After returning home, Ling Shu didn't even take a shower and went straight to bed.

The next day, when he woke up, he remembered his sister and brother-in-law's situation. As he walked out of his bedroom, he saw that his brother-in-law had already gone to work and his sister was frying eggs as if nothing had happened.

Ling Shu suspected that this was just the calm before the storm. He tiptoed behind his sister and cautiously spoke up.

"Sis--"

Ling Yao's hand shook and she added too much lard.

"You scared me!" she exclaimed.

Ling Shu smiled and said, "Perfect, make one more. Old Yue will come to pick me up later, and we'll probably have breakfast here."

In reality, Yue Dingtang probably ate at home before coming over. Ling Shu only said this to get an extra egg.

If Old Yue didn't eat, then who would have to clean up after him?

Upon hearing this, Ling Yao said, "Then I'll make two more!" 

Ling Shu felt uneasy.

Ling Yao didn't notice her younger brother's mood and continued, "Does Dingtang like fish? Call him back for dinner tonight, I'll make an extra fish. I bought it yesterday and it's still swimming in the pond, lively and jumping. Oh, I'll go out and buy some more groceries. Do you know what else he likes to eat?"

Ling Shu said sourly, "Sis, I guess I'm not your real brother, Yue Dingtang's the real one, right?"

Ling Yao scolded, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Ling Shu retorted, "Isn't it true? Look at Chunxiao, she treats me like a real brother. With a great brother like me, you should cherish me more!"

Ling Yao sneered, "What's so great about you? That you disappeared for eight years without a word, or is it that you came back from the northeast with a bunch of injuries?"

Ling Shu said, "The weather is really nice today." 

Ling Yao waved her hand dismissively, "Go away and don't bother me!"

Ling Shu carefully observed her expression and asked, "Are you okay with  brother-in-law?"

Ling Yao sneered, "What could possibly be wrong?"

Ling Shu sighed, "My goodness, yesterday you were crying, screaming, and threatening to hang yourself. And now you're being stubborn. Your brother-in-law is not that kind of person, and he has nothing to do with that widow. It's all a misunderstanding!"

But there was something fishy about the whole situation.

However, Ling Shu didn't plan on telling Ling Yao too much, lest he scare her and prevent himself from investigating.

Ling Yao glanced at him sideways, "Are you defending him?"

Ling Shu raised his hands, "I swear to heaven and earth, I'm on your side!"

Ling Yao said, "Alright, alright. Your brother-in-law has already explained everything to me. I'm fine. Someone's knocking on the door, go answer it!" 

Seeing that her face was fine, Ling Shu realized that the couple had indeed reconciled, and he finally felt relieved.

As soon as the door opened, it was indeed Yue Dingtang.

Ling Shu stretched out his long arm and hugged him by the neck, looking like a good buddy.

"Old Yue, you must have had breakfast before coming, right?"

Yue Dingtang was about to say yes, but he smelled the fragrance coming from the kitchen and changed his mind.

"Not yet, I was just thinking of trying Sister Ling Yao's cooking."

Ling Shu: ?

This was clearly a lie.

Ling Yao happened to be carrying a plate of fried eggs and smiled when she heard his words.

"Dingtang, come and try the fried buns and fried dough sticks that I made."

She was quick-witted and used her chopsticks to knock away Ling Shu's hand reaching for the fried buns.

"Go wash your hands!"

Just a step away from tasting the delicious fried buns, Ling Shu regretfully withdrew his hand and walked away in frustration. He walked to the bathroom and turned on the faucet, rubbing some soap on his hands. 

He heard some movement behind him and looked up in the mirror to see Yue Dingtang approaching.

"Are you here to wash your hands too?" Ling Shu gloated.

Yue Dingtang remained calm. "What's the difference between eating a little sooner or later? The food won't fly away."

"You can say that because you're not hungry. I got up early to investigate my sister and brother-in-law's situation, and I haven't eaten anything yet. Is that easy?" Ling Shu complained.

"It's not easy," Yue Dingtang agreed with a low chuckle, but it didn't sound sincere.

Ling Shu warned him, "If my sister asks about Mrs. Sun, don't say too much. We don't want her to worry and nag us endlessly about our investigation."

As soon as he finished speaking, his hand was grabbed.

"Wipe your hands." Yue Dingtang saw him shaking his hands perfunctorily and about to step out, unable to bear it any longer, he pulled him back.

Helpless, Ling Shu muttered and wiped his hands with a towel, looking like a husband who was constantly nagged by his wife but had no way to resist. 

Yue Dingtang was both amused and angry.

"Ling Shu."

"What?"

"Shut up."

Ling Shu raised his eyebrows and looked up, the meaning was clear, why should I shut up?

Yue Dingtang said, "Otherwise, I'll kiss you right here."

When Ling Shu raised his eyebrows and looked up, there was an indescribable charm in his eyes. 

In that instant, Yue Dingtang's heart was like a willow leaf being teased by the spring breeze, uncontrollably itchy.

Yue Dingtang considered himself a man of his word, so he leaned over and bit the other's lips.

Not hard, but quick.

Because Ling Yao's voice was getting closer and closer, he couldn't continue. 

"Have you washed your hands yet? Don't dawdle, the tofu pudding is getting cold!" 

She brought out the food from the kitchen and reminded them as she saw the two of them washing their hands for a long time.

Yue Dingtang sighed with regret.

Ling Shu glared at him fiercely, his face turning slightly red, whether from embarrassment or anger, Yue Dingtang guessed the latter was more likely.

Ling Shu stormed out in anger.

"Ling Shu, what's wrong with your face? It's so red early in the morning?" Yue Dingtang heard Ling Yao asking her brother outside.

Ling Shu replied irritably, "It's because of Yue Dingtang."

"I think it's more likely that you angered him," Ling Yao said.

Ling Shu suddenly raised her voice, "Why do you always try to pick a fight?"

The siblings' bickering could be heard faintly, and Yue Dingtang smiled.

Compared to his house, this place was narrow and cramped, but it also had more liveliness. After finishing their meal, the two of them headed towards the concession area.

Outside the small western-style house, Ling Shu pressed the doorbell.

After pressing it three or four times, someone finally came to open the door.

It was the maidservant from the Sun family.

She clearly looked surprised when she saw Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang.

"May I ask if there's anything you need, sirs?"

"After Mrs. Sun and her child returned yesterday, how has she been resting? We came to check on the child."

Ling Shu noticed that the maid didn't seem too surprised or welcoming towards their arrival. She even blocked the doorway, showing subtle body language that she didn't want to entertain them.

"What's wrong, is it inconvenient?"

He asked knowingly.

"It's not that, it's just that Madam is sick and I'm afraid she can't get up to entertain you two gentlemen." The maidservant looked uneasy.

Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang exchanged a glance.

"How did she get sick? She was fine yesterday." 

The maid said, "She complained of a headache late last night and couldn't get up this morning. She must have caught a cold from running around all night."

"Who's here?" The child's voice came from inside.

The maid turned around and said, "It's Mr. Ling and Mr. Yue."

The child ran over, looking delighted. "Hello, Uncle Ling and Uncle Yue! Come in and sit down!"

The young master had spoken, so the maid couldn't stop them. Ling Shu and Yue Dingtang entered the house.

"How is Mrs. Sun? Did you call a doctor?" Ling Shu asked.

"We did, we did. We called the doctor early this morning. He said she has a fever and gave her a shot. Mrs. Sun is sleeping now," the maid replied.

Ling Shu ignored her and looked directly at Lu Zude. "Is that so?"

The maid's face showed displeasure, but it quickly passed.