Chapter 72: Do You Like It?

Boyu Bay and Lin Xi’s apartment lay in completely opposite directions.

That area was the wealthy district of the capital, and the Lin family owned a villa there as well, though Lin Xi had not returned for quite some time.

As she looked at the familiar surroundings, Lin Xi couldn’t help but ask, “Has Third Brother been living there recently?”

“Yes. In the years since you went abroad, sir has been living there alone.”

“Oh.” When Lin Xi was still in the city, Qin Yu spent about half the week at the compound. After she moved to the neighboring city, it seemed he stayed somewhere near the company.

Whenever she occasionally returned to the capital to spend weekends with him, she would rest at his place.

As for this residence in Boyu Bay, it was the first time she had heard of it, and the first time she had come.

The car pulled into the underground garage. After Lin Xi got out, she saw a servant waiting by the side, who smiled and led the way. “Miss Lin, this way, please.”

Stepping out of the elevator, Lin Xi surveyed the layout of the first floor.

Minimalist and cool—definitely Qin Yu’s style.

Snacks had already been laid out on the coffee table in the reception lounge. Lin Xi took a seat, and the servant poured her a glass of water.

“What is this?” She took a sip and realized it wasn’t tea; the taste was strange.

“It’s soothing tea. The kitchen has been brewing it for some time.” The servant bent over to place a snack on a delicate ceramic plate and handed it to her. “Sir instructed that you enjoy tea, but he worries drinking it at this time will keep you awake tonight.”

“There’s some traffic now. Sir will probably need another half hour to return, and the kitchen is already preparing dinner. Please try these snacks—the white rolls were just made this afternoon. Sir said you like them.”

Lin Xi pursed her lips and accepted.

During the wait for Qin Yu, Lin Xi was constantly surrounded by at least five people, each afraid to neglect her. If a single drop of tea spilled, they would apologize cautiously, and their gazes were tinged with fear.

She wondered what Qin Yu had told them to make her seem like some notorious villain.

Lin Xi was naturally quiet, but seeing her sit motionless on the sofa lost in thought, the servant assumed she was bored.

“Miss Lin, would you like me to show you around? There’s a greenhouse in the backyard and a collection room upstairs.”

The servant was enthusiastically promoting the house, even more so than the boutique clerks Lin Xi had encountered. She checked the time. “Let’s go. I’ll take a look at the collection room.”

—

Qin Yu’s collection room was on the basement level, opposite an enormous swimming pool.

Arriving at the door, Lin Xi eyed the keypad hesitantly. “Are you sure… I can go in here?”

“Sir instructed that you may freely explore. Every room, upstairs and downstairs, is open to you.” The servant paused, then apologized with a smile. “But none of us know the code here. Sir said you would know it.”

“…”

Lin Xi wasn’t particularly interested in the collection room; she was only cooperating because the staff were so eager. Glancing at the keypad, she decided not to approach. “Never mind, let’s look elsewhere.”

If there were no lock, she might have gone in for a look. But with a lock, opening it herself felt odd, as if she were the owner of the place. It didn’t sit well with her.

“The greenhouse, then?”

“That’s fine.”

Passing through the first floor and out the French windows, Lin Xi realized the backyard was full of surprises.

The glass greenhouse sat in a corner, with flowerbeds stretching from the door all the way to the creek. Lin Xi walked over curiously and peered inside; there were a few fish she couldn’t name, but their tails were beautiful—something young girls would probably like.

“All of this done by Third Brother?” She pointed at the fish in the pond, the greenhouse across the way, and… the swing on the other side.

The servant replied, “Yes, it was all at sir’s direction.”

Lin Xi scanned the scene, still finding it hard to believe.

The only elements in the backyard that fit Qin Yu’s character were the pavilion and the artificial mountain across the way. She could almost picture him sitting there, sipping tea and watching the rain.

As for the rest, she simply couldn’t imagine it.

These flowers and fish did not suit Qin Yu at all.

Noticing her somewhat perplexed expression, the servant asked, “Miss Lin, do you not like it?”

Lin Xi didn’t answer directly. “It’s quite pretty.”

Whether she liked it or not hardly mattered—Qin Yu couldn’t very well move it all to her house.

But thinking about it, she realized she ought to buy her own home. Living alone in her parents’ old house felt too empty, and staying at Cheng Si’s place wasn’t a permanent solution. She hadn’t yet had a place in the capital that truly belonged to her.

Now that she wasn’t busy, she really should start house hunting.

After feeding the fish in the backyard for a while, the servant informed her that Qin Yu had returned. As she walked back, she saw a man in a dark suit approaching.

Lin Xi paused, her gaze lingering on him for a few seconds. “Where did you go on business, Third Brother?”

He had been in the capital just yesterday afternoon.

Seeing him so formally dressed, she guessed he’d been on a business trip, not a private affair.

Qin Yu walked toward her, unfastening his watch as he did so and handing it to the servant beside him.

“I flew to Jiangcheng.”

“Oh.” Lin Xi pointed toward the reception lounge. “Your prayer beads are on the table—I’ll go get them for you.”

“No rush.” Qin Yu stopped her, his gaze drifting past her shoulder to the window. “Been to the backyard?”

“Yes, I took a look. Third Brother, you’ve arranged it nicely.”

She folded her arms and turned sideways, looking out with him. “I like your crabapple tree best. Pity it’s the wrong season, so I can’t see it bloom.”

“Soon. Next spring you’ll see it.” He had planted a weeping crabapple in his backyard, which only bloomed once between March and April. Now, it was already the second half of the year.

Lin Xi made a sound of agreement. “When it blooms, the backyard will be even more beautiful.”

With him, Lin Xi spoke honestly, not holding back. “But just looking at the backyard, it really doesn’t seem like your style.”

“Is that so?” Qin Yu’s gaze lingered on her face.

Lin Xi didn’t notice his look, continuing to speak as she gazed at the yard. “It actually seems more suited to a young girl’s tastes. Especially those delicate flowers in your greenhouse.”

“Any one of them would delight a young lady. Cheng Si probably likes them too. Has he ever asked you for any?”

She smiled as she spoke, turning her head and accidentally meeting his eyes head-on.

Qin Yu’s gaze was deep, as if ink had been poured and slowly spread—there was a trace of raw possessiveness in his look.

Lin Xi’s smile faltered, but before she could see more, he suddenly looked away. “He did mention it once, but I couldn’t bear to give him any.”

He answered her earlier question.

Lin Xi was stunned for a few seconds, then replied a beat late, “I see… just a few flowers, and you treasure them so much.”

He gave away horses readily enough, but was so careful with a few flowers.

Qin Yu didn’t respond, but suddenly asked, “Do you like them?”

“They’re fine.”

Qin Yu lifted his chin, pointing at the greenhouse. “Go pick a couple.”

“…”
(End of Chapter)