LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 4: Could She Be Trying to Take His Place?
Late at night, Lin Xu planned to go downstairs to get a glass of water. As she passed the study, she noticed light spilling from the crack under the door, casting a faint glow on the floorboards.
The light wasn't turned off?
She turned the doorknob, intending to switch off the light, but froze upon seeing Ji Tingyang sitting at the desk.
She glanced at the time; it was already half past midnight. Was he still handling work at this hour?
For a brief moment, Lin Xu's mind wandered to the face of her late husband. He, too, would often spend entire nights in the study when working overtime.
She would always urge him not to overexert himself, but he would gently wrap his arms around her waist and softly say, "I want you and the children to live without worry. No matter how hard it is, it's worth it."
What did she say in reply to him?
Lin Xu pondered for a moment.
"The body is the foundation of everything. If you exhaust yourself, how can I and the children live without worry?"
She would then drag him back to their room to rest.
It was only last week that this happened, yet in the blink of an eye, twenty years had passed, and he was no longer here...
For a moment, a trace of sadness and melancholy clouded her expression.
Lin Xu had stood at the door for so long that Ji Tingyang finally noticed the unusual silence. Looking up, he saw her and, with a puzzled look, asked, "What's wrong?"
Snapping back to reality, Lin Xu walked in. "Still working?"
"Mm, there are a few documents left to handle."
"If it's not urgent, you can deal with them tomorrow. It's late, go get some sleep." Lin Xu urged.
"Wait…"
"Your health is more important!"
As Ji Tingyang opened his mouth to respond, a small hand suddenly landed on his head, gently patting him.
"Good boy." Lin Xu cooed like she would to a child.
Ji Tingyang stiffened. He had intended to say something, but his mouth closed in silence, allowing her hand to rest on his head.
Since the death of his parents, very few people had shown him such care. The familiar sensation of warmth left him feeling reluctant to leave.
But it was Lin Xu who couldn't hold out any longer, stifling a yawn as she reminded him again to go back and rest before leaving the study.
Just as she stepped out, she encountered Wen Li coming up the stairs with a cup of water. Their eyes met, and Lin Xu noticed the faint surprise in Wen Li's gaze. Ji Tingyang's study was strictly off-limits to anyone, and she had only been allowed in once or twice.
To her surprise, this newly arrived woman was coming and going from the study as though it were nothing.
Lin Xu glanced at Wen Li, noticing her gaunt frame, the faint dark circles under her eyes, and her fragile, almost sickly beauty that evoked a sense of pity.
Lin Xu knew this was likely due to her starvation and poor rest.
Anyone confined to a villa all day would surely have a sour mood.
Thinking of this, she spoke softly, "Don't worry, I will persuade Ji Tingyang to let you go."
Once you leave, you can reunite with your true love, and never see her son again. This way, her son will be safe, and the Ji family's fortune will remain intact. How perfect.
"You?" Wen Li didn't believe Lin Xu's words.
Ji Tingyang, who was so devoted to her, had never listened to her demands. How could he possibly listen to another woman?
Since meeting Lin Xu, Wen Li had always been told that she would persuade Ji Tingyang to release her. Could she be trying to take her place?
Wen Li sneered inwardly.
"Mm, I'll try to persuade him more during this time. Just wait a few more days." Lin Xu, oblivious to her thoughts, comforted her.
"Oh, well, good luck then," Wen Li said coldly, turning to return to her room.
(The end of this chapter)