The Domineering CEO's Vain Trophy Husband 28

In this moment, even Nuonuo in the garden could sense the fleeting disappointment that Ming Yao displayed.

Ming Yao immediately reflected on himself, gazing into Lin Zhi's eyes as he spoke with a promise-like tone: "I will strive to earn your consent."

If one were to express it in more obsessive language, it would be: 'I will definitely make you marry me.'

Lin Zhi smiled without answering, placing the small box in his hands in front of Ming Yao.

"It belongs to you."

This time Ming Yao's phrasing was less gentle than before. His attitude was somewhat firm as he closed Lin Zhi's palm, making him grip the box containing the gem necklace tightly.

To prevent Lin Zhi from finding further excuses to decline, Ming Yao shifted the topic by saying: "It's time for dinner."

Lin Zhi's eyes carried an imperceptible smile. He didn't open the small box but tucked it into his pocket.

Ming Yao's father didn't appear again afterward, seemingly having come only to deliver a gift.

But because of his appearance, Lin Zhi clearly felt that the last hazy barrier deep within Ming Yao's heart had disappeared.

Ming Yao could now speak freely about his past, about his history, about his parents.

"I used to know that they were deeply in love. After all, sometimes they would send me away to spend time together, celebrating anniversaries and such things. Most of these occasions were initiated more eagerly by my father. Before the accident, he was actually very good to me—an absolutely devoted father."

"He could remember which foods I liked and disliked, would carefully prepare and bring me gifts, answer my questions, tell me to remain humble about many things, to cherish and respect others. He was a very cultured person. Even in his most frantic and collapsed moments, he wouldn't curse loudly. He would only judge with a cold attitude and targeted words."

"I don't resent him, because beyond guilt, I even find him pitiful."

"The accident that day occurred because heavy rain obscured the vision of both vehicles, causing them to collide. The driver of the other car died on the spot. He had no object to vent his emotions towards except me, even though I knew his venting wasn't right."

"The night before his first disappearance, he unexpectedly cooked a meal for me, telling me he had to go on a long journey. Later, I found out he had gone to Tibet, entered a sacred mountain, learned to prostrate like a pilgrim, and even traveled abroad seeking some mysterious resurrection ritual. Grandfather thought his mind had become unstable and wanted to try getting him hospitalized, but it had no effect. He left the hospital, and it was a long time before he came back again."

Even though that was ten years ago, Ming Yao could clearly remember that dinner. It was all food he disliked, yet his father had remembered perfectly.

Lin Zhi didn't interrupt, merely being a quiet listener.

In this, he sensed an ambiguous attitude that perhaps even Ming Yao himself wasn't aware of.

Ming Yao didn't resent or blame his father. Rather, he pitied and sympathized with him. This was a dangerous signal of empathy.

Essentially, they might be the same kind of people.

The same obsessive and unreasonable nature, unable to remain calm when faced with unbearable extreme pain.

System No. 01 had mentioned before that all Mission Targets had 'illnesses' that would make them increasingly misanthropic and push them toward the path of self-destruction.

Lin Zhi didn't know how long he would remain after completing the Redemption mission. He hoped it wouldn't be very long, because he hadn't yet considered how to teach children, and he'd also have to teach Ming Yao how to become completely normal... That was thinking too far ahead. Lin Zhi felt he wouldn't suddenly die.

After waiting a while longer, he would be able to know what happened after the mission ended.

Lin Zhi looked at Ming Yao's profile and lowered his gaze.

By mid-November, the weather had become even colder.

Lin Zhi heard from Ming Yao that the compound issue had been resolved and his rehabilitation was showing results. By New Year's, he would probably be able to walk normally again.

Lin Zhi was happy for him, concealing a faint trace of melancholy.

After all, Ming Yao was the first person who made Lin Zhi feel something, and he fit his situation so perfectly. It was a shame.

During this period, Ming Yao had done quite a few things to try to earn his approval.

Buying gifts, going to art exhibitions to please him—these were basic operations. Who would have thought that the usually arrogant Ming Yao would carefully give him massages using learned techniques during his rest time? Legitimate massages with no improper intentions.

However, the more Ming Yao did this, the more interested Lin Zhi became, until it eventually transformed into something less formal.

This time Ming Yao didn't transfer money to him, because his card had already been confiscated. Instead, Ming Yao bought Lin Zhi a small island for vacation, so Lin Zhi could bring friends there to play when he had time.

On the morning of the 17th, Lin Zhi received a call from Old Master Ming.

Old Master Ming wanted to pick out some antiques and asked Lin Zhi to accompany him.

Lin Zhi's project had long since ended. Ming Yao didn't forcibly assign him to any department, leaving it to his own preference for development.

Considering that he might leave later, Lin Zhi didn't choose anything and entered fish-paddling mode, merely hanging a hat at the company. Ming Yao indulged him, then transferred him back to the secretariat to collect a salary, so Lin Zhi didn't need to ask for leave even if he woke late or had other matters.

No one in the secretariat had an issue with this. After all, they had one day witnessed the boss and the beautiful secretary kissing in the office—with Special Assistant Gao quietly closing the door. For the sake of the boss's and Lin Zhi's reputation, Special Assistant Gao specifically announced their married status to everyone, asking them not to spread rumors.

The situation transformed from a secret affair between boss and secretary into intimate moments between spouses. Everyone in the secretariat was a seasoned operator and collectively indicated their understanding.

Lin Zhi faced their warm smiles with a smile of his own, and subsequently fish-paddled even more openly. Before leaving, he wanted to learn more, rather than wasting energy on these mundane tasks.

Though System No. 01 hadn't definitively stated he would leave, Lin Zhi had a subtle premonition.

He was accustomed to preparing for the unexpected, planning many things in advance. If he weren't this way, he wouldn't be confident that those responsible for his original death would also face appropriate consequences.

Lin Zhi wore a caramel-colored overcoat to visit Old Master Ming, accompanying him to view antiques.

Old Master Ming had keen eyesight, and Lin Zhi's appreciation wasn't as good as his, so he merely watched and occasionally offered suggestions.

Old Master Ming didn't come to a typical commercial antique street. This place had higher standards and deeper waters. Old Master Ming purchased a jade snuff bottle, and the shop also offered stone gambling services.

Old Master Ming seemed eager to try, looking at Lin Zhi as he said: "Zhizhi, pick one for me."

Lin Zhi looked at the stones of various sizes before him, and with a smile pointed to one.

"Grandfather, I can't tell the stones apart at all. If there's nothing inside later, don't blame my bad luck."

Lin Zhi understood jade and antiques somewhat, but stones were truly beyond him. He simply pointed to one that looked pleasing.

The shop cracked the stone on the spot. As the cutting blade went through, the stone Lin Zhi had chosen actually contained jade of decent quality.

Old Master Ming said with slight surprise: "Your luck is really good."

Lin Zhi was also somewhat astonished. Under Old Master Ming's praise and the shop owner's flattery, the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

After discussing how to process the jade, Lin Zhi chose a restaurant and had lunch with Old Master Ming. A nearby diner mentioned that a famous operatic star would be returning to the stage this afternoon.

"Grandfather, didn't you always want to hear her perform? This is quite fortunate. Let me book tickets immediately."

Lin Zhi immediately opened his phone. He had long since figured out Old Master Ming's preferences and knew what he liked. Old Master Ming had always wanted to hear this star's performance, but she hadn't appeared for years.

Old Master Ming said cheerfully: "I didn't expect we'd run into this by chance. Zhizhi, you're truly blessed."

Lin Zhi knew he was pleased because his wish was fulfilled and because Lin Zhi remembered this. He smiled and said: "Just a coincidence."

"I don't care. Our Zhizhi is someone favored by luck. If it weren't for the restaurant you chose, how would we have known about this? We might have missed it."

Old Master Ming said with a chuckle. These days he had been smiling more and more. Lin Zhi wasn't surprised—Ming Yao's leg wasn't only his own heart knot; Old Master Ming had always been concerned about it too.

Old Master Ming's words made Lin Zhi raise an eyebrow. This restaurant was chosen randomly, yet it turned out so coincidentally. It seemed his luck today was indeed quite good.

The afternoon passed while sipping tea and listening to opera.

Old Master Ming said that since Lin Zhi had paid for lunch, he would cover dinner. Lin Zhi didn't refuse.

However, as they got in the car, Lin Zhi noticed the increasingly familiar scenery and looked at Old Master Ming beside him with some confusion.

This wasn't Old Master Ming's residence, but rather the villa where he and Ming Yao lived.

Old Master Ming said calmly and unhurried: "I hired a chef and let Ming Yao taste the food as well. Since I've always had you young people running around, this time I'll come here instead, so you don't have to be too troubled."

When Lin Zhi and Old Master Ming entered the house, the servants were still serving dishes. The kitchen door was half-closed, so they couldn't see the chef.

The dishes on the table weren't rare, and the types were mixed—both Chinese and Western cuisines, with exquisite plating that showed the chef's sincerity.

Lin Zhi, sensing something, glanced toward the kitchen, then looked at Old Master Ming, and lowered his head to taste a few dishes.

Old Master Ming asked eagerly: "How does it taste?"

Lin Zhi answered: "Not bad."

"You're still being polite. Where is it 'not bad,'—it's quite ordinary," Old Master Ming said with a smile, then pivoted: "However, this chef I hired doesn't have much experience either, but they've put in effort to reach this level."

Old Master Ming called toward the kitchen: "They're praising you. Come out."

Winter grew dark early. The dining room had been lit before, but suddenly the lights dimmed, and the servants cheerfully withdrew.

Someone emerged from the kitchen carrying a cake, the candlelight illuminating his face.

Ming Yao's normally cold features were softened. He looked at Lin Zhi and smiled: “Happy Birthday. Congratulations on growing one more year older."

He placed the cake on the table and, together with Old Master Ming, sang a somewhat discordant birthday song.

Neither had experience with this. Grandfather and grandson sang earnestly, keeping rhythm to a bilingual mix of Chinese and English blessings.

Lin Zhi stood before the dining table in a daze, looking at the cake. It took him quite a while to come to his senses.

Today actually wasn't his birthday, but the original owner’s birthday. And because the mission was about to be completed, he hadn't specifically remembered this detail to use it, so he hadn't noticed all day.

But clearly this was a surprise they had carefully prepared for him. Just from these dishes, Lin Zhi could imagine how long Ming Yao had practiced. Today, Old Master Ming probably had sent him away to let Ming Yao prepare.

This was a purely un-burdened birthday without any expectations attached to it. On every birthday in previous years, Lin Zhi had to listen to his family's expectations and promise what he would do. Growing up meant his responsibilities became ever more pressing.

But this time was a surprise, a surprising gift that wasn't extravagant yet was very thoughtful.

Old Master Ming cheerfully urged: "Blow out the candles and make a wish. Don't tell me you forgot your own birthday."

Lin Zhi blew out the candles, closing his eyes to make a wish.

He had no wishes, nor did he voice anything in his heart.

He simply purely enjoyed this moment, and when the lights came on, he thanked Ming Yao and Old Master Ming.

"Why thank us? That's too distant. Come eat, come on, we'll eat cake later. Once we're done eating, I'll leave—I won't disturb you young people. I've already prepared a gift for you."

As Old Master Ming spoke, he shot a glance at his eldest grandson standing beside them with nothing but a silly smile, truly a blockhead beyond redemption, not even knowing how to say sweet words.

Lin Zhi looked at Ming Yao, unable to help but ask: "Didn't your leg require waiting until New Year's to move freely?"

Ming Yao's eyes softened as he said: "It's progressing faster than planned."

Because of your existence.

He didn't say this second part out loud—Grandfather was right there.

"This was a surprise. He even pawned off some work on me, an old man who retired long ago, all to speed up rehabilitation so he could cook for you and bring out the cake today."

Old Master Ming unceremoniously exposed Ming Yao's plan, mainly because his grandson was too tight-lipped. He was worried about his happiness.

Ming Yao seemed a bit embarrassed but tried to maintain composure.

"It truly was quite a surprise," Lin Zhi thought about the day's events and narrowed his eyes as he asked: "Could my good luck today also have been...?"

Ming Yao nodded somewhat proudly, and under Lin Zhi's gaze he explained the truth.

Those stones from earlier had all been pre-selected by appraisal experts. Whichever one Lin Zhi chose would yield jade.

The diner was someone following them around. No matter which restaurant they went to, the good news would reach them.

Lin Zhi listened and nodded with a smile, dining with them.

Old Master Ming indeed left after they finished eating as he had said.

"I have a gift for you. It's in my room."

Ming Yao extended his hand toward Lin Zhi—an inviting gesture.

Lin Zhi placed his hand in Ming Yao's palm and was immediately gripped tightly.