Chapter 20: "Friends" Complaints

The direct questioning about "landlord" and "identity" was finally resolved by Zhao Chen with ease in the afternoon sunshine and the sweet fragrance of scones.

Faced with Yu Ling's unprecedented earnestness and inquiry, Zhao Chen was briefly taken aback. Then, a deeper smile spread across his amber eyes, like the gentle yet bottomless ripples of a lake where a stone has been dropped. He set down the delicate bone china teaspoon, leaned forward slightly, and met Yu Ling's gaze calmly across the sunlit dining table.

"Landlord..." He dragged out the last syllable, his tone carrying just the right amount of helplessness and a hint of... nostalgia?

"He's a very interesting old man. He started out in international trade early on, had a sharp eye, and amassed a considerable fortune. Then, as he got older and tired of the hustle and bustle, he retired to a small town in Northern Europe. It's said he spends his days fishing and basking in the sun, living a life more carefree than a god."

He picked up his cup of black tea and took a sip, his posture relaxed and natural, as if he was telling an anecdote about an elder he knew well.

"This house is one of the properties he bought in China in his early years. It's in a great location, and he was willing to spend money on renovations, but it's just sitting there empty anyway. As for me, I met him by chance. We're kind of...friends regardless of age?"

Zhao Chen smiled, a clean and refreshing smile with a hint of cunning that only young people can have. "When the old man heard that I was looking for a house and was troubled by my family's pressure to get married, he waved his hand and said, 'You can live in that small apartment. You can give a small rent as you see fit. Just consider it as helping me look for a house.'

"So you see," he spread his hands, his expression sincere, "he's not really a big shot, just a nostalgic, hedonistic, and a bit willful and lovable old man. As for the security upgrades and the neighbors' pomp and circumstance... maybe he's out of the country, but his connections and influence are still there? Are they worried about his precious house?"

His explanations are logical and well-reasoned, with vivid details, even including personal touches like "friends regardless of age" and "willful and lovable," vividly portraying a "landlord" with a rich background yet a human touch. Coupled with his inherently deceptive, gentle handsome face and open eyes, it's hard to doubt his authenticity.

Yu Ling opened her mouth, and all the questions she had prepared in her heart were instantly deflated like a popped balloon.

Yes, a headstrong old man who started out in international trade, has a sharp eye, accumulated a fortune, and then retired to Northern Europe, has extensive connections, high demands, and is doing a favor for a friend "regardless of age difference"... It sounds so logical! It's much more reliable than ridiculous speculation like "I'm the hidden richest man"!

She looked into Zhao Chen's clear and frank eyes, and then thought about her own dark speculation about the "canary" just now, and couldn't help feeling a little guilty.

Perhaps she was overthinking it? Those high-end daily necessities, luxurious furniture, and even the afternoon tea at Yushanfang were perhaps simply the belongings left behind by this "willful and lovable" landlord, or perhaps a friendly donation from Zhao Chen's equally mysterious "friend" of different generations?

The vines of doubt seemed to be temporarily trimmed by Zhao Chen's gentle smile and flawless explanation. Life returned to its frosted track.

The project progressed smoothly, Lin Wei's trust grew, and Zhao Chen's thoughtfulness was pervasive. Yu Ling even began to enjoy this life of supreme material comfort and ultimate tenderness, the hidden uneasiness in her heart temporarily overcome by the comforting warmth.

However, beneath the calm surface, there were always undercurrents. Zhao Chen's gentle and harmless appearance was occasionally broken by subtle, imperceptible cracks. These cracks often came from mysterious phone calls from "friends."

It was early Wednesday morning.

Yu Ling was awakened by the aroma of coffee wafting from the kitchen. She rubbed her eyes and walked out of the bedroom. Zhao Chen was already wearing a small whale-shaped apron and busy at the counter.

Two exquisite breakfasts were laid out on the table - smoked salmon Benedict eggs with asparagus, next to freshly baked croissants and a colorful berry salad.

"Good morning." Zhao Chen heard the footsteps and turned around, showing her a warm smile with clear eyes. "You can eat after you wash up."

"Good morning." Yu Ling smiled back and walked into the bathroom.

After she finished washing up and sat down at the dining table, feeling refreshed, Zhao Chen came over with two steaming cups of latte. He placed one of the cups in front of Yu Ling. The rim of the cup was decorated with a cute little whale, exactly the same pattern as on her apron.

"Thank you." Yu Ling felt warm in her heart. She picked up the cup and sipped the fragrant coffee.

Just then, Zhao Chen's phone, which he had placed on the island counter, rang. It wasn't a normal ringtone, but a low, short, vibrating hum with a certain rhythm.

Zhao Chen's smile faded for a moment. He set down his coffee cup and glanced at his phone. A strangely formatted overseas number (a long string of numbers starting with "+") flashed across the screen, devoid of a name. His eyes, upon seeing the number, grew calm and sharp, like ice suddenly frozen beneath a calm lake.

"I need to take a call," he whispered to Yu Ling, who was enjoying her eggs Benedict. His tone remained gentle, yet with a subtle hint of distance. He took his phone and, instead of heading to the study, headed straight for the large balcony connecting to the living room.

The balcony was fully enclosed with floor-to-ceiling glass, offering an excellent view, and the sun was shining brightly. Zhao Chen pushed open the heavy glass door and walked out, then gently closed it behind him. The soundproof glass door blocked out most of the outside sound, leaving only his tall figure standing at the railing with his back to the restaurant.

Yu Ling forked up a soft-boiled egg and put it in her mouth, her eyes involuntarily following Zhao Chen on the balcony. His figure was a little blurry through the glass, but she could clearly see him holding his phone to his ear, the lines of his face taut and his jawline as clear as a knife.

At first, he seemed to be just listening quietly, nodding occasionally, his posture relatively relaxed. But before long, his knuckles turning slightly white as he gripped the phone, his body standing straighter, the curve of his face revealing a cold, tense feeling.

He said a few words into the microphone. His speech was not fast and his voice could not be heard clearly through the glass, but Yu Ling could clearly catch the sudden low pressure emanating from his body!

It was an invisible, icy feeling of oppression! Even through a layer of glass, even though his back was to her, Yu Ling could feel the air as if it had stagnated. The sunlight fell on him, but it couldn't dispel the chill.

He is no longer the househusband wearing a cartoon apron and with a gentle smile, but more like a commander standing on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the battlefield, exuding majesty and coldness that keeps strangers away.

He spoke a few more words into the microphone. This time, Yu Ling could even see his slightly furrowed brows and tightly pursed lips through the glass.

His tone seemed steady, but each syllable carried a weighty power, as if he were issuing an unquestionable command. Finally, he briefly ended the call and put down the phone, but he didn't immediately turn around. He stood quietly on the edge of the balcony, gazing at the towering buildings in the distance. His back was tall and lonely, carrying an indescribable sense of heaviness.

In the restaurant, Yu Ling's salmon suddenly lost its flavor. She tightened her grip on her fork, and the suspicions she'd finally suppressed surged uncontrollably. What kind of call from a "friend" could instantly shed his gentle facade, revealing such a cold and powerful side? Who was that overseas number? What were they talking about?

A few minutes later, the balcony's glass door swung open. Zhao Chen walked in, his gentle, harmless smile back on his face, as if the man who had emanated such cold oppression had been just Yu Ling's hallucination. The sunlight fell on him again, dispelling all the gloom.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting." He sat back at the table naturally, picked up a croissant and took a bite, his tone relaxed. "An old friend ran into some trouble with his overseas investment and was a little anxious. He came to me to talk and get some advice."

He explained calmly, looking at Yu Ling with clear eyes, "You know, although I'm just an ordinary employee, I used to work at Chenxing... well, I've been involved in some cases, and my friends always like to chat with me."

A friend. A grumble. A suggestion.