{Chapter: 165 Seed!}
Another important consideration was the significant age difference between them. Lin Yuan knew that if he openly and directly complimented Mei Yuxian's waist without any context, it could easily come across as brash—perhaps even disrespectful or flirtatiously inappropriate. After all, a young man admiring the figure of a mature woman might be viewed by others as cheeky or lacking restraint.
That's why Lin Yuan, ever the tactician, cleverly brought Song Xuan's name into the conversation. By casually referencing Song Xuan, he subtly diluted the flirtatious tone and added a layer of harmless familiarity. It shifted the focus from being a bold remark into one that carried a sense of casual gossip or an overheard opinion, giving his compliment a more innocent and sincere undertone.
Even though Song Xuan had never actually made such a comment, Mei Yuxian didn't bother verifying whether she had or not. In truth, it didn't matter. What mattered was that Lin Yuan sounded convincing. His voice held no hesitation, his eyes gleamed with honesty, and his expression was warm and composed.
He didn't come across as someone trying to flatter for selfish reasons—he seemed like a charming, respectful young man simply speaking from the heart.
This seemingly small exchange made Mei Yuxian feel deeply appreciated, and not just for her appearance. She began to feel a subtle but undeniable emotional connection. Their conversation was light, but beneath the surface, something genuine was slowly blooming between them.
From this point on, they began to get along more naturally, as if an invisible barrier had been removed. She no longer saw Lin Yuan as just her daughter's peer, or a polite junior—he was becoming someone she felt comfortable with, someone who made her smile without even trying.
Of course, if Lin Yuan had really wanted to win over Mei Yuxian, he had dozens of options—dozens of tactics, strategies, and manipulations at his disposal.
But he didn't want to wait.
Tonight—after the banquet—he planned to seal the deal. To conquer her heart, mind, and body in one sweep.
He was aiming to reach the home base tonight.
And there were two very clear reasons for that.
The first was purely strategic.
The Qingshan Gang, a powerful underground organization, was a thorn in his side. Their destruction was imminent, and Mei Yuxian played a critical role in that process. With her support, her family's connections, and her influence in Jiangbei's upper circles, Lin Yuan could ensure the gang's downfall happened swiftly and completely, without giving them even the slightest chance to regroup or retaliate.
His men—Long Wu and Wang Ergou—had already reported back. The groundwork had been laid. Everything was in place. All he needed now was the final push—Mei Yuxian's influence.
The second reason was more primal, more personal.
It was human nature to crave beauty, to be drawn toward the people who stirred your heart and senses. And Lin Yuan, though calculating sucm, was still a man.
He had fallen—hard—for everything Mei Yuxian represented.
Her flawless skin. Her mature, elegant charm. Her intelligence. Her subtle vulnerability beneath that composed exterior. Her deep influence in Jiangbei. Her wealth. Her beauty. Her power.
Lin Yuan wasn't just attracted to her physically—he was greedy for all of it. Body, mind, soul, and status. He wanted it all.
Mei Yuxian was simply exquisite. A mature woman at the peak of her allure, still in full bloom, untouched by time's withering touch. And untouched by any men. No sane man—short of a monk or eunuch—could hope to resist the allure she carried.
Of course, there was Chi Qian.
She was the unattainable goddess. Distant. Icy. Divine.
Winning Chi Qian's heart would be like scaling Mount Tai in a wheelchair—technically possible, but nearly impossible without extreme luck, effort, and a miracle or two. She was a long-term goal. A mountain that would take time and strategy to climb.
But Mei Yuxian? She was within reach. Like a velvet rose in full bloom. And Lin Yuan had already made progress.
A mere conversation—a few thoughtful words—had boosted his favorability with her by ten points.
It was a small gain. But in this game of hearts and influence, even small advantages could change the outcome.
…
Although Lin Yuan was calmly smiling on the surface, his mind was already calculating multiple moves ahead like a seasoned chess player. Every word, every smile, every compliment had been carefully selected. He was prepared for all outcomes.
Mei Yuxian, on the other hand, was completely unaware of the gears turning behind his composed gaze.
All she saw was a young man who became more and more charming the longer she looked at him. Not only was he attractive—devastatingly so—but he also came from a powerful background and carried himself with elegance.
As she admired his striking features, Mei Yuxian smiled playfully and teased, "Since you've said all that, Xiao Yuan, I suppose it's alright if you start calling me Sister Yuxian from now on. It may technically be a generation below Song Xuan's, but... it's nice to feel young once in a while."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Xiao Yuan," she continued, "you're not only handsome, but you really know how to talk. Just a few words from you, and I—someone who already has a daughter—felt like a young girl experiencing her first love again. If I had been born twenty years later, I might have snatched you from Qingtong. If you'd been born twenty years earlier, maybe... maybe there wouldn't even be a Qingtong."
She laughed lightly at her own joke, clearly teasing.
Lin Yuan chuckled along but replied with a hint of warmth in his tone, "If I had been born twenty years earlier, I would've definitely chased after Sister Yuxian. After all, you were the goddess of Jiangbei back then. Of course, even now, your charm hasn't faded one bit. You're still breathtaking."
He said it lightly, as if he were joking too, but there was something in his eyes—an intensity that belied his casual words.
A flicker of seriousness.
And Mei Yuxian noticed.
She found herself briefly holding his gaze. His eyes were deep, dark, and unreadable. But they were also honest. Sincere.
Listening to Lin Yuan's words, and meeting the sincerity in his calm yet determined eyes, Mei Yuxian felt something she hadn't experienced in years—a sudden, almost involuntary tremor in her heart.
It was faint and fleeting, like a whisper in a storm, but it caught her off guard.
For just a moment, her poised facade wavered. However, decades of self-discipline and maturity helped her regain her composure almost instantly.
'What am I even thinking?' she scolded herself silently. 'That moment of heart fluttering… it must've been an illusion. A trick of the light, or maybe just the lingering tension of this evening's banquet.'
After all, Lin Yuan was practically a child in her eyes.
A few years older than Qingtong… He could be my nephew.
'He is from a younger generation. How could I have other thoughts?'
'I could very well be Lin Yuan's aunt!'
'And even if Lin Yuan wanted to pursue me, it is useless'
'I already made a decision long ago.'
'I will never come in contact with any man in my life!'
She reminded herself once again of the decision she had made long ago—one forged in hardship and reinforced by personal loss: to never get entangled with any man again.
No more emotional chaos. No more vulnerability.
Yet even as she told herself this, a small, involuntary flicker of warmth passed through her chest as she glanced once again at Lin Yuan's youthful face and his naturally confident, strong physique. That subtle tremor—unnoticed even by her conscious self—had stirred once more.
Her alluring, emerald green eyes lingered on him.
She studied Lin Yuan silently.
He met her gaze without even the slightest hint of nervousness or embarrassment.
This surprised her.
From her earliest youth, ever since she blossomed into a beauty at the age of fifteen, very few men had ever been able to meet her gaze directly—let alone without flushing or fidgeting.
But Lin Yuan?
His eyes were steady. Calm. Almost too calm.
Mei Yuxian found out that such a young man did not even blush when she looked at him, which surprised her.
Mei Yuxian is still very confident of her charm.
He wasn't being disrespectful—no, there was no trace of lustful intent. Instead, he looked at her with appreciation, with understanding, and perhaps something even deeper.
For a moment, it was she who found herself growing slightly self-conscious.
Mei Yuxian, the woman who could command a room full of men with a glance, the woman who had remained untouched for years… looked away first.
Still, she kept her usual grace and smiled lightly, breaking the silence with a soft chuckle as if nothing had happened.
"Stop kidding, Xiao Yuan… you really know how to tease a woman."
Her tone was light and playful, almost dismissive, but Lin Yuan merely smiled, a knowing glint in his eye.
He smiled not just because of her words, but because he had seen something.
Something that told him his words had found a place in her heart.
The seed had been planted.
Whether it would bloom into something meaningful—or wither before it sprouted—would depend on how carefully he nurtured it in the coming hours.
For now, it was enough.
He had cracked open the first door.
Meanwhile, Gui Qingtong, who had been quietly watching the exchange between her mother and Lin Yuan, couldn't shake a subtle, unfamiliar feeling.
She sensed something—something faint and hard to define. But she couldn't put her finger on it.
To her, everything still seemed perfectly normal. Her mother and Lin Yuan were just exchanging pleasantries, trading a few harmless jokes.
She tilted her head, thoughtful for a second, then decided to let it go.
After all, overthinking wouldn't help.
So, instead, she cheerfully tugged at Mei Yuxian's arm and said in a bright tone, "Mom! Didn't you promise to help me propose marriage to Brother Lin Yuan?"
Her sudden interruption disrupted the delicate air between Lin Yuan and Mei Yuxian, bringing it crashing back to reality.
It was a well-timed save, even if unintentional.
Mei Yuxian coughed lightly and responded with mock irritation. "When did I say that I was going to propose for you? I said I would meet and observe Lin Yuan myself. And yes… he is a good man. A very good one, in fact."
She glanced at Lin Yuan, a subtle glint in her eyes.
"But you're still too young, Qingtong. Finish college first, then we'll talk about marriage."
Lin Yuan nodded in agreement. "Your mother's right, Qingtong. Let's take things step by step. Marriage is a big decision—it's not something we rush."
Hearing both of them share the same sentiment, Gui Qingtong pouted, cheeks puffed up in frustration. "I'm not a little kid anymore! Even if I can't get married right now… can't we at least get engaged?"
She spoke with confidence and cleverness, clearly trying to find a loophole in their reasoning.
She was smart—that much was obvious.
But Mei Yuxian had responsibilities to attend to and didn't want the conversation to drag on. The banquet still required her attention.
"You stubborn child," Mei Yuxian said, rubbing her daughter's head affectionately. "We'll talk about this later. Be good for now."
Gui Qingtong knew her mother's limits. Though she wanted to protest further, she could also feel that pushing any more might annoy her.
So she sighed dramatically and fell silent, albeit reluctantly.
Just then, a figure dressed in formal attire approached.
It was one of the housekeepers, wearing the neat uniform of the estate. He walked up to Mei Yuxian and leaned close, whispering something quietly into her ear.
Her expression remained unchanged as she listened. Not a flicker of emotion gave anything away.
They exchanged a few words in hushed tones, and then the housekeeper nodded and left swiftly.
Lin Yuan watched the brief exchange, noting the calm with which Mei Yuxian handled it.
Once the housekeeper had left, Lin Yuan asked casually, "Sister Yuxian, is everything alright? You looked like you received some news."
Mei Yuxian smiled calmly, the perfect image of elegance and composure. "Oh, nothing serious. Just a few issues with the banquet logistics it's just…