Lin Zhishui stared at him, silently for a long while.
Perhaps it was the guilt from avoiding him for several days playing tricks on her mind; at this moment, sitting on the sofa without any semblance of dignity, Lin Zhishui’s face seemed calm and expressionless, but in truth, it was as if someone had grabbed her shoulders and was shaking her violently, leaving her thoughts a complete mess.
Behind Ning Shangyu followed Xi Yan and two secretaries.
They all carried modest gifts to pay respects to the Lin family—not only for her future mother-in-law, Sheng Mingying, but also thoughtfully for Ayang and the others who had taken care of her daily life for many years, without leaving anyone out.
The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
It was still Ayang, with a face full of satisfaction, reminding her to be polite to their guest and gesturing: “Shanshan, you should warmly invite the Second Young Master to sit down and have some hot tea.”
At home, they usually communicated in sign language.
And taking advantage of outsiders not understanding, they didn’t bother to hide much.
Even if Lin Zhishui wanted to stay quiet, she couldn’t.
Her eyes flickered lightly; first, she glanced past the pile of expensive gifts on the coffee table, then slowly met Ning Shangyu’s clear, amber eyes shining in the light.
He remained silently watching her.
Lin Zhishui’s heartbeat, not yet fully steady, sounded even clearer in the quiet room, making her wonder if, no matter how still it got, anyone would hear it.
She lightly suppressed her breathing and said, “Ayang invites you to sit down and have some tea.”
She quickly signed to Ning Shangyu.
Lin Zhishui, eyes wide, hastily translated in a gentle, calm voice, “Ayang says my mother is busy with official business and currently away on a trip. As the only young lady of the Lin family here, I’m afraid I might not entertain you properly, especially since you seem a little hard to get close to.”
Ayang had no way to handle her stubbornness, so she helplessly rubbed Lin Zhishui’s head, then gave an apologetic look to the extremely well-mannered future Second Young Master.
Ning Shangyu, on the other hand, remained calm and collected.
His handsome, tranquil face, outlined by sunlight filtering through the door and windows, wore a faint smile on his thin lips as he said to Lin Zhishui, “Then may I ask, young lady, how can I appear more approachable?”
Young lady…
Lin Zhishui’s mind blanked for a few seconds, caught off guard by the sudden title.
Fortunately, Aqin saved the moment, walking over with a satisfied smile for the new Second Young Master, carrying a tea tray with exquisite desserts and dried fruits—treats Lin Zhishui often enjoyed at home—and then signing as well.
This time Lin Zhishui translated clearly: “They only use sign language and all warmly welcome you to visit the house.”
The tea was ready, and everyone subtly made space for the engaged couple to spend some quiet time together.
Before leaving, Ayang signed again:
“Take good care of him.”
If possible, Lin Zhishui wished she could follow.
Once everyone was gone, she blinked slowly and, inevitably, had to continue communicating with Ning Shangyu, who was still standing: “Why have you come to the Hong Kong district again?”
Ning Shangyu walked over calmly, naturally picking up the cup of tea and sitting beside her.
“To see my fiancée.”
His presence radiated a fierce, arrogant aura without the slightest restraint, making Lin Zhishui sense danger.
Instinctively, she hugged the armrest tighter, wondering if he came to settle the score for her sudden disappearance at Tai Ping Summit last time.
No, that couldn’t be it.
She had left a polite note…
Lin Zhishui’s heart skipped a beat, just as she was about to speak, Ning Shangyu furrowed his brows lightly, “Too sweet.”
“Too sweet?” she leaned in, her attention easily caught by the white porcelain cup, peering inside to find tea bags and two lemon slices, then suddenly realized, “Aqin probably added honey. I’ll take a sip.”
Ning Shangyu’s fingertip rubbed the bottom of the cup for a few seconds, then glanced at her lips but didn’t refuse.
After a moment, he murmured, “Hmm.”
Lin Zhishui, too lazy to pick up the cup herself, lowered her head and let him feed her a sip.
She swallowed carefully; the taste was fragrant, and the tip of her red tongue caught the sweet flavor.
After a moment, she explained patiently with an innocent expression, “My taste buds aren’t as sensitive as normal people’s. At home, Aqin usually adds extra sugar.”
It was definitely not a problem with the Lin family’s hospitality.
Aside from Lin Zhishui—the “insincere” young lady—all others in the Lin family were especially warm and friendly.
They weren’t alone for long before Aman came in again.
This time, she brought not sweet water, but a cup of herbal soup to treat the cold for the new Second Young Master.
To avoid Lin Zhishui mistranslating again, she even wrote a note: “Mr. Ning, I heard from Shanshan at home that you’ve recently caught a severe cold. Although this soup tastes bitter, it’s very effective.”
Ning Shangyu raised an eyebrow and calmly scanned the steaming cup before resting his gaze on the neatly seated Lin Zhishui.
When her lie was unintentionally exposed, she pretended to be busy, suppressing her heartbeat as she adjusted the silver-embroidered skirt.
However, Ning Shangyu’s oppressive gaze was too intense.
After a few seconds, he frowned slightly and whispered, “I made that up the day I went home…”
Ning Shangyu suddenly smiled, “Oh? What else did you make up on the spot?”
“Nothing else,” Lin Zhishui looked back innocently, “Besides, when facing Mom’s questions that day, if I had honestly said I went home to nurse a minor injury, it might have harmed Ning’s long-standing reputation for abstinence.”
She was considerate, fearing Ning Shangyu’s reputation would be tarnished, which was why she lied and made up a story.
Every word of her excuse was reasonable.
After a few seconds, Lin Zhishui straightened her slender waist, her expression serious but with a faint hint of complaint: “You won’t find another fiancée as sensible as me, even if you searched with a lantern, right?”
Ning Shangyu lowered his gaze to look at her but didn’t press further.
In his slow and measured tone, he said meaningfully, “Miss Lin, you’re too kind.”
At this moment, Lin Zhishui had no energy to correct his address.
Her fingertips continued to trace the silver threads on her skirt, calming down as she silently pondered the real reason behind his sudden visit.
Although Ning Shangyu’s brows remained indifferent, and he didn’t mention a word, Lin Zhishui’s sensitive nerves could glimpse a flicker of burning intent in his deep amber eyes—it was the same intention from that night at Tai Ping Summit.
“To see my fiancée.”
Her muddled mind suddenly reinterpreted his words.
Could it be that he came to check on how his pampered “little fiancée” was recovering?
Thinking of this possibility, her cheeks flushed faintly, and her clear eyes shimmered with tears, unknowingly resembling someone who had just been bullied.
Ning Shangyu’s gaze paused for a moment; time seemed to stretch infinitely in that second, and a silent, ambiguous atmosphere filled the air.
It was deadly.
Though no physical contact had occurred, Lin Zhishui already felt his scorching body heat, as if it could melt her flesh and bones right on the spot.
@Infinite Good Stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
The truth was proven.
Even well-meaning lies came at a price, no matter how dashing and imposing Ning Shangyu looked in his tailored suit, nowhere near someone weak and sick from a cold.
Aman, fearing the herbal soup wouldn’t be effective enough, attentively invited Ning Shangyu to stay the night.
Outside the Lin Residence, the sky darkened, as if about to unleash a sudden summer storm.
Lin Zhishui curled her delicate white fingers several times behind her back, silently signing with Aman.
She didn’t know if Aman understood.
Aman confidently replied: “Don’t worry.”
Such an eager response left Lin Zhishui speechless for a moment.
She could only stand quietly by the stairs, peering down.
The lights shone brightly below, and she vaguely saw Aman go to the living room, skillfully chatting and gesturing with Ning Shangyu, who still sat leisurely on the sofa.
Suddenly, Ning Shangyu lazily lifted his eyelids and seemed to glance in her direction.
Lin Zhishui was even more afraid of being seen at night, her breath catching slightly.
She softly held the railing and moved forward, retreating to her room first.
Once the door closed, she pulled the curtains, obscuring the night sky filled with dark clouds, then took off her stuffy clothes and walked barefoot to the bathroom for a shower to calm down.
On the shelf beside the white ceramic bathtub were neatly arranged bottles and jars.
Lin Zhishui lowered her eyelashes and casually picked up a rose-scented body wash.
She squeezed it out carefully but hadn’t expected the opening to be so wide—she accidentally squeezed out quite a bit.
Her fingers reacted a few seconds too late as the slippery body wash slid down her wet skin onto the delicately patterned marble tiles.
Lin Zhishui was momentarily stunned.
At that moment, an ill-timed thought popped into her mind—Ning Shangyu downstairs.
He had done the same last time…
Instantly, Lin Zhishui trembled and carefully put down the bottle, losing the urge to rub bubbles with her fingertips.
Nearly half an hour later.
The bathroom door opened.
Lin Zhishui had simply rinsed off and wrapped herself in a towel, revealing slender, snow-white calves and ankles.
With a lingering wet fragrance, she walked toward the bedroom bed.
Before lying down, she noticed a new message.
She opened it.
It was Ning Shangyu’s straightforward note: 【Coming downstairs.】
Lin Zhishui’s cheeks still bore the rosy flush left by the hot water.
She didn’t reply, peeled off her towel, and slid softly under the covers to sleep.
But the sleep was restless.
Outside, the rain poured endlessly.
Near midnight, she woke groggily and instinctively reached for the phone by her pillow.
An hour ago, Ning Shangyu had sent a second message.
This time no words.
Just a screenshot.
Lin Zhishui’s dark pupils widened slightly as she carefully examined the picture.
It was an email screenshot with a small note at the bottom: a list of Lin Corporation research personnel background checks.
Suddenly, she became fully alert.
As the noble party at the negotiation table, it was normal for Ning Shangyu to have background info.
He wouldn’t send this without reason.
Her thoughts immediately linked to Qin Wanyin and her family’s previous malicious schemes.
Like wild foxes lurking in a dangerous jungle, secretly coveting the Lin family.
After calming down, she decisively decided to strengthen her relationship with Ning Shangyu and quickly replied:
【Are you asleep? Is it still okay if I come downstairs now?】
【Mr. Ning… It’s thundering and lightning outside. Are you used to sleeping in an unfamiliar place?】 She could come give him some warmth in the middle of the night.
After waiting without a reply, Lin Zhishui guessed Ning Shangyu’s usual inhuman work schedule that could rival a soulless robot, wondering if he had finally taken a break.
Biting her lip, her fair knuckles curved slightly as she sent a third message softly: 【You’re so magnanimous. Could you tell your little fiancée which room you’re staying in tonight?】
After a moment.
Just as she thought the message had fallen into a void, Ning Shangyu replied tersely with three words: 【Children’s room.】
Lin Zhishui was so shocked that her phone slipped from her fingers, falling onto the silk sheets beside her knees.
She couldn’t imagine how Aman’s thought process worked—she actually had the lofty Ning Shangyu stay in the children’s room.
What was that supposed to mean?
Based on Lin Zhishui’s many years of understanding Aman, after some consideration, a thought sprouted in her heart.
Could it be… Aman believed that letting Ning Shangyu personally experience her childhood world would help foster their relationship as fiancés?!
So embarrassing!
And tonight she had to face him while carrying this precarious, quivering shame.
Lin Zhishui lay on the soft bed, despair written all over her face, tossing and turning for a good half minute before deciding to get up.
As she stood, she tilted her head.
Her gaze slipped like water waves to the classical wooden wardrobe embedded in the wall.
She had almost forgotten.
Lin Zhishui walked over and remembered the frost-white flame-patterned robe she had once made for Ning Shangyu.
She had held back from giving it to him because, in a moment of frustration, she had embroidered a fierce, snarling lion conspicuously on the collar.
Hmm.
Looking at it again now, the lion was majestic and imposing…
Giving it to him now wouldn’t be a problem, right?
Thinking this, Lin Zhishui first put on the matching short nightdress made from fabric scraps, then hugged the robe to her chest before quietly tiptoeing out of the master bedroom.
Although Ayang and the others couldn’t speak, their hearing was excellent.
If they found out she sneaked to the nursery to secretly meet her fiancé in the middle of the night, her already fragile shame would surely die a violent death.
By the time she turned the silent corridor and arrived at the familiar door, Lin Zhishui didn’t dare knock.
She tried pushing it gently—and to her surprise, it opened.
Warm yellow light spilled out, illuminating her.
She first saw Ning Shangyu’s lazy silhouette sitting by the immaculate pink princess bed.
Ning Shangyu hadn’t showered yet.
He was still dressed in the thin silk suit from earlier.
The dazzling brooch at his collar reflected light, highlighting his sharp features that were strangely both dangerous and captivating.
In an instant, Lin Zhishui’s heart seemed to be grabbed, her trembling breath almost breaking rhythm.
Quickly, she held her breath.
She noticed Ning Shangyu lift his eyes, calm and serene with not a ripple on his face, yet his gaze enveloped her like burning heat.
Then, his thin lips curved into a perfect arc, about to speak.
But Lin Zhishui beat him to it, shushing him first.
Ignoring her complicated feelings of shame, she stepped inside quietly and closed the door softly before saying, “This room has soundproofing issues.”
Outside, the rain’s heavy patter covered any noise.
Ning Shangyu didn’t notice and raised an eyebrow.
Lin Zhishui, concerned with the more important matter, approached slowly.
Afraid of being overheard, she almost bent down to whisper, along with the scent of rose seeming to emanate from her pale skin: “People living next door can easily hear sounds from the children’s room, but those inside can’t hear outside…”
Such an ingenious design owed to her highly sensitive childhood condition.
She’d been scared to tears by noises.
Crying with no one to comfort her, and having to cry for a long time—
@Infinite Good Stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
That was why, once she grew up and became sensible, this room, still full of childhood belongings, was abandoned and left unused.
Lin Zhishui had given her warning.
But Ning Shangyu coolly glanced at the snowy white nape she was leaning closer toward.
A second later, his tone remained unchanged, volume steady like hers, as he smiled faintly: “Is that so? It seems your family cares quite a bit for their future daughter-in-law.”
Lin Zhishui held her position but had no retort.
After all, it was indeed Aman who enthusiastically arranged for him to stay here.
After a few seconds, she twitched the corner of her pale red lips awkwardly and changed the subject, “Weren’t you here to take a look?”
Ning Shangyu’s gaze casually drifted downward, about to land on the familiar fabric of the robe in her arms.
Seeing him look directly at her, Lin Zhishui misunderstood his intentions.
So she recklessly threw the robe to the foot of the bed and sat in Ning Shangyu’s lap instead.
At the same time, she carefully held his strong, knuckled hand and spoke softly, “Your little fiancée has been nursing well at home these past few days.”