Inside the villa, three faces stared uniformly at Bai Yaxin.
After hanging up the phone, Bai Yaxin rubbed her temples before speaking: "Zhao Ru says she might sever mother-son relationship with Yun Mingning."
Clearly, Lin Tingyue's earlier inner monologue had also dealt Bai Yaxin significant emotional damage.
One hour earlier.
[Aunt Zhao, Aunt Zhao, on Yun Mingning's wedding day, he'll invite all the girls he likes under the pretext of having them witness his wedding.]
[Aunt Zhao, Aunt Zhao, there'll be fighting at the wedding.]
[And right when they're fighting intensely, your younger sister appears. Yun Mingning says even his aunt isn't off limits…]
Hearing this, Zhao Ru finally broke down. Forgetting all elegance, she directly dragged Yun Mingning away in fury, not even having time to bid Bai Yaxin goodbye.
Afraid that any delay might make these predictions come true.
That was her only younger sister – how could Yun Mingning even dare!
After hearing Bai Yaxin's words, Lin Tingyue tilted her head in confusion.
[Eh? Has Aunt Zhao seen Yun Mingning's true nature?]
[Great! Having a son like Yun Mingning is worse than raising roasted pork belly. Aunt Zhao has really suffered.]
Recalling Yun Mingning's remarks, Lin Tingyue felt a chill run down her spine. She rushed into the first-floor bathroom once again.
Just then, Lin Shengyan stood up to leave. Bai Yaxin stopped him, asking: "Lin Shengyan, where are you going?"
Lin Shengyan turned back with a sinister smile, murmuring darkly: "I'm going to beat up Yun Mingning."
Lin Xiawan kindly reminded her recently-met second brother: "Second brother, assault is illegal too. Wouldn't you then…"
Lin Xiawan phrased it delicately – wouldn't Lin Shengyan then become an outlaw like Yun Mingning?
One committing bigamy, the other assault – they could soon meet in prison.
Lin Shengyan suddenly turned back, meeting Lin Xiawan's gaze. In her eyes, he saw traces of sympathy and pity.
Lin Shengyan: "?"
Just who exactly is being pitied here?
This time Lin Tingyue stayed in the bathroom for a long time before emerging. When she came out, Bai Yaxin looked at her worriedly: "Tingyue, what's wrong?"
Lin Tingyue shook her head.
Bai Yaxin thought for a moment. "Mom noticed you really liked the necklace Aunt Zhao gave you. Why don't you and your sister visit our Lin Corporation jewelry store to see if there's anything you like?"
As expected, Lin Tingyue's eyes lit up.
[Jewelry! Jewelry!]
Bai Yaxin smiled. Just then Lin Shengyan raised his hand. "Mom, I'm not going."
He was emotionally drained and needed to reconsider his life.
Bai Yaxin didn't mind at all. "It's better if you don't come. This way your sisters can bond properly."
Lin Shengyan: "…"
Ever since he returned, his status had been plummeting!
…
Hearing they were going to the jewelry store – Lin Corporation owned numerous jewelry stores – Uncle Zhang selected the nearest one. In the car, Lin Tingyue was already chirping like an excited little bird.
The moment the car stopped, she happily flew out.
The store had been notified in advance. Almost whenever Lin Tingyue showed interest in any piece, the counter staff would immediately take it out and introduce it to her.
Lin Tingyue's eyes shone with nothing but reflected jewelry sparkles.
【How dazzling, how radiant, how utterly excessive—Lin Tingyue, you’ve truly… fallen into decadence!】
After the sales assistant finished introducing the pieces, she asked, “Second Young Miss, which one has caught your eye?”
【Why even ask? Only children make choices. As an adult, of course I want them all.】
Lin Tingyue exclaimed excitedly, “Wrap them all up for me.”
Lin Xiawan: “…”
Frowning, she said, “Tingyue, don’t you think buying so many is a bit…”
“Well, well, if it isn’t the Lin family’s long-lost young mistress?”
Both Lin Xiawan and Lin Tingyue turned their heads simultaneously and saw four oddly dressed… humans—presumably humans.
The one who spoke wore a headband and had a lollipop dangling from his mouth, exuding an air of unruly recklessness.
【Good grief, cosplaying F4 here? Though cosplay is everyone’s freedom, this feels more like a cheap knockoff.】
【And with a lollipop in his mouth—I bet he originally wanted to smoke.】
【Ah, I forgot. High-end luxury stores like jewelry shops don’t allow smoking.】
Shang Gaofei was already on edge. He had indeed wanted to smoke, but just as he was about to enter, security stopped him, warning that if he insisted on smoking, they’d have to call the police.
Left with no choice, Shang Gaofei had taken his lackey’s advice and switched to a lollipop. Now that someone had called him out, he felt utterly mortified.
Fuming, Shang Gaofei crunched the lollipop in his mouth to pieces and redirected his anger toward Lin Xiawan: “I’m talking to you! Didn’t you hear me, Lin Xiawan? Don’t think just because you’ve become the Lin family’s young mistress that you can…”
“Interruption,” Lin Tingyue, who had been ignored from the start, spoke up calmly. “Might I ask, esteemed human, what is your surname, and which family’s young master are you?”
Before Shang Gaofei could respond, his lackey couldn’t hold back and blustered, “You don’t even know our boss? He’s Young Master Shang of the Shang family!”
He wore an expression of immense pride.
【Seriously, what are you so proud of? You’re not even from the Shang family—lackeys don’t get a share of the inheritance, sweetie.】
Little Brother A looked thoroughly embarrassed.
【Wait, the Shang family? Which obscure corner did they crawl out from?】
【Is this for real? I can’t find them anywhere.】
Lin Tingyue paused for a moment before saying, “Never heard of them.”
Shang Gaofei was on the verge of spitting blood from rage.
【Ah, found it. So that’s where they are.】
【Oh, he once confessed to Lin Xiawan but got rejected, then threw a tantrum and started making trouble for her everywhere.】
【Tsk tsk tsk.】
Lin Tingyue shook her head. Lin Xiawan was the female lead, after all. For a cannon fodder character who constantly opposed the female lead, she could easily guess his fate just by using her toes.
Either the male lead would deal with him, or Lin Xiawan would exact revenge.
Meeting Lin Tingyue’s gaze, Shang Gaofei felt an inexplicable chill creep into his heart. Struggling to maintain his composure, he retorted, “And who are you, to dare speak so arrogantly in front of this young master?”
“Me?”
【Why, I’m the one who’s financially free, jewelry-free (to buy), a corporate drone in my past life but rolling in wealth this lifetime—】
Shang Gaofei and Little Brother A simultaneously pricked up their ears.
【The chosen one, of course.】
Lin Xiawan stepped forward, pulling Lin Tingyue to her side, and said, “This is my younger sister, Lin Tingyue.”
Shang Gaofei and Little Brother A couldn't hold back and burst into hysterical laughter. Shang Gaofei clutched his stomach, howling: "Hahahahaha Lin Xiawan, you've truly lost your mind—actually calling the impostor who stole your identity 'sister'."
Lin Xiawan's expression turned icy.
Lin Tingyue timidly tugged at her sleeve.
【Don't worry, sister. I promise I won't steal anything.】
Lin Xiawan's eyes curved into crescents at being called "sister" by Lin Tingyue. Meanwhile, Shang Gaofei was still laughing when suddenly he choked. He stared dumbfounded at the photo before him.
The culprit waved her phone. Lin Tingyue blinked her clear, innocent big eyes and asked: "Shang Gaofei, is this you?"
On the screen was someone energetically singing and dancing—none other than Shang Gaofei wearing a dress and a wig.
Lin Tingyue watched with great interest, casually commenting: "Quite talented at dancing, I see."
Shang Gaofei completely broke down. His cross-dressing dance was an extremely private matter—even his lackeys didn't know about it. How did Lin Tingyue find out?
Not only did she know, she'd even dug up the evidence. If this wasn't social suicide, what was?
【There's more where that came from.】
Lin Tingyue pursed her lips, directing Shang Gaofei's attention toward Little Brother A.
Little Brother A had turned pale as a ghost, looking even more devastated than Shang Gaofei.
Feeling slightly comforted, Shang Gaofei patted Little Brother A's shoulder and said emotionally: "I knew I could count on you, unlike those traitors." He shot a venomous glare at the indifferent Little Brothers B, C, and D.
Little Brother A looked ready to cry, his voice trembling as he whispered: "Endless Love?"
Shang Gaofei froze as if struck by lightning, his hand still on the other's shoulder. He asked incredulously: "Wandering the World?"
Little Brother A nodded through tears.
Shang Gaofei: "Aaaaaaaaaah!"
He screamed and ran away.
【Hmm, does a male wife have inheritance rights?】
Shang Gaofei: "Aaaaaah spare me!"
【Tsk tsk, I told you not to online date. See? It went from beauty-and-handsome-man to big-brother-and-lackey.】
【Nothing's more tragic than this human drama.】
Lin Tingyue turned to the three remaining lackeys with a benevolent smile.
The light of gossip shines upon all.
She doesn't create the drama—she's merely its messenger.
【Let's see what stories you have?】
【No side characters, only juicy melons.】
The three lackeys exchanged glances, then chose to scream while chasing after Shang Gaofei. Halfway there, they remembered their boss's embarrassing exposure and directly fled the jewelry store, sprinting down the street.
Lin Tingyue crossed her arms triumphantly.
【From now on, I'll protect Lin Xiawan.】
After all, Lin Xiawan's the female lead! As long as I stay careful and obedient, I can definitely survive longer!
Lin Xiawan's heart melted. She gently stroked Lin Tingyue's hair as Tingyue put on an angelic expression.
On the other side of the jewelry store, a man in a tailored suit approached accompanied by the store manager.
"President Lin, the young ladies should be fine. Our store has the most comprehensive security system…"
The manager's voice trailed off. It seemed the security hadn't even been needed.
Lin Yuhuan observed the scene, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses. "Is everything alright here?"
Lin Tingyue turned her head.
["Ahhhhh no way, he's so handsome! How come this world is full of male models everywhere?"]
Lin Yuhuan's mouth twitched violently as he said helplessly, "I'm your big brother."
Lin Tingyue: "?"
Huh?
[Big brother is a male model? Male model is big brother?]