Ruan Qingan said, "I have seen Xia An'an's photos. Lin Qisheng must have met her in college and they got together afterward. But this scumbag had an extremely strong possessive and controlling desire for her. Xia An'an wanted to escape, but was imprisoned instead. She wanted to commit suicide, but was discovered."
"In the end, it's probably Lin Qisheng who killed her with his own hands, wanting to keep her by his side forever. That's why the stand-in didn't survive the wedding."
"Perhaps... even Lin Qisheng thinks that Xia An'an won't marry him, after all, who would want to be with a scumbag?"
As she spoke, Ruan Qing'an chuckled, but when she turned her head, she saw Lin Chen's lowered gaze, which was filled with emptiness and numbness—no one could accept the sudden discovery of their mother's remains.
Especially, in the father's dark room...
Ruan Qing'an reached out and took the young man's large hand. The moment his calloused palm met the soft, delicate skin of the young man's hand, a strange sense of security washed over him. Just as Lin Chen instinctively tried to stop him—
She interrupted, "I know you don't need comforting. Just think of it as your stepmother being a scoundrel and lusting after her stepson's good looks."
"...You touched my abs last time, but you've regressed this time?"
"I already said it was a misunderstanding!!!"
Seeing the girl's furious and exasperated state, Lin Chen, who had been driven to the brink of collapse several times by anger, felt a rare sense of triumphant pleasure. His hidden and fragile self-esteem was well protected by her witty banter.
Even when he was beaten bloody and covered in wounds in the basement, Lin Chen's biggest reaction was just a muffled groan.
How could someone like him possibly reveal his vulnerability?
Coincidentally, she knew all of that.
When he lowered his eyes, Lin Chen's emotions warmed slightly, and the subtle smile on his lips went unnoticed even by himself.
【Affection Level: 30】
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard a noise outside the manor. When Ruan Qing'an tried to get up and go to the window, she found that Lin Chen was still holding her hand and had not let go.
She couldn't help but say, "Stop pulling, there's noise outside."
Lin Chen, on the other hand, seemed unhurried. He did not loosen his grip on the soft hand, but instead straightened up slightly. His tall stature allowed him to easily look over the window frame.
From this vantage point, only the vehicles outside the courtyard could be vaguely seen. The driver jogged over to open the car door, and Lin Qisheng then got out.
As he walked, his secretary accompanied him, reporting to Lin Qisheng. He hurried into the manor, and it seemed he would be inside in a little while.
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow slightly: "It's just that old geezer."
"Lin Qisheng?!"
"Hmm, what's wrong?"
Seeing Lin Chen's calm demeanor, Ruan Qing'an quickly shook off his hand, leaned close to the window to look, and said anxiously, "No, we have to go back before he returns."
"What's the rush? It's like you're about to be caught cheating."
Lin Chen wasn't in a hurry; he sat down with his arms crossed.
Ruan Qing'an glared at him: "This old man comes to my bedroom every time he returns to the manor, as if he's afraid I'll run away. If he sees me in your room, what are you going to say to him?"
"...Then forget it."
Lin Chen thought about Lin Qisheng's usual crazy behavior, and he figured he wouldn't listen to their explanations at all—regardless of whether he and Ruan Qing'an were innocent or not, this misunderstanding was impossible to clear up.
When Lin Chen came to his senses, he looked up and saw Ruan Qing'an sneaking out the door like a thief, looking extremely flustered.
Seeing this, Lin Chen couldn't help but click his tongue. He felt uncomfortable no matter how he looked at it. Was it really that shameful to be in his bedroom? Oh, wait, maybe it was a little bit.
But that didn't stop Lin Chen from disliking it.
...
The manor was very large. When Ruan Qing'an dragged the original owner's weak body to the bedroom on the second floor, Lin Qisheng was already outside the door. Without knocking, he walked straight in.
Ruan Qing'an grabbed a bath towel, pretending to be about to enter the bathroom, and blushed when she saw Lin Qisheng: "Sir."
She called out obediently and awkwardly, like a bewildered little rabbit. Her leaden almond eyes were watery, making one feel sorry for her and look at Lin Qisheng with pleading eyes.
Seeing Ruan Qing'an's soft and obedient appearance, Lin Qisheng's heart softened. She was so similar to Xia An'an in college.
He smiled gently, took off his summer jacket and hung it on the coat rack, then sat down in a chair and beckoned to his dog, "An'an, come here."
"Understood, sir."
Ruan Qing'an did not resist. To avoid alerting him, she carefully walked over. Lin Qisheng's hand brushed her forehead, and he frowned: "Why are you sweating so much?"
"I was bored at the manor, so I was exercising in my room just now."
As Ruan Qing'an explained, she secretly glanced at Lin Qisheng, perfectly capturing the lover's desire for him to stay with her, yet not daring to disturb his work—a performance worthy of a contemporary film queen.
Lin Qisheng couldn't find any fault with her, and he didn't have time to care about the truth of her words. Seeing Ruan Qing'an's aggrieved look, he felt sorry for her and quickly said, "I know An'an has been wronged. I'll come back to be with you after I'm done with my work in a while."
Ruan Qingan was deeply moved: "Sir, you are so kind. Without you here, the manor feels so empty."
—No, please don't come back, just get out of here.
Sensing Ruan Qingan's inner thoughts: 037: ...6.
Lin Qisheng thought he had comforted the "poor", "lonely" and "isolated" Ruan Qing'an before leading her out of the bedroom and into the study, saying, "I have good news for you."
"What is it, sir?"
Ruan Qing'an tilted her head and asked in a cute and endearing way.
Just as the study door was opened and Lin Chen was about to greet Lin Qisheng, their eyes met, and Ruan Qing'an's voice immediately stopped—Lin Chen's gaze carried a subtle, ambiguous meaning, clearly indicating that he was watching the show.
As Ruan Qing'an walked past Lin Chen, she gave a small snort, glanced at him sideways, and then came to Lin Qisheng's side.
Lin Chen didn't say anything, but just glanced over. Lin Qisheng sat down at the desk, and Ruan Qing'an sat beside him, as obedient as a doll. When she spoke to Lin Qisheng, her voice was soft and sweet, like a nightingale's song, like a cat being kept in the palm of someone's hand.
Lin Chen narrowed his eyes and lowered his head, saying, "Father, stepmother."
Lin Qisheng nodded slightly, then scolded, "I told you before that if An'an has any requests, you must fulfill them, and everything must be the best."
"Did I do something wrong?"
Before Lin Chen could even ask a question, Lin Qisheng frowned and said, "An'an is so bored that she's been exercising in her bedroom. Don't you know how to set up a game room or bring a gym back?"
Lin Chen: ? ? ?
He was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Ruan Qing'an sitting next to Lin Qisheng, who seemed not to have heard anything and looked as obedient as a doll with her eyes down. He was so angry that he almost laughed. So after she ran back to her room, she made up some excuse and ended up using him as a scapegoat?
But Lin Chen only thought it to himself, without showing it on his face, and said calmly, "It was my oversight, please punish me, Father."
"Since that's the case, then—"
"Forget it."
Before Lin Qisheng could finish speaking, Ruan Qing'an tugged at him, looking worried: "This is not Lin Chen's fault. As his stepmother, I already have a difficult relationship with my stepson. Sir, I don't want to cause you any trouble. It's all my fault."
"Don't talk nonsense, An'an, it's not your fault."
Anyone who saw the melancholy look in the beauty's eyes would be confused, so Lin Qisheng quickly comforted her and lightly brushed the matter aside.
Lin Chen stood aside, watching this scene with cold eyes.
Tsk...
He was so annoyed that the stray cat slashed at him with its claws.
The misunderstanding passed, and Lin Qisheng then got down to business: "I've been busy with work lately, so I'll have to leave it to you, Lin Chen. Make sure it's done well and without any mistakes."
"Father, what is this job?"
"This must be good news for An'an."
Lin Qisheng paused, looked at Ruan Qing'an, and his smile deepened, but for some reason, she felt a bloodthirsty aura in that smile, like a vengeful ghost wearing human skin, trying hard to put on a friendly expression.
Ruan Qing'an's gentle smile froze: "Sir, you mean...?"
"Let Lin Chen prepare for our wedding."
Beside him, Lin Chen suddenly raised his head and stared intently at Lin Qisheng, his eyes somewhat dark and unreadable.
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