A Crazy One-night Stand
Chapter 39: Soaring Birds and Swimming Fish

Alina knocked on the door of the study room, and Lincoln's voice rang out. "Come in!"

Alina turned to look at Wilson. Wilson said, "I'll wait for you here. Don't worry!"

Alina entered the study.

Outside the study, Wilson leaned against a pillar in the corridor. He crossed his legs and wrapped his arms around his chest as he waited for Alina. He stared in the direction of his grandfather's study and his lips curled into a relaxed smile. How could this woman be tricked so easily? She believed every word he spoke!

Wilson chuckled at the thought. He pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled a puff of smoke.

He had never felt that the smell of cigarettes would be so satisfying.

After smoking half a cigarette, he suddenly thought of previous incidents when Alina was being bullied, and the smile on his lips disappeared.

This woman would be his wife in the future. He, Wilson Scott, would not allow anyone to bully her ever again.

The moment Alina entered the study, she noticed it was filled with the scent of old books. She greeted Lincoln respectfully, "Good evening, Mr. Lincoln!"

"Have a seat!" Lincoln's expression was dignified as Alina quietly sat down on the solid wooden bench.

"Alina, how long have you known Wilson?" Lincoln suddenly asked.

Alina tried to recall back to when they first met. It was the day by the river. Thinking of what happened that day, she couldn't help blushing. She lowered her head and answered, "Around twenty days." Lincoln coughed in surprise. Only twenty days? Wilson used to be a sensible child, but he was going to marry a woman he only knew for twenty days? Lincoln couldn't help but take another look at Alina. He asked again, "Do you really understand Wilson?"

Alina thought for a while, and then replied, "I don't know much about him, but I do know that he is a very responsible and reliable person!"

Lincoln nodded. "I see. Come over here, Alina. Take a look at this painting for me."

Lincoln held a folded piece of canvas in his hands. He unfolded it and spread it open on the table.

Alina immediately stood up and helped to unfold the canvas for Lincoln.

Then, Lincoln took out a towel and started wiping off the layer of dust on the canvas.

Alina stopped him, "Mr. Lincoln, let me do it."

"Okay!" Lincoln nodded and passed the towel to Alina.

Alina took the towel and carefully wiped the canvas that was spread on the table.

"Alina, what do you think of this painting?" Lincoln asked.

Alina lowered her head and continued cleaning the canvas. She replied laughingly, "I'm not well versed in art, Mr. Lincoln."

"Don't worry about it. Just tell me plainly what you see in the painting." Lincoln's eyes twinkled with curiosity.

Alina stopped cleaning and raised her head to inspect the canvas. "Mr. Lincoln, is this painting trying to depict a soaring bird and swimming fish?"

"To be frank, I don't even know what is on this painting!" Lincoln laughed. His eyes were reminiscing the past memories. "This painting was gifted by an old friend of mine decades ago. The title of the painting is 'Myself'. My friend said that the painting will look a little different to everyone. A long time ago, I could see fishes in the painting too, but now I can't see anything. Maybe my vision is getting blurry due to old age."

Alina took another long look at the painting on the table. She felt a little doubtful of Lincoln's words. Is this painting really that unique?

Lincoln laughed at her puzzled expression. "Alina, could you come over here and help me retrieve the small box on the bookshelf?"

"Alright!" Alina put down the towel in her hand and looked up at the box that Lincoln was pointing at. The bookshelf was very high. She looked around and found a solid wooden chair. It took a lot of effort for he to move the chair to the bookshelf and climb up on tiptoe to retrieve the box.

The box was covered in dust. Alina took the towel and wiped the box clean. After that, she handed the box to Lincoln politely and said with a smile, "Mr. Lincoln, here you go!"

"This box is for you, keep it well!" Lincoln said kindly.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐