"I truly cannot recall anything from my childhood. As far back as I can remember, I have been living at the Lin Estate." Xiao Chen recalled for a long moment, suppressing his doubts with a calm exterior. He offered a light laugh, feigning indifference. "Could it be that my biological father entrusted me to your care? Father, what is it that you intend to tell me?"
He had expected Lin Jiming to take this opportunity to spill everything, but instead, the man slowly sipped his tea and shook his head. "It doesn't matter. You will remember in time."
Xiao Chen was taken aback. "What if I don't? You really ought to tell me, Father; otherwise, my curiosity will keep me awake at night."
Lin Jiming chuckled, yet he remained tight-lipped. "There is no need to force these thoughts. Perhaps one day, they will simply surface in your mind on their own."
With that, he waved his hand. "Go back to your room and rest."
Since that was the case, Xiao Chen could not press further and rose to leave, carrying his confusion with him. The more elusive Lin Jiming was, the more curious he became. It was clear that his origins were deeply problematic.
He had only taken a few steps when Lin Jiming suddenly called out from behind, "Since you have recovered, there is no need to sleep in separate rooms from Ruyan anymore, is there? I shall arrange for the housekeeper to move your things over shortly."
Xiao Chen paused, then nodded. "Very well, Father."
It had been Lin Ruyan's own choice not to let him—the fool—touch her. Therefore, shouldn't she be the one to decide whether they would now share a room? He had wanted to discuss it with her first, but Lin Jiming had acted without consultation. Only when Xiao Chen reached his room did he realize his belongings had already been moved.
"Young Master," the housekeeper said, beaming at him. "Please, make your way to the main chamber over there."
"Very well." Xiao Chen shook his head in resignation and walked over.
"My lady, I wanted to tell you..." He knocked gently, pushed the door open, and called out.
His voice, however, was swallowed by the sound of splashing water. Through the screen, Xiao Chen caught only a dim, graceful silhouette. Lin Ruyan was bathing!
He turned around, intending to retreat, but a clear, melodic female voice rang out: "Bring me the soap."
The tone was commanding. Xiao Chen hesitated briefly before walking toward the cabinet where the soap was kept. Then, it struck him: was she mistaking him for a maid? Was that why she was ordering him about?
"Apply it to my back."
As he walked behind her and moved to hand her the soap, he heard Lin Ruyan speak again. Even though he prided himself on being a gentleman, his heart could not help but race at the sight of her skin, smooth and supple as cream. Moreover, the woman before him was his own wife; what was there that he could not touch?
After a split second of hesitation, Xiao Chen reached into the tub, wet his hands, and began to gently rub the soap onto Lin Ruyan's back.
Mist swirled in the tub. Lin Ruyan kept her eyes closed, unaware that the person behind her was not her maid. It was only when Xiao Chen’s calloused fingertips brushed her delicate neck, sending a shiver of sensation through her, that she realized the person bathing her was not a maid at all!
"Why is it you!"
With a splash, Lin Ruyan scrambled to the other side of the tub, covering her chest with both hands, her cheeks flushed bright red. The tub was full of foam, and apart from her shoulders exposed above the water, Xiao Chen had seen nothing at all.
"I called out when I entered. Perhaps you were too focused on your bath to hear me," Xiao Chen said calmly.
Seeing him so composed, Lin Ruyan burned even hotter with embarrassment. "You—turn around!"
Xiao Chen turned obediently, the corners of his mouth curling upward. Soon, there was a splashing sound behind him, followed by the hurried noise of Lin Ruyan climbing out of the tub and wrapping herself in a towel.
He asked, "My lady, shall we retire for the night?"
"We?" Lin Ruyan paused, then noticed the pile of Xiao Chen's belongings behind the screen.
"Father just told me to move in here," Xiao Chen said with an air of innocence, though it was true he hadn't exactly been eager to move.
"You..." Lin Ruyan gritted her teeth in frustration. They were legally wed, and while her insistence on separate rooms when he was a simpleton had been justifiable, she could hardly refuse now that he had recovered. After a moment of thought, she commanded, "You—you sleep on the daybed on the east side!"
She was nervous, her voice trembling for the first time. She was terrified he might refuse.
To her surprise, Xiao Chen simply walked toward the daybed and replied, "Very well." He straightened the bedding and lay down, fully clothed.
Lin Ruyan sat back on her own bed, heart thumping wildly. She had never spent a night in the same room as a man in her life, and as a result, she did not sleep a wink. Xiao Chen, on the other hand, soon settled into a steady, rhythmic breath, sleeping soundly.
The next morning, Lin Ruyan dressed and prepared to head out. The Lin Family owned many shops, and she had to inspect them daily to ensure everything was in order. Xiao Chen changed his outer garments and accompanied her. Since they were husband and wife, they stood together; besides, it was a good opportunity to learn about the Lin family's business.
"Why don't you go over there and take a look?"
After the events of the previous night, Lin Ruyan felt uneasy with Xiao Chen hovering nearby. She felt a sense of relief only after dismissing him.
"There is sand mixed into your rice on purpose! The Lin Clan Grain Shop is officially licensed by the Ministry of Revenue! How dare you cheat us like this!"
As she approached, Lin Ruyan heard a man shouting. She hurried forward.
The shop manager was sweating profusely. "My good customer, there must be some mistake. Every bag of grain in our shop is carefully sifted. How could there possibly be sand in it?"
The man was unrelenting. "So, according to you, I mixed the sand in myself just to frame you?"
"This..." The manager dared not voice his thoughts. Seeing Lin Ruyan arrive, he grabbed at the lifeline. "Eldest Miss, please look into this! We are being wronged! You have always taught us to trade honestly—how could we possibly put sand in the rice?"
"The Lin Eldest Miss?" The troublemaker had narrow, shifty eyes and a lecherous look. Upon seeing her, he seemed ready to feast his eyes on her. "So you're the Lin girl who took in that fool?"
He let out a raspy laugh. "I bet that fool of yours can't satisfy you, can he? You’re in luck, meeting me today! How about you spend the night with me?"
"Move aside!" Lin Ruyan stood her ground, her brows arching as she shouted, "This is the middle of the street! If you dare to cause any more trouble, I will report you to the authorities! Let them see for themselves if you are trying to extort us!"
The mention of the authorities did not scare the man at all. He reached out to grab her sleeve. "This isn't extortion! If you don't want me to tell everyone about the sand in your rice, why don't you come spend the night with me instead?"