Chapter 303: Marrying In as a Son-in-Law
The car door opened, and a long leg clad in high heels and stockings stepped onto the ground. Bai Shishi, dressed in a professional businesswoman’s outfit, got out of the car.
She entered the Bai Family mansion with familiarity and made her way to the patriarch’s study.
"Dad!" Bai Shishi’s voice was flat, devoid of any emotion: "What do you need from me?"
"You’re back. Have a seat," Bai Tianlong said without looking up, focused on the newspaper in his hands, as if it were a handful of cash instead of newsprint.
Bai Shishi glanced at Bai Tianlong with suspicion, but thinking of her father’s selfishness, she felt a blockage in her chest and simply found a place to sit without speaking.
Although puzzled as to why her father had called her back, she was sure it wasn’t for anything good!
If her father wanted to play this game of seeing who loses their patience first, she would play along.
The father and daughter sat quietly, one looking at the newspaper, the other at her father. The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"Ahem, ahem..." After about ten or twenty minutes, Bai Tianlong put down the newspaper, looking at Bai Shishi.
Embarrassment flashed in his eyes, surprised that this daughter could hold her composure so well.
He had intended to leave her hanging, but now it was himself who ended up feeling awkward.
"Dad, if you have something to say, please say it."
After all, despite the unpleasantness, they were still father and daughter. Bai Shishi couldn’t be heartless enough to sever ties with her family completely.
"I need to say in advance, if you’re thinking of making me give up Xianglong Tea House, that’s absolutely impossible!"
"Don’t even think about mentioning it, not even in your thoughts!"
"Other matters can be discussed and considered, but on this issue, there’s no negotiation!"
"Alright."
Bai Tianlong nodded calmly, his expression unchanged: "Then we won’t discuss that matter."
Hearing this, Bai Shishi steadied herself. As long as it wasn’t about her sacrificing her cherished possession, she was fine: "So tell me, what else is there?"
"No rush."
Bai Tianlong composed himself: "About what happened before, you must resent Dad, right?"
"..."
Bai Shishi was taken aback, not expecting such a start. After a moment of surprise: "I wouldn’t call it resentment, but there’s definitely some grievance!"
"Clearly, I was the one who developed and expanded Xianglong Tea House. Why should I have to give it up in the end?"
"Just because of that disgusting mentality of favoring males over females?"
Bai Shishi looked at him with a calm yet slightly resentful gaze: "It’s the 21st century, not the days of feudalism!"
"In this era, women can equally support half the sky!"
"Why does the Bai Family still adhere to such rules? I can’t understand it, can’t see through it!"
"What’s wrong with women, Dad? Why don’t you look outside and see so many women achieving careers much better than some men?"
The "some men" clearly had a target, although Bai Shishi didn’t explicitly say it, Bai Tianlong understood, but didn’t expose it.
"If you really force me to give up Xianglong Tea House, I can only say I’m sorry! As I said before, if it comes to that, I’d choose to leave the Bai Family!"
"Yes, you’re right."
Bai Tianlong nodded, agreeing with what Bai Shishi said: "That’s why I called you back today, to talk about this matter."
"Hmm?"
Bai Shishi was taken aback, expecting her father to fly into a rage and berate her for not knowing her place!
But her father’s response left her unsure, what did he mean?
"Alas... After all, I’m still your dad!"
Her daughter’s expression was something Bai Tianlong couldn’t misunderstand; as the saying goes, no one knows a daughter better than her father!
"You believe that Xianglong Tea House, which you’ve developed and expanded, is like your child, and that’s commendable and significant!"
"Your previous stance made me think a lot, and the Bai Family’s rules are indeed a bit outdated. Times have changed, and adjustments can be made!"
These words left Bai Tianlong with a complex mood. What are family rules? Just as nations have laws, homes have family rules, set by ancestors and passed down, immutable!
But today, Bai Tianlong had no choice but to change them because his daughter rejected such family rules!
"So after contemplating for a long time, I’ve decided to make a concession!" Bai Tianlong quickly regained his composure, as impassive as before.
"I don’t understand what you mean!" His words left Bai Shishi perplexed, yet extremely happy!
Because her father’s attitude showed that her persistence had worked. At least now, he wouldn’t force her to hand over Xianglong Tea House!
"My meaning is simple; it’s to make a deal with you!"
Bai Tianlong said plainly: "A very simple deal, but it’s the most acceptable for you, for me, and for the entire Bai Family!"
"Oh?"
Bai Shishi became interested: "What deal?"
"Isn’t it true you don’t want to give up Xianglong Tea House? I’m giving you that opportunity!"
Bai Tianlong continued: "But the sole condition is, you must have a fiancé or husband!"
"You’re suggesting that I get married?" Bai Shishi was taken aback: "If I marry, you won’t take Xianglong Tea House back?"
"Exactly, you need to get married or engaged!" Bai Tianlong nodded: "But the prerequisite is that the man must marry into the Bai Family!"
"As long as you can achieve this, the issue of asking you to relinquish Xianglong Tea House will be dropped!"
"What?!"
Hearing this, Bai Shishi stood up abruptly: "You want me to find a man to marry into our family?"
"Yes!" Bai Tianlong affirmed with a nod: "This is the final concession I’ve made after much consideration!"
"Xianglong Tea House is a Bai Family business; family rules can be changed, but we cannot go against the will of our ancestors!"
"If you want to continue holding Xianglong Tea House, you must have a husband, and this man must marry into our Bai Family, that’s my only demand!"
"If you agree and manage it within a month, from then on, I won’t mention anything about Xianglong Tea House!"
"The way you’ve been running Xianglong Tea House will remain unchanged; no one will interfere!"
Bai Tianlong articulated clearly: "If you can manage this, Xianglong Tea House will still be yours, but if you can’t, I’ll reclaim it by any means necessary!"
"I’ll take this deal!" Bai Shishi deliberated for a long time and, ultimately, agreed; there was no other choice!
"Great, I’ll wait for your good news." Bai Tianlong nodded and continued reading the newspaper.