Chapter 9: Apology

Looking back now, Ling Zhuoqun really did have her best interests at heart. He was open-minded enough to think that way, but the era was not yet open enough to accommodate such thoughts.

If a girl had already been married and then had her engagement annulled, it would be difficult for her to marry again.

After tidying up, Ling Zhuoqun noticed two exam papers left on the coffee table. Ling Xiaoguang's name was written on them, and a trace of tenderness welled up in the depths of his eyes.

The orphan left behind by his sister was truly exceptional.

Ling Zhuoqun fished two one-yuan bills from his pocket and placed them on top of Ling Xiaoguang's papers.

Since it was late, Ling Zhuoqun did not disturb the brothers' rest. He took a shower and planned to make do with a guest room for the night.

Lying in bed, for some reason, Ling Zhuoqun kept thinking of Li Luo's aggrieved little expression. He had truly hurt her feelings, hadn't he? How could he make her happy again?

Ling Zhuoqun thought for a long time but couldn't come up with an answer. However, whenever his sister was unhappy in the past, she always liked to go shopping for clothes and get her hair done. Surely, that would make a girl happy too?

But he didn't have enough time to go shopping with Li Luo, so he would just give her money.

With this thought, the heavy stone in Ling Zhuoqun's chest seemed to lift, and he fell asleep instantly.

***

When he woke up and pushed open the door, the aroma of food wafted toward him.

Li Luo was sitting in the dining room with Yaya sitting on her lap, feeding her.

Ling Zhuoqun hadn't seen Yaya yesterday, but seeing her this morning, he noticed she was clean and tidy, with her hair styled into two little "ram horn" braids, looking both playful and well-behaved.

Li Luo had her hair styled in a gentle bun with a single strand resting on the left side. From Ling Zhuoqun's perspective, she looked like a picture of peaceful, serene domesticity.

Perhaps, she really was a good stepmother.

With a sudden impulse, Ling Zhuoqun paced downstairs.

"You're awake? Go serve the rice quickly, I can't move from here," Li Luo said without looking back, recognizing his footsteps.

Ling Zhuoqun nodded, only to realize she couldn't see him. He let out a low chuckle. "Alright."

Hearing the laughter behind her, Li Luo was momentarily confused. When she turned around, she saw the slight stubble on Ling Zhuoqun's chin, which added a touch of mature masculine charm.

It seemed he didn't have a hangover; the ginger soup must have worked.

Ling Zhuoqun served himself and sat in the head seat. Ling Xiaoguang and Ling Xiaolei also sat obediently.

Ling Zhuoqun patted the boys' heads tenderly. "I saw your exam paper, brother. A perfect score on both—well done."

Ling Xiaolei also wanted praise, but since he was only in kindergarten and hadn't taken exams yet, he tried to claim credit: "I helped brother wash the dishes yesterday!"

Ling Zhuoqun smiled. "Xiao Mao is great too!"

Receiving Ling Zhuoqun's praise, Ling Xiaolei felt sweeter than honey. Even the usually serious Ling Xiaoguang blushed at the praise.

Watching the interaction between the three at the table, Li Luo felt the atmosphere was far too solemn. They were eating, yet it felt more like a formal meeting with a superior.

"Don't just stand there, eat quickly. These pancakes have been out for a while; they won't taste good once they get cold." After seeing Yaya through, Li Luo placed her in a small stroller before attending to her own meal.

Prompted by Li Luo, the three stopped dawdling and quickly finished their pancakes and porridge, leaving the dishes for Ling Zhuoqun to wash.

The two brothers also packed two pancakes and some milk into their bags. Only then did Li Luo realize that Da Mao and Xiao Mao didn't come home for lunch because their school was too far; they had to walk five miles to get there.

Since lunchtime was tight, they simply brought lunch to school.

After washing the dishes, Ling Zhuoqun tidied himself up and approached Li Luo. "I'm going to my room to get a change of clothes."

Li Luo nodded. Ling Zhuoqun's clothes were still in the wardrobe; she hadn't touched a single thing. Since she had let him use his room, she couldn't deny him access to his clothes.

Ling Zhuoqun paced upstairs and opened the wardrobe. He saw Li Luo's colorful clothes, which were clearly separated from his own, which were always a uniform palette of black, white, and gray.

As he carefully searched for the clothes he wanted to wear, he accidentally brushed against some lace. Looking closely, he realized he was holding a girl's...

Quickly putting it back, Ling Zhuoqun's ears turned red. He found a black suit and changed into it, but he didn't put on a tie. It wasn't that he didn't want to, it was just that... he didn't know how.

Watching Ling Zhuoqun staring blankly at a tie in his hand, with a hint of a flush on his face, Li Luo wondered if he simply didn't know how to tie one.

Li Luo went upstairs, took the tie from his hands, and tied the knot in a short while, teaching him as she went.

"Look, wrap the tie around like this, then pull this end through this loop, and then tighten it..."

Li Luo didn't expect that as she pulled, she wouldn't move Ling Zhuoqun, but would instead lose her balance and nearly fall into his arms.

"Ahem." Li Luo quickly took a step back and lowered her head. "The tie is done."

Before Ling Zhuoqun could say anything, she fled like she was escaping.

Ling Zhuoqun touched the finished tie. He never felt this hot when he wore a tie normally! Was it because the weather was getting warmer?

Thinking of something, Ling Zhuoqun suddenly called out, "Wait."

"Is there something else?" Li Luo stopped and looked up at him.

The word "cute" suddenly flashed through Ling Zhuoqun's mind.

Realizing he had lost himself in thought, Ling Zhuoqun quickly withdrew his gaze. He fished a few bills from his pocket and stepped down to hand them to Li Luo.

"Yesterday was my fault. Take this money... buy some nice clothes to wear."

Their hands touched as he handed her the money. Feeling her warmth, Ling Zhuoqun felt as if he had been electrocuted and quickly pulled his hand back.

Li Luo stood frozen. Was this some kind of "rural CEO" romance novel? Handing out money at the slightest disagreement? Then again, who would refuse extra money? Since Boss Ling was offering, she would take it.

"We're family, no need to be so polite." Although she said this, her speed in taking the money was anything but slow. "But since you are apologizing sincerely, I can't turn down your face."

The corners of Ling Zhuoqun's mouth curled up; he hadn't missed the smile Li Luo was struggling to suppress.

As expected, he was an expert at making girls happy. Furthermore, this Miss Li Luo was nothing like the Miss Li Luo described in his files.

Checking his watch, he saw it was getting late. Ling Zhuoqun hurriedly grabbed his briefcase and left.

Only after he was gone did Li Luo look closely at the money in her hand. Another five hundred yuan.

In just one day, Ling Zhuoqun had given her a thousand yuan.

Li Luo was curious—just how much money did Ling Zhuoqun actually have? His way of making amends was so blunt and direct.

However, Ling Zhuoqun was right; the house did need some new clothes, but not for her—for Yaya, Da Mao, and Xiao Mao.

"Once the brothers are resting, I'll take them to the market to buy clothes." Having made her decision, Li Luo carefully tucked the money away.