Chapter 49.1: Mr. Su Has Changed So Much?

　　At half past four in the afternoon, the check-up results came in. After carefully reviewing them, Ji Qing reassured everyone that everything was fine. Eager to leave, Su Ling hurried Lin Feng to complete the discharge paperwork. Soon after, they climbed into the car driven by Xu Yunzhuo and headed back to the villa in Mount Aromaterra.

　　After being away for more than three months, stepping through the front door and gazing at the vibrant roses blooming in the garden felt like he was entering another world.

　　“Oh, Mr. Su, you’re back?” Aunt He, the housekeeper, heard the noise and stepped out of the room. Upon spotting Su Ling, a broad smile spreaded across her features as she hurried toward him.

　　“Yes, I’m back,” Su Ling replied with a warm smile, greeting the housekeeper.

　　“It’s good to have you back.” Aunt He smiled, her eyes crinkling with delight as she watched him walk closely beside Lin Feng.

　　Mr. Su’s complexion was far rosier now than it had been three months ago.

　　She vividly recalled the time when Mr. Su appeared so despondent; with Mr. Lin often away on business trips, he had lost his usual spark and appetite, even for his cherished afternoon tea. He would often sit on the sofa by the window, lost in thought and occasionally letting out weary sighs. Whenever she asked if he was feeling ill, he would simply reply that he was fine.

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　　What a wonderful couple they make, so how can they just part ways like this?

　　Fortunately, Mr. Su had returned home today, his complexion rosy and his demeanor radiant. The shadows of his past troubles seemed to have vanished, and as he stood close to Mr. Lin, their shared warmth hinted that the storm had finally passed.

　　As Aunt He took in the scene before her, her face was a picture of relief and joy.

　　Stepping into the villa, Su Ling took in the lavish modern living room, a space that felt both like home and a stranger to him. After changing into his slippers, he made his way to the leather armchair he once adored. Without a second thought, he plopped himself onto it, the soft cushioning enveloping him as if the chair itself had been waiting for him to return.

　　“Would you care for a drink, Mr. Su?” Aunt He asked with a warm smile.

　　“I’d like a cup of coffee.” Su Ling grabbed a soft throw pillow, pulling it close to his chest for comfort. 

　　Lin Feng loosened his tie and interjected, “Get him some milk. He’s just recovered, so coffee won’t be good for him now.” 

　　Aunt He’s eyes widened slightly. “Mr. Su was ill?”

　　Su Ling buried his head into his pillow and muttered, “But my fever’s already gone.”

　　Aunt He cautioned worriedly, “You should really take better care of yourself, Mr. Su.”

　　The last time the fever hit hard, he spent an entire day in the hospital on an IV drip before it finally subsided. And now, just over three months later, he was battling another fever.

　　Raising an eyebrow, Su Ling confidently stated, “Catching a cold twice a year is perfectly normal; it not only strengthens your resistance but also boosts your immunity!”

　　Aunt He shook her head in exasperation. “That makes no sense at all.”

　　In response, Su Ling stuck out his tongue.

　　Before the benevolent Aunt He, he occasionally allowed himself to act a little childish.

　　After setting down the luggage, Xu Yunzhuo turned to Lin Deng and spoke respectfully, “CEO Lin… I’ll take my leave now.”

　　Lin Feng gave a soft hum in response, his voice as indifferent as ever.

　　Su Ling looked up and called to him, “Why don’t you join us for dinner, Xiao Xu?”

　　Xiao… Xiao Xu?

　　Xu Yunzhuo’s lips twitched slightly as he hesitated. “No, I can’t, really. I have some matters to take care of at the company, so I need to head back.”

　　Not giving Su Ling a chance to speak, he took off in a flash, his movements almost too quick to follow.

　　Was he tired of living that he would dare stay and intrude on CEO Lin and Mr. Su’s time together?

　　Su Ling blinked as he watched the figure until it vanished beyond the villa gate.

　　Meanwhile, Aunt He stepped into the kitchen to brew a cup of coffee for Lin Feng and warm a glass of milk for Su Ling. With both in hand, she returned and placed them on the coffee table.

　　“What would you like for dinner? I’ll make it for you,” she inquired in a gentle tone.

　　Su Ling propped his chin on his hand, eyes fixed on Lin Feng as he sipped his coffee slowly. After a pause, Lin Feng suggested, “Let’s have congee and a few light dishes.”

　　I knew it!

　　Kicking off his slippers, Su Ling stretched out his long legs and poked Lin Feng’s calf with his foot.

　　“I’m in the mood for steak.”

　　After having congee for lunch, he could not believe Lin Feng actually wanted him to have it again for dinner.

　　Lin Feng swiftly grabbed Su Ling’s foot, pinching his toes before easing his grip to a gentle caress. His fingers trailed down to the sole, and if Su Ling had not been wearing socks, he would have been squirming from the ticklish sensation. Startled, Su Ling quickly pulled his leg back, making a hasty retreat from Lin Feng’s grasp.

　　Aunt He had long grown accustomed to their affectionate interactions and no longer batted an eye. Smiling, she advised, “Since you’ve just recovered, it’s best to have something light.”

　　With the odds stacked two to one, Su Ling was utterly defeated.

　　Aunt He’s cooking never failed to impress; the red bean porridge was perfectly sticky and fragrant, while the side dishes were light and refreshing. To satisfy his cravings, she had also prepared a platter of juicy meat dumplings, which Su Ling devoured with great pleasure.

　　After the last bite, they left the table and headed out for an evening stroll.

　　Often referred to as the affluent suburb, Aromaterra Villa District was a scenic haven offering breathtaking views.

　　Here, you would find cultural parks, serene lakes, entertainment venues, and a mountaintop resort. Come the weekend, it was common to see visitors driving in for a getaway. Of course, the cluster of villas was privately zoned, and strangers were not allowed entry without permission.

　　As they strolled hand in hand along the lakeside, Su Ling and Lin Feng arrived at a small square bustling with activity — dog walkers chatting as their pets trotted beside them, parents watching over playful children, a few people tossing a ball back and forth, and skaters gliding smoothly across the pavement. The air buzzed with lively energy.

　　After finding a place to sit, he took the man’s well-defined hand in his own. Turning it over and over, he toyed with it absentmindedly, his fingers tracing each ridge and joint.

　　Watching the children dart about, Su Ling remarked softly, “After spending so much time in the countryside, I find myself somewhat unaccustomed to the city.”

　　Lin Feng suggested, “Once you’re done with things here, you can spend more time in the countryside.”

　　Turning his head to admire the man’s chiseled features, Su Ling asked, “What about you?”

　　Lin Feng firmly pressed his mischievous hand down. “Since the Willows River Corridor is still under development, I’ll be focusing on my work in City H for now.”

　　Su Ling chuckled, “That’s great! At least we won’t have to spend the next two or three months apart.”

　　Tilting his head, Lin Feng pressed a gentle kiss to his brow and whispered, “Stay wherever you feel most comfortable.”

　　Su Ling slipped his arms around his neck, just inches from brushing his lips against his. But before the moment could deepen, a teasing voice from an elderly man shattered the moment.

　　“Well, well, you two lovebirds are still glued together, huh?”

　　After releasing Lin Feng, Su Ling turned his gaze toward the elderly man holding the dog’s leash.

　　“Hello, Grandfather Hua,” he greeted politely. “Are you taking your dog for a walk?”

　　His dog was a toy poodle that was just over a year old. Despite its small size, it was a tiny ball of energy. The moment it spotted Su Ling, its tail wagged wildly. It strained against the leash, desperate to close the gap, but was stuck a meter away. As such, all it could do was bark excitedly.

　　“Quiet now, Little Dumpling,” the elderly man chided gently, glancing down at the dog. “Where did all the good manners I taught you go?”

　　The toy poodle whimpered softly, as though it understood the elderly man’s words, and obediently sat down.

　　“Mr. Hua,” Lin Feng called out lightly, his sharp gaze flicking toward the restless toy poodle, whose excitement was barely contained.

　　Su Ling used to think Lin Feng avoided the neighborhood cats and dogs because of a fur allergy. Now that he knew Lin Feng had zoophobia, it finally made sense why Lin Feng was so reluctant to join him on walks.

　　Remaining where he was, Mr. Hua clasped his hands behind his back, his sharp eyes fixed intently on them. “I heard your grandfather’s birthday is coming up. Give him my regards.”

　　“Yes, I will,” Lin Feng responded, his tone carrying deep respect for the elderly man.

　　The residents of the Aromaterra Villa District were no ordinary individuals. This elder had risen from humble beginnings, dedicating half his life to building an empire as the largest property developer in Country Z. Later, he stepped back from the fray, choosing instead to focus on charitable work, building infrastructure in impoverished regions, improving power transmission network facilities, and donating over a hundred schools — earning him admiration from all corners of society.

　　Now retired, he spent his days at home caring for birds, walking his dog, and enjoying peaceful afternoons with old friends over tea.

　　Su Ling had met him at a tea party, where they chatted the entire evening away. By the end of it, they forged an unexpected friendship that transcended their age difference.

　　After all, good tea was meant to be enjoyed in the company of friends.

　　With a twinkle in his eye, Mr. Hua turned to Su Ling and questioned, “I saw your recent Weibo posts. What led you to the countryside all of a sudden? And did you really buy a tea mountain?”

　　How could Su Ling fail to catch the underlying meaning in his words?

　　“It’s not something I bought, but an inheritance from my elder,” he explained. “I’ve specially prepared some top-quality tea to share with my loved ones. As soon as it arrives tomorrow, I’ll send some your way.”

　　Mr. Hua looked pleased, running a hand over his neatly trimmed mustache as he winked at the couple. “Alright then, I won’t get in the way of your lovebirds’ time. Say goodbye to Brother Su, Little Dumpling.”