Not Biological Parents

Alexander Hayes watched as the wine jug was taken away, but he didn't resist.

At this point, Alexander Hayes was already quite drunk. He looked at Dr. Rowan Lin and murmured, "Dad, having you as my father, and having my mother, is truly wonderful..."

Dr. Rowan Lin sighed. Everyone in the capital knew that the relationship between the Marquis Weiyuan and his son Alexander Hayes was distant, even strained.

The world believed that the War God Alexander Hayes was cold and unfeeling, but after all, he was only human. The longing for familial affection is universal.

Dr. Rowan Lin hadn't expected that Alexander Hayes would say such things after drinking.

Looking at his son-in-law, Dr. Rowan Lin's gaze softened considerably. He patted Alexander Hayes on the shoulder and said, "Son-in-law, come visit often and have a drink with your old man."

Alexander Hayes burst out laughing and nodded, "Absolutely, absolutely! Drinking with you, Dad, makes me happy! It's a real joy!"

Then Alexander Hayes looked up at the stars outside, mumbling to himself, "Why... Why have they always been so cold to me since I was little? I'm their son, but it's as if they never cared, even hated me... Why don't they like me? Why...?"

Dr. Rowan Lin felt a pang of sorrow. He gently said, "If you can't let go, then just pretend they're not your real parents. That way, it won't hurt as much."

Hearing this, Alexander Hayes seemed to relax a little. He nodded, then suddenly slumped over the table, sound asleep.

Dr. Rowan Lin sighed and shook his head. "It's nothing. What I mean is, if they treat you that way, just think of them as not your real parents. That way you'll feel better.",

"Mmm... yeah..." Alexander Hayes nodded, not sure if he understood, then slumped over the table and fell asleep.

Dr. Rowan Lin hadn't drunk as much as Alexander Hayes and was still clear-headed.

He looked at his sleeping son-in-law, took out a hangover pill, and put it in Alexander Hayes's mouth.

This was the Lin family's finest hangover remedy. Take one after drinking, and there would be no discomfort the next morning—a medicine highly coveted by outsiders.

Mrs. Margaret Wang entered, startled to see Alexander Hayes passed out, and looked at Dr. Rowan Lin.

"I'll take my son-in-law home and be right back," said Dr. Rowan Lin.

Mrs. Margaret Wang nodded; after all, the two families were next to each other, with a connecting door, so he didn't even need to go out the main gate.

Dr. Rowan Lin, being strong and skilled in martial arts, easily carried Alexander Hayes to the Prince of Qin's estate.

At this moment, Quentin Lin had finished his meal and was lingering beside Lily Evans, keeping her company in the study.

"Lily."

Hearing Dr. Rowan Lin's voice, Lily Evans and Quentin Lin hurried out. As soon as they opened the door, they saw Dr. Rowan Lin carrying the alcohol-reeking Alexander Hayes.

Lily Evans quickly led them to the bedroom. Dr. Rowan Lin placed Alexander Hayes on the bed and said to Lily, "My son-in-law was happy today and drank a few extra cups. I've already given him a hangover remedy, Lily, take good care of him."

"Okay, thank you, Dad," said Lily Evans.

"Quentin, let's go home," Dr. Rowan Lin said, taking Quentin Lin's hand and heading toward the Lin residence. Quentin kept looking back, curious about Lily Evans and Alexander Hayes's room.

In Quentin Lin's memory, his brother-in-law was always a man of great self-control and impressive drinking capacity. What happened tonight that he ended up this drunk?

"Dad, why did Brother-in-law drink so much?" Quentin Lin couldn't help but ask.

Dr. Rowan Lin glanced at Quentin Lin and said, "He was both unhappy and happy, so he drank too much."