Chapter 45: Night Approaches

The courtyard was quiet, and the dark blue sky was dotted with drifting white clouds. Kong Lingxin sat on the swing beneath the large locust tree, gently swaying as her thoughts drifted into distance.

Housekeeper Qi walked over and draped a jacket across her shoulders, and only then did Kong Lingxin notice someone beside her.

Realizing it was Housekeeper Qi, Kong Lingxin clutched the newly added coat tightly around herself. The night sea breeze was indeed chilly.

"Thank you," Kong Lingxin said to Housekeeper Qi.

Looking at Kong Lingxin with eyes full of affection, Housekeeper Qi said, "It is so late now, the Second Young Master will likely not return home tonight. Second Young Mistress, why don't you head back to your room for an early rest?"

Kong Lingxin smoothed out her hair, which had been tousled by the sea breeze, and replied, "Even if I go back, I won't be able to sleep. I am fine. Even if I stay up late, I have nothing to do during the day and can always catch up on sleep. As for you, you have been busy all day, you should go rest and not worry about me."

Knowing she could not persuade Kong Lingxin, Housekeeper Qi simply sat down on a nearby bench and said, "I am old, my sleep has decreased, and I am not used to sleeping this early. If the Second Young Mistress does not mind, I will sit here and chat with you for a while."

Since arriving at the Meng household, Kong Lingxin could feel that Housekeeper Qi was very kind to her. Although she had overheard Housekeeper Qi reporting on her to Madam Meng a few times, she understood that it was simply part of Housekeeper Qi's duties.

On the other hand, ever since her younger sister married into the Meng family, she had spent the most time with Housekeeper Qi. Kong Lingxin had always wanted to learn more about her sister's past through her.

"Of course I don't mind. Please sit," she said.

Housekeeper Qi said, "Madam Meng called just now to say that next month is Master Meng's sixtieth birthday, and a grand banquet will be held at the old estate to celebrate. Fearing that the old estate might be short-handed, they will transfer some staff from here. There might be fewer servants around during this period, so please forgive us, Second Young Mistress, if there is any lapse in care then."

With various situations arising endlessly these days, had Housekeeper Qi not mentioned it, Kong Lingxin almost would have forgotten what Lu Fang had told her about Meng Haoquan's upcoming birthday.

Realizing that Housekeeper Qi had originally been a close confidante of Madam Meng, she must be well-acquainted with Meng Haoquan's preferences. Kong Lingxin said, "Housekeeper Qi, feel free to send capable servants over to help. We already have few people here, so there is no danger of being overwhelmed. By the way, based on your understanding of my father-in-law, what kind of gift do you think I should prepare for him?"

Housekeeper Qi smiled. "The Second Young Mistress is truly thoughtful. Master Meng certainly did not dote on you in vain."

Dote on me? Kong Lingxin was somewhat puzzled. In her sister's diary, this father-in-law was rarely mentioned; where did this so-called "dote" come from?

Kong Lingxin looked at Housekeeper Qi. "Is that so?"

Housekeeper Qi immediately raised her voice. "Of course! Compared to the Eldest Young Mistress, the Master favors you much more. Your marriage to the Second Young Master was personally arranged by the Master himself. Furthermore, to ensure that the two of you could have your own space, he even specially approved for you to move out of the old estate and live here."

Kong Lingxin could not detect anything special in those words, and personally arranging this marriage had been a tragedy to begin with.

Seeing that Kong Lingxin showed no sign of pleasant surprise, Housekeeper Qi continued, "Second Young Mistress, do not think the Master let the Eldest Young Mistress work in the company because he valued her. Actually, the Master had his own considerations. I once heard the Master and the Madam say that the reason the Eldest Young Mistress was given a position in the company was because the Eldest Young Master has no interest in business. After all, the Master has two sons. If only the Second Young Master were in the company, people would gossip and say the Master is partial. Meanwhile, the Eldest Young Mistress kept strongly demanding to work at the company, so the Master ultimately agreed."

Kong Lingxin let out an "oh" and gently pushed off with her feet, setting the swing in motion.

Watching her, Housekeeper Qi smiled.

When the swing came to a stop, Kong Lingxin asked, "Housekeeper Qi, did the Second Young Master often stay out all night like this in the past?"

Housekeeper Qi paused, stammering, "This—"

Kong Lingxin said, "Oh, before, I would already be asleep when he hadn't returned, and in the morning he would leave early for work, so I never really knew whether he came home or not. That's why I'm asking you."

Instead of answering her question directly, Housekeeper Qi said, "Actually, as an outsider, these old eyes of mine can tell that the Second Young Master has been paying special attention to you lately. In the past, he rarely ate meals at home, let alone bought things—so one can truly tell that the Second Young Master has been trying his best to improve the relationship between the two of you. Second Young Mistress, you shouldn't dwell on the past anymore. Just live a good life with the Second Young Master. After all, there are many people who envy you."

Kong Lingxin smiled faintly. "Housekeeper Qi, do you think I am blessed and fail to recognize it?"

"No, no. Housekeeper Qi did not mean that."

"Actually, even if you did, it wouldn't matter. I know very well that many people not only envy me, but also hate me. They cannot fathom how a woman like me, whose appearance is not breath-taking and whose family background is completely unremarkable, a woman surpassed by others in almost every condition, managed to marry into the Meng family in such glorious fashion. To be honest, I can't figure out why I married in here either."

Kong Lingxin desperately wanted to speak on behalf of her sister—to declare that her marriage was unhappy. But Housekeeper Qi was merely a servant, and certain words might eventually reach Madam Meng's ears if the need arose.

Housekeeper Qi said, "Master Meng has built such a massive business empire. His experience is vast, and his judgment of people is never wrong. So there must be a reason why he favored you and had you marry his most beloved second son."

Kong Lingxin looked up at the pitch-black sky, a sense of helplessness enclosed by darkness washing over her.

"It's too late," she said. "Let's go back and rest."

Returning to the bedroom and emerging after a shower, Kong Lingxin glanced at the watch on the bedside table and saw it was nearly midnight.

Subconsciously, she pulled back the curtain to look outside. Meng Zexiao's eye-catching Ferrari had still not returned, and a trace of disappointment swept across her heart.

Kong Lingxin guessed that he must be seeking comfort in the tender embrace of some woman right now—perhaps even several.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Kong Lingxin picked up the phone nearby. She wanted to call and demand an explanation, but after unlocking the phone and pulling up Meng Zexiao's name, she failed to press the call button time and time again!

Kong Lingxin desperately wanted to call him like a normal wife questioning a husband who stayed out all night, but internally she struggled for a long time.

It's better if he doesn't come back! At least she wouldn't have to be on guard against him crossing boundaries in his sleep, like protecting herself against a thief!

In a fit of pique, Kong Lingxin tossed her phone aside and angrily burrowed beneath the covers!

Kong Lingxin even suspected she had lost her mind for caring so much about Meng Zexiao staying out all night!

She grabbed a pillow to cover her face, repeatedly telling herself that her concern over Meng Zexiao's behavior stemmed solely from looking at things from her sister's perspective—after all, she was still his legally wedded wife; how could he possibly go out looking for other women!