Chapter 128

Chapter 128

"Yes, yes, your elder brother is also yours. You spike his milk daily."

Though Zhou Feng was initially angry, his main concern was that Zhou Yi had done such a thing in front of so many guests. If he wanted something, he could have just talked to him directly. There was no need for the two brothers to ruin their harmony over a woman.

But now...

Zhou Feng glanced at Lin Tingyue, his glare sharp as knives.

Lin Tingyue's heart pounded. "Why is Zhou Feng looking at me like that?"

Ying An and the Lin family, who could hear her thoughts, moved instantly. Ying An pulled Lin Tingyue behind him, while Lin Chengyan and Lin Yuhuan stood guard on either side.

The three of them held Zhou Feng's stare.

Lin Chengyan spoke up bluntly, "President Zhou, the one who cheated on you is right there, yet you’re staring at my sister. What's your problem?"

After a pause, Lin Chengyan suddenly put on an aha-moment act. "Ah, I get it now. Since you can’t handle your brother, you’re picking on some innocent girl instead. My poor baby sister."

As he spoke, he patted Lin Tingyue’s head.

Lin Tingyue: "...?"

"An innocent little girl? Me?"

Lin Chengyan gave her a meaningful look, and Lin Tingyue immediately put on a pitiful nod, her eyes shifting nervously, looking utterly helpless.

Even if this "little girl" wasn’t entirely innocent, Zhou Feng’s behavior was undoubtedly way out of line.

"What exactly is President Zhou trying to do?"

"Does he want us all to keep quiet?"

"Keeping quiet—will it be with money or a knife? Who knows?"

Wow, who's got the guts to say that?

Everyone turned to look at the speaker—a woman in an evening gown. Under the collective gaze, she remained composed, offering everyone an easy smile.

Zhou Feng said, "I’m an upstanding citizen. Forget about knives—I’m even afraid of killing a chicken."

Jiang Tao’s smile didn’t waver as she raised her glass toward Zhou Feng in a mock toast from across the room. "I hope President Zhou walks the walk."

"Of course," Zhou Feng replied before turning to Zhou Yi, his expression icy. "My apologies, everyone. I need to deal with family business first."

This was a clear dismissal of the onlookers. Though disappointed they couldn’t continue watching the drama unfold, no one dared to challenge the Zhou brothers. They all made their exit from the lounge.

Standing in the hallway, Lin Yuhuan asked with concern, "Ting Yue, are you alright?"

Lin Tingyue shook her head. "Don’t worry, big brother. I’m fine."

"Still saying you’re fine?" Lin Chengyan, usually so carefree, now looked actually worried. "I saw it clearly—your face was white as a sheet."

"Ah, really, second brother, look—my face is red now!"

To show him, Lin Tingyue leaned in closer to Lin Chengyan.

Lin Chengyan pushed her back, making a show of disgust. "Yes, yes, red as a lobster."

Lin Tingyue blinked. "Huh?"

"Lin Chengyan, who are you calling a monkey?"

Lin Chengyan put his hands on his hips. "Lin Tingyue, watch your tone with me."

"You're the one who called me a monkey..."

The two of them were going at it endlessly in the hallway. Lin Tingyue was no longer afraid—all she wanted was to roll up her sleeves and take a swing at her second brother.

Her throat dry, a slender hand suddenly extended beside her, holding a glass that looked elegant in his hands.

Lin Tingyue took the water Ying An handed her and took a sip. "Thanks, Mr. Ying."

Ying An lowered his gaze. "My turn now, right?"

Lin Tingyue paused. "What?"

Ying An reached for her hand. "Talk to me—I haven’t gotten to say a word to you."

He sounded teasing, but Lin Tingyue didn’t mind—in fact, she was into it.

She tilted her head, smiling. "What do you want to talk about?"

Ying An gently gave her a quick hug, sounding satisfied. "Anything is fine."

As Lin Tingyue idly played with Ying An’s fingers, chatting away, he watched her intently, his eyes brimming with warmth.

Before long, the door to the lounge reopened.

No one knew what Zhou Feng and Zhou Yi had talked about, but they emerged side by side.

"Hmm... You’ve crossed every line. I’m speechless—was your sister-in-law just part of your twisted game?"

Zhou Feng looked displeased, but he didn’t spare Lin Tingyue another glance. Compared to romantic entanglements, today’s main agenda clearly took precedence.

A panicked servant rushed in, nearly beside herself with worry. "Madam, the little master’s crying from hunger. What should we—"

The woman replied wearily, "Whatever. If he starves, so be it."

"Madam, how can you say that? The young master is still your own flesh and blood, you carried him for nine months!"

For some reason, Zhai Qi felt an inexplicable surge of fury at these words. Catching sight of Zhou Yi and Zhou Feng standing together in her peripheral vision only deepened her resentment. Zhai Qi snapped, "That is not my child."

Guests heading downstairs turned to look at her outburst, their attention now fixed on Zhai Qi.

The servant hastily whispered, "Madam, please don’t speak nonsense, or the master will be furious."

Zhai Qi burst into wild laughter. "Him, furious? Will he kill me? What’s he gonna do, stab me? Fine, I’ll say it—Zhou Feng and Zhou Yi are both ruthless monsters who’d chew you up and spit you out. Who knows how many lives they’ve ruined!"

Zhou Feng frowned. "Get a doctor. Now."

"But, sir, the young master—"

"Hand him off to the nanny."

Song Hezhu studied Zhou Feng’s twisted expression and mused, "Is Zhou Feng obsessed with his brother or what?"

Huo Hanyun gasped. "You got a death wish or something?"

"Look at him—no love for his wife, no love for his child, yet clings to his brother like that. Something’s definitely off."

"Zhou Feng basically stole his wife, and the child was a surrogate baby."

Song Hezhu thought in shock: Oh my god.

"The girl was even introduced to him by Zhou Yi, and she was underage."

"Shut up, shut up, shut up! Get her out of here, now!"

Zhou Feng pointed at Lin Tingyue, fuming.

He didn’t know how this person had uncovered so much, but if Lin Tingyue stayed any longer, more of his and Zhou Yi’s secrets would be exposed.

Jiang Tao stepped in front of Lin Tingyue, flashing her badge and demanding coldly, "Who exactly are you trying to kick out?"

"The girl who was tricked into surrogacy went to the police—Officer Jiang here was the one who took her case."

Jiang Tao would never forget the despair in that girl’s eyes when she came to her. She was young as a flower, yet her beautiful eyes were empty.

She shouldn’t have been like that.

None of them should have been like that.

The moment she cuffed Zhou Feng and Zhou Yi, Jiang Tao thought, perhaps that girl could finally find life in her again.

After all, spring was on its way.

...

After Zhou Feng and Zhou Yi were arrested, Song Hezhu exposed the Zhou family’s crimes in an article, drawing widespread attention. For a time, public outrage against the Zhou brothers peaked.

Lin Tingyue also frequently visited the police station, giving key leads.

When Jiang Tao told her they had enough evidence to prosecute Zhou Feng and Zhou Yi, Lin Tingyue could finally relax.

Relieved, Lin Tingyue returned home—only to suddenly passed out.

Bai Yaxin was terrified. Lin Xiawan, who had been abroad attending a design exhibition, rushed home.

Lin Tingyue remained unconscious for two full days and nights. When she woke, she was still out of it. Seeing everyone gathered around her bed, she asked, "Why is everyone in my room? What’s the meeting about?"

"Tingyue..."

Bai Yaxin hugged her tightly, her voice trembling. "You scared me to death."

Instinctively, Lin Tingyue burrowed into her mom’s arms, patting her back reassuringly. "Mom, I’m fine."

Lin Yuhuan said, "Mom, let the doctor check on Tingyue first."

Wiping her tears, Bai Yaxin nodded. "Right, right—Lin Rusong, call Dr. Ye, quick!"

Lin Rusong replied, "Already did, right when Tingyue woke up."

Lin Tingyue turned to Lin Xiawan. "Sis, why are you back too?"

Lin Xiawan took her hand. "You were so sick—I was worried."

"There’s nothing to worry about, I’m perfectly fine now... Hey, second brother, you’ve been crying?"

Lin Chengyan's eyes glistened with tears as he stubbornly retorted, "Like hell I'm crying."

"Hmph."

"It's good that you're fine. Ying An was also very worried about you. He stayed by your bedside without sleeping for a full day and night and only just went to rest. Should I wake him for you?" Bai Yaxin asked.

Lin Tingyue thought for a moment and said, "I'll go myself."

Lin Tingyue got out of bed. At first she was still weak, and Lin Xiawan and Bai Yaxin supported her as she left the room. She then told them they didn’t need to accompany her further and went to Ying An’s resting room.

She opened the door, and Lin Tingyue slipped quietly inside, only to be met with pitch black. She muttered softly, "Why didn’t he even turn on a light?"

She slowly approached the bed.

"Tingyue, is that you?"

A small bedside lamp clicked on, revealing Ying An, his eyes locked onto her.

Lin Tingyue froze momentarily before putting on a casual air. "Oh, you caught me."

"You're hard to miss."

Ying An seemed normal at first, but as Lin Tingyue drew closer, she noticed his reddened eyes.

With a teasing smile, she said, "Mr. Ying, don't tell me you're going to cry too?"

Ying An didn’t respond. Instead, he reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. Only when he inhaled her familiar scent again did he feel truly alive.

"Tingyue, you scared me to death," Ying An said in a husky voice.

Cupping his face, Lin Tingyue said earnestly, "Mr. Ying, you’re the God of Wealth. You shouldn’t be so easily frightened."

Devoutly, Ying An replied, "Tingyue, I’m your lover."

Her heart pounded as their faces drew closer. Ying An’s breath quickened. "Tingyue, can I... may I—"

Her answer came in the form of a kiss pressed against his lips.

When they parted, Lin Tingyue said with a playful grin, "You may."

Ying An couldn’t help but laugh with her.

...

After Lin Tingyue woke up, Bai Yaxin made nourishing soups for her three times a day.

Lin Tingyue overdid it—until she made herself sick.

Lin Tingyue (in a weak voice): "Mom, I really don’t need any more tonics."

"I know, I know. Tingyue, rinse out your mouth first."

Back at the dining table, Bai Yaxin said, "Tingyue, Mom just wants you to be healthier."

"Mom, don’t worry," Lin Tingyue flexed her muscles. "I’m as strong as an ox now, see?"

Bai Yaxin chuckled before asking again, "Everything's really okay now?"

"No worries."

Xiao-1, who had been quiet since binding with her yesterday, suddenly spoke up. After Xiao-1's explanation, Lin Tingyue realized she'd likely suffered backlash for revealing too much about the Zhou family's secrets.

Moreover, she had thought her ability to uncover so much gossip was due to her extraordinary memory, but that wasn't the case. Some of the gossip was recorded by herself, while another portion was quietly filled in by the system. Lin Tingyue wondered, was this the golden finger the system had given her?

Xiao-1 denied it, but when Tingyue kept pushing about the golden finger, it went offline again.

Lin Tingyue: "..."

So unreliable.

Still, as long as she was more careful in the future, similar issues wouldn't arise again.

...

In the vibrant spring March, Ying An proposed to Lin Tingyue beneath a blossoming tree.

Petals dusted their shoulders as Lin Tingyue reached out to Ying An, who was kneeling on one knee. Her eyes crinkling with a smile, she said, "I do."

Contents | Previous Page