Chapter 057
Ling Jingxuan did not go back to Lingjia Village immediately. Instead, he asked Zhao Dalong to drive to Xinyuan Restaurant. After instructing Ling Jingpeng to take care of the two children, Ling Jingxuan and Shopkeeper Zhang went into a secret room in the backyard. No one knew what they discussed, and no one noticed when Ling Jingxuan quietly left by himself. By the time they returned to Lingjia Village, it was almost dawn, and many villagers had gotten up early to work in the fields before the weather became hot. This included the old Ling family, who had spent most of the previous night awake.

"Snap!"

"You, how are you?"

As the ox cart passed by Ling's house, Mrs. Ling and Ling Li came out of the yard with an earthen pot. Unlike a horse cart, an ox cart has an open back where the sleeping children could be seen. The earthen pot in Ling Li's hand fell to the ground with a bang and shattered. The tenderness and love of the past disappeared, and her wide-eyed stare seemed like her eyes would fall out at any moment. Li was like a person struck by lightning, pointing at the child in disbelief.

"What's wrong with you? Did Aunt Ling do something wrong, or did she lose her mind early in the morning?" Curling his lips mockingly, the smile on Ling Jingxuan's face didn't reach his eyes. It wasn't time to deal with them now. With the children safely returned, he had some patience to settle with them slowly. However, before that, it wouldn't be too much to charge some interest first, right?

"I, look at you, Jingxuan! How can I do anything wrong as a woman? God is watching. Where did you come from so early?"

After regaining her senses, Ling Li tried her best to suppress the fear in her heart and asked with a smile, pretending everything was fine. What she didn't realize was that at this moment, the smile on her face was uglier than crying.

"That's right. People are doing while the sky and God is watching. Aunt Ling is really a rare understanding person. I won't disturb you this early. Brother Zhao, please!"
Looking at her meaningfully, Ling Jingxuan raised his voice to urge, and Zhao Dalong, who was driving with his back to them, silently waved his whip. Seeing the bullock cart passing in front of her, Ling Li turned back to the house after a long while to find her husband. The appearance of Ling Jingxuan and the two children made her feel even more uncertain. Could something have happened to Jingwei?

When they got home, Ling Jingxuan and his brothers carefully put the children on the bed. Zhao Dalong had already left. Because of this, what they had planned to do yesterday had to be postponed for two days. Zhao Dalong didn't say much. As the old saying goes, if you have anything to do, just ask them.

"The children may need to sleep a little longer. Jingpeng, go to the kitchen and make medicine for Jinghan and send it back. I told Shopkeeper Zhang that there's no need to deliver fish today, and you don't have to go up the mountain until the jar of jam is ready. You can rest at home for two days, and we'll talk about the rest in another day."

Leaning over to kiss the children's foreheads, Ling Jingxuan sat by the bed and said in a low voice. He hadn't slept all night, and his physical strength had reached its limit. He really didn't have the energy to move around anymore.

"Well, I'll also decoct that person's medicine by the way. You must be tired after tossing all night. Take a rest before the child wakes up."

Seeing his face pale as death, Ling Jingpeng felt deeply distressed. His eldest brother had been in a daze for five years and had finally woken up. He had only had a good life for a few days. Why did those people have to cause such a fuss? They were real relatives!

"Mhm."

Nodding wearily, Ling Jingxuan fell asleep leaning on the children as he spoke, his eyes sluggishly closing. If it weren't for the faint rise and fall of his chest showing his vital signs, he would have looked like a dead person at that moment.

"I'll ask my mother to come and take care of the baby for you later, so you can rest assured."

Seeing this, Ling Jingpeng's heart tightened, and he walked out with his fists clenched. His tightly pressed lips revealed his forbearance. Whether it was towards the Ling family or the people in Dafang, he had completely given up. It could even be said that he was resentful. If it wasn't for their repeated bullying, why would the two little nephews be so tired? How could the elder brother, who had finally woken up, be so exhausted?

"Jingpeng, thank you."

A murmur-like thank you sounded softly. Ling Jingpeng’s departing footsteps stopped, and then he walked away quickly. His dark and thin, immature face was covered with naked determination. He must find a way to become stronger; he couldn’t let his elder brother bear all this alone.

Ling Jingxuan slept until night. When he opened his eyes, the house was pitch black, only faint moonlight shone through the dilapidated window into the room. The two children were still asleep beside him. Looking at their thin faces in the moonlight, Ling Jingxuan stretched out his hand to feel their pulses, finally feeling completely relieved after ensuring that the drugs left in their bodies would not cause any harm.

"Why didn’t you tell me?"

Suddenly, a deep and magnetic voice sounded. Ling Jingxuan turned around reflexively and saw a tall figure blocking the door. Because of the backlight, he couldn't see the expression on his face at all. He could only roughly see his outline and faintly feel his anger. Inexplicably, Ling Jingxuan suddenly felt warmth in his heart.
Lying on the bed, he smiled, "What would I tell you? Given your physical condition, do you still want to go with me?"

"Why is it impossible?"

The tall figure suddenly flashed and came to the bed in an instant. Yan Shengrui stood beside the bed, looking down at him stubbornly. God knows how worried he was when he didn’t hear their movement last night. He didn’t know if he had experienced it before, but yesterday night he felt it clearly. He felt empty and uncomfortable in his heart, as if someone had dug out a part of it, which tortured him so much that he couldn't fall asleep all night until he heard their conversation and learned the truth from Ling Jingpeng's mouth. If it wasn't for the last sliver of reason supporting him, he would have gone directly to town to kill the dog who dared to touch his wife and children.

All day today, seeing Ling Jingxuan lying lifeless on the bed, he felt distressed and resentful. He felt sorry for his stubbornness and resented that Ling Jingxuan always excluded him from his heart. Could it be that he was so untrustworthy and unworthy of being relied on?
There are some emotions that can be seen for thousands of years. Perhaps, as early as the moment he opened his eyes and saw Ling Jingxuan, they were destined to be entangled—not because of the children, nor because of the past that he didn't know, but simply because of Ling Jingxuan himself. Although he has rarely appeared or acted with him, he basically knows everything that happened in this yard. The more he understands Ling Jingxuan, the more his heart beats for him. Unconsciously, his heart is already full of him.

"I said, why do you get so many whys?"

While Yan Shengrui standing and leaning against the bed, Ling Jingxuan looked at him with a half-smile. Why is this man so frank? Cute?

His interest in him is all written on his face. Where did he attract him? I don’t know if he was the same before he lost his memory. It should be impossible. If he is really Prince Sheng, a prince who was born in the royal family, no matter how you look at it, it is impossible to be a frank and sincere person, right?

Perhaps even Ling Jingxuan himself didn't realize that he, who was indifferent at first, was gradually becoming curious about Yan Shengrui, and the development of a relationship often starts with curiosity.

"Jingxuan, let me protect you. Let me take care of you and the children!"

Grabbing his hand impulsively, Yan Shengrui sat sideways on the edge of the bed, his dark and deep eyes fixed on him for an instant. Ling Jingxuan was startled and forgot to break away from him. After a while, he lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, "I can protect myself; I don't need others to protect me."

In the face of a man who focuses on naked emotions, it would be a lie to say that he is not moved at all. But Ling Jingxuan has been used to not trusting anyone since his previous life. The reason why he can accept Xiao Baozis and the other family members is all because he has been desperately longing for family affection in his heart, and Ling Chenglong and the others really love him. If it were not by love, his acceptance would not be so high.
"I know you can protect yourself, and I don't doubt your ability at all, but Jingxuan, what I want to give you is not just simple protection. You are a smart person, you should know what I'm talking about, and you must know what I want. Give me a chance, let me stay with you."

Not at all discouraged by his rejection, Yan Shengrui took his hand to his lips and kissed it lightly. He looked at him firmly, saying that he will get used to being rejected, and now he will no longer feel uncomfortable because of his rejection. On the contrary, he will be more determined to stay because of this. He has lost all his memories, but he does not have as many detours as others, and he only acts on instinct. Now, his heart tells him that he wants this!

"Hehe...a person without memory, what can his guarantee do? You don't look young; you are at least twenty-five years old. People in this era get married early, usually around fifteen years old. You who have lost your memory, may have other wives and children at home. Do you have a woman you love? I don’t know why you like me, and why you insist on staying, but I know one thing clearly: you are not the one for me."

Without withdrawing his hand, Ling Jingxuan raised his head to face him with deep concentration, as if he was the only one who could look into his eyes. No one knew better than himself that he was a very extreme and cold-blooded man. He never liked to suffer, let alone allow betrayal. Once he gives his feelings, it will be for a lifetime. If the other party betrays him halfway, then he will definitely kill him without hesitation and destroy everything related to him. He doesn't want to live so tired in this life. He just wants to work hard to make money and raise the two little buns well. However, men always need physical venting or something. Ancient times are different from modern ones. One-night stands are not so easy to find, and they may lead to fornication at any time. Therefore, maybe one day he will find an honest man to spend his life with in an ordinary way, but it is definitely not now, nor will it be the man in front of him.
"I'm not married, and I don't have a woman I like. I just like you and want you!"

Unable to bear the possibilities he listed, Yan Shengrui yelled back without even thinking about it. After the yelling, the two of them froze at the same time. How could he be so sure when he lost his memory?

"Huh? Daddy, what are you doing? It's so noisy..."

The sleeping little buns rolled over and sat up one after another, rubbing their eyes because of his unrestrained roar. Ling Jingxuan gave Yan Shengrui a sad look, then withdrew his arms and hugged the children in his arms: "Nothing, just chatting. Did we wake you?"

"Well, Daddy, I like my father, don't drive him away, okay?"

Ling Wu pouted and put his arms around his neck, obviously not fully awake yet, just vaguely stating his wish. Ling Wen on the other side did the same, rarely revealing the nature of a child. He acted spoiled, got into his arms, lay on his chest, and murmured: "Father doesn't seem to be as annoying as I imagined. I want my father too..."

These words, when they are sober, they would never say. Ling Jingxuan's dark eyes couldn't help but sink again. The two buns liked him so much?

"Hey, I will always be by your side."

Yan Shengrui felt refreshed, leaned over to pat one child, and touched the other, with a bright smile on his handsome face. He did not forget to give Ling Jingxuan a smug look, as if to say to him, "Look, our sons agree." Ling Jingxuan rolled his eyes weakly and gave him a hard look. What if his sons agreed? He hasn't nodded his head yet. He's an adult, and he can't really let the two brats give him away in their sleep, can he?

"Jingxuan, I am sincere. Even if I regain my memory in the future, I will not forget what I said today. Please think about it carefully. I promise, I will never let you down in this life!"

To strike while the iron is hot, Yan Shengrui leaned closer to him and made a serious promise in his ear. Even someone as cold-blooded as Ling Jingxuan was somewhat moved. After a long pause, he finally nodded.

"Huh?"

Seeing this, Yan Shengrui was so excited that he almost jumped up. He kissed Ling Jingxuan hard on the face in a very roguish way. Ling Jingxuan couldn't help but laugh. There is a kind of cute man in this world called a rascal. One who is always decisive in dealing with outsiders. Arrogant, yet turns into a child in front of his beloved.