"Son, did your principal really say you could be recommended to Fudan University and you turned it down?"
Surprisingly, this time when Elder Wang saw Empress Dowager Ye head to the kitchen to fetch a rolling pin, Lao Lin didn't make an excuse to go drink tea but instead asked, somewhat uncertainly.
At this moment, Lin Yi's eyes were fully focused on his mom. How could he have time to answer his dad? After hearing his dad's question, he responded with a nod without even thinking.
The next moment, Lin Yi felt a sharp pain on his head and looked over to see his dad giving him a look of disappointment:
"You little rascal, not going to Fudan with a recommendation? Are you trying to reach the heavens or what?? Come on, explain yourself to me!"
Ugh...
Seeing Lao Lin's furious expression, Lin Yi was a bit taken aback. In his memory, this wasn't Lao Lin's usual behavior, was it?
While Lin Yi was in a daze, Empress Dowager Ye had already stormed out of the kitchen, wielding a rolling pin!
At this sight, Lin Yi immediately jumped up from his seat and instinctively hid behind his father, hurriedly explaining:
"Don't hit me! Don't hit me! Empress Dowager Ye, please listen to my explanation! There's a reason why I refused! Ouch! You're serious about this! I'm your own son! Lao Lin, aren't you going to stop her? I'm the only child in the Lin Family! Ouch, it hurts, mom!"
However, Lin Yi forgot that his dad hadn't chosen to remain neutral this time, nor did he side with him.
This time, Empress Dowager Ye was genuinely angry. This little rascal actually turned down a chance to be recommended to Fudan University!
In Empress Dowager Ye's mind, her son's academic performance makes it hard enough to get into an ordinary second-tier university! And now he flat-out refused a top-tier university! What kind of concept is this? It's cutting off his future!
No matter how Lin Yi tried to explain himself, Empress Dowager Ye didn't listen at all, and the rolling pin in her hand kept swinging down without pause.
Of course, since he was her own flesh and blood, although Empress Dowager Ye was furious, she only aimed for the fleshiest part of his bottom, knowing just how much pressure to apply.
Even so, Lin Yi was getting hit and running around the house like mad.
Honestly, aside from the time when Lin Yi was very young and got caught exploring the differences between boys and girls with a very cute girl from the neighborhood, this was the worst beating his mom ever gave him!
This shows just how angry Empress Dowager Ye really was!
Not only that, but Lao Lin also took the opportunity to give him a kick on the bottom, which made Lin Yi even more frustrated...
Who would've thought, the first mixed doubles match in his life would happen just two days before his college entrance exam!
If he really messed up, that would be one thing, but this time he was truly wronged!
After a long round of mixed doubles, it finally came to an end with the ringing of a phone.
Listening to the ringtone "Happy Days" sung by Empress Dowager Ye, for the first time in his life, Lin Yi found it so pleasing and melodious.
With a clatter, she threw the rolling pin on the dining table, then pointed at Lin Yi and said this wasn't over before turning her gaze to Lao Lin, speaking with an unsympathetic tone:
"What are you looking at! Didn't you hear my phone ringing? Hurry up and get it for me! Hmph, like father, like son! You two are good for nothing!"
Seeing his wife showing signs of directing her anger at him, Lao Lin immediately opted for a strategic retreat, hurriedly heading to the coffee table to fetch the phone for his wife.
"Hehe, got scolded, huh... eh... Well, Empress Dowager Ye, you are so right. Like father, like son. It's all inherited, really."
On the side, Lin Yi, seeing his dad in trouble, couldn't help but chuckle while rubbing his bottom. However, seeing his mom's glare, he immediately straightened up and spoke in a proper manner.
"It's Xiao Yi's homeroom teacher calling!"
At this moment, Lao Lin had already approached with the phone, handing it to Empress Dowager Ye while reminding her.
Hearing that it was the homeroom teacher calling, Empress Dowager Ye gave her son a fierce glare before quickly reaching out and grabbing it:
"Hello, Teacher Wang, yes, yes, you say. Uh-huh, I just heard from Lin Yi about this matter. This brat really infuriates me! I just gave him a good beating. So, Teacher Wang, could you perhaps talk to the principal? Maybe get that recommendation to Fudan back for Lin Yi?"
Obviously, the teacher mentioned the recommendation but didn't talk about how he got full marks on a test he did right there.
But Lin Yi believed that Empress Dowager Ye would definitely mention it next.
Indeed, in the next few minutes, Empress Dowager Ye's expression became quite colorful, with occasional exclamations and glances at Lin Yi, making Father Lin very curious.
However, the phone's earpiece was not loud enough, and at this point, Lin Yi had already started smacking away at his meal at the table, making it even harder for Father Lin to hear.
Bam!
Hearing the sound of Lin Yi chomping away, Lao Lin gave Lin Yi a pat on the back of his head, lowering his voice and cautioning:
"How can you still have the face to eat? And lower your voice, you brat. You'll disturb your mom's phone call, and then watch as she beats you again."
But as soon as those words were out, there was another bam sound.
This time, though, Lin Yi didn't feel any pain, but instead, Father Lin was clutching his arm, looking aggrieved at his wife, who had just finished the call.
"Are you crazy, Lin? Why are you hitting my son? What if he turns out dim-witted? Don't think I didn't see you kicking my son's behind earlier! I'm telling you, Lao Lin, if you dare touch my son again, I'll never let it go!"
Uh...
Hearing Empress Dowager Ye's words, Lao Lin was left dumbfounded, unable to understand what was going on.
She had just been chasing Lin Yi around and hitting him, so why the sudden change? And earlier, she had been the one doing all the hitting! I had only lightly kicked him once. Isn't this a case of officials being allowed to set fires but ordinary people not even allowed to light a lamp!
Of course, while feeling this way, he dared not say it out loud. Sigh, after all, Empress Dowager Ye is the boss here at home...
After giving her husband a stern glare, Empress Dowager Ye turned her loving gaze toward Lin Yi, immediately softening:
"Oh, my sweet son, did it hurt just now? Hmph! It's all your dad's fault! So, sweetie, what do you want to eat? Mom will make it for you!"
Father Lin, standing by, almost tumbled to the floor at her words, wondering why he was suddenly to blame for everything!
…
Ding-dong, ding-dong.
Just as Father Lin was opening his mouth to say something with grievance, the door suddenly rang.
[To be continued...]