Chapter 72: Checks and Balances This chapter includes an additional 2,100 diamonds.

Fu Miao was brought to the Buddhist hall, where Jiang Shuzhi sat in her seat. After a while, Nanny Song came over carrying a laptop. The computer was already unusable, and the phone too had been infected by a virus—everything inside had vanished without a trace.

Standing there with her head bowed, Fu Miao’s fingers twisted together, wishing desperately that someone would appear to rescue her. But with her phone already confiscated by Jiang Shuzhi, she couldn’t even call for help—she was utterly powerless.

Without a word, Jiang Shuzhi picked up the phone and played a recording for her. It was Fu Yanchuan’s voice, discussing with Fu Juxing how they might seize power. Hearing this, Fu Miao felt a coldness seep into her heart.

She kept her head down, not daring to meet Jiang Shuzhi’s eyes, lips pressed tightly together, unable to utter a single word.

The recording went on, segment after segment. There were also photos and videos showing Fu Yanchuan meeting privately with Lin Zhouye.

The more Jiang Shuzhi listened, the angrier she became. She hadn’t slept properly for several nights. Never had she imagined that the grandson she cherished most would ally himself with an outsider to betray her. It was a joke—a colossal one.

Clutching her teacup, Jiang Shuzhi’s rage was barely contained, her face ashen with fury. When the recording ended, the room fell into a heavy silence.

Fu Miao felt pressure closing in from all sides, her body trembling uncontrollably with fear—so much so that she nearly dropped to her knees.

Since childhood, Jiang Shuzhi had always been a strict and demanding grandmother in her eyes, favoring only the most outstanding children, believing only they were worthy of her affection. So Fu Miao had always tried her best, striving to be first in every competition, to stand out before her grandmother and never disappoint her parents.

But with Lin Wanbai around, being first was harder than reaching the heavens.

She bit her lip, swallowing all the words she wanted to say, not daring to voice a single one.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before she heard Jiang Shuzhi let out a long breath, then that cold voice echoed in her ears: “Miao Miao, how have I treated you all these years?”

Swallowing nervously, she stammered, “Grandmother, you’ve always… always treated me well.”

“If that’s so, then why did you do this? Why did you join forces with your brother to try to destroy me?”

“No, we didn’t… We would never dare… We just thought… we just thought you’re getting older, and you should enjoy some peace and happiness. Affairs of the company should be left to Father and the others. You should live comfortably at home, and if there’s anywhere you’d like to go, I could accompany you…” Her voice trailed off, growing smaller with every word.

Jiang Shuzhi sneered, “So, what you mean is that everything you did was for my own good, out of concern for me, is that it?”

Fu Miao didn’t dare answer, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor, not daring even a glance at her grandmother.

Jiang Shuzhi’s authority was simply overwhelming; she couldn’t muster the courage to resist. All the things she had said behind her back—now, in person, not a word could escape her lips.

“Speak! Why are you silent? If you dare to do something, you should dare to face the consequences! Since you did it and got caught, don’t be afraid! Raise your head, look at me, and say it! Speak!”

The last three words rang out with such force that Fu Miao flinched, instinctively stepping back, unable to utter a sound.

Jiang Shuzhi raised her hand, and Nanny Song immediately came over to support her, guiding her to stand beside Fu Miao.

Fu Miao shrank back, and when she saw Jiang Shuzhi’s hand raised, she immediately covered her head, crying, “I’m sorry, I know I was wrong, I won’t do it again. Grandmother, I’m sorry…”

After a moment, Jiang Shuzhi’s slap did not fall. Instead, her hand simply rested gently on Fu Miao’s shoulder. “You should be afraid. From now on, don’t act so recklessly. Fortunately, I was prepared. Those videos I kept—none were destroyed by you.”

As she spoke, she gently lowered Fu Miao’s hands. “I didn’t intend to hit you. I just want to reason with you. I don’t want to be the unreasonable old woman you all see me as. You only fell into Fu Juxing’s trap. He wants to sow chaos among our own family. How can we let him succeed? And you—you just want to marry Lin Zhouye. I’ve already explained—marrying a man you love may seem like happiness, but it’s all an illusion. Once you start living with him, you’ll realize just how foolish you are.”

Fu Miao pressed her lips together, refusing to speak. In her heart, she stubbornly disagreed with Jiang Shuzhi’s view.

Jiang Shuzhi moved a little closer. “Besides, you are now legally Lin Zhouye’s wife. Whether or not there’s a wedding does not matter. Tomorrow, pack your things and go to Pujiang. Husband and wife should not live apart. Since you’ve married him, you belong with him. You should use your rights—not, as now, be led by the nose.”

The words were a revelation.

Fu Miao turned her head sharply and met Jiang Shuzhi’s faintly smiling eyes. That smile was unsettling. Jiang Shuzhi gently stroked her hair. “It’s late. Go to bed. What happened today is our little secret; you mustn’t tell anyone, understand?”

Fu Miao licked her lips and nodded stiffly. “But… but what if the Lin family won’t let me stay?”

“If they don’t, you have plenty of ways to make them compromise, don’t you?”

Fu Miao blinked, as if suddenly recalling something, and nodded vigorously.

Jiang Shuzhi was quite satisfied with her response, withdrew her hand, and with a tilt of her chin said, “Go on, rest in your room. Tomorrow, I’ll have Nanny Song help you pack, and your parents will send you over themselves.”

“All right.”

She glanced at her grandmother, hesitated a few seconds, then turned and walked toward the door.

At the threshold, Jiang Shuzhi’s voice came again: “The Lin family’s peaceful days will depend on you now.”

…

Early the next morning, Jiang Shuzhi was already seated in the dining room having breakfast.

Fu Yonghui, always an early riser, entered first and sat opposite her. “Good morning, Mother.”

“Morning.” Jiang Shuzhi chewed her fried dough sticks slowly. “Your father was taken by Fu Juxing to live elsewhere. Did you know?”

“Yes.”

She waited a moment, then looked at him. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

“Father leaving isn’t a big deal. For you, it’s probably for the best—out of sight, out of mind.”

Jiang Shuzhi chuckled. “True enough. Take some time this afternoon to send Miao Miao to the Lin family in Pujiang.”

“Hmm?” Fu Yonghui paused, momentarily confused.

Jiang Shuzhi spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Didn’t the two of them already get their marriage certificate? Since they’re married, they’re legally husband and wife—how can a married couple live apart? Miao Miao should have moved in long ago. As her parents, you really don’t care enough.”

“Ah, we were waiting for their wedding…”

“Wedding or not, they’re still husband and wife. In fact, it’s better not to have a wedding right now—everything should be kept low-key. Miao Miao just has a bit of girlish sentiment, insisting on a wedding. Now she’s come around; since they’re married, they should live together.”

Fu Yonghui glanced at her, said nothing more, and merely nodded. “Understood. I’ll make a call—I won’t go to the company today.”

“Good.”

That afternoon, escorted by Fu Yonghui and Yuan Yujun, Fu Miao arrived at the Lin family home, dragging along her many bags. She hadn’t even called Lin Zhouye beforehand, simply showing up on her own.

Uncle An was away, so Aunt Rong was temporarily in charge of the household. When the doorbell rang, Lin Wanbai had just finished her afternoon nap and was sitting in the dining room having a snack.

“Who could it be at this hour?”

“I’ll go check,” Aunt Rong said, heading toward the entrance.

One of the servants had already opened the door. As she approached, she saw luggage being carried inside, and then Fu Miao and her parents.

She was momentarily stunned, then quickly recovered her composure and went to greet them with a smile. “Master, Madam, what brings you here?”

Fu Yonghui glanced at her but didn’t answer, instead instructing the servants to bring the luggage inside.

Hearing the commotion, Lin Wanbai came out as well. When she saw Fu Miao, she paused, then noticed Fu Yonghui issuing commands and Fu Miao standing haughtily by his side—her temper began to rise.

But she was pregnant, and the doctor had advised her not to get upset, as it would be harmful to the baby. So she tried to calm herself, took a few deep breaths, and greeted them with a smile. “Uncle, Aunt, what brings you here? Is there something going on?”

Yuan Yujun smiled, pulling Fu Miao with her. “Let’s not talk in the doorway. Let’s go inside and sit down.”

With that, she led Fu Miao inside, not waiting for anyone’s consent, brushing past Lin Wanbai as though she owned the place.

Lin Wanbai’s smile remained polite. She raised her brows and instructed the servants, “Leave the luggage for now. Don’t move it.”

Here, her word was law. The servants immediately stopped.

Aunt Rong came to her side, and Lin Wanbai gestured for the guests to enter. “Please come in.”

Aunt Rong went to the kitchen to make tea. As the hostess, Lin Wanbai naturally sat in the living room to entertain them.

But the main sofa was already occupied by Fu Miao and Yuan Yujun, the two women chatting merrily as though they were the mistresses of the house.

Lin Wanbai didn’t mind; she sat on a single armchair nearby.

Yuan Yujun asked, “I heard you’re pregnant, Xiao Bai?”

Lin Wanbai smiled and nodded. “Yes, four months along.”

“You really can’t tell. It must be a boy, right?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t checked yet.”

“Looks like a boy to me.”

Lin Wanbai replied, “Boy or girl, it makes no difference. They’re both wonderful.”

Aunt Rong brought tea.

After a while, since Lin Wanbai didn’t ask about their reason for coming, Yuan Yujun finally spoke up herself.

“Xiao Bai, we can have tea later. Right now, the most important thing is to move Miao Miao’s luggage into your uncle’s room.”

“Hm?” Lin Wanbai looked genuinely puzzled.

Fu Miao, ever intolerant of her demeanor, said, “Lin Zhouye and I are legally married. Have you ever seen a married couple living apart?”

“Does my uncle know?” Lin Wanbai didn’t want to argue.

“Of course,” Fu Miao lied with a straight face—she hadn’t even called him.

“Really?”

Lin Wanbai doubted her. If Lin Zhouye wanted her to move in, he would have said so beforehand, not allowed her to show up unannounced.

“So you don’t mind if I call him?”

Fu Miao retorted, “What’s that supposed to mean? Do you think I’d lie to you?”

“Can’t I call to confirm?”

Yuan Yujun gently pulled Fu Miao back and said pleasantly, “Xiao Bai, we’re all family now, even closer than before. When Miao Miao moves in, she can keep you company.”

“I don’t need company. I’m pregnant and just want some peace and quiet. I’d rather not have anyone else here.”

Yuan Yujun kept smiling. “Xiao Bai, that’s not fair. This house isn’t run by you alone, is it?”

Lin Wanbai placed a hand on her belly, lounging lazily in the armchair. “Actually, right now, what I say goes. I’m pregnant, after all—the pregnant woman has the highest authority. If anything happens to me or the baby, it would be a huge problem. My uncle never mentioned this before, so I need to ask him.”

She took out her phone, dialed Lin Zhouye, and switched to speaker.

Fu Miao’s face paled, and Yuan Yujun’s smile faded as well. She looked to Fu Yonghui, hoping he would say something.

Fu Yonghui coughed, “Xiao Bai—”

Before he could finish, Lin Zhouye answered, “I understand. I’ll be right back.”

Twenty minutes later, Lin Zhouye arrived at the door, his expression even darker at the sight of all the luggage.

In the living room, he saw Fu Miao and Yuan Yujun occupying the main seats, with Lin Wanbai perched on a small stool.

After her call, Lin Wanbai had moved to the tea table, claiming it was more comfortable for watching TV.

Fu Yonghui had tried to persuade her to move, but she hadn’t budged.

Lin Zhouye found the scene almost comical.

Seeing him, Fu Yonghui greeted him. Everyone tried to act cordial, though Lin Zhouye’s mood was anything but.

Lin Wanbai feigned surprise. “Uncle, you’re here.”

Lin Zhouye went to help her up. “It’s not good for you to sit like this while pregnant.”

“It’s fine. Aunt is more important. With all the elders here, I’m just the junior—sitting on a small stool is appropriate.”

Fu Miao couldn’t take the obvious provocation. “Lin Wanbai, what are you implying? That we made you sit on that stool?”

“No, not at all. You’re my aunt now—the mistress of the house. I’d be eager to please you.”

“You—!”

Yuan Yujun pulled Fu Miao back, standing and saying with a smile, “Xiao Bai, you love to joke. Come, sit with us.”

Lin Wanbai remained behind Lin Zhouye, smiling but not moving.

Lin Zhouye asked Aunt Rong to take Lin Wanbai upstairs, then turned to Fu Miao. “Come. Let’s talk outside.”

Lin Wanbai apologized politely to Fu Yonghui and Yuan Yujun, then went upstairs with Aunt Rong.

Upstairs, she lingered at the railing, watching as Fu Miao followed Lin Zhouye into the garden, leaving her parents awkwardly alone in the living room. The couple exchanged uneasy glances, saying nothing.

Satisfied, Lin Wanbai returned to her room.

In the garden, Lin Zhouye didn’t beat around the bush. “I have a private villa outside—originally prepared as a marital home. You’ll stay there.”

“Why can’t I live here?”

“You’ll leave now,” he said, making it clear he wouldn’t explain further.

“Lin Wanbai did that on purpose. We never made her sit on a stool—she’s just pretending, so you’ll think we’re bullying her! Why would we do that?”

Lin Zhouye found her words grating. “Did you understand what I just said?”

“Lin Zhouye! We’re legally married! It’s perfectly reasonable for me to live here! If you don’t let me, don’t blame me if I do something drastic! I might just send those videos to the press—don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He glanced at her, chuckled coldly, and walked away.

He gave the driver an address, explained to Yuan Yujun and Fu Yonghui, and instructed the servants to load Fu Miao’s luggage into the car.

This left Yuan Yujun and Fu Yonghui embarrassed and at a loss.

Their faces darkened. “Lin Zhouye, you’re handling this all wrong.”

Fu Miao stood by, silently weeping, comforted by her mother.

Lin Zhouye said, “That villa was always meant as the marital home. It’s newly furnished.”

They had no counterargument.

“Xiao Bai is pregnant. She and Fu Miao have always clashed—I don’t want her to suffer any stress.”

Fu Miao lost her temper. “Lin Zhouye, I’m staying here! I won’t go anywhere else! If you force me, I’ll go to extremes!”

Yuan Yujun pulled Fu Miao aside and whispered, “Let’s go home for now.”

“I’m not going back!”

Jiang Shuzhi had given her orders—no matter what, she had to stay.

“But how can you stay under these circumstances? Lin Zhouye’s attitude is clear.”

“If I can’t, then it’s all-out war! So be it!”

With that, she shook off her mother’s hand, stormed up to Lin Zhouye, flashed her phone at him as a warning, then ran inside.

She remembered where Lin Wanbai’s room was.

But as she reached the stairs, Lin Zhouye caught her.

Their eyes met, and he relented. “Fine, you can stay.”

Fu Miao raised her brows, smiling. “That’s better. Take me to your room—I haven’t seen it yet.”

It didn’t feel good to be coerced, but there was no other way.

“Wait here. I’ll let Xiao Bai know.”

Fu Miao, sensing she had pushed things far enough, nodded. “Go ahead.”

Lin Zhouye went upstairs. Aunt Rong had already briefed Lin Wanbai.

Though Lin Wanbai was uncomfortable, she knew Lin Zhouye’s reasons. When he entered, she simply pretended to be engrossed in her book.

He sat down beside her and said gently, “Let her stay, for now.”

She didn’t look at him, only murmured assent.

Let her stay—after all, it was Fu Miao who would ultimately suffer.

“If you really dislike it, you can move to Lanshe for a while.”

Lin Wanbai said nothing, considering her options.

After a moment, Lin Zhouye spoke to Aunt Rong, then left.

The room was soundproof enough that she couldn’t hear the commotion outside, but her heart was unsettled. Thinking of Fu Miao’s threats, she burned with anger.

That evening, with everyone present, Fu Miao played the role of the dutiful daughter-in-law, greeting everyone. The highest authority in the house was Lin Jingyu, whose word was law, even though Lin Zhouye now led the family business.

Lin Jingyu scrutinized Fu Miao, not even pretending to be friendly, and said with open disdain, “Zhouye, I thought you prepared a marital home. Why bring her here? You know how gentle Xiao Bai is—she’s always been bullied by Miao Miao. Xiao Bai’s pregnant now. If Miao Miao moves in, how can her baby be safe? Have you no sense?”

Fu Miao’s smile froze. She grit her teeth. “Aunt—”

“What aunt?” Lin Jingyu cut her off. She didn’t accept the change of address. “There hasn’t even been a wedding. Don’t rush to change how you call me. With the old man in the hospital, the wedding’s postponed—no one’s in the mood to celebrate. Call me aunt. ‘Sister’ makes my skin crawl.”

Fu Miao glanced at Lin Zhouye, who remained aloof, as if she had nothing to do with him.

“Aunt,” Fu Miao said obediently, swallowing her pride.

Lin Jingyu continued, “I think it’d be best if you went to the marital home with Zhouye. With you here, I’m really worried about Xiao Bai. Her pregnancy isn’t stable—your presence is too much stress. If anything happens, will you take responsibility?”

“I won’t cause trouble for Xiao Bai.”

“So you insist on staying here? I’m curious—what’s so special about living here? Is it just because you have a marriage certificate?”

She lowered her gaze and said nothing more.

Lin Jingyu didn’t stop. “Honestly, I suspect you’re here just to make Xiao Bai lose her child.”

“No, really, I’m not—”

“If not, give me a reason why you must stay. If you can’t, then don’t say another word. Move out tonight. This is my house—you don’t move in just because you say so. You didn’t even ask me. Who do you think you are? Zhouye marrying you wasn’t with our consent, so I don’t recognize your marriage. Who gave you the face to move in and act like you own the place?”

Fu Miao looked at Lin Zhouye, bit her lip, powerless.

At dinner, Lin Wanbai didn’t come down.

Midway through the meal, Lin Jingyu lost her temper again, slamming her chopsticks down and glaring at Fu Miao. “How dare you sit here and eat? Xiao Bai won’t come down because of you!”

Fu Miao ate in silence, the food hard to swallow, her anger barely suppressed. She glanced at Lin Zhouye, her gaze warning.

Lin Zhouye said, “Sister, since she’s already here, let’s leave it for now. Later, Fu Miao will apologize to Xiao Bai—until she’s satisfied.”

“Lin Zhouye!” Fu Miao ground out his name.

She wasn’t here to be humiliated.

“What is it?” he said blandly, tossing some food into her bowl. “If you’re uncomfortable, I’ll take you to the villa after dinner.”

“To the marital home? I know what you mean. Once you send me there, you’ll never visit. You’ll just run back here to be with Lin Wanbai!”

Her words implied much.

The atmosphere at the table turned explosive.

Lin Jingyu slapped the table. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“I’m not! Don’t you know Lin Zhouye loves Lin Wanbai? Or do you really not know? Honestly, I suspect you won’t let me live here because you’re hiding their affair! Maybe the child in Lin Wanbai’s belly is—”

Before she could finish, Lin Jingyu, furious, hurled a bowl of hot soup at her.

“You vile creature! Get out! Get out of this house right now!”

Fu Miao squeezed her eyes shut. The soup was scalding, burning her face. She wiped the soup away, forced a laugh, and sneered, “Fine. You’re all forcing me. Did you really think I came here to be bullied?”

She took out her phone, opened a video, and slapped it onto the table. “You must never have seen this. Watch it carefully—really look!”

Lin Jingyu took a glance. The video was dark, clearly taken secretly, showing three men tormenting a woman. The faces were indistinct, but as the camera zoomed in, the girl’s face became clear—so clear Lin Jingyu felt she couldn’t breathe.

The girl wore a school uniform—Lin Wanbai’s middle school uniform.

Lin Zhouye immediately grabbed the phone and deleted the video.

Fu Miao was unfazed—she had backups, countless backups.

“Fu Miao, don’t go too far.”

“Too far? Look at this,” she gestured at her soup-stained clothes. “Who’s really being excessive here? What crime have I committed by coming to my husband’s house? Why must I endure your ridicule and lectures?” She turned to Lin Jingyu. “I came here in good faith, hoping to get along. I’ve been nothing but polite—it was you who started this!”

“I’m warning you: if you treat me like this again, I’ll make sure the whole world sees this video! Everyone will see what kind of person Lin Wanbai really is!”

With that, she snatched her phone from Lin Zhouye’s hand and left.

The dining room fell silent. Thankfully, only a few were present—Fu Juxing was upstairs with Lin Wanbai, and the servants were absent.

After a long silence, Lin Jingyu stood up and said to Lin Zhouye, “Let’s talk in the study.”

Chen Songyuan stood as well. “Don’t get too worked up.”

The three went upstairs to the study.

Once the door closed, Lin Jingyu spun around and slapped Lin Zhouye hard across the face. “You knew all along?”

He didn’t dodge. “Yes.”

“That week you took Xiao Bai away—it was because of this?”

He said nothing, which was as good as confirmation.

But all this time, Xiao Bai had shown no sign that anything had happened, as if she had no memory of it. “Does Xiao Bai not know?”

“She forgot. She had a fever for three days. When she woke, she’d forgotten everything about that day.”

Lin Jingyu was speechless, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. After a long pause, she regained her composure. “Was this Fu Miao’s doing?”

“Sister, you don’t need to handle this. I’ll take care of it.”

“How? Let her hold this over Xiao Bai, bullying her in our own home? So that’s why you married her—to protect Xiao Bai’s reputation?”

Lin Jingyu shook with rage. It seemed there was no solution. She ground her teeth, inhaled deeply—she wanted to see Xiao Bai, but knew she couldn’t. What was forgotten should not be dredged up.

Only by remaining calm could she hope to resolve this.

“If she has the video, she must have been involved. Who could have guessed that even as a child, she could do something so vile! Even if Xiao Bai doesn’t remember, I can’t let this go! The men in the video…”

“Those thugs have disappeared.”

“What?”

“They hurt Xiao Bai. I couldn’t let them get away. I planned to make them pay, but by the time I searched, all three families were gone—no trace left behind.”

Lin Zhouye exhaled. The matter weighed on him like a stone; he’d never stopped searching for them, but there had been no clues—no sign of life or death. It was maddening.

Lin Jingyu’s face darkened further. She couldn’t think of a perfect solution and could only vent her frustration. In the end, her anger dissolved into helplessness. She slumped to the floor, buried her face in her hands, and wept.

Chen Songyuan knelt beside her, holding her shoulders. “Don’t worry. We’ll find a way. If it comes to it, we’ll fight them to the end. We can’t let Xiao Bai suffer any more. She’s the victim. She shouldn’t have to endure this.”

“To the end? Do you want Xiao Bai destroyed?”

“Xiao Bai’s not as fragile as you think. I believe—”

Lin Jingyu turned, eyes bloodshot. “No woman can endure such humiliation. Forgetting is her fortune. Must you force her to face it again? How can you be so cruel to your own daughter?”

Chen Songyuan sighed. “I love Xiao Bai, too, but do you think this can be kept secret forever? If we try, how much more must she suffer? Can you bear it?”

Lin Jingyu closed her eyes. “Let her move out—to Lanshe. I’ll go with her if I have to.”

“No. That would show the Fu family where we stand, and they’d only press harder. Xiaoyu, now is not the time for emotion.”

The two began to argue.

After a while, Lin Zhouye interrupted them. “Sister, let me handle it. I will solve this.”

“What can you solve? If you could, you wouldn’t have married her!”

“Trust me—I will resolve it…”

…

The next morning, Lin Wanbai went downstairs to have breakfast with Fu Juxing and ran into Fu Miao.

She had returned from her jog and was about to eat.

She greeted them, then went upstairs to change.

In the dining room, Lin Zhouye was still there; Lin Jingyu, unable to face things, had already left.

Once seated, Lin Wanbai remarked, “Aunt seems to be settling in well.”

Lin Zhouye replied, “She works during the day—she won’t be home much.”

Fu Miao’s studio hadn’t closed; she’d simply handed it over to Zhang Danni, remaining the silent boss. She had kept her word, always supporting Zhang Danni.

Lin Wanbai said nothing, waiting for Aunt Rong to bring breakfast.

Lin Zhouye, too, ate in silence, clearly waiting for Fu Miao.

Before long, Fu Miao came down, dressed casually with light makeup, looking refreshed.

She sat beside Lin Zhouye and glanced at her watch. “Oh, I woke up late today. There’s no time for breakfast. Let’s go.”

“Alright.” Lin Zhouye set down his chopsticks and put on his jacket.

Fu Miao said, “Xiao Bai, Brother, we’re off.”

She seemed genuinely friendly, as if sincerely hoping to make peace.

Lin Wanbai considered, but ignored her.

After they left, she couldn’t help complaining. “I can’t believe Mom and Dad agreed to let her stay—how infuriating.”

Fu Juxing said, “If you’re unhappy, we can go to Lanshe or back to our own place—whatever makes you comfortable.”

Lin Wanbai pouted. “The nursery here is already being built.”

“That’s easy to fix.”

She gazed at him, chin in her hands.

Fu Juxing said, “Now that Uncle has inherited the company, he’s the head of the family. He’s married to Fu Miao—it’s only natural she lives here. Besides, she’s using what she has to threaten him. You should try to understand.”

She exhaled deeply. “You’re right. Now isn’t the time for stubbornness. But if I move out too soon, it’ll give people something to gossip about. I’ll wait a few days and make arrangements.”

“What matters most is your comfort and happiness.”

“I am happy. I just want to spend more time with Mom. Grandpa’s gone, and she may be putting on a brave face, but she must be under a lot of stress. Don’t worry—Fu Miao isn’t enough to bother me.” She picked up her spoon and began her porridge.

…

At the office, Fu Juxing ran into Fu Yanchuan at the elevator.

They rode up together.

Fu Yanchuan asked, “Did Miao Miao cause any trouble at the Lin house?”

“I wouldn’t know. I stayed with Xiao Bai in our room. But if she managed to get my in-laws’ approval to stay, she must have used some trick.”

Fu Yanchuan sighed. “That was Grandmother’s idea. Though Fu Miao hasn’t said much, I suspect Grandmother knows something. If she really does, we’ll have to change our plans.”

“Xiao Bai is pregnant. I just hope Fu Miao won’t hurt her—everything else is negotiable.”

“She won’t—I can guarantee it. But Grandmother is another matter. Her prejudice against me has spread to those around me. Putting Fu Miao in the Lin house—could she be any clearer? She wants to throw the whole household into chaos, including Xiao Bai. We must act quickly—don’t change the plan. While she thinks you’ve given up, take her by surprise. That’s the best chance.”

Fu Juxing turned to look at him, deeply, and said nothing more.

…

Fu Miao went out in the morning and came back in the afternoon, even calling ahead to say she’d be home for lunch.

She arrived right on time.

Lin Wanbai was sitting alone in the dining room, already eating.

Fu Miao carried a bag with a prominent maternity store logo.

She set the bag on the table. “I was at the mall today and passed a maternity store—thought of you, since you’re pregnant, so I bought you some things. Take a look.”

Lin Wanbai glanced at the bag, set down her chopsticks, looked through it, then placed it on the chair beside her. “Thank you.”

Fu Miao raised her brows, a bit surprised by Lin Wanbai’s calm.

“Let’s get along from now on, Xiao Bai. It’s best for everyone.”

Lin Wanbai said nothing, focusing on her meal.

Fu Miao waited, but seeing Lin Wanbai wouldn’t respond, began eating herself.

She smiled. “Actually, even if you don’t want to get along, you’ll have to. If you cause trouble, you’ll just make things hard for your parents and Lin Zhouye. There’s no point. You’re pregnant—it’s important to be happy. If anything happens to your baby, it’s really not worth it.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Lin Wanbai said, swallowing her food and meeting Fu Miao’s gaze with a smile. “But don’t be too pleased with yourself. For all the vile things you’ve done, retribution will come.”

Fu Miao looked at her. “Honestly, I envy you—I envy that so many people care for you, enough to forgive anything, as long as you’re well. Lin Wanbai, you have so many good people around you, yet you chose the one who’ll make you suffer forever. I can’t wait to see how you end up.”