Fu Jinglin's expression stiffened for a moment, then he whispered in Lin Qiong's ear, "The dogs are eating outside."
Lin Qiong reached over and took the large bottle of cola from the little girl's hands, pouring himself a glass. "Well, then go outside."
"..."
Frustrated, Fu Jinglin adjusted his hair. "I didn't do anything."
Lin Qiong sighed deeply. "It seems you've forgotten the lessons I taught you."
Then he glanced at Fu Jinglin and said, "I am very disappointed in you."
Fu Jinglin raised an eyebrow. "What did you teach me? I don't remember."
Lin Qiong spoke, "Respecting the elderly and loving the young is a virtue."
"..." Fu Jinglin replied, "You only taught me to respect the elderly last time."
Lin Qiong said, "Now it's time for you to love the young."
Fu Jinglin's mouth twitched, "And what about you?"
Lin Qiong straightened his chest, "I still accept your respect."
In the end, Fu Jinglin drank the cola with a stern face.
"Don't always have this look when you speak in the future."
Fu Jinglin looked at Lin Qiong in confusion, "What look?"
"The look of someone owing you money."
Fu Jinglin frowned, "I was born this way."
"What about when you look for a lover in the future? Scaring people away after just a few sentences."
"My uncle is the same way, and he still found someone."
Lin Qiong questioned, "Are you the same as your uncle?"
Fu Jinglin replied, "Why not? My uncle also has a stern face every day."
When Fu Xingyun spent a lot of time with Fu Jinglin when he was a child, the latter learned to mimic the stern expressions, which became deeply ingrained as he grew older.
"Although your uncle often has a stern face, but..."
Fu Jinglin asked, "But what?"
Lin Qiong replied, "Your uncle is rich."
Fu Jinglin: ...
Lin Qiong continued, "Your uncle has a big house."
Fu Jinglin: ...
Then Lin Qiong glanced at him, "Do you have those?"
Fu Jinglin took out his wallet, insisted on saving face, and said, "Of course, I do."
Lin Qiong glanced at him, "That's why people think you're a big show-off."
Fu Jinglin, annoyed, said, "You're digging up old wounds."
Lin Qiong said, "No."
"Then why bring up the past?"
"To rub salt in the wound."
"..."
Fu Jinglin took a deep breath but faced Lin Qiong without much anger. "Are you saying that you married my uncle because of his money and house?"
Lin Qiong retorted, "Of course not."
Then, blushing shyly, he added, "It's because of love."
Fu Jinglin asked, "If my uncle can find love, why can't I?"
Lin Qiong asked knowingly, "How old is your uncle this year?"
"Twenty-nine."
"Your uncle got married at the age of twenty-nine."
Fu Jinglin swallowed hard, "What are you trying to say?"
"It's not your uncle who found me; it's me who found your uncle."
Fu Jinglin: ...
Lin Qiong patted his shoulder, making him face reality. "Your bad temper is just like your uncle's, but if it weren't for me, your uncle would still be single, and you would have an even harder time finding someone."
"..."
"Well, do you have anything to say now?" Fu Jinglin glanced at Lin Qiong, then took a deep breath and gritted his teeth to apologize to the little girl next to him, "I'm sorry."
Lin Qiong patted his big nephew's head, "That's better."
After a satisfying dinner, Lin Qiong sat idle in a chair. Not long after, Fu Yuan walked over.
Lin Qiong was about to get up to offer her a seat, but the next moment, he saw the woman lift her leg and give Fu Jinglin a kick to move.
Lin Qiong: ...
After sitting down, Fu Yuan looked at Lin Qiong and said, "How is it? Do you feel uncomfortable?"
"A bit," Lin Qiong didn't hide his emotions and asked, "Have they finished eating on their side?"
"Not yet, and they may not finish drinking for a while," Fu Yuan replied.
Lin Qiong nodded.
"Do you want to go to Xingyun's room?" Fu Yuan looked at Lin Qiong with some surprise.
Lin Qiong was somewhat surprised by Fu Yuan's suggestion.
With a gentle smile on her face, Fu Yuan said, "Come on, it's upstairs. I'll take you to have a look."
Without refusing, Lin Qiong accompanied Fu Yuan to the second floor. At the end of the corridor was the room where Fu Xingyun used to stay in the Fu family's house.
The room was covered with white cloth, but there was not much dust.
Fu Yuan casually opened some of it, saying, "Xingyun used to live here."
Lin Qiong, looking at the room filled with numerous trophies and certificates, opened his mouth in surprise.
"He's quite accomplished," Lin Qiong remarked.
Fu Yuan smiled and said, "Xingyun has always been very diligent. He was even the president when he was in college."
As if recalling something, she pulled out a video from her phone and showed it to Lin Qiong. "This is a video of Xingyun giving a speech in college."
Lin Qiong looked at the screen, a bit stunned. "This is Fu Xingyun?"
Fu Yuan asked, "Doesn't he look like it?"
"No," Lin Qiong shook his head, momentarily speechless.
Somehow, a sense of oppression suddenly surged into his heart.
In the video, the person was dressed in a white shirt, with well-groomed black hair. The sunlight cast sharp contours on the person's face. Although the expression on his face remained serious and unsmiling, the overall impression was vastly different from the present.
Below the stage was a densely packed crowd, and on the stage stood Fu Xingyun, upright and spirited.
Words like gloomy, fierce, and ruthless, which were used to describe Fu Xingyun in books, had nothing to do with the person in the video.
"The proud son of heaven" seemed fitting when used to describe Fu Xingyun.
The man's voice, like the enchanting sound of an ancient qin, echoed, "While this world pursues fame and fortune, it also needs love and passion."
Lin Qiong stared at the person in the video, seemingly transformed into a mute in an instant, unable to utter a single word.
Later, he asked, "How old is he in this"
Fu Yuan replied, "At this time, Xingyun is already studying for a master's degree abroad and is 24 years old."
"What's wrong?"
Lin Qiong scratched his head, "Nothing, just thought he looked quite handsome."
Fu Yuan smiled, "Right? Back then, many people pursued him, but this stubborn kid just wouldn't budge."
Although Fu Yuan was smiling, Lin Qiong sensed a trace of bitterness in her expression.
After they came down, Lin Qiong felt an unprecedented sense of suffocation, as if the stifling feeling in his chest was about to suffocate him. He decided to go outside to the garden for some fresh air.
"Xiao Qiong!"
Lin Qiong had just arrived when he was called by someone.
Turning around, Lin Qiong saw Fu Jinghong standing not far away, looking at him.
Fu Jinghong took a few steps forward. "Xiao Qiong! Long time no see."
Lin Qiong: "We met just an hour ago."
"..." Fu Jinghong: "That's not important. What's important is the mood I have to see you."
"How have you been these days?"
Lin Qiong: ...
Here we go again, right?
"Pretty good."
After hearing this, Fu Jinghong looked a bit lonely. "As long as you're doing well."
Looking at the expression on his face, Lin Qiong asked, "Do you know why I'm doing well?"
Fu Jinghong didn't expect Lin Qiong to take the initiative to ask, "Why?"
"Because you're not there."
"..."
Fu Jinghong twitched his mouth. He followed Lin Qiong outside after seeing him leave just now.
Taking a deep breath, Fu Jinghong said, "Don't pretend to be strong anymore. I know you're not happy being married to my big brother."
Lin Qiong: "This is news to me."
"..."
Fu Jinghong composed himself and then said deeply, "I know you've always been blaming me."
"I haven't."
"Blaming me for pushing you towards my big brother."
"Can you hear me speaking?"
"Blaming me for not having the ability to stop that wedding."
Lin Qiong: "Hello?"
Fu Jinghong continued talking to himself, "Now we can't be together, and making me suffer like this is probably a punishment from God."
Lin Qiong looked numb, "Why didn't I see it?"
Fu Jinghong stared at him, "What didn't you see?"
"I didn't use both my eyes to see your attitude."
"..."
When Fu Yuan went downstairs, she saw Fu Xingyun next to Fu Jinglin. "Is Xingyun finished?"
He nodded, "Where is Lin Qiong?"
"Ah Qiong went to the garden, saying the house was stuffy, and wanted to get some fresh air."
Fu Yuan patted her son's shoulder, "Jinglin, accompany your uncle to find her."
Fu Xingyun refused, "I'll go by myself."
Looking up at the full moon in the sky, Fu Jinghong said, "As long as you know that I love you, it's enough. If I hadn't had a drink today, I might not have had the courage to say it to you."
Lin Qiong: "Is that all?"
Fu Jinghong was stunned, "Yes."
"Goodbye."
Fu Jinghong was startled and quickly stepped forward to pull Lin Qiong. "Don't leave!"
Lin Qiong twirled like a little swan, skillfully evading.
"..."
Fu Jinghong's face darkened, "Haven't you noticed Fu Xingyun's status today? No one treated him well at the family banquet. Did you not feel oppressed following along?"
Lin Qiong distanced himself from Fu Jinghong, "That's my own business."
Fu Jinghong looked at him with deep eyes, "Xiao Qiong, I know you don't love my elder brother. Your marriage is just for money."
Lin Qiong stared at him, "Who says that?"
Fu Jinghong smiled, "Isn't it true?"
"Why did you marry Fu Xingyun if not for money?"
"For the looks."
"So what? Even if you married him for money, Lin Qiong, let me tell you the truth, Fu Xingyun is more guarded against you than anyone else. You won't get any benefits from him."
"However..." Fu Jinghong took a step forward and touched Lin Qiong's hair, "If you were with me, it would be different. You can enjoy all the benefits."
Lin Qiong pushed away his hand, "Are you trying to humiliate him?"
Fu Jinghong's eyes sparkled, "Of course. Don't you want to?"
Lin Qiong shrugged, "Not interested in that hobby."
Then he looked at Fu Jinghong with a changed expression, "I thought I made myself clear last time."
Fu Jinghong said, "I thought I made myself clear last time too, but who knew you would refuse me."
Saying that, he grabbed Lin Qiong's arm, "Even if you're unwilling, I can still humiliate Fu Xingyun in the same way!"
Lin Qiong remained calm, "Interesting, go on."
Then, Fu Jinghong saw a smirk appear on Lin Qiong's face. "Imagine if I were to strip your clothes off right here. That would be quite exciting."
"Even if I were to strip off your clothes, it would be quite a spectacle."
"Fu Xingyun wouldn't help you. He can't even protect himself, especially now that he's disabled. Yes, he's disabled!"
Fu Jinghong knew that Lin Qiong was not as physically strong as him, and in a direct confrontation, Lin Qiong wouldn't stand a chance. With Fu Xingyun's downfall, all Fu Jinghong needed to do was accuse Lin Qiong of seducing him. Even if people knew the truth, they might not speak up.
Fu Jinghong's smile turned increasingly sinister. As he lowered his head, he noticed Lin Qiong glancing at him. Then, Lin Qiong pulled something out of his pocket.
Fu Jinghong chuckled, "Are you planning to wear Fu Xingyun's wedding ring while being intimate with me?"
Lin Qiong slid the ring onto his middle finger. "Keep your tongue in check."
"What?"
Fu Jinghong hadn't recovered, and the next moment, his left cheek was struck hard by a punch.
"Damn it!"
Fu Jinghong's legs went weak, and he sat on the ground. The pain from his cheek to his jaw was unbearable, and he even spat out two teeth.
"Lin Qiong, you..." A large amount of bright red blood overflowed from Fu Jinghong's mouth.
Lin Qiong looked at the perfectly intact diamond in his hand. "You're welcome."
Then he turned to leave. However, just a few steps away, he noticed Fu Xingyun not far away.
Fu Jinghong also saw him. He was about to say something, but the next moment, he saw Lin Qiong fluttering his arms like a butterfly, rushing towards Fu Xingyun.
"Xingyun, I'm so scared. I almost got dirty."
Fu Jinghong:...