Chapter 161: Ah Ling Fell Asleep

Being a father, seeing his daughter's boyfriend, he is inevitably somewhat displeased.

Wenhuai was no exception, but because Zhou Yinhe this time came with Wen Ling to visit his father and even arranged a private jet, he really couldn't put on a cold face.

Zhou Yinhe didn't mind Wenhuai's somewhat cool response, rubbed his nose, and went to find the butler.

Wen Ling finally remembered them, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Wen Lao saw Qin Lao sitting aside with a smile, and was genuinely startled.

"Oh my, isn't this my old father‑in‑law?"

"Yeah, I've been sitting here half a day and you only just noticed me—have you forgotten me after all these years?"

"How could I?"

"Why not, and you didn't even say to keep in touch."

Wen Ling wiped her tears, listening to the two old men bicker, and smiled helplessly.

Zhou Yinhe appropriately brought an ice‑pack towel over to apply to Wen Ling, meanwhile muttering: "You've been practically possessed by a crying bag these two days."

"Nonsense, I only cried twice."

Zhou Yinhe hummed twice, not bothering to argue with her about how many times she cried, only instructing: "No more crying from now on."

He couldn't say cheesy things, but honestly, seeing Wen Ling cry hurts him more than anyone.

"Then I can't decide—what if you make me angry, or something else happens."

"If you cry again, I'll hit you." Zhou Yinhe leaned close to Wen Ling's ear and said seriously.

"..."

Wen Ling blinked and asked: "You've got a lot of nerve, saying you'd hit me in front of my parents, grandparents, and great‑grandparents."

"Yeah, I dare to really strike, so why wouldn't I dare to say it?"

Wen Ling widened her eyes, only curiosity in her gaze, and whispered: "Why don't you try? I want to see their reaction."

Zhou Yinhe rolled his eyes; he wasn't that stupid—just talking big was fine, but actually doing that? He still wanted to keep his wife.

It was already late; the butler had the chef prepare a late‑night snack, taking Qin Lao's appetite into account, making Chinese dishes, and several people ate some.

Wen Ling glanced at Wen Lao, who was avoiding her gaze, gave a soft hum—she wouldn't settle scores with him now; she could wait until daytime when he's energetic.

She said nothing else; just during the snack, she had the butler pour Wen Lao a cup of warm water, letting him watch from the side, not allowing him to take a sip.

Wen Lao hadn't eaten much at night due to tension; now he wanted to leave but couldn't, so he could only watch the others eat.

Wenhuai lowered his head, smiling, and didn't speak up for Wen Lao; the others dared not provoke Wen Ling, who was bursting with repressed anger. Only Zhou Yinhe, after catching Wen Lao's pleading look, gave a light cough and said to Wen Ling: "Ah Ling, Grandfather Wen isn't feeling well now—why not let him go rest first?"

Wen Ling first glanced at Zhou Yinhe; when he seemed a bit tense, she turned her gaze to Wen Lao.

"Grandfather, are you tired?"

Wen Lao nodded; Wen Ling set down her chopsticks: "Then let me escort you back to your room."

"No need!" he said those two words, then realized his reaction was too strong, coughed, and added: "Just have my son send me back to my room."

Wen Ling gave an "oh", sat back down, ate silently, and had no objections.

Wenhuai stayed in his seat, not wanting to move; Wen Lao rose, grabbed him, and headed out of the dining room, saying along the way: "Watching me being scolded by my own granddaughter, you're pleased, aren't you?"

"Yeah." Wenhuai admitted: "You've been arrogant all your life; now someone's finally putting you in your place—I'm naturally pleased."

"Damn it!"

After the two walked away, Wen Ling finally lifted her head—her face showed no displeasure, only happiness.

Zhou Yinhe served her a dish, smiling: "You're bullying people again."

"No way, Grandfather is just feeling guilty—what does that have to do with me?"

Wen Ling pursed her lips and smiled; Qin Siqing and Qin Lao stood beside her, looking at her indulgently.

After finishing the meal, everyone went back to their own rooms to rest, while Zhou Yinhe took Wen Ling's hand and strolled together in the rear garden corridor.

Wen Ling had been tense for two days; no matter how nicely others spoke, nothing compared to seeing it herself. Now that she saw her grandfather safe and sound, her clenched heart finally relaxed—though her whole body felt tired and weary, her spirit was unusually alert.

Zhou Yinhe put his arm around her, letting her lean on him so she wouldn't be so tired.

"Now you're at ease?"

Wen Ling hummed, stopped walking, wrapped her arms around Zhou Yinhe's waist, and murmured: "You scared me to death."

Since childhood, only her grandfather had been by her side; he protected her from harm and setbacks, gave her the paternal and maternal love she lacked, and wherever she went, people arranged by her grandfather watched over her—once she felt any discomfort, her grandfather noticed even before she spoke.

Zhou Yinhe might not understand this feeling, but he couldn't help feeling heart‑ached.

"It's fine; from now on everything will be good. Not only will Grandfather and great‑grandfather dote on you, but uncles and aunts will also feel for you—my parents even more so. If it weren't for you, they probably wouldn't give me any pleasant looks."

Wen Ling lifted her gaze to him: "Really? Aren't the aunts the ones who dote on you most? The older brothers and sisters come after you."

"..."

Zhou Yinhe laughed in exasperation, raised his hand and pinched Wen Ling's cheek; using a bit of force, she cried out, "Ow ow ow."

"If it hurts, it's right." Zhou Yinhe tugged at his lips; Wen Ling looked at him with teary eyes before he withdrew his hand, half‑embracing her as they walked back.

"Go back, sleep."

Wen Ling didn't want to sleep, but Zhou Yinhe used a bit of force; she couldn't resist him, so she cooed: "Baobao, wait a little longer, please."

"Can't wait—go back and lie down." Zhou Yinhe's words and actions brooked no resistance: "Haven't you forgotten? Your great‑aunt hasn't left yet—staying up late isn't hard on you, right?"

Wen Ling pouted: "I hardly ever feel bad."

"Even so, no—go back."

Wen Ling dragged out a sigh, helplessly being pushed forward step by step.

"Tomorrow after Grandfather's checkup, let's take great‑grandfather and grandfather out to play."

Just now on the plane, Qin Lao said that since getting older he rarely goes out, fearing trouble would burden the family, but actually he really wants to go out and have fun again, worried there might be no chance later.

"Sure."

After returning to the room, Wen Ling, who had said she didn't want to sleep, washed up and lay down on the bed, falling asleep in less than ten minutes.

Even before Zhou Yinhe, who had gone to take a shower behind her, came back, she had already fallen asleep, sleeping so deeply that Zhou Yinhe's soft calls couldn't wake her.

Zhou Yinhe had no choice but to answer the constantly ringing phone for her; the three characters shown on the caller ID were Lu Zhaoye, someone who hadn't appeared in a long time.

"How is Grandfather Wen doing?" His voice still carried fatigue; obviously he'd been worn out from the company's recent start-up.

Zhou Yinhe paused, then said, "Ah Ling is asleep."

"Oh." Lu Zhaoye's tone was flat, without much variation, "So how is Grandfather Wen's health?"

"Nothing serious."

"Fine, then I'll hang up, I'm busy."

Zhou Yinhe hesitated a moment, then said, "If you need help with anything, just say so; don't let your connections go to waste."

Lu Zhaoye was taken aback.