From Lin Wei’s perspective, Fu Xiaoqing did seem to have a rough time. In other wealthy families, the formidable mother-in-law would at least employ some niceties before resorting to drastic measures. Yet, in Fu Xiaoqing’s case, she was dismissed without a word, and to make matters worse, she had a sick younger brother in the hospital, draining her finances daily. Her previous income was barely enough, and with the sudden cut-off, she had to resort to taking several odd jobs a day. It was indeed pitiable; the original character’s sympathy for her was not without a reason.
“I offered her money, but she said I was meddling,” Huo Qijun’s expression grew even uglier. “Yet you care so much about her. Why haven’t you helped her out?”
Lin Wei chuckled softly and replied leisurely, “If I really stepped in to help her, you better not lose your cool!”
“You…!” Huo Qijun suddenly looked up, his expression suggesting he was reaching the end of his patience.
Lin Wei immediately regained a serious demeanor. “Her health is already fragile. She can’t endure this kind of treatment. Instead of giving her money, which would only make her feel insulted, why not offer her a proper job?”
Huo Qijun saw that Lin Wei was more composed and took a breath, mixing regret and confusion in his tone. “Surely I know giving her a job would be better, but you know my family situation. The moment I arrange a job for her, my mother will immediately sabotage it. For Xiaoqing… why let her suffer again? It’s better to give her money as unemployment compensation.”
The young master’s kind of love was indeed rather condescending. Lin Wei couldn’t help but sigh at how unfortunate the female protagonist was!
“So, is that what you told her before? Did you get harshly rebuked?”
Lin Wei didn’t hide his glee at Fu Xiaoqing’s plight. Just then, a cushion flew towards him, and instinctively he caught it. Upon closer inspection, it was shaped like a pink cat—very girlish, which contrasted starkly with Huo Qijun’s demeanor.
Realizing that continuing to provoke the situation might backfire, Lin Wei finally set aside his nonchalant attitude and offered him advice.
“You’re just afraid that you can’t watch over her, that she might get bullied at a job you arrange for her. Why not give her a job without colleagues? I’ve told you before that because of your stomach issues, you need someone to manage your meals. You insisted on being finicky and unwilling to have outsiders enter your private space. Now, isn’t Fu Xiaoqing a good choice? Surely, you can’t deny someone you like, can you?”
Although mentioning “private space” again touched a sore spot, Huo Qijun momentarily brushed it aside and looked at him with a skeptical expression but began to ponder over the suggestion. Clearly, he was tempted but had to admit that convincing Fu Xiaoqing, who had been unfriendly towards him lately, would not be easy.
After hesitating for a moment, a hint of defeat flashed in Huo Qijun’s eyes as he voiced his concern: “She probably won’t be willing.”
Lin Wei promptly replied, “No worries, as long as you’re willing, I will talk to Xiaoqing for you.”
As anticipated, Huo Qijun felt discomfort wash over him at those words, a pang of jealousy igniting in his heart. “Do you think she’ll listen just because you ask?”
Lin Wei was not afraid of him showing jealousy openly; he feared more the emotions simmering silently within. He had laid the groundwork precisely to clear the air between himself and Fu Xiaoqing without letting their connection suffer due to questioning, especially since his mission required him to maintain his friendship with Huo Qijun.
“I’m far better at conversing than you. At least I won’t freeze up and blurt out whatever when I see her!” He indicated that his mindset towards Fu Xiaoqing was completely different from Huo Qijun’s.
However, Lin Wei didn’t expect Huo Qijun to take that in. He pretended to be troubled and added, “She’s already had it tough. If you like her but haven’t protected her well, at least drop the act of being a young master and treat her a little better.”
Huo Qijun found those words increasingly grating, yet the fact that Lin Wei was advising him to treat Fu Xiaoqing better made it hard for him to explode with anger; he didn’t want to come off as petty. Nonetheless, he felt displeased, and his tone turned noticeably cold. “When did you become so compassionate?”
“I’m not being overly compassionate; I just don’t want you to regret it!” Lin Wei made a face, as if exasperated by being misunderstood.
Huo Qijun scoffed derisively, not believing him.
After that sarcastic exclamation, there was a few seconds of silence between them, the atmosphere becoming subtly tense. Suddenly, Lin Wei seemed to be struck by an impulse, standing up abruptly and appearing disappointed yet unable to voice harsh words, as if searching for the right response.
Huo Qijun was taken aback by Lin Wei’s unusual behavior. He blinked behind his glasses in surprise, thinking that he hadn’t said anything particularly outrageous, unable to fathom why Lin Wei had such a strong reaction. Was it really just because of his attitude?
Before Huo Qijun could recollect his thoughts, Lin Wei sighed, submitting to fate as he spoke softly. “Just think about it yourself. If you need anything, you can contact me.”
In the midst of Lin Wei’s sudden movement, the pink cat-shaped cushion fell to the floor. Lin Wei bent down to pick it up, patting away the non-existent dust, while quietly murmuring, “You really don’t need to waste your vigilance on me; I’m not interested in pretty women.”
Although he spoke softly, it was loud enough for Huo Qijun to hear, jolting him out of his daze. Huo Qijun’s eyes widened slightly in disbelief. “What do you mean?!”
Lin Wei gave him a knowing smile, as if mocking him for pretending not to understand, and spoke clearly: “I mean I like men.”