Having a meal with Mr. Lin? His eyes shifted. Looks like he’s got nothing better to do, coming all the way here and waiting for so long. Now, he’s even having a meal and called me over.
“Should I bring you there?” The sound of Luo Huimei’s voice pulled Han Qing back. Smiling politely, he said, “Thank you, Aunt Zhou. But I can go up myself. Since I rushed over here today, I didn’t have time to prepare anything. I’ll make sure to pay you a proper visit next time.”
His tone was bleak, and he did not have an overly earnest or humble attitude, but Luo Huimei did not mind. After all, such a magnificent man had taken the trouble to come and look for Yan over and over again. Even when Yan left him hanging, he did not lose his rationality and kept his composure. Furthermore, he did not try to butter up to them just because they were Yan’s parents. Luo Huimei was extremely pleased with that. It does not matter how well he treats me and Zhou, all that matters is that his feelings for Yan are sincere.
“What are you talking about? As long as you’re here, there’s no need for a proper visit. Alright, why don’t you head on up now?”
Han Qing smiled and murmured, “Thank you, Aunt Zhou.”
After he went upstairs, Luo Huimei tried to figure out for a long while what did not seem right and remembered. That’s right. When I told him Yan and Mr. Lin were having a meal upstairs, he did not ask who Mr. Lin was. Does Han Qing already know who he is? Are they acquainted?
…
Usually, Yan would greet Lin Xuzheng then send him off on his way. But today, she felt quite apologetic as he had waited for her for a long time. Moreover, she had started to call him by his name, so their relationship did not feel as distant as it once was. Since they were on friendlier terms now, Yan decided to sit down and have a meal with him.
On the other hand, seeing a well-mannered Yan sitting in front of him reminded Lin Xuzheng of his wife when she was still alive. He and his wife were about the same age, but he was younger then. She must have been around the same age Yan is now.
His wife, however, was not as reserved as Yan and was always cheeky. Whenever they had meals together, she could not sit still and would ask him to feed her, or she would feed him. Both of them were extra clingy to each other after they got together. He knew that people whispered behind their backs. They claimed that the two would break up after a while because of their clinginess. But they did not break up and went on to get married. Their feelings for each other became even better after their marriage. Still, God was always fair. Maybe we used up all the luck in the world when we met each other, so God brutally took her precious life away.
“Xuzheng?” As if he heard someone call his name, he snapped out of his thoughts and saw Yan waving her fair palm in front of his face.
Upon realizing that he had gotten lost in his thoughts, he smiled and quickly responded, “Sorry. I was just reminded of my wife when I sat down here.”
Her waving hand stopped abruptly, then she slowly pulled it back. She stammered, “I-I’m sorry.” He must be having a hard time since he thought about his wife. She noticed that he was sitting very still earlier and his eyes had lost all their focus as though he was caught up in a memory. As such, she called his name out of concern.
“It’s fine.” Lin Xuzheng lowered his head and drank some soup. The bitter taste spread over his tongue in a moment, then filled his entire mouth—just like how he missed his wife when night came. “I’m used to days like this.”
Yan did not know how to console him as she had never gone through an experience like that. She just said, “Don’t be sad, Xuzheng. You’re like a brother to me now. If you ever think of Mrs. Lin again, you can always come here and I’ll cook some noodles for you. No one else is allowed in here, so I’ll leave this room just for you.”
Her sincerity made him smile. “Who knew I would gain a little sister thanks to Han Qing? How nice.”
It was fine if they did not mention him. But every time they brought up Han Qing, Yan started to blush. As she was about to speak, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from outside. She frowned. “Is somebody coming?” She had just told him that this room was off-limits to customers. Why was there someone heading their way?
Just then, Lin Xuzheng unintentionally lifted his wrist and looked at his watch. It’s almost time. He should be here by now.
“It’s probably someone we know.”
Someone we know? She was not able to make sense of it. Feeling perplexed, she stood up and went to open the door. As soon as she opened it, she saw a familiar figure standing outside. She froze when they made eye contact. Han Qing? What is he doing here all of a sudden? We just parted ways not too long ago. Why are we meeting again?
“Hey! You made it here pretty quickly. A few minutes earlier than I had anticipated.” Yan was still standing there dumbfounded when Lin Xuzheng teased from behind her.
Han Qing’s gaze went past Yan and fell on Lin Xuzheng. She slowly moved away. Is Han Qing here to meet Lin Xuzheng? She hesitated before she said, “Do you two have things to talk about? I’ll head down first, then.”
She proceeded to walk past Han Qing, but he caught her wrist right as she was leaving. She looked up at him in astonishment.
“It’s not like you can’t hear about this. Why are you going downstairs?”
Lin Xuzheng was calmly watching everything, and his eyes lit up.
“But—” Yan was about to say something when Han Qing dragged her in and sat her down. She wanted to leave, but now, she could only sit quietly next to Han Qing with her hands put together. One of them looked experienced and steady, while the other looked like an obedient student.
“Seeing as how you came here so suddenly, do you have something to say to me?” Lin Xuzheng smiled pretentiously at Han Qing as he asked. His gaze shifted between Yan and Han Qing. That’s strange. She was rather restricted when it was just the two of us earlier. I thought Han Qing’s presence would make it better for her, but that does not seem to be the case. Why is she sitting next to him like that? She looks so nervous—as though she’s scared to even move.
He questioned, “Say, my old friend. You usually look at Yan with a straight face, but why does she look so nervous and scared of you?”
Yan drew a sharp breath. Why is he bringing that up when I’m just sitting here quietly? In fact, she had gotten a lot better. In the past, she used to fear Han Qing. But after he pressed her up against the wall and kissed her, she eventually got used to it.
