Chapter 151: I Will Die Before I Submit!

Lin Yang received a phone call from Cao Keming, who asked if he was at home so he could send a car to pick him up and examine the old master.

"There is no need to go to such trouble. Just give me the address, and I will come over directly."

Cao Keming immediately gave Lin Yang the location.

The Cao family's elder was a retired veteran cadre who did not live with Cao Keming on a daily basis, but rather resided in the veteran cadres' retirement community.

As people grew older, they found more joy in the company of a group of peers; living with younger generations created a generational gap and only disrupted family harmony.

It was a pity that many elderly people failed to understand this, always feeling that they needed to live with their children to have a sense of security.

Cao Yanling had originally volunteered to pick up Lin Yang, but she had not expected him to refuse.

"Are you angry?"

Seeing his daughter's face full of disappointment with a pouting expression, Cao Keming teased.

"You only care about work day in and day out, and you don't even know how to care for your daughter. Haven't you noticed yet? Ever since she met that miraculous doctor, Mr. Lin, your precious daughter's heart has already flown away." Zhang Shuyun said with an expression of displeasure.

Although Lin Yang had saved Cao Keming's life and possessed extraordinary medical skills, Zhang Shuyun did not approve of Cao Yanling associating with him.

She had only this one precious daughter and ideally wanted her to marry into a wealthy and prestigious family to have peace of mind.

Lin Yang's value was enough for the Cao family to hold him in high regard, but it was not yet enough to make him son-in-law material.

"So that's how it is! Yanling, romance has to be fought for by oneself. Since you like him, you must strive for it yourself."

Cao Keming was much more open-minded and greatly appreciated Lin Yang, so he did not object.

"No way! Yanling's marriage must never be taken lightly. Although this divine doctor Lin is outstanding and possesses remarkable medical skills, in my opinion, he is still not qualified to be my son-in-law."

Zhang Shuyun immediately objected.

"Mom..."

Cao Yanling instantly grew anxious.

"Don't pull that routine on me. I said no, and that means no. I have already scouted a suitable other half for you, and I will arrange a blind date for you to meet in a little while. You must marry into a wealthy family in Nandu."

Zhang Shuyun said with an overpowering expression.

"I won't!"

Cao Yanling detested such arranged marriages the most and strongly opposed it.

"It's not up to you. When you mature in the future, you will naturally know that Mom is doing this for your own good. You cannot let yourself be blinded by fleeting romance. Getting married is a lifelong matter."

"Dad..."

With no other options, Cao Yanling could only act spoiled in front of Cao Keming.

Cao Keming gave two dry coughs and said, "What your mother says makes sense. Although Mr. Lin is exceptional, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to marry him! Besides, as far as I know, his relationship with Murong Yun is quite deep, and there's no point in you getting tangled up in that."

"I don't care! I simply like Mr. Lin, and I am not going on any blind date."

Cao Yanling had been well-behaved since childhood, but deep down, she had always resented having every aspect of her life arranged by her mother from a young age—what she ate, what she wore, who her friends were, where she went, whether she chose arts or science in high school, and what major she studied in university. Not a single thing was her own choice; instead, Zhang Shuyun had made the choices for her.

The fact that Cao Yanling had never voiced her complaints did not mean she was willing to accept all of this. In reality, her rebellious feelings had accumulated to the absolute limit, lacking only a single spark to detonate.

"I said it is not up to you! From childhood to adulthood, out of all the choices I have made for you, when was it not for your own good? When have I ever been wrong? In a major life event like marriage, you cannot be willful and act recklessly."

Zhang Shuyun had always been domineering at home, accustomed to wielding absolute control, and her attitude was extremely firm.

Tears streaming down her face, Cao Yanling finally could not hold it in any longer upon hearing these words.

"That's right! You've always been the one making choices for me, but you've never once asked me if I liked the choices you made for me—not even once!"

For the first time, Cao Yanling talked back to her mother with such an attitude.

"You don't need to like or dislike it; that isn't important."

"It is very important! I will no longer listen to you, nor will I accept your arrangements for me anymore. Even without Lin Yang, I will never accept the marriage you've arranged for me, absolutely never!"

Cao Yanling's rebellious psychology completely erupted, breaking away from her usual obedient demeanor to argue with Zhang Shuyun, her stance exceptionally resolute.

Zhang Shuyun stood up and slapped Cao Yanling across the face.

"Have you lost your mind?! How dare you talk back to me? Are your wings getting stiff now?"

Zhang Shuyun felt that her authority had been challenged and knew she had to suppress Cao Yanling, otherwise how could she maintain control in the future?

"Wife, don't be angry. Let's talk things out calmly."

Cao Keming hurriedly tried to dissuade Zhang Shuyun while simultaneously signaling to Cao Yanling with his eyes. "Yanling, Mom is doing this for your own good. How can you talk back to your mother like that? Hurry up and apologize to Mom!"

Covering her burning cheek, Cao Yanling let her tears flow unceasingly.

"I'd rather die than submit!"

Dropping those words, Cao Yanling turned and ran out.

"You stop right there! If you dare to step foot out of this house, I'll break your legs." Zhang Shuyun scolded furiously.

However, Cao Yanling's entire being was now consumed by rebellion, drowning out her reason. How could she possibly listen? She slammed the door and rushed out.

Zhang Shuyun was so furious that she was about to give chase, but Cao Keming timely held her back.

"Forget it, let her cool down. Arguing like this isn't a solution either. The girl is grown up, not a little child anymore. Besides, we still need to rush over to the retirement community."

Cao Keming persuaded.

"It's all because you spoil her! Look at what her attitude is! From childhood to adulthood, has she ever dared to say a single 'no' in front of me? Now her courage has grown and her wings are stiff, but I refuse to believe I can't handle her!"

With no outlet for her frustration, Zhang Shuyun could only vent her anger on Cao Keming.

After a long session of coaxing and pacifying, Cao Keming finally managed to stabilize her emotions.

"When we see Lin Yang later, don't put on a sour face. After all, he is my savior, and he still needs to examine Dad."

Cao Keming reminded her.

"What do you mean by that? Do you take me for a fool? However, I will look for an opportunity to have a private talk with him, to make him keep his distance from Yanling. As long as we cut off Yanling's thoughts at the source, this matter will be easy to handle." Zhang Shuyun said.

"Would that be appropriate? The man hasn't even had much contact with our daughter." Cao Keming frowned.

"No contact doesn't mean he has no designs on Yanling. Don't all you men have those exact thoughts? Who doesn't know? Aren't you yourself eating from the bowl while looking at the pot?" Zhang Shuyun sneered.

Cao Keming instantly fell silent, not daring to continue this topic.

He indeed had women outside—more than one, in fact—and Zhang Shuyun knew about it. It was simply that Zhang Shuyun was clear-headed and understood that what man wouldn't want a houseful of wives and concubines?

Especially men of ability, status, and power.

As the Director of the Department of Finance, Cao Keming could not possibly avoid women; otherwise, he would never have climbed to his current position. As long as her status as the legitimate matriarch remained secure, she cared little else.

Of course, a capable woman might not necessarily be opposed to keeping a few young kept men of her own.

At the end of the day, humans are creatures of desire. Who isn't eating from the bowl while eyeing what's in the pot? It's just that some people have the ability to play the field while others lack the capability!

"I believe that if Lin Yang is a smart person, he should understand and know how to be tactful. Anyway, I have my own discretion in this matter, so you don't need to ask."

Zhang Shuyun fully displayed her status as the head of the household, which was also the reason why she could tolerate Cao Keming having women outside.