Chapter 33: A Childhood Name Like a Flower

Seeing the look in Lin Chuyi’s eyes, Mo Yu’s heart skipped a beat; he knew his purse was about to shrink again.

As expected, her small mouth puckered, and she said pitifully, "Brother Mo, my bottom is bruised all because of you. You really must compensate me with more silver."

As soon as these words left her lips, the three men present were visibly unsettled. The implication of the statement was far too subtle; if one were inclined to let their imagination run wild, it was excruciatingly suggestive.

Lin Zhixiang’s face flushed red. "A young lady shouldn't speak like that! Have you no shame? Get up at once!"

Lin Qiyue’s face also turned crimson. Without a word, he silently pulled Lin Chuyi up from the bench. During the process, he couldn't help but steal a glance at Mo Yu, and seeing that his expression remained unchanged, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Mo Yu, for his part, was relatively composed, but when he saw that tear-streaked little face, even he couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Lord Lin," Mo Yu said, cupping his hands in a formal greeting.

Upon seeing this man, Lin Zhixiang had already been filled with curiosity. Observing the bandages on the man’s body, he understood—this must be the person for whom his two little rascals had been brewing medicine.

"And you are?"

Lin Chuyi interjected, "Father, this is Brother Mo. The leopard I had Xiao Qi bring back yesterday was hunted with his help. He suffered serious injuries for it, so you see, there was a reason for what we did yesterday. And yet, you still hit me!"

She grew more aggrieved as she spoke. To be spanked in front of so many people was absolutely mortifying. She had just realized that her father hadn't actually used any real force, yet she had wailed so 'soulfully'—she was never going to live this down!

Lin Zhixiang ignored her entirely. "So, you are Ru's savior. Please, come into the manor; we shall do everything in our power to treat your injuries."

Mo Yu paused, puzzled. "Ru?"

Perhaps sensing his confusion, Lin Zhixiang explained, "Ru is the girl's childhood nickname."

Mo Yu nodded. "Lord Lin is too kind. If not for Miss Lin, I fear I would not have survived."

Lin Qiyue suppressed a laugh as he stepped forward to support Mo Yu.

"Exactly! If I hadn't saved Brother Mo, he wouldn't have lived to see another sunrise," Lin Chuyi chimed in, nodding vigorously.

A moment later, she bristled. "Father! How many times have I told you not to call me Ru!"

Lin Zhixiang ignored her again, ushering Mo Yu into the inner manor and leaving her to flail about in protest behind them. Mo Yu felt a bit bewildered; 'Ru' sounded as lovely as a jade, a name with a wonderful meaning—why did Miss Lin react so strongly?

"Master."
"Eldest Miss."
"Second Young Master."

As they entered the inner manor, a chorus of greetings echoed around them.

"Xiao Qi, go help prepare breakfast," Lin Zhixiang instructed, and Lin Qiyue went off to comply.

After he left, Lin Zhixiang personally guided Mo Yu inside, smiling and nodding in response to the servants who greeted them along the way. Mo Yu was slightly surprised. He studied the people quietly; they were all performing simple tasks, but without exception, every one of them appeared to be suffering from some form of disability.

They walked a bit further until they reached the main hall. After seating Mo Yu in the guest chair, Lin Zhixiang went off personally to brew tea.

Seeing that her father had left, Lin Chuyi darted inside.

"Brother Mo," she said, plopping down onto the chair beside him, resting her chin in her hands, and beaming at him.

Mo Yu raised an eyebrow. "Miss Lin!"