FI CH88: Being Too Popular Is Also a Kind of Trouble

One of the disciples turned and ran inside to report.

The other remained, vigilantly guarding the entrance, his gaze shifting between Lin Su and He Zhenling.

Xuenima lay on his shoulder, cackling. [He must be thinking, He Zhenling has actually stooped to collaborating with you! The sky of the Feng Shui world has already gone dark—]

Lin Su stood unflinchingly at the gate.

Soon, a clamor could be heard from within.

A large group emerged with great momentum. The family head, Yi Daiming, strode at the very front, huffing, “Who is so arrogant as to threaten us at our own door!”

The disciple at the gate turned as if saved. “Family Head!”

Yi Daiming raised his cane and stepped out of the gate. “Just watch me—” Their eyes met, and his voice died abruptly.

Lin Su greeted him, “Hi.”

“?”

Yi Daiming froze on the spot. The crowd that had surged forward with him also stopped, looking on with confusion. What happened? Weren’t they here to teach the kidnapper a lesson?

After a moment, Yi Daiming’s mouth fell open in a speechless cry, “…Brother Xiao!?”

All eyes in the surrounding group snapped over.

Lin Su was speechless.

He Zhenling turned to the side, seemingly smiling.

Lin Su stood firm. This was the second reason he disliked coming to the Yi family estate.

He closed his eyes and opened them again. “I told you not to call me that. My name now is ‘Lin Su.’”

“Why are you here?” Yi Daiming glanced around. “The kidnapper…”

Lin Su said, “It was me…”

Yi Daiming was shocked. “It was you!”

Lin Su continued, “…kidding you.”

“………” said the crowd.

Yi Daiming was at a loss for words for a moment, then returned to a serious, frazzled expression. “Xiao Shui is missing, let’s not talk about this now. I…”

Lin Su said, “I’m here to help you find her.”

Yi Daiming was stunned, then visibly relieved. “That would be a huge help. Please, come in!” He then looked at He Zhenling and greeted him, “Chairman He is here as well.”

He Zhenling wasn’t wearing his uniform today, so he clearly wasn’t here on official business. The two of them arriving together on a weekend morning… Yi Daiming was a bit puzzled, but in his rush to find the girl, he didn’t ask further.

He turned to lead the way, and Lin Su followed him inside.

The younger members of the entourage cast curious glances.

As they walked, Yi Daiming asked, “Brother Su, have you figured out where Xiao Shui is?”

“Don’t worry, she’s still in the house.”

“We’ve searched everywhere. And if she’s in the house, why hasn’t she appeared?” His brow furrowed, and a shock went through his eyes. “Could it be—”

Lin Su took out his Luo Pan compass and reassured him, “She’s in one piece. Have your people stand down, I’m going to start searching.” Yi Daiming waved his hand to dismiss the crowd, leaving only a few close family members.

He held the compass steady.

A faint golden light appeared in his eyes.

The needle on the compass trembled before finally stopping in one direction.

Lin Su looked up and saw the corner of a roof peeking through the dense woods. He remembered that place. “The ancestral hall.”

…

The ancestral hall was built in the inner part of the estate.

The group went over and arrived at the entrance.

The main doors were closed, and Yi Daiming pushed one open. Normally, outsiders were not allowed in the ancestral hall, but the Yi family didn’t have such restrictions for Lin Su. “You’re practically family friend.”

He then looked at He Zhenling and paused. “Chairman He…”

Lin Su pointed. “Family member.”

Yi Daiming was confused.

“……” He Zhenling’s eyes narrowed slightly as he followed them with a soft chuckle.

Inside, the ancestral hall was clean and spacious.

Lin Su walked around to the back and saw several empty coffins placed in a shaded corner. The Yi family had its traditions; backed by a mountain, the heads of each generation were given earth burials.

The compass needle had stopped, the red line sinking into the space ahead.

He walked to one of the coffins, squatted down, and reached out. He paused just before touching the lid and knocked lightly instead.

Knock, knock, two sounds.

Lin Su asked politely, “Excuse me, would you mind opening the door?”

After he spoke, it was quiet for a few seconds.

A rustling sound came from inside, followed by a whoosh as a small hand pushed the lid open a crack.

Light fell in, revealing a small, sleepy face. A fog swirled in her smoky-blue eyes as she blinked.

The surrounding group exclaimed in shock, “Yi Shui!!”

Lin Su remained squatting. “Morning.”

“Morning…” Yi Shui sat up calmly and looked up at Yi Daiming. “Grandfather.”

Yi Daiming’s eyes widened. “Xiao Shui, what are you doing lying in here?”

“I wanted to find a quiet place to sleep where I wouldn’t be woken up. The size here was just right.”

“………”

Now that she was found, Yi Daiming turned and ordered the clan to stand down.

A small figure climbed out, her fluffy long hair falling messily behind her. Yi Shui straightened her long dress and said softly, “I slept for 14 hours, it felt great.”

Lin Su was indulgent. “That’s not too long.”

Yi Daiming, who had just turned back, was speechless.

He paused, then sighed deeply. “Never mind. Let’s all go to the front hall to talk.”

In the front hall, several people took their seats.

Hot tea was served. Yi Shui was taken away to wash up and get changed. Yi Daiming’s tense expression finally relaxed. Lin Su glanced at him and sipped his tea.

“Xiao Shui is very powerful, you don’t need to be so nervous.”

Yi Daiming shook his head. “Sigh, it’s mainly because of the special circumstances.”

Lin Su’s eyes peeked out from behind his teacup. ?

He Zhenling leaned back in his chair and said coolly, “Is Family Head Yi referring to the Feng Shui world banquet next week?”

Yi Daiming nodded. “Yes. The new family rankings are out, and the power dynamics between the families have shifted again. Although we are one of the four great families, we could still be jointly suppressed. For Xiao Shui to ‘disappear’ at a time like this… it’s truly nerve-wracking.”

“Speaking of Xiao Shui—”

Lin Su put his teacup down and looked at him with an all-knowing gaze. “What are your plans for her?”

Yi Daiming pondered for a moment, then spoke frankly. “We have always been searching for the limits of metaphysics…”

Lin Su interjected, “That would be science.”

The man choked on his words and paused.

He Zhenling glanced sideways, and Xuenima looked up. [Is it really appropriate for you to be saying that?]

Lin Su’s expression was unruffled. Yi Daiming choked for a moment before continuing, “…Or rather, the heights that humans can achieve. Especially after the turmoil 17 years ago, the Feng Shui world fell into decline, and you suddenly disappeared—”

At this point, his expression darkened slightly. “The road ahead looked bleak, with no leader and few rising stars. Then, two years later, Xiao Shui was born. So we poured all our family’s resources into cultivating her, hoping she could become a new sun for the Feng Shui world.”

The sun that never sets in the Feng Shui world.

The teacup was set down with a soft clink, and the front hall fell silent for a long time.

Suddenly, a voice said, “I understand.”

Lin Su’s thoughts were clear, but he sounded resigned. “You found a successor for me.”

He Zhenling tensed sensitively.

Yi Daiming, whose successor was suddenly being reassigned, was confused.

Lin Su didn’t wait for him to speak and sat up straight. “But I’m back now, so stop tiring the child out. I am the Feng Shui world’s sun that never sets.”

Yi Daiming was speechless.

He Zhenling was speechless.

Xuenima corrected him. [You are the Su who never wakes.]

A hand slapped down on it. Looks like you’re desensitized now.

It was quiet for a while. A sigh fell, and Yi Daiming waved his hand. “It’s not that simple.”

—A successor cultivated for fourteen years with the resources of an entire clan, a prodigy with a promising future. They wouldn’t just give up on her halfway just because Lin Su was back to hold up the sky.

Moreover, her talent alone was of immense significance to the Yi family.

Lin Su knew this as well, so after making his point, he didn’t press further.

During the silence, there was a sound at the hall entrance.

Turning, they saw it was Yi Shui.

The disciple with her was holding two invitation letters. The topic shifted perfectly. Yi Daiming gestured for Yi Shui to sit down, then gave the invitations to Lin Su and He Zhenling.

“The succession banquet is next weekend. You two should come as well.”

Lin Su took it with interest and looked it over.

Yi Daiming added, “Chairman He is newly appointed. You’ve never attended before, have you?”

He Zhenling nodded with an “mhm.”

Yi Daiming said no more and turned to speak with Yi Shui.

Lin Su looked sideways at He Zhenling’s proper, handsome features. A distant memory faintly resurfaced: he seemed to remember that when he had just woken up, He Zhenling had only recently taken office.

Sensing his gaze, He Zhenling turned. “What are you peeking at.”

“……” Lin Su was taken aback, then praised, “You’re getting more and more shameless with your words.”

Xuenima caught the key word. [More and more.]

Lin Su pressed it down and leaned closer, meeting He Zhenling’s gaze. “Since you just took office, what were you doing before?”

“Freelancing.”

“Then why did you…”

Lin Su paused. Wait, He Zhenling couldn’t have taken all these positions by dropping in from nowhere just because he sensed he was about to wake up, right? He shamelessly replied, “You didn’t secretly watch me sleep for 17 years, did you?”

He Zhenling gave a non-committal, half-smile.

Lin Su was instantly shocked! He glanced at the other two, then moved closer again quietly.

“Did you… ever secretly kiss me?”

At his words, a sudden, loud “Ha!” erupted.

It was so loud that even Yi Daiming and Yi Shui on the other side turned to look. …?

He Zhenling, whether from amused anger or something else, looked at Lin Su with an unreadable expression. Only when Lin Su started to feel unnerved did he slowly say, “Am I that kind of person?”

Lin Su collected himself. “Well, you do have… a prior offense when I’m asleep.”

“When we’re out and about, you’re the one who gives me a record.”

“……” He shushed him. “You’re being humorous again.”

They didn’t stay much longer.

Now that Yi Shui was found, the two prepared to leave. Yi Daiming got up to see them off, bringing Yi Shui with him to express their thanks.

“Thank you for your trouble this time.”

Yi Shui also nodded lightly and looked up.

Lin Su said it was nothing. Just before leaving, he suddenly raised his hand and placed it lightly on Yi Shui’s head, then spoke to the man in front of him, “Old Yi.”

Yi Daiming looked over.

Lin Su looked at him. “There’s no rush for her enrollment. The case is just over, let her rest.”

The fog in front of her smoky-blue pupils cleared, and they brightened.

Yi Daiming thought for a moment. “Alright.”

The two left the Yi estate and walked down the mountain.

The weather this season was neither hot nor cold. The midday sun filtered through the leaves overhead, casting dappled shadows on the mountain path below.

Lin Su strolled down with his hands in his sleeves.

He Zhenling looked straight ahead and spoke as if making small talk. “Were you this benevolent when you taught my son?”

“More or less, but Xiao Bai was much more lively.”

“Is that so? No wonder he adores you so much.”

Lin Su turned his head and sighed lightly. “Don’t be so narrow-minded. We have a daughter now. You need to be more open.”

“……” He Zhenling closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I knew it.”

Lin Su frowned disapprovingly. “What, you don’t like daughters?”

He Zhenling dropped his hand and looked down at him.

The bright, dappled sunlight danced in his eyes, and he suddenly smiled. “What, are you going to…”

Lin Su clapped a hand over his mouth, embarrassed. “…We’re still outside. With the sky as our canopy and the earth as our home, don’t be so risqué.”

Warm breath ghosted over his palm.

He Zhenling paused for two seconds, then pulled his hand down. “You too.”

Lin Su: =v=

…

The next day was Monday.

Perhaps his words had an effect, or perhaps the “disappearance” had frightened the Yi family. Yi Shui indeed did not show up to register today; her enrollment was temporarily delayed.

Lin Su was pleased. He grabbed his lesson plan and prepared to go to class.

He had just left the office and reached the top of the stairs when he ran into Bai Xinwen. Bai Xinwen paused when he saw him, then clapped him on the shoulder happily. “Perfect! I was just about to look for you in the office.”

He pulled out two invitation cards. “There’s a Feng Shui world banquet this weekend. These are for you and Chairman He. If you’re interested, you should go.”

Lin Su looked at them. “I already received some from the Yi family.”

Bai Xinwen was surprised for a moment. “They move fast.”

He pushed them into his hands anyway. “Your names are already written on them, just take them.”

Lin Su was speechless.

He was in a hurry to get to class, so he tucked the forcibly gifted melon into his lesson plan and headed to the classroom.

…

This was a large lecture for three classes combined.

The bell rang just as he reached the classroom. Lin Su opened his lesson plan at the lectern, and the two invitations slipped out and fell. He casually picked them up and stuffed them back into his book.

“Class has begun.”

The students in front of him all opened their books.

Cheng Zhuo, sitting several rows back, spotted the familiar invitation cards, and his gaze froze.

His second uncle’s dismissal last time had not only severely damaged their Cheng family’s vitality, but due to the audit of academic credits, several students from other prominent families had their credits reverted and were disciplined.

Their families were all simmering with resentment.

Cheng Zhuo thought for a moment, then sent a message to his dad under the desk.

[Cheng Zhuo]: Dad, Lin Su also received an invitation for the weekend.

Dad: Are you sure?

[Cheng Zhuo]: I saw it with my own eyes. It must be from the Bai family.

He put his phone away and stared at Lin Su on the lectern with a dark expression. Targeted by several families at once, he couldn’t wait to see the show this weekend!

…

Vague gazes fell on him from several rows away.

Lin Su paid them no mind. After class, he went home.

His residential complex had one apartment per floor, with mailboxes located together downstairs. He glanced at them out of habit as he passed and saw what looked like a letter in his mailbox.

“…?”

He walked over and took it out. It was another familiar invitation.

On the envelope was written: Lu.

Lin Su was slightly surprised. He took the invitation and went upstairs. “Damn it, looks like Xiao Lu and A’Qiu will be there too.”

Xuenima: [●v●!]

Lin Su rubbed its expression away. “Don’t post a cast preview on your face.”

He Zhenling hadn’t arrived yet when he got home.

It was not yet five o’clock. Lin Su went to take a shower first. Just as he came out, he heard a sound at the door. He Zhenling had returned, his uniform jacket hanging from one hand.

Their eyes met.

Steam still clung to Lin Su’s body. He clutched his robe. “You really know how to time your arrival for dinner.”

“……” He Zhenling chuckled. “You’d better hope that’s all.”

He walked over. “There was a letter for you at the entrance, why didn’t you get it? I brought it in for you.” He pulled an identical invitation from under his jacket and placed it on the table.

“?”

Lin Su looked down and saw it was addressed from: Qi.

He was speechless.

Two even more distant figures floated up from his memory. He stood silently at the table for a moment.

He Zhenling glanced over. “What’s wrong?”

Lin Su sighed deeply and patted him on the shoulder. Then, under the man’s confused gaze, he pulled out a stack of identical invitations as if by magic and spread them out on the table with a whoosh.

“Being too popular is also a kind of trouble.”

He Zhenling looked down. “……”

---

Author’s note:

Sleepy (grabbing a handful): We can play big shots now.