Lin Xinyao kept calculating the gains and losses in her mind as the car stopped in front of a small Western-style house. Director Liang called for her to get out, but she didn’t even notice.
“Mom, look at Lin Xinyao acting like a spoiled young lady again. Even getting out of the car requires Dad’s invitation!”
Liang Hui was straightforward, impulsive, and quick to anger. From a young age, Lin Xinyao had learned how to put on airs, often teasing Liang Hui just enough to spark her temper and earn parental scolding.
Having grown up constantly overshadowed by this cousin, Liang Hui never showed Lin Xinyao a friendly face. Now that Lin Xinyao was moving into their house, there was no way she could be happy about it.
“Enough. Stay away from her—don’t let her rile you up again. She’s been left in Jinmen City by the Lin family. Your father can’t ignore her.”
Mrs. Liang also disliked her niece, but she maintained appearances. Worried that her own daughter might be at a disadvantage, she discreetly advised her not to act impulsively.
“Mom, even if I stay far away, she’ll still come looking for me! That girl acts so well, and Dad falls for her every time—it’s so annoying.”
Liang Hui cast a glance at Lin Xinyao stepping out of the car, silently wishing she had truly been kidnapped and taken far away—or had left with the Lin family instead. How unlucky, now she had to face this arrogant girl who used her shamelessness as a shield.
“Auntie, Huihui, sorry to trouble you.”
“No trouble at all. Why so formal in your uncle’s house? Come on inside—time for dinner. I didn’t even have a chance to prepare your favorite dishes since I didn’t know you were coming. Don’t dislike anything, Xinyao!”
Mrs. Liang was tactful and eloquent. A few sentences made Director Liang feel that his wife genuinely cared for their niece.
“We’re all family. Whatever Xinyao wants or needs, just tell your aunt. Let her pick out a couple of clothes to change into first; you can go shopping for more tomorrow.”
Director Liang gave detailed instructions, and Liang Hui immediately jumped in:
“Dad, didn’t Cousin Xinyao send quite a few clothes before? Mom even carefully kept them. Now she can finally use them herself.”
Seeing Lin Xinyao looking pleased, Liang Hui felt satisfied—those previously humiliating rags she had sent were now being reused.
“Yes, yes, last month she sent a big bag of clothes. I’ll get them out later so Xinyao has something to change into.”
Suppressing a smile, Mrs. Liang agreed. Though the Liang family wasn’t as wealthy as the Lins, they didn’t need secondhand clothes. Lin Xinyao had sent them as a display of arrogance; now they were being conveniently returned.
Mother and daughter were astonishingly in sync. Lin Xinyao knew exactly what she had done, and Mrs. Liang’s words were a public slap to her, leaving her embarrassed.
“Auntie, those things I sent Huihui were packed by the household servants; I didn’t even know what was inside. But since I sent them, it’s good they’re useful now. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have any clothes to change into tonight.”
In a few sentences, Lin Xinyao tried to distance herself, insisting the rags weren’t her doing.
Unfortunately, some people weren’t easily fooled. Liang Hui had been wronged too many times; her trust in Lin Xinyao was almost zero. Mrs. Liang was sharp-minded—Lin Xinyao, just a little girl, couldn’t trick her.
Though reborn, Lin Xinyao was more mature and cunning than before, her methods sharper, but her personality remained unchanged. Her innate pride—the subtle air of superiority—was hard to mask.
Director Liang was young and accomplished; Mrs. Liang was highly respected in the circle of officials’ wives. Lin Xinyao’s pride and haughtiness were impossible for her to overlook. Like attracts like—Mrs. Liang immediately sensed Lin Xinyao’s evasiveness and interpreted it as guilt.
“All right, that’s enough. Let’s not talk anymore; the food will get cold. Come eat!”
At the table, Liang Hui deliberately mentioned her two older brothers, subtly trying to undermine Lin Xinyao, who was now living under their roof.
“Mom, has our eldest brother sent money or tickets again? Convince him to keep it next time. His military duties are heavy, he needs to eat well, and saving some for himself would improve his life.”
“Huihui has grown up, thinking about her brother. It shows he treats you well, giving you pocket money and even fabric coupons every month.”
Director Liang felt pleased. Previously, his daughter only asked for food and clothing; now she spoke thoughtfully.
“Oh, my brothers are so good to me, I must think of them too! My second brother probably doesn’t get good food at school. I’ll save some canned food for him to take along.”
Mother and daughter exchanged proud smiles, while Lin Xinyao felt deliberately ignored by Mrs. Liang and Liang Hui.
From the bottom of her heart, Lin Xinyao felt the stark contrast between yesterday and today. It really was different—her aunt and Liang Hui had never dared to suppress her like this before!
Liang Hui noticed Lin Xinyao’s disappointment, raising her brows, eyes sparkling with pride. Finally, she had her moment to frustrate Lin Xinyao.
Two more days passed. Lin Susu went to the street office to register her household and property, then set up her new home.
The money and tickets given by Lin Dalaoye were claimed to be from her biological father, so she could use them freely. With the receipts almost used up, the small courtyard was successfully arranged into a cozy home.
Director Liang spent two days investigating Lin Susu’s situation, discovering she and his niece had been hospitalized around the same time, both because the matriarch and his niece had given Lin Susu a sedative, leading the street office to send her to the hospital.
“Xinyao, you and your sister delivered green bean syrup to Lin Susu the night of the incident?”
Director Liang looked at Lin Xinyao; her expression confirmed the truth.
“Then it shouldn’t have been Lin Susu who harmed you. She was sent to the hospital too. Also, I found out she isn’t really your father’s daughter—your father personally changed her household registration.”
“Impossible… how could she not be my father’s daughter?”
In her previous life, she only knew Lin Susu wasn’t her father’s concubine’s child, meaning the concubine could divorce early in the formation of the new China and remarry.
“Your father left word: Lin Susu is the daughter of your family’s account office. The account officer himself was considered an adopted son of the Lin family, so his daughter stayed in the Lin household.
Now her household registration has been restored to her biological father, and she has inherited his property. You no longer need any dealings with her.”
“Lin Susu’s biological father is our Lin family’s adopted son? The family’s account officer? Impossible…”
Lin Xinyao murmured, lost in thought. She had been planning to use Lin Susu’s wealthy background to ruin her completely.
Now her biological father, Lin Dalaoye, had removed that threat. Why would this life be any different from the last?
Lin Susu… could she have experienced a similarly extraordinary fate?