Chapter 21: A Devoted Godfather Planning for His Daughter's Future

After the National Day holiday, the liveliest event at Nanjiang University was undoubtedly the upcoming school sports meet. Yan Xuan, being an acquaintance of the student council president Hu Xuemei, was often called upon to lend a hand as a laborer.

“Senior, can you get someone else to do this next time?” Yan Xuan said, gently massaging his sore lower back after carrying the last two boxes of miscellaneous items into the sports equipment storage.

Hu Xuemei shrugged helplessly. “If I had more hands, I wouldn’t have to bother you. How about I treat you and Xiao Lian to a meal?”

“Don’t blame me if I ask for an arm and a leg,” Yan Xuan replied.

“It’s fine—after all, it’s your little rich lady who always ends up footing the bill,” Hu Xuemei teased.

“Hu Xuemei, I’ve noticed you’ve become sharper since becoming student council president!”

Suddenly, Fang Lian appeared from a corner and threw her arms around Yan Xuan. “Brother, what are you two talking about?”

She had followed Yan Xuan willingly and had just been helping set up the stage.

Hu Xuemei joked, “Talking about you paying the bill.”

“Great! I was just thinking about eating out today—let’s all go together.”

“That… maybe not,” Hu Xuemei replied hesitantly.

There were about a dozen people helping out today, and going out to eat would easily cost thousands—a hefty sum for college students. Although she knew Fang Lian was wealthy, as student council president, Hu Xuemei didn’t want to take advantage of her.

Fang Lian pleaded softly, “Senior, I already told everyone. Don’t be a party pooper.”

“Wow, I’m the last to know,” Hu Xuemei remarked, surprised by Fang Lian’s unilateral decision.

“Senior, you won’t be mad at me, right?” Fang Lian looked at Hu Xuemei with innocent eyes. Hu Xuemei glanced at Yan Xuan, and after he nodded, she agreed.

“Thanks for your generosity.”

Hu Xuemei knew well that Fang Lian’s show of magnanimity was all because of Yan Xuan. Over time, she had observed that despite Fang Lian’s privileged background, it was Yan Xuan who held the upper hand.

Often, with just a look from Yan Xuan, Fang Lian would obediently shrink behind him, lowering her eyes and barely daring to speak loudly.

Hu Xuemei was fully aware of Yan Xuan’s family background. That he had tamed Fang Lian to act like a humble country wife earned her genuine admiration.

After Fang Lian left the sports storage to gather everyone, Hu Xuemei couldn’t resist teasing Yan Xuan.

“I say, if you had that skill back then to keep Xiao Qi under control, she wouldn’t have left, right?”

Yan Xuan smiled wryly, unbothered by the mention of his ex-girlfriend.

“I don’t have that skill—you know her personality better than anyone.”

“What if Xiao Qi comes back?”

“What can I do? She walks her sunny path; I take my narrow bridge. Out of sight, out of mind.”

“You’re surprisingly easygoing.”

The old friends shared a knowing smile and walked together to the field to meet the others.

After Fang Lian gave instructions, the group took taxis in batches to a seafood restaurant three kilometers away. Seeing the walls lined with live seafood, Hu Xuemei’s heart sank.

This wasn’t just a few thousand yuan; it was likely heading into five or even six figures.

What exactly were Fang Lian—or rather Yan Xuan—planning?

“Welcome!” The female waitstaff, dressed uniformly in light blue qipaos paired with stockings, greeted the guests warmly as they arrived.

Fang Lian stepped forward. “Table for eleven, we have a reservation for a private room.”

“Qingqing, please escort the guests upstairs,” the manager said. Yang Qingqing, standing at 186 cm, stepped forward and bowed slightly.

“Watch your step going upstairs,” Fang Lian followed, teasing, “Wow, those long legs—does the qipao fit well?”

Yang Qingqing smiled but lowered her voice. “Are you here just to make fun of me?”

“I’m just here to bring you your commission.”

“I’m an intern and haven’t even passed probation—there’s no commission for me!”

Yang Qingqing was embarrassed about freeloading with Fang Lian, so she planned to find a job. Today was only her second day working at the seafood restaurant.

Fang Lian had chosen this restaurant partly to tease Yang Qingqing.

Yan Xuan stepped forward and gently pinched Fang Lian’s cheek. “Qingqing’s working; don’t cause trouble.”

“Hmm…” Fang Lian immediately quieted down but mischievously pinched Yang Qingqing’s stockinged thigh.

Once everyone was seated in the private room, Fang Lian pretended to follow Yang Qingqing downstairs to order dishes, teasing, “These stockings feel awful. I have better ones in my wardrobe—you want to borrow some?”

Yang Qingqing retorted, “No thanks, you should save them for your old man to tear apart!”

“Hey, how do you talk to customers?”

“Clients can’t be sexually harassing!”

At the seafood tanks, Fang Lian carefully selected the seafood and then went back upstairs, asking the manager to bring a few bottles of Maotai.

Hu Xuemei had misjudged the situation; this meal wasn’t Fang Lian’s idea but Yan Xuan’s instructions. At this moment, Fang Lian was unwilling to waste money.

As for the reason, Yan Xuan hadn’t said, and Fang Lian hadn’t dared to ask.

Soon, dishes arrived one after another, and the group began to toast and chat.

Most present were members of this year’s student council, so the conversation mainly revolved around Hu Xuemei, who ended up drinking the most.

Yan Xuan refilled Hu Xuemei’s glass and quietly asked, “Senior, do you think Xiao Lian would be suited to join the student council?”

Hu Xuemei, recently tipsy, instantly sobered up. She looked at Yan Xuan with a faint smile, already understanding the true purpose of this meal.

If it was just to join the council, there was no need to spend so lavishly. Yan Xuan clearly wanted Fang Lian to have a higher position in the student council, perhaps even to follow in Hu Xuemei’s footsteps and become Nanjiang University’s student council president in the future.

Of course, Nanjiang University ranked within the top ten or even top five nationwide. The presidency of the student council wasn’t something decided by a single meal.

Tonight’s dinner was merely a prelude to laying the foundation for Fang Lian’s future development in the council.

Hu Xuemei exhaled the breath of alcohol. “There will be new positions opening in the student council soon. You can have her try out.”

Yan Xuan raised his glass, drank first as a toast, then quickly shifted the topic.

His tolerance for alcohol was limited, and soon he felt a wave of nausea rise in his chest.

Suppressing the discomfort, Yan Xuan staggered out of the private room, heading toward the restroom to vomit. Fang Lian immediately followed, supporting him to the washbasin.

“Godfather, are you alright?” she asked, gently patting his back, her eyes full of concern.

“I’m fine… ugh…” Yan Xuan emptied his stomach of the seafood he had just eaten and laughed weakly after catching his breath. “Did you hear my conversation with Hu Xuemei just now?”

“Godfather, do I really deserve you treating me so well?” Fang Lian’s eyes glistened with tears, emotions swirling within her.

She hadn’t expected this meal was prepared by Yan Xuan for her.

The student council president of Nanjiang University was a prestigious title; most past presidents came from wealthy or influential families, with a few even regularly appearing on the 7 o’clock news.

Yan Xuan was not only providing her with a comfortable life now but was already thinking about her future.

If she truly had a biological father, it wouldn’t be any better than this...

“You couldn’t help me in the past, but from now on, as long as you work hard, I will support you with everything I have!” Yan Xuan said earnestly.

Although his words sounded encouraging, Yan Xuan was just an ordinary man without power, influence, or connections. The support he could offer was limited to the windfalls from apps and unexpected luck.

In the past, Yan Xuan might have settled for modest wealth, but the sudden appearance of Yu Jiangxiong had startled him profoundly.

Mi Xiaoyue was only of purple quality; would there be even more terrifying orange-quality figures in the future?

At that point, money alone wouldn’t solve many problems. Yan Xuan had to find a powerful backer or, failing that, grow a strong tree himself.

“Godfather, I… I…” Fang Lian was so moved she was at a loss for words. Suddenly, she stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Yan Xuan’s neck and pressed her lips firmly against his, completely unfazed by his recent retching.

After over a minute, Fang Lian released him, breathing softly, her eyes trembling slightly.

She could hardly believe her own boldness toward Yan Xuan, but seeing he didn’t scold her, her heart gradually calmed.

“Godfather…” she whispered, her gaze resolute.

“Your daughter will never let you down!”