7 – Chapter 7
Engagement
The young lady had already left, but Duan Yuan remained standing by the hospital bed, motionless, lost in thought.
Duan Zheng frowned, not daring to speak lightly. Recalling Second Miss Lin’s earlier words, he found it utterly absurd—what did she mean by “lover”? In her eyes, their young master was nothing but a lover? How audacious.
See, the young master is clearly angry now.
“Duan Zheng?”
“Yes, young master!”
“Investigate the engagement between the Lin and Ji families. See if she was lying.”
“Understood!”
…
“Still here?”
“What about Second Miss Lin…” Duan Zheng made a throat-slitting gesture.
“Get out!”
“Yes!”
“Oh, and don’t change the bedsheets for the next couple of days.”
“Huh?” Duan Zheng glanced at the messy bed covered in mud stains, then nodded with a wry smile, thinking to himself, Whatever makes you happy.
Duan Yuan sniffed his hand again and noticed that the skin which had touched the girl’s feet carried an even stronger Peach Scent.
Halfway back, A Tao found the shoes too troublesome, so she stopped, took them off, and continued walking barefoot back to the hospital room.
As soon as she entered, she sensed the tense atmosphere in the room.
“You’re all here?” A Tao’s gaze swept over the mother-daughter pair and the man named Ji Sicheng, then she nodded slightly toward Old Master Lin before heading toward the bed.
Her steps were light and unhurried, her demeanor casual and unrestrained, as if this weren’t a hospital ward but a wild peach grove where she had come for a vacation.
Sitting slowly on the bed, A Tao placed her shoes on the floor and smiled faintly, asking the old master beside her, “Excuse me, are there any towels here?”
The old master immediately understood and instructed his subordinate to fetch a warm towel.
Wang Ling and Lin Jinyi stood by the bed, their expressions of disdain unmistakable.
“Tao Tao, how could you walk around without shoes? This is utterly improper!”
“Exactly! If word gets out, people will think the young ladies of the Lin family are uncivilized hillbillies!”
“You’ve been back home for over a year now—why can’t you shake off those filthy rural habits?”
The mother and daughter took turns speaking, their words seemingly concerned but actually dripping with sarcasm about her lack of refinement.
A Tao felt her ears itch slightly and rubbed them gently. “Why are you both so worked up? Afraid outsiders will find out you’ve been mistreating me?”
“How dare you say that!” Wang Ling’s pupils dilated instantly, her face a picture of guilt. She stole a glance at the old master. “How can you speak to your own mother like that! You’re my own flesh and blood—how could I ever mistreat you!”
Old Master Lin shot a cold glance at Wang Ling. “I used to live alone in the suburbs and wasn’t aware of what happened at home. But from now on, I’ll be moving back to ensure my granddaughter isn’t wronged!”
“Old Master, doing this would make me lose face in front of others! People will say the Lin family matriarch can’t even properly care for her own daughters!” Wang Ling put on an aggrieved expression, on the verge of tears.
“Are you unhappy about Grandfather moving back?” A Tao asked with a smile. “Or are you just feeling guilty?”
“Watch your tongue!” Wang Ling’s eyes widened like copper bells, her gaze venomous. She couldn’t understand how this daughter of hers had changed so much—now sharp-tongued and quick-witted.”You claim to be the mistress of the Lin household, yet look at your disgraceful behavior!” Old Master Lin scolded sharply. “Hold your tongue! Don’t embarrass us before outsiders!”
He then turned to Ji Sicheng: “You had business with me, I believe. Speak your mind.”
Ji Sicheng cleared his throat, gazing at A Tao with profound tenderness. “After much reflection, I’ve come to realize my heart belongs to Second Young Miss. I shall let bygones be bygones regarding past incidents, and our families’ marriage arrangement shall proceed as planned. What say you, Old Master?”