Chapter 43: A Foreign Encounter [13]

Jing Nuo grew increasingly annoyed listening to the incessant chatter of those men; the entire evening’s conversation revolved around his ex-wife. It seemed his recent leniency had led them to underestimate him. In response, the sound of cards being thrown down grew noticeably louder, several times more forceful than before.

Lin Fan intended to say something further but abruptly fell silent, sensing that Jing Nuo’s temper was rising. To avoid provoking the man’s anger, it was better to keep quiet.

As Lin Fan quieted, Old Master Jing had silently appeared behind the card table, his face darkened with severity. He spoke gravely to Lin Fan, “Lin Fan, come with me to the study.”

Startled, Lin Fan hurriedly rose from the table and cautiously followed Old Master Jing.

Suddenly, the Old Master stopped and turned to Feng Jing. “Feng Jing, don’t come to the Jing residence so often without reason.”

Feng Jing’s face flushed red instantly. Just having risen from the table, she realized this was no mere remark; it was a clear warning to stay away. The matter of Wen Xiaorou’s divorce from Jing Nuo must have implicated her as well.

Upstairs in the villa, the study’s darkened lights flickered back on.

Old Master Jing sat heavily in his leather chair behind the desk. Lin Fan stood before the desk like a child caught in wrongdoing, awaiting the elder’s judgment.

Old Master Jing let out a meaningful sigh, then sipped his tea before asking, “Just now, you said you saved Rou Rou’s life. What exactly happened?”

The tension within Lin Fan loosened somewhat upon hearing the question. He had feared being accused of the two years Xiaorou had been missing, but it was merely an inquiry about her whereabouts. He briefly recounted how Wen Xiaorou had been deceived, carefully omitting any mention of the chaotic underground bar scene.

Old Master Jing’s expression darkened further after hearing Lin Fan’s report. He waved a dismissive hand. “You may go.”

Without hesitation, Lin Fan fled. He had feared Old Master Jing since childhood and naturally avoided him whenever possible.

After Lin Fan left, Old Master Jing sighed deeply. Wen Xiaorou’s departure from the Jing family left her utterly vulnerable. Naïve and taciturn, lacking any social survival skills, it was no surprise she had been deceived. But this time she had encountered Lin Fan. Next time? Would she be so lucky as to meet Ji Moran and be saved again?

At present, Old Master Jing could not rest easy about Wen Xiaorou. He could not allow her to fend for herself in the outside world.

Thus, the very next day, Wen Xiaorou was summoned to the Jing residence for lunch. The meal was but a pretext; the true purpose was to persuade her to return home.

At the dining table, Wen Xiaorou savored the long-missed delicacies, praising the cook’s skill. “Aunt Liang, it’s been so long since I tasted your cooking. It’s truly delicious.”

Seeing her enjoy the food, Old Master Jing seized the moment. “If it’s so good, then come back to live here.”

Wen Xiaorou was about to take a bite of a braised pork rib when she suddenly paused, licking her lips. “Dad, I’m doing quite well outside.”

Mrs. Jing, fearing her husband would press her further, quickly interjected, “You’re divorced now; coming back to live here would be awkward.”

Old Master Jing shot her a sharp look for speaking out of turn and scolded her silently. After a pause, he added, “Jing Nuo is often away. Even if you two sleep separately, it’s no big deal.”

Wen Xiaorou felt torn inside, her face twisting with indecision. She did not know how best to respond.