The Villainous Sister-in-law Mistakenly Marked as the Heroine (Transmigration) - Chapter 6

Seeing Lin Xinrou nod blankly, Lin Qile quickly slipped away. She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, Lin Xinrou might come to her senses and the matter of breaking off the engagement would become complicated again.

Lin Xinrou ladled soup while organizing in her mind how to tell Qi Song about helping their daughter cancel the engagement.

Returning to the bedroom, she found Qi Song fresh out of the shower, dressed in a silk robe, her damp black hair draped over her shoulders. A slender cigarette dangled from her fingers as she stared blankly at the night view outside the window.

“You didn’t dry your hair again, you’ll get a headache.”

She set the soup on the table and approached with concern, pulling Qi Song to sit on the sofa. Picking up the hairdryer, she began carefully drying her lover’s hair. “I’ve told you so many times, you have to dry your hair properly. You already suffer from migraines. Last week, I met a traditional Chinese doctor who just returned from abroad. He said an in-person consultation would be best. When can you spare some time? I’ll go with you.”

Qi Song replied, “No need. I’m swamped with company matters and can’t get away.”

“Our family isn’t short on money, why work so hard? Ever since you took over the company, Dad’s been completely hands-off. Should I call him and tell him to quit this ‘Earth Volunteer’ thing and come back to—”

“No!” Qi Song interrupted sharply.

Lin Xinrou flinched at her tone.

Qi Song seemed to realize she had overreacted. She softened her gaze and said gently, “Let Dad do something meaningful if he wants to. I can handle the company. There’s no need to trouble him.”

“But I want you to rest properly.”

She reached out to smooth the furrow between Qi Song’s brows. “You’re under too much stress, this spot is always tense.”

“I’m really fine, Xinrou.”

Qi Song pulled her hand away and stood, walking to the table to pick up the soup. “It smells amazing. Your cooking is always perfect.”

“I’m glad you like it. Oh, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”

Qi Song took a sip of soup and asked casually, “What is it?”

“I want to visit the Rong family tomorrow to cancel our daughter’s engagement.”

The room fell silent.

After several seconds without a response, Lin Xinrou looked at her lover in confusion. “A-Song?”

Qi Song set the bowl down and turned to face her, her gaze dark and unreadable. “Why cancel the engagement?”

“Our daughter doesn’t like Rong Wanning anymore, and I don’t think Rong Wanning is good enough for her. She’s a celebrity, an omega at that. You know how chaotic the entertainment industry is. I’ve seen gossip about her before. Even if it’s not all true, there’s no smoke without fire.”

Qi Song placed the soup bowl down and countered calmly, “You’re overthinking it. She’s from the Rong family, who would dare harass her?”

“But I heard she’s not a real Rong. Her father, Rong Hui, is Bai Jiao’s nephew. Rong Yihua only adopted her out of love for Bai Jiao. A-Song, you and Rong Yihua were college classmates you must know about this, right?”

Lin Xinrou looked at her lover with eager curiosity.

Qi Song sighed and shook her head. “Our daughter is already 25, and you’re still this gossipy?”

Lin Xinrou stuck out her tongue playfully. “I’m just curious.”

“Whether Rong Wanning is a true Rong or not, her character is beyond reproach. Back then, it was Qile who begged us to arrange this engagement with the Rong family. Now she suddenly wants to break it off just because she ‘doesn’t like her’ anymore? How am I supposed to explain this to the Rongs? This is ridiculous!”

“If she doesn’t want to marry, then just cancel it.”

“The world doesn’t revolve around her!” Qi Song’s tone carried a hint of irritation.

“We only have one precious child, so spoiling her a bit doesn’t seem like a big deal to me. And this time, she’s really grown up, truly matured.”

Qi Song looked at her disapprovingly: “You say that every time. When has she ever grown up? It’s all because you indulge her too much. I don’t agree with this. Tell her the engagement with the Rong family is set in stone!”

“But—”

Qi Song suddenly walked to the door and flung it open, revealing Lin Qile standing there awkwardly. “M-mother.”

Qi Song spoke coldly: “If you want to break off the engagement, why not tell me directly instead of having your mother speak for you?”

“Mother, I want to call off the engagement.”

“No!”

Lin Qile froze. That rejection was way too blunt!

“Before, when we objected to you being with Rong Wanning, you went on a hunger strike just to be with her. Even though she didn’t like you, we granted your wish. And now you’re changing your mind again?”

“Mother, I know I was wrong before. I was too immature. Now I understand that feelings can’t be forced. Rong Wanning and I really aren’t compatible.”

“Ah Song, our baby is right. Love shouldn’t be forced, ” Lin Xinrou tried to intercede but was silenced by her partner’s glare.

Qi Song turned back to Lin Qile: “Forget about breaking the engagement. Go to bed!”

Lin Qile hung her head and left the room.

Lin Xinrou watched her daughter’s dejected figure retreat, twisting her fingers anxiously.

What should she do?

She was going to disappoint her baby!

Back in her room, Lin Qile immediately made a bitter face.

She had thought Lin Xinrou was the decision-maker in this family, who would have guessed it was Qi Song?!

System!

[Host, I’m here.]

Tell me, if I can’t break off the engagement in three days, what are the chances Rong Jing will socially destroy me?

[100%.]

Lin Qile: …

Not even a second of hesitation?

[Rong Jing is extremely decisive in her actions. Host, good luck.]

Got it.

Lin Qile lay on the bed. It seemed appealing to her mother was a dead end.

But how could she convince Qi Song?

The initial background the system had shown her was from the original host’s perspective. Qi Song, as a mother, played such a minimal role in the original host’s memories that there was no way to identify her weaknesses!

Morning.

Lin Qile, sporting dark circles under her eyes, wanted to pester Qi Song again. But when she went downstairs, only Lin Xinrou was having breakfast.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

“Morning, Mom. Where’s Mother?”

“Ah Song went to work.”

She was stunned. “But it’s only 7:30.”

“Ah Song is used to going to the office early. Sweetheart, your dark circles are terrible. Didn’t sleep well last night?”

Lin Qile didn’t know what to say. Like a resentful ghost, she slumped into a chair at the table. “Mom, is there really no way to cancel the engagement?”

“Sweetheart,” Lin Xinrou looked at her apologetically, “I’m sorry. I can’t persuade your mother. But don’t worry, it’s not like you’re getting married right away. I’ll slowly work on convincing her, okay?”

“Mom, can’t you just cancel it yourself?”

Since Qi Song married into the family, shouldn’t breaking off the engagement not even require her approval?

Lin Xinrou shook her head frantically. “How could I do that? Your mother is the head of our family. Um,  how about this? Don’t rush. We’ll slowly persuade her. It’s not like the wedding is happening tomorrow.”

But she had to rush!

With less than two days left, she was about to face social annihilation.

Seeing Lin Xinrou’s gentle smile, she found herself at a loss for words.

The crux of the matter lay with Qi Song!

If Qi Song agreed, the engagement could be called off immediately.

As a rising star in the medical field, no “difficult case” could stump her!

After breakfast, she followed the original owner’s memories and went to school. The original owner’s troubles came one after another late arrivals, early departures, failed exams, poor attitude, and so on.

After handling a few minor issues, she returned home early. The top priority now was to break off the engagement!

She planned to discuss the matter with Qi Song again during dinner, but Qi Song didn’t come home at all.

“Your mother is working overtime tonight and won’t be back for dinner.”

Lin Qile sat at the dining table, looking at the innocent expression on Lin Xinrou’s face, hesitating to speak.

She wanted to warn Lin Xinrou not to be too trusting of her lover, but she had no concrete evidence of Qi Song’s infidelity, only fragmented memories of Qi Song dining with another woman.

That night, she failed to intercept Qi Song.

She set an alarm for 5 a.m. the next morning and finally caught Qi Song at the breakfast table.

“Mother, I still want to break off the engagement!”

“You’re 25 years old, not a child anymore. Stop being willful. Put this idea out of your head.”

Recalling the original owner’s past interactions with her mother, she stiffened her neck and retorted, “I don’t like Rong Wanning. I won’t marry her!”

“Who was it that came to my office throwing a tantrum, insisting they’d marry no one but Rong Wanning?”

She stood up. “I liked her before, but not anymore! If you won’t help me cancel the engagement, I’ll go to Aunt Rong myself!”

“If you dare act recklessly, I’ll pack you off abroad!”

“Even if you send me abroad, I’ll still break off the engagement with Rong Wanning!”

Qi Song snapped, “Lin Qile!”

The atmosphere at the table instantly grew tense.

“Ah Song, don’t be angry.” Lin Xinrou quickly took her lover’s hand, then shot Lin Qile a warning look.

Lin Qile sat back down sullenly.

“Rong Yihua’s birthday banquet is tonight. All three of us will attend. Darling, don’t rush into canceling the engagement. Spend more time with Rong Wanning. If it really doesn’t work out, your mother and I will find a way to help you.”

“There’s no room for discussion. My stance is firm, I absolutely forbid canceling the engagement! If you dare act out, Lin Qile, I’ll disown you as my daughter!”

After delivering the ultimatum, Qi Song wiped her mouth elegantly and stood up. “I’m heading to the office.”

The moment the door closed, Lin Qile deflated, slumping onto the table.

Today was the deadline.

Given Qi Song’s unyielding attitude, she had no hope left.

“Sweetheart.”

Lin Xinrou looked at her. “Don’t panic. Your sudden decision to break off the engagement is too abrupt. Give it a few days, and I’ll try to talk to your mother again.”

A few days?

But she couldn’t afford to wait!

If this path was blocked, she’d have to try approaching Rong Jing instead.

Right!

She suddenly sat up straight and wolfed down her breakfast.

Lin Qile wasn’t one to give up easily!

After breakfast, she returned to her bedroom and pulled out her phone to call Rong Jing.

Her mother was right about one thing, it wasn’t as if the wedding was happening in the next two days. There was no need to be so rigid about the three-day deadline. Surely Rong Jing could be flexible and extend it a little? She couldn’t be that petty, could she?

Muttering to herself, she waited for the call to connect.

But after three attempts, there was no answer. Frustrated, she paced around the room. “Pick up the phone, young mistress.”

Had she already angered her?

After five unanswered calls, she couldn’t sit still any longer. She quickly changed clothes and rushed out the door.