After Bringing Joy to the Short-Lived Mad Young Lady - Chapter 17

In the Lin family’s golden courtyard, within the transparent greenhouse.

 

Lin Qingwan wore a soft white dress, her long hair cascading down. Her clear, lively eyes outshone countless jewels, pure and pristine like a fairy born amidst the flowers.

 

Li Sinian, accompanied by Lin Chong as her guide, strolled over casually. When she caught a glimpse of Lin Qingwan’s profile from behind, she visibly froze.

 

“She looks so much like her…” she murmured subconsciously.

 

Lin Chong was overjoyed, barely able to suppress his laughter as he eagerly stepped forward to introduce them.

 

At Lin Qingwan’s homecoming birthday banquet, Li Sinian had insisted on breaking off her engagement with Lin Shuxing, causing quite a stir, and she hadn’t attended the event.

 

Rumors had it that over the broken engagement, Lin Lan had flown into a rage, forcing Li Duqiu to personally discipline her beloved granddaughter for the first time—breaking a wisteria cane in the process.

 

Everyone had assumed that, given Li Sinian’s temperament, she would never set foot in the Lin household again.

 

Lin Chong carefully observed Li Sinian’s pleasantly surprised expression and let out a long sigh of relief, silently grateful he had agreed to He Shuanghua’s request.

 

After all, he had spent a fortune to uncover that He Lü was Li Sinian’s personal legal advisor. Two million was a small price to pay for a chance to collaborate with Li Sinian—it was an absolute bargain!

 

That Li Sinian had an unforgettable first love—a white moonlight—was no secret in their circles.

 

It was said she had countless lovers, each bearing some resemblance to that white moonlight. Even a passing similarity in certain traits could earn a measure of her favor.

 

Even a fool like Lin Chong knew that behind Li Sinian’s seemingly devoted façade lay a fickle heart. She loved everyone, which in truth meant she loved no one at all.

 

For those in their echelon of power, marriage was merely a significant business deal, judged solely by how to maximize benefits.

 

The Lin and Li families had arranged a marriage alliance early on precisely because their interests aligned perfectly.

 

Moreover, back when Li Duqiu had reclaimed her ancestral name after three generations, Lin Lan had been one of the few to privately lend her support to the Li family.

 

In those turbulent times, before the current leader had ascended to power, the political climate was far less stable than it was now.

 

Li Duqiu and Lin Lan had dominated Z City solely by virtue of their status as family heads—not as someone’s wife or daughter. When they raised their glasses to each other at banquets, the understanding between them transcended mere reputation.

 

If Li Sinian didn’t want to marry Lin Shuxing, then why not replace her with Lin Qingwan?

 

Li Sinian liked clean, pure, gentle girls—and Lin Qingwan fit the bill perfectly!

 

Lin Chong’s gaze flickered between Li Sinian and Lin Qingwan, the more he looked, the more he felt they were a match made in heaven. His mind buzzed with calculations, nearly bursting with self-satisfaction.

 

As he feigned nonchalance and retreated to give them space, he couldn’t suppress the smirk tugging at his lips.

 

Unfortunately, Lin Chong, with his obsession over romantic entanglements, had overlooked one crucial detail.

 

Li Sinian had often visited the Lin family as a child. The resemblance she spoke of wasn’t to the white moonlight she adored—but to her own birth mother, Wen Qianxue.

 

Wen Qianxue had left this world too soon, leaving behind only the memory of a magnolia blooming softly in the snow.

 

No wonder Lin Lan had favored Lin Qingwan. Even Li Sinian, upon seeing her now, unconsciously softened her voice, as if afraid to disturb this beautiful reflection of the past.

 

Inside the glass greenhouse, Lin Qingwan tilted her head slightly, listening quietly to what Li Sinian was saying. The two gradually drew closer until their figures were finally obscured by the dense clusters of flowers.

 

Sneaking around, Lin Chong flashed a smug “I knew it would come to this” grin before retreating contentedly to plan the evening’s small gathering.

 

He was determined to create opportunities for them—the more, the better. Ideally, things would be settled by tonight!

 

No sooner had Lin Chong passed by than the hem of a skirt fluttered out from behind a nearby sculpture, only to be swiftly caught by Fang Yi standing nearby.

 

Fang Yi covered Lin Shuxing’s mouth.

 

If looks could kill, she would have already met a heroic end for preventing Lin Shuxing from committing murder.

 

“Fang Yi!”

 

Lin Shuxing’s chest heaved with anger as she forcefully pushed Fang Yi’s hand away. “What’s your problem? Are you just going to stand by and watch that old fox team up with an outsider to deceive her?”

 

Lin Qingwan had only recently returned and probably didn’t yet know what kind of person Li Sinian really was.

 

The frequency at which Li Sinian turned on the charm was enough to make one suspect he was the reincarnation of an electric eel, spewing sweet nothings as if they cost nothing.

 

But even if Lin Qingwan was unaware, how could Lin Chong not know?

 

He was banking on Lin Qingwan being easy to deceive and control. If she took power but couldn’t fully command the family, Lin Chong would have plenty of opportunities to exploit!

 

Instead of responding directly, Fang Yi lowered her gaze to the fallen petals caught in Lin Shuxing’s hair and gently plucked them away.

 

“Don’t worry,” she said softly.

 

Her intuition told her that Lin Qingwan wasn’t as harmless as she appeared. Calmly, she added, “If Lin Lan approved Lin Chong’s actions, there’s probably little risk involved.”

 

Given Lin Lan’s methods, any underhanded schemes Lin Chong tried to pull in the old estate would be as futile as covering one’s ears to steal a bell.

 

Unless—Lin Lan also had intentions to deepen cooperation with the Li family.

 

Fang Yi turned slightly, her gaze once again settling on the obscured figures of Lin Qingwan and Li Sinian, analyzing coolly:

 

“Optical illusion. They’re likely more than fifteen inches apart—still within normal social distance.”

 

Lin Shuxing fell silent for a long moment before abruptly spinning Fang Yi around to face her. “Why are you so focused on these things?” she demanded coldly.

 

“Is it for Lin Qingwan’s sake, or… He Shuanghua’s?”

 

“…”

 

Fang Yi’s fingers, still holding the flower, froze.

 

Hearing He Shuanghua’s name out of the blue sent a pang of guilt through her. Her fingertips absently traced the petals, but she quickly snapped back to attention—how did Lin Shuxing know?

 

As Li Sinian’s secret lover, He Shuanghua’s relationship with him was kept even more tightly under wraps than a celebrity scandal.

 

Li Sinian had repeatedly claimed it was for her protection, to shield her from public scrutiny, though the two had argued over it countless times.

 

“You’re wondering how I know.”

 

Lin Shuxing watched Fang Yi’s subtle movements, the mocking curve of her lips deepening. “Oh, I know far more than you think.”

 

She grabbed Fang Yi’s collar with one hand, and Fang Yi obligingly lowered her head, bringing them close.

 

Eye to eye, Fang Yi’s bewildered expression seemed deliberate to Lin Shuxing.

 

Why aren’t you smiling now?

 

Weren’t you always so quick to smile around He Shuanghua?

 

That careless lift of your lips, the way you buttoned your collar so meticulously, revealing just a sliver of your slender neck—your restrained demeanor paired with that easygoing charm only made people fantasize even more.

 

Lin Shuxing bit her lip, her fingers tightening slowly as their breaths mingled. “Tell me the truth,” she hissed, her eyes locked onto Fang Yi’s. “What exactly are your feelings for He Shuanghua?”

 

Back when Fang Yi was still working part-time at the claw machine shop, Lin Shuxing had seen He Shuanghua many times.

 

Dressed in a black-and-white professional outfit, He Shuanghua would always visit Fang Yi during lunch breaks. The two would stand by the annoying white mouse figurine near the entrance, chatting and laughing for what felt like ages.

 

He Shuanghua also frequently bought Fang Yi milk tea—the kind overloaded with sugar, mixed with non-dairy creamer and artificial flavors.

 

And Fang Yi accepted it every time! What was even so good about that stuff?!

 

At first, Lin Shuxing consoled herself, thinking it was normal between friends—just like how Xue Lan often sent her gifts and cards from abroad.

 

Normal, my ass!

 

They had grown up together, okay? Fang Yi and He Shuanghua were born worlds apart.

 

That day, Xue Lan, who was traveling in Egypt, received a completely random message from Lin Shuxing.

 

Twinkling Little Star: No drinking milk tea. It’s not healthy at all. /Angry/Siamese cat rage

 

Xue Lan: Wow, she cares about me!

 

Overjoyed, Xue Lan got so excited she nearly considered smuggling a mummy back as a gift for Lin Shuxing—only to be met with a furious scolding, as expected. She slept soundly that night.

 

Lin Shuxing couldn’t bring herself to scold Fang Yi, nor did she have any right to. They were just strangers who happened to cross paths—what authority did she have to question their relationship?

 

She held it in for a long time, swallowing her words every time they rose to her lips.

 

Until one day, when her stocks soared, and she—overflowing with joy but feigning indifference—planned to buy the shop where Fang Yi worked part-time and gift it to her.

 

But then, from a distance, she saw He Shuanghua throw herself into Fang Yi’s arms, crying.

 

And Fang Yi didn’t push her away.

 

Why did she never refuse anything?!

 

Lin Shuxing couldn’t even remember how she felt in that moment. She turned and walked away, never setting foot in that mall again.

 

If something precious had been touched by someone else, no matter how valuable, she wouldn’t want it anymore. Better to just take it, then smash it to pieces herself—destroy it completely.

 

But with Fang Yi… she couldn’t forget, couldn’t let go. A tangled mess of strange emotions twisted inside her.

 

Later, after some digging, she found out that He Shuanghua was dating Li Sinian. Only then did Lin Shuxing inexplicably breathe a sigh of relief.

 

She trusted that Fang Yi wasn’t the type to be a homewrecker, but the way she cared so much about He Shuanghua’s affairs was just… utterly unreasonable!

 

Before, no matter what Li Sinian did, she hadn’t cared—it was just a marriage of convenience, an open secret in their circles.

 

But—

 

“Fang Yi, I hate fools who can’t keep their emotions in check. If you dare break our engagement, just go die.”

 

The girl clutched the hem of her clothes, her eyes dark enough to drip with gloom. The threatening words that fell on Fang Yi’s ears carried an inexplicable hint of grievance.

 

As if Fang Yi had bullied her…

 

Fang Yi rubbed the tip of her nose, baffled by the sudden outburst, but slowly raised her hands in surrender. “We really are just friends. If you want to talk about feelings, it’s more like frustration—disappointment in her choices.”

 

Half of Fang Yi’s collar had been tugged loose, and with her hands raised, she looked a little silly.

 

Dazed and confused, so unlike her usual calm and reliable self.

 

Lin Shuxing pressed her lips together, her gaze lingering on the exposed collarbone. Her tone softened slightly, but she couldn’t resist the sarcasm. “Disappointment? Hah. She’s fought plenty.”

 

“But it doesn’t seem like she’s gotten much out of it,” Fang Yi added earnestly, her expression completely unguarded. “Feels like she ran into a toxic boss who only knows how to dangle carrots—and doesn’t even pay wages.”

 

“…”

 

What a terrible analogy.

 

Lin Shuxing twitched the corner of her lips, feeling both amused and even more annoyed at herself for being so easily coaxed.

 

“Sis—”

 

A crisp voice rang by her ear. Lin Shuxing turned her head to see Lin Qingwan standing on the stone path, tilting her head slightly. Her eyes were clear and innocent, yet carried a faint, scrutinizing gaze that flickered between them.

 

“What are you two doing here?”

 

Fang Yi’s clothes had been tugged slightly askew earlier, her hair disheveled and falling messily by her neck.

 

Though nothing was actually exposed.

 

Still, Lin Shuxing’s ears suddenly burned red, like a child caught doing something wrong. She quickly stood on tiptoe to straighten Fang Yi’s clothes, as if that could erase the inexplicable ambiguity of the moment.

 

Seeing this, Lin Qingwan’s smile froze at the corners of her lips, but her sugary voice rose a pitch higher:

 

“Sis—”

 

“There’s a huge bug! Right by your feet—get out of there now!”

 

“Where?” At the mention, Lin Shuxing reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, pressing nervously against Fang Yi’s side as she frantically scanned the ground.

 

The next second, Fang Yi bent slightly at the waist, hooked an arm around Lin Shuxing, and lifted her up in one swift motion, striding out of the grass.

 

The girl let out a startled yelp, her skirt fluttering, before she could even process what was happening. In an instant, she was securely placed on the safe stone steps nearby.

 

“…”

 

Lin Qingwan’s smile instantly transferred onto Lin Shuxing’s face.

 

She tried several times to force a smile but failed to keep it up.

 

How exaggerated—were there bugs or ghosts in the grass?

 

Fang Yi gave Lin Qingwan a slight nod, somewhat grateful for the excuse she had provided. Otherwise, she really wouldn’t have known how to coax Lin Shuxing out of her mood just now.

 

But this well-intentioned gesture, in Lin Qingwan’s eyes, transformed into blatant showing off.

 

Lin Qingwan’s eyebrow twitched. For the first time, she realized that Fang Yi, who always seemed so honest, wasn’t that at all!

 

How infuriating. Back when Fang Yi had been chosen as the “auspicious bride,” she was the least likable candidate, wasn’t she?

 

Her sister adored romance and surprises and despised rudeness and brute force—Fang Yi was practically the antithesis of that.

 

So where had things gone wrong?

 

Noticing Lin Qingwan’s piercing stare, Lin Shuxing coughed awkwardly, wanting to say something.

 

She wanted to warn Lin Qingwan not to trust others too easily, especially a certain someone with the surname Li.

 

But after being caught in such a strange situation just now, wouldn’t bringing it up be admitting she’d been spying?

 

If not spying, then what was she doing? She certainly couldn’t admit to sneaking around for a secret affair!

 

After some internal debate, Lin Shuxing cleared her throat solemnly and decided to skip the topic altogether, exercising her authority as the “older sister” instead.

 

Once she embraced this role, an invisible bond seemed to form in her heart, lightly tied around her fingertips.

 

She stiffened her expression awkwardly. “No early dating!”

 

Fang Yi immediately chimed in, “Right, you’re still young. Focus on your studies, improve your self-protection awareness, and be wary of shady adults with ulterior motives.”

 

Lin Shuxing: “Normal people don’t go around spouting sweet nothings or pulling exaggerated stunts. If you encounter someone like that, be careful—every move an adult makes has an agenda.”

 

Fang Yi: “Exactly. If something feels off, report it to your elders immediately.”

 

The two of them seamlessly took turns lecturing Lin Qingwan on anti-scam education, practically calling out Li Sinian by name as a bad influence.

 

Lin Qingwan lowered her eyes and nodded obediently, watching them leave with her usual docile demeanor.

 

But when their figures completely disappeared from sight, her hidden hands suddenly clenched, crumpling the silk skirt into deep creases, her fingertips turning faintly white.

 

She bit her lower lip hard, the pent-up resentment and jealousy finally surging to the surface in her eyes.

 

Luring minors into early relationships, harboring ulterior motives, an unsavory adult, flashy and abnormal… Wasn’t that exactly Fang Yi in a nutshell?

 

She lowered her gaze and smiled, a trace of coldness flickering between her brows.

 

No matter. There would be plenty of time.

 

Her sister would find out sooner or later—