Lin Shengyan: "?"
Love-struck fool? Who?
Bai Yaxin asked: "Weren't you supposed to be filming in City C? Why did you come back today?"
Lin Shengyan: "Mom, I mmm mmm… I was just thinking mmm mmm…"
Bai Yaxin slapped Lin Shengyan's back and said sternly: "Lin Shengyan, speak properly."
Lin Shengyan looked innocently at Bai Yaxin and the towel in her hand. He would love to speak properly, but Bai Yaxin wasn't giving him the chance.
Every time he tried to open his mouth, Bai Yaxin's towel would come swinging at him.
Bai Yaxin elegantly folded the towel and said: "Explain why you came back early."
Lin Tingyue, who had been eavesdropping openly with perked ears, secretly raised her hand.
[I know this one! It's because tomorrow is Second Brother's goddess's competition day.]
Instantly, Lin Rusong, Lin Xiawan, and Bai Yaxin all turned to look at Lin Shengyan.
Lin Shengyan, who had also heard the voice: "?"
Damn it, who's leaking answers here?
And this voice sounded familiar. Lin Shengyan looked at the only person among the four who hadn't turned her head – Lin Tingyue.
Feeling Lin Shengyan's gaze, Lin Tingyue stiffened her spine.
[Second Brother, staring at me won't help. What's yours will eventually be yours, and what isn't yours won't become yours no matter how much you struggle. Give it up, Second Brother, the world is full of simps.]
Bai Yaxin couldn't help but chuckle. Looking at Lin Shengyan's face turning green then white, she gleefully patted his back.
Finally, Lin Shengyan exploded, "Lin Tingyue, come here right now!"
[Come for what? To pay respects to Second Brother?]
[Are you kidding? I'm the boss of this family~]
Lin Tingyue walked over unhurriedly. Standing in front of Lin Shengyan, she said obediently: "Second Brother."
Lin Shengyan looked Lin Tingyue up and down. He'd heard his sister had fallen recently. After all, Lin Tingyue had been his biological sister for the past twenty years, so Lin Shengyan couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh. Awkwardly, he asked: "Has the injury on your head healed?"
Lin Tingyue: "?"
[Second Brother, is this what you're really like? Not just love-struck, but also naive and sweet?]
It was no wonder Lin Tingyue thought this way. In the original story, Lin Shengyan would later become the one who hated the original host the most.
Lin Shengyan gritted his teeth: "Lin! Ting! Yue!"
He had tolerated Lin Tingyue long enough – calling him love-struck was bad enough, but now she was calling him a simp too.
Before Lin Shengyan could erupt, Bai Yaxin pushed him and said: "Go upstairs and take a bath and change your clothes."
Lin Shengyan had no choice but to obediently go upstairs.
[So no matter how arrogant an entertainment industry film emperor is outside, he still has to obey in the end.]
[I wonder if our wild and unruly Second Brother listens to Mom and wears long johns in winter?]
Thinking this, Lin Tingyue looked with great interest at Lin Shengyan going upstairs. Lin Shengyan stumbled and had to grab the railing to steady himself. He'd go hide all those long johns as soon as he turned around!
A leisurely female voice came from behind: "Second Brother, be careful."
Lin Shengyan: "…"
Damn it.
When Lin Shengyan came downstairs after his bath, the dye in his hair had completely washed out. He had also removed his makeup, looking refreshed and somewhat like a star now.
As soon as he sat down, Zhang Ma brought him ginger tea.
Under Bai Yaxin's watchful gaze, Lin Shengyan could only drink it obediently.
[Listen to your mother…]
Lin Shengyan: "Cough, cough, cough."
[What's going on? Why did Second Brother choke? Are you okay, Second Brother—]
Lin Shengyan: "…"
After he finished drinking, Bai Yaxin said, "Explain yourself. Why did you come back early? Your eldest brother has made it clear—if you keep acting recklessly like this, he won't cover your breach-of-contract fees anymore."
Lin Shengyan mumbled, "I don't need Eldest Brother. I have plenty of savings myself."
Lin Rusong seized the moment to interject, "If you're so capable, then don't use the Lin family's money either."
Lin Shengyan pursed his lips, his handsome brows furrowing. "This time, I didn't run off without permission, and I didn't breach any contract. The production team happened to have a break, so I came back to see Mom and Dad."
[That's not right, is it? You rushed back in the rain today because you were worried you'd miss your goddess's competition, weren't you?]
[Truly, through wind and rain, you'll wait for her at the competition.]
Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong exchanged a glance. Bai Yaxin said, "Since you claim you came back to see us, how about staying home with me all day tomorrow?"
Lin Shengyan blurted out, "No."
[Oh dear, oh dear. Even if they have to break Second Brother's legs, he'd still crawl to watch his goddess compete.]
"Lin Tingyue, you…"
"Second Brother, what's wrong?" Lin Tingyue looked innocently at Lin Shengyan.
Lin Shengyan clenched his fists. "It's nothing."
With one plan foiled, Bai Yaxin tried another: "If you insist on going out tomorrow, then take your two younger sisters with you."
Especially Lin Tingyue. With her around, Lin Shengyan's plans were bound to fail.
This wasn't the first time Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong had heard about Lin Shengyan's "goddess."
The girl's name was Cheng Jinshuang—exceptionally beautiful with an elegant demeanor and outstanding academic performance. If Lin Shengyan and Cheng Jinshuang were mutually attracted, Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong wouldn't object.
But the problem was, Lin Shengyan was pining unrequitedly. He had even breached contracts multiple times for Cheng Jinshuang. If this continued, Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong feared it would harm Lin Shengyan's career.
After all, Lin Shengyan had just won Best Actor, and his career was on the rise. This time, under his eldest brother's direction, his agent had secured a new script for him—an excellent project, but the filming location was in City C.
Yet, even that couldn't deter Lin Shengyan's resolve to return.
Lin Shengyan hadn't expected Bai Yaxin to insist he bring Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue along. He confessed, "Mom, Dad, I actually came back to see Jinshuang."
Before Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong could respond, Lin Shengyan added, "Mom, Dad, this really is the last time. This competition is crucial for Jinshuang—she needs my support. After this, we'll go our separate ways and wish each other well."
[Brother, oh my brother, cut down on the Soul Chicken Soup. 'She can't do without my support'… She has plenty of others supporting her.]
Lin Shengyan: "…"
He felt like vomiting blood.
Lin Rusong made the final decision: "If it's that important, then it's even more reason to bring your two sisters. Consider it our family showing our support."
[Wow, Dad's leveled up? Straight to scoring points.]
[Don't worry, Mom and Dad. With me around, Second Brother will mess things up this time.]
Lin Shengyan shot a gloomy look at Lin Tingyue.
[Maybe… just mess it up halfway?]
…
Cheng Jinshuang attended the best university in City A, where Lin Tingyue, Lin Xiawan, Lin Shengyan, and even the eldest Lin brother who had yet to make an appearance, were all students.
Lin Shengyan, in particular, was already a distinguished alumnus of University A. After all, he had burst onto the scene as a dark horse, winning the Best Newcomer Award with his debut performance. His second role earned him a nomination for Best Actor, and by his third, he swept all major awards, becoming the youngest actor to achieve both critical acclaim and widespread popularity for his talent and looks.
Lin Tingyue gazed at the introduction of her second brother in the alumni section.
[Actually, Second Brother is quite capable.]
Lin Shengyan, busy signing autographs for fans, curled his lips smugly: Of course.
[Too bad he’s not very bright.]
Lin Shengyan: “…”
Lin Tingyue, must you pause so dramatically when you speak!
Oh, right—this was Lin Tingyue’s inner monologue.
When Bai Yaxin first mentioned this in the family group chat without Lin Tingyue, neither he nor their eldest brother had believed it. Now… he was thoroughly convinced.
After finally managing the endless waves of fans, Lin Shengyan walked inside with Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue.
Cheng Jinshuang was now a senior, in the same grade as Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue, though the three were in different majors.
They had entered from the new campus, but the competition was being held in the east campus. The three boarded the campus shuttle bus, where more of Lin Shengyan’s fans eagerly asked to take photos with him.
[Hey, could I sell Lin Shengyan’s autographed photos for cash?]
[Even though I’ve achieved financial independence at a young age, who would say no to more money?]
Throughout the ride, Lin Tingyue came up with at least a dozen new money-making ideas inspired by Lin Shengyan, leaving his mind filled with thoughts of money even as they arrived at the venue and he spotted Cheng Jinshuang.
Cheng Jinshuang, majoring in interpretation, was participating in an exhibition match. Dressed in formal attire and glasses, she exuded a professional and efficient aura. Spotting Lin Shengyan, she raised a hand to greet him.
Lin Shengyan immediately started toward her, but he was a step too late—Cheng Jinshuang was quickly surrounded by others, while a crowd swarmed around him as well.
Desperate to reach Cheng Jinshuang but thwarted by the masses, Lin Shengyan called out her name plaintively.
[Tsk tsk, the last time I saw a scene like this was probably in The Legend of the White Snake.]
Lin Tingyue pulled Lin Xiawan to a seat, then pulled a telescope from her bag.
Lin Xiawan stared blankly. “Why did you bring this?”
Lin Tingyue replied matter-of-factly, “To support Second Brother, of course.”
[Hehe, obviously to get a close-up view of the drama. How could I miss such a competitive showdown?]
She handed another telescope to Lin Xiawan.
Lin Xiawan looked at the telescope in her hand… Fine, then.
Hearing this voice, everyone was momentarily stunned, but what mattered more was the unfolding spectacle.
[First, let’s welcome Contestant Number One—he’s Cheng Jinshuang’s senior. Even though he has a wife and children waiting for him at home, he came without hesitation to watch Cheng Jinshuang compete. Senior, oh senior, have you ever thought about your family back home?]
Everyone: Whoa.
They simultaneously shot a disdainful glance at the so-called senior.
The senior felt prickles down his spine, and Cheng Jinshuang, who had been smiling and chatting amiably, stiffened slightly, subtly putting more distance between them.
[Contestant Number Two has arrived!]
【The second male guest is quite the prominent figure—he's the second son of the Yun family. His motto is: "Woman, being noticed by me is your blessing… gag."】
Yun Mingning faced the crowd's probing gazes with confusion but maintained his elegant composure.
【Approaching us is the third male guest, the one with the deepest connection to our female guest. They grew up together as childhood sweethearts, but alas, he only sees her as a backup.】
Just as Lin Tingyue was enthusiastically narrating her inner commentary, her second brother finally broke free from his restraints and barged into Lin Tingyue's camera frame.
【Fantastic, it's Lin Shengyan. We're doomed.】
Lin Shengyan nearly tripped on flat ground.
【Oh dear, no wonder Second Brother is such a naive sweetheart—he actually trips on flat ground.】
【To be fair, among the male guests who've appeared, Second Brother does have his merits. He's wealthy, handsome, and utterly devoted to the female guest, but…】
But what? Everyone pricked up their ears.
【Second Brother, you're the destined love in a "childhood sweetheart defeats destined love" novel—the second male lead. You're fated to love but never attain it your whole life. Ah, such pity.】
Lin Shengyan's ears echoed with "love but never attain, love but never attain"—a haunting mantra that made him feel he was about to faint.