Chapter 62 Lin Hengyu

Chapter 62: Lin Hengyu

Yuanzhou was a long way from the capital, so it wasn’t like they could look into it right away, but fortunately, Zhang Qinghang hadn’t come to bother him again.

Cheng Ge went about his daily routine at work, but he couldn’t shake this nagging feeling, like something bad was about to happen.

The Crown Prince now spent every day with Cheng Ge, likely because Cheng Ge’s performance was too “outstanding.”

This put Zhou Zhan under some quiet pressure, so he couldn’t even bring himself to slack off, and his studies actually improved day by day.

Even the Grand Tutor was over the moon, constantly praising Cheng Ge in front of Zhou Mingqi.

Cheng Ge had no idea he’d accidentally made the Crown Prince step up his game, and he was all smiles, sneaking in some storybooks to read every day.

Today it was cloudy, with a downpour… perfect.

Don’t even ask why—because Cheng Ge just got paid again!

There aren’t many happy days in a month, except for the day he gets his paycheck on time.

A few days ago, Cheng Ge had already figured out how to blow it.

The moment work was over, he bolted straight for the palace gate, first stopping by the pharmacy to grab some tonic herbs for Cui Ji.

Then he had the driver take him to Xiankeju to get a baked chicken to go.

This baked chicken was Xiankeju’s specialty, a big deal in the capital, and you had to reserve it three days in advance if you wanted some.

Cheng Ge waited a good while before the waiter finally got it boxed up.

He’d already promised Lin Nanshu that he’d treat him to chicken when he got paid.

They’d originally planned to eat at Xiankeju together, but the weather just wasn’t having it today, so he had to take it to go.

The carriage crawled along in the rain, with sheets of rain pounding the roof, making a loud crackling noise.

Cheng Ge clutched the food container in his hands, carefully cracked it open for a peek, and couldn’t help but swallow hard.

As soon as he got to the Lin mansion’s gate, Cheng Ge, holding a pale blue oil-paper umbrella, hopped straight off the carriage.

The rain was coming down hard, and water was pooling around the loose paving stones. When he stepped on them, muddy water splattered out of the cracks, so his clothes and shoes took a hit.

Cheng Ge quickly ducked under the doorway, shook the rain off his clothes, closed his umbrella, and set it to the side.

He turned, raised his hand, and gave the bronze door knocker a gentle tap, making a crisp “clang, clang” sound.

Maybe because the rain was too loud outside, Cheng Ge waited a good while but didn’t hear a peep from inside.

He knocked harder and called out, “Anybody home?”

His voice echoed through the quiet rain, but still, nothing from inside.

Cheng Ge was getting anxious and was just about to knock again when—

Suddenly, the door creaked open a sliver.

A gatekeeper in pale blue cloth poked his head through the gap, quickly sizing Cheng Ge up from head to toe with a hint of unfriendliness.

“Who’re you looking for?” he asked, sounding annoyed.

Cheng Ge noticed this gatekeeper wasn’t the same guy from last time, so he had no clue who he was.

As the saying goes, “When you’re rich, you’re three times more arrogant; a prime minister’s servant is like a seventh-rank official.” Servants in wealthy households were often snobbish.

Cheng Ge didn’t take it too seriously and put on a polite smile. “I’d like to see Yuli. Could you please inform him?”

But the gatekeeper seemed dismissive, even sneering. “The eldest young master isn’t here. Come back another day!” With that, he rudely slammed the door shut, leaving Cheng Ge standing outside, stunned.

For a moment, Cheng Ge awkwardly rubbed his nose, looked down at the food box in his hands, and hesitated.

He thought Lin Nanshu might really be out, and it was almost dark. Maybe he should wait a bit?

Cheng Ge found a spot under the eaves to sit. After a while, he heard the rumbling of wheels not far away.

He instinctively stood up, guessing it might be Lin Nanshu returning.

Sure enough, an ornate carriage slowly emerged from the rain.

A plaque on the carriage read “Lin Residence,” standing out clearly in the rain.

Cheng Ge took a few steps forward. Just then, the carriage curtain was lifted by a pair of delicate hands, and two beautiful maids leaned out.

A servant quickly stepped forward, opened an oil-paper umbrella, and carefully tilted it toward the carriage door.

The two maids moved aside, and a slender hand reached out from inside, resting on one of the maids’ hands.

Then, a tall, refined young master slowly stepped out of the carriage.

Everyone around looked cautious. Cheng Ge stood still, watching the figure approach.

Knowing this person wasn’t Lin Nanshu, Cheng Ge stepped aside.

The group reached the eaves, and the servants shook their umbrellas, splattering water in his direction.

Cheng Ge got wet but didn’t want to make a fuss over such a small matter, so he moved further aside.

His gaze inadvertently swept over the man, and when he saw his face, he was momentarily stunned.

This man bore a two- or three-tenths resemblance to Lin Nanshu, but he lacked some warmth and was more extravagantly dressed.

The man seemed to notice and glanced sideways at Cheng Ge.

Cheng Ge averted his eyes, looking out into the rain, thinking he’d wait five more minutes. If Lin Nanshu still didn’t show, he’d come another time.

Lin Hengyu cast a sidelong glance at Cheng Ge, sizing him up with a scrutinizing gaze, finally landing on his mud-stained shoes. He sneered and looked away.

The maid knocked on the door ring, calling out several times, and the door quickly opened.

When the gatekeeper saw Lin Hengyu, he immediately bowed and scraped, all traces of his earlier arrogance gone.

“Young master, you’re back.” Lin Hengyu was about to step inside when he suddenly stopped and, on a whim, turned back to look at Cheng Ge.

The gatekeeper followed Lin Hengyu’s gaze, and when he saw Cheng Ge, his expression instantly changed.

He raised his voice and shouted, “Why are you still hanging around? Didn’t I tell you the eldest young master isn’t here? Get lost!”

Cheng Ge frowned, his fists clenching, as he asked through gritted patience, "Did Yuli say when he’d be back? I have something to give him."

The moment those words left his mouth, Lin Hengyu turned to look at him, his eyes accidentally landing on the jade pendant at Cheng Ge’s waist.

His expression froze briefly, then shifted to a hint of amusement. "You’re looking for Lin Nanshu?"

Cheng Ge didn’t trust this guy, but out of politeness, he answered, "Yes. Do you know what time he’ll be back?"

But as soon as he finished, Lin Hengyu let out a scoff as if he’d heard a joke, laughing right in Cheng Ge’s face.

He stepped closer to Cheng Ge, his face dripping with mockery. "Back? He’s probably never coming back."

Cheng Ge’s heart clenched. He grabbed Lin Hengyu’s arm, demanding, "What do you mean by that? What’s happened to Yuli?"

Lin Hengyu let out a cold laugh, shoved Cheng Ge’s hand off, and strode straight into the Lin mansion, turning to the gatekeeper to order.

"From now on, keep a close watch. Don’t let any stray cats or mangy dogs think they can waltz through the Lin family’s gate!"

"Go to hell!" Cheng Ge saw red. Without thinking, he grabbed the food box and hurled it at Lin Hengyu.

"Ah!!!" A sharp scream rang out, and everyone froze.

The food box smacked Lin Hengyu square in the back, and the baked chicken tumbled out.

Lin Hengyu stumbled from the hit and was about to blow up when a hand clamped around his neck.

Cheng Ge’s face darkened as he demanded coldly, "What have you done to Yuli?"

Lin Hengyu’s face turned red from the chokehold, but he still forced a calm demeanor. "You… you dare touch me? I’m the second son of the Lin family!"

The servants nearby saw this and rushed over to pull Cheng Ge off.

But Cheng Ge was freakishly strong. Anyone who got close got a vicious kick, and they couldn’t get near.

"Screw your damned second son!" He grabbed Lin Hengyu by the neck and slammed him into the mud.

Pressing a knee into his neck, he roared, "Where is Yuli?"

Half of Lin Hengyu’s face was in the mud, his fancy robes now filthy and ruined.

He never expected Cheng Ge to snap like this. He felt like he was being torn apart, the rain lashing at both of them.

"Hah… hah… I won’t let you get away with this…"

Cheng Ge was almost losing it by now. Just the thought of something happening to Lin Nanshu made his heart feel like it was on fire.

He grabbed Lin Hengyu by the hair and smashed his face down. "Where is he? What did you mean by that just now?"

Lin Hengyu, a spoiled rich kid who’d never been treated like this, couldn’t hold out long.

His voice was barely squeezed out through clenched teeth. "I’ll tell you. Come closer."

Cheng Ge, frantic with worry, leaned his ear close to Lin Hengyu.

Lin Hengyu let out a low laugh, mingling with the rain like the whisper of a demon from hell.

"Lin Nanshu… he’s dead. Out at Gulei Mountain, just outside the city. It’s been three days now. By now… hah… he’s probably already ended up in a wild boar’s belly."

Cheng Ge felt his mind go blank, a wave of bitterness rising in his throat.

His vision went dark, and he nearly collapsed, but he steadied himself.

Swallowing the bitterness, he scrambled to his feet and stomped Lin Hengyu’s head into the mud.

The coachman was still dozing on the carriage when a figure rushed through the pouring rain to him, swiftly unhitching the horse.

"Master Cheng…" the coachman stammered in panic.

"I’m heading out of the city. You go back to the prince’s residence first and tell Cui Ji." With that, he quickly mounted the horse, cracked the long whip, and vanished into the rain.