Passion Raga Novel (Completed) - Chapter 83

Although he was actually over forty, this face at most looked like early thirties. If he changed his style of dress and hairstyle a bit, he might even be able to fool people into thinking he was in his twenties… No, wait, his expressions, tone, and aura could absolutely not belong to a twenty-year-old.

“You look like you’re the same age as the youngest of the Ling family. I was surprised when I saw him yesterday; now he has a demeanor that can overshadow even middle-aged people. As expected of a son of the Ling family, his presence overshadows even his father. Standing next to you, people might even think the youngest Ling family member is older than you.”

Gable looked at Kyle, who was still intently adjusting the camera angle, then sighed with dissatisfaction, rubbing his face as if to make a few wrinkles appear immediately.

“Don’t say such things in front of Ling Xinlu.”

“Are you fighting? Oh, are you afraid of being misunderstood as saying the youngest Ling family member is too mature? But actually, I didn’t mean he’s old, but that you look too young.”

“Anyway, please don’t talk about that when Ling Xinlu is present.”

Just as Gable sighed and reiterated his warning, then…

“What shouldn’t be said in front of me?”

A cheerful voice rang out from the other side of the garden.

Gable flinched. Jeong Taeui also instinctively stiffened.

A tiger, a tiger had appeared.

Only now did he realize that the tiger carving on the wall was modeled after this person.

“Oh, the pool is full. I thought it wouldn’t be full until evening.”

The bright voice rang out, and at the same time, Ling Xinlu came into view.

“Still having a good conversation? Sorry to keep everyone waiting. I had an urgent matter I couldn’t put off…”

Ling Xinlu wore a polite, unassailable expression and shook Kyle’s hand, greeting Jeong Taeui with his eyes.

“You came earlier than I expected.”

“Yes. It wasn’t complicated, and besides, I was curious about what fun things you three were talking about without me, so I tried to finish as early as possible. What’s wrong, are you discussing something I shouldn’t hear?”

Ling Xinlu pulled Gable closer, kissed him lightly as a greeting, and then smiled brightly.

Even yesterday, when Jeong Taeui saw him, he thought that a face like this sweet candy, with an added mature demeanor, was truly a dazzling beauty.

If only considering his own aesthetic preferences, Jeong Taeui would indeed be attracted to such a face… but at that very moment, he seemed to hear someone chuckle softly, “Aha…” from thin air, making him startled and quickly banish the thought from his head.

Even with only one new person, the relaxed, carefree atmosphere from before immediately vanished, replaced by clear focus and tension.

Kyle and Ling Xinlu exchanged polite greetings, discussed business, and pretended to strengthen their friendly relations.

Just a moment ago, Kyle was a book fanatic, engrossed in every page as if in a trance, but now he had transformed into an intelligent and sharp businessman. Although Jeong Taeui was well accustomed to this change, he couldn’t help but secretly admire him.

He looked at Gable, who was also intently observing Ling Xinlu with the same admiring gaze. Their eyes accidentally met, and Gable merely gave a forced smile and turned away.

Clearly, Ling Xinlu not only had a glamorous appearance, but surely concealed another side within.

“So, today you must have reunited with Gable after a long time. Did you two have a good conversation?”

Only after finishing the polite greetings sufficiently did Ling Xinlu look around and speak. At that moment, Kyle had temporarily stopped reading, even though there were only a few pages left in the book, regretfully looking at the open book in front of him.

“Ah, yes, we had a very good talk and also borrowed books to read. Your father truly owns invaluable books. I’m really envious. Haven’t finished reading them all yet…”

Kyle looked at the book, with about half a volume left, with longing eyes. Ling Xinlu quickly noticed and gestured freely with his hand.

“Feel free to finish reading it.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Kyle immediately grinned widely, happily burying his face in the book as if he had been waiting for that very sentence. Meanwhile, Ling Xinlu’s gaze turned towards Jeong Taeui. And only then did a slight change appear on his face, which had previously been like a smiling mask. A somewhat more human emotion flashed, but it was unreadable, leaving Jeong Taeui secretly bewildered.

If it were goodwill, lingering affection, or hatred, it could be understood, but that emotion was like being on some boundary between hesitation, wariness, and unease… But why?

“Um… What… did you two talk about?”

Ling Xinlu, who had previously shown no slightest crack, now hesitated a little, his voice much softer.

Jeong Taeui unconsciously looked at Gable. Their eyes met, also full of bewilderment.

He didn’t know if Ling Xinlu’s gentle tone made them feel safe enough to tell the truth, or if, contrary to his voice, his eyes were scrutinizing their every expression to the point where they couldn’t escape, but for no reason, both suddenly felt as if they had secretly discussed something.

They hadn’t said anything special, had they…?

There was really nothing worth mentioning, but that staring gaze made them unconsciously feel guilty. Strange, why did it feel like they were being suspected?

“Just small talk, getting to know each other better, and getting acquainted.”

Jeong Taeui scratched his head and murmured. Ling Xinlu heard him and only said, “Ah, I see,” and nodded, then coldly cut him off:

“Don’t do that, hyung.”

“Huh??”

Ling Xinlu smiled faintly, but that smile was incredibly resolute.

“Don’t get close to each other. You are both good people, to the point where it wouldn’t be strange if one of you fell for the other. So don’t get close.”

The words were like a compliment to both, the tone like a joke, but his eyes carried no hint of joking or compliment at all.

Jeong Taeui stammered, vaguely replying, trying to figure out what kind of situation this was, while Ling Xinlu maintained his bright smile and continued to ask:

“So? What kind of small talk did you two have?”

“What do you think we talked about?”

Just then, Gable gently spoke, asking back. Ling Xinlu paused for a moment, his smile also disappearing as he glanced at Gable.

“Well… there probably aren’t many common topics between you two. If it’s about Gable’s personal life, then… you must have mentioned me…”

Ling Xinlu murmured as if probing, then suddenly changed his attitude, his eyes sharpening.

“Wait, didn’t you just say something about not saying anything when I’m present?”

This time it was Gable’s turn to freeze. Ling Xinlu didn’t miss the opportunity.

“It seems you two were discussing something I shouldn’t hear???”

“It’s nothing difficult to talk about.”

“Then what is it???”

“….”

Instead of answering, Gable picked up the largest cookie and shoved it whole into his mouth. Ling Xinlu narrowed his eyes at Gable, who was quietly chewing, then suddenly turned to Jeong Taeui, pressing him.

“Ah… No, really, it’s nothing. It’s just that we haven’t seen each other in a long time, so I said he looks well, still the same, seems to be living well… something like that.”

“Hmm…?”

Jeong Taeui didn’t understand what was happening but tried to avoid both their gazes and spoke vaguely.

Ling Xinlu seemed to be thinking something, glancing at Gable, then at Jeong Taeui, and when he turned back to Gable again, he seemed to have partly guessed the story. His bright face became expressionless.

“That’s right. Gable really hasn’t changed at all. Compared to the first time I met him, there’s no difference. He even looks younger.”

As he spoke, he scrutinized every feature on Gable’s face. His eyes, sharp as knives, were almost staring, and his tone made no attempt to hide his displeasure.

“People should change with age, why does he keep…”

“He’ll age in the blink of an eye someday.”

Without waiting for him to finish, Gable bluntly cut him off.

“Really. At some point, you’ll age in an instant.”

Seeing Gable emphasize this like a vow, Ling Xinlu pursed his lips in dissatisfaction, then turned to Jeong Taeui.

“How about you? Are you doing well these days? I heard you almost died because of that guy.”

Jeong Taeui, who was wondering if looking young for a long time was a good thing, immediately sobered up at the sudden attacking question.

“Oh, which incident? Almost dying in Thessaloniki last summer? Or in Gdansk the winter before that? Or the near-death incident in Casablanca? Or before that? Aside from those, I’m doing very well.”

“……”

Ling Xinlu looked at Jeong Taeui with disbelief, then burst out laughing. The sharpness from before had softened a bit.

“No regrets? For example… if you hadn’t chosen that guy back then…”

Ling Xinlu’s eyes slightly narrowed as if asking if he had never thought about that even once.

It was that moment, when he turned his back on Ling Xinlu’s anger to take Ilay’s hand.

What if he hadn’t done that then.

Looking into the pitch-black eyes that still held deep hatred for that person, Jeong Taeui suddenly felt heavy all over, sighing and letting his shoulders slump.

“Well… many times I’ve wondered why I’m suffering like this… but… I’ve never thought it would be better if I hadn’t met him or if I had made a different choice.”

“Hmm.”

He couldn’t be vague or lie. Jeong Taeui had an obligation to tell Ling Xinlu the truth. He massaged his shoulders, lost in thought for a moment, then looked up directly at Ling Xinlu.

“But sometimes I still think of you, hoping you’re doing well. How about you? If you had kept me with you back then, if you had lived a different life than now, what do you think it would be like?”

Ling Xinlu’s expression suddenly stiffened, his face seemed to be wiped clean of emotion. He froze in place as if paralyzed, without the slightest movement. His face twitched slightly, very subtly, very little.

Things he might have had and the price he would surely have to pay.

“…Don’t like it.”

The words escaped his lips before he could even think.

“I like my current life. I like what I have. No matter what, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

His eyes immediately flared with a fierce, pitch-black flame. Ling Xinlu unconsciously gripped Gable’s arm and stared at Jeong Taeui, or perhaps at another possibility of the life he could have had. A cold wariness and terrifying anger swept through the room, freezing everything for a moment.