He was taken aback. The fact that the old housekeeper could produce it so quickly meant that he probably already knew about this scene and that Ruan Qing'an was allergic to seafood.

When Ruan Qing'an saw the special medicine, he quickly took one. He was already feeling quite unwell and was just one step away from going into shock. This sudden change finally alerted Lin Qisheng, who was lost in his memories. He frowned with some dissatisfaction.

"What's wrong? Why are you taking medicine?"

“Father, my stepmother is not feeling well. She probably has a cold and is taking cold medicine. It would be best if she went home to rest as soon as possible.”

Seeing that Ruan Qing'an looked utterly exhausted, Lin Chen casually remarked that since Lin Qisheng was blind to allergy symptoms anyway, his blatant misrepresentation would only play right into Lin Qisheng's hands.

Pulling himself out of his memories, Lin Qisheng realized that Ruan Qing'an wasn't his white moonlight. If he continued to cause trouble and she was gone, then the substitute who looked so much like his white moonlight would also be gone.

Finally, Lin Qisheng said dejectedly, "Then you should go back and rest first. An'an, remember to take good care of yourself. It will break my heart."

Ruan Qingan: ...You really have the nerve to say that.

Lin Chen couldn't help but twitch his lips when he heard this, but he understood Ruan Qing'an's situation even less.

I'm curious and want to ask.

Lin Chen rarely showed such great interest, as if it were a puzzle game. Layers of mist shrouded Ruan Qing'an, and after clearing away the mist, the truth hidden by the wild cat that scratched him was revealed.

Of course, it would be best if the reward for solving the puzzle was that the stray cat would behave better towards that old man Lin Qisheng, just like it does towards him.

Lin Chen was quite unhappy about being threatened repeatedly.

With Lin Qisheng's permission, Ruan Qing'an left her seat, supported by the servants. Her steps were unsteady, and her petite figure looked rather pitiful, like a willow swaying in the breeze.

Only after Ruan Qing'an's figure disappeared did Lin Chen calmly withdraw his probing gaze.

Lin Qisheng seemed to have lost interest and was drinking aimlessly.

Lin Chen paused: "Father, the business in Country A—"

"bright."

Lin Qisheng didn't even look at him, and just said it casually.

Lin Chen didn't mind. He was just trying to find a topic to keep things from getting too awkward. Since the old man wasn't going to speak, he didn't bother to either. As a result, the atmosphere at the dinner table was extremely awkward, even less so than when Ruan Qing'an was there.

Lin Chen ate his food, and Lin Qisheng drank his wine.

They were clearly a father and son, but they looked like strangers sharing a table.

...

About half an hour later, Lin Qisheng suddenly put down his wine glass: "You eat yours, Lin Chen, I'm going to check on your stepmother."

"Understood, Father."

Lin Chen nodded slightly, and then saw Lin Qisheng stand up and stagger towards leaving the restaurant—judging from his back, he seemed quite drunk, and the red wine he had drunk was not weak.

He swirled his wine glass, squinting, seemingly lost in thought.

Meanwhile, in the bedroom on the second floor of the manor.

Lin Qisheng stood at the door, his hand on the doorknob, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, seemingly lost in thought—although he had kept Ruan Qing'an confined to the manor, he had arranged a separate bedroom for her.

Nguyen Thanh An was indeed just a jerk.

However, as soon as Lin Qisheng saw the person behind her, he was unwilling to treat her as a plaything.

His white moonlight was pure and flawless, and so should Ruan Qing'an;

His beloved lover loves seafood, so Ruan Qing'an has to eat it too;

His ideal woman was a bit silly. Ruan Qing'an made mistakes, but it didn't matter. Her clumsy and awkward manner was more like her.

A look of longing crossed Lin Qisheng's eyes as he pushed open the door and murmured, "An'an, I miss you so much..."

Inside the bedroom, the night was in the air. In the center of the spacious and luxurious room was a large, dark-colored bed. On the soft bedding, the quilt was slightly bulging, and the petite girl was lying on the bed resting.

After leaving the room, a servant brought medicine, and the family doctor also came to check on her. He left only after confirming that everything was alright. However, due to the original owner's weak body, Ruan Qing'an could not hold on for long after the allergic reaction and fell into a deep sleep within minutes.

At this moment, Lin Qisheng stepped forward and came to the bedside, looking down at Ruan Qing'an. The outline of her face was even more similar in the blur of the night.

Lin Qisheng's breath hitched. Under the influence of alcohol, his thinking slowed down, and his consciousness drifted into memories.

He held Nguyen Thanh An's hand.

"An'an, after so long, you've finally spoken to me."

"I miss you so much. You're always so naughty, it makes me worry."

"I've clearly been so good to you, giving you the best of everything—food, clothing, and daily necessities—I've put so much thought into every single thing. Why won't you stay? You even..."

Lin Qisheng paused, his eyes twisting in a distorted light, like a vengeful ghost in the darkness: "You even wanted to leave me, why did you run away? Why did you commit suicide?!"

On the bed, the girl's hand was gripped so tightly it hurt, and her butterfly-like eyelashes trembled slightly, as if she had been startled from her sleep.

She moved her hand slightly, her body instinctively trying to avoid the pain.

But this seemed to provoke Lin Qisheng, who was already lost in memories and drunk. His handsome face was almost completely distorted. He couldn't help but stand up, reaching out his large hand towards Ruan Qing'an's slender swan neck, his arm veins bulging.

His face was contorted with rage, and his voice was low, hoarse, and unpleasant: "You still have to hide. You'll always have to hide from me. Why?"

"I should have killed you with my own hands! Who gave you permission to commit suicide?!"

"Xia An'an, how dare you commit suicide? How dare you?!"

Lin Qisheng tightened his grip, and the girl finally struggled, but he seemed to be bewitched, not loosening his grip at all.

But just then—

'Knock knock knock.'

There was a knock on the door, followed by Lin Chen's voice: "Father, I've thought about the business in Country A and I still need to report to you tonight. You've been busy with work lately, and you may have other important matters to attend to tomorrow morning, so why don't we finish discussing it tonight?"

"..."

Lin Qisheng didn't answer, but the sudden sound made him abruptly stop, and he remained silent for a brief moment.

Lin Chen asked again, "Father, are you listening?"

"...Wait, I understand."

Finally, Lin Qisheng came to his senses. The touch on his hand sobered him up a bit. After letting go, he saw the purplish marks on Ruan Qing'an's neck, which were no different from the wounds on her body.

But Lin Qisheng didn't seem to feel guilty. He just frowned and said, "It's really... I almost lost such a good stand-in again."

He murmured softly.

Then, Lin Qisheng turned around and walked out of the bedroom. As the door closed and the light disappeared, Ruan Qing'an, who was pretending to be asleep on the bed, opened her eyes. Her leaden eyes revealed an undisguised murderous intent.

\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f\u000f