No matter how meaningless the words were, hearing that the beloved youngest son—the precious one cherished dearly—even if by another man, even if that man was his biological son, was like being called a father—it certainly didn’t feel good.
And even if Ling Huilong felt displeased because of that, Ling Tangyun couldn’t awkwardly retort with something like, “The real father is the one here,” without sounding ridiculous.
‘......’
For a while, everyone’s eyes dropped to the table in silence. Ling Huilong slowly opened his mouth and said, “Xinlu’s tea will get cold. Bring some fresh tea,” diverting the topic.
Watching the whole scene, Yuri thought that Ling Xinlu, smiling gently, somehow looked mischievous.
So this is it. It’s hard to say exactly, but it’s like sitting on a bed of nails.
Yuri seemed to understand why Ling Tangyun always showed ambiguous attitudes toward his youngest brother. It wasn’t that he disliked or hated him; rather, it probably included this uneasy feeling.
Ling Tangyun cast a suspicious glance at Ling Xinlu as if wondering why this guy was acting so spiteful with a calm face. Ling Xinlu met the gaze and smiled warmly.
“Thank you for your concern. But I’m fine. Gabe takes very good care of me.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. I know I’m a difficult person, but he makes sure there’s nothing lacking. I’m truly grateful. Taking care of someone like me isn’t easy.”
Only then did Ling Tangyun seem to realize why Ling Xinlu had suddenly acted spiteful. He gave Ling Xinlu a strange look and then fell silent. Around that time, Yuri, quietly standing by a pillar, felt a bit awkward. She rubbed her temple and blinked. By chance, her eyes met Ling Xinlu’s as he glanced over; he smiled gently.
She couldn’t say anything—nor did she intend to. You don’t spit on a smiling face.
Yuri understood Ling Tangyun’s feelings. Whether good or bad, he preferred to avoid contact with his youngest brother if possible. It felt like sticking your hand into a snake pit.
『Anyway, alright. See you on the weekend. Rest well until then.』
After finishing his business, Ling Tangyun exchanged light greetings since they’d meet every weekend anyway, and then ended the conversation.
“Okay, take care,” Yuri said, waiting for him to hang up first before setting the receiver down.
Just as the call ended, Ling Xinlu came out of the bathroom.
His flushed cheeks emitted steam as he emerged, naturally taking the cup of water Yuri held and looking at her.
“Who called?”
“Ling Tangyun called to check on you. He asked me to send his regards.”
Ling Xinlu nodded with a smile and laughed, narrowing his eyes.
“They say I stopped by the main house without showing my face, so the topic probably got around. Big brother’s been having a hard time too.”
He sighed as if feeling sorry, adding that though that man wasn’t easy either, it was unfortunate to be born under such a powerful father.
Thirsty, Ling Xinlu drained the cup and handed it back to Yuri, then headed to the living room. He picked up an apple from a basket on the table and took a bite, then rummaged through a wooden box usually for snacks to take out some cookies.
One of the things Yuri learned from living with someone was that Ling Xinlu had more appetite than he appeared. While he usually ate sitting down, the amount he ate was about twice that of others. Yuri looked at him in surprise, and Ling Xinlu beckoned her over.
“Eat with me. I saw you just picking at grass for dinner; aren’t you hungry?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Yuri shook her head; she had little appetite and ate little. Ling Xinlu looked at her with a surprised gaze.
“Then give me a massage. My eyes are tired.”
Munching on cookies, Ling Xinlu rubbed his eyelids lightly. Yuri nodded and went to the bathroom to get a clean towel and water bowl. She filled the bowl with hot water and returned to the living room.
Almost every night, Ling Xinlu complained of tired eyes. Even during the day, he seemed to tire quickly, sometimes pressing on his eyelids.
He disliked others noticing; in gatherings with two or three people, he never showed it. But when alone with Yuri, he sometimes let out tired sighs. He seemed reluctant to show weakness even to Yuri; when their eyes met, he would scowl and harshly say, “What are you looking at?”
When he had recently moved from the main house to this place, the frequent calls from his parents had been especially taxing. His mother rarely ended calls, even when Ling Xinlu clearly tried to hang up, she’d say, “Yes, but...,” and continue.
Eventually, after a longer call than usual, Ling Xinlu threw his phone onto the seat with a displeased face and slumped deeply into the passenger seat, rubbing his temples and sighing deeply.
Then suddenly, his eyes met Yuri’s in the mirror. Driving silently and occasionally glancing at Ling Xinlu, Yuri saw him glare fiercely, almost as if venting anger, and gruffly say,
“What are you staring at so much?”
“Take a bigger sigh.”
Yuri said calmly. Ling Xinlu, about to retort sarcastically, paused at her unexpected response.
“Take a bigger sigh. Breathe deep into your lungs and exhale fully—it will ease your chest. Let your back be a little rounded, your shoulders loose. Lean back and close your eyes if you want. Late afternoons make everyone drowsy and sluggish.”
Ling Xinlu looked at Yuri with a face half incredulous, half annoyed.
“You’re...”
Just as he started to speak, he sighed again. “I don’t even have energy to get mad...” he muttered sullenly. Yuri turned her gaze to him. Ling Xinlu’s shoulders slumped; he glared at Yuri with a grumbling look, but that was all.
Whether it was because of Yuri’s words or simply preferring to ignore the man, Ling Xinlu sometimes showed his fatigue openly when only with Yuri.
Like now, at night, he would casually demand, “My eyes are tired, so massage them.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
After hearing Ling Xinlu’s answer, Yuri quietly laid the hot towel on his eyelids. Ling Xinlu, lying stretched out with his head resting on Yuri’s thigh, murmured like an old man, “Ah, that’s refreshing...”
“Refreshing?” Yuri repeated, tilting her head, then gently placed her palm on the steaming towel. After a moment, she began gently pressing his eyelids, temples, and the area around his eyes. Follow the newest chapters on novelping . com.
It wasn’t anything professional—just placing a hot towel and rubbing around the eyes—but Ling Xinlu seemed to enjoy it, often resting his head on Yuri’s thigh at night. Relaxing completely, he entrusted his face to her.
“Does it hurt?”
“No, not at all. It feels good.”
Ling Xinlu murmured drowsily, looking truly comfortable. Yuri gazed down at him quietly.
Though she often looked at him, it was easier to look without restraint when his eyes were covered by the towel. Even covered, his face was flawless, bright, and beautiful. His rhythmic breathing was lovely.
Watching like that, Ling Xinlu smiled crookedly and said, “My face’s going to split.” Even without seeing his eyes, she felt his gaze clearly. Yuri replied, “Sorry,” but kept looking calmly.
“How are your eyes?”
“The same. Only vaguely light and shadow.”
No worsening, no improvement. Despite steady rehabilitation, acupuncture, moxibustion, various eye treatments, and monthly detailed hospital checkups, the condition remained unchanged.
“It looks like it’ll stay fixed like this. The rehab center mainly helps you get used to living with one eye, rather than providing significant improvement.”
Ling Xinlu spoke as if resigned, not sad or angry. He’d accepted this reality. Compared to him, the people around him were the ones who still felt sadness and anger. His mother reportedly still took sedatives from grief whenever she saw him.
“I can accept losing sight in one eye.”
His voice lowered slightly, mixed with exhaustion.
“But overall, I’m more tired than before. I didn’t realize that having half my vision would be so mentally draining.”
Ling Xinlu sighed deeply. Yuri gently stroked his eyes.
When he first lost half his vision, bumping into things while walking was normal. For a day or two, he sometimes wobbled or stopped in place.
Now, fully accustomed to relying on one eye, he lived like anyone else. But one thing remained—the exhaustion in the evening was more than others’.
“Gabe, want me to do it for you?”
Ling Xinlu suddenly asked. Yuri paused, then realized what he meant and softly rubbed again, shaking her head.
“No, it’s okay.”
“Really? It feels really good. Warm towels on the eyes and gentle massage. I’m actually pretty good at it. Maybe better than you.”
Ling Xinlu murmured playfully that Gabe sometimes seemed clumsy. Yuri stopped her hand, then asked,
“Would you rather do it yourself?”
He closed his mouth tightly. Yuri felt his eyeballs move beneath the towel.
“No, sorry. Please continue.”
Ling Xinlu lay quietly with his hands folded on his stomach like a good child. Yuri smiled softly and resumed gently massaging his eyes. The towel was cooling. Ling Xinlu’s relaxed shoulders slackened further. A drowsy sigh escaped him.
His pleasant voice sounded sleepy, and Yuri quietly soaked the towel in hot water again.
“If you’re sleepy, sleep.”
Ling Xinlu, eyes covered with the towel, opened his eyes slowly and looked at Yuri blankly. His eyes, blurry and unable to see clearly, gazed steadily at Yuri, then closed beneath the towel again.
“Okay. Just a moment.”
His low murmured voice was already half-asleep.
Neither said anything more. They watched his closed lips.
Only the slow, steady, peaceful breathing flowed in the quiet room.
The Ling family main house was located a bit outside the city—a quiet suburban village, tens of minutes by car away, away from the city’s noise and hustle.
Lingga had been landlords on this land for hundreds of years. Though much land was confiscated during the revolution and many died, leaving the family fortunes depleted, years of persistent, fierce effort had rebuilt their foundation stronger than ever.
Even now, anyone bearing the Lingga name enjoyed authority comparable to ancient royalty, especially direct descendants.
At first, Yuri was startled when people bowed slightly or even deeply when Ling Xinlu passed by. Now she was used to it. Lingga’s influence was everywhere, not just China but wherever overseas Chinese lived, so it was no surprise they were treated like nobility. Terms like “Elder,” “Master,” “Lady,” and “Young Master” had become familiar.
And amidst all this, Yuri thought,
Is this how a minister serving a king feels?
“Little young master, you seemed in a bad mood today. Is something wrong? Are you unwell?”
“That kid came back from the rehab center today. How could he be in a good mood? Don’t they say there’s some progress there?”
“Can’t you tell the difference between a hospital and a rehab center? He went to the hospital two weeks ago. Didn’t you hear they said there’s no major improvement but some hope?”
Listening to the chatter of young girls, Yuri chuckled softly. No one recognized the smile hidden beneath her indifferent face, though one girl quietly whispered, “Look, Yuri uncle must be angry because you’re all so noisy.” Yuri looked at them affectionately.
Most of the girls were children of long-employed servants of Lingga. They were shy and quiet in the presence of the elders but chatty and lively when away, which was endearing.
If only my youthful first love had borne fruit, maybe I would have daughters like these... Thinking that made her feel older. After all, past mid-thirties, you can’t call yourself young anywhere. Her feelings toward these fresh young girls resembled those of a grandmother looking at granddaughters.
Being a foreigner rarely seen in this suburban area, at first they only whispered and peeked from afar but now whenever Yuri visited the main house, they clustered around to chatter. Being able to communicate easily in Chinese was intriguing, but more so was being close to the charming young master.
Even now, as Ling Xinlu played the obedient son for his father, Yuri strolled alone in the courtyard. Within ten steps, those girls would grab her and make her listen to their chatter.
Sometimes an employee scolded them for crowding the adults, but Yuri would quickly defend them with gestures and words. The girls would then proudly chatter louder.
The employee would click their tongue but Yuri never minded the noise. The girls were cute, and they often shared useful information—sometimes children knew more than adults.
“By the way, Master Sasu came earlier. He shamelessly flattered the little young master, saying he looks better every time he sees him. But that’s when he’s not gossiping about the concubine’s son with the lady.” Read this novel at NovelPing for the best experience.
“He’s jealous because his own son is no good. I heard from Aunt Bai that even the master knows about Sasu’s gossip and lets it go.”
“Really? I heard when they kicked out the elder cousin years ago, he revealed all the dirty secrets from over a decade ago.”
It’s great that kids know so much, but sometimes they don’t know what’s appropriate to say and to whom, which can be troublesome.
Since Yuri wasn’t here to gather info about Lingga, she quietly changed the topic.
“So, I hear young master Xinlu is playing Go with father. Who’s winning?”
The girls quickly joined the topic.
“Who knows? Until a couple years ago, the master usually led, but the past year or two it’s been neck and neck.”
“But this year, the little young master has won more, right?” The girls’ eyes glowed with admiration. Facing the fearsome master evenly, even if only in Go, the young master was handsome, brave, kind, talented—a true prince.
“Is there anyone else like the little young master? Whoever marries him is lucky, whoever he is.”
One girl sighed dramatically, mixing in a bit of jealousy.
“Yeah, even I wouldn’t want to marry a perfect man.”
Among the chorus of “Me too!”, Yuri kept silent.
She liked Ling Xinlu, perhaps even more seriously than the girls who admired him awkwardly. Sometimes his flaws didn’t even seem like flaws to her—a bit of rose-colored glasses.
Still, Yuri didn’t think Ling Xinlu was perfect and saw his faults clearly. In fact, he might have had more flaws than others. His strengths and weaknesses both tended toward extremes.
Ling Xinlu was not desperately hiding his flaws, and as he said himself, people aren’t blind. Being close to someone inevitably reveals a balance of strengths and weaknesses. But the girls only saw his strengths. She thought how scary it is to idealize—or in this case, almost idolize—someone.
As Yuri kept mostly silent while sometimes chiming in or agreeing with their chatter, one girl sensed something and glanced at Yuri.
“Hey, does the young master have a secret girlfriend?”
Yuri blinked. The girls, excited by this new topic, immediately lit up.
“Most families can’t even provide a girlfriend for him.”
“Maybe that’s why he can’t tell the master and lady and meets secretly. It’s crazy a handsome young master is still single.”
“But didn’t rumors say a few months ago, when the young master was struggling and stayed in his room, that he was heartbroken? Maybe that’s why.”
In their imaginations, a secret, tender romance between the prince and a common girl was unfolding vividly.
“Hey, Uncle Yuri, what do you think? You’re always with him, so you must know.”
“I won’t tell anyone. We’ll keep it a secret, promise!”
Suddenly surrounded by the girls like a pack of hyenas, Yuri awkwardly looked up. She generally tried to live honestly but could lie calmly if necessary. Yet she wasn’t ready to tell them everything.
For a moment, caught between ‘yes’ and ‘no,’ she couldn’t decide what answer was right.
“You have one? You can’t answer, so you really do?”
“Really? Waaah──who is she?”
Half crying, half excited, the girls huddled tighter, and if they came ten centimeters closer, Yuri would be buried in their midst.
“Why do you want to know?”
A voice dropped behind.
Suddenly, all the noisy voices stopped. Yuri, feeling guilty despite doing nothing wrong, shrank back slightly. From the gap between the retreating girls, Ling Xinlu smiled warmly, making eye contact with Yuri. Standing only a few steps away where he’d been all along, he slowly and cheerfully approached.
“Aha, you were playing around without me. Heard a lot of interesting stories? Probably quite a lot, huh?”
He added, “Things that elders would be scolding over if they heard,” not even glancing at the girls. But the girls’ nervous looks showed they knew exactly what he meant.
“There’s a red spot a bit above Ling Xinlu’s tailbone—is that true?”
Among them, Yuri blinked and calmly asked. The girls, who had definitely been saying that and even whispered things like the young master’s butt was nice, screamed and hurried away. Maybe they feared Yuri would talk about that too.
Ling Xinlu looked displeased at their fleeing backs but didn’t press further. He calmly sat beside Yuri. Bathed in warm sunlight on the wooden floor, he half-closed his eyes like a content cat.
“How did the Go match go?”
“I lost by half a point.”
Without much regret, Ling Xinlu smiled.
“You have to lose once in a while. The old man probably hasn’t had much luck lately. …But.”
His glance toward Yuri carried a subtle smile.
“Why do you trail off like that without answering? Surely before today ends, the whole house will hear rumors that I have a secret lover.”
Yuri looked at Ling Xinlu silently. Meeting that intense gaze, he gradually wiped the smile off his face. When Yuri quietly turned away as if nothing had happened, he opened his eyes wide and said, “Wait a moment.”
“Why are you staring like that? I almost suspected I had a secret lover.”
Laughing nervously, Ling Xinlu said this. Yuri answered vaguely, “Is that so.” Then Ling Xinlu wiped his smile and said, “Your answer’s so lukewarm... why? Have you heard something? Someone trying to set me up?”
Although Ling Xinlu wouldn’t be bothered by a hundred matchmaking offers, he showed clear displeasure.
Recently, rumors had circulated that Ling Xinlu was heartbroken and hadn’t left his room for a while. After he angrily declared he was tired of dating and relationships, such rumors died down.
Yuri shook her head and tried to evade the question, but Ling Xinlu’s sharp gaze scrutinizing every corner of her face made her hesitate. Knowing how perceptive he was, and that it wasn’t a secret she needed to hide, and also feeling some curiosity herself, Yuri slowly began to speak.