After Bringing Joy to the Short-Lived Mad Young Lady - Chapter 16

“Mmm…”

 

The girl’s soft murmur was like a dreamy whisper. She slowly tightened her grip, pressing her cheek close, her muffled voice saying, “This way, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

 

The overly intimate gesture made Fang Yi feel awkward.

 

She rarely got this close to others—especially with their chests pressed together, close enough to feel each other’s heartbeat. The rising warmth between them was just… too strange.

 

It was as if they had entrusted their lives to each other.

 

Instinctively, Fang Yi felt she should create some distance to ensure safety, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint where this sense of danger was coming from.

 

In her past life, she had once raised a cat.

 

A little black ball of fur, picked up from the ruins. In winter, it would burrow into her arms for warmth, nestling near her chest with its head peeking out from the collar of her coat to breathe.

 

But one day, it became infected, sprouting grotesque, slimy tendrils—it must have been in agony, its fur soaked with tears or bl00d—yet it stumbled toward Fang Yi.

 

“Chirp!”

 

It hadn’t fully mutated yet and could still recognize its owner among a crowd. Its cry was exactly the same as the one it had made the night before, curled up in her arms.

 

For a fleeting moment, Fang Yi had truly considered catching it.

 

But only for that moment.

 

In the end, she fulfilled her duty. She pulled the trigger. A mist of bl00d sprayed out, and amid her teammates’ shocked cries, she didn’t even spare it a second glance.

 

“Fang Yi, your heart is beating so fast,” the girl murmured, tilting her head up and placing her palm over the soft rise and fall of Fang Yi’s chest.

 

Heartbeat… Could it be felt here too?

 

The rhythm grew increasingly frantic.

 

She had been alone for too long. Even in this tight embrace, the first thing that came to mind was separation.

 

She didn’t understand what this state meant. Even her breathing became uncontrollable—as if, as if she were falling ill…

 

Fang Yi stiffened all over and hastily pushed the girl away as she drew closer. To cover her own flustered state, she blurted out the first excuse that came to mind, “Heart disease.”

 

This heart rate was indeed too fast, far beyond normal.

 

The teasing mood that had just begun to rise was instantly shattered, the intimate atmosphere vanishing without a trace.

 

Lin Shuxing let out a soft sound as she was pushed back but didn’t bother to protest. Instead, she anxiously grabbed Fang Yi’s wrist. “Really?! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?!”

 

“…”

 

“Just kidding.”

 

The girl’s expression shifted, and in a fit of anger, she snatched a pillow and hurled it at Fang Yi. “How could you joke about something like that?!”

 

Her own health was fragile, so she knew all too well how terrible illness could feel.

 

But Fang Yi was used to speaking carelessly, heedless of consequences, and hadn’t yet realized why the girl was so upset.

 

By the time she processed it, the door before her had already slammed shut with a force that shook the entire hallway.

 

Fang Yi rubbed the tip of her nose.

 

The system, frightened, urged in a hushed voice: Hurry up and leave! Her expression just now was terrifying—you’re lucky you didn’t get slapped!

 

Please, for the love of all that’s holy, shut your mouth! Such a perfect moment—don’t ruin the mood when people are flirting!

 

“…”

 

Fang Yi glanced back at the tightly closed bedroom door and nodded, though it was unclear what exactly she had grasped. A flicker of emotion rose and fell in her dark eyes.

 

Pressing her lips together, she smoothed over the chaotic disarray within herself and headed downstairs.

 

The Lin family’s hierarchy resembled a pyramid. The lights at the staircase landing never went out, and the uniformly dressed servants moved like well-programmed machines, operating seamlessly according to the master’s will.

 

Just a few steps away, the silence of the second floor descended, settling upon the golden chandelier.

 

Snap—

 

A somewhat caustic male voice followed, piercing through the established tranquility.

 

“Can’t even handle such a simple task properly.”

 

“Water this hot—how can the first brew of tea be drinkable? Ignorant!”

 

Fang Yi glanced casually and noticed that the previously empty dining room was unexpectedly lively.

 

“With skills like this, how are you supposed to take care of the young lady? No wonder there’s never a moment of peace.” The drawn-out tone was full of disdain and mockery.

 

“I’m sorry…”

 

Duan Ruoxi’s voice, already soft and gentle, now sank even lower, trembling with unease.

 

“From what I see, you’re all in cahoots with that charlatan. Sneaking into our Lin family—what exactly are you plotting?”

 

“Heh, as soon as you arrived, something like this happened. Who knows if you slipped something into the food?”

 

“Pour it all out.”

 

“Remember, those surnamed Lin are your masters. This is the Lin family estate—not just anyone can act recklessly here!”

 

No matter what the man said, Duan Ruoxi kept repeating the same “I’m sorry.” Left to perform a one-man show, he eventually grew bored and lifted his foot:

 

“Wipe it clean. I have important business today, so I won’t bother with you further.”

 

Without the slightest hesitation, Duan Ruoxi immediately bent down to wipe. The back of her hand, already reddened from the scalding water, had developed small blisters after enduring the man’s lengthy lecture.

 

The man was none other than Lin Chong, Lin Lan’s younger brother.

 

Though he had been driven to a remote annex after the family split, he was still someone far beyond the reach of small fry like them.

 

At first, Lin Chong had maintained some semblance of decorum, hypocritically inquiring about Lin Shuxing’s condition. But upon learning that Lin Shuxing hadn’t left her room all day, he gradually bared his fangs.

 

With Lin Lan absent and Lin Shuxing ill, it seemed he could now play master of the house.

 

Duan Ruoxi had been happily baking small cakes earlier when the man took a bite, then demanded tea. No matter how she poured it, he was unsatisfied, spouting nonsense about tea rituals.

 

In the end, he even slapped the scalding tea onto Duan Ruoxi’s hand, shattering the cup before blaming her for being clumsy.

 

His black leather shoe hovered over the shards of the bone china cup as he propped his chin on one hand, enjoying the sight of Duan Ruoxi pitifully wiping his shoe with her sleeve.

 

“Do you usually serve the young lady like this too?”

 

He continued with venomous speculation. “You people have it so easy—just coaxing a little girl and raking in money. As her uncle, I don’t have it so simple.”

 

Lin Lan kept him on a tight leash, granting him only a small company to scrape by, forcing him to kowtow to others.

 

Decades ago, as the young master of the Lin family, he would never have suffered such humiliation!

 

This time, Duan Ruoxi didn’t respond, mechanically finishing the task before preparing to retreat.

 

Lin Chong’s face darkened. “Who said you could leave? Did I permit it?”

 

“Gotten a taste of privilege and now think you’re the master?”

 

Before the words fully left his mouth, he stomped down, grinding his foot mercilessly onto Duan Ruoxi’s hand.

 

Her head bowed low, she didn’t dare dodge, staring hopelessly as the shards of porcelain drew nearer.

 

Then—

 

The chair beneath the man was suddenly kicked with tremendous force, screeching out a sharp, mournful cry.

 

It all happened too fast. Suspended mid-air for a split second, his expression blank with confusion, he lost all momentum and crashed heavily to the ground.

 

“Ow! Who—who dares ambush me?! Butler! Where’s security?!”

 

The butler ignored him, turning instead to Fang Yi with a slight bow.

 

Fang Yi raised her hand, her gaze settling on the red marks on Duan Ruoxi’s hand, and pulled her straight to the sink to rinse it under water.

 

When Lin Chong heard that Fang Yi was Lin Shuxing’s fiancée, his eyes instantly flashed with venomous hatred, as if he wished he could pierce right through her.

 

Lin Shuxing had always been the default heir to the family, where the main branch’s authority reigned supreme—even he, as her uncle, couldn’t reprimand her.

 

But now, Lin Shuxing could no longer sit securely as the successor, let alone this commoner woman who had married into the family!

 

Cold water ran over the scalded skin as Duan Ruoxi hung her head low, guiltily murmuring, “I’m sorry… Did I cause trouble? That man was Lin Chong, the young mistress’s uncle.”

 

“It’s fine,” Fang Yi said expressionlessly, reaching into her crossbody bag with one hand. “The burn is a bit severe. Rinse it for ten minutes before applying ointment.”

 

Fang Yi’s crossbody bag looked small, but inside was a different world, stuffed with all sorts of things.

 

As her hand reached into the right side, the outline of something hard faintly pressed against the fabric of the bag.

 

Duan Ruoxi hesitated as she watched Fang Yi’s movements, then pressed down on the hand that was about to withdraw something from the bag. “Don’t provoke him. I’m fine. The pay is good, after all—this much will heal quickly.”

 

She forced a careless smile. “If he didn’t make things difficult, I’d feel uneasy taking such a high monthly salary.”

 

Duan Ruoxi looked delicate, but her grip was astonishingly strong, as if her entire body’s strength was concentrated in that iron-like hand, rendering Fang Yi momentarily unable to move.

 

“…”

 

Fang Yi noticed the faint old scars scattered across Duan Ruoxi’s hand. “It’s ointment.”

 

“Ah, ointment!” Duan Ruoxi blinked in surprise, her gaze drifting away. “That’s amazing. Why do you carry this around?”

 

She quickly let go, reverting to her usual gentle demeanor.

 

Fang Yi finally managed to hand her the half-crushed tube of burn ointment.

 

“What did you think it was?”

 

Duan Ruoxi grinned foolishly and didn’t answer.

 

Fang Yi studied her deeply but didn’t press further about what lay beneath that smile. Instead, she asked, “Do you need money? Make him compensate you for medical expenses.”

 

“It’s what you’re owed. We’re employed by Lin Lan. If we’re deliberately harmed on the job, we can demand compensation.”

 

Earlier, when the butler had turned and nodded slightly, Fang Yi had already deduced that Lin Chong’s status in the Lin family wasn’t particularly high.

 

That was why he only dared to vent his anger on the hired help.

 

A cowardly fool, all bark and no bite.

 

“Hmm,” Duan Ruoxi blinked slowly. “Is that okay?”

 

“Yes. Later, don’t say anything. Just follow my lead.”

 

Fang Yi turned and walked toward Lin Chong while dialing her lawyer’s number.

 

She briefly explained the situation. After a moment of silence, the other end let out a soft chuckle. “Lin Chong?”

 

“Attorney He.”

 

Fang Yi glanced at the man, whose face had turned ashen, and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear:

 

“Due to this gentleman’s deliberate act of harm, Ms. Duan Ruoxi sustained burns on her hand, forcing her to cancel all piano recitals and world-class pastry competitions for the next year, resulting in significant financial losses.”

 

“He also attempted to inflict further harm, which I intervened to prevent. There are other eyewitnesses present.”

 

“Yes, we intend to file a lawsuit. Should we report this to the police first for a medical assessment?”

 

Lin Chong’s expression shifted from disdain to bewilderment, then to furious malice. “Are you insane? Over something this trivial, you’re calling the police and suing?”

 

“What kind of high-class goods is this?!”

 

Of course, he wasn’t afraid of Fang Yi or this inexplicable lawyer, but if things really escalated to a lawsuit, Lin Lan would definitely investigate what had happened today.

 

The Lin estate was covered in surveillance. If Lin Lan personally reviewed the footage, he’d have a hard time explaining himself.

 

“You’re clearly scammers trying to extort me, aren’t you?!”

 

Like a bully who only picks on the weak, the man glared fiercely at Duan Ruoxi, his bravado thinly veiled. “Fraud is a crime—think carefully before you act!”

 

Fang Yi calmly held out her phone to him.

 

On the other end, He Shuanghua toyed with a pen and softly uttered the man’s name: “Lin Chong, long time no see.”

 

Those light, almost casual words struck Lin Chong like a death knell. He gasped, “How is it you?!”

 

“So you’re all in this together! What exactly do you want? Who put you up to this?”

 

His gaze at Duan Ruoxi and Fang Yi was now laced with fear, as if he’d stumbled upon some earth-shattering conspiracy.

 

He Shuanghua had once won a lawsuit against the Lin family—one caused by Lin Chong’s own misdeeds.

 

Aside from the compensation he’d been forced to pay, Lin Lan had also stripped him of the meager inheritance dividends left by his mother’s side.

 

And where did those assets end up? In the hands of Lin Shuxing and Lin Qingwan, of course.

 

Suppressing his rage, the man gritted out, “How much do you want?”

 

Duan Ruoxi thought for a moment, then tentatively held up two fingers.

 

Fang Yi: “Two million.”

 

Duan Ruoxi: ?!

 

Fang Yi had deliberately quoted a high price, expecting Lin Chong to haggle. With two million as the starting point, even reducing it to two hundred thousand—or twenty thousand—would seem like a bargain in comparison.

 

Lin Chong frowned, his disdainful eyes sweeping over the two shabbily dressed women before him. Just as he was about to sneer, the voice on the phone murmured, “Lin Chong, you’re going to the Lin estate now for the Yanjing project, aren’t you?”

 

The man’s pupils constricted. He hastily switched off the speaker and lowered his voice. “How do you know that?”

 

What an idiot.

 

He Shuanghua hadn’t been entirely certain before, but his reaction confirmed her guess.

 

A massive project—one capable of kickstarting an entire new industry chain—had been approved in Yanjing, with some ties to the Li family. Lin Chong’s small company was also bidding, though its chances were slim.

 

A mismanaged, disorganized company like his could never handle such a project alone. Most likely, Lin Chong was hoping to leverage the Lin family’s influence to cozy up to Li Sinian, securing at least a share of the profits.

 

But with no money or power to offer, how could he possibly win Li Sinian’s favor?

 

Unless—

 

He planned to use the recently returned Lin Qingwan to get close to Li Sinian.

 

He Shuanghua chuckled ambiguously. “Lin Chong, you’ve got quite the appetite, don’t you? Eager to pick sides so soon?”

 

“When were you planning to arrange that meeting between Li Sinian and the young lady?”

 

His scheme laid bare, Lin Chong panicked. “Attorney He, we’ve never had any grudges between us. Why are you targeting me?”

 

He Shuanghua replied coolly, “Watch your tone. You’re the one who assaulted someone first. Pay the girl what she’s owed.”

 

“Then… what can you offer me?” the man asked hesitantly.

 

He Shuanghua tossed her pen into the trash bin with a careless flick. “I can’t offer you anything. But I can decide whether Li Sinian steps foot in the Lin estate.”

 

No outsiders knew of their connection—Li Sinian had kept it well hidden.

 

But He Shuanghua’s tone was too casual, as if Li Sinian were just another piece of trash she could flick away with a finger.

 

“Believe it or not—”

 

Lin Chong fell silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth, signed a check, and threw it on the ground, glaring fiercely at Fang Yi.

 

Fang Yi remarked, “How uncivilized, littering money like this.”

 

She picked it up without a second thought, dusted it off, and handed it to Duan Ruoxi, who was still standing there dazed.

 

Duan Ruoxi stared blankly at the check, rubbing her fingers over it repeatedly to ensure every detail was real and valid.

 

As far as she knew, Fang Yi’s family wasn’t well-off either—how could she just give all this money away so easily?

 

She looked up at Fang Yi, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

 

Two million—for the wealthy, it might just be pocket change for a frivolous purchase, but for an ordinary person, that sum represented endless possibilities.

 

A modest home in a quieter neighborhood, a car for daily commutes, enough groceries to last a lifetime, no more fear of homelessness, no dread of being unable to afford medical bills, no need to force themselves into jobs they hated…

 

The two fingers she had initially held up had actually meant twenty thousand.

 

It was also the price of a hand on the black market.

 

Fang Yi didn’t notice the shadow in Duan Ruoxi’s eyes. She turned and asked He Shuanghua over the phone, “Did you get the money?”

 

Fang Yi waved it off. “Got it. What else did they say after that? They handed it over so easily—must be loaded. Should’ve asked for more.”

 

He Shuanghua was cautious. Only after hanging up did she text Fang Yi the full context.

 

Fang Yi was confused. Fang Yi was shocked.

 

Fang Yi: If I’m understanding this right, he wanted to arrange a marriage alliance between Lin Qingwan and Li Sinian to gain influence and skim a share of the project?

 

He Shuanghua: Mhm.

 

Fang Yi: And you’re not planning to stop it? You’re even supporting Li Sinian’s involvement? Why?

 

He Shuanghua’s wish was for Li Sinian to publicly acknowledge their relationship.

 

But in the original storyline, Li Sinian had only been playing around outside and ultimately ended up with Lin Qingwan.

 

…

 

Of course, she couldn’t say that to He Shuanghua.

 

He Shuanghua: If such trivial gains can shake her resolve, then that kind of love is too cheap.

 

He Shuanghua: I’m willing to bet on it.

 

Fang Yi felt a pang of frustration.

 

They were gambling with love and money, but if the mission failed, she’d be the one to die.

 

He Shuanghua was sharp and unyielding when handling cases—how could she become so irrational the moment Li Sinian was involved?

 

To this day, Fang Yi still couldn’t fathom what charm Li Sinian, the so-called “chosen one,” possessed. Just like when she first met He Shuanghua, she’d never have guessed that someone with her temperament would willingly play the role of a stand-in.

 

They often fought and bickered. Whenever Fang Yi listened to He Shuanghua’s tearful grievances, she often wanted to solve the problem at its root—

 

But the moment she suggested any form of retaliation against Li Sinian, He Shuanghua would tearfully lecture her on legal consequences.

 

One moment quoting Article 372 of the Criminal Law, the next whimpering, “But I love her so much, she already apologized—can’t we go back to how things were?”

 

Occasionally, Fang Yi would zone out, almost convinced that the Criminal Law mandated her to love Li Sinian.

 

Terrifying.

 

In the original story, every twist of love and hatred seemed inextricably tied to Li Sinian. He Shuanghua loved her, Lin Shuxing loved her, Lin Qingwan eventually loved her too…

 

So many women vying for her affection, loving her for no discernible reason—it made one wonder if the Li family’s business included a side hustle in casting love spells.

 

In this life, Li Sinian took the initiative to break off the engagement early, which could be considered somewhat tactful.

 

But then again, why should she be the one to call off the engagement with Lin Shuxing?

 

Yet if she didn’t break it off, things might turn out even worse.

 

Fang Yi irritably ran a hand through her hair. She vaguely thought of a way to complete her mission, but before solving the problem, she wanted nothing more than to punch Li Sinian in the face.

 

No particular reason—she just couldn’t stand people like him.