Chapter 8: Conversation

A hot bath washed away Li Luo's exhaustion. She had to admit, there were quite a few "extraordinary" characters in this novel; in a single day, she had encountered an entire extended family, and then there was Auntie Wang...

It was pure melodrama!

After reminding the two brothers to finish their homework and rest early, Li Luo stretched, collapsed onto her bed, and pulled up the covers, still able to smell the scent of laundry detergent.

She had to admit, although Ling Zhuoqun was very busy, his room was kept impeccably clean. Breathing in the pleasant fragrance, Li Luo drifted into a deep sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Luo was startled awake by the sound of a door opening. Her heart instantly leapt into her throat as a figure scrambled into her bed in the dark.

Li Luo let out a sharp scream, waking herself up instantly.

Fumbling frantically to turn on the bedside lamp, she saw a drunken Ling Zhuoqun, his misty eyes filled with apology.

Looking at the young girl before him, whose eyes seemed clouded with mist and ready to overflow with tears at any second, a sense of panic rose in Ling Zhuoqun's heart.

"I'm sorry, I forgot that this room had been given to you. I'll leave right now... I... I didn't see anything, and I didn't touch anything." Ling Zhuoqun offered a frantic explanation, his serious face flushed with the redness of intoxication.

He possessed a certain awkward sort of beauty.

Li Luo was clothed, but being suddenly touched by a strange man left her momentarily stunned—she even... overreacted slightly.

"I... I'm fine. Have you been drinking?" By the time Li Luo had stood up to put on a jacket, Ling Zhuoqun had already started walking toward the door.

"Yes, the factory closed a big deal today. I couldn't resist the toasts, so I had a little." The scent of alcohol still lingered on him, so he didn't dare approach Li Luo.

"I'll go make you some hangover soup." As she spoke, Li Luo prepared to head out.

"No, don't trouble yourself." Ling Zhuoqun's gait was unsteady, and for a moment, he couldn't stop her.

Ling Zhuoqun followed her out and sat on the living room sofa. Before long, steaming dumplings and a bowl of ginger soup were placed before him.

"I thought since you've been drinking, you might not have eaten much. Having some dumplings and hot soup might make you feel better." Li Luo rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat down beside him.

A warm current surged in Ling Zhuoqun's heart, and the alcohol seemed to clear slightly. He picked up the bowl and began stuffing the dumplings into his mouth one by one.

"Eat slowly. There's more if you need it; I'll make more for you in a bit. I'm afraid if I make too many, the skins will dry out and they won't taste good." Li Luo hadn't expected him to eat so hurriedly and quickly reminded him.

Although Ling Zhuoqun ate quickly, he made no noise at all; instead, he was quite elegant, as if he had been trained. He was nothing like those nouveau riche types.

Whether it was because he had drunk too much today or because the fragrant young girl was sitting so close, Ling Zhuoqun felt the temperature around him rising.

Clearing his mind of all those chaotic thoughts, Ling Zhuoqun drained the ginger soup in one go.

He felt... even warmer.

After exhaling several heavy breaths, Ling Zhuoqun finally felt somewhat better, and most of the alcohol had worn off.

Looking at the yawning Li Luo, Ling Zhuoqun found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Li Luo forced herself to sit up straight and stay alert. "Since we are living under the same roof, Comrade Ling, it would be better if you just spoke plainly."

Ling Zhuoqun was speechless for a moment before finally finding his voice: "There's no need to be so formal. You can just call me Zhuoqun from now on."

"Li Luo, you agreed to marry into this family, and since I have encroached upon your personal space just now, I am naturally willing to take responsibility for you." Ling Zhuoqun glanced at her, his tone pausing. "But this marriage... it is too unfair to you."

"So, I want to give the choice to you."

"What do you mean?" Li Luo's face instantly darkened. Was this man telling her he intended to abandon her after starting something?

Seeing the way Li Luo was scrutinizing him, Ling Zhuoqun realized she had misunderstood and hurried to explain: "It's not what you think. I was thinking that since you are a substitute bride, this marriage might not have been your own choice."

"I am not an unreasonable person. Let's set a one-month trial period. If, within this month, you want to go back on your word and no longer wish to stay in this house, you can leave at any time, and our marriage can be considered void."

"We don't have to register the marriage certificate yet, either."

"Even if you want to leave, I will give you a large sum of money to help you find a good family to marry into..."

With every sentence Ling Zhuoqun spoke, Li Luo's face grew darker. When she remained silent for a long time, Ling Zhuoqun looked up only to find her staring at him with icy eyes, tears already streaming down her face.

Ling Zhuoqun had met all sorts of people in the business world, but he had never seen such a broken gaze. For a moment, he became even more panicked.

"So you really do intend to abandon me," Li Luo said coldly.

"I... I didn't mean it like that."

"Then what did you mean? Coming here to marry you was already my choice. Now you say our engagement is void? But in the eyes of outsiders, I have already married you."

"If we don't register the marriage, then I am living with you while unmarried, which makes you a rogue!" As she spoke, Li Luo could no longer control her tears, which fell in torrents.

She hadn't cried when she confronted Lin Ge and the others at the hospital, nor when she left the home that held no affection for her. But Ling Zhuoqun's words had pierced her already sensitive and fragile heart.

Only then did Ling Zhuoqun realize how much damage his words had caused Li Luo.

Indeed, she was a young woman in the prime of her life, coming to his house to be a stepmother—she had already endured so much pressure, and he had said such thoughtless things.

Being a divorcee himself, he naturally knew how difficult it was for a marriage to come about. Even if his family was wealthy, not every girl would be willing to marry in, especially with three little "tails" to look after.

"Don't... don't cry. It was my fault. I spoke such nonsense." Ling Zhuoqun reached out to wipe her tears, but Li Luo dodged him.

"If I marry you, I will do my duty as a stepmother. If one day we truly cannot make it work, I won't regret it even if we divorce. But I don't want you to approach this with such an attitude."

Li Luo sniffled and calmed herself down.

"We will certainly register the marriage; we are a legal couple." Li Luo wiped her tears and explained to Ling Zhuoqun, emphasizing every word.

Ling Zhuoqun nodded. He hadn't spent much time around girls and didn't know how to comfort them, but this girl, even after he had spoken such nonsense, didn't resent him; instead, she comforted herself.

This made him feel as though he was even less worthy of her.

"You've eaten. Wash the bowls in a bit and get some sleep early. You've had a tiring day." After saying this, Li Luo returned to her room and closed the door.

Once the door was shut, Li Luo leaned against it. Recalling what she had said, she squatted on the floor in frustration, burying her face in her hands.

"Li Luo, what on earth did you just say!" Frustrated, she tugged at her hair, kicked off her shoes, and collapsed onto the bed.

(End of Chapter)