After Bringing Joy to the Short-Lived Mad Young Lady - Chapter 18

As night fell, the Lin family’s banquet hall was already ablaze with lights, as if dawn had broken prematurely.

 

Champagne and self-interest intertwined, clinking together in crisp, calculated echoes.

 

Lin Chong had found a random excuse to celebrate. Though hastily arranged, he had long since spread the word—hinting at a potential renewed collaboration between the Li and Lin families.

 

“Collaboration” could mean many things.

 

The old foxes of the business world arrived with hidden agendas, their faces plastered with smiles as they tacitly probed for information.

 

Amidst the sea of lavish gowns, only Li Sinian remained in the same colorful shirt she had worn during the day.

 

Casually holding a glass of wine, she stood out like a butterfly that had strayed into a flowerbed, her signature roguish grin never leaving her face.

 

People flocked around her, praising her youthful brilliance and dashing charm. Under the veneer of power, even her out-of-place Hong Kong streetwear seemed to become a statement.

 

Lin Shuxing had initially wanted no part in this performance of a banquet, but Fang Yi had expressed curiosity about attending.

 

Alone and unfamiliar with anyone, Fang Yi would have been left awkwardly adrift.

 

Lin Shuxing frowned but ultimately relented, agreeing to accompany her.

 

Feigning nonchalance, she selected a custom-made couple’s outfit—black and white, asymmetrically tailored, designed by the renowned Olxey. When standing side by side, the patterns on her skirt and Fang Yi’s suit would merge into overlapping moonlit silhouettes.

 

“I am the missing piece of you.”

 

Lin Shuxing loved that design philosophy.

 

Seated outside the fitting room, she flipped absently through a fashion magazine, her gaze never truly settling on the pages.

 

The moment the curtain shifted, she raised the magazine, slowly lifting her eyes amid the gasps of the attendants.

 

The excitement she had suppressed surged to the surface the instant she saw Fang Yi.

 

Bathed in radiant light, Fang Yi stepped forward, her legs—long, symmetrical, and practically sculpted—moving with effortless grace.

 

Lin Shuxing’s gaze inevitably trailed down from her shoulders, lingering on the slender curve of her waist.

 

A single gold waist chain, the only flash of color on her, accentuated her silhouette with breathtaking precision.

 

Lin Shuxing swallowed hard.

 

She knew a little secret, too.

 

That waist chain could also be reshaped—into a noose.

 

Fang Yi stood stiffly, tugging at her hem with visible discomfort.

 

Drawing attention like this went against her usual style, and the way people were staring at her felt unsettling—like she was a target under a spotlight.

 

Lin Shuxing cleared her throat, masking her earlier lapse with haughtiness. “Not bad. So you can dress properly. When we get back, we’re throwing out all those striped shirts of yours.”

 

With a figure like hers, hiding it under oversized, casual plaid was practically a crime.

 

The system gushed with starry eyes: Gorgeous! For the sake of beautifying society, Host should dress like this more often!

 

Fang Yi flexed her wrists, surprised by how well the custom-tailored clothes fit.

 

Despite being formalwear, they didn’t restrict her movements at all. She could squat, kick, or raise her legs freely—

 

Expensive really did have its perks.

 

The system fell silent at Fang Yi’s thoughts: You’re wearing clothes this expensive, and you’re still thinking about fighting? What kind of violent incidents could possibly happen in modern society?!

 

Oh, they could.

 

Fang Yi rolled up her sleeves in front of the mirror, testing the range of motion.

 

After all, her plan to complete the mission was rather extreme. If Li Sinian’s pride was wounded and she went berserk, she would suppress her at the fastest speed possible.

 

Though they hadn’t formally interacted yet, one shouldn’t judge a person too soon.

 

But Fang Yi’s hostility toward Li Sinian had already subtly surpassed reason just a little.

 

In the original story, Lin Shuxing’s death was inextricably linked to Li Sinian.

 

She had once been her fiancée, too.

 

Moreover, Fang Yi had seen the bruises and red marks on He Shuanghua’s body more than once—undoubtedly Li Sinian’s doing.

 

Promiscuous and violent—how utterly despicable!

 

What Fang Yi didn’t know was that she had only guessed half of it.

 

The marks on He Shuanghua’s body were indeed left by Li Sinian, but clearly, there was something far more insane than violence at play.

 

For example—love.

 

He Shuanghua would also be attending tonight, her face half-hidden behind a sheer veil, blending into the crowd.

 

Li Sinian was a master of excuses, but what if He Shuanghua saw it with her own eyes?

 

In the past, Fang Yi had often said insincere words to comfort He Shuanghua, afraid of seeing her cry.

 

But now that He Shuanghua wanted to test Li Sinian’s love, Fang Yi would help her see the truth clearly.

 

He Shuanghua was prouder than anyone—she would never be content to remain Li Sinian’s secret lover forever.

 

A shattered porcelain, repeatedly mended, would always live in fear of falling apart one day. Better to smash it outright.

 

He Shuanghua’s wish was to make their relationship public and break up in front of everyone—wasn’t that a form of announcement in itself?

 

…

 

Everything unfolded as expected.

 

With Lin Chong’s encouragement, Li Sinian invited Lin Qingwan to dance the first dance of the evening.

 

As their skirts swirled, someone—no one knew who—pushed Lin Qingwan, and Li Sinian happened to catch her by the waist.

 

Skirts fluttering, gazes crossing, all the romance seemed gilded in gold, only to shatter in each other’s eyes.

 

Applause surged through the banquet hall, as if crowning a fairy tale that had been rehearsed long ago.

 

Beside them, Lin Shuxing rolled her eyes silently. She couldn’t quite understand—how had the Lin family raised such a naive fool?

 

If it were her, she would have halted the dance immediately to find out who had the audacity to push her.

 

Several times, she wanted to step forward and warn Lin Qingwan not to mistake wildflowers for true love, but Fang Yi held her hand and, with somewhat clumsy steps, led her into the dance floor as well.

 

Tonight would be chaotic, and she didn’t want her getting involved.

 

Under the spotlight, Li Sinian was actually quite reserved, adhering strictly to the most basic social etiquette—even the hand-holding and spins of the dance were performed with the lightest touch.

 

These steps were practically engraved in her bones; she could dance them flawlessly even with her eyes closed.

 

But when her gaze accidentally met a pair of eyes in the crowd, Li Sinian’s steps faltered. Panicked, her left foot tangled with her right, and she nearly fell.

 

Lin Qingwan, bewildered, dodged Li Sinian’s sudden lunge, still unclear about what had happened.

 

As she hesitated over whether to help, a pair of hands reached out faster than hers.

 

“Li Sinian.”

 

A woman in a black gown smiled, pulling her up. The sheer black veil covering half her face trembled faintly. “We’re over.”

 

“What…?”

 

Li Sinian steadied herself, instinctively asking, “Why?”

 

The woman’s eyes brimmed with thick sorrow. “You told me you were working overtime in another city tonight. How hardworking.”

 

“You said you loved me, that you’d marry me. How many people have you said that to?”

 

“Three years, Li Sinian. Was there even a single truthful word in your mouth?”

 

He Shuanghua withdrew her hand, a single tear slipping from the corner of her eye. “I’m tired. Let’s end it here. You all carry on—enjoy yourselves.”

 

The grand doors swung open violently, light and shadow dissolving into chaos behind her.

 

A bold red Ferrari stood parked outside. Her hurried steps seemed like an escape from a nightmare she couldn’t bear to revisit.

 

Li Sinian stared blankly at He Shuanghua’s resolute retreat. It took her a moment to realize—He Shuanghua wasn’t joking.

 

“Don’t go!”

 

“I didn’t do anything! Those words were only ever said to you—it was just business!”

 

She rushed forward, grabbing He Shuanghua’s arm, but the tenderness of the past had frozen solid under that icy glare.

 

The woman before her suddenly felt like a stranger.

 

That cold gaze was a dagger piercing through Li Sinian’s chest, yet He Shuanghua’s eyes still shimmered with unshed tears.

 

“Li Sinian, I truly wish I’d never met you.”

 

How had it come to this?

 

The violin music had stopped at some point. Everyone was watching the spectacle unfold, the banquet hall so silent that only Li Sinian’s frantic shouts echoed:

 

“What are you even making a scene about? Haven’t I been good enough to you? I’ve explained so many times—it was just to appease my grandmother! Why can’t you believe me? Just give me a little more time!”

 

“If you weren’t so paranoid all the time, if I didn’t love you, why would I even bother lying to placate you? It wasn’t intentional! Can’t you just calm down?!”

 

Fang Yi had initially worried that Li Sinian’s sweet talk might sway He Shuanghua back.

 

But after such a scumbag’s declaration, even Lin Shuxing’s eyes flashed with scorn—let alone He Shuanghua’s.

 

Li Sinian’s eyes reddened. Ignoring everything, she yanked He Shuanghua into a rough embrace, crushing her feeble struggles as she growled,

 

“I never said it was over! It’ll never be over between us! Don’t even think about leaving—!”

 

“I said, that’s enough.” A haughty voice cut through her aggression.

 

Lin Shuxing stepped forward, clapping her hands once. The butler swiftly signaled security to encircle the group.

 

Adjusting her pristine white gloves, she said coldly, “Let her go, Li Sinian. The Lin family isn’t a place for you to throw a tantrum.”

 

Li Sinian froze. The once-lively hall plunged into deathly silence.

 

Lin Qingwan tugged anxiously at Lin Shuxing’s sleeve, signaling her not to provoke at such a moment.

 

She sensed danger—self-preservation was the wise choice here.

 

But Lin Shuxing gently patted her hand before pulling free, stepping forward fearlessly to uphold justice.

 

Cornered, Li Sinian tightened her grip on He Shuanghua’s wrist, her plummeting mood solidifying into pure malice.

 

She raised her bloodshot eyes, glaring at this self-appointed challenger like a rabid dog, teeth bared. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

 

Fang Yi, standing protectively in front of Lin Shuxing, felt her eyelids twitch.

 

A sudden thought struck her—had He Shuanghua learned that Lin Shuxing wasn’t Lin Lan’s biological daughter from Li Sinian?

 

The ticking of the clock seemed to stretch endlessly in that moment. Fang Yi lunged forward, trying to muzzle Li Sinian’s venomous fangs.

 

But she was a second too late.

 

Just one step away, Li Sinian snarled in humiliated fury,

 

“Lin Shuxing, you’re nothing but a cuckoo usurping another’s nest—a fraud. What right do you have to act like the host and lecture me?”

 

A cuckoo usurping the nest?

 

A fraud?

 

What did that mean?

 

The air of the entire world seemed compressed into a thin sheet, morphing into a distorted hum.

 

Lin Shuxing watched coldly as Li Sinian lost his mind, Lin Qingwan flusteredly shielding her while saying something, and the butler’s face darkening abruptly…

 

Everyone looked as though they had been smeared with thick, heavy ink, transforming into a grotesque painting. Colors clashed violently before dissolving into an inky black.

 

Long-forgotten details resurfaced in her mind—Lin Lan’s gaze, her complicated silence, and those bloodstained acts of favoritism.

 

Too many things she had never understood suddenly became clear in this moment. Watching the collapse unfold before her eyes, Lin Shuxing found herself eerily calm.

 

So this was it.

 

So this was it… Madam Lin.

 

Now it all made sense. There was never any younger sister, no twin.

 

Should she be happy? At least they had been willing to lie to her.

 

Standing tall amidst the absurdity, Lin Shuxing curled her lips into a faint, inexplicable smile.

 

Gorgeous, haughty—like a rose in full bloom, swaying with thorns sharp enough to pierce.

 

Her bones creaked faintly, like the subtle struggles of a butterfly trapped in its thick cocoon.

 

Lin Lan’s indifferent face flickered before her eyes, followed by Wen Qianxue’s fading smile. One by one, they let go of her hand, leaving her standing alone.

 

So I was the fake one, Mom… No wonder you haven’t visited me in my dreams for so long.

 

Lin Shuxing lowered her gaze, staring at her empty palm, fingers curling slightly.

 

Suddenly, a slender, well-defined hand covered hers, gripping it firmly. Warmth seeped through the gaps between her fingers, pulling her back to reality.

 

She looked up. Through the haze, Fang Yi’s face drew closer, growing clearer.

 

For the first time, that usually indifferent face was etched with intense emotion. In her eyes, Lin Shuxing glimpsed a turbulent sea.

 

As if… Fang Yi was grieving for her.

 

But why, Fang Yi?

 

She felt her ears being gently cupped, all noise muffled as if sealed away, leaving only the echo of a heartbeat.

 

That hand clumsily brushed against her cheek, the pinky occasionally grazing her skin—light as a feather, yet enough to send an uncontrollable shiver through her.

 

Fang Yi’s movements were frantic, repeatedly wiping away nonexistent tears until a faint flush finally colored Lin Shuxing’s pallid face.

 

She reminded Lin Shuxing of that silly little raccoon who kept washing cotton candy in water.

 

Over and over, futilely trying to hold onto something that was already dissolving.

 

But look, I’m not crying. The cotton candy won’t melt.

 

Lin Shuxing raised her hand, lightly touching Fang Yi’s parted lips.

 

She wanted to tell her—stop talking nonsense, just kiss me.

 

But no sound escaped her throat. Her heart ached so much she couldn’t even muster the strength to rise onto her tiptoes.

 

Fang Yi, won’t you kiss me first?