Volume One, Chapter 20: Weren’t You Rather Good at Seducing People? How Come You’re Not Being Wild Anymore?

The man gracefully settled onto the sofa in front of her, crossing his long legs casually as he regarded her with a leisurely gaze, as if appraising some amusing spectacle.

Ning Yu felt as though she were a monkey in a circus under his scrutiny. Irritated, she asked, “I left something here yesterday. I want to know if the servants saw anything unusual while cleaning.”

“They should have finished by the time they were supposed to,” he said dismissively, effectively refusing.

Ning Yu knew well of his temper; he disliked any disturbances when present, even a single mosquito would not be tolerated.

The servants had likely finished cleaning the North Courtyard and left long ago. If the allergy medicine hadn’t been discovered, it was probably put away by the servants.

It was just allergy medicine. She could ask for it from the servants in the East Courtyard, but since Lin Fangfei already suspected her, Ning Yu, unclear how the suspicion arose, didn’t want to make a fuss.

Simply for deliberately provoking an allergic reaction by eating eggs, the Lin family’s old mansion could be turned upside down.

Ning Yu looked at him helplessly, explaining seriously, “That medicine is really important to me. Please, Fifth Master, help me out.”

“Helping you out isn’t impossible,” Li Shiyan said, folding his hands and lounging nonchalantly on the leather sofa. “But you should know where you are. No doctors here, only businessmen who never rise without profit.”

Ning Yu watched him quietly, waiting for his next words.

“Sure, I can help. But I wonder, what can you offer me in exchange, Little Fish?” The man’s eyes roamed over her with amusement.

She wouldn’t get any favors for free from him.

She shouldn’t have brought allergy medicine over in the dead of night, nor ended up being suspected for a reckless night. Now, to retrieve her medicine, she had to beg this dog of a man!

Ning Yu wanted to slap herself—she should have let him fend for himself last night.

Taking a deep breath, she looked up at him and softened her voice. “Fifth Master.”

Her voice was naturally pleasant, usually cold and distant, but now deliberately softened like the gentle waters of Jiangnan, inviting him to stir and ruffle it.

It lacked the lustfulness of that night in the car.

Li Shiyan’s interest was piqued. He raised an eyebrow and his voice huskier, “Why all the shouting?”

Ning Yu cursed inwardly.

Shouting?

Was this shouting now?

Wasn’t it him forcing her to call out last night?

Her gaze shifted slightly, deliberately lowering her posture, her eyes reddened as she looked at him. “Young Uncle.”

That single phrase was more intoxicating than before, laced with desire, like a kitten’s claw teasing at one’s heart.

Li Shiyan felt his tailbone tingle and cursed silently.

The next moment, his hand gripped the back of her neck. He leaned down, pressing her close.

The overwhelming masculine aura clouded Ning Yu’s mind for a moment, his handsome face mere inches away.

She looked at him, heart pounding, her body still half-weak, unable to summon any strength. “Li… Li Shiyan…”

“Why not flirty anymore?” He raised an eyebrow, eyes fierce enough to tear her apart. “Thought you were good at seduction? Now scared?”

Ning Yu had no retort, “I’m the one breaking out in rash. If anyone should be scared or worried, it shouldn’t be me. Young Uncle said…”

Before she could finish, he abruptly pulled her forward, silencing her.

When she decided to seduce, her glance and tone were more than most could withstand.

Li Shiyan’s fingers bore calluses—some from past boxing, others from writing.

His cool fingertips, rough with calluses, traced back and forth across her slender, flushed neck.

“Seduce again and I’ll make sure you can’t say a word.”

Ning Yu remembered losing her voice last night, only recovering after a whole morning.

She didn’t doubt his words and quickly surrendered. “Alright, since it’s inconvenient, I won’t take the medicine. I’ll give it to you, Young Uncle.”

She stood and stepped back, returning to the sofa, keeping a safe distance.

He gazed at her quietly. “You throw things away as quickly as ever.”

Ning Yu stiffened for a moment, smiling faintly. “If it’s something I shouldn’t want, then naturally I don’t want it.”

Silence fell.

Just as she expected.

Ning Yu stood. “There’s work to do in the East Courtyard. I won’t disturb you, Young Uncle.”

No sooner had she spoken than the medicine was tossed onto the tea table before her.

She looked at him.

A mocking smile curved his lips. “Take your things and leave.”

Her gaze fell on the two boxes of medicine—what she had delivered last night, prescribed by him a few days prior.

Unconsciously, she clenched her fingers, gripping the medicine as she left.

…

West Courtyard.

“Who entered the North Courtyard today?” Lin Shucheng asked.

The study was dark, curtains drawn for years, casting the room in gloom. Lin Shucheng reclined in a rocking chair.

A man nearby answered in a low voice, “Miss Fangfei from the second branch arrived first, then the usual cleaning servants, and Master Hao Yu just now, along with his fiancée, Miss Ning Yu.”

“Ning Yu?” Lin Shucheng closed his eyes to rest.

“Yes. She was carrying two boxes of medicine when she left. It seems to be for allergies.” The man explained further, “I asked the servants from the East Courtyard. Miss Ning accidentally ate eggs today and had an allergic reaction. Young Master Hao Yu specially took her to the North Courtyard to get medicine from the Fifth Master.”

“Is that so? Then tell me, if none of these three are suspects, who bandaged Li Shiyan?” Lin Shucheng’s voice was calm but filled with menace.

“An oversight by the subordinates,” the man said hurriedly and nervously. “But last night, there should have been a woman in the North Courtyard.”

Lin Shucheng opened his eyes.

The man continued, “The servant who cleaned this morning found three knotted items in the trash bin… made of a very special material.”

Lin Shucheng’s dark brown eyes fixed on him. “Speak.”

“Made of hyaluronic acid.”

“Interesting.”

…

Ning Yu took her medicine and rested all afternoon; the rash had mostly faded.

She calculated her allergic episodes over the past half-month. At this rate, her small life was in peril.

Fortunately, Lin Fangfei’s suspicions had been temporarily dispelled, and Lin Haoyu seemed oblivious, still secretly meeting with Ning Yunyun.

That night, Lin Haoyu did not return.

Ning Yu slept alone, enjoying a rare, peaceful night’s rest until dawn.

On the third day at the Lin family, the funeral finally came to a complete end.

That evening was the family dinner called by the old Lin patriarch.

They said it was a rare family reunion, but everyone knew it was more about having Li Shiyan, that towering Buddha, back home.

At the start of the dinner, something made Ning Yu see the prestigious family in a new light.

The men who arrived early gathered to chat, while the women clustered together.

Half of the Ning family had been invited by Madam Lin; the others, Ning’s parents, stayed out of sheer persistence.

Bearing the title of fiancée, it was somewhat justifiable.

Ning Yu was not a graceful socialite; she stood at the edge, clad in her shell of reserve, watching Ning Yunyun thrive, charming the Lin Fangfei sisters with ease.

Ning Yu found it strange. The second branch lady’s funeral had just concluded, yet no one in the Lin family showed sorrow. Even Lin Fangfei, as the daughter, seemed to have forgotten her mother’s death, smiling brightly.

Soon, Lin Zhongwu arrived, Lin Fangfei’s father, whom Ning Yu had to address as Second Uncle following Lin Haoyu.

His timing was neither early nor late. His attire was casual, and his temperament gentle without drawing attention.

If not for the young lady entwined on his arm.

That young lady—Ning Yu recalled seeing her once at a high-society gathering.

Duan Xiaojing, eldest daughter of the Duan family in the capital.

Though the Duan family wasn’t on par with the Lin family, it was still a genuinely wealthy and influential family, far surpassing the Nings.

Duan Xiaojing linked arms with Lin Zhongwu, entering with elegant grace, greeting everyone warmly.

Lin Zhongwu’s demeanor toward her was intimate and familiar, not that of mere acquaintances.

Ning Yu reminded herself this was a Lin family gathering.

On the third day after the legitimate wife’s funeral, Lin Zhongwu brazenly attended the Lin family dinner arm-in-arm with his new lover.

Most importantly, no one in the Lin family showed surprise or doubt—it was evidently known and accepted.

The old Lin patriarch showed no expression, obviously tacitly approving.

Ning Yu felt a chill deep in her heart.

Three days after the funeral, the corpse still warm, and the new lover already welcomed into the home without shock.

The grand Lin family mansion seemed accustomed to such affairs, hiding untold filth within.

“Daydreaming? Hurry up and help the servants!” Madam Ning nudged Ning Yu’s elbow, following Madam Lin’s gaze with a smile. “Oh, daughter-in-law, our Little Fish is diligent and virtuous at home. She’s probably just stunned by the atmosphere here.”

Ning Yu lifted her head. All the women’s scrutinizing eyes fixed on her. She smiled faintly and nodded, as if resigned. “Excuse me. I’ll help.”

She turned and walked toward the servants.

Setting bowls and cups wasn’t heavy work, but in the Lin family’s strict hierarchy, the placement of each item was an art in itself.

“That spot should be reserved for the Fifth Master. This arrangement isn’t quite right.”

A gentle, clear voice spoke.

Ning Yu turned to see Duan Xiaojing. She replied politely, “Thank you for the reminder.”

Duan Xiaojing smiled, “No need to thank me. The Fifth Master probably wouldn’t be too upset anyway.”

Ning Yu instinctively looked up at her. Duan Xiaojing only smiled softly, as if she had said nothing.

Ning Yu’s blood chilled.

The servants finished arranging the tableware, and at the patriarch’s command, the feast began. Ning Yu had no further chance to speak with Duan Xiaojing.

What did she know?

Yet this was their first meeting.

Ning Yu clenched her palms until her knuckles turned white, her face expressionless.

The old Lin patriarch scanned the room. “Where’s that troublemaker?!”

A servant stepped forward. “The Fifth Master asks you to wait a moment.”

No one at the table responded. Everyone was used to Li Shiyan’s tardiness, even the patriarch.

Only Li Shiyan, that towering Buddha, dared keep the old master waiting.

The old Lin patriarch cursed but made no move to begin.

Ten minutes later.

A mocking voice came from the doorway. “Oh, no one’s hungry? Then what’s the point of eating?”

A tall, slender man unbuttoned his suit jacket with one hand, revealing a wine-red silk shirt beneath. His straight trousers hugged his long legs as he strode in confidently.