CHAPTER 352: MICAH: PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL BUTTERFLY (PART-TIME)

Inside the Ramsy mansion, the most relaxed person in the room was, without a doubt, Micah. While the others stood with the stiff formality reserved for important visits, he looked as though he were welcoming old friends rather than two distinguished guests whose influence was so great that even a wealthy businessman like Albert Ramsy had to wait a year just to secure a VIP membership at their restaurant.

He had greeted Uncle Lin and Lin Heye with such familiarity that it baffled the rest of the Ramsy family. Normally, Micah was careful around people of influence. He kept his sharp tongue locked away, aware that one slip could easily offend the wrong person. He was polite, yet drew a deliberate line of distance. Tonight, however, there was no such restraint.

"Grandpa Lin! Thank you for coming," Micah called out, his voice filled with joy as he moved forward with an ease that belonged to a grandson rather than a young man who had only met them through circumstances.

"Young man, I see you are energetic again," Uncle Lin said with a smile. His eyes softened in approval before he turned his head toward Elina, who had stepped forward when the guests entered.

"Good evening, Mrs Ramsy," he greeted with a calm voice.

Elina instinctively straightened her back. The old man had an aura that commanded attention, one that could not be easily brushed aside even in her own house. Her lips parted, "Evening, sir." But before she could continue a proper greeting, her son interrupted her words with a bright grin.

"Grandpa Lin, this is my mother and second sister," Micah said quickly, gesturing toward them. "Mum, this is the expert I told you about. Grandpa Lin, please come in! I am so glad you accepted our request." He introduced them with such casualness as though presenting a schoolmate to his family rather than a respected figure.

Uncle Lin arched an eyebrow slowly, eyes flickering. "Our request?"

Micah laughed nervously, eyes darting toward Elina and Aria. "Please," he said, leaning in slightly, lowering his voice, "don’t tease me, Grandpa Lin."

Uncle Lin smiled. "I see my years of scolding did have some effect after all."

"Of course they did," Micah replied, grinning foolishly, then he gestured toward the living room. "I still remember you liked my tea making. I’ll make a fresh pot to show my appreciation."

Uncle Lin nodded, his hand reaching out to clasp Micah’s arm, and walked beside him to the living room as if they were family bound by years of closeness.

Behind them, Lin Heye lingered awkwardly, glancing toward the Ramsy women. He bowed his head politely. "Hello, ma’am," he said, then looked at Aria. "Miss."

Elina stood beside Aria, lips twitching in a restrained smile. During the conversation, she, a woman who took pride in her social skills, could not get a word out! Completely overshadowed by her own son. Since when had Micah turned into such a social butterfly?!

Forcing her composure back, she turned her gaze toward Lin Heye.

"Hello, I apologise for our poor hospitality. My son wasn’t able to inform us beforehand. Please come in." Her words were wrapped in elegance, her tone soft but practised.

"Surely you jest," Lin Heye replied, shaking his head quickly. "We should be the ones apologising for coming unannounced. Please accept this." He extended a carefully arranged basket filled with health supplements. His movements were a bit stiff.

Elina accepted quickly. "Thank you. Please have a seat. I’ll join you shortly." Then she left with Aria for the kitchen.

Left behind, Lin Heye exhaled quietly, trying to suppress the tension in his chest. He walked into the living room and sat beside his father.

Clyde, that bastard, had forced him abruptly into this important task. He was worried he would screw up. They were Micah’s family, and with his knowledge of Clyde, he was sure they would become the in-laws in the future. What if they were displeased with him and associate it with Clyde? Birds of a feather flock together?

Didn’t Clyde mention that the Ramsy family did not care about Micah? That the boy was left to fend for himself? Yet what Lin Heye saw now didn’t quite match that story. There was no cold dismissal in Elina’s eyes, no displeasure toward Micah.

He swallowed hard and looked at Micah. The boy was chatting with his stern father like they were a pal or something.

Then Micah rose to fetch the tea set. Uncle Lin looked at his son. "Why are you so nervous? You’re twitching as if you were here to ask for their daughter’s hand or... perhaps their son."

Lin Heye nearly choked. "Dad! Please," he hissed, darting a glance around to make sure no one overheard. "Don’t say something like that. What if they misunderstood? Clyde would kill me."

Uncle Lin chuckled quietly. "Relax. Your attitude is what makes it more suspicious."

Before Lin Heye could stammer a reply, Elina returned, followed by a housekeeper wheeling a cart full of refreshments.

As the housekeeper set down the refreshment on the round table, Elina took a seat gracefully, studying subtly the guests’ demeanour.

She had already informed Albert Ramsy about their unexpected guests, even though she wasn’t sure how her son had managed to pull something like this off.

"If I may, how did you first come to know my son?" Elina asked, full of suspicion. She wanted to know about her son’s health condition, too. How terrible it was that Micah had sought an expert for it?

"My son owns the Royal Dragon Pavilion," Uncle Lin replied without a pause. "Micah came by one day there, and that’s how we met."

Elina understood something. "Oh, then I should thank Micah’s friend for the introduction. Are you close to him?"

Uncle Lin nodded. "Yes, he grew up with my son, even though he is younger."

Elina’s mind flashed to the blond man she had seen in the forum picture, the one whom they couldn’t track down. She was certain it had to be him.

"Well, I would like to thank him personally, but I haven’t had the chance."

"There is no need," Uncle Lin said dismissively. "It’s what he should do."

Elina was momentarily puzzled. What did that even mean?

She wanted to press more for information, but Lin Heye interjected with a nervous cough. "Madam, please, you don’t have to be this formal. We all like young master Micah and are happy to help."

Elina smiled faintly. "How kind of you. Micah is really fortunate to meet people like you. More importantly, I am grateful for your help in improving his health."

"Don’t mention it. A few more acupuncture sessions, and his stomach will grow stronger. He still can’t indulge carelessly, but at least he won’t be coughing blood anymore." Uncle Lin replied.

Elina’s expression twisted for a fraction of a second. She forced her lips into a calm line, not wanting to lose composure in front of them. But her hands trembled faintly on her lap. That brat! He had thrown blood?! When? Where? Why didn’t he tell them? How serious was his stomachache? Worry and anger filled her mind.

Lin Heye noticed her change in expression. He jolted in his seat, heart thudding. This wasn’t the reaction of a mother who did not care. Her shock spoke volumes. Did they mess up somehow?