In the afternoon, when Lin Chen returned to the Lin residence, Lin Chaojiang was holding a copy of 《A History of World Development》 and explaining the Second Industrial Revolution to Lin Nuonuo.
It was unknown whether the small child could understand any of it, but watching her sit upright and pretend to listen seriously was a little amusing.
As for Lin Chaojiang, having someone beside him seemed to have put him in a much better mood than usual.
In the living room, when Lin Nuonuo saw Lin Chen come back, she looked genuinely happy.
After she secretly delivered food to him that morning, she hadn’t seen him again. She didn’t even know when he had left.
Later, she accidentally overheard the servants talking and learned that Lin Chen had long since gone out.
Not only that, before leaving, Lin Chen had even instructed the servants to take the pile of ‘trash’ outside his door and throw it in the backyard to feed the dogs.
Remembering how the food she had worked so hard to ‘smuggle’ off the dining table had ended up fed to the dogs, Lin Nuonuo instantly felt as if her goodwill had been fed to the dogs as well. Her tiny heart hurt a little, and the way she looked at Lin Chen carried a bit of grievance.
Lin Chen didn’t understand why. Meeting Lin Nuonuo’s small, aggrieved gaze only puzzled him further, but a second later, he calmly looked away and headed upstairs.
It was Lin Chaojiang, sitting beside her, who noticed Lin Nuonuo’s puffed cheeks and wilted expression, like a frostbitten eggplant.
He paused and asked, “Nuonuo, do you not understand?”
Hearing that, Lin Nuonuo instinctively wanted to nod, but she hurriedly shook her head. What he said was really hard to understand, but she had been treating it like listening to a story.
Seeing her shake her head, Lin Chaojiang smiled in satisfaction. “Haha, as long as you understand. Let’s continue with the next chapter. This one is about ‘The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on the World Order’……”
────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
At dinner, it was rare for all the Lin family members to be present.
At the table, Lin Zixin chattered excitedly to her grandfather and parents about her day at school.
“I got first place again in the quiz this time! First in both Chinese and math! I’m representing the school in the city-wide math competition. Oh, and during the arts festival, I’ll be the only student from my grade performing onstage. Should I play the piano or dance?”
Lin Zixin kept talking nonstop. Beside her, Lin Nuonuo kept her head down quietly, listening as she recalled what the novel had written about Lin Zixin.
Lin Zixin was in second grade, enrolled in the best private school in all of A City.
Most children studying there came from elite families and had been learning all kinds of academic and artistic skills since early childhood. It wasn’t easy for an ordinary child to stand out there.
But Lin Zixin was a transmigrator.
Although her grades before transmigration had not been great, she had still been a middle schooler and was more than capable of breezing through the curriculum of second grade.
Thus, the moment she enrolled, she became a school celebrity. Not only were her grades excellent, but she also swept prizes in all kinds of competitions. Even the teachers considered her a genius.
Not only that, but besides her good family background, good personality, and sweet appearance, she also excelled in singing, dancing, horseback riding, calligraphy, and painting. She mastered every art. Even within A City’s high-society circles, she had some fame.
In the coming years, although her grades would gradually decline, as the daughter of the male and female protagonists and the only little princess of the Lin family, she would continue to shine in every other area, becoming even more famous.
No wonder that when the Lin family used another girl’s organs to save Lin Zixin, the few people who knew the truth all chose to collectively remain silent.
Sacrificing the life of a girl as insignificant as dust to save a beloved daughter of heaven? Wasn’t that worth it?
Thinking of that, Lin Nuonuo subconsciously glanced at Lin Zixin.
Because she was still young, Lin Zixin’s body looked completely normal. In fact, because her organs developed faster, her physical condition was even better than that of kids her age.
But that could only last until she turned fourteen.
After fourteen, her body would deteriorate rapidly as her organs began to fail.
……
Sensing Lin Nuonuo sneaking glances at her, Lin Zixin immediately assumed she was secretly jealous. Pride and disdain surfaced in her smile.
This bumpkin didn’t even deserve to be jealous of her.
Thinking of her little plan, Lin Zixin’s smile grew even sweeter. She looked at Lin Nuonuo, a flash of unmasked malice flickering in her eyes before she tucked it away.
“Oh no, I talked so much I delayed everyone’s meal.” She said playfully, sticking out her tongue.
The atmosphere at the table was excellent, so naturally, the adults didn’t scold her.
“Hurry and eat before the dishes get cold.” Gu Mingming said with a smile.
“Okay.”
Lin Zixin picked up her chopsticks. Not only did she serve herself, but she also put food into Lin Nuonuo’s bowl.
“Nuonuo, you should eat too. This dish is delicious. And this one, and this one.”
In a cheerful mood, she kept serving Lin Nuonuo.
It looked enthusiastic, but in reality, every chopstickful avoided the meat and vegetables perfectly. Only chili peppers ended up in Lin Nuonuo’s bowl.
Sitting at the other end, the adults wouldn’t notice what she was putting into the bowl.
The servants likely saw but wisely chose to look away.
Lin Nuonuo stared silently at the pile of chili peppers.
Seeing no one notice and Lin Nuonuo acting like she didn’t dare complain, Lin Zixin grew even bolder.
What she didn’t know was that all her little tricks had been clearly seen by Lin Chen, who sat across from them.
Lin Chen watched Lin Zixin with an expressionless face.
His relationship with Lin Zeyu wasn’t good to begin with, so he naturally wasn’t close to his daughter either. As for this niece by blood, he didn’t like her. At best, he felt nothing.
Lin Zixin had changed out of her school uniform into an exquisitely vintage dress, still looking like a delicate little princess.
Too bad her behavior was far from elegant.
Lin Chen sneered inwardly and shifted his gaze, glancing at Lin Nuonuo.
Compared to Lin Zixin’s delicate and pampered appearance, the timid little girl who looked like she was about to shrink under the table was truly a pitiful sight.
Lin Zixin’s ‘thoughtful’ attitude didn’t stop.
Seeing Lin Nuonuo not touch her chopsticks, Lin Zixin propped up her chin and asked sweetly, “Nuonuo, why aren’t you eating the food I gave you? You’re so weak, so you need to eat more. Or…… do you think the food at home isn’t good?”
After speaking, she stared at Lin Nuonuo intently, clearly intending not to let her off unless she ate.
Faced with this behavior, Lin Nuonuo didn’t know what to say.
Lin Zixin loved using small tricks to bully her. Most of the time, Lin Nuonuo simply played dumb, and Lin Zixin would get bored and stop.
She didn’t know what had gotten into Lin Zixin today to make her so persistent.
Lin Nuonuo looked at the chili peppers in her bowl, hesitation flickering in her eyes.
In the end, she gently poked one with her chopsticks, pushed it into her rice, and ate it together with the rice.
The next second, her thin, sallow face scrunched up entirely. Her eyes turned red as if the spice had burned them.
Seeing this, Lin Zixin let out a victorious smile.
“I told you it’s delicious. You should eat more.” She picked up another chili pepper and moved it toward Lin Nuonuo’s bowl.
Still, Lin Nuonuo remained silent.
Just then, a cold voice sounded from above them, “Do chili peppers taste good?”
Lin Nuonuo froze, bowl in hand. She looked up at Lin Chen.
She had thought he was scolding her, but his words seemed to be directed at Lin Zixin.
Startled by Lin Chen’s sudden question, Lin Zixin’s hand jerked. The chili pepper she was holding dropped onto the table, embarrassingly obvious.
“Ah? Uncle, what are you talking about?” Her face stiffened, but she forced an innocent smile.
Lin Chen simply stared at her, making her feel increasingly guilty.
Toward this uncle, Lin Zixin had always been curious and eager, yet afraid.
She had transmigrated when the original owner was three years old. The first time she saw Lin Chen, she had nearly stared in awe. He was too handsome— more handsome than her father Lin Zeyu and any idol she had seen online. When she later learned he was an actor, her admiration grew. She had even fantasized about being doted on by her uncle.
Unfortunately, Lin Chen rarely returned home and treated her with cold indifference.
Because he was aloof and unpredictable, the people at home didn’t dare treat him casually either, and Lin Zixin had gradually grown fearful of him.
“I-I didn’t know what she likes to eat, so I……” She tried to explain.
Her excuse sounded weak and stupid.
Lin Chaojiang, Lin Zeyu, and Gu Mingming hadn’t noticed earlier, but hearing Lin Chen’s words and seeing the dropped chili pepper, they all guessed the truth.
Just as Lin Zixin froze, unsure how to explain, Gu Mingming spoke, “Xinxin, everyone has different preferences. If you don’t know what Nuonuo likes, you can ask her first before helping her.”
Although it sounded like she was scolding her daughter, she was actually giving Lin Zixin a way out, framing everything as ‘good intentions gone wrong’.
Relieved, Lin Zixin exhaled.
The atmosphere eased, though no one looked as relaxed as before.
Only Lin Chen remained detached, uninterested in the matter. He had spoken only because Lin Zixin’s behavior was laughably childish. How Lin Zeyu educated his daughter or treated the adopted little girl had nothing to do with him.
Just as he withdrew his gaze, he found Lin Nuonuo staring at him, eyes wide with gratitude.
When their eyes met, she instantly beamed at him, giving what she believed to be her best smile.
Lin Chen: “……”
Ugly.
She wasn’t much to look at to begin with, and smiling made it worse.
……
Lin Chen and Lin Chaojiang weren’t close enough for him to stay after dinner to chat over tea. And even if he did stay, Lin Chaojiang wouldn’t necessarily enjoy the company.
So after dinner, Lin Chen casually said goodbye and left.
What he didn’t notice was that not long after he left, Lin Nuonuo quietly followed him out.