Should he tell them?
Or perhaps… he should handle it himself?
Jìn Xiǎo Xī, heavy-hearted, turned the corner and was about to enter the room when he suddenly collided with a solid body. He looked up.
"Dad?"
Jìn Líng looked at the child before him and replied, "Just came from your mother's room?"
"Mm," Jìn Xiǎo Xī honestly replied.
"Go play."
Jìn Líng casually patted Jìn Xiǎo Xī's head.
He had seen this little doll not long ago, in the Southern Territory. When he returned to the old manor to see Jìn Yè's child, he had entered that room.
In the room, he never expected to be discovered by a little girl!
The moment he realized the little girl was feigning sleep, he acted swiftly, knocked her out, and stole her.
Why did he steal her away?
Perhaps because kindred spirits have similar auras, he detected a wildness from the girl named Táng Rǎn.
After taking Táng Rǎn, he sent her to that place of destiny alteration.
If the girl survived, her position would be inherited by her.
"Dad…"
Just as Jìn Líng was about to enter the bedroom, Jìn Xiǎo Xī called out to him again. After a long hesitation, he said, "Tomorrow, I want to go to Grandma's house."
Jìn Líng didn't think much of it and casually agreed.
Then, he waved to the child and entered the room.
Sū Dīng was in the room pondering Shào Lín's matter. Upon hearing the door open, she saw Jìn Yè walk in.
For some reason, seeing Jìn Yè didn't evoke the same feelings as before.
She even began to suspect she was being overly suspicious.
"You're back quite early today."
Sū Dīng said naturally, "Xǔ Róng just transferred the money to Sī Wèi."
Jìn Líng was dismissive, stating calmly, "People like that should be dealt with by force."
After speaking, seemingly uninterested in the Wáng Yǎn family's affairs, he sat beside Sū Dīng and asked with concern, "How are you at home?"
Sū Dīng knew he was referring to the public opinion. Although it was somewhat annoying, it hadn't had a significant impact yet.
"I'm fine. It's just that Xiāo Yuán has been quite busy."
"Mm, that's good. I'll keep an eye on this matter and find out who is behind it as soon as possible."
As Jìn Líng spoke, he saw the calm expression on Sū Dīng's beautiful and stunning face, which stirred a deeper sense of admiration within him.
He disliked people who cried over everything and longed for resilient, strong women.
He walked to the sofa and sat down, unconsciously rolling up his sleeves. Just as he was about to reach out to embrace Sū Dīng, she suddenly turned to look at him.
"What's wrong?" Every time Jìn Líng's eyes met Sū Dīng's, he would instinctively feel a flicker of panic, despite his outwardly calm demeanor.
"Nothing."
Sū Dīng's gaze subtly swept over Jìn Líng's cuffs.
Previously, Jìn Yè rarely rolled up his cuffs to expose his arms, and there was a very fine thread undone on his cuff. Jìn Yè, being so meticulous about details, wouldn't let himself be seen in such attire.
"Are you thirsty? I'll pour you some tea."
Without waiting for Jìn Líng to reply, Sū Dīng stood up on her own and went to the cabinet.
Jìn Líng's hand, which was about to embrace her, was subtly ignored. He frowned, thinking he might be overthinking.
He leaned back on the sofa, watching the woman's slender back as she rummaged in the cabinet.
He couldn't help but want to light a cigarette.
Her fluffy, slightly curly flaxen hair fell on her shoulders. Even from a distance, it seemed to carry a faint fragrance. Her loose loungewear, due to her crouching posture, outlined her graceful figure, as if her entire being exuded seduction.
Jìn Líng's Adam's apple bobbed, his eyes gradually filling with desire. He desperately wanted to possess the woman before him, but he also wished for her to yield willingly.
Meanwhile, Sū Dīng took the tea leaves and began to brew the tea.
The swirling mist made her face appear somewhat hazy. No one noticed the hint of solemnity hidden in her eyes.
The current Jìn Yè made her feel increasingly estranged.
So estranged that she felt as if she didn't know him at all, like a stranger wearing Jìn Yè's skin.
"Will he like this tea?"
Sū Dīng mused inwardly as she brought the brewed tea over.
This tea was brought back by Jìn Yè previously, a gift from a business partner. She had tried it once and quite liked the taste, but Jìn Yè didn't particularly care for it, so she hadn't drunk it since.
At their last meal, Jìn Yè had uncharacteristically enjoyed meat. So, what about this time?
Placing the tea before Jìn Yè, Sū Dīng casually asked, "Is there anything you want to tell me?"
Jìn Líng suddenly felt a surge of alertness. He glanced at Sū Dīng and asked uncomfortably, "What?"
"Shào Lín."
Sū Dīng tested the waters.
Hearing Shào Lín's name, Jìn Líng found it somewhat familiar.
At this moment, he suddenly recalled receiving a call a few days prior. The caller had stated that Shào Lín had been taken away. Although he knew Shào Lín's relationship with Jìn Yè, he hadn't paid much attention to Shào Lín's escape. xxs壹贰
Now, being suddenly questioned by Sū Dīng, he was unsure how to answer.
"Shào Lín… was taken away. We haven't identified who did it yet."
Jìn Líng stated gravely, "I received news a while ago, and I didn't want to trouble you, so I didn't mention it." The latter half was an explanation.
Sū Dīng frowned, about to say something, but then closed her lips.
Jìn Yè knew Shào Lín had escaped and didn't tell her, which made her a little angry. However, remembering Jìn Yè's recent strange behavior, she decided not to voice her grievances.
"Mm, but it's possible that Shào Lín was behind this. I think we can start by looking into her, and also that incident back then…"
Sū Dīng spoke in a low voice, trying her best to control her emotions.
Shào Lín kidnapping her, imprisoning her, and causing her to miscarry on her wedding day – this was a debt she would remember for a lifetime.
"It was her?"
Jìn Líng raised an eyebrow, then nodded, "I understand."
Afterward, he reached out, picked up the tea before him, and took a sip. The tea was rich and fragrant, its aroma pleasing, which made him relax slightly.
"How's the tea?" Sū Dīng glanced at Jìn Líng and asked casually.
"It's very fragrant, tastes good."
Jìn Líng was not on guard, mistaking it for a simple inquiry.
But these words made Sū Dīng's heart sink violently!
What was going on?
The taste was indeed different.
Details like the cuffs had changed, and even the mole on the back of his neck.
What had happened to Jìn Yè abroad to make him so different from before, as if he had become a completely different person!
This discovery made Sū Dīng's emotions grow heavy.
Jìn Líng savored the tea. It was only then that he noticed Sū Dīng's emotional state seemed off. However, recalling Sū Dīng's earlier words, he surmised she was worried about Shào Lín.
"Don't worry, I've already sent people to look for her."
Jìn Líng looked at Sū Dīng's appearance, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, her rosy lips pressed together, possessing a classical charm.
This stirred something within him. He moved closer to Sū Dīng and wrapped his arm around her slender waist.
"Ah?"
Sū Dīng, lost in thought, was startled by the sudden embrace.
Feeling Jìn Líng press against her, she instinctively recoiled slightly. But upon seeing Jìn Líng's face, she didn't push him away. She couldn't bear to hurt Jìn Yè because of her own suspicions.
Jìn Líng embraced the soft, delicate body in his arms. In the privacy of the bedroom, his desire to possess gradually intensified, and his body grew warmer.
If he were to possess Sū Dīng in this room, on this bed.
He imagined Jìn Yè would go mad.
Thinking this, Jìn Líng's large hand gradually grasped Sū Dīng's hand, and he leaned in, pressing down on her.
"Ah!"
Sū Dīng was startled and tried to struggle, but her hand was held tightly.
She was caught off guard and thrown onto the sofa.
The man before her leaned over her, pinning her legs with his own. His handsome face was about to descend upon hers…