Jin Yao’s eyes flickered. What Lin Xiyue said did make sense.
Lin Xiyue continued, “I can only tell my brother that I invited him to watch a movie. Once he arrives at the cinema, you can mention how you helped my mother find a job. How could he possibly refuse to give you face then?”
Jin Yao averted her gaze and gritted her teeth.
“It was your brother who guessed I helped with the job.”
Lin Xiyue clapped her hands. “My fault! My fault for not making it clear to you at the time. Miss Jin, I know you have a certain pride about you, but when pursuing a man, pride alone isn’t enough!
“You have to take the initiative and tell him outright that you were the one who helped. Only then will he feel grateful! If he figures it out on his own, he’ll just blame you for not being upfront!”
Jin Yao looked skeptical. “Is that really how it works?”
Lin Xiyue was so much younger than her. How could she sound so certain, as if she knew all about men?
Lin Xiyue nodded emphatically. “That’s exactly how it is!”
Even though she had never been in a relationship in either of her lifetimes, based on her extensive theoretical knowledge from reading countless romance novels, this was indeed the correct approach.
And so, Jin Yao was half-convinced and half-doubtful as she was swayed by Lin Xiyue’s persuasion.
“So, what should I do next?”
Lin Xiyue recalled the original plot.
In the original story, after He Mingchu saw Jin Yao extending a helping hand to Lin Xiyue and her mother, his opinion of Jin Yao began to change.
He had previously thought of her as a spoiled young lady oblivious to the hardships of ordinary people, but afterward, he became much more amiable toward her.
Of course, it still didn’t amount to liking her.
In the subsequent plot, Jin Yao still couldn’t quite rein in her young lady temper. Whenever something didn’t go her way, regardless of whether He Mingchu was present or not, she would harshly punish those who offended her.
It was precisely after witnessing her cruel side that the gentle male lead, He Mingchu, became unwilling to accept her affection.
This time, before coming to the Jin family, Lin Xiyue had mentally prepared herself for the possibility that Jin Yao might fly into a rage at her.
Fortunately, she still had some use to Jin Yao. As the female lead, Jin Yao wasn’t the type to act impulsively without considering the consequences, so Lin Xiyue was safe for the time being.
If one day Jin Yao realized that Lin Xiyue could no longer help her, Lin Xiyue’s fate likely wouldn’t be much better.
Her current actions were essentially making a pact with a tiger.
Lin Xiyue resolved to quickly get into university, become self-reliant and strong, and earn a lot of money. That way, Bai Xiaomei could leave the Jin family, and she herself wouldn’t have to live under Jin Yao’s thumb anymore.
“Next, you naturally need to rein in your temper. My brother doesn’t like arrogant, domineering girls. He likes gentle and kind ones.
“You missed the great opportunity I gave you earlier.”
The disappointment in her tone made Jin Yao feel inexplicably guilty.
Jin Yao quickly changed the subject. “Be more specific?”
Seeing that this matter was now behind them in Jin Yao’s eyes, Lin Xiyue breathed a sigh of relief.
“My brother likes taking care of small animals. He feeds strays and looks after injured ones. If the two of you had that in common, wouldn’t it be a great way to connect?”
There was indeed a scene in the original book where He Mingchu cared for small animals.
Jin Yao nodded thoughtfully.
Lin Xiyue hurriedly added, “But don’t go injuring small animals on purpose just so you can take care of them. If my brother found out, he’d only dislike you even more.”
Given Jin Yao’s temperament, she was perfectly capable of doing such a thing, so Lin Xiyue felt compelled to add this extra warning.
“Then where am I supposed to find injured little animals?”
Jin Yao sounded somewhat impatient.
“Yao Yao, is that a classmate coming to play with you?”
A young man suddenly descended the spiral staircase.
Holding a file folder, wearing gold-rimmed glasses with his hair neatly combed with pomade, he was dressed in a proper white suit. His smiling glance toward Lin Xiyue made half her body go numb.
This person was likely Jin Yao’s second brother.
A Pervert who appeared normal on the surface but was actually cunning and ruthless.
One could say half the difficulties in the female lead’s pursuit of her love interest stemmed from her own personality, while the other half were artificially created by this second brother.
Jin Yao clearly felt some apprehension toward her second brother, rising from the sofa.
“Yes, she’s a classmate from our college entrance exam prep class, named Lin Xiyue. Xiyue, this is my second brother, Jin Yu.”
Lin Xiyue quickly stood up as well, giving a slight bow. “Hello, Mr. Jin.”
Jin Yu examined Lin Xiyue carefully.
Over the past month, Lin Xiyue’s body had filled out slightly, making her appear less childlike, but one could still tell at a glance that she was quite young.
Jin Yu smiled. “Classmate Lin looks quite young to already be in a college prep class?”
Though his steps down the staircase had been hurried, once he reached the bottom he seemed in no particular rush, moving to sit on the sofa as if preparing for a casual chat.
Lin Xiyue felt her muscles tense up.
When reading about Perverts in books, she’d shout about how exciting it was.
But when facing one in person, she could only silently scream: Stay away from me!
“Hehe, I studied a bit with my mother before.”
Jin Yu smiled. “Classmate Lin is being modest.”
He suddenly leaned closer to Lin Xiyue. “The skin on Classmate Lin’s face is somewhat rough, not what one would expect for a girl of your age.”
Lin Xiyue’s scalp prickled, feeling cold sweat nearly break out on her forehead.
“I… I used to live in the countryside with my mother. We weren’t very particular about these things.”
Jin Yu turned to Jin Yao. “Yao Yao, when Classmate Lin leaves later, give her some of our family’s skincare products to take home.”
Lin Xiyue quickly shook her head. “No, that’s not necessary!”
She didn’t dare casually accept favors from the Jin family. Dealing with the female lead was challenging enough – she couldn’t handle another one.
Jin Yao laughed. “Xiyue, don’t be so nervous. My family makes skincare products. Second Brother thinks your skin condition would suit our products… Just take them and try them! I guarantee your skin will improve significantly after using them for a while!”
Jin Yu’s eyes flickered as he nodded. “Yao Yao is right.”
Lin Xiyue wiped her sweaty palms, truly wanting to refuse.
“Really, it’s not necessary. I’m already using skincare products now, and I have plenty at home…”
Before she could finish speaking, someone suddenly took her hand.
Startled, Lin Xiyue looked down to see it was Jin Yu.
He brought her hand to his nose and sniffed it, stating confidently, “Classmate Lin uses Astragalus Cream, doesn’t you? Homemade variety?”
Lin Xiyue pressed her lips together and nodded. “Mm.”
“Astragalus Cream can improve skin roughness and moisturize the skin, but it doesn’t do much for whitening. Classmate Lin, try our products! If they work well, remember to come buy our skincare products – that would be repayment enough.”
With things put this way, Lin Xiyue had no choice but to brace herself and nod.
“Then thank you, Mr. Jin, and Classmate Jin Yao.”
Jin Yu smiled contentedly before adding another remark.
“I’ll be checking in on you regularly, Lin Xiyue, to monitor your skin condition.”
Those words sent shivers down Lin Xiyue’s spine once again.