Passion Raga Novel (Completed) - Chapter 45

All he could hear was Ling Xinlu’s rhythmic breathing, whispering comfort and pleasure.

As if sharing some kind of communion, Yuri also felt languid and comfortable, letting out quiet, deep breaths.

It was around that time. At some point, suddenly.

“Thank you.”

A quiet voice whispered.

Yuri, who had been quietly looking down at Ling Xinlu, paused in silence at the words whispered by his moving lips, then said, “It’s nothing.”

He could do this much anytime. It wasn’t difficult to rub his eyes so that his unseen eyes wouldn’t hurt, and his seeing eyes wouldn’t get more tired than they already were. Moreover, Yuri himself deeply enjoyed this time, even more than hearing “thank you.”

Ling Xinlu must have known that too. He must have known that Yuri also let out comfortable breaths while rubbing his eyes, yet his lips curved into a slight smile.

“It’s just what I think. It’s not just for releasing my eyes now, but for various other things too, thank you.”

Yuri paused for a moment and then replied briefly, “You’re welcome.”

He didn’t know what Ling Xinlu was thanking him for, but he was simply happy if he had provided something that made Ling Xinlu grateful.

He smiled calmly, thinking that at least he hadn’t upset him.

“But just saying thank you empty-handed… I always feel like I’m only receiving, so I feel a bit sorry… Is there anything you want?”

However, at Ling Xinlu’s question, Yuri’s smile vanished. He looked down at him, troubled. Something he wanted? He wasn’t particularly materialistic, so he hadn’t really thought about it.

“No, there isn’t.”

“Still, think about it. I want to give you something.”

“Well… but I also received a swimsuit as a gift recently… I really don’t have anything.”

Yuri thought for a moment but still couldn’t think of anything he wanted, so he shook his head.

Besides, now that he mentioned it, it was true. Even if he received something as a gift, if he didn’t use it, he wouldn’t feel comfortable.

The swimsuit was a case in point.

A while ago, when Ling Xinlu suddenly presented Yuri with a rectangular package, saying, “It’s a gift,” Yuri wondered what it was.

It wasn’t a day for gifts, and there was no particular reason for it. Still, since it was a gift, he thanked him and unwrapped it on the spot. But when he saw the swimsuit inside the package, he was momentarily speechless.

He was sure he had casually mentioned recently that his current swimsuit was perfectly fine. Did I say something wrong in the negative?

Yuri glanced around and met eyes with Ling Xinlu, who had casually tossed the package, calling it a gift, and then gone into his room to change clothes and come out.

“Why? Don’t you like the color? I chose it after much thought, hoping it would suit Mr. Gable. Should I exchange it?”

Yuri, who had no interest in dressing up and wouldn’t care if his swimsuit was red or had an aloha floral pattern as long as it fit, replied, “No, I like it. Thank you,” while still looking at the swimsuit, unable to understand why he had suddenly given him one.

But then again, if one were to give a gift, it should be something the recipient would like. And since Yuri liked swimming, a swimsuit was a good choice.

Yuri, having come to his own understanding, thanked Ling Xinlu once more.

“I’ll take good care of it and use it well when my current one wears out. Thank you.”

However, no sooner had Yuri finished speaking than Ling Xinlu’s expression instantly cooled, as if Yuri had said something wrong and he flinched.

“Throw away the one you’re using now.”

“Huh?… It’s still wearable. It’s perfectly fine.”

It wasn’t torn or worn out.

But Ling Xinlu glared, displeased.

“Throw it away. It’s dirty.”

“…”

“I wash it every day,” the words rose to Yuri’s throat, but Ling Xinlu’s gaze was so chilling that he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

In the end, Yuri, who had discarded his favorite swimsuit of several years right in front of Ling Xinlu, had been using the new one ever since.

He was slightly shocked that it looked dirty even though he washed it every day, so he washed it much more diligently than before.

“I shower every day and change clothes every day…” Ling Xinlu asked Yuri again, who was feeling gloomy with an indifferent expression.

“Do you really not want anything?”

Ling Xinlu gently took Yuri’s hand, which was covering his eyelids, and lifted it slightly. Beneath it, black eyes blinked and looked up at him.

“No, I don’t.”

When Yuri said it quietly but firmly, shaking his head, Ling Xinlu looked a little disappointed. “Hmm, you don’t, huh?” he muttered, then unconsciously scratched at Yuri’s palm, which he held in his hand.

Sometimes, when Ling Xinlu was in a good mood, he would show such cat-like affection.

Lately, he has been doing it quite often. And somehow, Yuri secretly liked that sensation because it was endearing.

At such times, Ling Xinlu, who would glance at Yuri, seemed to know that Yuri liked such displays of affection.

Then, he would look at Yuri with narrowed eyes, as if saying, “Be grateful I’m showing you affection,” which was also somehow arrogant and lovely, like a cat, and Yuri would just smile.

“Alright, then. If you ever think of something you want later, tell me. I’ve received so many things from Mr. Gable, so I feel like I should do something for you too.”

Ling Xinlu pulled Yuri’s hand and placed it over his own face. Rustle, his closing eyelashes tickled Yuri’s palm again.

Then, suddenly, “…You smell nice.”

Ling Xinlu whispered to himself. He lifted his head slightly, rubbing his face against Yuri’s hand, and lightly buried his nose in his palm. Yuri felt him inhale within his hand.

“You smell good. Is it soap?”

Yuri tilted his head. He lifted his other hand to his nose but couldn’t detect any particular smell.

“Well, I don’t know, but I just washed, so it might be the smell of soap. Or it might be the smell transferred from touching Ling Xinlu’s face.”

“No, I don’t think it’s that.”

Ling Xinlu still didn’t move. He lay still for a while, as if about to fall asleep, with his hand resting on Yuri’s hand, which covered his face.

Yuri also just continued to look down at Ling Xinlu’s hand covering his own.

“…It’s good, very good.”

“Right? This is a masterpiece that even a blind man who’s seen nothing can’t fail to recognize, unless his nose is completely out of whack.”

Ling Tangyun chuckled with a very pleased expression and refilled Yuri’s glass. The pale yellow liquor shimmered in the thin glass.

Yuri, uncharacteristically, waved his hand with a hint of regret.

“No, I can’t drink any more. I have to drive.”

“Ah, that’s right. Well, since it’s already poured, just finish this one.”

“…Then, just this one.”

After a brief hesitation, Yuri finally nodded and picked up the glass.

Normally, he would have refused the glass and stopped, but the liquor was truly delicious.

Even Yuri, who wasn’t usually fond of alcohol, felt the liquor envelop his tongue and seep in.

“This is only produced in Henan, and even there, they can’t brew more than a hundred dong a year. It’s a rare liquor. Isn’t it splendid?”

“Indeed.”

Yuri nodded and took a few sips, and the glass was quickly empty. He looked at the empty glass with regret. Xiao Qun, quickly noticing Yuri’s expression, burst out laughing.

“Uncle Yuri, you don’t even like alcohol, but you really liked this one, didn’t you? You know what, I’ll tell you something good.”

“My dad, he set aside a bottle of this liquor to give you when you leave.”

“You rascal! A gift is supposed to be a surprise, that’s what makes it good! What’s the point if you tell them beforehand!”

Ling Tangyun frowned playfully, scolding his daughter. Xiao Qun deliberately hunched her shoulders, feigning fear. Beside them, Fei reached out and licked the last drop of liquor in the glass, then nodded.

“It’s definitely delicious. But if you drink a lot of this, you’ll probably get a hangover.”

“Yes, that’s its drawback… And it’s a ‘hot’ liquor, so people with a ‘hot’ constitution shouldn’t drink it.”

Ling Tangyun sighed with a hint of regret. Fei poured new liquor into the empty glass and slowly sipped it, savoring the taste.

“Are you going to sell this?”

“Hmm… I’ll have to make some adjustments, though.”

Seeing Ling Tangyun nod as he spoke, it seemed the Ling family, who also had a foothold in liquor distribution, was about to start handling this liquor.

No sooner had he said that than Fei grimaced dramatically and feigned crying.

“Father, I’m going to die! I’m already crushed by work, worried about overwork, and every night I tremble with fear wondering if I’ll open my eyes tomorrow morning—”

“You rascal, what’s with all the fuss over just one more liquor coming in!”

“Father! How many months have I been learning? Do I look like an idiot who thinks only that one thing will increase if we start a new deal?! Oh, Father, are you trying to make your unmarried son a bachelor ghost—”

Fei, who had been pounding the floor and shouting at the top of his lungs, was finally given a harsh smack on the back by Ling Tangyun. It wasn’t even a palm, but a fist, and a truly painful “oof” sound escaped him.

“Quiet. Even if you keep pretending to die and worrying, this work won’t go to you.”

“Huh? Really?”

Fei, who had twisted his body to rub his back, quickly sat up. He then smiled broadly, as if it didn’t matter now, and poured himself some more liquor.

“Yes. Not just this work, but your grandfather is planning to gradually hand over the liquor business to Xinlu.”

Ling Tangyun muttered calmly but heavily, as if to indicate that such discussions were not mere speculation but actually taking place. Yuri, who had been rinsing his mouth with water, paused his movements.

“Liquor? Wow, that’s a big chunk they’re giving him. There will be a lot of people feeling jealous. No, but considering how much your grandfather dotes on the youngest uncle, perhaps it’s more like, ‘Is that all they’re giving him?'”

“But isn’t that side quite complicated and difficult? Uncle Xinlu hasn’t specifically studied business or management, has he?” Xiao Qun, saying that he originally intended to work at UNHRDO regardless of the Ling family, sounded a bit worried. “Indeed,” muttered Fei, looking similar. Ling Tangyun remained silent for a moment, slowly savoring the aroma of the liquor and moistening his lips.

Is that so? Indeed, he had heard quite often before that Ling Xinlu would gradually get involved in the family business. Although he was currently resting due to his poor health—which wasn’t entirely an excuse—he was now old enough to start working in society, and Ling Huirong wouldn’t just leave his beloved youngest son alone.

If so, Ling Xinlu would soon become busy. To make up for the time he had spent resting, using his eyes as an excuse—which wasn’t entirely a pure excuse—he would have to work even harder than Fei, who cried out about dying every day.

And liquor. He didn’t know whether to call it unexpected or not.

Even if it was just liquor, if one considered all the work related to liquor, it would be a considerable scale. As Fei said, it could be called “a big chunk.” But at the same time, as Fei also said, compared to how much Ling Huirong cherished Ling Xinlu, it also felt surprisingly not that big of a share.

However, after a moment of thought, Yuri shook his head.

That was not his concern, and he couldn’t know what circumstances were hidden within. For instance, looking at Ling Tangyun’s silent expression now, it was clear he didn’t think it was “a small share” at all.

“But uncle still seems to be far away. It’s been quite a while already.”

“His youngest grandmother called him, and he visited her after a long time. Do you think she’d let him go that easily?”

Fei muttered, “He’ll be stuck there for a long time,” and sipped his liquor. Yuri thought the same as Fei, and Ling Xinlu himself had sighed and muttered, “I’ll be caught there for a long time again,” as he left.

Ling Xinlu’s mother had called him to the main house several hours ago, saying she had brought a skilled therapist. Unable to resist her repeated calls urging him to come quickly and definitely before he left the mansion, he finally ended up being summoned to the main house late in the afternoon.

Ling Xinlu went to his mother, openly showing his annoyance, and during that time, Yuri had been sitting in the main house’s reception room, waiting. He was then dragged away by Fei, who had just returned home, saying, “Don’t just sit there alone, come play with me.”

But he never imagined that Xiao Qun and Ling Tangyun, who had returned home for their mother’s birthday, would also join in the “play.” (The mother whose birthday it was was probably leisurely strolling through a department store with her chauffeur at that very moment.)

“Well… Xinlu will do well. He was always someone who did more than the bare minimum, no matter what he was entrusted with since he was a child.”

Just then, Ling Tangyun, who had been lost in thought, continuously smelled the liquor, put down his glass and spoke. It seemed he had been thinking about the work that would be entrusted to Ling Xinlu.

“Moreover, lately, he’s lost a lot of his instability, unlike before… Although he still has aspects that make him difficult for those around him to deal with, that can also be seen as a good quality for a superior.”

Ling Tangyun nodded, muttering to himself. Then, he once called Kyle for something. Looking at the time, he didn’t think Kyle would be at the office, so he called his home. The phone rang only once, and then he heard a click as someone picked up. And simultaneously.

“What on earth do you want?! Do you want me to sing our national anthem?!”

A tremendous voice erupted, as if it would burst his eardrums. It was such a terrifying voice that he unconsciously tightened his grip on the receiver.

It was Jeong Taeui. He shouted so loudly that his voice leaked out of the receiver.

Ling Xinlu, who was sitting a short distance away, flipping through his schedule, flinched, subtly hunched his shoulders, and looked over. Yuri, unconsciously turning his gaze, met his eyes. Ling Xinlu seemed to frown for a moment when he saw Yuri, but then he calmly stood up, walked over, and pressed the speakerphone button.

He felt no need to say anything about his blatant attitude of openly eavesdropping on someone else’s call. Besides, it was understandable that he would do so, given that the person on the other end was Jeong Taeui.