Chapter 39: Something’s Not Quite Right with the Plot

Song Yinyin understood the hint and hurried over. After washing her hands, she began helping to set out the bowls and chopsticks.

“Aunt Chen, take Nuonuo to wash her hands—dinner’s ready.”

To make it easier for Song Yinyin to get started, Song Qingtian called Aunt Chen outside. Song Yinyin immediately grabbed a set of bowls and chopsticks, applied some medicine to them, and to prevent the medicine from smudging onto other surfaces, she placed that set on top.

Song Yinyin carried the utensils over and arranged them in their proper places. Only when she saw Ling Hanyu seated at his usual spot did she finally relax.

During the meal, Song Qingtian kept a close eye on Nuonuo, while Song Yinyin knew that Ling Hanyu disliked talking at the table, so she ate quietly throughout.

Ling Hanyu felt that Song Qingtian was acting a bit strangely today. She had always hated Song Yinyin, but why was she first pushing Nuonuo over to Song Yinyin and then asking Song Yinyin to set the table?

She must have a purpose behind this. Thinking of this, Ling Hanyu became extra cautious.

Just as he was about to start eating, he noticed both sisters glancing at him. In an instant, he recalled the time he had been drugged before.

Could it be that Song Qingtian was pulling the same trick again? Ling Hanyu wanted to get to the bottom of it, so he ate his meal in silence, waiting for their next move.

As he ate, something seemed off. He felt his body growing warm—a sensation all too familiar. It was as if he had been drugged again, and sure enough, his suspicion proved correct.

Ling Hanyu cast a furtive glance at Song Qingtian, then at Song Yinyin. Seeing no unusual expressions on either of their faces, he couldn’t tell who had slipped the drug into his food.

Feigning nonchalance, he finished his meal and said he was going to the Study before leaving.

Song Yinyin sensed something was amiss. Normally, that drug was quite potent, yet Ling Hanyu showed no reaction at all. Could it be that Song Qingtian had repeatedly drugged him in the past, building up a tolerance in his system?

As for Ling Hanyu, after heading straight to the Study, he quickly reached into a drawer, pulled out a small bottle of medicine, counted out three pills, and swallowed them. Only then did the uncontrollable urge inside him subside.

This antidote had been specially formulated by a pharmacist after he’d been drugged so many times, tailored specifically to counteract Song Qingtian’s poison.

After taking the antidote, he sat quietly in the Study, poring over documents. He was waiting—for the fish to take the bait—to see exactly who had played such a cruel trick on him.

After Ling Hanyu left, Song Qingtian subtly nudged Song Yinyin’s foot under the table and gave her a meaningful look.

Song Yinyin got up and headed toward the Study.

She didn’t dare barge in like Song Qingtian; instead, she knocked softly on the door.

“Jiefu, we haven’t finished discussing those issues just now. Shall we continue?”

“Come in.”

Ling Hanyu was a bit disappointed—he’d been hoping Song Qingtian would show up.

But since Song Yinyin had come instead, he decided to play along and put on a little show, determined to find out what game these two sisters were really playing.

Song Yinyin stepped slowly into the room, unsure whether Ling Hanyu was truly affected or not, and carefully studied him.

To give the impression that he’d been drugged, Ling Hanyu slightly adjusted his tie, looking impatient.

Seeing his move, Song Yinyin’s heart leapt with excitement, and she quickly leaned in closer.

“Jiefu, do you feel uncomfortable with your tie? Would you like me to loosen it for you?”

“Mm.”

Ling Hanyu replied indifferently, but that response emboldened Song Yinyin immensely. She immediately moved closer to him, her delicate, almost boneless hand sliding across his chest as she slowly began to undo his tie.

Once the tie was loosened, Song Yinyin took a step back—but her foot slipped, and she tumbled right into Ling Hanyu’s arms.

“Jiefu, I think I’ve had a bit too much to drink; I’m feeling a little dizzy. Could you help me back to my room? I’m afraid I won’t be able to discuss the plan with you anymore.”

Ling Hanyu was now certain that Song Yinyin had drugged him. He nodded and helped her out of the room.

End of Chapter 39: Something’s Not Quite Right with the Plot