Chapter 503: Accepting the Patriarch
"Dad, what did you say? Engagement?" Bai Shishi exclaimed.
Marriage had always been a weight on Bai Shishi’s heart. As a direct descendant of her family, she was expected to marry into another prominent family to promote family development. Marrying someone she loved was very difficult.
Lin Tian was also warily staring at Bai Tianlong. This old guy was acting strange. He was ready to kill him just a moment ago, so why was he suddenly willing to marry his daughter to him?
Wu Yong sat on the sofa, resting his cheek on his hand, leering at Lin Tian, clearly enjoying the drama. Wang Sicong was doing the same.
Bai Tianlong seemed to notice their doubts, sighed softly, and said, "Jiaming is dead. Now you’re my only daughter. Your happiness is the most important. Lin Tian treats you well, and I feel more at ease entrusting you to him. You two should have a grandson for me soon."
Lin Tian and Bai Shishi exchanged bewildered glances, utterly stunned, unable to process why the topic had suddenly shifted to having children.
Bai Tianlong’s gentle gaze turned serious as he looked directly at Lin Tian and asked, "Lin Tian, I agree to let Shishi be with you, but I have one condition."
"What condition?" Lin Tian blurted, his curiosity piqued.
"For the children you and Shishi will have in the future, at least one son must carry the Bai surname! Jiaming had no heirs, so I rely on you two to continue the family line." Bai Tianlong’s words carried a hint of pleading, something wholly unexpected in the past.
Lin Tian immediately nodded without hesitation, "Okay."
Bai Shishi felt a mix of emotions, embarrassed and frustrated, wanting to bite Lin Tian. How could he agree so recklessly? Have I agreed to marry you? Have I agreed to have children with you?
But for some reason, the words were stuck in her throat, refusing to come out.
Suddenly, she felt a wave of sadness. Could she really marry Lin Tian and have children with him? He already had a beautiful and outstanding girlfriend. She also felt a bit resentful towards her father; why didn’t he mention this earlier? Her man had been taken!
Of course, even these words, Bai Shishi couldn’t bring herself to say. She only wanted to clear her mind and stay with Lin Tian without thinking about such troubling matters.
Bai Tianlong, unaware of his daughter’s changing emotions, was pleased with Lin Tian’s affirmative response. A genuine smile finally spread across his face.
"Shishi, don’t just focus on dating. Rumors about our family are flying around outside. We can’t be managing gambling houses anymore; you must engage in legitimate businesses. Start by managing the Xianglong Tea House well, and slowly, other businesses will be handed over to you." Bai Tianlong said in a dejected tone.
"Dad, what do you mean? You want to hand over the Bai Family to me?" Bai Shishi asked incredulously.
The surprises her father delivered today were overwhelming. Not only was he urging her to get engaged to Lin Tian, but he was also planning to hand over the Bai Family to her.
It was astonishing, one thing after another.
Keep in mind, the Bai Family is a traditional old family with very strict rules. The preference for males over females was very evident, which allowed Bai Jiaming to act so recklessly.
So it was impossible for a female to become the Patriarch, something Bai Shishi never dared to imagine. She felt that keeping Xianglong Tea House intact, avoiding her marriage becoming a family sacrifice, was already a great achievement; dreaming of more seemed beyond reach.
Bai Shishi took a long time to regain her composure, and still somewhat in disbelief, she asked, "Dad, isn’t it unsuitable for me to be the Patriarch?"
Lin Tian squeezed her hand a bit harder and said with certainty, "I think you’re very suitable to be the Patriarch."
Bai Tianlong gently nodded, "Yes, Lin Tian’s right; you’re quite suitable. Your management talent shown at Xianglong Tea House is clear to all. I was wrong in the past. Now thinking about it, if not you, then who? Your cousins would only squander the Bai Family fortune if it were left to them."
"But... even if you agree, the uncles won’t agree," Bai Shishi said.
Bai Tianlong waved his hand, his tone softening, "You don’t need to worry about them. Leave them to me. When I say you’ll be the Patriarch, it’s not now, but in the future. After you and Lin Tian have children, I’ll announce that child as the next Patriarch. You’ll serve as the acting Patriarch; what can they say then?"
Bai Shishi understood. After Bai Jiaming’s incident, her father no longer held the same male-preferential mindset, otherwise, he wouldn’t have proposed making her the Patriarch. However, those uncles’ mindsets haven’t changed, thus a legitimate excuse was necessary. Her child was that excuse.
Bai Tianlong’s suggestion wasn’t due to selfish motives but for the good of the Bai Family. In terms of capability, Bai Shishi was undoubtedly the strongest of the Bai Family’s current generation; otherwise, Bai Tianlong wouldn’t have considered such an idea.
"Dad, I understand," Bai Shishi said.
"Good, as long as you understand my intentions. Once the Bai Family gets through this difficult time, you and Lin Tian should get engaged soon and have a child early on."
Bai Shishi’s face turned slightly red, secretly glancing at Lin Tian out of the corner of her eye, noting he didn’t seem inclined to protest, so she nodded as well.
In her heart, Bai Shishi accepted Lin Tian and didn’t mind he already had a girlfriend. It was just the engagement itself that was somewhat troubling since he already had a girlfriend. How could they proceed with the engagement?
Bai Shishi wanted to explain, but before she could speak up, Bai Tianlong said, "Alright, you two settle things with the Wang Family tonight. I won’t be going."
"You’re not going?" Bai Shishi’s voice rose slightly. Knowing that Wang Daoran would also attend the evening negotiations, it seemed inappropriate for Bai Tianlong as the Patriarch not to go?
Bai Tianlong smiled lightly, patting Bai Shishi’s shoulder, saying, "You’ll be fine. I trust you’ll handle it well. After all, you’ll be the Patriarch in the future, so you should experience such things more."
Bai Shishi thought for a moment. Since the Wang Family was currently in a weak position, it didn’t matter if Bai Tianlong didn’t attend, so she nodded.
After Bai Tianlong left, Bai Shishi looked at Lin Tian, about to speak, when she caught sight of Wu Yong and Wang Sicong grinning mischievously. With a light snort, she tugged Lin Tian and walked out.
She closed the study door to prevent those lewd guys from eavesdropping.
"What’s wrong?" Lin Tian looked at her puzzled, thinking she might secretly pull him into a room and ruin his innocence. The thought made him a bit excited.
Bai Shishi cast Lin Tian a sulky glance, bit her lower lip lightly, hesitated for a while, and finally asked, "Why did you agree to what my dad said so quickly?"