Chapter 178 The Empress Dowager's Final Verdict: This kid has a lot going on inside him!

The cold autumn wind howled through the intricate gaps between the blue bricks of Nanluoguxiang.

The wind blew over the high courtyard wall and into the courtyard of Lin's Restaurant.

It carries the unique, cool, earthy scent of the old city.

But this cold wind couldn't dispel the warm, homey atmosphere lingering around the old stone table in the center of the courtyard.

That cultural salon and afternoon dinner, which could be described as divine, was drawing to a close.

The plate of jade-colored Longjing shrimp on the table was now reduced to a few green tea leaves at the bottom.

The stir-fried water celery was completely devoured, leaving not a drop of broth.

Wang Cuncun and Zhou Yang, the two old men, were still immersed in Lin Mo's ingenious deduction about the woodworking of the Tang Dynasty, holding their rough pottery teacups and smacking their lips with lingering enjoyment.

Song Wan sat quietly in the main seat.

She put down the blue and white porcelain teacup in her hand, making a soft but clear "tap" sound.

The sound was particularly pleasant in this moment of tranquility.

She picked up a neatly folded, white napkin from the side and elegantly touched the corner of her lips with it.

Then, she reached out and straightened the high-quality solid-color cashmere shawl on her shoulders.

The movements were calm and steady.

Immediately afterwards, this professor of history at Peking University, and the matriarch of the Jiang family, slowly stood up.

This simple act of standing up did not produce the slightest unnecessary noise.

But it was like a silent signal, announcing the official end of today's incognito visit, which had a testing connotation.

Jiang Ruoyun's gaze remained fixed on her mother.

Seeing Song Wan stand up, she immediately put down the insulated purple clay teapot she had been holding.

Like a startled yet dutiful little tail, it quickly walked to its mother's side.

He instinctively reached out to help her, but Song Wan stopped him with a gentle and reassuring look.

Song Wan didn't need anyone's help; she simply turned her head and quietly looked at the young man opposite her.

Lin Mo also stood up at this moment.

At this crucial juncture, when we should be seizing the opportunity to strengthen our relationship.

Unlike those scions of wealthy families who were desperate to squeeze into the elite circles of Beijing, he didn't immediately rush forward to fawn over them.

He didn't offer to help Song Wan with her bag, nor did he put on a fawning smile.

He simply took a half-step back, quite naturally.

Maintaining a proper and appropriate social distance as a junior.

Be neither arrogant nor humble, and know when to advance and retreat.

This innate sense of propriety deepened the admiration in Song Wan's eyes.

Lin Mo extended his hands, which were long, slender, and strong with distinct knuckles.

He gently picked up the sandalwood box on the table that had just caused a series of shocks.

The movements are casual, yet they show respect for the old objects.

He walked up to Song Wan and steadily handed her the wooden box with both hands.

"Aunt Song, please put your things away."

He did not take the opportunity to claim credit, nor did he make any demands regarding the restoration of ancient jade based on his skills.

It was as bland as returning an ordinary object that someone else had left behind.

Song Wan reached out her fair hand and took the heavy sandalwood box.

My fingertips gently caressed the thick, warm patina on the surface of the wooden box.

"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Lin."

Song Wan nodded slightly, her smile as warm as a spring breeze, completely shedding the frost she had shown upon arrival.

"I'm very satisfied with today's simple home-cooked meal. You go ahead with your work, I'll head back now."

Lin Mo smiled faintly, his brows relaxed.

They didn't take this very weighty compliment too seriously.

He turned and pointed to the leftovers on the table, speaking calmly.

"Okay, Aunt Song, take care."

"I still need to tidy up the yard and wash the dishes."

"I won't deliver it to you any further."

Upon hearing this, Wang Cuncun and Zhou Yang, who were sitting next to him, both gasped in shock.

The two old men, whose combined age was nearly two hundred, stared at each other, both seeing disbelief in each other's wide eyes.

That's Song Wan!

The eldest daughter of the Song family, a prominent family in the capital, and the matriarch of a multi-billion dollar conglomerate.

Many high-ranking officials and nobles would beg and hope to speak a few words with her, and even following her to the street corner would be considered a great honor.

Now that she's leaving, this young man who runs the restaurant actually said he has to wash the dishes and won't see her off?

What kind of mind and thick nerves does one have to dare to say such outrageous things?

But Song Wan wasn't angry at all when she heard this.

Not only was she not angry, but the smile in her eyes became even more genuine and profound.

She knew all too well that those so-called social etiquettes of the wealthy were nothing but empty formalities and pretense.

The young man in the white shirt in front of me is polite, but not blindly obedient.

He has pride, but no arrogance.

He considers entertaining guests a favor and cleaning up the dishes as his duty.

This down-to-earth, everyday charm is more real than any flowery language or insincere flattery.

"Okay, you go about your business, don't worry about me."

Song Wan smiled and nodded, carefully putting the sandalwood box into her handbag.

Then, she turned her head and looked at her beloved daughter, who was staring longingly at Lin Mo, her face clearly showing her reluctance to part.

Jiang Ruoyun was secretly exchanging glances with Lin Mo.

Those usually cold and aloof eyes at the company, unapproachable to strangers...

At this moment, everything is filled with sticky, tender affection, just like a kitten afraid of being abandoned.

Song Wan sighed helplessly in her heart.

The ancients were right: a daughter is not meant to be kept at home once she grows up.

This girl usually seems smart and capable, but when she's around this guy, her IQ just plummets, and she doesn't even bother to hide it anymore.

She reached out and gently patted her daughter's shoulder.

"Ruoyun, see Mom off."

Jiang Ruoyun then seemed to wake from a dream and quickly looked away.

She nodded obediently and followed her mother outside.

The mother and daughter walked side by side toward the heavy bronze-knob wooden door of the courtyard.

In the courtyard behind him, Lin Mo had already turned around and returned to the stone table.

He ignored the two old professors who were still arguing about the details of the ancient building.

Instead, he slowly and methodically stacked the blue and white porcelain plates on the table together.

The porcelain pieces made a crisp, pleasant, slight clinking sound.

He picked up a clean rag and carefully wiped the tea that had accidentally spilled on the stone table.

The autumn sunlight slanted and lengthened his busy silhouette.

That ordinary white shirt stood out as exceptionally clean and serene amidst the antique gray bricks and tiles.

Song Wan stopped at the threshold of the courtyard.

She didn't turn around; she just stood there quietly.

The heavy wooden doors of the courtyard house were half-closed, blocking the cold wind blowing in from the alley outside, leaving only a peaceful room.

Jiang Ruoyun followed her mother, her heart filled with unease.

Although Lin Mo's performance today was perfect, not only did he resolve the deadlock, but he also displayed astonishing talent.

But a mother's thoughts are always unfathomable, and she never shows her emotions.

Until she received a definitive answer, she remained anxious and dared not let go completely.

She nervously twisted her fingers, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

Like a primary school student waiting for the head teacher to announce the final grades, I didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

Song Wan had her back to Lin Mo and the two old men in the courtyard.

She slowly turned around to face her daughter.

The gentle smile that had been on his face had completely vanished.

Instead, there was an unprecedented seriousness and earnestness.

Jiang Ruoyun had only ever seen such a profound look in her eyes when her mother made decisions about the family's multi-billion dollar destiny.

Jiang Ruoyun unconsciously straightened her body, even slowing her breathing, and her palms began to sweat.

Song Wan took a deep look at the young man's back as he calmly wiped the stone table not far away.

Lin Mo did not turn around to eavesdrop on the conversation, nor did he show any unease.

He just quietly went about his work.

It was as if nothing in this world, and no one's opinion, could disrupt the rhythm of his heart.

In today's restless society, such composure is even rarer than that piece of Song Dynasty yellow jade.

Song Wan withdrew her gaze and looked back at her daughter's beautiful face, which was full of anxiety.

She leaned slightly forward and spoke in a low voice, a voice only the mother and daughter could hear.

"This kid..."

Song Wan's voice was soft, yet it carried a resounding weight.

Remain unmoved by favor or disgrace.

She recalled Lin Mo's leisurely demeanor when facing the deadly predicament of the broken jade.

I recall the certainty and composure with which he revealed the origin of the jade in one sentence.

I recall his profound understanding and open-mindedness when he discussed the history of the Song Dynasty and the artistic conception of leaving blank spaces.

And finally, the tranquility and authenticity he displayed when he handed back the wooden box and turned to wash the dishes.

A hint of undisguised admiration and amazement flashed in Song Wan's eyes.

"There is a vast universe within its belly."

These seven words came from the mouth of this professor of history at Peking University and the matriarch of the Jiang family.

It is so heavy that it could almost collapse this century-old wall in Nanluoguxiang.

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Ruoyun froze on the spot.

She stared wide-eyed at her mother in disbelief.

Seeing her daughter's dazed expression, Song Wan couldn't help but reach out and gently tap her forehead with her finger.

Her tone now carried a hint of a mother's reproach and affection, completely devoid of any haughtiness.

"Silly girl."

"I've made a note of this for you today."

"As for what will happen in the future, we'll have to see how he performs in the long run."

Song Wan straightened the shawl on her shoulders and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"However, it seems that your judgment is much better than that of your snobbish father."

The words fell.

Jiang Ruoyun's brain went blank for a full five seconds before it started working again.

After she fully understood the full meaning of her mother's words.

The immense ecstasy was like a powder keg that had been ignited, instantly exploding in every nerve of her body.

What does this mean?

This means that Lin Mo has overcome the most difficult obstacle for the Jiang family with an impeccable, even overwhelming, attitude!

Even my mother, who is always extremely picky and discerning, gave such a high level of final approval.

The remaining obstacles from the Jiang family were utterly insignificant under the mother's protection.

If it weren't for the fact that her mother was still present, and the fact that she was maintaining an icy image as the female CEO of the Jiang Group, she would have been able to do so.

Jiang Ruoyun felt like screaming out loud and jumping three feet high on the spot.

Then, disregarding everything, she rushed back into the yard, threw herself into Lin Mo's arms, and gave him a tight hug.

Her cheeks flushed red rapidly, visible to the naked eye.

That sweetness and pride that spread from the bottom of my heart was like boiling water, unstoppable.

"Mom! I knew it!"

Jiang Ruoyun lowered her voice, her tone filled with undisguised joy and excitement.

She grabbed Song Wan's arm and shook it vigorously like a spoiled three-year-old girl.

"He's really amazing, isn't he?"

"I wasn't lying to you, was I!"

A chaebol heiress who always maintains a haughty demeanor and is decisive in business negotiations.

At this moment, she has completely transformed into a silly girl who is frantically showing off her precious baby and is deeply in love.

That arrogant, doting husband face made Song Wan both angry and amused.

"Alright, alright, stop acting so worthless."

Song Wan pulled her arm away in disgust, but the smile in her eyes betrayed her good mood.

"Go back and help me tidy up the table."

"A young lady of high birth, she doesn't even know how to take off her apron, what kind of behavior is that?"

Although Song Wan said things that sounded like she was complaining, her tone was full of indulgence and pampering.

Jiang Ruoyun glanced down at her floral apron and, far from feeling ashamed, smiled sweetly.

She nodded vigorously, as if she had received some sacred command.

"Okay! I'll head back now!"

"Mom, please drive carefully and tell the driver to keep a steady pace; it's windy outside!"

Jiang Ruoyun reluctantly took two steps back.

Her eyes were already darting around, as if she couldn't wait to fly back to the man in the courtyard.

Seeing her daughter's absent-minded appearance, Song Wan shook her head helplessly.

This girl is completely hooked.

However, he was defeated by such a young man who was full of wisdom, steady in his work, and down-to-earth.

That's actually a blessing for Jiang Ruoyun.

Song Wan felt a sudden sense of relief for no apparent reason.

The weight that had been pressing on my heart for so long has finally been lifted.

On the bluestone steps at the entrance of the courtyard house.

The mother and daughter were immersed in this rare, warm atmosphere where there were no conflicts of interest, only pure family affection.

The late autumn sun shone on them, creating a scene as beautiful as a still film.

however.

Just as this warm and touching atmosphere reached its peak.

Just as Jiang Ruoyun was about to turn around and run back to the courtyard to share this wonderful news with Lin Mo.

Outside the alley, separated by only one wall.

Suddenly, without warning, a bloodcurdling scream erupted, so shrill it was almost distorted.

"Ouch, my back!"