Chapter 025: The Altered Course of Fate

With eyes shimmering with emotion, Lin Yu sang “Who’s in Charge of My Youth?” in a slightly hoarse voice, pouring his heart into every word. When he finished, a brief silence descended upon the room. As if by tacit agreement, no one spoke; everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts.

Yang Zhilin and Hu Bin both felt a stirring within them unlike anything they’d experienced before. All their lives, they had followed their parents’ wishes step by step, striving to be model students. After graduation, they would take up the positions their parents had already arranged, then marry someone deemed suitable by their families—everything laid out for them as if their entire trajectory had been predetermined.

Until now, they had never questioned this path. But suddenly, the thought struck them—what kind of life was this? Were they merely puppets?

Hu Bin looked at Lin Yu with far less resentment than before; he sensed that Lin Yu was voicing his own suppressed feelings. He thought to himself, “Maybe Lin Yu truly meant it when he said he disdained taking exams.”

Yang Zhilin, meanwhile, asked Lin Yu for the draft of the lyrics and carefully copied out “Who’s in Charge of My Youth,” dissecting it with earnest attention.

The reactions of the children differed from those of the adults, who were much more deeply shaken. Of course, each parent responded in their own way.

Deputy Bureau Chief Hu Rongqiang merely grinned, sipping his tea, and refrained from commenting. He was a cunning man who believed in action over words and rarely shared his thoughts.

Wang Yue’e, with a forced smile, remarked, “The boy sings well, but he’s a bit too rebellious. You parents really need to educate him better. Otherwise, when you’re old, who knows what trouble he’ll bring…” She was interrupted by a discreet pinch from Hu Rongqiang and left the sentence unfinished.

“I think there’s nothing wrong with a little rebellion,” said Deputy Mayor Yang Xiong, his words ringing with conviction. “In fact, what this song expresses isn’t even true rebellion. Sometimes we parents are too controlling. It’s time for some self-reflection. The times have changed, and our thinking must keep pace with the tide of reform, becoming more open-minded. Only by discarding outdated ideas can we build a better Bin City and a stronger nation. My vote goes to Lin Yu.” As the deputy mayor in charge of urban development, he was an avid supporter of forward-thinking attitudes. He led the applause.

“You started dating in your first year of middle school, and I didn’t interfere. Now you’re bringing your girlfriend home every day, and I still don’t meddle. Yet you accuse your old man of being old-fashioned? You little rascal.” Lin Tiancheng shot his son a stern look before declaring, “As the saying goes, ‘In public affairs, don’t avoid enemies; in private affairs, don’t avoid family.’ My vote goes to this rascal of mine. Even if his song was a bit rebellious, it gave me a lot to think about.”

Since Yang Xiong had already made his stance clear, Lin Tiancheng naturally aligned himself with him, ready to reconsider his own perspective.

Lin Yu’s mother, Wang Chunhua, cast her vote for Yang Zhilin, praising her beauty and elegant bearing.

Wang Yue’e echoed Wang Chunhua’s sentiments, lavishing compliments on Yang Zhilin’s intelligence and grace.

Meanwhile, Xia Ling, who had been silent until now, noticed Hu Bin’s disappointment at receiving no votes and, after watching him down several cups of tea, decided to give her vote to him.

At last, Hu Rongqiang, who had been all grins and little commentary, chuckled, “My vote goes to my darling son. If not, there’ll be no peace at home. Hahaha.” His mock helplessness drew laughter from everyone.

In the end, each contestant received two votes—a happy outcome for all.

At the moment when Hu Bin thought he had failed, his eyes were filled with dissatisfaction; it felt to him as if he had only tied with the others due to cheating. He was about to rise and protest, but then, after a moment’s thought, he broke into a smile and settled back down.

Thus, the family gathering of old friends concluded on a harmonious note.

As everyone was leaving, Wang Yue’e, eager to show off her family’s new Passat B5 sedan, asked the Lin family if they needed a ride.

Wang Chunhua smiled slightly and pointed to a car parked outside the Grand Hotel. “No need. Our car is right over there. It may not be as nice as your Passat, but it’ll get us home just fine.”

“You bought a car? Did I hear that right?” Wang Yue’e scoffed. “We all remember what happened last time. If your family was really so well-off, would Tiancheng have had to do what he did?”

At that moment, Lin Yu cut in, “Aunt Hu, let me share a saying with you: in life, the river flows east for ten years, then west for ten years. If you judge people by old standards, you’ll be left behind sooner or later.”

“You insolent child, how dare you speak to your elders like that! What do you mean by ‘old standards’… Wang Chunhua, is this how you raise your son?” Wang Yue’e shouted in the street.

Hu Rongqiang gave Hu Bin a look, and the latter quickly ushered his mother back to their car, putting an end to the argument.

“All these years, Yue’e’s competitive nature hasn’t changed a bit,” Xia Ling said with a cold sigh as she drove their Audi, sporting a Bin O license plate.

“She’s always been sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. When Old Lin got in trouble, she helped a lot,” said Yang Xiong from the passenger seat as he rolled down his window and lit a cigarette. After exhaling, he continued, “But Old Lin has changed a great deal since that incident. He used to have the worst temper, but now he’s so gentle that I have to reconsider my opinion of him. I think the plum position of Director of the Investment Promotion Office should stay in the family. After all, in officialdom, it’s like walking on thin ice—having someone you trust nearby is always best.”

“Didn’t you originally reserve that position for him?” Xia Ling asked as she drove.

Yang Xiong exhaled smoke and replied, “Not at first. I was afraid that giving him too high a position would lead to a harder fall. You know, last time he misappropriated a hundred thousand because of his son. I was worried that his son might cause even bigger trouble for him. But today, after meeting Lin Yu, I realized this child is quite mature—nothing like the rumors. So I changed my mind. He’s really impressive, with the bearing of a future leader.”

“I still think he’s a bit too rebellious. You don’t know—last time, I ran into him in the elevator, holding a girl and being very affectionate. He’s so young! But being an official is like spinning a web—the bigger the net you weave, the better. This position should go to Old Lin,” Xia Ling said, recalling Lin Yu’s roguish demeanor in the elevator with a frown. Still, she spoke with fairness.

“I’ve told you before—China is in an era of reform and opening up. Economic reforms have begun; our thinking must be liberated too, haha!” Yang Xiong laughed heartily.

Men and women always differ in their fundamental outlooks. Women usually detest men’s philandering, while men tend to admire it in each other, never envying or condemning, only praising.

“Actually, if I told you Lin Yu’s girlfriend’s identity, you’d be surprised!” Yang Zhilin suddenly interjected from the back seat.

“Oh, you underestimate your parents,” Xia Ling said with a smile, glancing at her daughter in the rearview mirror. She reserved her gentle demeanor for her daughter alone.

“Lin Yu’s girlfriend is Qi Yue, my deskmate, who lives just upstairs from us,” Yang Zhilin said with a smile.

“That’s all? That’s supposed to surprise us?” Yang Xiong turned to look at his daughter.

“There’s more,” Yang Zhilin replied, shaking her head and grinning mysteriously. “Qi Yue’s father is Qi Dazhu, the richest man in Bin City.”

“Well, well! Lin Yu’s done well for himself—so young and already courting the daughter of Bin City’s wealthiest man. Qi Dazhu is no ordinary figure; he’s incredibly well-connected here. If Old Lin can align himself with him, it would be a boon for all of us,” Yang Xiong said with a laugh.

“They’re just kids playing house. You’re taking this too seriously,” Xia Ling said coolly.

“I don’t think it’s just child’s play. Qi Yue actually lives at Lin Yu’s house now, and both families know about it…” Yang Zhilin said, still smiling.

“Haha! No wonder Old Lin hasn’t mentioned the childhood betrothal anymore. Turns out he found himself a diamond daughter-in-law on the sly…” Yang Xiong laughed heartily.

“What childhood betrothal? Don’t tell me—you two made some old-fashioned agreement to marry me off?” Yang Zhilin teased.

“It was an informal pact between me and Lin Yu’s father when you and Lin Yu were just born. We said when you grew up, our families would become in-laws,” Yang Xiong explained.

Yang Zhilin’s cheeks flushed scarlet for the first time.

“That’s ancient history. Why bring it up?” Xia Ling shot Yang Xiong a glare. Her dislike for Lin Yu was unmistakable.