Finest Servant

Chapter 215 Deep Affection (Part 2)

Lin Wanrong was taken aback. This girl couldn't possibly be delirious, he wasn't the object of her affection, was he?

Luo Ning was as if aflame. Her face was flushed, her eyes tightly shut, but she was clinging to him and wouldn't let go. She whispered, "Brother Lin, I like you."

Cold sweat ran down Lin Wanrong's body. This young miss didn't seem to be joking. Oh no, he had unintentionally charmed another woman related to him. How was he going to explain this to little Luo?

Luo Ning's body was hot and clung tightly to him, surrounding him like a fiery sphere. Her figure was rather appealing. Given the chance, why wouldn't he hold her? Lin Wanrong pulled her closer into his embrace and said, "Miss Luo, please let go of me. Let's talk properly."

Listening to him, Luo Ning felt both embarrassed and annoyed. It was clearly him who wouldn't let her go, but he was asking her to release him. How infuriating! The words she had just spoken had drained her of all her energy. She dared not say another word. She hastily slipped out of his arms, dived under the quilt, and wrapped it tightly around her face, not uttering a single word.

Seeing her blush so vividly, Lin Wanrong couldn't help but cough awkwardly twice. "Uh, Miss Luo, I think you might be mistaken. Don't worry, I won't remember anything you've just said."

Luo Ning's heart pounded in anxiety. As she pressed the embroidered quilt against her face, her little leg kicked out in irritation. She uttered in an embarrassed whisper, "Brother Lin..."

Oh damn, it seemed like this was indeed real. Lin Wanrong couldn't believe his ears. Based on his understanding of Luo Ning, this gifted woman was haughty and had high standards. She once said she wanted a husband who could serve as a minister in court and also be a warrior on the battlefield. Lin Wanrong knew he was neither. How could she possibly like him? Then he remembered what Luo Ning had said during the old madam's birthday, that her criteria for choosing a husband had changed and that she even had someone in mind. Could she have been referring to him?

As Lin Wanrong stayed silent for a while, Luo Ning anxiously peeked out from under the quilt. She found him in a daze, disbelief written all over his face. Luo Ning felt a mix of embarrassment and sweetness. She bit her silver teeth and said, "Brother Lin, please put out the lamp."

"Put out the lamp?" Lin Wanrong exclaimed, his voice trembling. Was this girl planning to take advantage of him in the dark? He had never been in such a situation. He wasn't prepared, neither physically nor psychologically.

"Brother Lin," Luo Ning's voice trembled, "I will feel more comfortable speaking with you once the light is out."

He broke into a sweat. If she was so timid, where did her courage from earlier go? Lin Wanrong had no choice but to put out the lamp. The room was plunged into darkness, and they could no longer see each other clearly.

Luo Ning whispered softly, "Brother Lin, a gentleman would not take advantage of someone in the dark. I trust your integrity."

‘A gentleman would not take advantage of someone in the dark? More like a fool wouldn't.’ He replied sternly, "Miss Luo, you know very well that I despise the gentlemanly conduct. To avoid any unintended wrongdoings, I think I should leave."

Luo Ning quickly stopped him, her voice filled with embarrassment, "Brother Lin, you— I just wanted to share my feelings with you. Are you going to ridicule me for it too? Haven't you had enough of toying with Qiaoqiao in the outer room earlier?"

Sweat dripped down his body. He had indeed been caught in the act, and Luo Ning had witnessed it. No wonder the embroidered shoes had been scattered around. He couldn't let Qiaoqiao know about this; otherwise, she'd never let him try anything interesting ever again.

"Um, Miss Luo, aren't you angry about it?" Lin Wanrong chuckled sheepishly.

"And what good would that do? I have long known what kind of man you are. Wild and unconventional, there's hardly anyone in this world who would dare to offend you. If it weren't for that, how could I possibly like you?" Luo Ning whispered softly. The last few words were so faint he could barely hear them.

"Miss Luo," he began, feeling the urgency of the situation, "I must clarify. What you saw earlier was real but also wasn't. You see, I am a painter, and I used to have a nickname - Touch-and-Grab. Everything I did earlier was merely for the purpose of completing a unique and unparalleled painting. As an expert in painting yourself, you should know that it's crucial for both parties to be in character to create the perfect piece. Earlier, Qiaoqiao and I were playing an intriguing game, just so we could quickly get into character. The ultimate goal was to complete that wonderful painting." He said without a hint of shame.

Luo Ning was too embarrassed to speak. ‘Were you planning on having Qiaoqiao strip for your so-called painting and then touch and grab her? Not only did you dare to do such a thing, but you also had the audacity to do it in my room. It's absolutely mortifying! Qiaoqiao, who followed you around, must have been led astray by you.’

"Brother Lin," Luo Ning stammered, "please don't say such frivolous things anymore. I can't bear it."

"But Miss Luo," Lin Wanrong felt wronged, "I haven't said anything frivolous yet."

Hearing this, Luo Ning dove back under the quilt, her face burning. This girl, she was too shy. Lin Wanrong found it rather amusing.

With the lights out and a shy beauty lying on the bed, while a confused man sat on the edge, the ambiance in Luo Ning's room was palpably charged.

Lin Wanrong felt stifled. ‘You little minx, if you're chasing after me, then speak up. Do you expect me to make the first move? What a world we live in,’ he thought indignantly.

"Brother Lin, there are things I dare not say in front of you. Only when the lights are off, and I cannot see you, can I find the courage to speak. Please don't laugh at me." Luo Ning spoke softly, but her words were filled with an indescribable tenderness.

"Do you remember the first time we met, Brother Lin?" Luo Ning said, her voice soft. Perhaps it was the darkness that allowed her to express her deepest feelings. There was a tremor in her voice that was tinged with an affectionate tone, "The way you treated Qiaoqiao that day, in front of everyone, made me realize that you are a man who is fearless and sentimental. Any woman would be envious of Qiaoqiao to have you by her side. Although, you were indeed a bit impolite that day."

"When I saw the couplets you presented, I was naturally overjoyed. Although you openly admitted they were not your own work, I found it strangely fascinating. I thought, 'This man may not have any remarkable talents, but he possesses an admirable honesty and straightforwardness.'" Luo Ning's voice was calm, laced with a hint of joy, as if she was reliving the day they first met.

"Later, when planning the poetry contest, I came to you for help. You, however, made so many outrageous demands that I was both furious and resentful, considering you the most cunning and shameless man in the world. Considering the four virtues – propriety, justice, integrity, and honor – you seemed to lack at least two of them," she said. Despite her words, Luo Ning chuckled softly, shooting him a glance.

"But then you shared with me many insights on management and strategy, which made me see that you did have some abilities. Later, when you stood alone in Hangzhou's Sunshine and Rain Restaurant, you crushed the Tao family single-handedly. I heard about your fascinating schemes and even Mr. Xu Wenchang saw you in a new light. Given that Mr. Wenchang's wisdom is the best in the world, and his ability to judge character is unmatched, my curiosity grew. Every day, I hoped for your return. I visited Qiaoqiao several times. Sometimes, I even dreamed about you."

Even though the darkness shrouded her features, Lin Wanrong could sense the happiness and shyness on Luo Ning's face. Ah, such was the power of his charm, he thought wryly.

"Then at grandmother's birthday, you shocked everyone. You defeated Shen Banshan in the couplet contest and exposed the tricks of the fake Taoist. My heart was filled with wonder and delight. When grandmother gave me the diamond, I took it as a gift from you. I was so happy that I had it set in a necklace by Sister Liu (Liu Yue’e), just so you could see it," Luo Ning admitted, blushing.

‘Ah, so this young lady had been secretly in love with me all along,’ Lin Wanrong thought, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Miss Luo, I'm not as good as you think I am. I have many flaws. For example, I'm eager to do good, I'm selfless, I sympathize with the weak, and I love and respect women. I've been trying to correct these shortcomings for years, but I just can't seem to manage it."

Shyly, Luo Ning replied, "Brother Lin, I love hearing you talk. And I would love to have your 'shortcomings.'"

Laughing heartily, Lin Wanrong thought, ‘This girl is learning to tease, just like me. That's quite impressive.’

Softly, Luo Ning continued, "Brother Lin, I told you before that the husband I dreamed of would be a well-rounded scholar and warrior, a man above all others. But after meeting you, for some reason, I always find you lingering in my thoughts. You're unlike anyone else – you speak your mind, yet your words carry a wisdom, a knowledge and insight that sets you apart. No one can compare to you. I don't know what's happening to me. I just want to hear you talk, to see you. The nonsensical things you've said to me have sometimes infuriated me, other times delighted me."

"I invited you to the outing with the idea of introducing you to my mentor. Little did I know it would end in such a disaster. You and my mentor had such a terrible falling out that I was filled with regret. When I heard the things you said to me, I wished I could just die. When I returned home, I felt so miserable that I became like this." By the end of her confession, Luo Ning was softly sobbing.

Having listened to Luo Ning's heartfelt confession, Lin Wanrong was somewhat dumbfounded. So, her illness was indeed because of him. Who said that ancient women were always demure and shy? Once their feelings were ignited, they could be as passionate as a raging fire.

As a flirtatious man, he was naturally overjoyed to be pursued by a beautiful and talented woman like Luo Ning. But to be honest, he had never been particularly attracted to aloof women, let alone thought about having a romantic relationship with Luo Ning. Her sudden confession had left him at a loss.

Once Luo Ning finished speaking, she fell silent, waiting for his response.

Clearing his throat, Lin Wanrong cautiously said, "Miss Luo, as you know, I'm not a frivolous man. This matter requires serious consideration."

Softly, Luo Ning replied, "Brother Lin, I will wait for you. In this lifetime, it's you or no one else for me."

Both of them remained silent. In the quietness of the boudoir, the soft sound of footsteps came from the stairs. Judging by the time, it should be Qiaoqiao returning.

Startled, Luo Ning quickly said, "Brother Lin, you mustn't tell Qiaoqiao about what I told you today. If she knew, I, I would die of embarrassment—"

Perspiring, Lin Wanrong thought, Not tell Qiaoqiao? Does that mean we'd have to carry on a secret affair behind Qiaoqiao's back? An affair with the talented Miss Luo? This was getting more and more thrilling.

Uneasily, Lin Wanrong said, "Well, well, Qiaoqiao will find out sooner or later."

Luo Ning's body jerked slightly, too embarrassed to lift her head. She whispered, "Let's tell her later, okay?"

"Tell her what?" Qiaoqiao's voice came from outside the door. "Oh, Brother Lin, Sister Ning, why have the lights been extinguished?"

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