The Unattainable Flower Pulled Down from the Pedestal by Universal Dislike – CH48

Chapter 48

On the way home, Tan Ning noticed that Lin Song’an was in low spirits. He tilted his head to look at Lin Song’an, who noticed his gaze and smiled, “What’s up?”

“What’s up with you?”

“Me?” Lin Song’an reached out and pinched Tan Ning’s cheek. “I’m happy. I took my little cat to meet my family.”

Tan Ning couldn’t help but smile.

He fiddled with the buttons on his wool coat, clearly in a cheerful mood.

But Lin Song’an was unable to focus. As soon as the driver dropped them off, he told Tan Ning, “Ning Ning, I need to go to the office. My dad just told me he has something he wants to discuss early.”

Tan Ning froze. “When will you be back?”

“Very soon.”

With that, Tan Ning turned and went home alone.

Lin Song’an had arranged to meet Lin Yexun at a tea house not far from the Tianhe Villa. Lin Yexun had brought him here years ago. Sitting by the window with a view of the artificial pond, Lin Song’an watched wisps of steam rise from the teapot, feeling disoriented.

About ten minutes later, Lin Yexun arrived.

Father and son were silent for a while before Lin Song’an spoke openly: “I didn’t just start noticing something was off today. I’ve had my suspicions since you came back to the family recently and treated my mother so well.”

Lin Yexun didn’t respond.

“Is it… that person from the rumors?”

The one who had been in a campus relationship with Lin Yexun for years but ultimately gave in to the allure of an alpha. Though Lin Song’an had never found proof, today he suddenly thought of that person, given how unusually warm Lin Yexun was toward Tan Ning and his almost overly enthusiastic support for their relationship.

Lin Yexun still didn’t answer, merely sipped his tea.

“Dad.”

“I already told you. Isn’t this arrangement fine? Your mother is emotionally stable now and has gradually started to accept Tan Ning. Our family has never been this harmonious. What more do you want?” Lin Yexun’s tone turned sour as he spoke.

“Dad, what do my mom and I mean to you?”

Lin Yexun froze.

The porcelain cup in his hand dropped onto the table.

Lin Song’an could not accept the reality, demanding, “I know you and my mom weren’t the closest of couples. I know you were reluctant when you got married. But you told me you loved us, that you loved this family. When I was little, you said missing someone meant it wasn’t meant to be. So what are you doing now?”

“Song’an, calm down.”

“Dad, what do I mean to you? A product of compromise?”

Lin Yexun shook his head. “No, absolutely not.”

“What about my mom?”

Lin Yexun’s face stiffened. “Song’an, this isn’t something that can be explained in a few words. Do you remember the business trip to Singapore? I ran into her in a restaurant there. She never married. She’s a professor at a university in Singapore, and her doctoral thesis was on topics we used to discuss back in college. Song’an, my heart is still with you and your mother. You are, and always will be, my most important priority. I don’t expect you to understand, I—”

Lin Song’an stood up abruptly, his face full of contempt and anger. “How am I supposed to face you?”

“Song’an.”

“I’ve always respected you because my mom would often lose her temper. When I was little, I always hoped you’d come home soon, that you’d take me to your office to play. It was because of you that I thought people should be serious, responsible, and committed in relationships, and never regret once they decide.”

Lin Yexun looked down.

As Lin Song’an was about to leave, Lin Yexun called after him, “Telling your mother would only bring trouble.”

Lin Song’an paused.

“Her attitude is just starting to soften, and she’s not fully accepting of Tan Ning yet. If you tell her now, it’ll only bring her more stress. What good would that do?”

Lin Song’an left without looking back.

Back home, Tan Ning was on the balcony, tending to the neglected plants that Lin Song’an had ignored.

Tan Ning thought to himself that Lin Song’an’s parents seemed to love plants, so maybe if he learned how to garden, they’d have more to talk about.

While looking up tips on how to revive the wilting plants, he used a small trowel to loosen the hardened soil.

Though he wasn’t short, with his long limbs, he looked small while crouching.

He was so absorbed that he didn’t hear Lin Song’an’s footsteps until he squatted beside him, making Tan Ning fall back in surprise. Lin Song’an reached out and embraced him. Tan Ning asked, “When did you get back?”

“Just now.” Lin Song’an teased, “What mischief is my little cat Tan up to?”

“I noticed all the flowers in your yard and thought I’d try gardening too. When spring comes, I could give your mom some flowers as a gift, so I won’t have to worry about buying some.”

Lin Song’an quietly watched him, seeing how happy Tan Ning was at the mere thought of a small gesture of goodwill from Fang Jin. His heart grew heavy, filled with a sour sadness.

“What flowers do you want to grow?”

“Orchids? I looked up the ones your mom grows; there are two kinds, moth orchids and freesias. They’re both beautiful.”

“Alright, I’ll have some sent over.”

“These potted plants are nearly dead; tomorrow, I’ll dump the soil out and clean the pots. Once the orchid seeds arrive, I’ll plant them all.”

“Alright.”

“By then, the balcony will be full of orchids; it’ll look amazing.”

Lin Song’an lowered his head and kissed him. Tan Ning didn’t understand why Lin Song’an suddenly bit his cheek, but he didn’t resist and simply leaned into his embrace.

Late at night, Tan Ning woke up from sleep.

He instinctively reached over to cuddle with Lin Song’an, but the other side of the bed was empty.

Tan Ning jolted awake, feeling profoundly insecure in the large, dark bedroom. The empty space seemed haunted by nightmares, and he got out of bed in a panic, slipping into his slippers and heading outside.

Lin Song’an was on the balcony.

Tan Ning walked over and saw an unopened pack of cigarettes by Lin Song’an’s feet.

The last time he saw Lin Song’an smoke was during his rut period when the pain was unbearable, and he tried to use smoking as a distraction. But when he saw Tan Ning come over, he had immediately put it out.

Hearing Tan Ning’s footsteps, Lin Song’an turned around and followed his gaze to the cigarettes at his feet. He smiled, “I didn’t smoke. I promised you that was the first and last time.”

He held out his hand to Tan Ning, “Why are you up?”

Tan Ning went back to the bedroom to get a blanket, tossed it over Lin Song’an, then climbed into his lap as Lin Song’an spread the blanket. They shared a spacious leather sofa.

“You’re troubled,” Tan Ning said.

“A bit.”

Lin Song’an wrapped the blanket around Tan Ning, who pulled a corner over Lin Song’an’s shoulder. Lin Song’an kissed him, and Tan Ning blinked. “What’s troubling you?”

“I don’t know how to say it.”

Tan Ning wasn’t a great conversationalist, so he simply turned his head and waited for Lin Song’an to find his words.

“Ning Ning, do you remember much about your dad?” Lin Song’an asked suddenly.

Tan Ning thought for a long time.

“Not really. I just remember he was good to me. When I was little, he once took me to school on his electric bike, and it was hit by another car. When the bike fell, he shielded me, cushioning me as the bike landed on his leg, leaving a huge bruise.”

“And then?”

Tan Ning shook his head. “I don’t remember much.”

Lin Song’an held Tan Ning’s hand, gently rubbing his palm with his thumb.

“Ning Ning, my dad… he cheated.”

Tan Ning was stunned.

“He reconnected with his first love.”

“The beta?”

“Yes.”

Tan Ning stared at Lin Song’an in shock, his lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. The news exploded in his mind—Lin Yexun had cheated, and with that beta from years ago. Yet, just this afternoon, he’d been smiling as he told Fang Jin, “Once Song’an takes over the company, we’ll finally have time to travel together.”

Fang Jin was completely in the dark. If she found out, she would go mad and might even turn her anger on Tan Ning and Lin Song’an, rejecting all betas. The little goodwill Tan Ning had worked so hard to build would vanish instantly.

But if they kept it a secret…

Tan Ning snapped back to the present and saw the lost look in Lin Song’an’s eyes. He turned to hug him, pressing Lin Song’an’s face against his chest.

Lin Song’an tried to sound casual, even playful. “Should I really be this affected? Shouldn’t I be calm and collected, figuring out a solution?”

Tan Ning stroked Lin Song’an’s hair. “No, that’s not true.”

“Ning Ning.”

Tan Ning interrupted him, “Don’t say anything now. Just rest against me for a while.”

He gently stroked Lin Song’an’s hair, the back of his neck, and his spine, copying Lin Song’an’s usual soothing motions.

He’d always envied Lin Song’an for having a well-off and intact family, with seemingly harmonious parents. Lin Song’an had never lacked love, which allowed him to shower Tan Ning with an endless supply of affection.

Lin Yexun had always followed the “happy parenting” philosophy, but Lin Song’an’s success was also thanks to Fang Jin’s strict discipline. Whenever he mentioned his mother, Lin Song’an would say, “She may have a bad temper, but she’s a wonderful mother.” He had always deeply respected his parents.

Now, with this sudden revelation, the impact on Lin Song’an was no doubt immense, leaving him feeling lost or angry.

They were once again standing on the edge of a cliff.

If they told Fang Jin, it would bring trouble upon them.

If they didn’t, Tan Ning knew Lin Song’an would struggle with the weight of this secret.

“Ning Ning, I don’t know how to tell my mom.”

“My mom has been genuinely happy lately. She hasn’t been this… immersed in love for a long time. I just can’t bring myself to ruin it, and besides, there’s us.”

“We’re not afraid.”

Lin Song’an looked up suddenly.

Tan Ning smiled at him, holding his injured hand, and said softly, “We’ve come this far. What is there to fear?”

“Ning Ning.”

“You can’t hide fire under paper. If you’ve noticed it so easily, sooner or later, your mother will too. When that day comes, the pain she’ll feel will be far worse than it would be now.”

“Yes.”

“Lin Song’an, the day you were triggered into a rut, Ye Ling texted me, saying that true feelings are powerless in the face of pheromones. I was just wondering now, can we even call what your dad has true feelings? After all these years, he’s dreaming of rekindling old flames. Is that true love?”

Lin Song’an frowned.

“I don’t think so,” Tan Ning said, fiddling with the bandage on Lin Song’an’s hand. “Feelings that can endure betrayal, calculation, and abandonment don’t deserve to be called true.”

Lin Song’an closed his eyes and took a deep breath against Tan Ning’s neck.

“Tell your mom. She doesn’t need to be bound by such a false love for the rest of her life. The sooner she’s free, the better,” Tan Ning said, wrapping his arms around Lin Song’an’s shoulders and sighing. “Lin Song’an, you’re about to be like me—a child from a single-parent family.”

Lin Song’an and Tan Ning agreed to tell Fang Jin after the New Year.

As expected, Fang Jin was furious.

Lin Song’an sat in the living room, listening to the shouting and sounds of things breaking in the study, and texted Tan Ning.

Tan Ning had already returned to Xuancheng.

He tried to lighten Lin Song’an’s mood, “So now you know how terrifying your rut period is, right?”

Lin Song’an managed a small smile and then looked up toward the second floor.

After a long while, Fang Jin emerged. She still maintained her usual dignified and unbreakable appearance, though her eyes were cold. Lin Song’an went to support her, but Fang Jin brushed his arm aside with a cold sneer. She glanced up at the second-floor bedroom, then looked at Lin Song’an, her hatred evident.

“What did I ever do to deserve this from you?”

“Mom.”

“Do you need to prove to me that pheromones don’t matter and your so-called true love is somehow superior?”

Lin Song’an had no response.

“Mom, no matter what you decide, I’ll support you.”

Fang Jin’s face stiffened, and her hardened exterior seemed to crack inch by inch. She took each step down the stairs shakily, her once-proud bearing from her noble background now hunched as though she might shatter at any moment. Lin Song’an reached out to steady her, and just before they reached the bottom, she whispered to him, “Tell your father I won’t let him off easily.”

A few days later, an open letter appeared online, allegedly written by the wife of the chairman of Tianhe Group. In the letter, Fang Jin publicly accused Lin Yexun of an extramarital affair and claimed he had misused company resources. She also mentioned how Lin Yexun had caused a major acquisition failure by redirecting company assets in 2014 without board approval.

Lin Yexun found himself in a dilemma, repeatedly called in for questioning by the Securities Regulatory Commission.

Fang Jin used this opportunity to file for divorce, refusing any compromise in the division of assets.

As February drew to a close, Lin Song’an was left handling his father’s mess at the company. With his and Fang Jin’s combined shares, he now held more than Lin Yexun and naturally took over his father’s duties. He was so busy he hardly had time to check his phone. Finally, catching a moment to breathe, he called Tan Ning while he knew he’d be on a break.

“Ning Ning, are you in the dorm? I’ll pick you up tonight.”

“I’m not,” Tan Ning looked up at the unfamiliar office building. “I’m at 258 Xinyao Road.”

258 Xinyao Road. Ningjiang Mu’an Biotech Company.

Lin Song’an froze, then quickly realized. “What are you doing at my mom’s company?”

“Internship. Your mom’s research company posted an internship for a legal assistant, so I applied.”

“Ning Ning, you—”

The thought of Tan Ning meeting Fang Jin stirred up a storm of worry in Lin Song’an.

But Tan Ning’s tone was firm. “I told you, we’ll face this together.”