Normally, the Lin family would be extremely busy these past few days, packing and preparing to leave. But at this point, everyone had tacitly agreed not to let Lin Suyu participate.
“Suyu, get up and have some rice porridge. Feeling better today? Any fever?”
Lin Ma brought breakfast porridge and, seeing Lin Suyu still asleep, went to check her forehead. Only when she confirmed there was no fever did she let her sit down to eat.
“Today, the madam wants you to help in the kitchen. Do… you have the strength to work?”
Lin Ma hesitated, feeling a pang of pity. But she had to work in the main house today; the kitchen duties would have to be handled by Lin Suyu herself.
“Okay, I understand.”
Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s hum—this was the usual volume of the original Lin Suyu.
She had made a mistake. Last night she had been focused on the treasure chests in the secret vault and had completely forgotten to empty the Lin family’s grain storage. Right now, food was more precious than gold, and she hadn’t even thought of it—she was spitting blood in regret.
Worse, everyone in the Lin family was now alert. The chance to clear the granaries was probably gone.
Forget it—for now, she would lie low until the Lin family left. She was a delicate little girl, unable to lift or carry anything. Anyone could topple her with one hand, so she had to be careful.
Lin Suyu cautiously stayed out of trouble while the Lin family, shaken by the lost treasures, hurried their preparations to leave the country. By the afternoon, Lin Dafu sent off the driver, the steward, and Lin Ma along with the others.
“Suyu, Lin Ma is leaving. Take good care of yourself, think more about your own future, don’t just give in to everything.”
Lin Ma went to get her luggage and bid Lin Suyu farewell. Seeing the girl so thin, like a walking skeleton, she couldn’t help but worry for her future.
“Suyu… what will you do?” Lin Ma asked herself, as if making a firm decision.
“Suyu, remember Lin Ma’s address in the countryside. If anything happens, go to me. I’ll make sure you never go without food, understand?”
The woman before her truly treated Lin Suyu like her own daughter. But unfortunately, she wasn’t the original Lin Suyu. She had little capacity for empathy, and Lin Ma was destined to be disappointed.
“Lin Ma, please take care of yourself when you return to the countryside. I will visit when I get the chance.”
Lin Ma left reluctantly, and Lin Suyu finally exhaled in relief. Lin Ma knew the original girl well; if she hadn’t left, her cover could be exposed at any moment.
Now, with everyone gone, she could finally relax. Most importantly, she could safely enter the space to organize the hundred or so treasure chests in the Lin household.
Opening a few at random revealed stacks of gold bars, neatly arranged.
“I’m rich! So many gold bars—just taking a few will be enough for me to spend.”
With wealth and confidence, Lin Suyu began considering how to develop the space. Besides well water, spiritual spring water, and an empty lot, even the surrounding mountains were bare. She would have to fill all of that herself.
“In the next few days, I need to prepare some food and seeds. Once the Lin family leaves, I can freely collect everything inside this mansion.”
There was another urgent matter she had to handle. From her memory of the original girl, she currently held the Lin family’s household registration. Once they left for another country, her identity would be a ticking time bomb.
If possible, she thought, she could negotiate with the patriarch while he was still in the country to transfer the household registration, or at least attach it to a deceased person—it would be safer than her current situation.
The entire Lin household spent the day busy with preparations. Lin Suyu observed for most of the day and finally intercepted Lin Dafu, who had just returned to the Lin estate.
“Master, may I speak with you? It’s about your upcoming departure.”
Hearing that Lin Suyu knew about their plans, Lin Dafu shot her a sharp look. How did this little girl know?
To prevent leaks before leaving, strict orders had been issued—no one was to reveal their departure.
“Come with me to the study.”
With a dark expression, Lin Dafu led Lin Suyu straight to the study, wondering if she wanted to sneak along when they left.
“Speak. How did you find out? And why are you here?”
A little girl had no need for scheming to extract information. Lin Dafu was confident and straightforward.
“I guessed. How I knew isn’t important. What matters is that I suspect you won’t take me with you.
Lin Dafu, since you won’t take me, may I request that you transfer my household registration? You wouldn’t want anyone to know that you abandoned your twelve-year-old daughter in Jinmen City, right?”
The Lin family was about to leave. There was no reason for her to maintain the original girl’s personality at the expense of securing a safer identity. So Lin Suyu boldly made her request.
Hearing Lin Suyu’s audacious request, Lin Dafu felt as though he had never truly known this unremarkable daughter. Although he hadn’t paid much attention to Lin Suyu’s upbringing, he couldn’t have been unaware of her nature.
Was he mistaken, or was this daughter too skilled at hiding her true self? Today proved she wasn’t the weak, incapable girl he had thought.
“You don’t want to leave with us?”
Knowing this daughter was cunning and unpredictable, Lin Dafu even felt a bit inclined to take her along and cultivate her.
“Madam resents me, and the eldest miss bears grudges for my upbringing in the Lin household. If I went with you, it would sadden them. I don’t want to be a nuisance. If you still feel any fatherly affection, please help me transfer my registration elsewhere. I may be only twelve, but I’m used to hardship and can take care of myself independently.”
Having said it, Lin Suyu secretly looked up at Lin Dafu, hoping he might have a shred of conscience. Arranging a household registration for the child of a concubine was just a matter of a word for him.
Lin Suyu’s words left Lin Dafu momentarily awkward. Of course, he knew how this daughter had grown up, but with so many children and concubines before liberation, Lin Suyu had never held much weight in his eyes, which made it easy for him to ignore her.
“Father, this is the first time in my life I’ve called you father, and it will be the only time. Please grant your daughter this favor—arrange my household registration under a deceased person. I only ask that father remain safe, healthy, and prosperous in a distant land.”
I’ve played the parenthood card—I hope you’ll grant such a humble request! Lin Suyu’s heart pounded anxiously. If this succeeded, life would be much easier; she wouldn’t have to be sent to her biological mother in Beijing to live as a dependent.
“Alright. Come to the study tomorrow afternoon.”
Success! Overjoyed, Lin Suyu quickly bowed in gratitude. Her gesture unexpectedly sparked the first trace of guilt in Lin Dafu toward this daughter.
Once Lin Suyu left, Lin Dafu hurried out again.