Half an hour later, they arrived at the Lin Family residence.
Inside the house, dozens of people were seated, large and small, all looking at Song Xinyu in unison.
They wanted to see the so-called little vixen who had supposedly climbed to the top through underhanded means.
However, they were still genuinely stunned by her appearance.
Even though Song Xinyu was only wearing a simple black long dress, her face and figure were enough to elevate the plain outfit entirely.
No wonder even someone as cold and restrained as Lin Ting had fallen into trouble because of her.
Of course, when they looked at Song Xinyan, there was sympathy mixed in.
Compared to her younger sister’s striking beauty, Song Xinyan appeared far less impressive.
Even though she was known as the number one socialite, both in appearance and manners she was considered top-tier.
Song Xinyan naturally caught the deeper meaning in their eyes.
It was filled with mockery.
She silently clenched her palm.
It had always been like this. This was the thing she hated most about her younger sister. Why did she have to do nothing at all, acting foolish and carefree?
Even standing there like a vase, she could still draw everyone’s attention. It had always been this way since childhood—whenever her sister was present, her own brilliance would be overshadowed.
However, Song Xinyu’s beauty was seen as too sharp by others. At a glance, she looked like someone who would never bring peace to a household and would surely stir up chaos.
Thus, the elders still preferred someone like Song Xinyan.
She had a dignified appearance, carrying an aura of prosperity and stability, the kind of face that seemed destined to bring harmony to a family and prosperity to a husband.
The one who favored Song Xinyan the most arrived soon after. Mother Lin had eyes only for Song Xinyan, holding her hand warmly and asking after her with great enthusiasm, as though they had not seen each other for many years. “Xiao Yan is here.”
Meanwhile, Song Xinyu was completely ignored on the side.
Everyone saw it and could not help but secretly laugh.
Lin Ting naturally noticed it as well.
However, he realized she did not seem to care. 【Song Xinyu, you are here just to eat. Don’t bother yourself with these people.】
【When can we eat? I’m already hungry…】
At that moment, an elderly man leaning on a cane appeared. “Is that Xiao Yu who arrived?”
Unlike Mother Lin, he walked directly toward Song Xinyu.
“Let me take a look at my granddaughter-in-law. She is truly beautiful. No wonder Xiao Ting did not oppose marrying you.”
As expected, experience came with sharp insight.
The situation was immediately turned around.
Shu Jing’s expression darkened. She had never liked Song Xinyu and had intended to put her in her place this time.
However, she was instantly seen through by Old Master Lin.
And he even sided with Song Xinyu.
It felt like a thorn deeply piercing Shu Jing’s heart, making her dislike Song Xinyu even more.
Everyone took their seats.
Old Master Lin even personally arranged for Song Xinyu to sit beside him, and Lin Ting was placed on her other side, making her look like a sandwich in the middle.
He also specially instructed his grandson to take good care of his fiancée.
Lin Ting agreed.
Lin Ting soon realized that Song Xinyu truly was only here to eat. And her constant inner muttering was extremely dense.
Whatever she wanted to eat, Lin Ting would place it on her plate.
This caused the others at the table to cast strange looks.
Lin Ting’s unusual behavior inevitably made them suspect that Song Xinyu must be quite skilled in bed.
Meanwhile, Song Xinyu ate with full concentration.
As if she had never eaten a proper meal in her previous life.
To be honest, no one at the table was actually focused on eating; all of them were probing and testing each other.
Lin Ting, in fact, disliked social banquets and only attended because he had no choice.
At this moment, he even admired Song Xinyu a little—how did she manage to focus entirely on eating without distraction?
Unconsciously, he also ended up eating more.
After a while, Old Master Lin began distributing meeting gifts.
He set the example, and once he finished, others followed.
Song Xinyu receiving gifts naturally made her happy.
However, as Lin Ting’s mother, Shu Jing still had not made any move.
Old Master Lin finally spoke: “A Jing…”
“Since the marriage has been decided, you should give the future daughter-in-law her meeting gift.”
As the future mother-in-law, this was indeed the proper etiquette.
Especially in wealthy families where rules were strict.
Shu Jing reluctantly handed over a large red envelope to Song Xinyu.
But it was not over yet. She still clutched a red wooden box tightly.
Inside was a jade bracelet.
It had been passed down for three generations and represented the inheritance of the Lin Family matriarch.
The red envelope was fine to give away, but the bracelet—Shu Jing could not bear it, nor was she willing.
Did Song Xinyu even deserve it?
Thus, Mother Lin, in front of everyone, turned and gave the box containing the bracelet to Song Xinyan instead.
In her heart, the true daughter-in-law was only Song Xinyan.
This action shocked the entire room.
Especially Old Master Lin, who said: “A Jing, what are you doing?”
Grandpa Song also looked serious. He knew it was improper to interfere in his granddaughter’s marriage. If not for the younger granddaughter being so fond of Lin Ting and causing such disgraceful actions, he would not have agreed to switch the engagement. But now, clearly, the most dissatisfied person was the mother-in-law. It seemed that once Xiao Yu married in, she would suffer.
“Dad, from beginning to end, the one who has suffered the most is Xiao Yan. She is obedient and sensible, always putting the bigger picture first, never arguing with us, and even generously allowing her selfish and willful younger sister to take her place. In my heart, she is the only daughter-in-law. You elders may decide as you wish, and I will respect it, but I also want to give Xiao Yan some final compensation.”
After Mother Lin said this, the room fell silent.
Who could say otherwise?
Old Master Lin took a deep breath and ultimately said nothing.
In the end, it was just a bracelet. It was not worth ruining the entire meal over.
He knew Shu Jing’s temperament—she appeared gentle, but she was extremely stubborn.
So he turned to Song Xinyan and said: “You have indeed been wronged. Keep it.”
Then he said to Song Xinyu: “After you marry into the Lin Family, live your life peacefully.”
“Alright, thank you Aunt Jing, thank you Grandpa Lin.” Unexpectedly, Song Xinyu did not make a fuss and agreed easily.
This surprised everyone. They had expected her to cause trouble.
Wasn’t she supposed to be someone who snatched things from her sister?
“Hm?” Old Master Lin signaled with a doting gaze, seemingly dissatisfied with the address.
“Yes, Grandpa.” Song Xinyu quickly corrected herself.
“Hahaha.” This immediately made Old Master Lin laugh heartily.
But some were happy while others harbored resentment.
Song Xinyan clenched the box holding the bracelet tightly. Why was it that Song Xinyu, who had done nothing, could simply say a few words and make Old Master Lin so happy?
And Lin Ting—why did he not stand up to oppose the marriage?
What she wanted to see was Lin Ting being forced into marrying Song Xinyu, and then developing deep resentment toward her.
After all, Lin Ting was talented, young, and exceptionally handsome, the top figure in elite social circles. Many noble ladies were eyeing him.
People always said she was lucky to have been engaged to the Lin Family since childhood.
But now the situation had reversed—the one considered lucky had become Song Xinyu.
And that foolish woman did not deserve it at all.
Meanwhile, Lin Ting was displeased that his mother had given the bracelet meant for the daughter-in-law to someone else.
Even if he disliked Song Xinyu, it should not have been done so publicly.
This would make it difficult for Song Xinyu to have any standing in the Lin Family later.
Just as he was about to speak up for her—
Her thoughts suddenly came through. 【It’s just a bracelet, nothing special.】
This instantly increased Lin Ting’s favorability toward her. She had quite a broad mindset.
【The problem is…】
Lin Ting: There’s a twist?
【The problem is, this scheming sister is about to cause trouble. She will wait until no one is paying attention, forcefully shove the bracelet to me, then deliberately drop it on the ground to frame me again for stealing it…】
【So annoying. Even eating a meal comes with a hidden scheme.】
【Sigh, thinking about it makes me angry. I should just eat more so I have energy to break their schemes later.】
Lin Ting: So that’s how “break their schemes” is used…
This was the Lin Family Old Residence.
For security reasons, many surveillance cameras had been installed.
However, the corridor leading to the restroom and the restroom itself had no cameras.
Song Xinyan was very familiar with this.
So when her younger sister went to the restroom, she followed shortly after.
When Song Xinyu came out, she encountered her sister holding the gift box.
With a guilty expression, she said: “Xiao Yu, I know you are unhappy.”
“This gift was originally meant for you. From now on, you will be the Lin Family daughter-in-law.”
“I also know I should not have taken it, so I plan to return the bracelet to you.”
In the past, whenever she made such gestures and pretended to yield, Song Xinyu would accept it.
She believed her sister was genuinely kind.
More importantly, the bracelet represented the identity of the Lin Family matriarch.
She was certain her sister would be tempted.
【You old schemer, trying to set me up again. Don’t think I don’t know—you will deliberately drop this bracelet and then draw people over, making everyone think I tried to steal it again…】
“No need. Since it was given to Aunt Jing, then it is yours. It is just a bracelet, I am not that concerned.”
Song Xinyu stepped back to avoid being framed.
She also glanced around and noticed Lin Ting was indeed there, hiding in the corner.
Fortunately, she had already sent him a message: come out and talk alone.
Song Xinyan believed her plan was flawless.
She would not miss this opportunity.
So she pretended to be gentle. “Sister, I know you too well. You want to marry Lin Ting so badly you are almost obsessed. This bracelet representing the Lin Family daughter-in-law should belong to you. Take it.”
She looked gentle, yet moved closer.
“Sister, there is no need. Things that are not mine, I, Song Xinyu, do not want.” She said loudly, clearly meant for someone else to hear.
【You are the one obsessed with marrying Lin Ting. If you did not know he already had a white moonlight and little chance of choosing you, would you even let me get involved? I only casually told you I liked Lin Ting, and you turned it into something public, making everyone think I am some obsessive freak.】
Lin Ting: Uh… hard to comment…
【The problem is, you are not even truly in love with Lin Ting. You are just after his family background. After all, the Lin Family in S City is one of the top forces. And Lin Ting himself is capable enough to crush those useless young masters…】
Lin Ting: So that’s praise?
【But Lin Ting is also pretty foolish to actually fall for you…】
Lin Ting: !!!