Volume One, Chapter 15: You Didn’t Seem Afraid the Last Time We Had Sex in the Car.

Ning Yu felt her knuckles tighten.

She knew it; she just knew it. He was a walking time bomb, ready to detonate at any moment. A single, breezy sentence from him was enough to leave her reeling, landing her in a mess of problems that she then had to scramble to solve.

Ancestor. He really was the bane of her existence.

"Xiao Yu? You and Uncle... regarding that previous medical advice??" Lin Haoyu’s expression darkened as he stared at Ning Yu, demanding an explanation.

When had Ning Yu met his uncle? Why did his uncle only help Xiao Yu at the funeral? Lin Haoyu couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something.

Ning Yu clenched her palms and explained, "It was just a couple of days ago. Mom must have forgotten that I’m allergic to eggs and added them to the meal. I accidentally ate some and happened to book an appointment with Uncle. It’s such a coincidence; at the time, I didn’t even know that the great Dr. Li was the uncle you always talk about."

Lin Haoyu was still skeptical, turning to look at Li Shiyan across the table. He might not have fully trusted Ning Yu, but Li Shiyan was a man who had never once deigned to lie.

Li Shiyan tapped his fingertips against the edge of the table. "It was indeed an allergy."

An egg allergy, and a latex allergy to boot.

Only then did Lin Haoyu believe her, looking at Ning Yu with concern. "Xiao Yu, why didn’t you tell me?"

"It wasn't a big deal, and it’s not the first time. I didn't want to worry you," Ning Yu forced a smile.

Lin Fangfei had been watching the whole time without saying much. She hadn't missed what Lin Haoyu had overlooked. "Then what Uncle mentioned earlier—was that also because of the egg allergy?"

Reminded, Lin Haoyu immediately recalled the comment, his gaze turning icy again. "Xiao Yu?"

Indeed, how could an egg allergy have anything to do with... that? That excuse might work on a child. Truly, she was surrounded by traps.

Under the table, hidden by the tablecloth, Ning Yu stomped down on the man’s leather shoe with all her might, showing no mercy.

She looked at Lin Haoyu and explained, "Haoyu... I had intended to discuss this with you in private, but since you’ve asked, I have to clarify. When I went to get tested for allergens two days ago, I discovered that besides eggs, I’m also allergic to latex."

As she spoke, Ning Yu put on a shy, coy expression. "If I’m allergic to latex, we’ll have to be extra careful after we’re married."

Seeing her rare display of feminine shyness and realizing what she was implying, Lin Haoyu’s suspicions vanished instantly. He beamed, saying, "Xiao Yu, don’t be shy. We’re getting married soon, there’s no need to be embarrassed."

What he didn't know was that Ning Yu’s face was burning not because of him, nor because of discussing the topic in public. It was because, under the tablecloth, after she had stomped on his shoe, a large, cool, and slender hand had immediately clamped onto her calf.

His calloused fingertips began to stroke her ankle, now light, now heavy, like a jolt of electricity. It made Ning Yu’s ankle itch uncontrollably.

Lin Haoyu, still convinced it was all because of him, was so delighted that he missed even more. Only Lin Fangfei, standing to the side, let her gaze wander between Ning Yu and Li Shiyan. For some reason, she felt there was something incredibly strange between the two of them. Yet, unable to put her finger on what it was, she wisely chose to remain silent.

Ning Yu fought the urge to kick him away. She tried to pull back, but he gripped her ankle tightly, growing bolder. His fingertips moved from her ankle up along her calf, each inch of skin erupting in goosebumps. For the first time, she wondered why the table was so narrow and why his hands were so long.

Ning Yu gripped the edge of the table, turning to look at him with unsteady breath. "Uncle, thank you for today. Perhaps Haoyu and I can treat you to a meal when we have time?"

She had no intention of inviting him; she was banking on the fact that he would refuse, hoping the comment would goad him into releasing her ankle.

Lin Haoyu chimed in, "Yes, Uncle, when are you free? Let us treat you to dinner."

The two of them sang in harmony, acting every bit the doting couple.

Li Shiyan replied, "I happen to be free today."

Ning Yu: "?!!!"

Was he out of his mind?

Lin Haoyu was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. Everyone knew that Li Shiyan wouldn't even give the elder Mr. Lin the time of day, let alone acknowledge requests from the younger generation. The fact that he immediately agreed to dinner must mean he held him in high regard—this would be a massive boost for his future prospects in the corporation!

"Great, great! Since Uncle is free, there’s no time like the present. Let’s do it today! My treat, and you can pick the place, Uncle." Lin Haoyu didn't forget Lin Fangfei either. "Fangfei, come with us! Uncle is going too!"

"Sure," Lin Fangfei said, sensing that something was wrong. "By the way, Yunyun is nearby, isn't she? Should we bring her along?"

"Yunyun, she seems..." Lin Haoyu’s first thought was that Li Shiyan seemed to dislike Ning Yunyun, and he absolutely could not let her ruin his image in his uncle’s eyes.

Some things are just that coincidental. Before Lin Haoyu could finish his sentence, Ning Yunyun’s voice drifted in from the doorway: "Brother Haoyu, Sister, what are you talking about? What's this about bringing me along??"

Ning Yunyun clicked her heels as she walked in, swaying her hips with deliberate flair as if she were walking a runway. She naturally wedged herself between Lin Fangfei and Lin Haoyu. "Fangfei, Brother Haoyu, are you up to something fun? You absolutely must take me with you!"

Lin Fangfei didn't like Ning Yu, but she had always been decent to Ning Yunyun. "Big brother, since Yunyun is here, it’ll be more lively with one extra person."

Lin Haoyu hesitated, glancing at Li Shiyan.

Li Shiyan tapped his fingers on the table, saying nothing, his expression remaining indifferent.

Only then did Lin Haoyu dare to agree.

They took two cars: one was Lin Haoyu’s, the other was Li Shiyan’s.

Lin Haoyu had intended for Ning Yu to sit in the passenger seat, but as soon as they reached the parking lot and he opened the door, Ning Yunyun eagerly dove into the front.

"Sister, you know I get carsick sometimes. I’m afraid I can’t handle the back seat. I’ll sit in the front; you won't be angry, will you?"

Lin Haoyu paused for only a second before looking helplessly at Ning Yu. "Xiao Yu, why don't you ride with Fangfei?"

Ning Yu didn't speak. She also got carsick and was extremely sensitive to odors; if things went wrong, she would be vomiting stomach acid. Ning Yunyun clearly knew this, which was why she deliberately covered her mouth in mock surprise. "Oh no, I just remembered you get carsick too... What should we do? There’s only one passenger seat. It’s okay, I’ll get out, you take the front, sister."

Lin Haoyu held Ning Yunyun back and looked at Ning Yu outside the car. "Xiao Yu, Yunyun is really feeling unwell. Could you just let her have it for today?"

The roar of an engine igniting broke the tension. A pure black G-Wagon pulled up beside Ning Yu, and the window rolled down.

The man’s cold, stern face emerged. He said, with a nonchalant air, "What are you waiting for? Shall we go?"

Lin Haoyu looked as if he’d found a savior. "Uncle, both Yunyun and Xiao Yu get carsick. Could one of them ride in your car?"

Li Shiyan lifted his eyelids and looked at Ning Yu. "Get in."

"Xiao Yu, go on!" Lin Haoyu urged.

Ning Yu couldn't believe Lin Haoyu was this brainless. Had his brain been eaten by his libido?

Facing the gaze of the four of them, Ning Yu had no choice but to walk to Li Shiyan’s car. Just as she reached for the back door handle, the man threw a mocking remark her way:

"Are you planning on throwing up in my car on purpose?"

Ning Yu froze, then climbed into the passenger seat.

Lin Haoyu’s car pulled away first, leading the way. Li Shiyan glanced at Ning Yu, who had just fastened her seatbelt and was sitting stiffly upright.

He was amused by her look of being faced with an existential threat.

"Why weren't you this afraid last time we were in the car?"