When Ye Ling became pregnant with Lin Chen, the Lin Group was at its peak. During that time, Lin Chaojiang spent almost every day socializing, both inside and outside the company, far more than he spent at home.
It was then that a new secretary appeared at his side.
Lin Chaojiang had nearly committed an irreparable mistake because of that secretary.
Although he pulled back before things went too far, secrets never stayed buried forever. News of the affair still eventually reached Ye Ling.
She was devastated when she heard it. Her mood sank into gloom, and the emotional blow even affected the health of the child she was carrying.
The doctor had advised Ye Ling more than once to terminate the pregnancy, but she insisted on giving birth.
By the ninth month, she could barely get out of bed and had to remain at home, resting quietly.
At the time, Lin Zeyu was already nine years old.
For reasons unknown, he felt an intense rejection toward the younger brother who was about to join the family.
That day, Lin Chaojiang was not home.
After dinner, Ye Ling dragged her heavy body to Lin Zeyu’s room. She wanted to talk to him, help him open up, and accept his soon-to-be-born brother.
But things went the opposite way. Not only did Lin Zeyu refuse to open his heart, but he also pushed Ye Ling during the argument.
By the time Lin Chaojiang rushed to the hospital after receiving a maid’s call, Ye Ling had already been wheeled into surgery.
In the end, the child was born prematurely, while Ye Ling died from postpartum hemorrhage despite rescue efforts.
Naturally, Lin Chaojiang knew that his wife’s death should not be blamed on Lin Chen.
It was his betrayal that had driven Ye Ling to despair.
And Lin Zeyu’s push became the final fuse that led to her death.
Lin Chaojiang didn’t know what state of mind the nine-year-old had been in when he pushed her, but even at that age, Lin Zeyu had already shown astonishing talent. Whether in academics, social interactions, or his understanding of business, he excelled. Even Old Master Ye thought highly of his grandson and had given the Lin family tremendous support because of him.
Lin Chaojiang couldn’t bear to let such an outstanding son carry the accusation of killing his mother, nor could he afford to lose the Ye family’s favor that came with him.
So when the Ye family asked about Ye Ling’s cause of death, Lin Chaojiang concealed everything else and said only that Ye Ling’s health had deteriorated during pregnancy, allowing them to believe she died because she insisted on giving birth to Lin Chen.
The brief abnormality in Lin Chaojiang’s expression went unnoticed.
The Lin family receiving benefits made people unhappy, and they now aimed nearly all their resentment at Lin Chen.
“Xiao Chen, you’re still filming lately, right? The nanny said she saw you on TV the other day. What was that show called again? 《Peak Operation》, wasn’t it?” Third Madam Ye looked at Lin Chen and paused before adding a seemingly praising remark, “I didn’t expect our family to produce such a big star. Oh, right. Xiao Chen, I know a lady from my flower-arrangement class. She sometimes invests in dramas. I’ll give you her number later. Go look for her and ask her to help you out. Maybe she can recommend you some roles, or invest in you a bit.”
Her words sounded like compliments, concern, and networking help, but in reality, they subtly mocked his career as unrefined and low-level.
The Ye family was wealthy and influential. A mere celebrity— especially a fourth- or fifth-tier one— meant little to them. Besides, everyone knew how terrible Lin Chen’s reputation in the entertainment industry had been over the years.
Third Madam Ye said that clearly to stir trouble for the Lin family and disgust Old Master Ye and the rest.
Sure enough, as soon as she finished, the Ye family’s expressions shifted, and their gazes toward Lin Chen grew even more disdainful.
Old Master Ye’s expression also darkened drastically.
“Hmph!” He snorted and then looked at his son-in-law. “This is the fine son you raised!”
He didn’t scold Lin Chen directly but turned the blame toward Lin Chaojiang. First, he didn’t want to speak to Lin Chen at all. Second, his feelings toward this grandson were complicated. He disliked him, yet Lin Chen was still the child his daughter had died to bring into the world……
Reprimanded, Lin Chaojiang lowered his eyes in silence.
The other Ye family members, satisfied to see the Lin family lose face after their earlier display, said nothing more.
Only Old Master Ye’s expression remained dark.
The meal didn’t end in chaos, but each person left with their own thoughts. Some were secretly delighted, while others tasted only bitterness.
After dinner, despite being furious about Lin Chen’s matter, Old Master Ye still called Lin Chaojiang and Lin Zeyu into his study alone.
No one knew what the three of them discussed, but when Lin Chaojiang emerged, he appeared in good spirits.
However, that good mood vanished the moment he returned to their lodging and saw Lin Chen.
“Can’t you learn from your brother?” He snapped, glaring with bitter disappointment.
Lin Chen’s gaze turned cold, though a smile touched his lips. “Why? Because I embarrassed you in front of the Ye family? Or dragged you down?”
“You—!” Lin Chaojiang had indeed been thinking exactly that, but faced with his youngest son’s mocking eyes, he couldn’t admit it.
He snorted and abruptly changed the subject, telling Lin Chen, “I’ll talk to Minghan. When we return, you’ll work at his factory.”
Lin Minghan was Lin Chaojiang’s cousin. He ran several processing plants in A City and had done well thanks to the Lin Group’s connections.
Except……
“What would I be doing there? Running errands? Spying for you?” Or making way for Lin Zeyu by staying far from the Lin Group?
Before Lin Chaojiang could respond, Lin Chen cut him off with, “Not interested.”
“You—!” Rage flared in Lin Chaojiang. “Then what are you interested in? Those disgraceful, shameful things you do?”
Hearing that, Lin Chen’s eyes chilled.
Lin Chaojiang realized he had gone too far and was about to soften his tone when he saw Lin Chen rise from the sofa, grab his belongings, and head toward the door without a word.
“Stop! Where are you going?”
“Since I’m nothing but an embarrassment here, I won’t stay to offend your eyes.” Lin Chen spoke with complete indifference. “And as for where I’m going, don’t bother worrying.”
The Ye family didn’t need him there. Whether he was present or not made no difference. He didn’t fit in anyway. There was no need to stay and upset others— or himself.
“You ungrateful—!”
“For the old man’s birthday the day after tomorrow, I’ll have the gift delivered on time.” Lin Chen said, cutting Lin Chaojiang off. Then he left without looking back.
Lin Chaojiang stood frozen. Though furious, he ultimately didn’t try to stop him.
Perhaps even he thought that letting Lin Chen remain would only further sour the Ye family’s opinion on the Lin family, and that sending him away was better.
────ρя
This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m
Lin Chen returned from K City to A City that very night.
It was already late when he reached the Lin family’s villa.
The noise startled Auntie Liu awake. When she came downstairs and saw Lin Chen, she was shocked.
“Second Young Master, why are you back?” Wasn’t he supposed to be at the Ye family’s home preparing for Old Master Ye’s birthday?
“Why are you back so early?”
Lin Chen pressed his lips together, offering no detailed explanation, “Nothing. I just came back early.”
Seeing the faint coldness in his expression, Auntie Liu seemed to understand and didn’t ask further.
“Second Young Master, did you come straight from K City? Have you eaten? Are you hungry? I’ll go make something for you.” She said with concern.
Unlike the servants who joined later, Auntie Liu was an old employee of the household. She had served the Lin family since Lin Chaojiang and Ye Ling married. She had watched both children grow up and genuinely cared for Lin Chen.
“No, I’m not hungry. Don’t worry about me. Go get some rest.” He said and headed upstairs.
But when he reached his bedroom, he froze at the sight of a small figure curled up in a pile at his door.
“Lin Nuonuo?” He ground out, teeth clenched, temples throbbing.
Did this kid have some kind of problem?!
In truth, this wasn’t the first time Lin Nuonuo had camped outside Lin Chen’s room.
While he was away the past few days and the house had been empty, she had slept there every night.
But it was the first time Lin Chen saw it himself.
And honestly, no matter how strong one’s nerves were, coming home in the middle of the night and finding a human lump at one’s door was enough to scare anyone.
Expression dark, he walked over and crouched down, studying the child sleeping soundly on the floor.
“Hey. Wake up.” His voice was cold as he tapped her forehead lightly with a finger, trying to rouse her.
But feeling the disturbance, Lin Nuonuo only puckered her lips in displeasure, snuggled deeper into her blanket, and quieted again, showing no intention of waking up.
Looking at the tiny bundle curled up on the floor, Lin Chen frowned slightly. He actually felt reluctant to wake her.
After a few more seconds, he considered carrying this unexpected guest back to her own room.
But he promptly realized that he had no idea where her room was.
She had once tried to introduce it to him very seriously, but he hadn’t listened at all.
Thinking that Auntie Liu was surely asleep by now, he gave up on asking her.
“You want to sleep here? If you catch a cold, that’s on you.” He said without mercy as he straightened up, looking down at her.
Then he stepped over her, opened his door, and went inside.
Halfway across the room, however, he stopped, irritation flashing across his face. He cursed silently. If this were his kid, he’d take her to get her head checked first!
Muttering under his breath, he turned back.
The next morning, when Lin Nuonuo woke up and found herself in an unfamiliar room, she was completely stunned.