Chapter 888: Chapter 888: When the Old House Catches Fire, There’s No Stopping It

The air fell silent.

Originally, it was just a simple, caring sentence, but coming from the mouths of two adults with a shared past, it carried an unusual flavor.

Lin Hua gently shook her head, wanting to leave, but her slender arm was gently held by him.

She turned her head.

King Jingyao’s voice was particularly hoarse: "It’s late, don’t make me worry. Don’t overthink too much; there’s a guest room on the second floor that Little Wang sometimes stays in."

Lin Hua pressed her lips together, her gaze still on his face, and after a long while, King Jingyao finally spoke: "Am I really that untrustworthy to you? If you don’t trust me, why would you ask for my help with something so big?"

In the end, Lin Hua nodded lightly.

King Jingyao was momentarily moved. It had been a long time since a woman visited here. Little Wang and Zhou Yu didn’t count—one was like a rascal, and the other a bygone acquaintance. Lin Hua was different from them.

Old brother could’ve called someone to take her to the guest room, but he thought about it and decided to do it himself. The room was just next door, not small, with a living room, a study, and a bathroom—quite complete.

King Jingyao simply showed her around and smiled, "No pajamas here. How about I get you a shirt to wear for the night?"

Lin Hua wondered, "Isn’t there anything left by Anxi here that would do?"

Old brother laughed again, "Don’t you know her? She’s like a monkey, takes a shower and just puts on her old clothes, doesn’t care much. Besides, she rarely comes here; the one or two times she did was with Xichen."

Lin Hua nodded at that.

King Jingyao fetched a shirt for her and handed it over, "Sleep early."

As he turned to leave, Lin Hua suddenly called out to him, "Jingyao."

King Jingyao froze, his voice hoarse after a moment, "What’s the matter?"

Standing behind him, holding his shirt in her hands, Lin Hua said softly, "If you have any requests, I... am willing."

Old brother took about five seconds to digest her words, and then he was displeased, "What are you saying? Am I that kind of person?"

He went silent, cut off his words.

—He was indeed that kind of person.

To say there wasn’t a hint of mischief in his thoughts was impossible.

He was a bit angry, but this anger was directed at himself rather than her.

Looking at Lin Hua, he said in irritation, "Wash up and sleep. If there’s anything, we’ll discuss it tomorrow."

Lin Hua didn’t respond, and King Jingyao’s voice rose, "Fine, I’m leaving then."

But she still said nothing, her eyes a little teary, and old brother’s anger vanished instantly. He sighed, "I’m not going to do anything to you. You’re grown up, yet acting like a little girl. I was never this gentle with that rascal Little Wang, who always breaks things but never cries, only schemes against me." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Thinking about it, old brother felt a bit wronged, but there was nothing to say about it, so he just held it in.

Lin Hua shook her head, "I’m not upset."

Old Wang looked at her, and compassion rose in his heart. At that moment, with no one around, he couldn’t help but gently hold her in his arms and offer some soft words of comfort.

That comfort led to something big.

... Volcanoes, rockets, trains, high-speed trains—whizzing by...

Impossible to stop.

For old brother, it was like an old house catching fire in middle age; all projects, plots, and schemes were thrown aside, leaving just the beauty under the lamp...

*

As dawn broke, there was movement in the villa. The presence of a female sports car caused surprise and suspicion among the servants. Word got around that Miss Lin Hua had come by and stayed the night.

The whole household was full of joy, seemingly expecting a mistress to join the family. Compared to Dr. Jiang, they much preferred the amiable Miss Lin of good family background and looks. Though she and Mr. Wang previously had no fate, destined people always find a way back together. The servants were unconcerned about the two rooms upstairs; they rounded things up and decided Lin was destined to be Mrs. Wang.

With joy downstairs, in the guest room on the second floor, King Jingyao touched his phone by the bed and slowly sat up.

Impulsive.

No longer young, yet still so impulsive, a rarely occurring thing.

He quietly got up without waking Lin Hua and went back to his own bedroom. It was about time he normally woke up; he couldn’t linger even if he wanted to, as there were piles of matters waiting for him at the office, with Jingchuan off enjoying himself...

Old brother changed into formal wear and was shaving when he suddenly thought of Wang Jingchuan, so he closed the bedroom door and went to the bathroom to shave while calling Jingchuan.

Over there, Secretary-General Wang was having a good time; why not, when following Little Gu means no demands for work hours—arrive by ten in the morning, which meant he usually slept till eight, unaccustomed to such a leisurely routine with King Jingyao. The secretary-general was reluctant to go back.

Now, receiving a call from his boss early in the morning, Wang Jingchuan sat up immediately, thinking it must be a major task, only to find the boss started discussing one, two, three—

Wang the Senior had achieved something significant.

"Jingchuan, in your opinion, given my current relationship with Lin Hua... is she willing, or is it for Feng Sheng?" Old brother earnestly sought advice from the well-experienced secretary-general, resembling a boy in his first love.

This... after listening back and forth, Wang Jingchuan knew deep down. Lin Hua was likely too distressed to rekindle old feelings with you, most likely seeking your help out of necessity, and you with your... whatever, she kind of went along with it, and you really believe in your charm?

However, what Wang Jingchuan kept to himself couldn’t be spoken lest it anger the boss, so he ambiguously replied, "If a woman is willing, there’s likely some affection involved; it really depends on you."

King Jingyao finished shaving and looked at himself in the mirror, smiling slightly, "Depends on me how?"

The secretary-general swallowed hard: "You’re not thinking of shirking responsibility, are you? This matter is settled already. Miss Lin Hua is of noble descent and an artist in her own right. You respected her in the past, not indulging in frivolities to maintain friendship, right?"

King Jingyao put down the razor, asking with a slight air of nonchalance, "What’s your idea of responsibility?"

The secretary-general naturally replied, "Of course, it would be to marry Miss Lin."

The clever secretary-general started listing reasons: "This matter can’t be hidden. Miss Lin came over last night—probably unnoticed, but if she leaves in daylight, word will definitely spread. Her reputation will be affected; with the Feng family undergoing issues, if you don’t protect her, who will? Unless you really have no feelings for her."