"This trouble started all because your second uncle chose the wrong side to be on. Mingchen's uncle… he works for the government and does have some say in the matter. Your second uncle won't be able to get away scot-free, but he can help your father to stay out of prison."
Under the table, Lin Nuan clenched her hands.
At that moment, Lu Mei deliberately brought up Liu Mingchen, and Lin Nuan understood her intention.
Knowing that Lin Nuan was a smart girl, Lu Mei did not bother to mince her words. "Nuan Nuan, Mingchen hasn't been in a relationship for many years, he only has eyes for you. You should be able to tell his sincerity by now… Uncle Liu and I only have this son. We have never expected him to make it big and expand the company. Our only wish is for him to find the love of his life, settle down, have a family, and live happily ever after."
Lu Mei's words and genuine love towards her son moved Lin Nuan.
Lin Nuan lowered her gaze, deep in thought. Lu Mei lifted the teacup to her lips, took a sip, and asked, "Has the winner of Best Actor, Shi Hanchu, approached your team yet?"
The moment Lu Mei mentioned that, Lin Nuan instantly knew that she must have had a hand in Shi Hanchu approaching the team to request an interview.
Lin Nuan couldn't comprehend the Liu family, much less Lu Mei.
Before the blind date arranged by the elders, the Liu family hadn't even been in Lin Nuan's mind once.
Lin Nuan nodded.
Lu Mei smiled and said, "That's great, it will be a boost to your career if Shi Hanchu goes on your show."
Lin Nuan couldn't breathe.
Lu Mei was trying to entice her with two things at once!
The first was that she could save Lin Jingquan!
The second was Lin Nuan's career.
Lin Nuan couldn't care less about her career.
However, being able to save Lin Jingquan was important to her.
After giving Lin Nuan a moment to consider, Lu Mei said, "Nuan Nuan, if you are willing to be with Mingchen, Uncle Liu and I won't turn a blind eye to your family. We will respect and support your career too."
If not for the fact that Liu Mingchen was head over heels with Lin Nuan and had become so dejected, refusing even to eat after she rejected him, Lu Mei wouldn't be there having the conversation with Lin Nuan.
Even if Lu Mei liked Lin Nuan and didn't mind her birth and the fact that her biological mother had a mental illness, Lin Nuan had clearly rejected her son.
Lu Mei understood that love couldn't be forced.
However, she couldn't bear to see Liu Mingchen looking so depressed, as if the whole world had collapsed.
Lu Mei had indeed picked the right bargaining chip—Lin Jingquan.
Gazing at the pale and quiet Lin Nuan sitting opposite her, Lu Mei felt slightly sorry for her.
Lin Nuan hadn't spoken a word the entire time, she only felt difficulty breathing, as though there wasn't enough oxygen around her.
Before Lu Mei left, she stroked Lin Nuan's hand and said amiably, "You don't have to give me an answer right now. Think about it, and you can give me a call when you are ready. You can also ask Mingchen out to the movies or have a meal together. We can arrange a date for the wedding when we have time… of course, your father needs to be present for the engagement party, isn't that right?"
Lin Nuan walked out of the cafe and saw that it was raining heavily. She realized she had forgotten to take her umbrella. She went back into the cafe for it, then pulled her coat tighter around her and dashed across the road in the rain.
Lin Nuan couldn't get Lu Mei's words out of her mind.
There was an easier way to save Lin Jingquan, but there was a price to pay. It was a fair transaction.