Then he placed Qin Yeling’s hand against his own face.
He spoke in a gentle tone: “Boss, why did you stop touching? I like it.”
Qin Yeling looked at the hand pressed over the back of his own.
Suddenly he noticed a burn scar standing out starkly on that well-defined hand.
An inexplicable sourness welled up in his heart.
He drew his hand back and stroked the burn.
So you’ve been secretly staying by my side all this time?
How strange. He had only been a little suspicious before, but now Qin Yeling was certain.
That time he fainted, Qin Yeling had been puzzled and specially pulled up the surveillance footage from then.
He had clearly seen Ling An take the coffee spill for him.
At first, he had wanted to thank him.
But it was always blocked for one reason or another.
But it was so strange why, when you were under the same roof, could you hide so well? Why didn’t you dare come out and confess?
Just like a rat, only hiding in the shadows. What an idiot.
Stroking that burn over and over, Qin Yeling’s thoughts drifted off.
“Boss, what’s wrong?”
Ling An watched Qin Yeling zone out, then watched him blankly come back to his senses.
His heart was suddenly pierced by this adorable scene.
So he’s found out. The way he’s reacting is so cute.
Unable to hold back, Ling An planted a heavy peck on those slightly parted red lips.
Qin Yeling’s face flushed red in an instant from the sudden peck.
He slapped a hand right on Ling An’s chest.
Then he turned around angrily, his back to Ling An.
That puffed-up, huffy little look made Ling An’s heart flutter all over again.
He pressed his whole body against him and planted fierce kisses on his neck ^3^
Provoked, Qin Yeling couldn’t help giving him another punch.
If he weren’t unable to get out of bed right now, he would never let him hold him like this.
What a stinky rat.
Only when he saw that Qin Yeling seemed genuinely angry did Ling An stop with a playful grin.
Then he abruptly said: “Boss, let’s go up to the rooftop for some fresh air. The night view downstairs is beautiful. I want to confess to you.”
Qin Yeling was stunned by these words, utterly speechless.
He couldn’t help rolling his eyes.
To say something like a confession so casually Qin Yeling never saw it coming.
Speechless, Qin Yeling rolled his eyes yet again.
His hoarse voice said coldly: “Looks like you’re the one who wants to go get some air in your head.”
“How could that be? So, Boss, are you going to reject me?”
Meeting those sparkling bright eyes, the words Qin Yeling wanted to say went round and round in his mouth.
“Fine, let’s go look at the night view. But first, get out. I need to get dressed.”
“No need to go out, I’ll help you, Boss.”
Ling An’s eyes lit up, and with a silly grin he grabbed the undergarments and moved forward.
Then he found himself out at the door, with the door slammed hard against his face.
He rubbed his nose sheepishly. Good thing it was a private VIP ward, and the inpatient floor was mostly empty.
Plus the soundproofing barrier he’d set up, otherwise he’d have lost face big time this round.
Inside the room, Qin Yeling was red all the way down to his neck.
But he still helplessly picked up his phone and made a call, having someone unlock the rooftop.
By the time Qin Yeling had changed, the two of them went up to the rooftop.
The night view really was beautiful. Standing on the rooftop, looking down at the scenery below.
The slightly cool breeze brushed against his face, drifting over every inch of skin.
Relaxing and comfortable.
Coming up here had improved Qin Yeling’s mood considerably, and he looked much more at ease.
The wind gently stirred his hair. The young man leaned against the railing with a smile at the corner of his mouth, casually brushing aside the strands that blocked his view.
Such a casual gesture was beautiful enough to be a painting so beautiful one couldn’t look away.
“When did you come to Country M? Do you have a place to stay?”
Hearing his words, Ling An was stunned for a moment before answering:
“Boss, I only arrived a few days ago. The family business isn’t doing well, so my father sent me abroad to expand.”
“I don’t have a place to stay yet. I’ve been living in hotels these past few days.”
“I’ve almost spent all the money my father gave me, I can’t even afford the hotel anymore. That day I went out to look for a job.”
“I never expected to run into you, Boss, being chased by assassins. I’ve been lying in bed for days and still haven’t found a job.”
“Boss, could you take me in?”
As he said that last sentence, Ling An felt so guilty he didn’t dare look Qin Yeling in the eye.
He kept his head lowered, like a wronged, put-upon little thing.
Qin Yeling was so exasperated he actually laughed. What a masterful story, he’d never realized before that this guy was such a good storyteller.
Sneering, Qin Yeling lifted Ling An’s chin, and their eyes met.
Ling An looked at Qin Yeling with a face of pure innocence that expression appearing on such a refined, handsome face.
Qin Yeling froze for a moment, and his anger instantly dissipated.
How could such a face belong to such a shameless person?
Qin Yeling’s hand shifted from pinching his chin to pinching his cheek, and only then did he say, word by word:
“It’s fine. I happen to need a secretary. You’ll be my secretary, and you won’t need to stay in hotels anymore. I have a place in Country M. Wherever I live, you live.”
Not hearing what he wanted to hear, Ling An cheekily asked, “Why?”
“Don’t ask such stupid questions next time.”
“Ow, duh.”
Ling An replied with difficulty as his face was pinched hard again.
Hearing his answer, Qin Yeling finally let go.
He leaned back against the railing, gazing into the distance, letting the breeze wash over him.
Ling An stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Qin Yeling, resting his chin on his shoulder. Their cheeks pressed together as they silently felt each other’s warmth.
This time, Qin Yeling didn’t push him away.
“Boss, let’s be together. I want to follow you forever.”
“Mm.”
The Qin family’s overseas market grew larger and larger, and Qin Yeling’s influence within the family grew ever heavier.
The people in the shadows made another attempt on Qin Yeling’s life.
But Qin Yeling would not make the same mistake twice. Following the trail, he found the mastermind.
Though he had always known, when the truth came out, Qin Yeling still couldn’t help the ache in his heart.
The eldest young master of the Qin family fell from power, and Qin Yeling became the sole heir.
The Wang and Lin families tried to join forces against the Qin family, but both were crushed mercilessly until they went bankrupt.
After those two families collapsed, the Ling family became a rising star in the business world.
As despised as they once were, they were now just as envied.
Everyone in the circle now said the Ling family had great fortune, having latched onto the Qin family early on.
They had even sent their only son to the Qin family’s second young master, truly far-sighted.
The Ling family’s business didn’t conflict with Ling An’s; in fact, the two complemented each other.
Many wealthy businessmen tried to send their illegitimate sons to the second young master Qin.
But none succeeded, all were turned away at the door.
Ling An’s reputation among the wealthy elite was already in tatters. Everyone said the Ling family was hogging everything, refusing to let go of the second young master Qin and not giving anyone else a chance to share the spoils.
While rumors flew outside, Ling An knew nothing of it.
Every day was unbearably happy, he cultivated while being lovey-dovey with Qin Yeling, and he didn’t have to worry about his parents or the company at all. It was bliss beyond measure.
Best of all, he no longer had to stay constantly on guard against someone coming to kill him.
This was the kind of carefree life he hadn’t had in tens of thousands of years in his past life.
Once Qin Yeling had fully taken over, the two of them immediately flew abroad to register their marriage.
Not many people were invited to the wedding just family from both sides and a few close friends.
The underlings who had once followed him around were also there, feeling only how fickle fate was.
Back then, they had failed to seize such a good opportunity.