C18 Kindness Is like a Donkey's Lung

"You..."

Lin Hao found himself at a loss for words.

"Little Lin, it's time for you to head back."

The sound of Lee Guangrui's voice deepened Lin Hao's astonishment.

He glanced at Zhou Ya, puzzled, uncertain of what she had done or said.

"Okay, Uncle Lee, you..."

"There's no need for you to come back; I'll have someone send the wood to you," Lee Guangrui cut him off. "I can't carve that piece. You'll have to find someone else."

Lin Hao felt a wave of frustration. He had no clue what had transpired, but Lee Guangrui's tone carried a hint of distaste, perhaps even barely contained anger.

"Uncle Lee, I'm not sure I follow what you're saying. You..."

"I'd rather not spell it out. Out of respect for Qin Sisi, just go. I don't want to see you again," Lee Guangrui stated.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Hao noticed Zhou Ya's smirk and felt certain she was behind this.

"Fine, Uncle Lee, take care. I'm leaving," Lin Hao said, turning to go.

He approached the elevator but then opted for the stairs, heading down the emergency exit.

He had only taken a few steps when the distinct click of high heels echoed behind him.

"I told you, you can't outplay me!"

Zhou Ya entered, her voice tinged with amusement. "You passed up the advantages I offered before, and now... you really end up with nothing!"

Lin Hao paused, then turned to face her. "In ancient times, there was Daji, and today, we have you, Zhou Ya!"

"I was too naive. You and he are married; naturally, it's easier for you to communicate. And yet, I thought Lee Guangrui would believe me. It seems... I've really been meddling too much!"

Zhou Ya's laughter followed. "Hahaha, realizing it now, aren't you a bit late?"

"But I'm merely a step ahead of you. Aren't you curious how I persuaded Lee Guangrui to take my word over yours?"

Lin Hao shrugged. "It's irrelevant now. The answer doesn't matter. I've done all I could. If there's no connection with him, any more words are just a waste of breath!"

Lin Hao paused, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Ya before a playful smile crept across his lips. "I regret it. Why didn't I make a move on you before? Even if it would have been a bit against my conscience, it would have satisfied my restless heart!"

Zhou Ya, with her arms crossed over her chest, chuckled. "Don't talk like that. I have a thing for smart men. If you're up for it, give me a call anytime. Who knows? I might just say yes."

With those words, Zhou Ya left with a smug smile, pulling open the fire door and striding out.

Watching Zhou Ya's retreating figure, Lin Hao's smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression. "Think I've lost already? This is just the beginning," he muttered.

Pulling out his phone, Lin Hao dialed a number. "Hello, I'm not sure how much Lee Guangrui means to you, but if you want to save him, bring the items I sent you to him tomorrow. It's his only chance to survive."

On the other end, Qin Sisi, groggy and disoriented, listened to Lin Hao's words. A message notification snapped her out of her haze.

She tapped on the video, and as she watched, her drowsiness vanished, leaving her feeling deeply unsettled.

...

After leaving the hospital, Lin Hao's phone rang several times with calls from Qin Sisi. Clearly, she had grasped the gravity of the situation, but Lin Hao was in no mood to deal with it—not now, at least.

"Good deeds taken for granted, who have I managed to upset?" Lin Hao sighed, pulling out his keys to unlock his rental's door, only to find it ajar.

"That's not right. I locked it when I left. This can't be..."

Lin Hao felt a twinge of unease. He glanced across the hallway.

Ling was spending the night at Grandma Liu's place, and Pei Xiu was in the hospital's ICU, where visiting hours were long over after nine at night. So who could have gone inside?

With recent dangers fresh in his mind, Lin Hao wedged the key between his fingers, forming a makeshift weapon, and clenched it tightly.

He pushed the door open and slipped inside, every step cautious and measured, half-expecting an ambush from lurking assailants ready to strike.

"Who's there? Who's in the house?"

Lin Hao's voice was hushed as he called out, navigating towards the kitchen with ease.

Suddenly, the living room lights flickered on.

The illumination was blinding, momentarily preventing Lin Hao from seeing clearly.

"Who's there?!"

He called out again, a soft edge to his voice.

Before his eyes could adjust, he felt the embrace of someone from behind.

The touch told him it was a woman, and not just any woman—a woman with a fine figure.

"Why are you here?"

Turning around, Lin Hao was surprised to see Lee Ruolan holding him.

She was dressed in a sheer silk nightgown, her figure alluringly hazy. Her makeup was done, lips slightly parted, adding a touch of allure.

"This is our home. I'm the lady of the house. What's so strange about me being here?" Lee Ruolan cooed, her arms winding around Lin Hao's neck.

Lin Hao swiftly extricated himself and pushed her onto the sofa.

"What, right here?" Lee Ruolan paused, her smile turning coy. "Fine then, from now on I'll do as you say. Whatever you want, wherever you want it!"

With that, Lee Ruolan provocatively slipped the thin strap off her shoulder, letting the nightgown cascade down her arm.

The scene was undeniably tempting. In the past, Lin Hao would have leapt at her like a ravenous tiger. But now, he found her presence utterly repulsive. With disdain, he commanded, "Get out, leave this place!"

Lee Ruolan froze, her gaze locking with Lin Hao's in astonishment.

Whether it was her acting skills or genuine emotion, tears began to streak down her face unexpectedly.

To an outsider unaware of the truth, it might seem Lin Hao had committed some heinous act to deserve such tears.

"I've gone this far, almost stripped bare before you, and you... you still want me to go?"

Lee Ruolan's voice quivered as she bit her lip. "I realize my mistake. I truly do. Can't you give me one more chance?"

"I get it now!" Lee Ruolan suddenly stood up, pointing at Lin Hao with a surge of emotion. "You've got someone else, don't you? Who is she? I want to know—who is she?"

"I don't have time for your craziness. Just give me..."

Mid-sentence, Lin Hao attempted to approach and drag Lee Ruolan out of the room.

However, at that very moment, his phone in his pocket began to ring.

Lin Hao knew it was another call from Qin Sisi. He intended to hang up immediately, but as he tried to pull out his phone, Lee Ruolan snatched it from his grasp.

"Give me back my phone!" Lin Hao demanded, his voice filled with anger.

Lee Ruolan swiftly retreated to a corner, putting the dining table between herself and Lin Hao.

"Qin Sisi, huh? So, she's the one who stole you away from me?" Lee Ruolan's voice was laced with panic and fury. A late-night call from another woman was clearly not a simple matter.

"I'm going to see what kind of homewrecker she is!" Lee Ruolan declared as she pressed the button to answer the call.