Chapter 507: Chapter 507: Orchid Fragrance

Lin Zhiyi was slightly startled when she heard Gong Chen’s voice.

She turned around and met the man’s dark eyes, still indifferent, yet subtly ambiguous.

His gaze shifted, with a faint hint of affection hidden in his eyes.

The man walked in slowly.

The ladies who had been sitting on the sofa all stood up.

“Third Young Master.”

“No need for formalities,” Gong Chen spoke lightly, his gaze never leaving Lin Zhiyi.

He seemed intentional: “Why are you talking about boyfriends? It sounds kind of familiar.”

The ladies exchanged glances upon hearing Gong Chen’s familiarity, seemingly guessing who the man was.

Only Lin Zhiyi’s ears turned red, wishing she could disappear.

One of the ladies said, “We wanted to introduce someone to Miss Lin, but who knew she had a boyfriend? We just asked who he was.”

“Miss Lin described a lot, but we don’t know who she was referring to.”

They looked towards Lin Zhiyi as they spoke.

Lin Zhiyi clenched her hands tightly, unable to continue the fabrication.

Gong Chen said, “If she likes him so much, she’s probably too shy to say it in public.”

With that, the few people present did not press further.

An older lady stood up and said, “Since Third Young Master is here, we won’t disturb you brothers catching up.”

Mentioning the word ‘brother’, Gong Chen’s expression noticeably darkened, but he said nothing.

The ladies were seen off.

Lin Zhiyi breathed a sigh of relief and looked behind Gong Chen, asking, “Where’s Xingxing?”

“I heard from the maid that there were guests, so I had Chen Jin take her upstairs to play,” Gong Chen said.

“It’s a good thing you reacted quickly.”

Since Xingxing was still in recovery, Lin Zhiyi didn’t want too much attention on her.

Gong Chen frowned slightly: “What about what you said earlier, nothing you want to say?”

“…”

The words from earlier.

Lin Zhiyi’s cheeks flushed, feeling a bit at a loss.

Just then, Liu He came in and waved: “Zhiyi, what are you standing there for? Come on upstairs to pack, and let’s see Xingxing. I haven’t seen her for days, I miss her so much.”

“Okay, okay.”

Under Gong Chen’s gaze, Lin Zhiyi grabbed Liu He and hurriedly ran.

They reached the master bedroom upstairs.

Liu He opened the closet and handed a big suitcase to Lin Zhiyi.

“You, this child, Lao San clearly wants to be with you, why are you still running? You’ve even had a child, where else can you run?”

Lin Zhiyi followed behind her to take stuff, responding calmly, “Mom, you know the issues with the Gong Family. You didn’t dare go out while pregnant, afraid of accidents, right? I fear the same. It’s okay like this. I only care about Xingxing’s safety, nothing else.”

“Don’t you care about Lao San then? You two have been going round and round for years. I know how he’s been these three years better than you; I just don’t want you two to waste any more time.”

Pregnant, Liu He spoke gently, having come to terms with many things.

Lin Zhiyi smiled: “Let’s wait a bit. Now isn’t a good time.”

Lately, perhaps from being too tense, she kept having nightmares, feeling something was about to happen.

Liu He didn’t push her, continuing to gather things she couldn’t use, and pressed her nose at the perfume cabinet.

These used to be her treasures; now, getting close made her feel nauseous.

She covered her nose and said, “Take them all. I can’t stand it.”

Lin Zhiyi was shocked: “So many? I can’t use them all. Besides, I don’t use perfume.”

“Take them back and keep them for me. Maybe I won’t find them so disgusting after giving birth.”

Liu He opened the cabinet for Lin Zhiyi to pack.

Lin Zhiyi smiled and put all the perfumes in the cabinet into the suitcase.

Just as she was about to close the suitcase, she saw a bottle of perfume in the corner. The bottle and cabinet were both white, almost missed it.

Lin Zhiyi reached out to take it, accidentally pressing it.

A burst of orchid scent wafted out—faint, soothing.

The kind of fragrance that could easily lower one’s guard after smelling it.

But Lin Zhiyi had never smelled this scent on Liu He.

“Mom, how come I’ve never seen you use this perfume?”

Liu He looked at the bottle, her expression stunned, and immediately snatched the perfume away.

“I can’t give you this bottle.”

“Why?” Lin Zhiyi found it strange.

Liu He touched the peeling bottle, giving a bitter smile: “It was a gift from a good friend.”

Lin Zhiyi was curious: “A good friend? Why have I never heard you mention them?”

“She passed away, over twenty years ago.”

With that, Liu He placed the bottle back in the cabinet.

Seeing her sadness, Lin Zhiyi didn’t ask further and closed the cabinet.

Just then, Xingxing’s laughter came from the room next door.

Lin Zhiyi shut the suitcase and went to the next room with Liu He.

Liu He had specially prepared a princess room for Xingxing in the villa, which Xingxing liked very much, playing with new toys.

Lin Zhiyi and Liu He accompanied Xingxing for a while.

…

Downstairs.

Gong Shiyan handed his coat to the maid and turned to the living room.

Just as he saw Gong Chen standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, drinking tea and admiring the view.

“Here, where are Zhiyi and Xingxing?”

“Upstairs. Just say what you want.”

Gong Chen immediately knew Gong Shiyan had something to say that wasn’t suitable in front of Lin Zhiyi.

Gong Shiyan paused, dismissing the maid pouring his tea.

“No movement from the old master.”

“Today, he got upset at Xue Man’s Studio, yet still no reaction—not like him,” Gong Chen said bluntly.

“That’s why I’m worried. Lately, the elders at home also think you’re going too far; if this continues, the fire will inevitably reach their doorstep.”

Gong Shiyan sipped his tea, brows furrowed.

Gong Chen nonchalantly turned around and slowly sat down: “Doesn’t matter if the fire ignites today or tomorrow, it will eventually happen. But, second brother, as I’ve always said, whatever happens, protect Zhiyi and Xingxing for me.”

“I can’t predict your actions, though I can promise you that, you must also be careful. You wouldn’t want Zhiyi to toil and then end up with nothing, right?”

Gong Shiyan advised.

Gong Chen gave a slight acknowledgment.

Soon, laughter from Liu He and the child came from the stairs.

Gong Shiyan quickly changed the subject: “Xiao He is rarely this happy. Why don’t you stay the night here with the child and keep her company?”

“Ask Zhiyi,”

Gong Chen didn’t rush to answer.

Liu He entered with the child: “You’re back. Let’s eat. Why are you still sitting?”

Gong Shiyan explained, “I wanted Zhiyi and the others to stay the night, just to accompany you.”

Liu He was happy to hear this but feared delaying Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen’s plans.

“Well… they’re busy, it’s okay.”

Lin Zhiyi immediately replied, “Mom, it’s fine, we’ll stay.”

“Great. I’ll have someone prepare the room.”

After dinner, the living room was lively.

When night came, Liu He took Lin Zhiyi upstairs.

Liu He pointed at the room: “Lao San, you’ll stay in the largest guest room, and Zhiyi and Xingxing will stay in another.”

Suddenly, silence filled the room.