Early the next morning, Lin Ao dragged his exhausted body into the dining room.
The two elders of the Lin Family were already having breakfast with Liu Nian.
The moment Liu Nian saw Lin Ao come downstairs, she immediately jumped off her chair, ran over, and threw herself into his arms.
Liu Nian was in an excellent mood. Li Wanyu and Lin Dong truly treated her as a five-year-old girl. The room they had prepared for her was filled with warmth and comfort.
Looking at the cozy room reminded her of the prison cell from her previous life, where the bone-chilling cold formed a stark contrast.
Li Wanyu had even told her bedtime stories to lull her to sleep. These were things she had never experienced before, and she cherished them deeply.
Once Ye Chen left Jianghai City, she would return to her aunt’s side. This time, she would do everything she could to protect the Liu Family and Lin Ao. Of course, Li Wanyu and Lin Dong were also now on her protection list.
Lin Ao casually caught Liu Nian, then quickly handed her to Li Wanyu at the table. Liu Nian looked at him resentfully.
I was even thinking of protecting you, and you won’t even let me hug you. Hmph.
Detestable Uncle Lin Ao.
Lin Ao looked half-asleep and instructed the servants to bring him a strong cup of coffee.
Li Wanyu glanced at him and said, “You child, why have you looked so tired these past two days? What were you doing last night again?”
Could it be that he had some kind of pre-engagement anxiety?
But it wasn’t even marriage yet, just an engagement. Besides, what was there to fear about marrying Gu Wanqing?
She added, “Stop looking at those things so much. You’re already an adult. You should learn some self-control.”
She assumed Lin Ao must have been watching unhealthy content at night. That would affect her future grandson.
“Mom, what are you thinking? I was just studying some materials and stayed up a little late,” Lin Ao replied casually. He had indeed been studying materials, and they were perfectly healthy.
Thinking back to last night, Gu Wanqing had completely controlled the situation. That final photo had struck straight at his weak point. He flipped the image left and right, zoomed in and out, unable to see anything improper, yet it continuously emitted an alluring aura.
Detestable woman.
In the future, he had better look at fewer of her messages. They harmed both body and mind.
“Mom, I’ll go to the company today. Staying at home is too boring.”
Originally, Lin Ao had planned to reduce his involvement in company affairs, but staying home left him with nothing to do. And Gu Wanqing had said she would come over today.
He might as well sit idly at the office to pass the time and avoid her.
“No! Gu Wanqing messaged me early this morning. She said she has plans with you and was afraid you’d forget, so she asked me to remind you.”
Li Wanyu had received Gu Wanqing’s message early in the morning. To prevent Lin Ao from sneaking away before she arrived, Gu Wanqing had asked her to keep an eye on him.
Lin Ao froze for a moment. This… detestable woman.
Then he noticed Liu Nian staring at him resentfully.
An idea suddenly flashed through his mind.
“Mom, I’ll take Nian Nian with me later. I’ll let her play together with Gu Wanqing.”
He had come up with a way to discourage Gu Wanqing, and he needed Liu Nian’s help.
“That’s fine. Your father and I are going back to the family side to attend a meeting. The second branch has finished handling matters in the United States and returned.”
The Lin Family had two branches. Lin Dong belonged to the main branch and managed 95% of the family’s businesses.
The second branch was led by Lin Ze, Lin Dong’s younger brother. He managed the remaining 5% of the entertainment industry. Because of his playful nature, the old patriarch only allowed him to handle that portion.
Speaking of which, one had to mention one of the key figures, Lin Feng.
Lin Feng was Lin Ze’s son who had been living outside the family.
Lin Ze himself did not even know how he had fathered him.
It was only after a DNA test that he confirmed Lin Feng was truly his biological son.
He was expected to return and acknowledge his ancestry in about two years.
Lin Ao had been betrayed by him more than once.
After Li Wanyu and Lin Dong left the house, Lin Ao dragged a chair over and sat beside Liu Nian.
He cleared his throat and said stiffly, “Nian Nian, can you help me with something later?”
He forced a smile. He was not good at communicating with children and could only push through awkwardly.
Liu Nian turned her head away, unwilling to pay attention to him.
“Nian Nian, brother is really in a hurry. Can you listen to me?”
Liu Nian glanced at his Attribute Panel.
[Character Current Status/Thoughts: Anxious. It’s too late. How do I make a child obedient?]
After confirming that Lin Ao was truly anxious, she decided to let him off this time. It must be difficult for him to coax someone.
She turned back around, signaling that he could speak.
A hint of joy flashed across Lin Ao’s face. He took the initiative to pick Liu Nian up and placed her on his lap.
“Listen to me…”
…
Gu Wanqing woke up early in the morning feeling refreshed and energetic.
Thinking of Lin Ao, she could not help but purse her lips and laugh softly.
Her smile bloomed like spring flowers, radiating a charming brilliance.
Lin Ao probably did not sleep very well last night.
After sending a message to Li Wanyu, she carefully dressed herself.
She gently tied up her long hair, revealing her slender neck.
She wore a charming black short skirt and the same black stockings she had shown the night before, outlining her graceful curves.
On her upper body, she paired it with a fitted white shirt, the collar slightly open to reveal her captivating collarbone.
At this moment, Gu Wanqing appeared mature and alluring, radiating her unique charm and making hearts race.
Lin Ao, I’m coming.
Gu Wanqing arrived at Lin Family Estate and walked toward the living room.
Hearing the sound of high heels approaching, Lin Ao knew Gu Wanqing had arrived and quickly signaled to Liu Nian with his eyes.
“It’s starting. Remember what I told you.”
After speaking, he held Liu Nian and sat on the sofa, his expression serious and heavy.
As soon as Gu Wanqing stepped into the hall, she saw Lin Ao holding a five-year-old girl.
She was about to ask when Lin Ao interrupted her.
“You’re here.”
His voice was hoarse and low, as if he had suffered some kind of blow and was in a depressed state.
“Mm, I’m here.”
Gu Wanqing looked confused. What happened to him so early in the morning? He looked like he had encountered some serious difficulty.
Could Xiao Fan have come looking for him? Probably not.
She quickly glanced at Lin Ao’s Attribute Panel. Several lines caught her attention.
[Character Current Mood: Nervous. Hope the following words can deceive this woman.]
[Character Favorability: 82.]
[Character Heartbeat Value: 120.]
[Current Objective: Perform well.]
[Rationality Index: 50.]
Hmph, I want to see what you’re trying to do.
And why did those photos last night only increase favorability by 2 points? Was it not stimulating enough?
Gu Wanqing pretended to be anxious, walked over, sat beside Lin Ao, and wrapped her arms around his arm, pressing her body close.
Lin Ao tried to pull his arm away, but she held on too tightly. Helpless, he gave up. If he could not escape, he might as well enjoy it.
“Lin Ao, what happened? And who is this little girl?”
She looked at Liu Nian in his arms. In truth, her only confusion was about this suddenly appearing child.
Lin Ao sighed heavily and said with a pained expression, “I only found out yesterday. She is… my daughter who was living outside.”
Gu Wanqing’s lips twitched. He could come up with such a clumsy excuse?
Fine. I’ll continue acting with you.
“How is that possible? Who did you have her with? You’re only 24 years, 9 months, 18 days, and 08 hours old!”
Gu Wanqing pretended to be utterly shocked.
“With… a female classmate from school. I got drunk on my eighteenth birthday. She has passed away now and left Lin Nian to me.” Lin Ao’s face was filled with sorrow.
His performance of guilt over just finding his daughter was vivid and convincing enough for ordinary people to believe. “She also suffered a shock and developed a language disorder. Wanqing, I…”
He deliberately ignored the strange detail in her statement and squeezed his eyes, trying to force out nonexistent tears.
“I… let’s break off the engagement. I only want to take good care of Lin Nian now. My world cannot accommodate anyone else. I can’t let down her deceased mother. From now on, we’ll rely on each other, Nian Nian.”
At this moment, Liu Nian stared at Gu Wanqing in shock.
The two of them locked eyes, both revealing disbelief.
…