Chapter 1361 - The Old Foxs Scheme (1/2)

Ling’er’s mother walked in on this scene. She saw Lu Ning’s frozen form staring wide-eyed at Ling’er and Pingan. She had been in that exact position, once upon a time, and could relate in some small way as to the kinds of feeling Lu Ning was probably going through.

“Ah Ning, your parents were so angry with your second brother that they left without you. If it’s alright, I shall send you back home tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope you’ll accompany Ling’er.” Yin Shuiling said with a knowing smile.

Lu Ning looked away, shaking herself free from her momentary daze. “Auntie Yin, I’m sorry, but I can’t stay. I still have homework I haven’t finished. I need to go home.”

Seeing her unwavering determination, Yin Shuiling relented. She was unwilling to force the young girl to stay when she clearly felt uncomfortable remaining. “Alright, I’ll get the driver to send you home.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

Lu Ning bowed and excused herself. Zhou Dayuan and his family also took the opportunity to bid their farewells. Peace was restored to the Yin household.

In the study…

Yin Muchen sat on his leather-backed chair and reviewed several documents requiring his attention. Yin Shuiling entered the study after a polite knock on the door. In her hands was a steaming cup of freshly ground coffee. She laid the cup of coffee on her husband’s desk, watching as his slender fingers fired away on his laptop; a thin notebook filled with numbers nestled beneath one of his arms. Yin Shuiling felt dizzy just looking at it.

“Husband dearest,” She sat on the arm of the leather-backed chair, looping her arms around Muchen’s broad shoulders.

“Hmm?” Yin Muchen grunted questioningly.

Yin Shuiling studied her husband’s looks. Time had treated him well. Although ten years had passed since they married, Yin Muchen did not look a day older than he did back then. His features were still sharp and sculpted as they had been ten years ago, although his sideburns seemed to have grown more distinct. He was a fine specimen of the opposite sex.

It is often said that a man flowered in his forties. It was not an exaggeration.

“Husband, Ling’er turns ten today. Why is not Zhihan back? I miss my son so much.”

“Zhihan couldn’t take leave. Besides, didn’t Zhihan prepare a birthday present for Ling’er?” Yin Muchen answered succinctly as he continued typing on his laptop.

“Husband, while I am speaking to you, I would appreciate it if you stopped doing whatever you were doing and looked at me!” Yin Shuiling rested her head on his shoulders, pouting indignantly.

Yin Muchen snapped his laptop shut and pulled his wife onto his lap. He picked up the cup of coffee she had prepared for him and sipped the bitter brew with his free hand. “Speak plainly, my dear. Did you encounter something that you couldn’t resolve yourself?”

“Who said there was something I couldn’t solve?” Yin Shuiling retorted.

Yin Muchen pinched his wife’s soft cheeks, his brow arched. “You only ever cling onto me like this when you run into something you can’t solve alone.”

“Okay, okay, you’ve got me there. I’m so glad my husband knows me so well.” Yin Shuiling admitted with a teasing lilt. Yin Muchen always had a solution for whatever she needed help with. She had come to rely on him in their years together.

He gave her a sense of security which she dearly appreciated.

“I suppose you are aware that Ling’er likes Pingan, then?”

Yin Muchen nodded. “What of it?”

“I realized today that Ah Ning seems to be interested in Pingan as well…”

Yin Muchen immediately understood the words left unsaid. “Is it something you are against?”

“Why do you sound so relaxed? Ling’er and Ah Ning both like Pingan. I’m afraid a rift will form between them if nothing is done.”

“Then what is it you desire? Do you want Pingan to return Ling’er or Ah Ning affections?” Yin Muchen arrived at the heart of the matter without beating about the bush.

Yin Shuiling blinked. “How should I put this…? I think of Ah Ning as a daughter of mine, but Pingan and Ling’er were the ones to meet first. From what I can tell, it seems they both share some feelings for each other. I don’t want a love triangle forming – it’ll only hurt everyone involved.”

“Then let’s cut the Gordian Knot,” Yin Muchen said.

“What do you mean?” Yin Shuiling asked curiously.