Lin Zhitang only stopped running after she had gotten some distance away from the state-owned restaurant.
Lu Ming’an had been following behind her the entire time. When she stopped, he stopped as well.
“Ming’an-ge, don’t you want to ask about what happened today?” Lin Zhitang spoke first. She knew this matter might fool others, but it definitely couldn’t fool him. With Lu Ming’an’s family background and personal abilities, it was impossible for him to be foolish.
After a moment of silence, Lu Ming’an asked, “Does Zhitang want to tell me?”
“Ming’an-ge, you’re so smart—you must have guessed already. As you saw, all of this is connected to me. What happened today, including the previous incident, all involved me too. But I was only protecting myself.”
“I believe you.”
“Let’s go.”
Hearing Lu Ming’an’s answer without even a hint of hesitation, the last trace of confusion Lin Zhitang still carried after her rebirth completely disappeared.
Since being reborn, she had worked hard to change the fate of herself and those close to her.
She would never harm others unprovoked, but she would also never show mercy to those who harmed her.
She believed that a person’s life would not remain shrouded in darkness forever. As long as one kept moving forward bravely, there would always be a way out. What was truly frightening was accepting fate—and she absolutely would not.
In this world, love at first sight was merely attraction to appearance. Two people brought together by looks alone might not last.
What truly lasted was mutual respect and honesty between two people.
Lin Zhitang brought Lu Ming’an straight to the newspaper office by bus.
The recent incidents involving the Lin family had become the biggest spectacle in all of Shanghai.
Whether in reputation or wealth, the Lin family far surpassed ordinary people, and that made many feel jealous and resentful.
Some people had always coveted the Lin family fortune. Even though the Lin family had donated much of their property and the rest had been stolen, those unwilling to believe it still refused to.
Now that the Lin family had experienced troubles just like any ordinary household, letting people gossip and laugh about it behind their backs to satisfy their own sense of balance—what did it matter?
The next day’s newspaper had not yet gone to print when Lin Zhitang requested they publish an announcement:
Su Ya had concealed and deceived others about giving birth before marriage and had the Lin family raise her illegitimate daughter. From this day onward, the Lin family had no further connection with Su Ya or Su Yun, and the two women were forbidden from using the Lin family name in any capacity.
Even the newspaper staff were stunned by such explosive gossip.
Still, anyone in Lin Zhitang’s position would find it impossible to accept.
Moreover, Lin Zhitang only severed Su Ya and Su Yun’s ties with the Lin family and forbade them from using the Lin family name, but she never said she would abandon Su Ya as her biological mother.
Combined with her pitiful tears and wronged expression, she created the image of a strong yet helpless girl swallowing her suffering in silence, making people feel deeply sympathetic and heartbroken for her.
The editor immediately agreed to print it the next day—and even place it on the front page headline.
After leaving the newspaper office, it was as though Lin Zhitang had finally set down a heavy burden. A bright smile appeared on her face.
“Ming’an-ge, I’m taking you somewhere delicious to eat. I’ll treat—you pay.”
Lin Zhitang had not severed the mother-daughter relationship with Su Ya because the current arrangement was the best possible outcome for her.
The person Su Ya had wronged most was the Lin family—her father.
No matter what, Su Ya was still her biological mother. In this era where filial piety stood above all else, if Lin Zhitang acted too harshly, people would only call her heartless. Besides, Lu Ming’an was a soldier, and their marriage required a political background check. Handling things this way was perfect.
And besides…
“Alright.” Lu Ming’an smiled indulgently.
Lin Zhitang led Lu Ming’an into an alley and stopped at the gate of a courtyard at the very end. She knocked a few times.
A middle-aged woman opened the door.
“Auntie Liang, I’m here!”
“Miss Lin! It’s been so long since you visited!” Auntie Liang said happily upon seeing her.
“Exactly, which is why I came today. I’m starving—please tell Uncle Liang to start cooking!”
“Alright, alright. Go find a seat. The dishes will be out soon.”
Inside the courtyard was another world entirely.
Vegetables filled the entrance garden, and farther inside were neatly arranged tables separated by folding screens.
Lu Ming’an had seen much in his life and asked no questions. Hidden restaurants like this also existed in the capital.
Lin Zhitang introduced the place to him.
The owner, Uncle Liang, was descended from imperial chefs. He refused to work at a state-owned restaurant and didn’t want his family’s culinary skills to disappear, so he opened this establishment.
Without being introduced by a regular customer, no one could enter.
The menu was never fixed. Customers could not order dishes. Whatever fresh ingredients were available that day determined what was served, and prices were more expensive than state-owned restaurants.
Lin Zhitang and her father used to come here often for private meals.
“The food’s here! Eight Treasure Duck, Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs, Stir-Fried Greens, and Tofu Vermicelli Soup. Miss Lin, enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Liang.”
“Ming’an-ge, hurry and try it! We’re lucky today—Eight Treasure Duck is Uncle Liang’s signature dish. He rarely makes it. Sometimes you have to come several times before getting to eat it once!” Lin Zhitang smiled brightly like a happy child sharing something she loved.
“Alright.”
Lu Ming’an smiled as he watched the little girl before him completely lower her guard around him.
Shanghai cuisine was a bit sweet for Lu Ming’an’s taste, but he would never waste food. As a soldier, he had eaten far harsher things during missions.
Lin Zhitang, on the other hand, ate with obvious delight. It was clear she loved it very much.
After the meal, Lin Zhitang asked, “Ming’an-ge, which tasted better—the Eight Treasure Duck or the Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs?”
To Lu Ming’an, both tasted the same—both were too sweet. After thinking for a moment, he honestly answered, “They’re both about the same.”
“Ming’an-ge, you don’t really like Shanghai cuisine, do you?”
“I can eat it. You like it.” Lu Ming’an’s reply was brief and direct.
After leaving the restaurant, the two took the bus back to the Lin residence.
The next day, the Lin family matter made the front-page headlines, and all across Shanghai people discussed the scandal.
Within such a short period, the Lin family had appeared in the papers twice already. The family’s once-glorious reputation was gone forever.
Early that morning, Lin Zhitang was awakened by noise outside.
When she reached the door, she saw Old Madam Feng and several neighborhood aunties holding newspapers, their faces full of sympathy and curiosity as they looked at her.
“Little Tangtang, what exactly happened in this newspaper?” Old Madam Feng asked worriedly.
Lin Zhitang opened the gate and invited them inside to sit. Looking at the newspaper they carried, she said sorrowfully:
“Grandma… it’s exactly as the paper says. Mother and her current husband already knew each other before. Sister Su Yun was the child she had before marrying into the Lin family. Mother gave birth to me, so I cannot deny her as my mother. But she wronged the Lin family and wronged Father. If I didn’t handle it this way, I’m afraid Father’s spirit in heaven would never forgive me.”
Old Madam Feng immediately hugged her heartbrokenly. “Oh, poor child. You did the right thing. None of this is your fault.”
Auntie Liu from next door also chimed in, “That woman is no good. Back then she was just some poor nobody. Who knows what tricks she used to marry into the Lin family, only to deceive you all like this.”
“Exactly. She even dared to give birth before marriage. Isn’t she afraid of heavenly punishment?”
“And that bastard child Su Yun lived such a good life in the Lin family, yet she never knew gratitude.”
“No wonder they’re mother and daughter. Neither of them are good people. They probably won’t meet good ends.”
Lu Ming’an returned from his morning run and, seeing the people in the living room, sat directly beside Lin Zhitang.
Lin Zhitang said to everyone, “Grandma, Aunties, now you all know what happened. Mother and the others no longer have any relationship with the Lin family. I don’t intend to pursue the matter further. I hope they can live happily in the future. I’ll also be leaving Shanghai soon, so I’m really alright.”
“There’s just one thing I hope everyone can help me with. After I leave, please help watch over the Lin residence and don’t let them enter. I can’t let Father remain uneasy.”
“No problem, that’s a small matter. We’ll stop them.”
“They probably won’t even have the face to come back anymore.”
“That’s hard to say. With shameless people, you never know how shameless they can really be.”
The neighborhood aunties all agreed one after another.
Everyone still had work and food was precious these days, so no one would stay around another person’s house for a meal without reason. After chatting for a while, they all left.
Lin Zhitang and Lu Ming’an went upstairs to wash up and eat breakfast together.
Meanwhile, when Su Ya saw the newspaper announcement, her face flushed red with fury, her eyes practically spitting fire.
Lin Zhitang!
That damned girl!
If Lin Zhitang appeared in front of Su Ya right now, Su Ya would no longer be able to maintain her gentle motherly facade and would probably slap her on sight.
After Lin Zhitang ran away yesterday, Su Ya and Song Zhiqiang forced smiles onto their faces as they sent the guests off.
Wu Jianguo left with a dark expression, dragging Su Yun back home.
Old Madam Su, however, was an extremely difficult person to deal with. Only after treating her to good food and drink, booking an excellent guesthouse for them, and giving them money did she finally settle down.
Old Madam Song had pointed at Su Ya’s nose and cursed her for half the night, while Song Zhiqiang ignored her completely and didn’t defend her even once.
Smack!
Upon seeing the newspaper, Song Zhiqiang lost control and slapped Su Ya.
This was different from the last time they were caught in an affair. For men, romantic scandals could even become something to brag about.
“You… you hit me?” Su Ya stared blankly for a moment, unable to react. Song Zhiqiang had actually struck her.
“Song Zhiqiang, you actually hit me! Do you even have a conscience?!”
“And whose fault is this? Your wonderful family and wonderful daughter caused all this! Hurry up and send them away. And you’d better go coax Lin Zhitang immediately!”
If Lin Zhitang knew Su Ya and Song Zhiqiang had already started fighting among themselves, she would definitely applaud in delight.