Chapter 1064: Secrets Beneath the Silence

The black Maserati Levante Trofeo rolled through the gates of the residence and came to a stop in the driveway.

Lu Tian switched off the engine but remained seated for a moment, his gaze fixed on the familiar house ahead.

He had spent the entire drive thinking about the information Xu Long had revealed at Blackhawk.

Lee Shin’s murder.

Choi Li Sun’s altered appearance.

The scar deliberately left behind.

And the possibility that someone was preparing to use Yue Ling’s past against her.

He glanced at the folder resting on the passenger seat.

For now, he had decided against telling her until he could gather his thoughts and determine how much danger they were facing.

But that decision did little to ease his uneasiness.

Lu Tian picked up the folder, stepped out of the vehicle, and headed toward the house.

He wanted to see his wife.

Nothing more.

Just one look at her would be enough to reassure him that she was safe.

At least for the moment.

He unlocked the front door and stepped inside.

The familiar warmth of their home greeted him, a welcome contrast to the cold air outside.

He removed his shoes and coat, placing them where they belonged before setting the folder on a nearby console table.

"Yue Ling?"

His deep voice carried through the entrance hall.

There was no answer.

Lu Tian paused.

The house was unusually quiet.

He glanced toward the living room, expecting to see his wife curled up on the sofa or sitting by the window with a book.

But the room was empty.

His brows drew together.

"Yue Ling?"

Again, silence.

A faint uneasiness stirred in his chest.

Ordinarily, he would have assumed she was upstairs or occupied with something elsewhere in the house.

Yue Ling was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, and she had never been someone who needed constant supervision.

But after everything he had learned that morning, his mind was unwilling to settle on such a simple explanation.

He walked into the living room.

Empty.

The sunroom was equally quiet.

He checked the kitchen, then the dining room.

There was no sign of her.

Lu Tian’s expression darkened.

He took out his phone and glanced at the screen.

No missed calls.

No messages.

His thumb hovered over Yue Ling’s contact, but he lowered the phone before making the call.

Perhaps she was upstairs.

He turned toward the staircase.

His footsteps quickened as he climbed to the second floor.

At a time like this, he found himself wishing Inu were home.

The little fellow had a habit of barking whenever he returned, often racing toward the entrance before anyone else had a chance to greet him.

If Yue Ling were home, Inu would undoubtedly have made his presence known.

But the fluff ball was still at Ji Mansion, and the silence surrounding Lu Tian only made the house feel larger.

He reached the second floor and headed directly toward their bedroom.

"Yue Ling?"

He pushed the door open.

The room was empty.

The bed had been neatly made, and the curtains were partially drawn, allowing soft daylight to spill across the floor.

Nothing appeared out of place.

Still, he checked the bathroom.

Then the dressing room.

He moved through the remaining rooms on the second floor, opening each door and searching for the familiar silhouette of his wife.

Nothing.

By the time he returned to their bedroom, the uneasiness in his chest had become something far more difficult to ignore.

’Where are you?’

His eyes swept across the room again.

He knew how irrational it was to assume the worst simply because Yue Ling was not home.

She could have gone shopping.

She could have stepped out to meet someone.

She could have been doing any number of ordinary things.

Yet his thoughts returned to the photographs spread across the table at Blackhawk.

Choi Li Sun.

Liu Peng.

Ji Chu Hua.

People whose intentions remained unknown.

People who had already demonstrated that they were capable of hurting those closest to Yue Ling.

A chilling possibility crossed his mind.

’Did someone come here while I was gone?’

Lu Tian’s jaw tightened.

He immediately rejected the thought.

The residence was protected by an extensive security system, and anyone attempting to enter without authorization would have triggered an alert.

But knowing that did not stop the sudden rush of fear.

He turned sharply and strode out of the bedroom.

His footsteps echoed through the hallway as he headed toward the staircase.

He needed to check the security records.

And call Yue Ling.

He was halfway down the stairs when a faint sound reached him.

Click.

The front door.

Lu Tian stopped.

His head turned toward the entrance.

A moment later, the familiar sound of someone stepping inside broke the silence.

Then came a soft voice.

"I’m home."

His heart gave a violent thud.

He hurried down the remaining steps.

Just as he reached the bottom, Yue Ling appeared in the entrance hall, carrying several shopping bags and containers of food.

She had barely managed to close the door when a tall figure approached her.

"Tian?"

Before she could say anything else, Lu Tian gathered her into his arms.

Yue Ling blinked in surprise.

Her hands were still occupied with the bags, leaving her unable to return his embrace properly.

For a moment, she simply stood there.

Then she smiled against his chest.

"Tian, I only stepped out for a bit."

Lu Tian said nothing.

His arms tightened around her.

The familiar warmth of her body against his finally eased the tension that had been building inside him.

She was here.

Safe.

Unharmed.

He lowered his head onto her shoulder and closed his eyes.

The relief was so immediate that it almost angered him.

He had faced countless dangerous situations without allowing fear to cloud his judgment.

Yet a few minutes of not knowing where his wife was had been enough to make his heart race.

Yue Ling noticed the unusual strength of his embrace.

Her smile softened.

"Tian?"

He inhaled slowly.

"Next time, let me know if you’re going out."

His voice was quieter than usual.

Yue Ling blinked.

She had only intended to make a quick trip to Uncle Nuo’s food stall.

But after buying lunch, an idea had suddenly occurred to her, prompting her to stop by several stores on the way home.

She had assumed she would return before Lu Tian finished his business.

However, when she drove through the gates, she noticed his Maserati already parked outside.

She had not expected him to be home so soon.

"Alright," she answered gently.

Lu Tian held her a little longer.

Yue Ling did not complain.

Whatever had caused him to react this way, she could tell he needed the reassurance.

So she remained where she was, allowing him to hold her until his breathing gradually settled.

After a while, she shifted slightly.

"Tian?"

"Hm?"

"As much as I love being hugged by you, my hands are starting to hurt."

Lu Tian opened his eyes.

Only then did he notice the numerous bags hanging from her fingers.

He immediately loosened his embrace.

"Why didn’t you say something?"

Yue Ling laughed.

"I was trying to."

He stepped back and reached for the bags.

"Give them to me."

But before he could take them, Yue Ling suddenly moved a large step backward.

"Wait."

Lu Tian stopped.

One eyebrow rose.

Yue Ling smiled innocently.

She lifted her right hand, revealing the bags from Uncle Nuo’s food stall.

"You can help me with these."

Lu Tian looked at the food.

Then at her.

Then at the shopping bags hanging from her other hand.

Yue Ling followed his gaze.

Realizing what he was looking at, she immediately moved her left hand behind her back.

"Not these."

Lu Tian stared at her.

She smiled even more brightly.

"I can take care of these."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Lu Tian narrowed his eyes.

"You know..."

He took a small step toward her.

"You’ve been quite secretive since last night."

Yue Ling’s smile faltered for the briefest moment.

She knew exactly what he meant.

The little velvet box she had brought back from Han Mansion.

And now the shopping bags.

Lu Tian had been curious about the box ever since he saw her carefully tuck it away.

She had promised to show him what was inside later, but she had not given him any indication of when that would be.

Now she was hiding something else.

He tilted his head slightly.

"Should I be concerned?"

Yue Ling looked away and cleared her throat.

"That’s why it’s a secret."

Lu Tian stared at her then he sighed inwardly.

Under different circumstances, he might have continued teasing her until she gave him a clue.

But after the morning he had endured, he had no desire to turn her harmless secrecy into an interrogation.

Whatever she was hiding, it was clearly something she wanted to keep to herself for the time being.

And he trusted her.

More importantly, she was standing safely in front of him.

That was enough.

"Fine."

He reached for the food bags.

"I’ll let it go this time."

Yue Ling’s eyes brightened.

"Really?"

Lu Tian gave her a meaningful look.

"For now."

She chuckled.

"How generous of you, Mr. Lu."

He shook his head and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Go put your things away."

"Yes, sir."

He gave her an amused glance before turning toward the kitchen.

Yue Ling watched until he disappeared around the corner.

Only then did she release a quiet breath.

That had been close.

For a moment, she had genuinely thought he would insist on knowing what she had purchased.

She glanced down at the shopping bags in her left hand.

A mischievous smile curled at the corners of her lips.

’Not yet, Tian.’

There was a reason she wanted to keep everything hidden.

And she intended to make sure he remained unaware until the right moment.

She quietly made her way toward the guest room on the first floor.

After checking that Lu Tian was still occupied in the kitchen, she slipped inside and closed the door.

The room was neat and seldom used.

She walked toward the closet, opened it, and carefully placed the shopping bags behind a stack of spare bedding.

Once she was satisfied they were out of sight, she closed the closet.

Yue Ling stepped back and examined it.

Nothing looked unusual.

Perfect.

She smiled to herself.

For now, her secret was safe.

By the time Yue Ling entered the kitchen, Lu Tian had already removed the food from its containers.

Several plates and bowls were arranged across the counter.

The familiar aroma of Uncle Nuo’s cooking filled the room.

Yue Ling paused at the doorway.

Lu Tian stood near the stove with his sleeves pushed up, carefully reheating the dishes.

His movements were calm and practiced.

She watched him for a moment before walking inside.

"I stopped by Uncle Nuo’s food stall for us."

Lu Tian glanced over his shoulder.

"I noticed."

She smiled.

"He was happy to hear about you."

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

"Me?"

"Mhm."

She walked closer.

"I told him that anything I couldn’t finish, you would eat."

Lu Tian paused then he slowly turned his head toward her.

Yue Ling pressed her lips together to suppress a smile.

"What?"

He looked at the numerous dishes spread across the counter.

Then back at her.

"How much did you order?"

"A little of everything."

"A little?"

She nodded innocently.

"Yes."

Lu Tian stared at her.

Yue Ling finally laughed.

"Alright, maybe more than a little."

He shook his head helplessly.

"You’re really planning to make me finish all of this?"

She tilted her head.

"Didn’t you say you would always take care of me?"

Lu Tian looked at her for a moment before a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"That includes finishing your leftovers?"

"Of course."

He chuckled.

"Then I suppose I have no choice."

"Exactly."

Yue Ling grinned before reaching for a plate.

Lu Tian gently moved it away from her.

"I’ve got it."

She gave him a look.

"Tian, I can help."

"I know."

He handed her a pair of chopsticks instead.

"Here. Taste this."

Yue Ling blinked then she laughed.

"You’re distracting me."

"Is it working?"

She took a bite.

Her eyes brightened.

"Very well."

Lu Tian smiled and returned to arranging the food.

Yue Ling stood beside him for a while, watching as he transferred the warm dishes into serving bowls.

Then her expression grew thoughtful.

She had not forgotten the way he had embraced her when she entered the house.

There had been something different about it.

Lu Tian was naturally affectionate with her, especially when they were alone.

But the urgency in his movements had surprised her.

He had held her as though he had been afraid she would disappear.

Yue Ling lowered her chopsticks.

"So..."

Lu Tian glanced at her.

"Hm?"

She clasped her hands behind her back and leaned slightly toward him.

"Do you want to tell me why you reacted that way when I came home?"

Lu Tian’s hand paused.

The serving spoon remained suspended above a bowl.

For a brief moment, the only sound in the kitchen came from the quiet hum of the appliances.

He knew what she was asking.

And he knew he could not give her the real answer without revealing what he had learned at Blackhawk.

He slowly lowered the spoon.

Yue Ling watched him with a small smile.

She had asked casually, but there was genuine curiosity in her eyes.

Lu Tian turned toward her.

The moment he saw her face, his chest tightened.

He remembered the photograph of Lee Shin.

The accident report.

The face Choi Li Sun had chosen to wear.

And the possibility that his wife had unknowingly become the center of another dangerous scheme.

For one brief moment, he wanted to tell her everything.

He wanted to explain why he had rushed through the house looking for her.

Why the silence had frightened him.

Why simply seeing her walk through the front door had brought him such overwhelming relief.

But the words refused to come.

How could he tell her that the man she had mourned for three years had been murdered?

How could he explain that the murderer was now walking around with Lee Shin’s face?

And how could he do either without knowing what Choi Li Sun intended?

Lu Tian drew a slow breath.

Then he gave her a small smile.

"It was nothing."

He raised his hand and gently caressed her cheek.

"I got worried when I came home and didn’t know where you’d gone."

Yue Ling studied him.

His expression was calm.

His voice was gentle.

And although his earlier behavior had been unusual, she found nothing in his face that suggested anything was seriously wrong.

She smiled and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Silly."

Lu Tian looked down at her.

"If I were going anywhere far, I would have told you."

She rested her cheek against his chest.

"I only went out to buy us lunch."

He placed one arm around her.

"Then what about the shopping bags?"

Yue Ling stiffened slightly.

Lu Tian felt it.

His lips curved faintly.

She looked up at him.

"After getting lunch, I stopped to do a little shopping before coming home."

"What kind of shopping?"

Yue Ling narrowed her eyes.

"Tian."

"Hm?"

"You’re doing it again."

"Doing what?"

"Trying to find out my secret."

Lu Tian chuckled.

"I was only asking."

"Well, I’m not telling."

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead.

"Alright."

She smiled triumphantly.

"Good."

Lu Tian held her for another moment before turning back toward the food.

Yue Ling remained beside him, occasionally stealing a bite from one of the dishes.

He pretended not to notice.

But while she happily sampled the food, his thoughts returned to the folder he had left in the entrance hall.

He had told her it was nothing.

A simple answer.

One that had come far too easily.

And although it was not entirely false, it was far from the truth.

He had been worried about her.

Terrified, even.

But she had no idea why.

Lu Tian glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

Yue Ling was smiling as she tasted another dish.

He looked away.

’Just a little longer.’

He needed time to understand the situation.

Time to determine what Choi Li Sun wanted.

But he knew he could not keep the truth from her indefinitely.

A short while later, they carried the food into the dining room.

The table was soon filled with steaming bowls of congee, stir-fried vegetables, meat dishes, and several of Uncle Nuo’s specialties.

Yue Ling sat across from Lu Tian, looking thoroughly pleased with herself.

Lu Tian examined the spread.

"Did Uncle Nuo think you were feeding an entire family?"

Yue Ling laughed.

"He knows I like supporting his business."

"By buying everything he cooks?"

"Almost everything."

Lu Tian raised an eyebrow.

She smiled.

"Besides, his food is delicious."

He picked up his chopsticks.

"That, I won’t argue with."

Yue Ling happily began eating.

For a while, their conversation remained light.

She told him about her visit to Uncle Nuo’s stall. About how the man had been doing, and how she had arranged for Liu Shan to send additional patio heaters.

Lu Tian listened attentively.

"He already has five," Yue Ling explained. "But with the weather getting colder, I don’t think they’re enough."

"Did he accept them?"

"Not willingly."

Lu Tian chuckled.

"That sounds about right."

"He kept saying I was spending too much money on him."

"And what did you tell him?"

Yue Ling smiled.

"That I didn’t want him catching a cold."

Lu Tian shook his head.

"You’re very stubborn."

She pointed her chopsticks at him.

"Look who’s talking."

He smiled.

"Fair enough."

Their conversation continued easily, moving from Uncle Nuo’s stall to the weather and the preparations waiting for them in the coming days.

At one point, Yue Ling reminded him that they still had several things to arrange before the wedding.

Lu Tian assured her that everything would be taken care of.

She gave him a suspicious look.

"You’re not planning to do everything yourself, are you?"

"Would that be a problem?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because it’s our wedding, Tian. Not just yours."

He smiled.

"Then we’ll do it together."

"Good."

Yue Ling returned to her food, satisfied.

Lu Tian watched her for a moment before lowering his gaze to his bowl.

To anyone observing them, they would have appeared like an ordinary couple enjoying a peaceful lunch.

Their voices were relaxed.

Their smiles came easily.

And the familiar comfort between them made the dining room feel warm despite the cold weather outside.

But beneath that peaceful atmosphere, both carried thoughts they had yet to share.

Yue Ling was already considering what she would do later that evening.

The shopping bags hidden inside the guest room were only part of her plan.

She still needed to retrieve the little navy velvet box from their bedroom and make sure everything was ready before Lu Tian discovered what she was preparing.

She glanced at him.

He was quietly eating, apparently unaware of the surprise she had in mind.

A small smile touched her lips.

’Just wait, Tian.’

Across from her, Lu Tian noticed her expression.

"What?"

Yue Ling immediately shook her head.

"Nothing."

He narrowed his eyes.

"You’re smiling."

"Am I not allowed to smile?"

"Of course you are."

"Then don’t be suspicious."

Lu Tian chuckled.

"You’re making that difficult."

She laughed and returned to her meal.

He watched her for another moment before looking down.

His own thoughts were far less pleasant.

He was still deciding how to tell her about Lee Shin.

He knew she deserved the truth.

He also knew that once she learned what had happened, there would be no returning to the peaceful ignorance she currently enjoyed.

The question was no longer whether he should tell her.

It was when.

And how.

Lu Tian slowly set down his chopsticks and reached for his tea.

Across the table, Yue Ling was happily describing something Uncle Nuo had said earlier.

He listened, occasionally responding with a smile.

But his mind remained divided between the woman sitting before him and the evidence waiting inside the folder near the entrance.

One of them held a secret intended to bring him happiness.

The other held a truth that threatened to destroy hers.

Neither knew what the other was hiding.

And for the moment, they continued sharing their lunch, unaware of how differently their secrets would unfold.

One was preparing a surprise born from love.

The other was struggling with a truth born from murder.