This farce came to an end after Lin Tingyue turned off Cheng Xuan's phone.
Lin Tingyue couldn't stand it for another second and threw the powered-off phone back to Cheng Xuan.
Judging by her expression, even one more second of contact with the phone would be a great sin.
[Wahh, I need to wash my hands, a hundred times!]
[Will disinfecting with alcohol work for scumbag germs?]
[Why hasn't anyone invented a spray to eliminate these things!!!]
Although the phone was back in his hands, Cheng Xuan was still anxiously pacing in circles. He wanted to grab Lin Xiawan's hand to explain, but Fan Qing and Lin Tingyue stood like two walls between him and Lin Xiawan.
With everyone watching them now, Cheng Xuan didn't dare to try any more underhanded tricks.
[Huh, what's wrong with Cheng Xuan? If he's itchy, he should go take a shower!]
[But who exactly blew up his fish pond? Tsk tsk, what a brilliant move.]
The crowd: ?
Sister, wasn't it you?
They had thought all of this was orchestrated by Lin Tingyue, but now it seemed… there was another mastermind in this melon drama.
They could watch this a hundred more times!
Lin Xiawan frowned and asked, "Cheng Xuan, what exactly is going on?"
"Xiawan, let me explain."
Cheng Xuan glared at the bright-eyed Lin Tingyue who was waiting to see him make a fool of himself, gritting his teeth. Since Lin Tingyue had already done plenty of bad things anyway, he decided to pin everything on her.
There was already tension between Lin Xiawan and her sister. If he could muddy the waters further, Lin Xiawan would forgive him.
He still had hope of becoming the Lin family's son-in-law and turning things around beautifully.
Cheng Xuan pointed at Lin Tingyue, "It must be her, it must be Lin Tingyue! Xiawan, you know how Lin Tingyue has never wanted you to be happy. She… she set up this whole drama to frame me. Lin Tingyue, how can there be someone as vicious as you in this world, jealous even of your own sister?"
Lin Tingyue: "Huh?"
[Me?]
[If this were from a dessert's perspective, then I really would be vicious.]
Someone in the crowd couldn't help but laugh aloud.
If not for Lin Tingyue's inner thoughts, they might have been swayed by Cheng Xuan's words, since everyone knew about Lin Tingyue's history of making things difficult for Lin Xiawan.
But now…
Cheng Xuan felt the atmosphere was strange. He looked at Lin Xiawan with deep affection and restrained emotion, "Xiawan, you have to believe me, I've been wronged."
[Wronged? Was it me who wronged you by putting men on your boat too?]
The crowd laughed again.
Cheng Xuan's expression cracked for a moment at the laughter before he quickly composed himself.
Lin Xiawan said, "You're saying Tingyue hired people to frame you?"
Cheng Xuan nodded emphatically.
Lin Xiawan turned her gaze to Lin Tingyue, "Is it true, Tingyue?"
[It's obviously an act! Lin Xiawan, you fool. If it's acting you want, let's see who can be more passionate.]
Lin Tingyue decided to go all in. Her beautiful eyes instantly misted over with tears. The thought that she had died before even receiving her overtime pay made Lin Tingyue utterly miserable.
Damn capitalists, damn Cheng Xuan.
She said pitifully, "Sister Xiawan, I didn't do it."
[Lin Xiawan, you have to believe me!]
The watching crowd: Wow, we get to see Oscar-worthy performances here too.
They were getting impatient – Cheng Xuan, keep acting!
Cheng Xuan said, "You say there isn't, so there isn't?"
Lin Xiawan nodded, her expression calm as she replied, "I believe you."
Cheng Xuan's mind went blank for a moment, and he couldn't help but ask, "Who do you believe?"
Lin Xiawan curled her lips into a smile: "Naturally, my sister. Could it possibly be you, a man with one foot in multiple boats?"
After speaking, Lin Xiawan scanned the crowd below and announced, "I believe everyone has heard what just happened. I declare that today's engagement banquet between me, Lin Xiawan, and Cheng Xuan is canceled. Our Lin family will break off the engagement with the Cheng family."
[Yes, yes, yes! Lin Xiawan, this is exactly how it should be! So satisfying! All the pent-up frustration from my years of being love-struck is finally clearing up at this moment!]
Lin Xiawan glanced at Lin Tingyue.
Bai Yaxin, who had wanted to rush over earlier but was held back by Lin Rusong, now walked over from the stage with him.
The host, who was enjoying the drama, silently handed Bai Yaxin a microphone. Bai Yaxin declared firmly, "We will also cancel all collaborations with the Cheng family."
After speaking, Bai Yaxin passed the microphone to Lin Rusong, signaling for him to say a few words. Lin Rusong said, "My wife is right."
Bai Yaxin: "…"
[As expected, being love-struck doesn't disappear—it just transfers from Lin Xiawan to my dad.]
Bai Yaxin smiled and patted Lin Tingyue's head, praising her: "Our Tingyue did such a great job."
Lin Tingyue thought Bai Yaxin was referring to her rushing onto the stage, and she puffed up with pride like a little kitten, almost wagging her tail.
[Of course! I'm super brave, Mom.]
Hearing the word "Mom," Bai Yaxin was deeply moved and gently stroked Lin Tingyue's hair.
Lin Tingyue didn't understand why her mother was acting this way, but she loved it. Tentatively, she nuzzled against Bai Yaxin's palm.
So this is what it feels like to have a mother?
…
After the banquet ended, the Cheng family was unceremoniously kicked out. Lin Tingyue glanced at Cheng Xuan and shook her head repeatedly.
[Sigh, Cheng Xuan probably thinks today is the worst day of his life, but the truth is, his hardest days are yet to come. Will all those women he's stringing along let him off the hook? And that man who sounds so strong just from his voice…]
[He won't punch Cheng Xuan so hard he gets stuck to the wall, will he? That's terrifying.]
As the guests filed out, they passed by Cheng Xuan and silently lit metaphorical candles for him.
Meanwhile, Lin Tingyue, who had been enjoying the spectacle, suddenly remembered something. Her expression changed, and she rushed into the first-floor restroom.
Bai Yaxin asked in confusion, "What is Tingyue doing?"
Fan Qing thought for a moment and said, "Probably washing her hands."
But then three pairs of eyes turned to stare at her. Fan Qing waved awkwardly and said, "Hi, Uncle, Aunt, Sister Xiawan?"
While Lin Tingyue was still in the restroom, the four of them began discussing her inner thoughts. They were, after all, the "Inner Voices Alliance."
Fan Qing hesitated and said, "It's not just the four of us, right? I think a lot of people could hear her today."
The way their eyes lit up was exactly like how she looked when she heard gossip.
Lin Xiawan added, "And it probably has to do with distance, too. Lin Tingyue is so… loud. She's definitely in the restroom washing her hands and screaming right now, but we can't hear anything."
Fan Qing continued, "Cheng Xuan seems unable to hear her."
Bai Yaxin speculated, "Could it be that people Tingyue dislikes can't hear her?"
"Hmm…"
Fan Qing couldn't resist glancing at Lin Xiawan. If there was one person Lin Tingyue disliked most, it would undoubtedly be Lin Xiawan.
Before they could continue their discussion, Lin Tingyue emerged listlessly, drifting like a wandering spirit until she obediently floated to Bai Yaxin's side. Suddenly spotting something, she perked up completely.
Everyone followed her gaze—
They saw Cheng Xuan, who had been expelled from the Lin family villa, surrounded by three people, including one man.
[Hahahaha where are my melon seeds? Bring me some melon seeds!]
[But who exactly blew up Cheng Xuan's fish pond hahahaha.]
Lin Xiawan pressed her lips together.
When she first heard Lin Tingyue's inner thoughts, Lin Xiawan had still chosen to believe Cheng Xuan.
But soon Lin Xiawan discovered that Cheng Xuan had more than one phone. Being naturally meticulous, and given that Cheng Xuan thought Lin Xiawan loved him too much to suspect anything, he never guarded against her.
Lin Xiawan successfully obtained the contact numbers of other women from Cheng Xuan.
Before the engagement banquet began, she took Cheng Xuan's phone and sent each of them the same text message:
"Something came up today, contact me at this number instead."
Then, the show began.
Still, she had to thank Lin Tingyue—she seemed truly different from before.
…
Cheng Xuan got beaten up but not killed. The police arrived and took everyone away.
With no more drama to watch, Lin Tingyue reluctantly sat on the sofa as the banquet hall was cleaned up.
Seeing that Lin Tingyue had nothing to do, Zhang Ma placed a fruit platter in front of her filled with all of Lin Tingyue's favorite fruits.
Hugging the fruit platter, Lin Tingyue smiled with curved eyes. "Thank you, Zhang Ma."
The clear afternoon weather suddenly turned stormy with heavy rain. Fortunately, Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong had no plans to go out anyway. They thought it had been too long since they spent time with their two daughters, especially Xiawan, who had just suffered such a heavy blow.
Although Lin Xiawan repeatedly insisted she was fine, Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong still worried.
The four of them sat on the sofa watching TV and chatting.
Lin Tingyue sat cross-legged on the carpet.
[This celebrity—this celebrity has some scandal! Hiding the truth about being married with children while dating a top fan, tsk tsk tsk.]
Lin Rusong: "…"
Bai Yaxin nudged his elbow. "Change the channel, this isn't good."
Lin Tingyue nodded.
[The entertainment industry is so messy, beyond imagination.]
Lin Rusong thought financial news should be safe enough.
[Tsk tsk, I've heard of this big shot. He looks loving with his wife but actually wants to… ah, channel changed.]
Both Lin Xiawan and Bai Yaxin suddenly turned to look at Lin Rusong holding the remote.
Lin Rusong's hand trembled. What? Do you two want to hear the gossip too?
Just as Lin Rusong was about to switch back, Lin Tingyue, who had turned her head, suddenly screamed.
Bai Yaxin quickly asked, "What's wrong, Tingyue?"
Lin Tingyue pointed trembling at a shadow approaching outside the floor-to-ceiling window. "Can such a big villa be haunted too?"
[Ahhhh and it looks like a water ghost!]
As soon as the water ghost Lin Shengyan entered, a puddle formed where he stood. Zhang Ma hurriedly brought the second young master a towel.
While drying his hair with unruly elegance, Lin Shengyan asked, "Mom, Dad, are you watching a horror film?"
Bai Yaxin twitched her lips fiercely. Lin Shengyan must have just finished filming—his garishly dyed hair was bleeding color under the torrential rain, and his makeup was completely smeared.
She rushed over in a few strides, scrubbing his face harshly with a towel. "Lin Shengyan, you're the real ghost here! Who are you trying to scare to death in broad daylight?"
[Mystery solved: it's not a water ghost—it's my love-struck second brother.]