Chapter 159

Grandpa was just speaking offhand; look at you, why did you take it seriously?

Wen Ling snorted: "You're not allowed to say that."

Okay, okay, Grandpa won't say that again.

Zhou Yinhe brought a tissue, carefully avoiding Wen Ling's meticulously applied morning makeup, and dabbed away the faint moisture at the corner of her eye.

Qin Siqing said the third thing she had said since entering the villa.

A Ling, your grandfather's health hasn't been good lately, but your father says he and A Zhuo can't really control him, so when you have a moment, give him a call—he only listens to you.

Wen Ling shot up, unable to control her volume due to emotional turmoil: "What's going on? The last time I came back, he was fine."

It's still about not controlling his diet; it's not serious, he didn't want us to tell you, or rather your father said last night on the phone, wanting you to keep an eye on him.

But Wen Ling still teared up; Zhou Yinhe hurriedly stood to comfort her: "Don't worry, give Grandpa Wen a call tonight—it's already midnight in M Country."

Wen Ling bit her lip: "A Zhuo surely isn't asleep; where's my phone? I'm going to call A Zhuo."

After saying that, she headed to the living room, Zhou Yinhe following behind; Qin Lao saw this and looked resentfully at Qin Siqing: "What are you doing? You know Ah Ling is closest to her grandfather, yet you had to bring this up now, making her anxious—how is your father-in-law's health? Is it serious?"

Qin Siqing stood, gazing toward the living room, and sighed: "It's not that serious, but if left unattended, it will definitely worsen."

Qin Lao had lost his appetite, put down his chopsticks, and his expression grew grave.

Wen Ling returned to the living room, hastily found her phone, and with trembling hands dialed Wen Zhuo's number.

She didn't want to disturb her grandfather, nor did she want to contact Wenhuai, so she could only call Wen Zhuo.

Fortunately, Wen Zhuo was indeed awake; seeing the caller ID, he immediately knew why Wen Ling was calling, feeling a bit uneasy, afraid she would blame him for not looking after her grandfather well.

But he didn't dare hesitate long; as soon as the call connected, Wen Ling's tone was hostile.

"Wen Zhuo, I told you before that anything concerning Grandpa should be reported to me; you may not be able to control him, but now that Grandpa is ill, why didn't you tell me?"

Wen Zhuo explained carefully: "Sister, Grandpa simply won't let me speak, even forcing me; I really didn't dare tell you, but this matter is indeed my fault—I shouldn't have kept it from you."

Wen Ling knew she was being a bit hysterical and unreasonable; she sat on the sofa, weakly asking: "What's wrong with Grandpa's health?"

"It's just like before, except that I and Dad can't control him, so it's gotten a bit worse; a little control and it'll be fine."

"When Grandpa wakes up, call me right away, no matter the time; as soon as he's awake, give me a ring." Wen Ling solemnly instructed: "No matter what he says, how he threatens or coerces you, I'll back you up—remember, call me as soon as he wakes."

Wen Zhuo gave a compliant hum, heard the dial tone from the phone—Wen Ling had already hung up.

Zhou Yinhe stood beside her, seeing her cover her face in regret, he crouched and softly said: "Let's go to M Country to see your grandfather; we'll leave this afternoon."

Wen Ling lowered her hand, staring at him blankly; Zhou Yinhe smiled, lips curving: "My plane isn't domestic right now, but my father's is; later we'll go back, pack up, take the back door to apply for a flight route—if we're quick, we could depart this afternoon; if not, we'll have to wait until tonight."

"I..." Wen Ling still hesitated a bit; she could actually just buy a ticket back—no need to make such a fuss.

But Zhou Yinhe grasped her hand and kissed her palm: "Ask Qin Lao; I think he'd want to go too—he's so old, would you really let him suffer along?"

He feared Wen Ling might still hesitate, so he continued: "My father's plane is better than mine, with a bedroom and entertainment system, and even the in-flight meals are prepared by a five-star chef; plus I've already told his secretary to go ahead and apply for the flight route now."

"You've already said all that, yet you're still asking me." Wen Ling furrowed her brows; Zhou Yinhe deliberately teased her: "Exactly, just teasing you."

Wen Ling couldn't help but laugh through tears, her fair fingers wiping away the tears as she rose to ask Qin Lao.

Qin Lao readily agreed, saying: "Let's go together; since they can't control Grandpa, we'll persuade him to come back to Hua Guo with us, and then I'll help you keep an eye on him."

Wen Ling thought: Anyway, the Wen Family has Wen Zhuo, and though her father doesn't like these things, he can handle what needs doing; besides, Wenhuai owes her, so he can stay behind to look after the Wen Family as repayment.

Qin Siqing hesitated, then asked: "Ah Ling, may I join you?"

Wen Ling lifted her gaze to her; mother and daughter locked eyes under the gaze of Qin Lao and Zhou Yinhe for a long while before Wen Ling nodded.

"Zhou Yinhe and I will head back to Feng Qi Yuan first; Grandpa, you should also pack up—you can stay a few extra days, and we'll come pick you up later."

By using 'you all,' Qin Siqing realized Wen Ling's words included her, not forgetting her.

Watching Wen Ling and Zhou Yinhe leave, Qin Siqing stood at the villa gate, recalling everything Zhou Yinhe had just done for Wen Ling, and after a while said to the steward nearby: "The Fifth Young Master of the Zhou Family treats Ah Ling very well."

The steward nodded with a smile: "Indeed, when the Fifth Young Master and the cousin came before, their subtle little gestures showed their affection was strong; moreover, Mrs. Zhou of the Zhou Family is notoriously iron‑fisted outside, yet she treats the cousin without fault."

Although he looks after Qin Lao at the Qin Family, he knows everything that happens outside; he's even heard of Ning Qing publicly backing Wen Ling in front of all the ladies of Sijiucheng.

Qin Siqing smiled with relief and said earnestly: "He's done everything we failed to do; frankly, we've just been too selfish."

The steward agreed with Qin Siqing's self‑reflection, but said nothing, merely smiling as he turned to find Qin Lao.

Qin Lao hasn't gone abroad much these years; seeing that Wen Ling wasn't overly urgent after her call, he realized Old Wen's condition wasn't serious, and this time he's going not just to visit but also hopes Wen Ling and Zhou Yinhe will take the two old fellows out for some fun.

The steward, who had been by his side for who knows how many years, seeing a smile on Qin Lao's lips, said with a laugh: "Let me find you some clothes; by the time we get there, buying them off the rack would be too late."

Qin Lao stood to the side with his hands behind his back, seeing the steward pick out casual yet dignified attire, he looked at him with approval.

He both understands his intentions and thinks ahead for him.

——

Wen Ling leaned against the car seat, forehead propped, silent; her earlier ease had been an act, she feared Qin Lao would also start worrying.

Zhou Yinhe raised his hand, pinched her cheeks, then rubbed them with his thumb.

"Don't worry—didn't your mother and Wen Zhuo just say there's nothing serious?"