"The reason I said those things at the press conference, and even sang, danced, cried, and acted, was because I wanted to negotiate with the organization. My rank is too low to meet the big leaders, so I can only use this method to let the leaders see my abilities. I hope that through my clumsy work, the organization will reconsider how to deal with my parents."

"After all, it all started because of me, my parents made mistakes at work because of me, and these things were exposed online because of me..."

Then he told her in detail that Zhong Jiawen, that crazy woman, was the instigator.

The three people on the other side were shocked again.

Today's confession session was so intense, with the truth coming out one after another, that everyone was completely overwhelmed.

So when Chung Ka-man appeared, the three of them couldn't get excited at all.

It can only be considered a mild stimulus!

Lin Xiao continued, "No matter what, I can't watch you two be implicated by me and end up being publicly executed online. Besides, you are Xixi's parents, my family. Even if this wall is hard, I have to try and break it..."

After he finished speaking, Han Haijun and Liu Liyun's expressions softened.

"So, that's why you came up with the idea of ​​using half a song to drive the development of the entire Nanzhou cultural tourism industry, so that the higher-ups would reconsider how they would treat me and your father?" Liu Liyun asked.

"Uh, yes!"

Lin Xiao was quite bold when he set up the scheme, and he wasn't afraid at all.

But now, revealing his true motives in front of his parents-in-law made him feel embarrassed, and he scratched his head.

"But I didn't expect the higher-ups to overturn Dad's dismissal decision... This is truly an unexpected bonus!"

"Because the terms you offered were too tempting!"

Han Haijun said directly, "You single-handedly gave hope to the cultural and tourism industry of the entire Nanzhou Province, and made it possible for it to stand out in the cultural and tourism competition among the provinces... Compared with this achievement, my appointment and removal as a mere mayor seems insignificant!"

"But you have to be able to withstand scrutiny and have no problems with your character or conduct!" Liu Liyun added.

"Yes!"

Lin Xiao echoed, but then sighed and said, "However, it's easier said than done to use a song to drive the development of the province's cultural tourism industry. Even if 'Thousands of Mountains and Rivers' becomes popular and has a driving effect, it will only last for a while before it's forgotten."

"If we want Nanzhou's cultural tourism industry to truly break through the encirclement and get better and better, unless I release a song called 'Thousands of Mountains and Rivers' every year, it won't work at all. And while I can write songs, other provinces can also find people to write songs for them. But I can't write songs as well as the seniors and big names in the music industry... So the road ahead will be very difficult!"

Lin Xiao said, sighing with a wry smile.

"But honey, the higher-ups didn't require you to continue serving the cultural and tourism industry in Nanzhou Province!"

Han Xixi asked doubtfully, "If you produce the complete song 'Thousands of Mountains and Rivers,' the organization will rescind the punishment against my mother and the dismissal decision against my father. Wouldn't that even things out? Why should you be required to keep writing songs?"

Xixi asked the question seriously.

But none of the three said anything after hearing this; they just laughed wearily.

They all knew that it was fair for Liu Liyun and Han Haijun to handle the song "Thousands of Mountains and Rivers".

But the conditions offered by the organization went far beyond that.

Not only were the South Korean Navy exempted from punishment, but all dismissals unrelated to this trending topic were also revoked.

That's considered an increase.

Lin Xiao proposed this bet, and he set the conditions first. It caused quite a stir, and anyone with eyes could see that he was trying to lure the other party into a trap.

He played exceptionally well in this game.

But someone was even more cunning than him, not only agreeing to his price but also offering an "astronomical" price far exceeding it.

Lin Xiao had no choice but to accept it.

This is equivalent to a deal that could have been a one-off transaction being broken down because the buyer paid a large sum of money in advance, forcing the seller to expand production capacity and renegotiate the contract.

Two days ago, Lin Xiao was the one who lured the enemy into the trap.

And now, he's already trapped!
(End of this chapter)