The man sat on the sofa, his eyelids slightly lowered. Soft light fell upon him, casting a gentle glow on his profile. His facial features were distinct and handsome.
Hearing footsteps, Jiang Xu suddenly turned his head, his gaze meeting Lin Jianxi’s clear, bright eyes.
The two of them stared at each other like this.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Xu stood up and walked slowly toward Lin Jianxi. “Let’s go.”
“Alright.” Lin Jianxi took the initiative to link her arm with Jiang Xu’s, a bitter smile curling at the corner of her lips. This was probably the last time she would ever hold his arm like this.
Seven or eight people were seated around the vintage-style dining table. Grandpa Lin occupied the head seat, with Lin Jianxi and Jiang Xu on his left, and his eldest son and daughter-in-law on his right.
Lin Jianxi used serving chopsticks to pick up food for the old man, a faint smile on her red lips. “Grandpa, have some food.”
“Good, you eat too.” Grandpa Lin’s eyes were filled with warmth as he used serving chopsticks to pick up food for Lin Jianxi.
Lin Yujing clenched her fists, her slender nails digging into her palms as if she couldn’t feel the pain.
Both were granddaughters, so why could Lin Jianxi sit next to Grandpa while she was relegated to the corner?
The others at the table were already accustomed to this. Among all the grandchildren, Grandpa Lin doted on Lin Jianxi the most. Ever since Lin Jianxi got married, whenever she returned for a meal, she always sat next to Grandpa.
Grandpa Lin poured wine for Jiang Xu. “Ah Xu, when do you and Xiao Juan plan to have children?”
Jiang Xu placed the peeled shrimp into Lin Jianxi’s bowl. “Grandpa, I’ll listen to Ah Xi.”
Lin Jianxi’s fingertips turned slightly pale. Only in front of both families would Jiang Xu affectionately call her “Ah Xi.” Usually, he addressed her by her full name.
“Is that so?” Grandpa Lin’s gaze fell on Lin Jianxi. “Xiao Juan, what are your thoughts?”
Lin Jianxi’s eyes curved slightly, the dimples at the corners of her lips deepening gently. “Grandpa, I’m only twenty-three. I’m not considering having children for now. Let’s talk about it in a couple of years.”
Grandpa Lin nodded. “That’s fine too.”
Everyone chatted while eating. Several of the men toasted each other, and Jiang Xu drank quite a bit. His face and neck flushed with a rosy hue, and his eyes held a slightly dazed, drunken look.
Night had already fallen, and with Jiang Xu in such a state, Grandpa Lin asked Lin Jinzhou to take him to rest.
Third floor, Lin Jianxi’s room.
Lin Jinzhou tossed Jiang Xu onto the bed, frowning. “His alcohol tolerance is as poor as ever.”
Jiang Xu was thrown heavily onto the bed by Lin Jinzhou. The soft Simmons mattress bounced slightly, and he slowly furrowed his brows, the line of his jaw sharp and severe.
Lin Jianxi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of heartache flashing in her beautiful, shimmering eyes. “Brother, be gentler.”
Lin Jinzhou’s lips twitched, his deep, magnetic voice tinged with impatience. “He won’t die.”
Lin Jianxi: “…”
She sat down by the bed, gently smoothing the hair on Jiang Xu’s forehead with her hand. When her fingertips brushed against his forehead, she paused, as if an electric current had shot straight to her heart.
Jiang Xu’s cheeks were flushed, his gaze dazed, and the corners of his eyes slightly downturned, giving him an innocent appearance.
Lin Jianxi was momentarily stunned. Jiang Xu’s alcohol tolerance had always been poor. Every time they returned to the Lin family, they would get him drunk, with several people ganging up on him. How could he possibly handle it?
Lin Jinzhou hastily turned around, unable to bear the sight. “Lin Jianxi, come out.”
Lin Jianxi’s heart skipped a beat. Had Lin Jinzhou suddenly called her by her full name because he had noticed something unusual?
Lin Jianxi followed Lin Jinzhou out of the room, gently closing the door behind her. “Brother, what’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Lin Jinzhou lowered his gaze, staring into Lin Jianxi’s eyes.
Lin Jianxi slightly lowered her eyelids, her long, curled lashes concealing the emotions in her eyes. “It’s nothing.”
Lin Jinzhou frowned and remained silent. He was five years older than Lin Jianxi and could read her thoughts at a glance.
He sighed inwardly, reaching out to ruffle Lin Jianxi’s hair. “It better be nothing.”
Lin Jianxi lifted her delicate, beautiful face, a faint curve forming at the corner of her lips. “Brother, don’t worry about me. Who’s the one who’s twenty-eight and still hasn’t been in a relationship?”
Lin Jinzhou cleared his throat, subtly shifting his gaze away. “It’s getting late. You should get some rest.”
Lin Jianxi smiled teasingly. “You always avoid this topic. Don’t end up single forever!”
“Alright, go inside now.” Lin Jinzhou stepped aside and turned the doorknob for her. “Your husband is waiting for you.”
Lin Jianxi was gently pushed inside by Lin Jinzhou. With a soft click, the door closed behind her. She curled her red lips in self-mockery—in a few days, he wouldn’t be her husband anymore.
Lin Jianxi walked to the bedside. Jiang Xu remained in the same position, his long, straight legs dangling over the edge of the bed, still wearing his shoes.
She bent down to remove his shoes, then knelt halfway on the bed, calling softly, “Jiang Xu? Wake up…”
Hearing her voice, Jiang Xu’s brows furrowed even tighter. The flush on his face hadn’t faded, and his thick, curled lashes resembled two small brushes. His fair skin was tinged with a faint red.
Lin Jianxi paused for a moment. Jiang Xu had an almost bewitching appearance, with a pair of passionate yet detached peach blossom eyes, cool-toned fair skin, and deep, well-defined features.
She lowered her gaze to look at the man on the bed. Her fair, delicate hand suddenly tightened its grip on the bedsheet. Holding her breath, she leaned down and kissed his lips, restrained and controlled.
As their soft lips met, Lin Jianxi’s heart seemed to skip a beat. His lips were slightly cool and very soft, and she seemed to taste a hint of sweet, lingering wine.
In the mingling of their breaths, Jiang Xu’s thick lashes trembled slightly. A faint, elegant fragrance lingered around his nose, and a softness covered his lips—she was stealing a kiss from him…
Lin Jianxi didn’t linger for long. Her breathing grew slightly uneven, and beneath her light makeup, her face flushed with a faint blush, her heart pounding like a drum.
The man’s breathing remained calm and gentle, showing no signs of waking up.
Before Lin Jianxi could even sigh in relief, a sudden knock came at the door. No one would disturb her at this hour—it was likely a servant bringing up sobering soup.
Lin Jianxi took a deep breath, smoothed the wrinkles on her cheongsam, and called toward the door, “Come in.”
With a soft click, the door opened.
In walked Lin Yujing, her face pure and beautiful, her eyes carrying a faint smile. She held a tray in both hands, walking toward her with graceful steps.
Lin Jianxi frowned. “Why is it you?”
Lin Yujing placed the tray on the bedside table, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Xu on the bed. “I happened to be coming upstairs, so I helped Aunt Zhang bring up the sobering soup.”
“Is brother-in-law asleep?” Lin Yujing lowered her eyes, staring intently at Jiang Xu.
Lin Jianxi hummed in acknowledgment, her gaze fixed on Lin Yujing. Lin Yujing wore a seductive silk deep-V halter nightgown, revealing her fair, delicate skin.
Lin Yujing wore a look of regret. What a pity—she had even gone back to her room to take a bath and put on delicate makeup, and he couldn’t see her looking so beautiful and captivating.
Lin Jianxi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Lin Yujing with composure, “Do you have anything else?”
“Yes,” Lin Yujing’s lips curved slightly, and she swept her hair back with a captivating charm, her voice calm, “I want to know when you and your husband are getting divorced?”