The Challenge (7)

When they were at Lin Corps and the challenge was issued, Xiu Ling remembered clearly the consequence for failing this challenge was to remove her from the company, a term that she had accepted. However, now, Elder Lin seemed to want to add another term. Truth be told, Xiu Ling was not that satisfied but she was ready to listen to her father-in-law's explanation, like everything else that he had done so far, there must be a reason why Elder Lin was approaching things in such a manner.

"Take a cue from your mother-in-law if you happen to lose." Elder Lin explained. "If you prove to lack the mettle to stand in the foreground, before the pressure of the public, then admit to your assigned fate and fade into the background."

Xiu Ling understood Elder Lin was once again, as per his usual habit, speaking in metaphors. Naturally, he was not really telling her to make herself scarce and never see the light of day again if she lose the challenge. After all, Mrs. Lin still attended many public functions with Elder Lin or Lin Kang's accompaniment.

Instead what Elder Lin really meant hinged upon his first statement, take a cue from her mother-in-law. Xiu Ling examined the relationship between Elder Lin and Mrs. Lin, and what her father-in-law meant slowly surfaced in her mind.

While Mrs. Lin was a respected figure in the society, the respect was in deference to Elder Lin or Lin Kang. At the public events, people saw her as either Elder Lin's wife or Lin Kang's mother. That in itself might not be bad but it also meant that Mrs. Lin herself had no actual identity in the public's eye. She was an attachment to either her husband or her son. This was what Elder Lin meant when he said if Xiu Ling was to lose, she would need to surrender her public identity.

In other words, she would surrender all say in matters related to Lin family and Lin Corps. She would be expected to subscribe to the traditional gender roles of women in the family, especially women who had powerful and respected husbands and sons.

They had no influence on the men of the family and they were on the lowest rung in the hierarchical order established within the family.

If this challenge was issued at the early stages of Xiu Ling's marriage to Lin Kang, she would not have minded even if she lose the challenge. She would have felt satisfied looking after the household and raising her child, knowing none of the problems and successes faced by her husband and after Lin Xi grew up, her son.

However, starting from a point that Xiu Ling herself could not pinpoint, she had the yearning to respected as an individual. She wanted to be a mother whom her son, Lin Xi could be proud of, one that could stand on her own and be her husband's equal. In other words, Xiu Ling knew that this a challenge that she could not afford to lose.

Xiu Ling also understood why her father-in-law would come up with such a term. If she failed to prove herself in front of the board of directors, then she would expose herself as being unqualified to enjoy the special treatment accorded upon her by Lin Kang. Of course, people would talk and on top of that, it might ruin Lin Kang and Lin Corp's reputation, that was the real thing Elder Lin was worried about. As the leader of the Lin family, Elder Lin had to put the reputation of the family first and Xiu Ling understood that very well.

Therefore, after she figured out everything, she did not get mad at Elder Lin for pushing onto her such harsh terms. In fact, she realized that only by making the challenge as harsh and as fair as possible that she would be able to convince others of her ability. Only then would her victory be accepted and celebrated.

While Xiu Ling was coming to terms with the rules of the challenge, Elder Lin suddenly reached behind him to pull out a brown envelope. He placed it on the table and pushed it towards Xiu Ling. "This is to get you started."

Being pulled out of her reverie, Xiu Ling picked up the envelope and unlocked it. Some documents and a cheque fell out. The cheque was for 10,000, the start-up capital that Elder Lin promised Xiu Ling. The document had the real estate details of a building. While Xiu Ling read through the document, Elder Lin added by way of explanation, "That will be the site for you to start your business."

When Xiu Ling finished reading the document, she put it away and thanked her father-in-law sincerely. "Thank you, father." The document was a permanent lease for a shop lot at the most vibrant and populated hub of the city. Even though Xiu Ling did not know much about real estate, she knew the shop lot her father-in-law had given her worth more than gold.

Elder Lin probably had the same idea as Lin Kang that the easiest way to complete the challenge was to go into retail. The most important thing for retail was customer accessibility and that meant having a good location. What Elder Lin had given her was prime location. He had given her the greatest head start. From this gesture, it was obvious that Elder Lin did not want her to lose either and he did care about her daughter-in-law, even though he did not show it openly.

"Don't worry, I will not fail you, father." Xiu Ling stood up with the envelope in hand. Confidence was on great display.

Elder Lin nodded expressionlessly.

After Xiu Ling left the room, Elder Lin's brows furrowed with worry. He picked up the cup of tea to take a sip and then sighed deeply.