Lin Yumo stood before the imposing gates, gazing at the familiar, lavish manor as a thousand thoughts swirled through her mind.
“Well! The Mu family really is the richest in A City…”
Lin Zhengze clicked his tongue in amazement. “Sis, they say you’re blessed, and I guess they’re right. You get to marry into a place like this and live the life of a rich wife. You’ll never have to worry about food or clothes again. What could be better?”
He sauntered over to Lin Yumo.
“You’ll have to help your little brother out from now on. I’ve been seeing someone lately, and I’m a little short on cash…”
As he spoke, he rubbed his thumb against his forefinger.
Lin Yumo gave him a languid glance.
“Want me to give you this blessing?”
This was Lin Weicai’s first time visiting the Mu family, too. He stared intently at the European-style mansion inside, his excitement and fervor almost tangible.
“See? I told you a long time ago that marrying into a rich family was more practical than wasting time on those stupid books. So what if Mu Linhan is disabled? The Mu family is willing to have you, and that’s a blessing you earned in your previous life. Don’t be ungrateful!”
He stared without blinking at the two enormous lion statues flanking the gate, clicking his tongue in wonder.
“I can’t imagine how much those cost…”
Li Yuan had worried that Lin Yumo would be left a widow if she married Mu Linhan. But now that she’d seen the Mu family’s wealth with her own eyes, she was immensely glad Lin Weicai had made that decision.
“The Mu family is a good place for you. As long as you take good care of your future husband, they won’t treat you badly…”
Lin Yumo didn’t answer. She only sneered inwardly.
Had nobody told them that pies didn’t just fall from the sky?
The Mu family home was full of wolves and tigers.
Every last one of them was ruthless, the sort to devour someone without leaving a trace.
Just then, a modest black sedan pulled up, and the gates swung open automatically.
“Please, everyone, get in.”
The window lowered slowly, revealing a young butler in a black uniform. He gave them a practiced smile. “The old residence is still some distance from the gate, so Madam sent me to bring you all in.”
Lin Weicai instantly put on a kindly expression.
“Thank you, young man.”
“You’re welcome.”
…
Ten minutes later.
They entered a spacious reception room.
A middle-aged woman sat on the sofa in the center. She set down her coffee cup with elegant movements, a faint, inscrutable smile on her well-maintained face.
“Please, sit,” she said.
She was Mu Linhan’s stepmother—
Gu Xinyue.
In her previous life, she had hired someone to cause a car accident, leaving Mu Linhan permanently disabled.
Gu Xinyue was a master of appearances. To the outside world, she was always a graceful, composed stepmother who doted on her stepson. In truth, she was calculating and as poisonous as a snake.
“Hello, Auntie,” Lin Yumo greeted her softly.
“Oh, in-laws!”
Lin Weicai hurried forward enthusiastically, but Gu Xinyue’s warning glance made him shrink back.
She didn’t even look directly at Lin Yumo’s family.
“So you’ve finally come to your senses?”
Gu Xinyue said, “You’re young and don’t understand how things work. If nothing had happened to Linhan, it’s not as though just any Tom, Dick, or Harry could marry into the Mu family.”
“Yes, yes… You’re absolutely right, in-law.”
Lin Weicai nodded and bowed respectfully as he shot Lin Yumo frantic looks.
Even a traitor would never have sucked up to the Japanese this much.
Lin Yumo took a deep breath.
“You’re right. I was too impulsive that day. I won’t do anything foolish again. I’m truly sorry for frightening you all, and I hope you can forgive us.”
“Mm.”
Gu Xinyue didn’t bother holding such a trivial matter against her.
“You come from a humble family, so I understand. Once you marry into the Mu family, you’ll have to learn to care for your husband and show filial respect to your parents-in-law. As long as you do, there’ll be plenty of benefits for your family.”
Lin Weicai was overcome with excitement.
“You’re truly generous, in-law. Once Yumo marries into your family, you can discipline her however you like. It’s only right—these are her duties as a daughter-in-law!”
Li Yuan and Lin Zhengze said nothing.
Lin Yumo only found it amusing.
So these were her family.
They grovelled before power, and for money, they wouldn’t hesitate to push their own daughter into an abyss.
In her previous life, this had left Lin Yumo hurt and disappointed.
This time, she no longer expected anything from them.
Lin Yumo smiled. “Auntie, if there’s ever anything you need me to do, just tell me. I’ll do as you say.”
Gu Xinyue nodded with satisfaction. “There is one more thing I should tell you first.”
“Go ahead.”
“Given Linhan’s condition, we can only have a simple ceremony—just enough to make it official. But you’re not old enough to marry yet. When you’re a little older, Auntie will arrange a proper wedding for you two.”
“That’s all right.”
Lin Yumo smiled, looking innocent.
She knew these were just words for show.
There was no chance they’d hold another wedding. If she couldn’t have a proper one before the marriage, why expect one afterward?
She didn’t care about appearances.
What she really wanted was Mu Linhan.
Lin Yumo asked again, “Auntie, is he home? Could I see him?”
Gu Xinyue gave a derisive laugh. “Why the hurry?”
Lin Yumo lowered her head, pretending to be timid.
“I—I just want to see what my future husband looks like. If it’s inconvenient, never mind…”
Just then, a young man’s voice cut in.
“I can take you to see him. How does that sound?”
Everyone turned toward the voice.
A tall, strikingly handsome man came down the stairs, every movement marked by poise and grace.
“You’re my future sister-in-law?”
“Chen’an?” Gu Xinyue asked, puzzled. “What are you doing down here?”
“Big Brother just woke up, and he’s in a bad mood. He’s throwing a fit.”
“Oh? Is that so…” Gu Xinyue calmly took a sip of coffee, then looked at Lin Yumo. “Go ahead. You wanted to see him, didn’t you?”
Then she could see Mu Linhan at his worst.
She had investigated Lin Yumo’s family.
She knew Lin Yumo had bipolar disorder.
Lin Weicai thought he could hide it by having his daughter take medication, but that played right into Gu Xinyue’s hands.
The old master wanted an auspicious marriage for Mu Linhan and had specially invited a fortune-teller to choose a suitable wife for him. Gu Xinyue had secretly bribed the man, who claimed Lin Yumo and Mu Linhan’s birth charts were the most compatible. In truth, the opposite was true: Lin Yumo’s birth chart was destined to clash with Mu Linhan’s. If they married, fate had a deadly calamity in store for them both.
The thought filled Gu Xinyue with delight.
Lin Yumo was the daughter-in-law she had chosen after careful consideration. She was weak-willed, and her family was easy to control. She would make a perfect weapon.
After hearing Mu Chen’an, Lin Yumo felt especially troubled.
If she could have been reborn further back, could she have found a way to prevent the accident?
But no—she had returned at the worst possible time. He had only just been in the accident. The heaven-blessed son everyone had admired had become a paralyzed cripple overnight. Even the doctors said the current state of medical science couldn’t cure him. Who could possibly accept that?
Lin Yumo sighed inwardly in regret.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
A playful smile touched Mu Chen’an’s lips as he discreetly studied Lin Yumo’s features.
…She was quite pretty.
Quiet and sweet, with a hint of coolness about her. Even her makeup was soothing to look at.
“Sister-in-law, I’ll take you upstairs.”
He spoke with perfect courtesy. “There are so many rooms up there, I’m afraid you’ll get lost. Big Brother is in a temper, too. Maybe seeing someone as beautiful as you will cheer him up.”
Lin Yumo looked up at him.
Mu Chen’an wore the air of a perfect gentleman.
She forced a smile. “Thank you.”
Lin Weicai urged her, “Go on up and say hello to your husband. We’ll wait down here.”
“Okay.” She nodded.
Lin Weicai turned back to make conversation with Gu Xinyue.
“By the way, where is your husband?”
“He’s at the company.”
…
Lin Yumo followed Mu Chen’an upstairs, leaving the others’ conversation behind.
“Sister-in-law, what’s your name?” Mu Chen’an suddenly asked.
“My name is Lin Yumo.”
“Lin Yumo… That’s lovely.”
“Thank you.”
“You look so young. How old are you?”
“I just turned eighteen.”
Eighteen?!
He’d thought she was young, but not this young.
Still, that was all the better… At that age, she was at her most innocent and easiest to fool. He couldn’t show Mu Linhan’s wife any affection, so he might as well do it himself.
How could such a young beauty be left to live as a widow in the Mu family?
“You’re younger than me, so calling you sister-in-law doesn’t seem right.”
Mu Chen’an turned to her with a smile. “Why don’t I call you Yumo instead?”
“No.”
Her smile never reached her eyes.
“Call me sister-in-law. That way, no one will get the wrong idea. You’re the Second Young Master of such an important family. I’m sure you understand that there’s a difference in our status.”
Her words made Mu Chen’an pause.
He’d thought she was an innocent little rabbit.
Turns out she had teeth. How interesting.
“You’re right, Sister-in-law.”
Mu Chen’an turned around and continued leading the way.
They walked on in silence.
A few minutes later, they stopped.
The heavy, old-fashioned walnut door in front of them was firmly shut. Mu Chen’an slowly pushed it open. “Careful.”
He went in first, with Lin Yumo following behind.
“Big Brother, guess who’s come to see you?”