Chapter 98: When did YanYan learn to act cute?
Lin Qingyan had other things to do today and couldn’t go to the company with Gu Fei. He had to see Zhou Yue Lan.
The incident had become a big online sensation. As the perpetrator, Zhou Yue Lan couldn’t escape legal sanctions. She had been arrested by the police on suspicion of child trafficking.
Gu Fei, naturally, was uneasy and wanted to accompany Lin Qingyan.
“My parents will come to pick me up later. They’re coming with me. Fei-ge, you can go about your business.”
The young man’s tone was light, gently shaking the man’s hand. His soft voice had a hint of coquettishness, “I’m really fine; you don’t need to worry.”
Since Gu Fei had learned about his lack of pain sensation last night, there had been a subtle change in Lin Qingyan’s interactions with Gu Fei. Although he was still easily shy, he would take the initiative to hold hands, dry Gu Fei’s hair, and now, even act cute.
He did this to comfort Gu Fei.
This tactic, however, was very effective on Gu Fei. A hint of pleasant amusement appeared in the man’s eyes.
He held Lin Qingyan’s neck, leaning down slightly, his dry thin lips brushing against his round, fair earlobe. His voice was low and magnetic, “YanYan, when did you learn to act cute?”
The hot breath from his words tickled Lin Qingyan’s ears, making them instantly hot and red. He softly complained, “Fei-ge, don’t tease me…”
“Okay.” Gu Fei, feeling benevolent, let him off. “Remember what you promised me last night?”
Lin Qingyan: “… Remember.”
It turned out that last night wasn’t a dream. Gu Fei really had him promise three things in the middle of the night, and even recorded it. It was a little childish, not fitting Gu Ye’s persona.
But Lin Qingyan’s heart ached even more.
Gu Fei gave a few more instructions before leaving for the company.
Not long after Lin Qingyan finished breakfast, An Lingkang and Song Shuman arrived, along with An Yu, who felt that going to the company was like going to jail; he’d rather cultivate his relationship with his newly reunited brother.
As soon as he saw Lin Qingyan come out, An Yu opened his arms and enthusiastically pounced, “YanYan, my lovely little brother, come give your second brother a hug.”
His father stopped him, “YanYan is injured, don’t be so reckless and hurt him again.” An Lingkang grabbed An Yu’s collar and pulled him back.
“Mom, Dad, Second Brother.” Lin Qingyan smiled a little restrainedly, greeting them.
“Baby, how are you feeling today? Are your injuries better?” Song Shuman gently held her younger son’s hand, “Did you have breakfast? Mom specially made breakfast for you to bring.”
Lin Qingyan, who had just finished eating: “Um… no.”
“Then let’s get in the car and eat.”
Song Shuman pulled Lin Qingyan towards the car, then turned to her husband and second son, who were still bickering, unceremoniously shouting, “What are you two still standing there for? Do I need to invite you into the car?”
An Yu quickly got in the car, taking the seat to Lin Qingyan’s left. Song Shuman was on the right; An Lingkang, arriving a step late, seeing his younger son flanked on both sides, reluctantly sat in the passenger seat.
An Yu smiled triumphantly, putting his hand on Lin Qingyan’s shoulder, “YanYan, when your injuries are healed, Second Brother will take you for a drive. I’m a professional racer, you know.”
“Professional racer? When you get a broken arm or leg, you’ll be crying, you brat.” An Lingkang retorted, then turned to Lin Qingyan, his face kind, “YanYan, don’t learn from your second brother.”
An Yu: “Dad, do you have to sabotage me like that?!”
Lin Qingyan just smiled at them.
“YanYan, don’t mind them; let’s eat breakfast.” Song Shuman opened the insulated food container. It was filled with layers of delicious-looking breakfast, still steaming, smelling fragrant.
“Mom, did you make all of this?”
“Mm, I didn’t know what YanYan liked to eat, so Mom made some of her specialties. Tell Mom what you like, and Mom will make it for you next time.”
“Mm, thank you, Mom.”
Seeing the young man’s gentle and obedient smile, Song Shuman felt a pang in her heart, both sad and happy. She suppressed her emotions and smiled, “Good son, eat now.”
Although he was already full, Lin Qingyan didn’t want to disappoint Song Shuman’s efforts, so he started eating seriously. With the voices of his parents and brother in his ears, he couldn’t help but smile.
Perhaps this was family.
…
Zhou Yue Lan looked much more haggard than before. The last time Lin Qingyan saw her was more than two months ago, when he was locked in a room and injured his leg climbing down from a tree.
The woman opposite had lost a lot of weight, her hair a little messy, her gray hair obvious, dark circles under her eyes, her face haggard, and red bloodshot eyes; she looked very distraught.
It can only be said that pitiful people often do hateful things.
Zhou Yue Lan hung her head low, not daring to look at the people opposite. Her hands clasped nervously in her lap, softly calling out, “Xiao Yan…”
Lin Qingyan’s heart felt complicated. He had resentment and hatred towards Zhou Yue Lan; she had ruined his life for those years, but they had lived together as mother and son for so many years and shared some sentiment.
However, this little, pitiful familial affection in Lin Qingyan’s heart couldn’t outweigh the harm Zhou Yue Lan had caused him. He would never be able to let go.
“YanYan…” Song Shuman held her younger son’s hand, her gaze concerned. An Lingkang and An Yu had the same expression, “YanYan, should An Yu take you out for a while?”
Lin Qingyan managed a smile and said it was fine.
He turned his gaze back to Zhou Yue Lan, watching her every move, “Last time, you locked me in the room and stopped me from the interview, was it An Nanyi who told you to do that?”
Since he had thought of this, he might as well ask.
At that time, he had wondered how Zhou Yue Lan had known about his audition. If An Nanyi had told her, everything made sense; Zhou Yue Lan and An Nanyi had been in contact.
Mother and son, indeed.
Zhou Yue Lan didn’t deny it; she nodded, then looked up at them nervously asking, “How is Nannan now? What did you do to him?!”
“It was all my fault, it was all my fault! It has nothing to do with him! Don’t hurt him!”
Hearing this, Lin Qingyan secretly clenched his fists. He felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, his heart cold. A slightly sarcastic smile curled his lips.
Zhou Yue Lan’s first concern wasn’t his injuries, nor was she repentant for her actions. She was concerned about her biological son, An Nanyi.
Lin Qingyan composed himself. His handsome face was cold. With red eyes, he looked at the woman, calmly saying, “He’s been kicked out of the An family.”
“What?” Zhou Yue Lan didn’t believe it, turning to the An couple, her voice agitated, “How could you do this to Nannan? He’s the son you raised for nineteen years! How could you be so heartless as to kick him out of the house?!”
Even Song Shuman, known for her good temper and elegant demeanor, couldn’t help but retort coldly, “Zhou Yue Lan, what do you mean by that? What do you mean we’re heartless? What right do you have to say such things to us?!”
An Lingkang also turned cold, “I’ve lived this long and haven’t seen someone as shameless as you in twisting right and wrong.”
An Fu and An Mu only felt hatred towards Zhou Yue Lan. They would never forgive such a person. How heartless and selfish could one be to secretly switch their own son with another family’s child?
And their poor younger son had lived in such a terrible family since he was a child, suffering so many grievances. Because the Lin family knew he wasn’t their biological son, they could treat him badly with impunity.
“Didn’t you also raise me for nineteen years?” The young man’s cold, slightly trembling voice echoed in everyone’s ears. He stood up, his left hand on the table, his red eyes fixed on Zhou Yue Lan opposite.
“Zhou Yue Lan, how did you treat me? I called you Mom for nineteen years. Ask yourself honestly, did you ever care about me? Did you ever treat me as your son?”
“Just because I’m not your biological son, when I was repeatedly bullied by my classmates, you didn’t care, you would just say it was my fault.”
“When I studied hard and brought home a perfect score report card, hoping to get your praise, you wouldn’t even look at it, let alone praise me.”
“When Lin Jianxiang was drunk and wanted to take his anger out on my brother and me, you always stood in front of my brother. When there was anything good to eat or wear, you would secretly give it to my brother…”
“I once longed so much for your care and love, but I was always the one you ignored.” A single, crystal-clear tear rolled down the young man’s fair cheek. He blinked, and more tears flowed.
“Why? I don’t understand…” Lin Qingyan clenched his fists. His lips trembled slightly because he was suppressing his emotions. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his tone had gradually calmed down:
“Since you switched me, why couldn’t you treat me well? Why were you so at ease, letting your own son live a good life in another family?”
He coldly questioned, “What right do you have to say they’re heartless? Aren’t you the most heartless one?”
Zhou Yue Lan stared at him blankly, unable to speak.
Song Shuman, on the other hand, was already sobbing uncontrollably, and An Lingkang’s eyes were also wet.
“I’ll go out for a while; you don’t need to worry about me.” After saying this, Lin Qingyan wiped his tears and turned to leave; he couldn’t stay here any longer.
“YanYan!”
“I’ve really seen something today. I’ve never seen someone as shameless as you.” An Yu clenched his fists, glared fiercely at Zhou Yue Lan, then quickly chased after him.
“Mom and Dad, I’ll go see him!”
His little rabbit brother had suffered so much; it broke his heart.