Chapter 5: Returning to the Lin Family
562 Words
Wang Sao ushered Xiao Tongyu inside. Yuan Qing, Lin Xiao's mother, immediately rushed forward.
"Tongtong! You're finally back!" She grasped Xiao Tongyu's hands warmly.
Time had aged Yuan Qing. Without makeup, her once-fair skin looked sallow, eyes sunken.
"Hello Aunt Yuan. Been busy lately." Xiao Tongyu smiled politely.
She knew Yuan Qing's dislike. Over years, she'd overheard Lin Xiao complain: "Mom! Childhood marriage arrangements are outdated! Why marry that orphan?"
"Mom knows. My handsome son deserves better matches."
The accident took her parents but left her stranded.
Her father Xiao Ming's deathbed wish - liquidate Xiao Corporation shares. Half for Xiao Tongyu, half to Lin family, hoping they'd care for her.
Using Xiao's funds, Lin Tianhao expanded Lin Corporation while increasingly despising this helpless orphan.
The Lins fulfilled basic obligations. Xiao Tongyu expected nothing more.
Their sudden dinner invitations hinted at ulterior motives.
Lin Corporation's financial crisis - failed investments and economic downturn - teetered near collapse.
Entering the dining room, Lin Tianhao stood.
"Tongtong, long time no see."
"Uncle Lin." Her gaze flickered to Lin Xiao playing with his phone. He nodded curtly.
Wang Sao served dishes Xiao Tongyu loved.
This false domestic warmth felt foreign. Since high school, she'd eaten in the kitchen with Wang Sao while Lin Xiao dined here. The Lins never objected.
The four ate in strained silence.
Yuan Qing broke it. "Tongtong, any boyfriend?"
"No, Aunt."
"Perfect! Xiao's single too. You're perfect!" Yuan Qing beamed.
Xiao Tongyu glanced at Lin Xiao - shockingly, he didn't protest. Lin Corporation's crisis forced even his pride to bend.
Lin Tianhao disapprovingly eyed his wife's bluntness. He served Xiao Tongyu braised pork. "Eat more. Working at Ji Corporation too exhausting?"
"Thank you, Uncle."
Mentioning Ji Corporation clarified things - they wanted her remaining shares and Ji Yunze's connections.
Ji Yunze's memory triggered fresh pain. She struggled to sit upright.
Lin Xiao set down chopsticks. "Tongtong, private talk."
They moved to the staircase.
Lin Xiao studied this once-unremarkable girl now blossomed into exquisite beauty - delicate features, dewy eyes, innocent yet alluring.
"Lin Xiao, what is it?" Her tone frosty.
"You know why they invited you?"
"And?"
"Will you consider it?" He stepped closer. "We could try."
Xiao Tongyu nearly laughed. What did they take her for?
After her parents' death, she'd genuinely regarded the Lins as family. Reality struck repeatedly:
They ignored school bullying - torn backpacks, ripped homework, hair-pulling. Dismissed her appendicitis pain with random pills. Withheld allowance - even Lin Xiao's birthday gifts came from her part-time jobs.
Only kind Lawyer Wang protected her inheritance until adulthood.
"You're insane, Lin Xiao. Beg Qin Mengyan! Why me? I'm less than a dog to you."
"I was wrong!" Lin Xiao's voice cracked. "Give me a chance!"
He reached out. She recoiled in disgust.
Foolishly, she'd given countless chances, only to have sincerity trampled repeatedly.
She wasn't stupid. Could distinguish genuine from fake.
The Xiao shares' value repaid their "kindness" in full.
"You're delusional. My ties with your family are severed."
Lin Xiao trembled. Always assuming himself her unattainable crush. Her resolute rejection stunned him.
Returning to dining room, her phone rang - Ji Yunze.
"Uncle, Aunt, something came up. Goodbye." She grabbed her bag.
Never returning.
Lin Tianhao and Yuan Qing stared at her retreating figure, unease rising.
"Tianhao... Could she know about that year?"
"Impossible." Lin Tianhao's knuckles whitened.
- Writer
