Unexpected Second Chance at Love

Yue Ling squeezed her eyes open as the rays of light shining through the window hit her face. She groans in bed and changes her position in bed.

On her stomach with her head turned to the side and her arm dangling off the edge of the bed.

She swore Lu Tian was going to pay for exhausting her. After he finished devouring and cleaning her in the shower, he put her to sleep after putting a robe on her. Of course, she didn’t retaliate because she was too tired to do anything.

However, now that she is up, she can’t help but feel even more tired.

”You’re up. How are you feeling?”

A deep voice sounds from behind her, and she turns her head to the owner.

Lu Tian was sitting with his back leaning against the headboard. Upon seeing his shirtless majestic figure, Yue Ling’s cheeks turned pink.

He was indeed a sight for her eyes. Even she has to pat herself on the back for being able to hold herself back from pouncing on him like a wild cat.

She looked up at him, and when she saw the soft expression on his face, all the anger that had built up inside her seconds ago disappeared.

All she could do was groan under her breath and pull the blanket up to cover the bottom half of her face.

”I feel like I just did the most intense workout.”

Lu Tian chuckles at her words. He reaches out to her and places a hand on her head.

”I have to agree. It was a pretty intense workout.”

Yue Ling did not expect him to respond so shamelessly to her. She glares at him, but seeing the laptop on his lap, she scoots closer to him.

She wraps her arms around his waist and looks at the screen.

”What are you working on?”

Lu Tian knew she was shy due to his teasing response, but feeling like he had done enough, he decided not to push his luck.

”The same case I’ve been working on.”

He didn’t hide anything from her as he leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

”Are you hungry? I made lunch but waited for you.”

As much as he wanted to relax and stay in bed with his wife, he knew that she would be hungry by now, especially after all the exercise they did.

Yue Ling stares at the laptop screen filled with encrypted codes and nods her head.

”I feel famished.”

She would be lying if she weren’t hungry. She moves away from him and falls on her back with her arms spread apart, ready for him to pick her up.

”Help me to my closet?”

Lu Tian couldn’t help but laugh at her child-like behavior. He moves the laptop and picks up his wife.

”Helping you is what I was born to do.”

He carries her to her closet room and sets her down on an ottoman in the room.

”What do you want to wear? Tell me, and I’ll get it for you.”

Yue Ling raised an eyebrow at him but quickly shook her head.

”No need. I can dress on my own.”

As much as she liked him helping, he had done enough. She can’t be sure if he will actually help her get dressed this time or help her stay undressed.

Lu Tian knew what his wife was thinking without asking. He pecks her on the lips and turns for the door without arguing with her.

”Take your time getting dressed. I’ll come back after I heat the food.”

After putting her on the bed after their morning exercise in the shower, he had gone down to the kitchen to cook lunch for her. However, he was sure by now it must have gone cold.

Stopping by the door, he turns back to look at his wife.

”Later, we can go visit your grandfather and brother. We can pick up Inu, too.”

He paused after his words and scowled.

”That little guy probably forgot his home is here and not there.”

Yue Ling’s eyes lit up at his words, but he laughed when he mentioned Inu. She couldn’t help but agree with him. The little fur ball has been away for quite some time now, and she missed him a lot.

However, what melted her heart the most was that Lu Tian had accepted Inu as part of his life without realizing it.

Leaving the room, Lu Tian makes his way to the kitchen after stopping by the study to grab his phone. He sends a quick message to Grandfather Ji to inform the old man of their visit later.

He knew that Grandfather Ji’s health was declining, and it was best to have his wife spend as much time as possible with the old man. He also didn’t forget to include that Inu was coming home with them even if the little guy protested.

If others were to see his behavior, they would assume that Inu was his son, who had gone out to play for too long and didn’t know when to come home.

While Yue Ling gets ready and Lu Tian proceeds to prepare lunch for them, in another part of Imperial, an old man sits in the back of the Royce Rolls with a frown.

From the front seat, Zhong Yang threw occasional glances in the rearview mirror at his friend And boss. Unable to contain his curiosity, he decides to ask.

”What’s the matter?”

Grandfather Ji stares at his phone screen without responding right away. It wasn’t until a long minute passed by that he closed the message and leaned his head back on the seat.

”It was from Tian.”

He closes his eyes as if to rest, but before rest even finds its way to him, he opens them. His head slightly shifts to the side, and he stares out the window.

”He’s bringing Ah Ling over later.”

Zhong Yang nods his head in understanding. He glances at his old friend from the rearview mirror and then back to the road ahead.

”It’s not a bad idea since it’s been a while since the young Miss visited. Besides, Inu seems to miss her, too.”

His last word falls, and silence invades the car before he swallows a gulp and continues.

”You can also use this chance to tell the young Miss about your health…”

His voice was not loud, but neither was it quiet.

Grandfather Ji heard his assistant and friend loud and clear. He didn’t get angry but heaved a long sigh.

”I already gave Jingxu my words, so I will tell her, but a part of me isn’t ready.”

He breathes out again and shuts his eyes, fatigue and paleness shown on his face despite his calm.

”There’s still something I need to do, and if I tell Ah Ling about my illness, she will stop me even if she doesn’t know what it is.”

He swallows a hard gulp and gradually opens his eyes. However, this time, his eyes were moist and held hundreds of emotions.

”I made a promise, and I must see the end of it before I leave this world.”

Zhong Yang’s expression turned solemn when he heard the old man. He sighs inside and decides not to say anymore.

He has been by Grandfather Ji’s side for many years, and he understands how the man feels. No one wants to leave the world with the uncertainty of what will happen to those left behind.

*Ding

Another message arrives on Grandfather Ji’s phone, and he looks down at his phone. At first, he thought it was Lu Tian sending another message but saw that the sender did not have a name except for the phone number.

His eyes narrowed slightly, knowing who it was without asking.

[”I have something.”]

He reads the message, and his eyes darkens dangerously. His hands clench against his phone tightly before he grits an order to his assistant.

”The sea is no longer calm.”

Zhong Yang’s heart stopped before his expression turned serious, and he nodded his head once. Others may not understand the meaning behind those words, but not him.

He knew full well the meaning behind those simple words and made a U-turn at the upcoming green light.

As the car proceeds in its new direction, Grandfather Ji stares out the window. Although the buildings pass one by one and people can be seen walking, his eyes do not focus on them.

His mind began to replay flashbacks of an event he would never forget. One that will always stay in his mind no matter how much time has gone by. However, before these flashbacks can begin to project images in his mind, he slowly closes his eyes and leans his head back.

’I must hold on a little longer. Just a little longer, and I will be able to leave in peace.’

There is still much to do. He must make sure the path for his grandchildren is smooth without any bumps.