Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Lin Tingyue shook her head slowly. "No."

"No?" Xu Lanfeng wasn't ready to give up. She asked with a playful grin, "Really? Little Yue Yue, your sister is right here—don’t lie to us."

Lin Tingyue chuckled. "Really, no."

"Liking someone? In this world overflowing with gossip, it sounds unreliable. I’d rather like little cakes, braised prawns, roasted sweet potatoes..."

Xu Lanfeng: "..."

Hold on, hold on—she was here for gossip, not a list of dishes. Lin Tingyue, you big glutton!

"But as for people..."

Huh? A twist? Xu Lanfeng got excited again. Lin Tingyue, I knew you were hiding something!!!

Lin Tingyue glanced at Ying An’s text and couldn’t help but think of his well-built physique.

She looked at Xu Lanfeng, who was brimming with anticipation, and said seriously, "Does lusting after his body count as liking him?"

Huh?!

Lin Tingyue, how do you manage to say something like that with that sweet, angelic face of yours?!

Xu Lanfeng was floored. This—this—Lin Tingyue wasn’t just a glutton, she was such a bold girl!

Xu Lanfeng shot Lin Xiawan a look: Rein in your sister.

Lin Xiawan waved her off. A hot bod beats scandalous gossip, right?

It wasn’t until their gaming session ended that Lin Tingyue finally had time to reply to Ying An.

By then, nearly an hour had passed since Ying An’s text.

Hmm… Mr. Ying texting her “good evening” was perfectly reasonable.

But why was he asking about what happened last time?

Though there was a sliver of weirdness, Lin Tingyue dismissed it entirely.

No one knew whether she was being her usual self or if it was because the person on the other end was Ying An.

In Ying An’s room,

He had changed into comfy cotton pajamas and was lying in bed. He had an early schedule the next day, and by his usual habits, he’d normally be fast asleep by now.

But sleep wouldn’t come.

Worse yet, his mind kept replaying what had happened that day in the vineyard with Lin Tingyue.

He tried to ignore it, but reality told him—he cared. He was hung up on it!

After wrestling with his thoughts, he sent Lin Tingyue a message.

No reply.

Ying An couldn’t help but wonder—had he been overstepping?

Miss Lin wouldn’t like this. Ying An should have sat up, phone in hand, about to send a follow-up message when Lin Tingyue replied!

Lin Tingyue started with a simple “good evening,” then sent a long message clarifying everything that had happened last time.

It was just about going to a concert, but Ying An read danger between the lines.

Ying An sent back a “good night” to Lin Tingyue. But as he lay down, he was wide awake.

Yeah, Lin Tingyue was just naturally wonderful. The moment she stood there, she commanded attention. Who wouldn’t like her? This time, it was just because that guy wasn’t right.

But what if next time it was someone with a great personality, good looks, and a killer bod? What would happen then?

Ying An never used to worry about anything. His friends once said he was always on top of things.

Now, though, he realized that was only because he’d always been confident—except around Lin Tingyue, where he had no advantage at all.

After finishing his schedule, Ying An bumped into Lin Chengyan.

As soon as Lin Chengyan came over, he threw an arm around Ying An’s shoulders. Seeing how tired Ying An looked, he teased, “What, didn’t sleep well last night?”

Ying An said darkly, “Insomnia.”

Lin Chengyan paused, then burst out laughing. “Hahahaha, look who’s human after all! Mr. Perfect Sleeper having trouble? Worried you’ll lose this year’s ranking to me?”

Lin Chengyan, never serious, added, “Relax, man. There are still a few months left.”

Ying An said dryly, “Did you come here just to make fun of me?”

“Of course not. I was heading home and heard you were here, so I came to visit. Not happy?”

“Happy, happy. Now go home already.”

Ying An was clearly brushing him off, even starting to push him away.

Lin Chengyan: “?”

He had to admit, when his friend acted like this, he was just like Lin Tingyue.

Lin Chengyan suddenly paused. He’d never heard of people sharing mannerisms before they were even together.

“All right,” Lin Chengyan waved his hand. “I’m going home.”

He walked toward his car when his phone rang.

“Hey Mom… Yeah, I’m coming home for dinner. I’ll pick up the two girls on the way… No way. I’m getting something out of that little cheapskate today.”

Did they think he was running a free taxi service?

Lin Chengyan hung up and looked up, locking eyes with Ying An.

Lin Chengyan: “?”

Maybe he should tip off the paparazzi—say that a famous actor was eavesdropping on his call.

Getting an idea, Lin Chengyan grinned. “What?”

Ying An asked, “You’re going home?”

“Yeah.” Lin Chengyan raised an eyebrow, arms crossed. “Why do you ask?”

Ying An said, "Take me along."

Lin Chengyan quipped, "Come on, my dear Ying, superstar. Your place and mine are completely opposite directions."

Ying An knew exactly what Lin Chengyan's car looked like. While Lin Chengyan was speaking, he had already positioned himself beside the car.

He replied plainly, "I'm coming over for dinner."

Lin Chengyan: "?"

How could he say that so shamelessly?

Lin Chengyan got into the car and, as he started the engine, remarked, "Don’t play dumb—I know what you’re after."

Ying An played dumb, "What?"

Lin Chengyan: "..."

Oh, so now you’re acting?

We’ll see how long you keep this up around Lin Tingyue!

So when Lin Tingyue and Lin Xiawan were waiting at the foot of the hill, they didn’t just get Lin Chengyan—Ying An tagged along too.

Lin Tingyue looked at Lin Chengyan, "Bro."

When she noticed Ying An beside him, she was visibly surprised and asked, "Mr. Ying, what are you doing here?"

Lin Chengyan mimicked her in a teasing voice from the side, "Mr. Ying, what are you doing here?"

Both of them ignored him.

Ying An shrugged, "Just happened to be here. Hurry up and get in the car."

Ying An opened the rear door, guiding Lin Tingyue’s head to avoid bumping it as she got in.

Lin Chengyan sighed in exasperation and turned to Lin Xiawan, who said with a blank expression, "Second Brother, I really don’t know."

*Yeah right, ‘don’t know’—you and Tingyue are ganging up on me!*

Lin Chengyan held the car door open for Lin Xiawan, who said politely, "Thank you, Second Brother."

Lin Chengyan hesitated. Though they were siblings, the twenty lost years had left them distant.

Lin Xiawan was aloof by nature anyway, always keeping her distance from the rest of the family.

Seeing her like this, Lin Chengyan thought, *Maybe she needs to get out more.*

Once inside the car, Lin Chengyan turned to Lin Tingyue and grumbled, "Alright, pay up."

Lin Tingyue feigned ignorance. "Pay for what?"

"The ride, obviously."

"I didn’t ride with you—I rode with Second Brother."

*Splitting hairs, huh? Like blaming Lu Xun but pretending Zhou Shuren has nothing to do with it.*

Just as Lin Chengyan was about to shoot back, a random thought crossed his mind—

"I wonder how Cheng Jinshuang would react if she found out Er-ge is such a tightwad."

Lin Chengyan: "..."

Can you stop bringing up Cheng Jinshuang already!

No wonder Lin Tingyue and Ying An get along so well.

In the back seat, Lin Tingyue asked, "Mr. Ying, did you sleep okay last night?"

Both Lin Chengyan and Lin Xiawan perked up their ears discreetly. Hearing this, Lin Chengyan said, "He had insomnia last night."

"Insomnia???"

You nearly blew out my eardrums!

Lin Tingyue asked, "Why did you have insomnia?"

After thinking for a second, she added, "Was it because I took so long to text you back last night?"

Lin Chengyan shot Ying An a knowing, teasing glance—so that's why he had insomnia.

Ying An ignored his glance and said, "Must be all the stress lately."

Lin Tingyue nodded.

When they got home, it was almost midnight.

Bai Yaxin said, "Just one more dish, and we can start dinner."

Spotting Ying An, she remarked in surprise, "Oh, Ying An is here too."

Ying An replied, "Auntie, hope I'm not intruding."

"Not at all! You're always welcome."

Zhang Ma served the last dish, and Bai Yaxin told them all to wash up and get ready for dinner.

After the meal, Lin Tingyue took Ying An upstairs with her.

The others in the living room started whispering excitedly.

Bai Yaxin whispered, "Are those two dating now?"

Lin Rusong whispered, "Wait, what?"

Lin Xiawan hesitated and whispered, "I don't think they are?"

Lin Chengyan whispered, "No way."

Otherwise, Ying An would’ve gone to pick up Lin Tingyue himself instead of mooching a ride on his car.

Lin Yuhuan whispered, "This could be trouble."

Lin Chengyan glanced at him—great, another hopeless case of sister obsession.

Upstairs, inside Lin Tingyue's room.

Ying An stood at the door without going in. Lin Tingyue came out soon after and handed him a box.

"What is this, Miss Lin?" Ying An asked.

"It's aromatherapy to help you sleep. Light it before you go to bed—I hope it works."

Ying An glanced at Lin Tingyue, then at the box in his hand. He suddenly felt it grow heavier in his hand. "So, is this considered a gift from you, Miss Lin?"

"A gift…"

Lin Tingyue’s eyes sparkled. "If it is, will Mr. Ying give me a gift in return?"

Amused by her playful expression, Ying An pressed his lips together. "I will."

"Oh, I was just teasing! Try it first and see if it works."

Lin Tingyue had a habit of looking directly at people when she spoke. When Ying An looked up, he found himself looking into her clear, bright eyes. "Alright," he said.

Ying An tightened his grip on the box and followed Lin Tingyue downstairs.

Hearing the elevator doors open, the four people chatting in the living room immediately busied themselves with other things.

Lin Yuhuan stood up, saying he had to go to work. Bai Yaxin and Lin Xiawan went upstairs to take a nap, while Lin Chengyan was picking out a movie.

Lin Tingyue turned to Lin Rusong. "Dad, you…"

Lin Rusong picked up his coat. "I’m heading out."

"Is this still about your sworn brother's business?" Bai Yaxin asked.

Knowing his wife disliked the topic, Lin Rusong quickly replied, "I’ll just check in quickly and come right back. It can’t be helped."

"What can be done? His son is about to get married, and suddenly he remembers adopting a child—where was he all this time?"

"Of course, he was busy raising his own child before this. This child is actually the out-of-wedlock son of Dad’s sworn brother."