WHI – Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The sound of trickling water came from the bathroom. Lin Ting lay on the bed, quietly looking at his right wrist—the Red String that belonged to Wen Lan, which had been there just minutes ago, had been snatched by the man humming in the bathroom and was now on his own wrist.

At this moment, only a red mark remained on his right wrist.

Lin Ting couldn’t help but curse and pinch the bridge of his nose.

Soon, the sound of the shower turned off, and Wen Lan, in his slippers, returned to the bedside as if he were in his own home.

“I love you.” Wen Lan propped his hands on the headboard and kissed Lin Ting’s eye corner lightly.

“Is this how you love?” Lin Ting was almost angered into laughter. He rolled over to face Wen Lan. “How did you find me? I don’t remember telling you where I live.”

Wen Lan smiled, bent down to pick up his pants from under the bed, and took out a key from his pocket.

“Does someone not remember that Wen Group’s business empire includes this real estate company?” Wen Lan dangled the key in his hand.

Lin Ting cursed and snatched the key. “What will happen if the dignified Young Master Wen is accused of trespassing?”

Wen Lan leaned down again and kissed Lin Ting’s lips. “What trespassing? This is my boyfriend’s home, and I’m not allowed in?”

Lin Ting knew that saying this was a bit like a dog biting its master. “Wen Lan, I think you should…”

Wen Lan’s expression instantly darkened. He reached out and grabbed Lin Ting’s chin, forcing him to look at him. “Should what? Is it for my ‘future,’ or because of my mother—Chen Song?”

The moment he heard Chen Song’s name, Lin Ting felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured directly over his head. His body stiffened involuntarily. “You know?”

Wen Lan tightened his grip on Lin Ting’s chin. “I thought you were just playing around with me, and it made me sad for a long time. You’re such a scumbag. That’s why they say you shouldn’t date men who are too handsome.”

Lin Ting roughly pulled Wen Lan’s hand off his chin and said coldly, “So, I am the son of the murderer who killed your mother. You came here knowing this because it’s your revenge?”

Wen Lan nodded noncommittally. “Yes, revenge. Your father’s drunk driving killed my mother, and I hated him to death. You played with my feelings, and I hated you to death. So, don’t even think about running away. Stay by my side and atone.”

Lin Ting closed his eyes slightly and sighed. “You will regret this.”

“Lin Ting, I asked you on the mountaintop, and I’ll ask you again. Do you not trust me or not trust yourself?” Wen Lan stood straight, the dim yellow light shining from behind him, making it difficult for Lin Ting to discern the emotions brewing in his eyes.

“I admit, before, I really didn’t want to delay you and wanted to ‘play around’ with you, but I never intended to hurt you. If it weren’t for the sudden discovery… perhaps I would have played this game of make-believe with you for longer.” Lin Ting said this in an almost calm tone and prepared to get up and go to the bathroom.

Wen Lan grabbed his wrist and stopped Lin Ting’s steps. “I don’t care. I don’t care what others think of me, nor do I care if my father disowns me. I don’t care about the grudges of the previous generation. Lin Ting, let’s date, seriously.”

“Are you crazy?” Lin Ting narrowed his eyes, the corners slightly upturned.

Wen Lan released Lin Ting’s hand. “You go take a shower first, then get some sleep. When you wake up, I’ll take you somewhere.”

The sky had already turned pale. Lin Ting lay down but felt no sleepiness.

What was this? A farce he had staged himself? His principles, which he had held for so long, were broken by a forceful intrusion? Lin Ting tried his best to close his eyes and stop thinking, but he couldn’t fall asleep. Wen Lan, on the other side of the bed, was sleeping soundly…

After tossing and turning several times without success, Lin Ting’s waist was suddenly encircled by a strong arm from behind. Then, the person leaned closer, his breath caressing Lin Ting’s neck.

“Sleep.” This was the last thing Lin Ting heard before falling asleep, his voice hoarse and deep, likely a dream murmur.

The sun slanted through the window and fell on the bed. Lin Ting opened his eyes.

The space behind him was empty. The sound of washing up came from the bathroom.

Lin Ting sat up, reached for a cigarette from the bedside table, put it in his mouth, lit it, and silently stared in the direction of the bathroom door.

Wen Lan soon pushed the door open, some water droplets still on his face. “You’re up? Smoking this early? When did you learn?”

Saying this, he leaned forward and snatched the cigarette butt, putting it in his own mouth.

Lin Ting didn’t react much. He got up and went to the bathroom to wash up.

After they had both finished washing up and dressed, Wen Lan eagerly pulled Lin Ting out. “The car is here.”

They hadn’t woken up particularly early, and it was already lunchtime. Fortunately, it wasn’t the weekend. While students were on summer vacation, office workers were still confined to air-conditioned office buildings, rushing through reports.

The road wasn’t very congested, especially since it was the road leading to the southwestern suburbs, which was rarely traveled.

Lin Ting vaguely sensed where Wen Lan was taking him.

As the scenery outside the window became more desolate, with green gradually replacing the concrete jungle, and the taxi wound its way around hills, the view outside stopped.

Western Suburbs Cemetery.

Lin Ting’s guess was correct.

“My mother is buried here.” Wen Lan’s aura noticeably dimmed, as if covered by an unshakeable layer of gray smoke.

“Mm.” Lin Ting could almost recall, with his eyes closed, that face covered in blood, as if gradually regaining its vitality, transforming from that doll into the girl in the photo, smiling brightly.

There were very few people in the cemetery today. Looking around, only one middle-aged man could be seen, holding a bouquet of flowers, half-squatting before a tombstone about ten meters away, the mountain wind carrying indistinct words.

Lin Ting followed behind Wen Lan and saw the light yellow floral dress on a white tombstone.

It was Chen Song, the photo from when she was 18.

She must have really liked this photo. Chen Song’s expression showed no trace of the tarnish that comes with worldly experience.

Lin Ting squatted down and, together with Wen Lan, wiped the cold marble surface with tissues in front of the grave.

“Mom,” Wen Lan stopped his hand and stuffed the dirty tissue into his pocket. “I have someone I like. I brought him to see you today.”

Lin Ting dared not look directly into the innocent eyes of the 18-year-old girl.

Wen Lan continued to chatter about recent events. He had graduated and grown taller. His father’s temper had worsened.

Finally, Wen Lan said, “Mom, I can’t forgive Lin Fang for what he did, but Lin Ting isn’t wrong, is he? I really like him. If you agree, please give me a sign.”

Wen Lan spoke slowly and deliberately, as if each word had to be carefully articulated for Chen Song to hear.

Lin Ting turned his head and looked at Wen Lan’s profile. He rarely saw the person in front of him discussing something with such seriousness.

Chen Song must have been a very good mother.

The summer air was always thick, so heavy that one could barely extend their arms. If a breeze were to blow, it would make one feel lighter.

Just as Lin Ting thought this, a breeze carrying the unique scent of the mountains and forests, with a small daisy floating along, gently landed in front of the tombstone.

Wen Lan picked up the daisy, turned to Lin Ting, and smiled. “My mom agrees.”

For some reason, Lin Ting’s mood suddenly became much brighter. Perhaps in someone’s eyes, he was no longer living under Lin Fang’s shadow. He was just himself. Even if his biological father’s nature was known, it didn’t matter. In Wen Lan’s eyes, he was accepted.

Few people came to the western suburbs, and there were few cars. By the time they got a taxi back near their rental apartment, it was already past 2:30 PM.

They hadn’t eaten since morning, so they casually ordered some rice bowls at a small shop downstairs.

“I have to go home later,” Wen Lan said with his mouth full.

“Mm, go ahead.”

“You’re coming with me.”

“Me?” Lin Ting paused his meal. “What am I going there for?”

“To see my mom, and not my dad?” Wen Lan also stopped his chopsticks and looked at Lin Ting leisurely.

Lin Ting suddenly remembered something. “Right, how did you know I was Lin Fang’s son?”

“The day you saved me by jumping into the water, I saw the Red String on your wrist and knew things weren’t that simple. It was my fault for letting my emotions get the better of me at the time and not thinking things through carefully. Later, I asked my dad about the details of your sudden departure, and then it was quick to deduce and investigate.” Wen Lan said with a straight face.

“Aren’t you afraid your dad will be angry if you bring me home like this? The sole heir of the Wen family not only has to come out but also with the son of…” Lin Ting hadn’t taken his suggestion of ‘dating’ seriously, and he certainly didn’t intend to agree to such an absurd idea. “It was fine that I left that day, but you ran out of the house after asking your dad this time. He can’t possibly not have investigated me.”

“So what?” Wen Lan slapped his chopsticks on the table, the sound neither loud nor soft. “To be honest, the reason I fell into the water that day was because my company had problems, and they wanted me to enter into that darn marriage alliance. I refused and argued with my dad. Anyway, the relationship was already strained, what’s a little more?”

Lin Ting didn’t want to say more. He knew Wen Lan had made up his mind, and no amount of persuasion would change it.

The meal ended in silence, with each of them lost in their own thoughts.

When they got into the car and saw the familiar small road again, Lin Ting felt a sense of daze, as if walking along this road to school was something from a past life.

Wen Tan happened to be home today.

Wen Lan pushed the door open and Lin Ting followed behind. Upon seeing Wen Tan sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper, his face seemed even more haggard.

“Wen Lan, where have you been?” Wen Tan looked up from his newspaper as he heard movement in the yard and immediately spotted Lin Ting behind him.

“Classmate Lin, you’ve come too.” These words were spoken without the usual polite smile; each word was laced with bone-chilling coldness.

Lin Ting knew. He knew.

The aunt was wiping a Roman column at the corner. Seeing them, she hurried to pour two cups of water on the coffee table. Then, sensing the atmosphere was wrong, she sidestepped into the maid’s room.

“Dad, I have something to tell you.” Wen Lan held Lin Ting’s wrist and sat down on the sofa.

Despite Wen Lan’s calm appearance, only Lin Ting knew that his palms were slightly trembling, with a hint of sweat not belonging to summer—clear signs of nervousness.

Wen Lan got straight to the point. “Dad, I can’t enter into a marriage alliance because I have someone I like.”