Chapter 196

Zhuo called me, saying he also wanted to come to Hua Guo, afraid that if he called you you wouldn't agree, so he called me instead, and I agreed.

Wen Ling frowned: "Why would I disagree?"

Wen Lao said helplessly: "It's not anything else—you always treat Zhuo strictly businesslike, so Zhuo surely respects you more."

Is there? Wen Ling really doesn't feel that.

She smiled, walking toward the dining hall while calling Wen Zhuo.

She forgot the time, but Wen Zhuo still answered the phone quickly.

"Older sister."

Wen Zhuo slowed his racing heartbeat; in the middle of the night his phone suddenly rang—it was his beloved older sister calling, which made him somewhat nervous and fearful.

Wen Ling exclaimed, glanced at the time, and said somewhat embarrassed: "I forgot to check the time—did I wake you?"

"No, I haven't slept yet." Wen Zhuo sat up, leaning against the headboard, and couldn't help yawning.

Wen Ling knew he wasn't telling the truth, and softly said: "I just wanted to tell you that when you come, sister will take you to try Sijiucheng's special foods and also show you around."

Wen Zhuo really froze for a moment; Wen Ling didn't give him a chance to reply, smiling: "Go to sleep, good night."

She hung up, leaned against the table, and lowered her gaze to the call log.

This is her brother; even though not blood-related, in her eyes there's no difference from a real sibling. Over the years, Wen Zhuo has always been busy for the Wen Family, traveling on business to other countries without time to play. It's her fault—not only making Zhuo work for her, but also making him feel distant toward her.

Wen Ling exhaled lightly, straightened up and walked into the kitchen; the chefs were preparing dinner, and upon seeing her they all stopped what they were doing to greet her.

"Don't worry about me, just give me today's menu."

The head chef brought over the menu and handed it to her, asking: "Do you need to add anything else?"

Wen Ling flipped through a few pages, then said softly: "Add two brain-nourishing dishes, uh… and also add a few things kids like, like fried chicken wings and such."

She remembered Liushutong saying once that Qin Yuyang really likes fried chicken and such, but Qin Yuchen doesn't let him eat it; anyway, just once should be fine.

The head chef agreed, and Wen Ling turned and left the kitchen.

Actually this small matter could have been left to the steward, but she had just called Wen Zhuo and was already here, so she came herself.

The sky gradually darkened, and Wen Ling stood by the window, dazed for a while.

Lu Zhaoye finally woke up, went downstairs, heard Wen Lao say Wen Ling was in the dining hall, and so came looking for her.

"What are you doing here?"

Wen Ling came to, and said softly: "I had the chef add a few dishes."

"Do you really need to come yourself for this?" Lu Zhaoye crossed his arms, stood beside her at the window, and passed her the cigarette case.

Wen Ling lowered her eyes, glanced at it, took one and took a puff; just as she was about to get a lighter, "puff"—Lu Zhaoye passed over the flame.

He lit hers, then slowly lit his own, and fell silent.

"When did you start aiding the schools in Guishan's mountainous areas?" Wen Ling asked, curious.

"When I first arrived in Hua Guo."

At that time he felt really stifled inside, unwilling to stay where Wen Ling and Zhou Yinghe were, so he simply picked a random province to tour—he went to Nan Province, Chuan Province, and finally when he reached Guishan he learned some areas had poor conditions, and since he was bored anyway, he decided to help.

Wen Ling let out an "oh," lightly biting the cigarette tip—this was one of her little habits.

Lu Zhaoye glanced at her sideways; the sunset light streamed in, gold-red light shining on her, her delicate features, translucent skin, and he let out a snort, withdrawing his gaze.

Just speaking of this face and personality—though I've never possessed it, secretly loving it once isn't a loss; it's worth it for myself.

He slowly exhaled smoke and asked: "You and Zhou Yinghe—when are you planning to settle down?"

"Why suddenly ask this?" Wen Ling looked at him, puzzled.

This time Lu Zhaoye didn't look at her again, only smiling: "Seeing how he acts like he's entrusting his life to you, I don't believe he isn't anxious."

Wen Ling gave a soft hum: "Even if he's anxious, he hasn't proposed."

"Looks like you've decided and are ready to agree?" Lu Zhaoye raised his brows at her, "Maybe once you're back he'll propose."

Wen Ling pursed her lips, took the last drag, stubbed out the cigarette, and as she turned to walk out said: "Let's see if he's really sincere."

Lu Zhaoye turned his head to watch her back; just as Wen Ling was about to leave the dining hall, he suddenly spoke up to call her.

Wen Ling looked back, doubtful at him: "What's up?"

Lu Zhaoye looked into her eyes; as Wen Ling's brows gradually furrowed, he smiled and said: "About time, I can see he truly loves you; if he proposes and you agree, at least let him rest easy, so he won't be paranoid all day treating me as an enemy."

"How come you're suddenly speaking up for him?"

"I was just teasing him, bullying him; he only muttered a few dissatisfied words, actually it's all out of respect for your face that I didn't argue with him; otherwise, the Zhou Family's most pampered young master wouldn't let people bully him like this."

Wen Ling pressed her lips and smiled: "Fine, I'll think about it."

She turned to leave, but after two steps she turned back and said softly: "Brother, I also wish you happiness."

"Got it."

After Wen Ling walked away, Lu Zhaoye lowered his eyes, his shoulders relaxed a bit, and murmured: "Hard."

His affectionate father, always melancholic mother, and his watchful older brothers and sisters—everyone is blocking his path to happiness.

He stubbed out the cigarette and rubbed his shoulders.

—

When Zhou Yinghe arrived at Feng Qi Yuan, the Zhou Family had already prepared dinner.

Normally it wouldn't be that early; probably they changed the time considering Shang Yuyu's pregnancy.

He swayed as he walked into the dining hall; Ning Qing frowned: "Why did you come back on your own?"

"... I can't come back by myself?" Zhou Yinghe washed his hands, took the towel from the steward, and raised an eyebrow asking.

Ning Qing ignored him, softly asking Shang Yuyu if she felt unwell.

Zhou Qiyue propped her chin, sneering: "Could it be that Ah Ling kicked you out? Or maybe they don't want you anymore?"

Upon hearing that, Zhou Yinghe sank and said: "Don't curse me here."

"Tsk tsk, you're getting angry already." Zhou Qiyue picked up her chopsticks to eat, curling her lips as she spoke.

Ning Qing frowned, and for the first time she spoke with a somewhat heavy tone when she called out to Zhou Qiyue.

"Qiyue."

"I know."

How could Zhou Qiyue not understand her mother's meaning? She dislikes her saying inauspicious things, fears her jinx, and if her psychologically fragile, love‑brain younger brother acts up again like before, the Zhou family really won't have any peace.

Zhou Yinhe pursed his lips, sat down in his usual seat, and ate his meal in silence.

Zhou Shuanglin then spoke lightly, asking, "How did you come back so suddenly? Weren't you supposed to go to Guishan?"