Luo Qinghan's expression turned grim as she brought Xun'er and Luo Bing downstairs. Her grip on Xun'er's hand stiffened for a moment.
Instantly, the entire living room was filled with a palpable tension.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Li Shuxiao quickly interjected, "Brother-in-law just said dinner is ready. Shall we go?"
She spoke cautiously, feeling more uncomfortable than she had in the past few days since arriving in Changsha.
As Xun'er and Luo Bing, who had just been brought downstairs, looked at each other, Xun'er immediately clung to her mother's arm. "Mommy, I want Mommy to hold me."
Xun'er's plea prompted Luo Qinghan to pick her up and lead her to the dining room.
"Dad!"
Li Shuxiao, a little displeased, walked over to her father and lowered her voice, "What were you just saying? You've made the atmosphere so awkward!"
Li Jiaxian put on an innocent look. "I was just stating facts... I'm supporting you finding someone you like, aren't I? I'm not rushing you, nor did I say anything!"
Seeing her father's feigned ignorance, Li Shuxiao stomped her foot and hurried over to her cousin. "Sis, my dad didn't mean anything by it."
At this moment, Lin Xiao brought the remaining dishes to the table and said, "Didn't mean anything by what?"
"Brother-in-law, it's nothing..."
"It's fine. Uncle was just talking about my cousin, saying she doesn't need to rush to find a partner. It's best if she finds someone she likes and is suitable, no need to force it," Luo Qinghan explained without embellishing.
"Oh."
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes and looked at Li Jiaxian. "It seems Uncle is quite open-minded?"
"Of course. It's this day and age. Marriage is a big deal, and personal preference is most important," Li Jiaxian quickly agreed. When facing Lin Xiao, his expression instinctively softened, making him appear like a cheerful middle-aged man, and his tone improved considerably.
"However, Uncle, I hope you understand one saying." Lin Xiao's smile remained, appearing gentle, but his tone turned somewhat cold in the next instant. "Guests should follow the host's lead."
"Uncle, you are a guest here, and I will naturally entertain you well. But I hope you'll watch what you say. I don't want to fall out with you over your poorly chosen words and have you, along with Shuxiao, thrown out."
Unlike Luo Qinghan and Li Xin, who hinted at their displeasure, Lin Xiao was more direct and laid his cards on the table.
"This..."
Li Jiaxian's expression shifted. He considered that he was, after all, an elder. While Lin Xiao's status might be extraordinary, he was still his wife's uncle. If word got out that he was kicked out, he believed Lin Xiao's reputation would be affected.
However, Lin Xiao's bluntness surprised him. He quickly said, "Lin Xiao, I didn't mean anything else, I just..."
"Uncle."
Lin Xiao enunciated the word clearly. "What I said just now is very clear. Regardless of your intentions, or whether there were hidden meanings in your words, this is my home, and you must abide by the rules here."
"Whether you meant it or not, you shouldn't have said it. Do you understand?"