14 – Chapter 14
It’s Not Strange to Miss a Man
Because A Tao had recalled quite a few things, she felt somewhat depressed and dispirited, lying in bed for an entire day.
Old Master Lin was deeply concerned about his granddaughter and anxiously stayed by her bedside, constantly asking if she was cold or warm.
“Tao Tao, this isn’t the way to go on. Should Grandpa take you to the hospital?”
“No need.” A Tao opened her eyes and saw the old man, startling her greatly. She really wasn’t used to someone watching her sleep.
“So you’re really in a bad mood?” Old Master Lin suddenly remembered Lin Jinyi’s words—she had said Tao Tao felt inferior because she thought she was ugly.
Thinking she was unhappy about that, he immediately comforted her, “Tao Tao, in Grandpa’s heart, you’re the prettiest little girl. If anyone dares say you’re not good-looking again, I’ll sew their mouth shut!”
“It’s not because of that.” A Tao originally wanted to chase him away, but seeing the old man’s sincere eyes, she finally explained.
“Then what is it? Could it be…” The old man’s expression suddenly turned awkward, and he asked softly, “Are you missing that person from the Duan family?”
The child had just turned eighteen, right at the age when a young girl’s affections first awaken. It wasn’t strange for her to miss a man, but was Duan Yuan really suitable for her?
“I’m not.” A Tao finally emerged from under the covers, her expression very serious, as if quite displeased with the old man’s words.
“Alright, alright, you’re not. Grandpa misspoke.”
“You don’t need to apologize; it’s not your fault.” A Tao stretched lazily, rolled over in bed, and finally decided to get up.
It was already 6 p.m., dinner time, but this meal wasn’t enjoyable for some people.
The Lin family had five members in total: Old Master Lin, Father Lin, Wang Ling, and the two sisters.
Usually, Father Lin sat at the head of the table, with the others seated on either side. But with Old Master Lin’s arrival, the atmosphere changed.
It was generally understood that the person with the highest seniority would sit at the head. However, Old Master Lin added an extra set of bowls and chopsticks next to his own seat at the head of the table, prepared for A Tao.
A Tao didn’t refuse and sat together with Old Master Lin.
This was Old Master Lin’s way of reminding everyone in the Lin family: who would dare bully the Second Young Lady from now on?
Well, now Wang Ling and Lin Jinyi, who already felt that A Tao often acted arrogantly and looked down on others, were even more at a disadvantage.
Especially since A Tao barely touched her chopsticks, wearing an expression that seemed to look down on the world, which always made Wang Ling feel like she was just a servant or a lowly maid in A Tao’s eyes.
Strangely enough, A Tao’s skin was becoming increasingly fair and smooth, and even her facial features seemed more pleasant to look at. Father Lin’s attitude toward this daughter was no longer as disdainful as before; he even praised her, “A daughter of the Lin family ought to have such grandeur!”
A Tao’s expression remained as usual, but Lin Jinyi couldn’t accept it.
Lately, whether it was because she had been staying out late, smoking too much, or drinking too much, she felt her mental state worsening. Her skin was gradually becoming dull and sallow, she had broken out in quite a few pimples, and there was a strange odor whenever she opened her mouth.
Going to the beauty salon hadn’t helped much.
She couldn’t help feeling that Lin Xiantao’s dramatic change was as if she had sucked away her own vitality.
“Dad, shouldn’t my sister sit next to me? This isn’t fair!” Lin Jinyi tugged at Father Lin’s sleeve, acting coquettishly as she always did.But Father Lin brushed her hand away and said, “Your sister has suffered enough before. It’s only right that Grandfather dotes on her.”
Lin Jinyi had been wearing a bitter expression all along, though it was unclear who it was meant for. It wasn’t until Ji Sicheng arrived that she finally managed to put on a smile again.
Now that everyone knew the Second Young Miss Lin was engaged to Duan Yuan, Ji Sicheng should be able to return to her embrace, right?
Lin Jinyi smiled as she approached him, but Ji Sicheng seemed to be avoiding any impropriety and took a step back.
“Brother Sicheng? You…”
“Young Miss Lin.”
“You… you used to call me Yiyi before, Brother Sicheng…”
Ji Sicheng took another step back. “What did you have for dinner tonight, Young Miss Lin? The smell is rather strong.”
In truth, Ji Sicheng was being quite polite. The odor wasn’t just strong—it carried a foul, rotting stench as she drew closer.
Moreover, whenever Lin Jinyi opened her mouth, her yellowed and blackened teeth were visible, which was truly off-putting.
Watching their interaction from the side, A Tao couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
The sound was sweet and charming, brimming with youthful vitality. Ji Sicheng looked up at the girl lounging lazily on the sofa and found himself unable to look away.
It hadn’t been long since he last saw her, but the Second Young Miss Lin seemed like a completely different person.
Her once angular face had softened and rounded out, its contours now more fluid. Her complexion had lightened, with a rosy glow blooming on her cheeks.
Her previously ashen lips had gradually turned pink and moist. Even her dull, lifeless eyes now sparkled with vitality, and with every glance, they seemed to convey a hint of affection.
Though she still couldn’t be counted among the great beauties, she had become much more pleasant to look at.
What was truly noteworthy was her gaze—even a disdainful glance from her could make one’s heart race uncontrollably…
Watching her beloved stare unblinkingly at that country bumpkin, Lin Jinyi gritted her teeth in frustration.
But she didn’t dare approach or speak now. She cupped her hand over her mouth and exhaled—the stench was unbearable!
She couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. If she waited for that Enchantress to steal Brother Sicheng away, it would be too late!
That evening, A Tao barely watched any television because the ever-changing expressions on Lin Jinyi’s face were entertainment enough—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet—she had every color imaginable.
By 9 p.m., A Tao yawned, having tired herself out from watching the spectacle. Under Lin Jinyi’s resentful glare and Ji Sicheng’s lingering stares, she headed upstairs.
As she walked, she couldn’t help but criticize the original host’s poor taste—how could she have fallen for a man like that?
Just as she pushed open her bedroom door, her previously relaxed nerves suddenly tensed up.
There was someone in the room! The window by the bed was slightly ajar, and the breeze drifting in made the curtains sway gently.
Before she could even turn on the lights, a dangerous aura enveloped her…
A Tao reacted instantly, turning to flee, but it was already too late. Darkness swept over her vision, and she lost consciousness.