The Lin Residence.
Faint insect calls drifted through the window. The vast residence had long fallen silent; only the young lady's boudoir still glimmered with a weak light.
Inside, Lin Wanyi sat at the table with her cheeks cupped in both hands. Flickering candlelight reflected in the lenses of her gold-rimmed glasses, and her eyes stared blankly into space.
Four dishes and a white porcelain jar sat on the round table, covered with plates. A blue-and-white wine bottle stood beside them.
But after half a night of waiting, the food had long lost its warmth, as cold as the heart left cooling for half the night.
He said he'd come early tonight. What watch of the night was it already...
That Big Pig Trotter. And here I was worrying he'd go hungry tonight, secretly cooking him a few dishes...
Was he keeping Miss Linghu company...?
Who else could he be with besides Linghu Qingmo...?
Maybe I should bolt the door and refuse to let him in...
After she had sat there fretting and longing as usual for who knew how long, a faint sound finally came from outside:
Whoosh~
Creak~
The door opened, and a white-robed young man leaned halfway inside. He paused at the sight within, a distinctly guilty look coming over his stern face.
"You even prepared food? Sorry for the wait. Um... I went to investigate a case just now, so I'm a little late..."
"Hmph~"
Lin Wanyi straightened and looked away, her voice neither warm nor cold:
"I know. You're a busy man. It's not as if this is anywhere important. Coming when you have time is just as good..."
Her words carried clear displeasure.
Xie Jinhuan had just gone to kill Zhou Ming'an, cleaned Li Gongpu's house while he was at it, and then