CH 17.1

The Sound of That Man’s Breath (1)

Lin Yu He was stunned upon hearing that man’s words. For a moment, he thought he was hearing things.

However, he was denied the possibility of hallucinations by that man’s following words, “I’ll talk to the Wu’s. you don’t have to concern yourself with these things.”

“Just do what you should,” he continued.

Lin Yu He couldn’t react on time and barely managed to croak out, “… Okay.”

He gave it some thought then added, “Thank you, Ge Ge.”

A low hum was that man’s response.

That man’s voice was naturally magnetic, and at this moment, it was an octave lower than usual. It made Lin Yu He’s ears numb, the tingling sensation stronger than ever. Lin Yu He rubbed his ear and finally could hear the next words clearly.

Lu Nan said, “I heard the sound of wind from there, are you outside?”

Lin Yu He never expected him to notice this and replied, “Yes.”

Lu Nan continued to ask, “Isn’t it cold?”

Lin Yu He honestly replied, “A little.” He continued, “I just wanted some fresh air.”

“It’s chilly at night, don’t catch a cold,” Lu Nan told him, “Go find somewhere to shelter against the wind.”

Lin Yu He responded, “Okay.”

His mood had already improved considerably, so he turned around to return indoors.

Once the wind was blocked off, Lin Yu He felt warmer than before. Without the sound of the wind in his ears, he could hear that man’s breathing. It was deep and steady, the kind that gave a sense of comfort.

“Did you go indoors already?” Lu Nan asked.

Lin Yu He responded with a hum.

Lu Nan continued, “Are you free this Saturday?”

Lin Yu He hesitated.

Lu Nan pressed on. “You have class?”

There wasn’t any. It was a rare weekend without class, and Mr. Lu was spot on when he asked. However, he had other things to do.

“I don’t have class, but I might have to go home once,” Lin Yu He answered.

Lu Nan was curious, “You have to go back on both days?”

Lin Yu He denied, “No, only for a meal.”

Lu Nan went on, “How about the daytime? Can you go out then?”

Lin Yu He hesitated. The talk about Lu Family had yet to finish, and his stepmother said they will continue the next time.

He answered hesitantly, “I’m not too sure yet…”

There wasn’t a reason given so Lu Nan guessed, “Your stepmother?”

Lin Yu He scratched his nose and didn’t reply.

Seeing as how Lin Yu He was silent, Lu Nan knew he guessed correctly.

“I’ll handle it, you don’t have to listen to her. I know you don’t skip classes, but there’s no need to attend this kind of class.” Lu Nan had a firm tone as he spoke. The man continued, “I’ll fetch you on Saturday, okay?”

Lin Yu He meekly agreed, “Okay.”

There weren’t many days left until the weekend. It was already Friday in the blink of an eye and Lin Yu He was called to return home on that very night. Due to the number of classes in the afternoon, it was already 8 p.m. when he arrived. The food was already placed on the table.

His father was the one who opened the door for him. The older man was still holding onto a set of utensils and smiled when he greeted his son, “Come in Xiao He! You’re right on time. The food’s just done.”

Lin Yu He entered and coincidentally spotted Wu Xiao Han coming out of her room with an impatient look on her face. Lin’s father smiled as he called her, “Han Han came out too. You’re early, coming out without being called,” he continued, “Your brother is home too. Let’s all eat together as a family.”

Wu Xiao Han let out a “tsk” and mumbled, “Who’s a family with-”

Wu Xin who walked out together with her daughter, frowned and tugged on the latter, stopping her from completing her sentence. “What did I tell you earlier?”

No matter what, all of them had to maintain a good relationship with Lin Yu He, at least on the surface.

Wu Xiao Han originally didn’t have a huge reaction, and her voice was low too. However, she got angry after she was pulled. “Why did you drag me like that? It hurts!”

Wu Xin glared at her. “Come here and eat.”

Wu Xiao Han got angrier after listening to those words. She wanted to leave and slam the door, but stopped after hearing Wu Xin’s words. “Do you still want that Birkin bag?”

Wu Xiao Han could only endure and walked toward the dining table with a cold expression.

Wu Xin sighed. “She’s really spoiled.”

Lin’s father persuaded her, “It’s alright. She’s still young. Talk nicely and she’ll listen.”

While they were fighting, Lin Yu He had already walked away to wash his hands, as if he didn’t hear all these commotions.

After he came back from washing his hands, Lin’s father had already appeased Wu Xin. When he spotted his son, he called him to eat.

The dinner was a feast, with the table being filled with all kinds of dishes. At a glance, they were all thoughtfully made.

Everyone was already seated around the table. Then, Lin’s father opened the lid of a soup bowl and filled a smaller bowl for Lin Yu He. “Xiao He, I purposely cooked these Glutinous Rice Balls in Fermented Rice Wine for you. I remember you like them a lot.” He smiled.

Before he passed the bowl over to Lin Yu He, Wu Xiao Han interjected, “How about me?”

Lin’s father said, “Of course, there’s Han Han’s too.”

It was rare for Wu Xiao Han to participate in the talk willingly, so Lin’s father was very happy. He looked at his family members sitting around the table and felt content.

“I’ll fill a bowl for Han Han too,” he said gleefully.

However, Wu Xiao Han looked at the small soup bowl and said, “One small bowl isn’t enough, I want all of it.”

Wu Xin eyed her curiously. “What’s up with you? Normally, you’re all about dieting and are against ingesting sweets.”

“Who cares, I just want it,” Wu Xiao Han retorted while tapping her chopsticks against the table.

“You.” Wu Xin was unimpressed by her attitude. “What’s wrong with you today?”

“What? I can’t even eat now? Starve me to death then!” Wu Xiao Han didn’t back down.

Lin’s father hurried to mediate the two, but it wasn’t very effective. The atmosphere was ruined and finally, Lin Yu He spoke. “The whole bowl is yours. I don’t eat sweets.”

Lin’s father was surprised and looked at him. “Xiao He, didn’t you like sweets the most? You won’t give it up easily when you’re a kid.”

Lin Yu He smiled. “Dad, it’s as you said when I was a kid. That was so long ago, I’m an adult now.”

Lin’s father was stunned. “O-Oh right. Right. You’ve grown up.”

He lowered his head and stared at the glutinous rice balls while murmuring, “I made so much for you today. You always had to eat a large bowl of them when you’re a kid…”

He wasn’t loud as he repeatedly mumbled to himself, as though he was convincing himself.