Chapter 457: Volunteering
Lin Kuang didn’t even know how he got home. He just stumbled inside and slumped onto the couch, utterly listless.
Lin Guo’er, who had just finished washing up, was watching TV on the couch. When she saw Lin Kuang sitting there in a stupor, she was stunned.
She had never seen him like this before. He was always so optimistic. What could have possibly happened to put him in this state?
"Hey, Lin Kuang, are you alright?" Lin Guo’er couldn’t help but ask.
He didn’t seem to hear her, just sitting there dazed as if his mind had gone blank.
Seeing this, Lin Guo’er grew even more worried. She poked him with her hand and said loudly, "Hey, what’s wrong with you?"
Startled by her poke, Lin Kuang finally snapped out of it. "Huh? What? What is it?" he asked hurriedly, his gaze still vacant.
"I’m asking what’s wrong with *you*," Lin Guo’er said, exasperated. "You look as if your soul has left your body. What happened?"
"Oh, me? It’s nothing, really," Lin Kuang said hastily, though his expression was wretched.
"Who are you trying to fool? Does this look like nothing?" Lin Guo’er demanded.
"It’s not nothing... ugh, it’s just really frustrating and a complete mess," Lin Kuang said, clearly dejected. A heavy weight seemed to be pressing on his heart, making it difficult to breathe.
Upon hearing this, Lin Guo’er knew something was definitely wrong and pressed again. "What exactly is going on? Tell me. Is there really a problem that can’t be solved?" she asked with exasperation. This man is infuriating.
Just then, Liu Shilin walked out of the kitchen. Seeing the dispirited Lin Kuang, her beautiful eyes filled with concern.
"Yes, Lin Kuang, what’s wrong? You’ve never been like this before. What on earth happened?" Liu Shilin asked.
Seeing the concern on both of their faces, Lin Kuang was overcome with guilt. The feeling was suffocating; he felt he had let his women down.
"Alright, I’ll tell you. But you can’t get angry, okay? This is what happened."
With that, Lin Kuang told them everything that had transpired at the Yang residence.
When he finished, both Liu Shilin and Lin Guo’er gave him a complicated look, a mixture of love and exasperation.
The fact that he could become so distraught over one woman meant he would do the same for them, which they liked.
What exasperated them was his tendency to flirt and attract women wherever he went, often without realizing it. It was maddening.
Seeing their expressions, Lin Kuang grew nervous. He was afraid they would get angry with him, and if that happened, it would be a total disaster.
"Is that all? I thought it was something serious," Lin Guo’er said, standing up with a smile. "You wait here. Shilin and I are going to change, and then you’ll take us over there. I’ll handle it for you."
At this, not only was Lin Kuang stunned, but Liu Shilin was too.
"Guo’er, are you serious?" Lin Kuang asked, hardly daring to believe it.
"Of course I’m serious. Why would I lie to you now?" Lin Guo’er snapped.
"Well... okay then. But are you sure it’s alright for you to go over?" Lin Kuang couldn’t help but ask.
Yang Ruoxi was already furious. If they went now, wouldn’t it just make things worse?
"Don’t worry, I have my methods," Lin Guo’er said, sitting back down on the sofa with an air of self-assurance. "Anyway, the choice is yours. If we don’t go, Yang Ruoxi will stay angry and might cut you off completely. But if we go, there’s at least a chance to get you two back on good terms. It’s your call."
Hearing this, Lin Kuang didn’t hesitate. "Alright, you two go get changed. I’ll wait here."
"Hmph, that’s a good boy," Lin Guo’er said with a smug smile, pulling Liu Shilin by the hand as they went upstairs.
"Guo’er, are you sure you can handle this?" Liu Shilin couldn’t help asking once they were upstairs.
"Of course. Don’t you worry. Let’s hurry up and change so we can go," Lin Guo’er replied with a confident smile.
Seeing her determination, Liu Shilin could only agree, and the two began to change.
This time, they were quick. They simply wiped their faces, combed their hair, changed their outfits, and were back downstairs in less than ten minutes.
"Alright, Mr. Playboy, let’s go," Lin Guo’er said with a grin as she came downstairs.
"Okay."
Lin Kuang agreed and turned to leave, in no mood to appreciate their outfits.
He drove like a madman, speeding toward Yang Ruoxi’s house. What should have been a half-hour trip took him only ten minutes—a testament to how fast he was driving.
"We’re here. This is it," Lin Kuang said urgently as he got out of the car.
At his words, Lin Guo’er and Liu Shilin also got out, and the three of them walked into the Yang villa.
Inside, only little Xinxin was sitting at the dining table, eating. Yang Ruotong and Yang Ruoxi were nowhere in sight; they were clearly still in their rooms.
"Uncle, you’re here! Hello, my two beautiful aunts!" little Xinxin chirped, walking over with a cheerful grin. She greeted the trio with a maturity beyond her years.
Seeing how adorable Xinxin was, Lin Guo’er was instantly overwhelmed by a wave of maternal affection. She scooped the little girl into her arms and planted a big kiss on her cheek.
"What’s your name, little one? You’re just too cute!" Lin Guo’er cooed, her mood soaring.
Liu Shilin was just as smitten. She gently pinched Xinxin’s cheeks and patted her head, completely captivated by the child.
"Ah! Uncle, save me! These two aunts are scary!" Xinxin cried out from within Lin Guo’er’s embrace.
Lin Kuang could only look on helplessly. I thought they were here to mediate. How did this turn into a fight for Xinxin’s affection?
He sighed inwardly and rescued Xinxin into his own arms.
"There, there, Xinxin. It’s okay. They won’t dare bully you," Lin Kuang said with a smile.
"Mhm, Uncle is the best," Xinxin replied, puckering her small lips and planting a firm kiss on Lin Kuang’s cheek.
At this sight, both Lin Guo’er and Liu Shilin’s eyes widened in disbelief. This is just absurd! Why would such an adorable little girl like Lin Kuang so much?
"Hey! You two! Weren’t you supposed to be here to mediate?" Lin Kuang said irritably. At that moment, he felt that bringing them along had been a terrible mistake.
"Ahem, right. My mistake. I’m on it," Lin Guo’er said, flustered. "So, where are they?"
Lin Kuang shot her an exasperated glare. "Upstairs, turn right, and go all the way to the end. That’s Ruoxi’s room," he said, a headache already forming.