Chapter 149: The Father-in-Law Has Returned

Northeastern Beiyang City, China.

The time was precisely 4:42 in the afternoon.

The sun no longer blazed with the intensity it had at noon or early afternoon. Now, it hid half-concealed behind a thick cloud, casting a half-hearted glow that still bore some warmth, quietly asserting its presence.

Though the heat had significantly waned, at the arrival gate of Lixian Airport in Beiyang City, a man stood with an anxious restlessness burning within him.

He was dressed in a crisp white casual suit, his flawless physique perfectly filling every contour of the garment. Beneath the jacket, his shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing glimpses of a sculpted chest — an alluring blend of mature elegance and effortless charm, embodied flawlessly by the man.

His chiseled features seemed to have found their golden ratio, set against his angular, handsome face. Paired with the radiant white suit, he appeared extraordinarily striking.

This man commanded the attention of most people gathered around the arrival area. While many were women, there was no shortage of admiring male glances either.

The women's gazes were complex—some appreciative, others hungry, and some even lascivious.

Meanwhile, the men’s looks were far more singular: envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Was it because the man in the white suit was exceptionally handsome? Partly, perhaps; after all, such looks were innate.

Was it because of the sleek black Volkswagen Phaeton parked behind him? If anything, that might add to the allure, but certainly not fully explain it—there were countless vehicles far more luxurious and ostentatious.

The true cause of all this attention lay with the two women flanking the man in white.

On his left stood a young girl—perhaps calling her a girl was more fitting. She was very young, with shoulder-length black hair casually flowing, and a flawless, fresh oval face.

Her attire was simple: a white casual short-sleeve shirt paired with denim shorts and pure white sneakers, radiating youthful vitality.

Though her face was still somewhat tender and naive, her slender waist, the proud curve of her chest, and the snow-white long legs exposed by the shorts all conveyed a powerful sense of youthful vigor.

If this girl exuded the vibrant energy of a blossoming maiden, then the woman standing to the man's right delivered an altogether more overwhelming beauty.

This woman was stunning. Beneath gracefully arched brows, her sparkling eyes held a teasing smile, clear and bright like tranquil waves. Her porcelain-like complexion bore a captivating, flower-like smile, and her luscious lips, without a trace of lipstick, tempted any man with an irresistible allure.

She wore no extravagant garments—just a professional office outfit—but the composition only accentuated her perfect figure: a slender waist to be grasped in a hand, legs encased in black stockings that enhanced their seductive length, and a generously ample bosom.

Noble and elegant, radiant beyond compare, breathtakingly beautiful—words abounded to describe her, yet none could fully capture the essence of her loveliness.

Hence, it was these two women who were the true cause of the myriad envious, jealous, and resentful gazes fixed upon the man in the white suit.

Xue Tian'ai loosened another button on his shirt beneath the jacket, trying to ease the slight irritation churning within him.

After enduring a one-hour punishment of standing and self-reflection the previous night, he had finally enjoyed a good sleep. Yet that very morning, Qin Mengxue had dragged him to the wardrobe, making him try on suit after suit.

In the end, Qin Mengxue nodded her approval at him dressed in the white suit, and for the first time, Xue Tian'ai had gone to work in formal attire.

When he appeared at the Menghua Group in his white suit, the entire female staff seemed on the verge of an uproar. Su Jiaqi could hardly believe her eyes; after staring at him for a long while, she blurted out:

“Are you really the Xue Tian'ai we know?”

Even Gan Bingning was more dramatic. Seizing an opportunity, she pulled him into her office, touched his forehead, and repeatedly asked whether he was feeling alright.

Xue Tian'ai found the day rather exasperating. He had no idea why Qin Mengxue insisted on him wearing a suit to work that day. If he had to wear one, why not a low-key black suit? What was with this pure white one?

But by afternoon, he finally understood Qin Mengxue’s intention: his father-in-law was returning that afternoon. Hence, Qin Mengxue had insisted he dress up and drive the Phaeton to work.

Upon receiving this news, Xue Tian'ai’s annoyance only deepened.

“Darling, you and An’an can wait here for your parents. I’ll go home and cook,” he said sheepishly to Qin Mengxue.

“No way. Dad said we should all come to pick him up. Besides, since you’re already here, why rush off?” Qin Mengxue shook her head firmly, refusing his suggestion.

“Brother-in-law, why are you so eager to go home? Are you scared of Uncle Qin?” An’an, tilting her head, asked curiously.

“Uh... Haha, no way! That’s my father-in-law. How could I be afraid? Haha...” Xue Tian'ai’s mouth twitched as he forced a laugh.

In truth, An’an’s words weren’t far off. Xue Tian'ai did feel a bit apprehensive about his father-in-law, Qin Wanlan—not for any special reason, but simply because he didn’t quite know how to present himself to Qin Wanlan, what image to adopt.

Although Qin Wanlan was now his father-in-law, he was also a seasoned old fox. While Qin Wanlan might not know every detail of Xue Tian'ai’s past, he certainly knew plenty.

Moreover, Qin Wanlan had once been the chief advisor of one of China’s two secret organizations, Yumen.

So should Xue Tian'ai approach him as the fierce celestial wolf leader of his pack, or as the legendary assassin Phantom Butterfly? Or perhaps he should simply interact as a son-in-law?

Even the sharpest and bravest of men would feel some trepidation in such a situation.

“By the way, darling, when exactly will Dad and Mom arrive? Wasn’t their flight supposed to land at Beiyang at 4:30?” Xue Tian'ai asked, trying not to pressure himself further, taking a gentle breath.

“I don’t know either… Could the flight be delayed?” Qin Mengxue took out her phone, glanced at the time, and frowned slightly.

But that couldn’t be—her father, Qin Wanlan, had called her before takeoff to assure her the plane was on schedule. Could it be flying slower than usual, causing a delay upon arrival?

Just as Xue Tian'ai and Qin Mengxue were puzzling over this, sharp-eyed An’an suddenly shouted:

“Sis! Brother-in-law! I see Uncle Qin and Aunt Lan! Look, look over there—they’re coming out!”

Following An’an’s pointed finger, Qin Mengxue indeed spotted two familiar figures appearing at the arrival gate entrance: Qin Wanlan and Lan Yingyan.

Though less familiar to Xue Tian'ai, the sight was not strange. Due to various reasons, he and Qin Mengxue had never met before, but Qin Wanlan and Lan Yingyan had met him multiple times and dined with him on several occasions. He vaguely recalled how, once, Qin Wanlan had gotten drunk at their home and bickered loudly with his own father, Xue Xiwen.

Ten years had passed, yet the years seemed to have spared this middle-aged couple. His father-in-law still bore a vibrant, spirited expression, while Lan Yingyan retained her graceful charm, her arm lovingly linked with Qin Wanlan’s, her face glowing with happiness.

Qin Wanlan and Lan Yingyan clearly noticed Qin Mengxue and her companions. A smile appeared on Qin Wanlan’s face, and Lan Yingyan waved warmly in greeting.

“Tian'ai, go help Mom and Dad with their luggage,” Qin Mengxue quickly realized, turning to Xue Tian'ai.

But when she looked, she was stunned—Xue Tian'ai was nowhere to be seen beside her, only An’an bouncing excitedly, waving at Qin Wanlan and Lan Yingyan.

Where had he gone? Had he really slipped away?

Qin Mengxue’s eyes darted anxiously, only to find that, somehow, Xue Tian'ai had already moved ahead to stand before Qin Wanlan and Lan Yingyan.

His face was lit with excitement and eagerness, chatting and laughing as he took luggage from their hands with natural ease and harmony.

Qin Mengxue smiled in relief. Tian'ai was surprisingly perceptive after all.

But the next moment left her utterly speechless.

Qin Wanlan, who had been smiling moments before, suddenly changed expression. Without warning, he reached out and knocked hard on Xue Tian'ai’s forehead!