258: Chapter 258 One Big and One Small

"It's just that... kind of relationship involving one big and one small..."

Han Qing counted on her fingers.

"There are quite a lot of people around you with that kind of relationship."

Qin Lin was stunned for a moment, but thinking about it carefully, it was true.

The women around him all had this kind of 'big and small' combination relationship.

Only Xu Xue and Xia Qiuyan weren't in a taboo relationship, but they were both his father-in-law's little lovers.

This really was... impressive.

Qin Lin put his arm around her shoulder: "You're not angry?"

"Angry about what?" Han Qing looked up at him. "I'm not your wife, what right do I have to be angry?"

Qin Lin didn't speak.

Han Qing continued: "Besides, I think that kind of relationship is quite good. At least... it's not lonely."

Qin Lin looked at her: "You can feel lonely too?"

Han Qing smiled: "Of course I do. I'm not a block of wood."

"You think she'll care about this?"

Han Qing thought for a moment: "It's not that she cares; she's thinking about... herself."

Qin Lin looked at her: "What do you mean?"

Han Qing smiled: "Think about it, what's her relationship to you? If you like that kind of relationship, then wouldn't she..."

"Wouldn't she think that she herself is also..."

Qin Lin interrupted her: "Stop talking."

Han Qing laughed: "What's wrong? Are you embarrassed?"

Qin Lin felt helpless: "You're getting better and better at joking."

Han Qing leaned into his chest: "I'm not joking, I'm serious. If Li Ran really thinks that way, then she's not far from taking the initiative to find you."

Qin Lin didn't speak.

Han Qing continued: "Think about it, she was originally too embarrassed to take the initiative. But if she thinks you like that kind of relationship, then she'll feel like she has an excuse."

Qin Lin frowned: "What excuse?"

“The excuse is 'I'm not actively seducing you, I'm just catering to your preferences.'" Han Qing smiled. "That way, she won't have to feel like she's letting Yuran and Yuling down."

Qin Lin thought about it and felt that Han Qing had a point.

"What do you think I should do?" Qin Lin asked.

Han Qing looked at him: "What do you want to do?"

Qin Lin remained silent.

Han Qing smiled: "Your silence means you have ideas."

Qin Lin sighed: "I just feel that... things are getting more and more complicated."

Qin Lin's heart rate accelerated.

Han Qing had a point.

If Li Ran was really pondering this, then she must be wondering if Qin Lin also had designs on her.

Han Qing leaned into his chest: "Don't think too much, just let nature take its course."

Qin Lin nodded: "Mm."

...

The next morning, Qin Lin went downstairs for breakfast and saw Li Ran sitting in the living room.

She was wearing a white shirt and black trousers, her hair tied up, looking very capable and feminine.

Seeing Qin Lin come down, Li Ran gave a slight smile: "Xiao Lin."

Qin Lin nodded: "Mom, morning."

He sat down next to Su Yuran and began eating breakfast.

Li Ran sat opposite him, glancing at him from time to time, her eyes containing something inexplicable.

It wasn't the probing or confirmation from before, but a kind of... hesitation.

As if she were making some kind of decision.

Qin Lin pretended not to notice and lowered his head to eat.

She glanced again at Su Yuling, who was alone.

She was wearing a white dress today, her hair hanging loose, looking pure and lovely, yet also as if she were hiding something.

Qin Lin walked over and sat down next to her: "Yuling."

Su Yuling looked up with a mysterious smile: "Morning, Brother Qin Lin~"

For some reason, Qin Lin felt a slight chill down his spine when he heard those words.

Had her breaking point arrived?

But she hadn't taken the initiative yet; it seemed she was still a little bit away.

No rush, it was coming soon.

The two ate breakfast quietly, neither speaking.

After finishing, Su Yuling stood up and simply left.

Qin Lin watched her back, feeling a bit uneasy.

She said she "didn't mind," but her eyes didn't say the same.

There was something in her eyes, something very deep and intense, suppressed beneath a calm surface.

Qin Lin sighed and continued his breakfast.

He knew that Su Yuling's breaking point was getting closer and closer.

After finishing the meal, Qin Lin went to the Drivers Cabin.

Li Ran watched his back and sighed.

Su Yuran noticed her mother's expression and asked, "Mom, what's wrong?"

Li Ran snapped out of it: "Nothing."

Su Yuran looked at her: "You've been dazed a lot lately. Is something on your mind?"

Li Ran shook her head: "It's really nothing."

Li Ran looked at Su Yuran quietly, then shook her head as if denying something.

Finally, her gaze turned toward the recently departed Su Yuling, and she smiled.

Su Yuran didn't ask further, but she knew in her heart that her mother had something on her mind.

...

In the afternoon, Qin Lin ran into Li Ran in the corridor.

She was standing in the middle of the hallway, holding a book, but she clearly wasn't reading it.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and, seeing it was Qin Lin, gave a slight smile: "Xiao Lin."

Qin Lin walked over: "Mom, reading?"

Li Ran gave an "Mm," but her eyes remained fixed on Qin Lin, not the book.

Qin Lin felt a bit uncomfortable under her gaze: "Mom, do you have something to say?"

Li Ran hesitated for a moment, then said, "Xiao Lin, let me ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

"Do you... like that kind of relationship?"

Qin Lin was taken aback: "What relationship?"

Li Ran's face flushed slightly: "The... mother and daughter kind..."

Qin Lin's heart rate quickened.

She really was pondering this.

"Why do you ask?" Qin Lin countered, pretending not to know.

Li Ran lowered her head: "Because... the people around you all have that kind of relationship."

Qin Lin was silent for a moment, then said, "I haven't deliberately pursued such relationships; it's just a coincidence."

It really was a coincidence, but it was just too coincidental.

He had actually encountered them all and succeeded.

Li Ran looked up at him: "A coincidence?"

"Mm, a coincidence."

Li Ran stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled: "Alright, I believe you."

Qin Lin looked at her: "Mom, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Li Ran shook her head: "Nothing, just asking."

She turned and left after saying that, leaving Qin Lin standing alone in the corridor.

Qin Lin watched her back, his feelings a bit complicated.

Her question just now was too obvious.

She was testing him.

Testing whether he liked that kind of relationship.

If he said yes, then she would think she also had a chance.

If he said no, then she would think she was overthinking things.

Qin Lin sighed and went to the Drivers Cabin.

Fortunately, he hadn't said anything.

Let her keep guessing.

Besides, it was an obvious matter that didn't even need guessing; one could see it at a glance.

...

That night, Room 000.

Li Ran lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Su Yuling lay beside her, her eyes quietly closed.

"Yuling," Li Ran called out softly.

Su Yuling opened her eyes: "What's wrong?"

"You're not asleep yet?"

"Mm."

Li Ran hesitated, then asked, "Yuling, tell me... what do you think of Qin Lin?"