25 – Chapter 25
“Don’t tarnish our Lin family’s reputation!”
“It was all Lin Xiantao’s doing, she orchestrated everything!”
A Tao was thoroughly enjoying this spectacle of dogs biting dogs when Lin Jinyi suddenly shouted her name, causing her to freeze momentarily. Then she adopted a completely bewildered expression as she stared at Old Master Lin: “Grandfather, what have I done?”
This was the first time Old Master Lin had heard his youngest granddaughter call him grandfather, filling his heart with warmth, though his expression grew even more stern: “Tao Tao doesn’t understand anything at all, I won’t allow you to frame her! Weiguang, you handle this matter completely. If necessary, divorce this poisonous woman – don’t tarnish our Lin family!”
After all, this was the Lin family’s private affair and it was Old Master Lin’s grand celebration day. The matter wasn’t allowed to escalate and was resolved within the confines of the restroom.
The head of the Ji family discussed with several members of the Lin family for a long time before finally deciding that the two should get engaged!
Lin Weiguang, seeing that his eldest daughter could marry into a good family, naturally wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away. As for the Ji family, they had been eyeing the Lin family for quite some time. Realizing they had no chance with Second Miss Lin, they settled for having Ji Sicheng marry the eldest Lin daughter instead.
Lin Jinyi never expected such a windfall – to encounter such great fortune out of nowhere – and felt incredibly excited inwardly.
Ji Sicheng, filled with rage, suppressed his anger under his father’s stern warning gaze. When he looked at Lin Jinyi again, his expression was so fierce it seemed he wanted to skin her alive.
Had she been able to foresee what her life would be like after the engagement, she probably would have refused to marry Ji Sicheng even if beaten to death.
After all, these were people accustomed to major social occasions. Once the matter was resolved, they returned to the banquet as if nothing had happened, their faces showing no trace of the earlier incident.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere had warmed up considerably when suddenly everyone’s attention turned to the two figures at the entrance.
It was Madame Zhang Yuqing of the Duan family and her son Duan Chun – Duan Yuan’s stepmother and his half-brother.
The Duan family had maintained a relatively low profile due to having a blind eldest young master, but this Madame and the second young master were anything but quiet individuals…
The guests began whispering among themselves about the newcomers.
“Rumors are circulating about their eldest young master’s engagement to Second Miss Lin, though who knows if it’s true or not.”
“Most likely false. Don’t forget – this is a stepmother. She probably wishes nothing more than for the eldest young master to remain childless, otherwise wouldn’t he compete with her own son for the family inheritance?”
“Ah, now that you mention it, I heard this Madame Duan was originally a nurse in the delivery room when the first wife passed away. She took the position not long after the woman died – quite sinister indeed—”
“Hush now, don’t speak of such things. Even ordinary wealthy families have their dirty laundry, let alone top-tier families like these.”
When Zhang Yuqing and Duan Chun entered the room, those who had been frowning and disdainfully discussing the gossip immediately changed their expressions, their faces breaking into exaggerated smiles.
“The second young master is already eighteen, practically an adult. Shouldn’t we be considering his marriage prospects by now?”
Zhang Yuqing smiled gracefully: “Our eldest young master hasn’t married yet, there’s no hurry.” She presented herself as deeply concerned about her stepson’s welfare.
“Hahaha… I must say the second young master is quite handsome! I’m sure he could win many young ladies’ hearts. There’d be no problem with him marrying first!”
Hearing this, Duan Chun couldn’t help feeling somewhat pleased with himself. He knew that although his elder brother was blind and in poor health, he possessed exceptionally good looks.Even though he was blind, his abilities were still greater than his, managing several companies and conglomerates. For this reason, Grandfather valued him quite highly… which made him resentful.
So hearing this person praise his good looks, with a tone that carried disdain for Duan Yuan, Duan Chun felt quite pleased and smiled at the other party.
Thus, that person redoubled his efforts to flatter: “Second Young Miss Lin is also eighteen this year, the same age as Second Young Master. The two of you must have a lot in common, hahaha…”
The speaker’s original intention was to please the other party—what could be more thrilling than stealing his elder brother’s woman? Even if she was just a woman from rumors.
Who would have thought Duan Chun’s face would darken upon hearing this.
Him and Second Miss Lin? Wasn’t that pure fantasy?
Who didn’t know that Second Miss Lin was hideously ugly, not much better than a monkey on a mountain? Did this person have no sense at all? Or did he think his looks were only worthy of such an ugly woman?
Duan Chun had a very volatile temper, but he always suppressed it in public. This time, he nearly lost control. Fortunately, Zhang Yuqing patted his back and calmed him down.
“President Wang is joking. Duan Chun isn’t mature enough yet—how could he possibly marry Second Young Miss Lin?” Although the words sounded quite modest, the tone was slightly odd, clearly looking down on Second Young Miss Lin.
“Hahaha, Mrs. Duan is right, absolutely right. But the eldest young master is twenty-four now, isn’t it time to consider it?”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuqing’s face showed a sorrowful expression: “You know our family’s situation…”
“You say Eldest Brother and Second Miss Lin—that really is quite a match!” Duan Chun suddenly interjected. A blind man paired with a monkey—a perfect match!
It was only after Zhang Yuqing shot him a glare that Duan Chun awkwardly shut his mouth.
Bored, his eyes wandered around until they landed on a woman in a pink dress in one corner.
The dress’s perfect cut accentuated her slender waist, with the hem gradually flaring out, giving it a princess-style feel. Combined with her long, jet-black hair that looked soft and glossy.
The entire silhouette appeared pure with an ethereal quality, and Duan Chun took a few extra glances.
When she stood up and walked elsewhere, he could no longer tear his eyes away.
She looked like she should be an innocent woman, but her walk seemed casual yet was actually seductive and alluring, her slender waist swaying with each step as if beckoning someone to touch her…
Seemingly pure but actually quite experienced—this kind of woman was completely Duan Chun’s type!
After casually exchanging a few words, he followed the pink figure outside.
Just as Duan Chun was about to reach out to her, she suddenly turned around.
Seeing her face, Duan Chun lowered his hand, his deep anticipation instantly deflated. Though her face wasn’t ugly, it didn’t match her silhouette or her charm at all…
After scrutinizing her a few more times, she seemed somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen her before…
Forget it. Though her looks were plain, since he had followed her this far, it wouldn’t hurt to get to know her.
“You…”
Just as Duan Chun was about to introduce himself, a young maid passing by stopped upon seeing the woman in the pink dress.
“Second Miss, I finally found you! This is the sweet drink I brewed for you. Would you like to try it?”
“Second Miss? Which Second Miss?”
“Our Lin family’s Second Miss! And who are you?” Xiaoyue, seeing this unfamiliar man with ill intentions, quickly stepped between them.Duan Chun’s expression was strange, as if he had seen a ghost.