The screen showed an incoming call from Cheng Yuxiu.
She stepped back instinctively. She noticed that Zong Jinghao was holding Lin Ruixi, engrossed in caressing the latter’s hair. She pulled down the curtain and received the incoming call.
“It’s me.” Cheng Yuxiu identified herself as the caller.
Lin Xinyan acknowledged softly.
He knew that Cheng Yuxiu would not call him unless there was something urgent.
“Wen Qing dropped by our house today. He asked me about tea silk which, he said, is now available in Baicheng.”
Lin Xinyan frowned, wondering why Wen Qing was so well-informed.
She suddenly clenched a fist tightly. Could he have discovered that it was a particular piece of tea silk which I had given Qin Ya to make her wedding dress? It was actually Cheng Yuwen’s gift to me.
“I am sure that he will look into the matter thoroughly. By then he will know what you have done. I am quite worried that… “ She hesitated, reluctant to get Lin Xinyan involved.
She only wished to live in harmony with Zong Jinghao. As for the tea silk, it was nothing more than a worldly item, even if it was handed down as a relic of the Cheng family.
Lin Xinyan poked at the blinds, looking through the gap. She noticed Zong Jinghao holding his daughter. “Don’t worry; everything is going to be fine.”
“Both of you must be careful, now… “
“I’ve got something on. Bye.” Lin Xinyan knew what she wished to say; whatever she had decided, she would not reconsider.
She held her mobile phone, sliding her finger on the screen. Who is this Wen Qing?
However, just based on Cheng Yuxiu’s description, she knew that he was a ruthless guy, someone not to be belittled.
Otherwise, Cheng Yuxiu could not refuse to disclose more just for the sake of Zong Jinghao.
The entire journey was rather quiet. By the evening, they entered the territory of B City.
When they reached the inner city, it was already time for dinner. Everybody felt tired at the end of the journey. Su Zhan and Qin Ya brought the old lady home, Shen Peichuan needed to go back to his office to make arrangement for He Ruize before going home to rest.
Lin Xinyan went back to the villa with his wife and daughter.
Aunt Yu and Zhuang Zijin had gotten dinner ready for them, as both had been notified of their return earlier.
When they got out of the car, the bodyguard and the driver carried the luggage back into the villa. Zhuang Zijin missed the two kids dearly. When Lin Xichen stepped in, Zhuang Zijin hugged them and observed carefully whether and how they had grown.
“Where is Ruixi?” Zhuang Zijin looked at Lin Xinyan. At this point, Zong Jinghao entered carrying Lin Ruixi who was asleep. He looked serious and did not greet anyone, walking straightaway into the bedroom.
Zhuang Zijin was fast to notice Zong Jinghao’s bad mood. She asked the daughter, “What happened to him? He seems in a bad mood.”
Lin Xinyan did not say much in reply, so as not to make Zhuang Zijin worry unnecessarily. “Nothing; maybe he is tired.”
Zhuang Zijin did not really believe what her daughter had said. Since Lin Xinyan was unwilling to say more, she knew not to press further.
“Please come over for dinner which the dishes are still warm. Let me take care of the luggage.” Aunt Yu came up wearing an apron, smiling happily in welcoming them home.
“Put the luggage here and let me take care of them.” Aunt Yu signaled the bodyguard to place the luggage at the entrance.
The wind blew in through the door which had remained wide open. Lin Xinyan took off Lin Xichen’s overcoat; the latter had washed his hands before eating dinner.
Lin Xinyan removed her down jacket and placed it on the hanger. After washing her hands, she carried a bowl of rice together with some dishes on the dinner table in a tray, walking into the bedroom.
“Yan.” Zhuang Zijin called and stopped at once.
Lin Xinyan looked at her, “Yes, anything?”
“Nothing, you go ahead.” Zhuang Zijin waved her hand as she walked towards the dining area to get a bowl of soup for Lin Xichen.
Lin Xinyan could feel that Zhuang Zijin had something to talk about with her, especially after they were away from home for quite some time. “Mom, I will come over to have a word with you later tonight.”
“Good. I need to discuss something with you.” Zhuang Zijin confessed.
“What is it?” Lin Xinyan was curious to know.
Zhuang Zijin found that it was not convenient to disclose the topic of their discussion just yet because Aunt Yu and Lin Xichen were around.
“Later tonight, I will tell you when you come over to my room.”
Lin Xinyan nodded. As she carried the tray into the room, Lin Ruixi was fast asleep. Her dress was placed beside her while Zong Jinghao was sitting by her side, looking at her.
Lin Xinyan sighed quietly, putting the food on the table. “Eat something please.”
She picked up her daughter’s dress and put it on the hanger.
Zong Jinghao sat still. He had no appetite to eat, especially when he saw his daughter’s face.
Though the sign of her being beaten had almost disappeared, he was very disturbed by the incident.
Lin Xinyan came near him and placed her hands on his shoulders. She was happy to see him being so concerned about her children.
“Don’t blame it on yourself; it was just an accident.” Lin Xinyan tried to console him.
Zong Jinghao placed his hands on the back of hers and held them. She conveniently sat on his lap. They stared at each other, speechless. In fact, Lin Xinyan fought back the urge to tell him the matter about Cheng Yuxiu, on several occasions. She knew that it was irrational to tell him the truth which might ruin him, causing Cheng Yuxiu’s sacrifices all these years to be in vain.
She asked in a soft tone instead, “Are you still angry?”
Zong Jinghao mumbled affirmatively.
“That wasn’t your fault.” Lin Xinyan assured him.
Zong Jinghao lowered his head and squinted, “I really regretted the past six years of my life.”
He missed the time when Lin Xinyan had needed him the most, with the two children growing up.
“From now on, we’ll be staying together.” Lin Xinyan let out a laugh. She was beginning to feel uncomfortable with what had become of him now.
He looked serious. “How about you two have another child?” So that I can see you how you look like when pregnant; watch the baby grow day by day.
He wanted to fill up on something that he had missed with much regret.
Lin Xinyan had previously told him that her body was not fit for another pregnancy. That was the truth. However, despite this, she did not want to disappoint him. “Okay.”
Zong Jinghao held his hands around her waist. His chin barely touched her shoulder. He could smell her peculiar body scent.
In low yet clear words, he spoke flirtatiously, “Are you going to sleep with me tonight?”
Lin Xinyan appeared speechless. Why must you be so direct?
Lin Xinyan withdrew her hand from his shoulder. “Not tonight.”
“Oh! Well?”
“My mom seems worried about something. I am going to see her after this.”
“I can wait for you.” He did not mind waiting. After all, you won’t be sleeping with your mom tonight, will you?
Lin Xinyan felt cornered. Are you really that desperate?
Fearing that Zong Jinghao might say further, she told him what to do, “Eat your dinner first before the dishes get cold. Let me take a look at Xichen. I am also starving.”
She had not taken any food the whole day.
Zong Jinghao pulled at her hands and smiled mischievously, “Let me feed you until you are full.”
Lin Xinyan blushed immediately. She withdrew her hands from his grip and gave him a stern look, “Don’t be so bad.”
