157: Become your son

When Chu Yilan called, Shen Lian and Sun Binghe were sitting side by side on the steps, looking utterly listless.

It had to be said that for Ming Lin to torment these two to the point of losing their fighting spirit, he really had some skill.

"Sweetheart?" Shen Lian answered the phone and wiped his face hard.

Hearing this weak and spiritless tone, Chu Yilan couldn't imagine what on earth had happened.

"Did someone bully you guys?"

As soon as he said it, even Chu Yilan felt it was ridiculous. Shen Lian plus Sun Binghe was a powerhouse duo; aside from him being able to keep them in check, anyone else who tried would be asking for death.

To his surprise, Shen Lian replied, "Pretty much."

Chu Yilan: "Hmm?"

"Ming Lin came to the set today to pick up his little girlfriend." Shen Lian's throat felt dry as he recalled the scene from earlier. "He greeted me and Assistant Sun..."

At this point, Shen Lian found himself unable to continue.

Chu Yilan was left confused after hearing only half the story. What could a mere Ming Lin possibly do?

Then Sun Binghe's voice came from the other end. "Boss, I actually didn't know that you were Ming Lin's idol."

Chu Yilan felt a sudden chill for no reason. "...Speak plainly."

"His demeanor and behavior are clearly modeled after yours, Boss." Sun Binghe's tone was tinged with pain. "He's imitating you! Honestly, I'd rather face Young Master Feng's brutally horrific report card."

Chu Yilan: "..."

Chu Yilan must have seen Ming Lin when they were younger; it was a vague silhouette that surfaced in his mind after Ming Lin appeared, but Chu Yilan was certain the two of them had never interacted.

"Alright." Since Chu Yilan hadn't witnessed the scene himself, he didn't know how to offer comfort. He could only say, "I'll compensate you both for mental distress. Stop thinking about it."

Once Chu Yilan's "compensation" arrived, Shen Lian and Sun Binghe went to Deep Alley in the evening and each devoured two bowls of Braised Chicken with Rice.

*

In the afternoon, Ming Lin picked up Chen Yan. As soon as he got in the car, he withdrew his smile and didn't say another word to her, as if the woman beside him was beneath him.

Chen Yan sneered inwardly, but to avoid arousing Ming Lin's suspicion, she put on an act. Enduring her disgust, she leaned in to act spoiled. After being successfully and heartlessly pushed away by Ming Lin, she retreated to the side to "grieve" with satisfaction.

After patiently dropping Chen Yan off at her destination, Ming Lin turned and gave the driver an address.

It was near the suburbs but was a high-end villa area that had become very popular in the last two years. It used "nature" and "recuperation" as gimmicks. Although transportation was inconvenient, those who could afford to live there didn't lack cars or drivers.

The car wound its way up the road and finally stopped in front of a villa with white walls and a spacious courtyard.

There were no security guards at the entrance, but the people inside seemed to know Ming Lin had arrived, as the brown, hollowed-out carved door slowly opened.

Ming Lin got out of the car and looked at the villa before him, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

A very strange quality emanated from him, like the joy of a child who had been away for a long time suddenly learning that a relative had returned. Ming Lin even gave two light hops as he climbed the steps.

Unlike the bright luxury outside, a slightly chilly air greeted him as soon as he entered the villa.

A house is a place that accumulates human presence; long-term residence, ventilation, and cleaning gradually spread vitality to every corner.

But this place was different. Light filtered in from the doorway, and dust motes drifted gently in the beams of light. It wasn't exactly lifeless, but it exuded a coldness that felt inhuman.

As the main door closed, only a single beam of light squeezed in through the glass dome at the top of the second floor, looking exceptionally bleak.

Yet Ming Lin hummed a song as he went up to the study.

When he stood still at the study door, he suddenly stopped, reined in all his emotions, and straightened his collar to project an air of maturity and stability before knocking.

"Father," Ming Lin called out.

The door wasn't fully closed, and an old, hoarse voice rang out: "Enter."

Ming Lin pushed the door open impatiently, only for a small vase to come flying at him the next second. He instinctively dodged, but with the wall right beside him, the shattered fragments still scratched his neck and cheek.

Even so, Ming Lin didn't say a word. In fact, within his downcast eyes, some sort of emotion was churning.

Only someone close would lose their temper like this. It must be because I did something wrong, Ming Lin thought.

"That Shen Lian—why hasn't he been brought here yet?"

A figure stood by the window. Because he was backlit, his face couldn't be seen clearly. The only thing that could be accurately judged was that he was elderly; the flesh on his shoulders had slightly collapsed, revealing the protruding bones on both sides. Even so, he was taller than Ming Lin, a man in his prime. The man leaned on a cane and took two steps forward as he spoke, his difficulty in walking clearly visible.

"Father, please be patient." Ming Lin casually wiped away the blood and explained softly, "Chu Yilan's protection of Shen Lian is too thorough. Next time, I will definitely bring him."

The other man snorted coldly upon hearing this. "Hurry up. If it were Chu Yilan, he would have succeeded the first time."

These words seemed to flip a switch; a strong competitive drive immediately surged onto Ming Lin's face. He promised, "There will be no problem next time."

The man walked toward Ming Lin. With every large movement, his body swayed significantly, yet he continued to press forward until he was right in front of Ming Lin.

Ming Lin instinctively flinled, then, as if expecting some kind of award, he gently raised his head, his eyes full of anticipation. "Father?"

"Don't blame me for being harsh with you," the man said deeply. "My son must be perfect in everything he does. I once taught Chu Yilan this way, and now I am teaching you. When we take back what belongs to us, you can become the person you want to be most."

Ming Lin said urgently, "Father, I'm doing all this not to become Chu Yilan, but to become your son!"

His tone couldn't hide his fervor, as if the person standing before him wasn't a mere mortal, but a god.

The hand that was about to touch Ming Lin's wound paused slightly, then the palm landed on Ming Lin's shoulder, patting it heavily twice. "Go on. Get some good sleep. We'll have dinner together tonight."

Like a fanatical believer, sweat began to bead on Ming Lin's forehead. He nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Father!"

As Ming Lin turned around, the disdain and disgust in the other man's cold eyes almost overflowed.

Long after, a low sneer sounded in the air: "Become my son?"

"As if you're worthy?"

The man leaned on his cane again and walked toward the wine cabinet.

He walked slowly, talking to himself like an eerie narration in the deathly silent atmosphere.

"Do you know how much effort it takes to cultivate a Chu Yilan? A little psycho, thinking that just because he shares some of my hobbies, he can become my son."

He opened a bottle of wine, poured half a glass, took a hard sip, and let out a sigh of unidentifiable emotion.

As the daylight gradually faded, one last voice sounded in the dim study: "I've severed so many things from you. Tell me, how can you still be happy?"