Healed.
Ning Shangyu saw it.
His little fiancée, fair and tender, was indeed well cared for at home.
The small cut on her skin from that night atop Taiping Mountain had basically healed.
Ning Shangyu, like the most meticulous and refined doctor, observed with his eyes.
Then, more patiently and methodically, he shifted his gaze to Lin Zhishui’s reaction.
She unconsciously curled up, her earlobes and neck glowing red against skin as smooth as congealed fat.
The rich rose-scented fragrance of her shower gel grew stronger, clearer—
So clear that it completely overpowered the fir scent he had detected on her before.
In the long, drawn-out seconds inside the room, Ning Shangyu’s lowered eyes, framed by the golden sheen of the lion brooch at his collar, seemed to melt, gradually turning a deeper amber.
What followed was an unmistakable stare that Ning Shangyu could not ignore, causing Lin Zhishui to feel warmth and dizziness as she tilted her head up like a delicate creature in a greenhouse.
She nudged his nose softly with her own, then, little by little, suddenly as if venting some frustration, she tried to butt him.
“Mm…”
“Born in the Year of the Sheep, and you’re good at butting people?”
Ning Shangyu lowered his head slightly, bringing his warm, thin lips close to her fair, nudging nose, his voice slow and teasing.
Lin Zhishui immediately regretted it.
She shouldn’t have shamelessly insisted on him personally checking her.
Now Ning Shangyu showed no trace of politeness.
That familiar fir scent forcefully enveloped her again, even her hair strands were caught in it.
Lin Zhishui lightly furrowed her brows but didn’t forget the terrible soundproofing of this children’s room.
She whispered softly, like a murmur, “You’re so slow… checking a small wound takes this long.”
“Is that so?”
Ning Shangyu’s well-proportioned fingers seemed to deliberately lecture her.
“Professional doctors are like this.”
Lin Zhishui bit back her tongue and withdrew her earlier words.
Who exactly was born in the Year of the Sheep?
Deep into the night, rain pattered softly outside the window.
Gradually, when Lin Zhishui suddenly felt herself being placed onto the bed with a spinning sensation, her immobile body hadn’t even registered it yet.
The edge of her robe was clearly pressed down by Ning Shangyu’s palm first.
She abruptly met those deep amber eyes and instinctively wanted to open her mouth.
A reminder lingered.
There might be eavesdroppers by the wall…
But Ning Shangyu’s long fingers, at some unknown moment, hooked a finely handcrafted Gem Anklet.
In Lin Zhishui’s surprised and confused gaze, he fastened it onto her ankle.
It was a translucent blue like a lake, shimmering under the light with rippling waves.
Clinging to her pale ankle bone, it tinkled delicately with every slight movement.
Dazzling and mesmerizing.
Lin Zhishui had received all kinds of gemstone earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in her life, but this was the first time she received such a gift. She found it novel.
“You called me downstairs tonight just to give me this privately?”
She wasn’t stupid; she quickly connected the dots to the many valuable gifts Ning Shangyu had openly brought earlier that day.
Only this anklet was meant to be privately put on her by him…
At this thought, her heart skipped a beat.
She stopped swinging her foot and spoke more quietly to Ning Shangyu, “This matter shouldn’t be rushed… I really like the dawn redwood outside your villa’s master bedroom. How about we go back there?”
Ning Shangyu didn’t really intend to rush either, but as his fingertip casually brushed a dangling gemstone on the chain, he lowered his voice calmly, “Do me a favor, hmm?”
Lin Zhishui lay in the bedding, tilting her head slightly in confusion.
After a moment, she asked, “What favor?”
Then Ning Shangyu’s long fingers pressed down on her robe’s hem again, a subtle hint.
Her wide, clear eyes grew larger as his thin lips parted, “This.”
At those two words, Lin Zhishui’s toes, faintly tinged pink, curled up tightly.
She had zero experience and held her breath until she almost felt dizzy.
The originally cold gemstone anklet seemed to absorb the warmth from Ning Shangyu’s palm, no longer chilling her.
The delicate sound it made blurred softly against the rain outside.
After an unknown length of time, the rain suddenly hammered against the fragile bedroom window like falling into a lake…
When the temperature peaked, the fir scent in the air thickened until it almost couldn’t dissolve in the deep night, as if the dawn redwoods outside had penetrated the cracks in the walls.
The rain sound faded to silence.
Inside, Lin Zhishui’s mind grew hazy yet peaceful, allowing Ning Shangyu to very considerately and calmly help her change clothes.
The whole process was gentlemanly; he didn’t touch a single inch of her skin.
Then he reached for the frosty white robe embroidered with dark flame patterns at the foot of the bed and wrapped her completely in it.
The dry, fresh fabric clung to her skin, and Lin Zhishui’s tightly knit brow finally relaxed.
Her toes, hidden beneath the robe, instinctively curled as if wanting to listen once more to the sound of the Gem Anklet.
She then hesitated and quietly asked, “Is there…?”
She seemed a bit reluctant to say more.
Ning Shangyu lowered his head, pretending not to understand, “Hmm?”
Her voice was as light as a feather, slightly embarrassed, “You obviously know.”
The bedding needs changing, he’s such a neat freak.
Otherwise, they’d be discovered.
After all, this was not his territory—not any of his villas.
Here was the Lin family’s domain, where the Fairy Godmothers might uncover everything.
Lin Zhishui remembered this clearly, especially after her previously chaotic mind suddenly became clear for a few seconds.
She no longer cared about the poor soundproofing of the walls, fearful of leaving… any evidence of their intimacy.
Ning Shangyu seemed to see through her worry and instead asked, “Know what?”
He was doing it deliberately.
Lin Zhishui’s heart trembled, and she stammered for five seconds without clarifying.
Finally, she rested her forehead against his chest as if her entire body had lost strength, her breathing slowing.
Not long after, the overdue drowsiness finally washed over her.
Fortunately, Ning Shangyu didn’t disturb her sleep further.
He gently laid her back into the soft bedding.
The phone on the bedside table rang abruptly, the screen lighting up.
Only one second passed before Ning Shangyu personally hung up, after Lin Zhishui silently frowned in refusal.
At the same time, in Sicheng’s district.
Qin Wanyin was diligently working late with a group of elite members of the Ning family in the conference room.
A document for a new project required Ning Shangyu’s review.
She had taken on the task of contacting him proactively, but at this late hour, it was no surprise that there was no answer—
Only to be rejected.
Qin Wanyin sat rigidly in her black leather chair, almost losing her composure.
Under the bright lights, her face looked pale.
Li Jin closed his file and exchanged a glance with another handsome male secretary, both silent.
No one knew Ning Shangyu’s private schedule better than the two of them.
After most had left, Ning Zhuoyu, who lounged lazily in the seat at the head of the table, remained.
His presence here was an indirect benefit of Lin Zhishui’s prolonged stay at the Lin family residence.
Since Ning Shangyu had to visit the harbor area amid his busy schedule, he appointed Ning Zhuoyu to oversee the new project team.
Ning Zhuoyu lifted his eyelids and looked at Qin Wanyin, who was glued to her phone, his tone dragging a teasing hint of a smile, “Some people putting on a show are less useful than those who don’t care to answer. Tsk, so pitiful.”
Qin Wanyin met Ning Zhuoyu’s provocative gaze slowly, knowing full well that her sudden arrival under the old master’s favor had inadvertently offended Ning Zhuoyu, the family’s career fanatic.
Hence, he had mocked her several times with no restraint.
Qin Wanyin tolerated him and softened her tone, “What are you saying, Young Master Zhuo? I’m merely carrying out official contact with your brother. Who knows if that call was cut off on Lin Zhishui’s whim.”
After all, it was well known Ning Shangyu was extremely rational and calm.
Even if he had to rush to the harbor to appease his sulky fiancée, it wouldn’t affect his busy work schedule.
Before midnight, he had personally replied to two of Li Jin’s emails.
Hearing Qin Wanyin’s confident tone, Ning Zhuoyu’s sharply handsome features couldn’t help but smile.
He picked up a pen and twirled it between his long fingers leisurely.
“Hey, you’re not still dreaming of becoming Mrs. Ning, are you? The old master favored you back then, but Ning Shangyu refused you.”
Truly shameless.
Qin Wanyin gave a forced smile, “I wasn’t chosen back then, but Young Master Zhuo, when the old master gave Ning Shangyu control of the family, don’t you know the purpose was to arrange a family alliance through marriage? You know better than I do—just because the Lin family won once doesn’t mean they’ll win forever. Lin Zhishui hasn’t even officially joined yet; why be so certain I can’t seize the opportunity first?”
Ning Zhuoyu sized her up.
“What opportunity? Are you trying to leverage Qin family’s resources and connections to reorganize a pharmaceutical research team?”
Qin Wanyin asked, “Who told you that?”
“Your brother.”
Ning Zhuoyu prided himself on personal integrity and admired people like Qin Wance, a kindred spirit.
They had no regard for family background and shared a deep soul connection.
“I find your family genes really fascinating.
That old fox Qin Yian only comes out when there’s profit to be made. How come you siblings are all love-struck fools?”
Ning Zhuoyu was even interested enough to suggest, “Stop scheming to get information from the old master and wasting energy trying to improve my brother’s injections. Instead, research your family genes—whatever data you find will definitely be a medical miracle.”
After a brief silence, Qin Wanyin had mentally tormented the leak Qin Wance a hundred times, but on the surface, she still played gentle with Ning Zhuoyu, “Young Master Zhuo, you really know how to joke.”
Whether Qin Wanyin could develop a new suppressive drug or not, the old residence’s attitude was unclear, clearly watching from behind the scenes.
However, since the engagement, Ning Shangyu’s injection usage had gradually doubled, especially in the past week, increasing to what normally took half a month in just a few days.
The real data report had prompted the top private medical team to hold an emergency meeting overnight and advise minimizing use recently.
Early the next morning, Xi Yan confidentially sent the medical advice to Ning Shangyu’s email.
Ning Shangyu woke earlier than anyone else at the Lin family residence.
By the time Ayang and the others came downstairs, he was already seated at the dining table in a brand-new, fine suit.
A sumptuous breakfast prepared by the secretary was laid out before him.
He went with the flow, behaving as if he belonged, showing no sign of being an outsider.
Ayang was surprised for a moment.
Then she noticed that Lin Zhishui, usually a late riser, had also gotten up so early and sat properly in her chair, quietly lowering her head to eat.
It was strange, but she couldn’t put her finger on why.
Aman, accustomed to sitting close to Lin Zhishui at home, was gesturing animatedly, “Last night the rain was so heavy. I think there was a kitten crying under the eaves. It cried for a long time.”
“Cough.”
Lin Zhishui’s eyes just happened to sweep over him, but suddenly she choked, her fair cheeks flushing red from the cough.
Aman was abruptly interrupted.
Aqin hurriedly poured her a glass of water, signaling, “Eat slowly, your throat is sensitive.”
Lin Zhishui blinked several times, gripping the cup tightly.
Her heart raced fast enough to ripple the water inside.
Only serious Ning Shangyu noticed her odd behavior.
He had already eaten breakfast and was casually scrolling through emails but glanced at Lin Zhishui.
At dawn, Lin Zhishui had worried about staying too long in the children’s room.
She forced herself to get up despite the sleepiness, ensuring no evidence was left on the bed.
Then, quietly and lightly, she returned to her room.
She tried to fall back asleep but couldn’t, so she changed into a dress and came out.
Her outfit was appropriate, but her jet-black hair fell loosely over her shoulders, making her face look fair and innocent.
The rose scent from her shower gel had long since been overtaken by other fragrances.
She just hadn’t noticed.
Ning Shangyu withdrew his gaze slowly and took a sip of coffee.
Lin Zhishui was still easing her guilty cough while pondering last night.
Had there really been a kitten crying? Ning Shangyu hadn’t made a sound when examining her, gritting his teeth.
Only after the Gem Anklet was put on…
Lin Zhishui glanced at Ning Shangyu with a mournful look from the corner of her eye.
But the culprit remained calm, meeting her gaze.
She pursed her lips and secretly kicked Ning Shangyu’s trouser leg under the table.
Before she could succeed, a faint, nearly imperceptible tinkling sound almost revealed her little move.
Suddenly, she froze, remembering the exquisite anklet on her ankle that could clink against her skirt.
She slowly retracted her foot.
The nearest Aman was still fixated on the kitten, missing the chance to notice her subtle reaction.
He continued gesturing, “Shanshan, shall we check by the wall and in the bushes? It’s so small, I’m afraid it might get soaked.”
“Actually, that kitten’s already been rescued.”
Lin Zhishui calmly adjusted her breathing and smiled at Ning Shangyu.
“It was kind-hearted Mr. Ning who personally braved the rain to save it last night. I saw it outside the window… right?”
Her last words clearly prompted Ning Shangyu’s cooperation.
Otherwise, except for the steady Ayang, Aman and Aqin—both eager to join the rescue team—would have kept searching relentlessly.
Lin Zhishui didn’t want to lose face by being found out.
At her words, several gazes simultaneously turned to Ning Shangyu.
They seemed surprised, thoughtful, and gratified that the powerful new son-in-law could care so deeply for weak lives.
Ning Shangyu’s expression didn’t change, “Shanshan’s right.”
The nickname “Shanshan” inexplicably made Lin Zhishui’s ears flush red.
She sipped water awkwardly, still feeling parched, and took another sip.
She fell silent.
Meanwhile, Aman was still gesturing, forgetting to write it down, “Is the kitten okay?”
“No problem,” Ning Shangyu said evenly, “It will come back with me to Sicheng today, Aman, no need to worry.”
Lin Zhishui swallowed the water and suddenly sensed something off—not about his hint that she’d return to Sicheng but something else.
A second later, she shuddered with shock.
She suddenly realized, no one had translated Aman’s sign language.
Ning Shangyu obviously understood it.
The day he visited, she had babbled a mess in front of him.
How could he not have just watched the whole scene like an outsider?
Realizing this clearly, Lin Zhishui disregarded the delicate anklet that could tinkle and bash, and, in public, angrily kicked Ning Shangyu again.
The sound was loud.
The three Fairy Godmothers rushed forward, signing frantically:
“Shanshan, you can’t do that.”
“Shanshan, be polite to Mr. Ning…”
“Shanshan, be kind!”