In the evening, the ancient castle was quiet.
Qin Hanyue made a video call to Qiao Yi in China, then took his phone with Qiao Yi on screen and went to knock on Qiao Ying's door, as if it was the natural thing to do. But in the end, only his phone and the Qiao Yi on the phone entered the room.
Rejected at the closed door, the somewhat dispirited Qin Hanyue walked towards his own room, only to run into Lin Guli.
"Mr. Qin hasn't rested yet? Where are you heading?"
Lin Guli was gentle and friendly, pleasant to get along with. Having seen too much deceit in the business world, Qin Hanyue was quite willing to deal with such a cultivated person.
But Qiao Ying had praised Lin Guli more than once, and even said yesterday that Lin Guli was better than him - that if Lin Guli was twenty years younger, she would choose someone like Lin Guli.
Looking at Lin Guli's temperament, figure and appearance, he seemed to be in his fifties instead of over fifty. With his status and position aside, such a man would attract not only mature women, but young girls too.
The well-cultivated Qin Hanyue had originally seen Lin Guli as an elder, but now he directly marked him as a love rival.
Qin Hanyue: "I just went to find Lin Cheng and was about to head back to my room."
Lin Guli: "Lin Cheng gave me a box of tea leaves, but unfortunately he doesn't like drinking tea. Does Mr. Qin enjoy it? Why don't you join me for a cup?"
Qin Hanyue was not in the mood to drink tea with Lin Guli, but looking at Lin Guli's smiling face, he still agreed.
"Then I shall obey and accept your kind offer."
He wanted to see what was so charming about this old guy that made Qiao Ying say through the screen for the first time that he was similar to herself, and that he lost when compared.
Lin Guli glanced at Qin Hanyue's neck, which made people blush just looking at it: "I haven't asked, when did Mr. Qin arrive in Country C?"
Qin Hanyue: "Before the state banquet."
Lin Guli: "It appears Mr. Qin also attended the state banquet."
To think he had been here for so many days, so those marks on his neck...
The two arrived at the tea room.
Lin Guli personally poured tea for Qin Hanyue.
As a junior and a friend of his nephew, whether they were acting or not, someone as cultivated as Qin Hanyue would usually politely take over the tea set, but at this moment Qin Hanyue just sat there without moving.
Lin Guli naturally started chatting: "Lin Cheng has never told me how he met Mr. Qin and how long they've known each other."
Qin Hanyue: "We met through my lover."
Lin Guli: "Mr. Qin's lover?"
This was unexpected for Lin Guli.
Qin Hanyue: "My lover has some connection with Lin Cheng. Last spring, my lover had an accident and was bedridden. Lin Cheng even went back to visit."
Lin Guli: "I hope Mr. Qin's lover has recovered well?"
Qin Hanyue: "She has recovered. Thanks for your concern."
Lin Guli: "So it was through Mr. Qin's lover. Lin Cheng didn't mention any of this to me at all. Would Mr. Qin be willing to tell me about it?"
Qin Hanyue: "They met because of a bet. I don't know the details very clearly."
Lin Guli: "A bet? It’s not hard to see that Mr. Qin's lover is also quite a passionate character—Mr. Qin, try the tea."
Qin Hanyue picked up the tea cup in front of him: "That's not the case, she just likes to follow her heart and be bold in her actions."
Lin Guli: "I’m quite interested to hear the story between Mr. Qin and his lover, but that temperament is a bit similar to Little Yin. No wonder Lin Cheng could become friends with you, you seem to have similar taste when choosing partners. What do you think, Mr. Qin?"
Qin Hanyue: "Of course I think my lover is better."
Lin Guli smiled, "If they met, they could probably become good friends, don’t you think?" He looked at Qin Hanyue.
Qin Hanyue: "Probably."
Unable to discern anything from Qin Hanyue's flat expression, Lin Guli continued, "After interacting these past few days, what do you think of Little Yin?"
Qin Hanyue: "Why does Mr. Lin ask this?"
Lin Guli: "Because I felt her temperament is somewhat similar to Mr. Qin’s lover."
"This is Lin Cheng’s first romance, he lacks experience. To be honest, I’m quite worried about his temperament."
Qin Hanyue: "So Mr. Lin wants to ask me for advice on behalf of Lin Cheng?"
Lin Guli smiled, "If possible, I do hope Mr. Qin can give him some guidance. I asked him today what Little Yin likes, but he couldn’t give a sensible answer. The engagement is coming up and he still doesn’t even know this, how can this do? "
Qin Hanyue: "This is also my first romance, I'm afraid I can’t teach him anything."
Lin Guli: "Then we can learn from each other. By the way, the New Year is almost here, when does Mr. Qin plan to return home?"
Qin Hanyue: "Lin Cheng and I still have some business matters to deal with. We'll leave after it's done."
Lin Guli nodded and asked, "What does Mr. Qin think of the tea?"
Qin Hanyue: "A duke's belongings are naturally not going to be subpar."
Lin Guli: "As long as Mr. Qin likes it."
Lin Guli poured Qin Hanyue another cup.
He talked about Lin Cheng, "That child has had a bitter life since he was little, never spent a happy day from childhood to adulthood."
"Mr. Qin is his first friend. Precisely because he lacks familial affection, he cares most about those around him."
"Whether they are relatives, friends, or even the few butlers and old servants who watched him grow up in this castle."
"Similarly, what he cannot stand the most is the betrayal and departure of those close to him."
"Mr. Qin should know that Lin Cheng is not someone who likes making friends, so one can imagine how precious this friendship is to him."
Qin Hanyue: "After all, no matter how old the child is, parents and family will always worry easily."
Lin Guli didn't know if he was overthinking, but he strangely sensed some implied meaning in Qin Hanyue's words, as if mocking that Lin Cheng was a big baby - he's a full grown adult but still needs his family to worry when he makes a simple friend, afraid he'll be bullied.
Could he really be overthinking?
Qin Hanyue put down his teacup, "I should head back now that the tea is finished. Please rest early, Mr. Lin."
Lin Guli: "Alright. Also, I plan to have Lin Cheng take Little Yin to pick out their engagement rings tomorrow. Mr. Qin is welcome to join if you find the castle boring."
Qin Hanyue's eyes flashed coldly, "To buy engagement rings?"
Lin Guli smiled, "Lin Cheng already proposed, the engagement banquet still hasn't been held properly, so the rings need to be prepared first."
Qin Hanyue's mouth curved, but he didn't respond.
This reaction from Qin Hanyue was interesting.
At this time, Fourth Master came over with something in his mouth. He threw Qin Hanyue's phone that was covered in his drool onto the sofa, barked at Qin Hanyue, then left after completing Qiao Ying’s task.
Lin Guli narrowed his eyes, "That's..."
Qin Hanyue picked up his phone dripping with Fourth Master's saliva and carefully wiped it with a handkerchief. Suddenly, he asked, "Mr. Lin met Clara today, didn't you?"
Lin Guli looked up sharply at him.
At this moment, Qin Hanyue had only one feeling internally: Selling out Lin Cheng is addictive!
