Lin Zhiling linked her arm through Lu Xuan's, her entire body seeming boneless as she leaned softly against him, turning her face to gaze up at him with her peach blossom eyes, which had just been washed by tears but now sparkled with moisture.
"Lu Xuan…" she began softly, her voice carrying a husky magnetism, scratching at one's heart like a feather. "Can… can you tell me how you got those things?"
She was simply too curious, her heart feeling as if a cat were scratching inside it.
She wasn't entirely unaware of Zhang Jianguo having a mistress outside, but she was too lazy to deal with it and couldn't get concrete proof. Yet, the videos Lu Xuan produced clearly showed the time, place, and people.
And that old matter from twenty years ago, which she and her family's power had kept buried deep, with even the involved parties "dealt with" cleanly—where did he dig that out from?
This investigative ability could no longer be described as immensely resourceful; it was practically unfathomable!
"Is it… is someone helping you?" she probed, a hint of subtle inquiry in her eyes.
Those peach blossom eyes now seemed capable of ensnaring one's soul. If it were any other man, he would probably have been overwhelmed by this seductive charm and spilled everything.
But Lu Xuan merely smiled, and the next second, the smile on his face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold, solemn expression.
He reached out, his movements seemingly gentle yet carrying irresistible force, lightly pinching Lin Zhiling's well-maintained, perfect face, his fingertips applying slight pressure.
"Auntie, it seems the lesson just now wasn't profound enough."
His voice was very soft, yet it was like an ice-tempered steel needle, making Lin Zhiling's heart tremble. "Some things are not for you to ask. Remember your place."
The color drained from Lin Zhiling's face with a 'whoosh,' then a panicked blush surged back.
She quickly shook her head, grasping Lu Xuan's wrist with both hands, her eyes filled with flattery and pleading.
"Don't misunderstand, I… I was just curious, I really didn't mean anything else!"
She explained urgently, fearing that this devil would come up with new ways to torment her. "I… I just think you're too amazing."
Seeing Lu Xuan's expression soften slightly, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly offered the pledge she had just thought of.
"Old Zhang… Zhang Jianguo, I don't plan to save him; he deserves to die!"
Her tone carried undisguised disdain. "I just want you to let Ningning go… But now that I think about it, Ningning being with you seems pretty good too, at least better than being with her useless father."
She paused, her eyes flickering, seemingly making a major decision.
"I plan to have Ningning retake the college entrance exam next year and get into a new university. If that doesn't work, I'll send her abroad. In short, from now on, my daughter and I will listen to you."
"As for the Lin family, don't worry, they will never be your enemies from now on, I promise!"
Lu Xuan watched her with interest, releasing his hand and gently stroking her smooth cheek with his thumb, as if appreciating a trophy that belonged to him.
"Auntie, it's a bit too early to say that."
"You still think Zhang Yining can retake the college entrance exam after all this?"
Lin Zhiling smiled: "You know, netizens have no memory. After a while, this matter will be forgotten, and with good connections, she can retake the college entrance exam."
The smile vanished from Lu Xuan's face. She was right; it was indeed true. It seemed someone must have pushed the events of his previous life.
Otherwise, such a small matter couldn't have stayed on the hot search for so long, with influencers and marketing accounts repeatedly mentioning it.
It could be said he was repeatedly flogged.
His thoughts shifted, and he looked at Lin Zhiling.
"As far as I know, the one in charge of your Lin family now isn't you, but your elder brother, who holds a high position, right?"
At the mention of her elder brother, a complex emotion flashed in Lin Zhiling's eyes, but more of it was dismissiveness.
She gave Lu Xuan a charming, coquettish glance, as if blaming him for his lack of understanding.
"What do you know?" She leaned close to Lu Xuan's ear, her breath like orchids. "My elder brother is an idealist. Compared to the common people he holds in his heart, he doesn't care about our Lin family's petty affairs."
"He wants to be a good official whose name goes down in history; he has no time to manage these trivial family matters."
"As for my younger brothers and sisters," she curled her lip in disdain, "they are a bunch of good-for-nothings, with less vision and courage than Ningning. As long as I'm willing to step in and fight for it, no one else can sit in the patriarch's position but me!"
Lu Xuan's heart stirred upon hearing this.
He had originally only intended to completely control this woman, making her dare not cause any more trouble, but he hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.
Controlling Lin Zhiling was equivalent to planting a crucial chess piece within the vast Lin family behind her.
If handled properly, it might even be possible to bring the entire Lin family under his control!
This deal was simply a huge win!
Of course, one bite at a time, one step at a time.
Lu Xuan's face remained impassive, but he had already made his calculations.
"Oh? Since Auntie is so confident," the curve of his lips grew more playful, "then good, I look forward to the day I can see you ascend to the Lin family patriarch's throne. When that happens, I will personally celebrate with you."
He leaned down, his nose almost touching Lin Zhiling's, and said in a seductive, word-by-word tone, "Then… to show your sincerity, shouldn't you change your address now?"
Lin Zhiling's body stiffened slightly.
She, of course, understood what Lu Xuan was referring to.
Her cheeks flushed 'whoosh,' not from anger or humiliation, but from a mix of nervousness, excitement, and submission… shyness.
If Zhang Jianguo were to see this scene, he would probably have a heart attack on the spot.
He and Lin Zhiling had been married for over twenty years, and he had never seen such girlish shyness from her, let alone a gentler tone.
This Jade Girl Songstress, who was always aloof, always elegant, always like a queen in front of hundreds of millions of fans, had never had such a moment of losing control of her emotions!
She bit her lower lip, her eyes shifting, struggling for a long time, and finally lowered her proud head, softly uttering the word that made her soul tremble, in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Mas… Master…"
Lu Xuan smiled contentedly.
He reached out and gently stroked Lin Zhiling's head, as if comforting a tamed leopard.
"That's a good girl."