Recently, she had gleaned some insider news about the Lin family from the Hong Kong district.
Min Guxue said to Qin Wanyin: “It’s said the genetics are subtle. When Lin Yantang died unexpectedly, half the elite ladies in Hong Kong grieved too much, secretly cursing that Sheng Mingjing must have plotted with him to cause a fatal accident. But fate cruelly let Lin Zhishui, born prematurely, inherit all of Lin Yantang’s genes.”
Qin Wanyin looked at her: “I only know Lin Zhishui was weak and confined at home for eighteen years, rarely venturing outside.”
Min Guxue smiled: “Rumors are half true. Lin Yantang’s death was real, and Sheng Mingjing did imprison Lin Zhishui at home.”
Finishing, she quietly sidestepped the crowd and leaned in, speaking softly and suggestively: “That woman is ruthless. The eldest daughter was sent to the Chu family, the second to the Ning family… Wanyin, do you really think Lin Zhishui, with her pure and pitiful appearance, didn’t inherit any of Sheng Mingjing’s genes?”
Those ruthless traits must have come from Sheng Mingjing.
Min Guxue felt Qin Wanyin focused too much on career and maintained a ladylike demeanor, completely unprepared to face the just-turned-adult Lin Zhishui, who would be even harder to handle in the future.
Qin Wanyin’s usual gentle smile was tinged with faint sarcasm: “My father was upright and never taught me such tricks.”
Before tonight, she had already learned a secret from the Ning family’s old residence—that Lin Zhishui, though outwardly maintaining her reputation, actually lived apart from Ning Shangyu.
In truth, she stayed every night in Ning Shangyu’s private territory under the fallen cedar trees, long sleeping in the master bedroom.
Though jealous, Qin Wanyin would never admit it aloud.
As she finished speaking, the agreeing voice was not Min Guxue’s but a lazy, familiar tone: “Having a father is no use.”
Qin Wanyin tensed up and looked toward the source: Ning Panyu was slouching against a lamppost, eavesdropping for a long time.
Among his top ten virtues was “honesty.”
He loved gossip too much; never trust his sharp tongue to keep secrets.
It was a blessing he hadn’t already broadcast it everywhere.
Qin Wanyin gathered her thoughts and smiled slowly: “Young Master Pan, I was only mentioning my father’s discipline at home.”
Min Guxue tried to be inconspicuous but was caught by Ning Panyu’s sharp gaze scanning from her to Qin Wanyin and back.
After measuring the danger, he chuckled: “Then no fatherly guidance for my brother’s future wife means she’s a pitiful victim locked up for eighteen years by a ruthless mother and sent to the Ning family?”
He had heard everything.
Qin Wanyin and Min Guxue exchanged a glance.
“Oh, quite a scheming victim,” Ning Panyu said mischievously, repeating their thoughts, then laughed: “Such a thorough analysis. I get it. You two secretly covet my brother’s bed spot, don’t you?”
Min Guxue grew anxious and silent.
Qin Wanyin kept eye contact with Ning Panyu and gave a fake smile: “I don’t know what nonsense you’re spouting. Min Guxue and I only talked about jewelry. The banquet just started, and you seem to be getting drunk.”
“Miss Qin, so this is the product of a righteous father’s teaching?”
Ning Panyu spun his ring on his finger with interest, dragging out the words: “Truly righteous.”
He left arrogantly, heading upstairs.
Min Guxue asked softly, “Do you think Ning Panyu will tattle?”
“Did we say anything wrong?”
Qin Wanyin calmly regained her gentle and dignified mask, lowering her voice: “Lin Zhishui never had a father’s guidance.”
Ning Panyu wouldn’t tattle; considering himself virtuous, how could he do something so shameful?
He just leaned toward Lin Zhishui on the sofa, curiously asking, “Who’s on top now between you and my dear brother?”
Lin Zhishui had just sipped a blue cocktail, almost choked when hit by this sudden question whispered in her ear.
Her eyes flickered in shock, looking at Ning Panyu’s overly curious face.
Who’s on top?
Did he mean it like that?
Obviously, Ning Panyu’s thoughts were innocent tonight.
He picked up a small piece of delicate cream cake and offered it, “If you’re on top, you can use your pillow talk skills to get me a favor.”
Lin Zhishui’s mind immediately went astray.
Embarrassed, she pressed her red lips and refused the bribe: “I’m not capable of always being on top.”
How could she let Ning Shangyu bow to her every day?
“Maybe sometimes?”
Ning Panyu, seeing the cake failed, prepared a prettier, more intensely blue cocktail, stronger in alcohol.
He handed it to her and thoughtfully shielded her from Ning Shangyu’s distant line of sight: “Just a little experiment. Drink this. If you don’t get scolded by my respected brother at home, then you’re definitely on top.”
Lin Zhishui frowned, not wanting to drink but the cocktail was so beautiful she hesitantly accepted it, holding it carefully in her hands.
“Not brave enough for experiments?”
Ning Panyu noticed and showed a knowing smile.
He thought the suppressed one must be Ning Shangyu…
This little troublemaker looked cunning but was timid as a lamb.
Even drinking at a banquet required his brother’s permission?
Lin Zhishui stubbornly didn’t drink a drop, thinking she valued her life.
If she blatantly drank, wouldn’t that imply she accepted Ning Shangyu’s two-thirds?
She took the bribe and quietly left the banquet midway without drinking the cocktail but took the glass with her.
Once in the car, Xiyan half-jokingly kissed her, “Did Young Master Pan make this? It looks like a sparkling Milky Way, but be careful, Miss Lin, it’s a bit strong.”
Clearly, Xiyan knew Ning Panyu’s temper well.
The Ning family heirs were proud and fiery, and their drink was as strong as their personality.
“I won’t drink,” Lin Zhishui said, her eyes flicking toward Ning Shangyu’s sharp, neat suit as she deliberately emphasized, “Just watching.”
Then she drank it all at once when showering, quickly falling asleep.
Lin Zhishui was taking a gamble.
She liked strong liquor’s taste but feared getting drunk and paying a price.
Ning Shangyu didn’t seem to care whether she drank or not.
As she touched the glass in the car, just as it entered the main avenue, he said for Xiyan to lower the black partition.
Within seconds, the spacious car interior became a sealed space, only filled silently with the man’s breath and the scent of alcohol.
Lin Zhishui was stunned, instinctively raising her eyes and seeing Ning Shangyu’s face reflected in the dark glass, full of danger and vitality.
She was innocent, unaware of what had provoked such a reaction.
In the quiet, unsettling atmosphere, Lin Zhishui sat upright and seriously asked, “Ning Shangyu, do you carry suppressants in your car?”
Apart from a change in his expression, Ning Shangyu remained calm, casually rubbing his cold ring and answering in two words: “No.”
No?
He went out without suppressants, relying entirely on willpower to control his physiological urges?
Lin Zhishui’s lashes trembled.
She couldn’t help looking toward his suit trousers, then quickly diverted her gaze, her fingertips clutching the cocktail nervously.
What to do?
Just as the question surfaced, Ning Shangyu’s slow voice came: “Zhishui, what are you planning to do?”
“What do you mean ‘what I’m planning to do’?”
Lin Zhishui was so startled that her knees under the skirt squeezed together, reddening her skin.
Her voice trembled, “I—I don’t know.” Could she just ask him to endure it?
Ning Shangyu smiled, undoing the cuff of his jacket, and said lightly, “As my legitimate fiancée, shouldn’t you know?”
Lin Zhishui’s cheeks burned, knowing he wanted her to help.
After a few seconds, she looked truly thoughtful, whispering, “It’s not that I won’t help, but if there’s no suppressant in the car, I’m sure there’s none at all. If you deliberately take one out, I’ll be angry.”
Her quick mind blocked Ning Shangyu’s backdoor options.
Whether or not he had any, the words were out.
Ning Shangyu seemed to see through her little plan.
Smiling, he rolled his throat and said, “If you truly want to help, then just keep your eyes on me. Keep watching me.”
What?
Why did she have to keep her eyes open and look at him all the time?!
Lin Zhishui’s pupils shone like crystal under the bright light, appearing fragile and pure in her confusion and innocence.
But Ning Shangyu, close enough to touch, undid his belt. In her eyes’ reflection, he was doing something very unholy.
After an hour and a half’s journey, arriving at the private residence, the bodyguards and secretaries discreetly didn’t get out to escort.
Lin Zhishui was the first to step out, her moonlit satin gown floating over her heels.
Every step was steady, her waist slender enough to be held by one hand, yet she moved without hesitation or awkwardness.
Clearly, they were safely home.
Only that beautiful cocktail was gone…
After a moment, Ning Shangyu stepped out unhurriedly, stained with alcohol on his black suit trousers and shirt.
No one else saw this scene.
His back seemed calm entering the door, not tasting a drop, though the wine was deliberately spilled on his fiancée’s head.
Lin Zhishui lifted her skirt and hurried to the master bedroom, locking the door behind her.
Her heart raced—not intentionally.
But Ning Shangyu’s cruel compulsion forced her to keep her eyes fixed on him the whole time, even coldly ordering her to kneel down close enough for him to use her pupils as a mirror.
It was easy to learn bad habits… Lin Zhishui obediently moved closer, like a pure magnolia flower emerging from a thick worldly desire, her chin resting as she continued to stare at Ning Shangyu’s long fingers adorned with rings and how he toyed with his “little fiancée.”
Then, as Ning Shangyu loosened his sleeve, his arm muscles cast sharp shadows.
Nearing home, he was wearing her down mentally more and more.
Suddenly, Lin Zhishui’s fingertips clutched the glass cup, pouring the dazzling wine inside like the Milky Way onto him.
At that moment, hiding in the master bedroom, Lin Zhishui closed her eyes.
Just recalling Ning Shangyu’s changed expression from being drenched and the fearless amber eyes staring straight at her reckless act, she felt as sensitive and helpless as a lamb before a lion’s mouth.
No matter how tightly the door was locked, it wasn’t unbreakable.
The next second,
Ning Shangyu had already arrived outside, lifting his knuckles and knocking softly: “Open the door.”
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