Chapter 30 part 1
Gu Lin walked out of the airport and hailed a taxi.
“Where to, sir?” the young male driver asked.
Gu Lin got in the car, crossed his legs, rested one hand on the door, his knuckles curled against his chin, and glanced down at his phone before giving the driver a destination.
The young driver started the car, occasionally glancing at the man in the rearview mirror.
The man looked to be in his twenties, with striking features. Although his skin was very fair, it was clear he was Asian.
This was the first time he’d seen such a handsome Asian man.
The young driver tried to strike up a conversation, “Sir, are you here for tourism?”
Gu Lin, who had been looking at his phone, looked up slightly at the question.
Their eyes met in the rearview mirror, and the young driver quickly averted his gaze, blushing.
Gu Lin lowered his gaze again, murmuring, “Mm.”
The young driver shifted his gaze back to the rearview mirror. Seeing the man looking down at his phone again, he felt a faint sense of disappointment.
But before he could be disappointed for too long, the previously stopped traffic started moving again, and he quickly stepped on the gas pedal to catch up.
Gu Lin found a number in his phone and dialed it.
But after only three rings, he hung up.
The driver in front was unaware of this and concernedly said, “Are you unable to reach the tour group? If it’s a local tour group, we specialize in this; I can help you contact them.”
Before Gu Lin could answer, his phone rang, and he picked it up.
Zhao Ming’s voice came from the other end, “Mr. Gu, sorry, I was busy and didn’t see your call. Did you call for something in particular?”
“Mr. Zhao?” Gu Lin’s voice held a hint of apology. “Sorry to bother you. Nothing urgent. I accidentally pressed the wrong number.”
Zhao Ming chuckled heartily, “Is that so? That’s good. But from your ringtone, are you abroad, Mr. Gu?”
Gu Lin’s lips curved into a smile. “Mm, I’m in R City. Just arrived.”
Zhao Ming was surprised. “R City?” Then he laughed, “Coincidence, my nephew is there. You met him last time, Zhao Yi.”
“Zhao Yi? Of course, I remember him. He’s a very cheerful young man.”
Zhao Ming said enthusiastically, “You should have told me sooner. Let me have my nephew pick you up. No need to look for other hotels; stay at his place. R City isn’t big, and he can drive you around!”
Gu Lin seemed hesitant, “Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”
Zhao Ming was generous, “What trouble? That kid is playful, and I was planning to have him learn from you, Mr. Gu. This is a perfect opportunity. Just consider it a favor. Feel free to use him as your driver. Don’t be polite.”
“Okay, then I’ll bother you for a while.”
“Mr. Gu, please don’t be so polite. If that boy is unruly, just contact me, haha.”
After hanging up, Gu Lin noticed the gaze in the rearview mirror.
He looked at the young driver, smiling in response to his earlier question, “Thank you, I’ve contacted them.”
After receiving Zhao Ming’s call, Zhao Yi quickly drove home. According to Zhao Ming, he was to pick up Gu Lin from the airport. But he knew Gu Lin wouldn’t have come here so easily.
Sure enough, as soon as he pulled up to his house, he saw Gu Lin waiting at his doorstep.
Zhao Yi gripped the steering wheel tightly, staring at the person not far away through the car window.
It was impossible for Gu Lin to have coincidentally arrived here and then coincidentally contacted his uncle. There are no such coincidences in this world. This person definitely knew everything before coming here.
Gu Lin used anyone to achieve his goals.
Business partners, people around him—he used them strategically.
And his uncle was just another pawn.
But the house wasn’t under his family’s name, so how did Gu Lin know, how did he find out?
Zhao Yi thought he had chosen a safe enough place, but he hadn’t been careful enough.
He looked at the open door.
Fortunately, Lin Zheng was out today.
Zhao Yi got out of the car, closed the door, walked to Gu Lin, and resumed his usual carefree playboy demeanor, although more restrained than usual.
“Mr. Gu, I received my uncle’s call. What a coincidence! I didn’t expect you to come here.”
Gu Lin lowered his gaze slightly. “It is quite a coincidence. You’re here too.”
Zhao Yi felt the oppressive aura emanating from Gu Lin, his grip faltering.
Zhao Yi smiled, withdrew his hand, and said, “This is fate, I suppose. Although this is only our second meeting, Mr. Gu feels like an older brother. I will listen to my uncle and learn from you, Mr. Gu. Just tell me where you want to go, but it’s better to tell me in advance so I can prepare.”
Zhao Yi looked at Gu Lin’s luggage. “Mr. Gu must be tired from the journey. Why don’t you rest inside first? Just call me if you need anything.”
With that, Zhao Yi had Gu Lin’s luggage taken inside.
Gu Lin smirked. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
Zhao Yi watched Gu Lin walk into the courtyard, his brows furrowing slightly.
Lin Zheng was sipping juice when the housekeeper announced that dinner was ready. Rick checked the time again, and the doorbell rang just in time.
Rick smiled. “My friend is here.” He went to open the door.
Lin Zheng sat on the sofa and glanced back. He saw Rick hugging the person.
Mm, a man wearing a baseball cap, with somewhat dark skin.
Wait, wrong!
Lin Zheng blinked hard and took a closer look.
Oh no, isn’t this the very famous new rapper?!
The one with tons of fans!
Rick released the man’s arms and put his hand on the man’s back, chatting as they walked in, then introducing the friend to Lin Zheng.
More precisely, they introduced each other.
“Lin Zheng?” the man shook Lin Zheng’s hand. “I like this name. Just call me Ken.”
Lin Zheng was flattered and said he liked his name too.
Ken thought hard for a moment, then excitedly told Lin Zheng: “I know a few Chinese characters. The ‘zheng’ in your name means the real ‘zheng’ in ‘true or false’, right? I knew it!”
Lin Zheng: “…Ah…Um…”
Lin Zheng couldn’t bring himself to say that they weren’t the same character, especially since the other party was so confident.
Lin Ya, carrying the dishes, corrected him, “Ken, that’s the ‘zheng’ in ‘competition’, not the ‘zheng’ in ‘true or false’. But I’m glad you’re learning our language.”
Ken looked devastated.
Seeing Ken’s heartbroken expression, Lin Zheng suddenly felt sorry that his name wasn’t “true” but “zheng”.
Lin Ya patted Lin Zheng’s arm, “Don’t mind Ken, that’s just his personality. He’ll be fine soon.”
Lin Zheng nodded, thinking, I wouldn’t change my name for him either.
Lunch was sumptuous. Afterward, Lin Zheng got to enjoy many delicious snacks, some of which were baked by Lin Ya herself. She told him that they put a lot of sugar in desserts here, and she couldn’t get used to it at first, so she started making her own.
Lin Zheng put the last blueberry cookie in his mouth. “Delicious.”
Lin Ya mentioned tomorrow’s baby’s first birthday party, “There will be even more delicious food at tomorrow’s party, and all the desserts are prepared by me and a pastry chef. I won’t disappoint you. I’ve been preparing for this party for days, even putting work on hold. This is my first baby, and I want to give her the best.”
Lin Zheng took another cookie, this time strawberry flavored. He said to Lin Ya, “You’re a wonderful mother.”
Lin Ya smiled, “All mothers in the world are wonderful.”
Lin Zheng paused his action of putting the cookie into his mouth, then smiled, “Most of them?”
Lin Ya thought for a moment and nodded.
They smiled at each other.
Time was running out.
“I’ve bothered you this afternoon. Lunch was delicious. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Lin Zheng stood at the door to say goodbye to the old lady.
The old lady smiled at Lin Zheng, “Good child, I should be thanking you. Really not staying a little longer? Lin Ya will prepare more delicious food later.”
Lin Ya said beside the old lady, “Yes, it’s still early.”
Lin Zheng said, “I’m pressed for time today. I have to go back and prepare a gift for the baby. I’ll come again tomorrow.”
Lin Ya said, “What gift? No need to prepare anything; just come.”