Wang Cheng watched as Lin Qiong quickly packed his suitcase, "How are you going back so late at night?"
Lin Qiong looked up at him.
!!!
Wang Cheng quickly turned his head, avoiding eye contact with Lin Qiong. "I won't accompany you back to see that old pervert."
Lin Qiong corrected, "He's my old baby~, OK?"
Wang Cheng was repulsed by this cheesy term, feeling his scalp tingling. "He's still an old man. You're so young and good-looking. Find a rich second-generation who's in college and carefree. It's better than this obsessive and controlling old pervert! That way, you can have a normal relationship!"
Lin Qiong shook his head after listening, "You're still too young."
Only one year younger than Lin Qiong, Wang Cheng retorted, "You being older doesn't mean you understand anything."
"You look down on people."
Wang Cheng deadpanned, "No, I don't."
Lin Qiong said, "I understand a lot."
"Such as?"
"Growing up with a boy is not as good as confiding in an older man."
"..."
Great.
Wang Cheng almost wanted to pry open Lin Qiong's little head to see what he was thinking. "Is money that important? Are you happy with that old pervert? Can you buy happiness with this money?"
Lin Qiong thought seriously, "I don't know if money can buy happiness."
Wang Cheng sighed in relief, "That's right."
Lin Qiong added, "But can I sell my happiness for money?"
"..."
Wang Cheng clenched his jaw in frustration, "You pack up. Go back and chat with that old pervert as much as you want. I don't care anymore."
Lin Qiong emphasized again, "My old baby."
"Okay, okay, old baby, old baby!!!"
Then, looking at Lin Qiong who had truly started to pack up again, gritting his teeth in anger, "One day, you will regret it."
Lin Qiong, folding clothes and observing the flushed face, said, "Why are you getting angry?"
Looking at Lin Qiong's eyes, Wang Cheng seemed to be looking at a prodigal son, "Can you not be angry? Look at the way you are now, troubled by money."
Lin Qiong placed the clothes into the suitcase, "Isn't this good? Money is all-powerful."
Wang Cheng said, "I don't believe it."
"Do you have money?"
Wang Cheng thought about his wallet with only a few hundred yuan, "No."
"So, that's why you don't believe it."
"..."
When Lin Qiong was young, he envied the children brought into McDonald's by their parents, thinking how great it would be if he had money, so he could go there too. As he grew up, he finally earned some money, only to be cheated out of it and ended up sleeping under a bridge with a newspaper as a blanket. He thought how great it would be if he had money again.
His values are like this; he likes money, as long as there is money, it's fine. He doesn't want to compete with stray dogs for food, and he doesn't want to starve again.
After packing his clothes, Lin Qiong turned around and took two bright red pomegranates.
Wang Cheng glanced, "Isn't your suitcase heavy enough? Why are you taking pomegranates back?"
Lin Qiong was about to speak when Wang Cheng jumped a bit, "Is it for your old baby again?!"
Lin Qiong smiled shyly and nodded, "These pomegranates are sweet."
Wang Cheng said, "That old guy has eaten everything, mangoes last time, and now this."
Lin Qiong replied, "He said this fruit was delicious last time."
Wang Cheng looked at Lin Qiong, feeling that there was no cure for him.
After packing the suitcase and putting on his clothes, Lin Qiong, with the suitcase full, could only carry the pomegranates in his hands. He then looked at Wang Cheng and said, "Let's go."
Wang Cheng was puzzled, "Go where?"
Lin Qiong didn't hesitate, "I'm going back to Lin City."
Wang Cheng turned his head, "If you want to go back, go back yourself. I'm not going back to chat with the old man about his inner thoughts, and I'm not someone who is tempted by money like you."
Lin Qiong extended a hand, "Five hundred."
Wang Cheng frowned, "What's the meaning of this? Are you looking down on me?"
Lin Qiong said, "A thousand."
Wang Cheng took a deep breath, "I'll go back and get my driver's license."
Money truly is all-powerful.
Back in Lin City, it was already past 7 in the evening. The lights were on in the large villa, and Lin Qiong, panting and wheezing, arrived at the door and pressed the password lock.
The secretary heard the sound of the password lock, "Boss."
Fu Xingyun, who was having dinner, also put down his chopsticks, "Go and see who it is."
The secretary nodded but casually grabbed a rolling pin from the kitchen. There had been cases of someone breaking in before, arranged by the rich second generation who had a grudge against Fu Xingyun.
Before anyone could walk out of the dining room, the sound of the front door closing echoed in the entrance hall.
Gurgling sounds mixed with footsteps.
The secretary held his breath, and the next moment, a furry head suddenly appeared from the corner.
"HI~"
Your little cutie suddenly showed up.
However, Lin Qiong lifted his head and saw the secretary holding a rolling pin high in the air.
Lin Qiong:...
Secretary:...
Thud— the two pomegranates Lin Qiong was holding fell to the ground.
The secretary, seeing that it was Lin Qiong, quickly put down the rolling pin, "Mr. Lin."
Lin Qiong seemed to be stunned, like a little mouse scared stiff, not moving at all.
Fu Xingyun, upon hearing the title from the secretary, turned around to look.
There stood Lin Qiong, peeking around the corner.
Lin Qiong: Submissive.jpg.
The Secretary quickly put the rolling pin aside, "Mr. Lin, are you okay? I thought it was a thief breaking in just now, sorry."
Lin Qiong sighed in relief, "Really? I thought... it's okay now."
Saying that, he quickly picked up the two pomegranates from the ground.
Fu Xingyun, watching Lin Qiong adjust his expression, pursed his lips and managed to say, "Why did you come back?"
Lin Qiong placed the pomegranates on the dining table, "I came back because I missed you."
His tone lacked the usual liveliness.
Fu Xingyun glanced at the secretary, who instantly stiffened and discreetly hid the rolling pin behind him.
"Frightened?" Fu Xingyun tried to shift the focus.
Lin Qiong shook his head, "Not really."
Then he glanced at Fu Xingyun quickly, "Just pleasantly surprised."
"..."
Fu Xingyun coughed, attempting to change the subject, "How did you come back?"
"I took a car back."
Seeing Lin Qiong's docile appearance, it was truly rare.
Fu Xingyun gave a look to the secretary, who promptly left with the rolling pin.
"Weren't you supposed to be away for a week?" Fu Xingyun inquired.
Lin Qiong gradually recovered, "Are you unhappy that I came back early?"
Fu Xingyun: "No."
Lin Qiong questioned, "Then why aren't you excited at all?"
Seeing that Fu Xingyun was becoming a bit sulky, Lin Qiong didn't want to trouble him, "The actor who plays opposite me asked for leave, so I came back."
"Afterward, you'll go back?" Fu Xingyun asked.
Lin Qiong nodded and then pushed the pomegranates on his side toward Fu Xingyun, "Try it."
Fu Xingyun glanced at the pomegranates, "Did you bring these back?"
"Of course."
Saying that, Lin Qiong washed his hands and opened some pomegranates, handing them to Fu Xingyun.
"This is the first time I've tasted something so sweet, so I thought of bringing some back for you to try."
The young man's eyes sparkled. He then pulled a chair and sat down next to Fu Xingyun, continuously feeding pomegranate seeds into his hand.
The occasional cool touch in his palm felt like a small bird landing and taking off again before it could be touched.
Fu Xingyun looked at the ruby-like fruit in his hand, as if it emitted a red glow, "Next time, you don't have to bring these back."
Lin Qiong looked at him puzzled, "Why not?"
"Unnecessary."
Lin Qiong glanced at him, then quickly stuffed a handful of pomegranate seeds into Fu Xingyun's mouth.
"Is it sweet?"
Fu Xingyun was momentarily stunned, looking at Lin Qiong with a smile in his curved eyes, "Sweet."
"Then, I'll bring you more next time."
After watching Fu Xingyun eat, Lin Qiong stuffed the remaining pomegranate seeds into his own mouth, puffing up his cheeks, "I'll go upstairs first; I haven't unpacked my luggage yet."
After arranging his luggage, taking a shower, Lin Qiong laid down on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning, during breakfast, Fu Xingyun spoke, "Come with me to the Fu family tonight."
Lin Qiong was puzzled; he and the Fu family had never gotten along. "Why go back?"
"It's Mid-Autumn Festival tonight."
Lin Qiong was a bit surprised, "Really?"
He never had much concept of festivals, as celebrating or not in the past was always a solitary affair.
"Sure." Lin Qiong readily agreed, "I'll drive you there."
Fu Xingyun: ...
Upon arriving at the Fu family in the evening, Lin Qiong was genuinely surprised; he didn't expect it to be this grand.
Many people were already inside, and it was more of a family gathering than a simple family dinner.
Once the car was stable, Fu Xingyun finally let go of the death grip on the door handle.
As they got out of the car, they heard Fu Yuan's voice, "Xingyun, Ah Qiong."
Behind the woman was Fu Jinglin, who had a displeased expression.
While Fu Yuan conversed with Fu Xingyun, Lin Qiong waved at the man, "Big Nephew."
Fu Jinglin responded with a casual "Hmm?"
Lin Qiong's small mouth formed an "O," not expecting this ill-tempered little guy to acknowledge him. Then he noticed the drooping mouth, "Why are you not happy?"
Fu Jinglin, annoyed, ruffled his hair, "Just didn't want to come. I don't know why I bother with this place."
Fu Jinglin had a straightforward personality. Since childhood, he didn't have a father. Fu Xingyun, although stricter, played the role of a father in his life. He knew who treated him well.
Since Fu Xingyun's incident, Fu Jinglin also realized who the real relatives were; they were just a bunch of people concerned only with their interests.
Fu Xingyun and Lin Qiong arrived late, and dinner was about to begin.
Fu Jinghong noticed Lin Qiong as soon as he entered and focused his gaze on him. He still remembered the events of the wedding.
Then he approached and smiled at Lin Qiong, "Big brother, you arrived just in time for dinner."
"Let's go, Dad is waiting."
Lin Qiong was about to push Fu Xingyun to go when he heard Fu Xingyun say, "I can go by myself."
Fu Jinghong was surprised and asked, "Big brother, isn't Xiao Qiong coming with us?"
He deliberately called out Lin Qiong's name, looking at his expression.
Fu Xingyun's expression remained calm, "He doesn't need to."
Lin Qiong was startled. Could it be that the Fu family was old-fashioned, and he couldn't join the dinner table?
Fu Jinghong said, "Since you're here, there's no reason not to go. Relatives are waiting to toast you as the new couple."
Fu Xingyun said, "He drove the car here."
Looking at Lin Qiong, he added, "You can't drink. Go to the table with the children."
Lin Qiong: ...
Lin Qiong stretched out his small hand and gave a slight OK sign.
Upon arriving at the children's table, he realized that the average age was less than seven. A group of nannies watched over them. Lin Qiong sighed and suddenly found a big figure among the group of little chicks, instantly feeling a sense of security.
Lin Qiong greeted directly, "HI! Big Nephew."
Fu Jinglin: ...
"How come you're here?"
"I drove here and can't drink. Your uncle sent me here."
Fu Jinglin responded with an "Oh, okay."
At that moment, a little girl with two small ponytails, holding a bottle of cola in her hands, said, "Gege, have a drink."
She then attempted to pour it into Fu Jinglin's cup.
Fu Jinglin frowned, "I don't want it."
The impatient tone frightened the little girl, and she shook her hands in fright, almost tossing the cola she had struggled to hold. Tears welled up in her big eyes, spinning round and round.
Lin Qiong frowned upon witnessing this.
Fu Jinglin, seeing Lin Qiong's expression, spoke up, "I don't drink that."
Observing the little girl pouting and not daring to make a sound, Lin Qiong added, "You refuse to drink it? Then go eat outside."