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Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Born with Good Kidneys

”What are you talking about? I’m the one involved, and I’ve already accepted it. Why can’t you?”

Ian Sterling’s thin eyelids lifted slightly. ”It’s not like there was any cheating. What’s bothering you?”

Zachary Quincy didn’t mind that Esther Abbott had kept secrets from him. What he minded was that she had schemed against his childhood friend—the little brother he had protected, indulged, and coaxed since they were kids.

Even though they weren’t related by blood, he, Jasper Jennings, and Kenneth Keller had long considered Ian Sterling their own little brother.

Ian Sterling had a pretty good idea of what he was thinking. He stood up, walked over to Zachary Quincy, and looked down at him.

”I really don’t mind. This has nothing to do with you. Don’t let this create a rift between you and the person you like—or love—because of me.”

Zachary Quincy shook his head. ”You might not mind, but what about Lynn? It wasn’t just you she schemed against, it was Lynn too. You’re both innocent.”

Ian Sterling fell silent. Only when Zachary Quincy looked up at him did he speak. ”At least for now, she hasn’t done anything to actually hurt us. The fact that we got back together was definitely something Esther Abbott pushed for, so in that regard, I should be thanking her. As for Lynn, I can’t make decisions for her, but from what I know, she wouldn’t hold a grudge against someone who was acting in ignorance.”

Zachary Quincy gazed at him quietly, his eyes slowly turning red.

The little brother who had always needed his older brothers to indulge and coax him had finally grown up. Ever since getting back together with the woman he loved, he had matured and now knew how to comfort them.

Ian Sterling crouched down. ”Don’t take this to heart. Don’t worry about me or do anything for my sake. Just think about yourself.”

Zachary Quincy lowered his head, looking wretched, and mumbled an, ”Okay.”

”Okay, then. Just remember to tell Jasper Jennings and Kenneth Keller. They’ve been pretty worried about you.” Ian Sterling stood up. ”I’m heading out. Lynn isn’t awake yet, and I don’t want her to wake up and not be able to find me.”

”Oh.” Zachary Quincy was still left speechless by some of Ian Sterling’s behavior.

After Ian Sterling left, Zachary Quincy sent a message to their group chat.

Jasper Jennings and Kenneth Keller pretended not to have noticed Zachary Quincy’s odd behavior lately and just asked, ”[We’re planning to visit Elder Winslow this afternoon. Mr. Powell will be there too. You coming?]”

Elder Winslow wasn’t just renowned in Morelia; his reputation preceded him in Veridia as well. Stories of his decisive and forceful methods—how he had wrought immense change under Morelia’s notoriously lax administration—were legendary. His accomplishments were often used by their own elders as case studies to lecture them with.

Zachary Quincy hesitated for a moment before replying, ”[I’ll go. What time?]”

Nigel Abbott chimed in, ”[How about three this afternoon? I’m free then. I’ll go pay a visit too.]”

The others replied with ”OK” emojis.

Meanwhile, Ian Sterling only glanced at the group chat while waiting at a red light. He sent back an ”Okay” emoji but didn’t jump into their discussion about what kind of gift would be appropriate for Lynn.

Back at Calyx Hall, Lynn Winslow was still asleep. One of her legs was already dangling off the bed; one more turn and she’d fall right off.

Not even bothering to change out of his outdoor clothes, Ian Sterling first lifted Lynn’s leg back onto the bed. Only after he had adjusted her position did he go change into a set of loungewear.

Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow had likely gone to the botanical garden out back for their morning exercises. Ian Sterling didn’t want to disturb them, so he simply followed his heart and went back to holding Lynn, catching up on his own sleep.

When Lynn woke up, Ian Sterling was still asleep. But the moment she stirred, he woke up reflexively, reaching out to pull her back.

”I’m awake.”

Lynn knew exactly what he was doing the moment he moved. Ever since she and Ian Sterling had gotten back together, her sleeping habits had gotten worse as their feelings for each other deepened. She was probably just being brazen, knowing that no matter how restlessly she slept, Ian Sterling would always be there to swiftly pull her back from the edge of the bed.

Ian Sterling blearily opened his eyes, glanced at her, and pulled her back into his embrace.

The weather had cooled down quickly since autumn began. Just a couple of days ago, they might have been wearing short sleeves, but with the recent drop in temperature, Lynn already felt like she needed a down jacket.

Pulled against his warm chest, Lynn adjusted her position and leaned obediently into his embrace.

”Where did you go this morning?”

Ian Sterling grunted in confusion. He hadn’t thought Lynn knew he had gone out. He wasn’t planning on telling her he’d gone to see Zachary Quincy, so he just said, ”I went to the office to sign a few important documents.”

Lynn just assumed he was suddenly feeling diligent and didn’t think any more of it. She nuzzled against his chest, gently closed her eyes, and prepared to go back to sleep.

Just as she was about to drift off, she suddenly remembered: there were two old men in the house who needed to be looked after.

Lynn struggled to get out of Ian Sterling’s embrace. ”My grandfather and Mr. Powell,” she said, wriggling. ”We’re sleeping in, what about them?”

Ian Sterling grabbed her wrist, pressing it against his chest. Eyes still closed, he said drowsily, ”Don’t worry, I’ve already had the butler and an assistant tailing them. Besides, Mr. Powell is there. It’s not like they can get lost.”

Lynn was still hesitant and conflicted. Ian Sterling leaned down and kissed her forehead, his voice raspy but gentle. ”If you really can’t get back to sleep, how about we... continue? You still owe me for a few rounds from last night, since you needed to catch up on your sleep.”

”You’re unbelievable,” Lynn said, closing her eyes in resignation. ”If you keep this up, I’m afraid I’ll have to ask a doctor for some kidney-support pills for you.”

”No need. Thank you for the kind offer, but I was born this way. My excellent kidneys are all-natural. You can thank Ms. Nina Norton and Chairman Spencer Sterling for that. They’re the ones who gave me this fine physique.”

Even half-asleep, Ian Sterling’s instinct was to fire back a sarcastic retort. Lynn didn’t know whether to be impressed or appalled by his shamelessness.

”Go back to sleep. A little longer and it’ll be noon. Jasper Jennings and the others are coming to visit Elder Winslow this afternoon.” Ian Sterling cradled the back of her head with one hand and gently patted her back with the other, lulling her to sleep.

He was used to lulling Lynn to sleep. Whenever he did this, she would drift off in no time—a fact Lynn herself would personally attest to.

They hadn’t slept for as long as they’d planned before the butler came knocking.

”Miss, Finn, it’s almost time for lunch. What type of cuisine would you like?”

Ian Sterling just stirred, turning his head toward the door to call out, ”Anything’s fine. Go ask Mr. Powell and Elder Winslow. If we’re still not awake by noon, just make sure you take good care of them.”

”Understood,” the butler replied before leaving.

Lynn was now wide awake and couldn’t get back to sleep. She nudged Ian Sterling and whispered, ”Happy New Year! Time for dumplings!”

Sensing something, Ian Sterling’s eyes snapped open, catching Lynn just as she was about to play her prank.

Lynn was holding a strand of her own hair, preparing to tickle him with it.

”What do you think you’re doing?”

Lynn instantly let go of her hair and said with a sweet smile, ”Nothing at all.”

”Is that right? I thought you were about to mess with me again,” Ian Sterling said with a smirk.

”How could that be? Am I really that bad in your eyes?”

”Mhm, you are,” Ian Sterling nodded.

Lynn lifted her chin, looking smug. ”There are different kinds of bad, you know. So am I the fun kind of bad, or the actually bad kind?”