Chapter 53: The Allure of a Mature Woman

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you, Ling Tian." Lin Youqin responded with equal politeness. However, Ling Tian still caught a trace of coldness in her eyes. Hidden within that chill was also a subtle hint of resentment. Ling Tian, relying on his martial artist's intuition and innate sensitivity to danger, immediately sensed the undercurrent. Someone else might never have noticed Lin Youqin's hostility, but Ling Tian was instantly on guard.

After exchanging a few more courtesies, Lin Youya and Lin Youqin were interrupted by the arrival of a towering, six-layered birthday cake. The familiar tune of "Happy Birthday" filled the hall, and everyone began to hum along, gazing at Lin Youya with heartfelt blessings.

"Thank you, thank you all!" Lin Youya was overjoyed. The cake was truly beautiful. She walked up to it, picked up the knife, and began to cut, her face radiant with happiness.

Ling Tian remained silent. While the others were distracted, he discreetly produced a silver needle and tested the cake. Although he hadn't detected anything amiss with his sense of smell, he preferred to be cautious. The result was reassuring—the cake was harmless, and only then did he relax.

Everything progressed smoothly afterwards. Yet Ling Tian happened to notice Liu Zihao chatting animatedly with Lin Youqin. He couldn't help frowning. Something told him that Lin Youya's birthday celebration would not end quietly. Could these two be the source of trouble?

Sure enough, as the party drew to a close, Liu Zihao approached Lin Youya with a smile. "Youya, we haven't seen each other in so long. Would you take a walk with me?"

Ling Tian's instincts screamed that this man was up to no good. It was already late—anyone could guess his intentions in asking a girl out at this hour. Besides, he'd been getting along a little too well with Lin Youqin earlier; who knew what schemes they might have laid? Ling Tian didn't wait for Lin Youya to answer. He stepped in front of her, saying, "I'm sorry, Mr. Liu, but Youya is my girlfriend now, and it's my duty to ensure her safety. From any perspective, I can't let her go out alone with you."

There was no warmth in Ling Tian's eyes for Liu Zihao. If not for Youya's sake, he might have already taught this guy a lesson. But Liu Zihao wasn't one to be easily intimidated. Meeting Ling Tian's hostile gaze, he showed no sign of backing down. Instead, he looked at Ling Tian with arrogant composure and said, "Youya is only your girlfriend; she has her own freedom. She isn't your property." One light remark, and he had deftly twisted Ling Tian's meaning.

Having said his piece to Ling Tian, Liu Zihao turned to Lin Youya, his voice gentle, the protective tone of an elder brother to a younger sister: "Youya, I just want to chat with you for a while. Give your brother Zihao a chance."

"Alright, I suppose that's fine," Lin Youya agreed, feeling that Liu Zihao's request was nothing objectionable. He had always been kind to her since childhood, and now that he was back from abroad, spending some time alone together didn't seem like a big deal.

"Youya, no. You can't go out with him alone. If you must, then I'm coming too," Ling Tian insisted. Seeing how much Youya wanted to go, he could only compromise and offer to accompany them.

"Youya, that might be inconvenient, don't you think? Don't you trust me?" Liu Zihao clearly didn't want Ling Tian tagging along as an unwanted third wheel.

For a moment, Youya was at a loss. She knew Ling Tian cared about her, but she trusted Brother Zihao as well. She was a little torn.

"Youya, it's not safe for you lately. If you run into any trouble, your Brother Zihao might not be able to protect you. That's why I have to go with you. Don't forget, I'm your guardian knight," Ling Tian said with a slight smile, avoiding the term "bodyguard," which seemed too lowly. "Guardian knight" sounded much better, especially in this setting.

At that, Lin Youya suddenly remembered the previous incident. If something similar happened again, only Ling Tian could protect her. As for Brother Zihao, he might have some skills, but certainly not on Ling Tian's level. Her safety had to come first. The case hadn't been solved yet, and the person targeting her was still out there.

She flashed Liu Zihao a lovely smile. "Brother Zihao, let Ling Tian come along. If you want to tell me secrets, just have him stand a little farther away," she teased, recalling how she used to confide all her secrets to him as a child.

The familiar intimacy on Lin Youya's face as she looked at Liu Zihao left Ling Tian with a pang of discomfort. He knew her feelings for Liu Zihao were nothing more than a little sister's affection for her brother, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy. If only he had a cute little sister who would act spoiled with him! Maybe he should find one someday.

Liu Zihao was ten years older than Lin Youya. If Ling Tian found a girl ten years younger than himself, she'd only be eight! Wasn't that a bit too young? He'd have to raise her for years before she could become his wife. Worse yet, she might grow up and be stolen away by some other boy, just like what was happening now with Liu Zihao.

Ling Tian couldn't decide whether he should embark on a "little sister rearing" plan. It seemed rather appealing.

While Ling Tian was lost in thoughts of little sisters, the sultry Lin Youqin strolled over and said with a smile, "Are you all heading out? Mind if I join the fun?"

"Youqin, since you're coming too, let's all go together. But Youya has some secrets to tell me, so Ling Tian, she's in your care," Liu Zihao said, his eyes lighting up as he glanced at Lin Youqin, clearly already formulating plans—or perhaps these had been his plans all along.

"No problem. As long as Youya doesn't get jealous, I'll take care of him however you like!" Lin Youqin replied, throwing Ling Tian a flirtatious wink. The icy demeanor from their first meeting had vanished, replaced by an alluring sensuality that made Ling Tian's heart race. He ached to pin this woman beneath him and indulge his desires—she was clearly no stranger to men and would no doubt have her own unique charms.

Lin Youya, catching Ling Tian's infatuated gaze at her cousin, felt a surge of annoyance. She remarked tartly, "I'll leave him to your care, Sister Qin. He seems very eager to be looked after by you."

She didn't notice the jealousy in her own voice, but everyone else did. Ling Tian, inwardly delighted, took it as proof that Lin Youya cared about him. Liu Zihao, meanwhile, looked displeased, while Lin Youqin was all smiles—she stood to gain no matter the outcome. If she managed to seduce Ling Tian, she would only be the winner; a man like Ling Tian was bound to be extraordinary in bed and would surely satisfy her.

Thinking this, Lin Youqin deliberately slipped her arm through Ling Tian's and casually walked out with him, her ample chest pressed against his arm, brushing and rubbing with each step. Ling Tian was further intoxicated by her fragrance, swept away by her boldness—he'd never encountered such a forward woman before. Pity she was so wanton; otherwise, he might have considered making her one of his wives.

Lin Youya shot Ling Tian a furious glare and left with Liu Zihao. Instead of a stroll near the hotel, they planned to find a place to spend some time together.

They climbed into Liu Zihao's car, a gleaming Audi Q7. Liu Zihao drove, while Lin Youya, perhaps to spite Ling Tian, took the front passenger seat.

Lin Youqin flashed a captivating smile and pulled Ling Tian into the back seat with her.

Although Ling Tian had already experienced passionate nights with Li Youran and flirted with the nurse and the maid, he was only eighteen, and in his previous life had been a twenty-two-year-old virgin. He hadn't dealt much with women like Lin Youqin. Mature women had their own unique allure, and Ling Tian was now feeling its full force.

Lin Youqin's hand slowly slid onto Ling Tian's thigh, stroking him gently. The sensation nearly made him moan aloud. He even found himself hoping she would move her hand higher, directly to his most sensitive spot. But she seemed to be teasing him on purpose, deliberately ignoring the main event.

Frustrated, Ling Tian sneaked a glance at Lin Youya in the front seat, relieved that she hadn't noticed anything amiss. Then, gritting his teeth, he grabbed hold of Lin Youqin's breast.

"Ah!" Lin Youqin hadn't expected the sudden retaliation and couldn't help but cry out. Ling Tian chuckled inwardly—the sensation was remarkable, soft and springy, large and yielding. He hadn't had his fill yet; he'd have to find another opportunity to cop a feel later. She was the one who had started it by groping his leg, after all—this was just payback!

"Sister Qin, what's wrong?" Lin Youya asked with concern, utterly oblivious to the shameless conduct taking place in the back seat.

Liu Zihao said nothing, but a sly grin curled his lips. He'd seen everything clearly in the rearview mirror. So Ling Tian wasn't as innocent as he appeared—this made things much easier. To be honest, he'd already grown bored of Lin Youqin. She was too wild. Using her in exchange for Lin Youya was the perfect arrangement.

"Oh, it's nothing. A bug just crawled onto me, but it's gone now," Lin Youqin replied, of course not about to admit she'd been fondled by Ling Tian—otherwise, the night's plans would be ruined.

"Alright, just be careful," said Lin Youya, not giving it another thought as she resumed her intermittent conversation with Liu Zihao.

Ling Tian's lips curled into a wicked grin. Since Lin Youqin wouldn't make a scene, now was his chance for revenge. With that in mind, his hand once again found its way onto her body, this time heading straight for her most sensitive spot.

Lin Youqin was wearing a short skirt, which barely covered her as she sat. Ling Tian's hand slid directly onto her panties, his fingers kneading firmly.