Chapter 82: Acting

Lin Wanbai was startled for a moment, not expecting him to wake so quickly, though she had half-expected it.
She walked in calmly and shut the door behind her as she came in. “I went to find your mother,” she said.

Fu Juxing was standing by the sofa with his back to her, drying his hair. He did not stop. He did not even glance at her on purpose. “How is she?”

“She drank too much and slept at the hotel last night,” Lin Wanbai said. “I woke early and saw a message from her assistant, so I got a little worried and checked.”

She said this while settling down beside the bed, setting a cushion on the pillow, then slowly lying down.

She had been exhausted all night. She wanted nothing now but rest, a real sleep if she could get one. Half her face buried in the pillow, half-closing her eyes, she watched Fu Juxing turn and face her after he finished drying his hair.

Even with her eyes half open, his face did not come into clear focus.

Of course, even if he had been clear, she could still not have seen his heart. So she closed her eyes and listened.

For an instant, light and shadow swayed before her. Then the mattress gave way beneath her as he sat down beside her, and she felt his hand settle on her arm.

Fresh from a shower, he carried a sharp clean scent, and his palm was still warm.

She did not open her eyes. She only pursed her lips and muttered, “I can’t sleep at night anymore. My body is so heavy, nothing feels comfortable.”

Fu Juxing picked up a cushion and raised her feet, tucking it beneath her knees. “Maybe this will help?”

She nodded. “I’m very tired.”

“If you’re tired, sleep a little more. Nothing serious happened with your mother, right? You should wake me.”

She opened her eyes slowly, staring at him. Their eyes met.

For a moment, Lin Wanbai did not answer. She only studied his gaze, trying to see what he meant. But there was nothing to read. His eyes seemed empty of everything, and she did not believe them.

Eyes can lie, and what one sees is not always the truth.
People can lie too. A person is far too sly.

She said, “It’s fine. I checked. She just drank too much. I already sent clothes there, so she can go straight to the office and not make another trip.”

She pulled the blanket closer and shifted position. “I want to sleep. I’m so tired.”

“Wait a bit. Eat breakfast first.”

“It’s still early. The alarm hasn’t rung yet. Stay with me a while longer. Get up at seven, have breakfast with me, then you go to work and I’ll sleep.”

She patted the space beside her and tugged his sleeve.

Fu Juxing lay down and pulled the blanket away enough to come behind her, lifting her in an easy gesture and holding her from the rear while his hand quietly came to rest on the back of her hand.

Lin Wanbai’s breath filled with only his scent.

But her heart felt dead. Her head felt foggy. He was warm, and yet she could not feel any warmth, only cold from scalp to toe.

How much effort did she need to hold herself from tearing at him? In this state, with such heavy motives, he still did not lash out at her.

Two people could lie under one pillow and sleep to different dreams.

Same pillow, different dreams.

They pressed close to each other, yet their hearts stretched across distances of sea and mountain. She had never crossed that gap. Never.

She was very tired, but not at all sleepy. Her mind kept turning like a carousel.

She saw how foolish she had become, how stubborn.
How had she walked step by step into this? As if someone had cast a spell on her—unable to pull away, almost possessed—she had crossed her own boundaries for Fu Juxing again and again.

She forced herself to stop. If she kept thinking, she would explode and tear him apart right then.
She was frightened she might go mad.

At half past seven, Fu Juxing woke her, and the two of them went downstairs for breakfast.

Chen Songyuan had not come down yet. Today, Uncle An had taken care of breakfast.

Fu Juxing asked casually, “Where is Aunt Rong?”

Uncle An replied, “I told her yesterday. I’m arranging breakfast today, so she’s taking a half-day break. I also had Xiaobai change the menu a little. She used to love my cooking when she was little; if it weren’t for Granddad’s accident, I would have handled all of her meals during pregnancy.”

“Mm. Uncle An was thoughtful.”

After breakfast, as she always did, Lin Wanbai saw him to the door and smoothed his clothes. “Be careful on the road.”

“Mm. Call me if anything happens.”

She stood in the doorway and watched his car pull away before finally closing it. Her smile dissolved. The lightness in her chest was gone.

Only then did she breathe out fully. Her legs went weak in waves, and her strength seemed drained from her whole body. Leaning on the frame, she slowly sat down.

Uncle An came over, startled by the sight, and immediately supported her. “Are you all right? Don’t frighten me like this.”

Lin Wanbai was still gripping the doorknob. She shook her head. “I’m fine. I’m just tired. I just need to rest.”

“I’ll take you back to your room. If you feel anything off, tell me right away. Don’t hide it.”

“I know. I’m not going to make a joke out of my health.”

With Uncle An helping her back, she had barely reached the room when Chen Songyuan came out of the study. He seemed just awake. “What happened?”

He stepped forward quickly. Lin Wanbai straightened at once. When she turned, she wore her usual face. “Nothing. I just twisted my foot accidentally. Dad, did you work all night?”

“Really nothing?”

“No.” She shook her head and gave him a smile.

After scanning her quickly up and down, Chen Songyuan did not press further. He rubbed her forehead. “I have no idea why. Yesterday I was unbelievably exhausted; I sat down and slept almost as soon as I sat. I slept until now, and everything I had to do is still undone.”

“She was drunk. You should let it go, and you should take care of yourself. She’s probably all right now. I checked early this morning. Nothing serious, just too much to drink. I already sent clothes over and she should be on her way to the company now.”

“I was scared she’d not come out of this too easily, Dad, but she’s in your care. A woman is still a woman; right now she needs you to endure a little. In the end, only you can hold this family. You are still its head.”

She held his eyes and said it sincerely.

Chen Songyuan nodded. “You can leave it to me. I’ll see to her and keep her safe. You don’t need to think about anything now. Just take care of your pregnancy.”

Lin Wanbai nodded. She turned to Uncle An. “Uncle An, go downstairs and prepare breakfast for Dad. I’ll go back and rest.”

Uncle An gave her a look but said nothing. He obeyed and walked downstairs.

Chen Songyuan brought her to the bed and stood by her side until she lay down. “The family has had an accident, but not one beyond repair. You don’t have to fear. Right now I’m worried about you.”

“What are you worried about?”

“Worried you worry about too much, and in this state it may affect the baby. If something happens, that’s on my heart.”

She smiled into the pillow. “Don’t worry. I can tell what’s heavy and what’s light. The child is most important now.”

Chen Songyuan nodded and stroked her hair. “You’re my good daughter, as wonderful as your mother.”

Lin Wanbai smiled. “Who says I’m like my mother only? I look like you, too. I’ve always thought I look more like you.”

Chen Songyuan laughed. “If your mother heard that, she’d get upset.”

“Not at all. She says behind my back that I look like you. She’d be happy to hear it.”

They talked a while longer. A warmth settled between them, and because both could play this role well, anyone watching would think father and daughter were perfectly close.

“All right, I won’t disturb your rest. I should go to work, or I’ll be late.”

Lin Wanbai nodded. “Go.”

At the doorway, Chen Songyuan looked as if he had remembered something and turned back, sat down, and took her hand again. “You won’t be angry with this, but I’m only guessing.”

She stared at him. “What is it?”

“I keep feeling all this has something to do with Fu Juxing. I have no evidence. It’s only a guess. If you don’t agree, don’t hold it. I’m not saying it to upset you. I just don’t want you hurt.”

After a few seconds, Lin Wanbai said, “I still believe him. Since there’s no evidence, we shouldn’t suspect carelessly. Dad, I’m the one by his side most. No one knows him better than I do. If he meant harm, I would notice at once. Trust me.”

Chen Songyuan said nothing more. Only after he’d been gone for a while did her smile finally fade.

She was exhausted beyond measure. She shut her eyes and refused to think further. She only wanted quiet to breathe.
She knew she needed rest now. If this went on, things would break.

But even lying for a long while, she could not sleep, so she lit calming incense and forced herself to drift.

…

Lin Jinyu stayed in the hotel until eight. Yang Ruyue sent her a clean set of clothes, and Lin Jinyu changed and went to the company.

At the entrance she and Chen Songyuan ran into each other, both a little late.

“Xiaobai said you drank too much yesterday,” he said. “Next time there’s socializing, tell me and I’ll go with you. You can avoid alcohol. Your tolerance is not good, and you’re a woman—drunk is not good either.”

Lin Jinyu looked at him for several seconds and smiled. “It was just a mistake. It won’t happen again.”

“That’s just your pride,” Chen Songyuan said. “We are husband and wife. I’m your husband. We should carry things together. You’ve been pushing yourself hard. I can’t help worrying. Have you eaten breakfast?”

Before she answered, he continued, “Of course you haven’t. If you’re not home, you’ll forget it. I already sent someone to Four Seasons Porridge Shop for porridge. After a hangover, a light meal is easier on your stomach. Your stomach has never been strong. Take care. No coffee—drink some red tea. Is there medicine in the office?”

Lin Jinyu pressed her lips together, silent, and quietly listened to him going on.

There were only the two of them in the elevator.
He was still the same, but she had changed.

The elevator stopped soon. It was the private elevator; Lin Jinyu was temporarily using Lin Zhouye’s office, so of course she also entered Lin Zhouye’s office.

It was natural for Chen Songyuan, as her husband, to ride up with her.

He went into the office first, brewed tea for her himself, and made an extra cup of honey water to settle her head.

Then he called the secretary at the doorway and ordered stomach medicine from his own office, then came back with two glasses of water. “First, drink the honey water.”

“I’m not that delicate. Ask the secretary to bring me a clear coffee. I’m not used to tea.”

“Even if you are not used to it, get used to it. You’re not young now. You should take care of yourself. Coffee is not good for your body.”

Lin Jinyu sat in the executive chair, one hand on her forehead, eyes closed, lightly rubbing, as if still in pain. Her brows were slightly knit.

Chen Songyuan stepped forward and moved his hand toward her as if to massage her head. The moment his fingers touched her skin, she flicked his hand away with unexpected force. Her expression tightened in disgust, and his eyes of concern deepened.

By luck, she was still turned away from him. He did not see that expression, but his movement paused, surprised.

Lin Jinyu turned, tugged the corner of her mouth up, and caught his hand with her own. “I know you care for me, and I know you feel my pain. But I am not a child. This is not the time to be fussy. I know what I’m doing. You can just trust me. My body is stronger than ever. I won’t fall easily. We each do our part. If I can’t carry it, I’ll ask for your help myself.”

“I am Lin Zhaowei’s own daughter,” she added, steadying his hand. “If I can’t bear this pressure, then I don’t deserve to call myself his daughter.”

She gave the back of his hand a small pat. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Chen Songyuan nodded. “Then I’ll go back to my office. If you need anything, call me.”

“Mm.”

Soon after, Chen Songyuan’s assistant brought nourishing porridge and repeated Chen Songyuan’s instructions.
Lin Jinyu put it on the desk and sent him away.

As soon as the man left, she threw the porridge into the trash without taking a sip.
She even poured out the tea and honey water Chen Juxing had made, then had the secretary bring her coffee instead.

The days ahead would be hard to endure, but she would get through them somehow.
When Lin Zhaowei woke up, she hoped everything would be calm again, as it had been.

…

Aunt Rong did not wake until the afternoon. Uncle An had to wake her himself.
She felt strange. She remained in a daze, her head still spinning. Uncle An said she was simply too tired, but she felt it was not normal, and said nothing.

In the afternoon Uncle An had to go to the hospital, and Lin Wanbai happened to be awake, so she went with him.
It had been several days since she had seen her grandfather.

Aunt Rong packed food for her to bring. Lin Wanbai felt faint and said, “I won’t go with you. I’m a little unwell.”

“Then rest. Anshu will take care of me these days. Go with peace in your heart.”

She only smiled and watched them get into the car.

A short while later, she made a quick check: many people were up late today, and nearly everyone said they had gone to bed early and felt extremely tired.
One or two was fine. This many made her uneasy.

After much hesitation, she told Fu Juxing anyway.

He said nothing, only “I understand,” before hanging up.

Aunt Rong did not understand, but her eyelids kept twitching.
For the last two months, she felt, nothing would pass peacefully.

When Lin Wanbai arrived at the hospital, Lin Zhaowei had not changed. Still no sign of waking, neither better nor worse.
She had arranged for a few more guards to be posted there; a person consumed by greed can do anything.

In truth, she was afraid of him having an accident.

She set the sushi Aunt Rong had made on the bedside table and chatted with him while eating.

After lying there so long, Lin Zhaowei had lost a great deal of weight. His cheeks were slightly sunken; he looked almost unrecognizable.
Lin Wanbai took half a bite and then wiped his face herself. “Grandpa, you’ve been losing weight impressively. You look like an older Andy Lau.”

Still smiling, she finished wiping his face, then wiped his hands. The skin had wrinkled into a hard cluster, veins and vessels sharply visible from constant infusions, with a broad bruise darkening the back of his hand.

At that, her heart ached and tears fell without warning, soaking into the towel.

She quickly wiped them away. She did not want to show even a hint of weakness in front of her grandfather.
She did not want to worry him, did not want to make him sad.
She kept her head low and did not raise it, afraid that if she did, emotion would shatter her.
She put down the towel at once and stood. “Uncle An, I need to use the restroom.”

Before Anshu could answer, she moved quickly to the restroom, shut and locked the door, covered her mouth, and began crying hard.

One hand gripping the grab bar nearby, she could no longer hold it back and sobbed with her mouth covered.
She could not bear it anymore.
In front of her grandfather, she had held back everything for too long.
She stayed there a long time. Anshu did not knock. He could tell she was in pain and knew she needed to let it out; if she bottled it up, she’d become ill.

She cried until her face went numb. Pain began gripping her abdomen in waves, and only then did she stop.
She forced her emotions under control.

Much later, Lin Wanbai had calmed down. She wiped her tears and took a damp wipe for her eyes.
In the mirror her eyes were red and swollen like walnuts; it was obvious she had been crying.
She tossed her hair into place, trying to hide it.

She touched her belly. It no longer hurt.
Still, to be safe, she went ahead and had a fetal heart check.

When she came out of the restroom, Anshu stood at the door. Seeing her like that, he only smiled gently.

The small smile warmed her. She stepped forward and hugged him. “Thank you, Anshu.”

Anshu patted her back once, saying nothing.

Lin Wanbai returned to the bed and sat quietly.
After crying, she was fully calm, and her mood had settled a little.
She looked at Lin Zhaowei; her nose tightened again with a sour ache, but she held it, saying nothing, her mind quiet.

It was no longer time for sorrow, no time for reckless anger.
Now, most important was to think clearly about what to do next, how to save herself.

Their conspiracy was not one formed in a day or two. It had been planned for long, step by step, to stand where it was today.
They had already won half of it. Reversing a grim situation like this is painfully difficult.

Lin Jinyu’s incident, though it seemed to have evaded disaster, felt unfinished.
She had noticed too late, and now all they captured was already in place; the two of them were still acting as if nothing had happened.
That meant the real scene had not ended.

Thinking back, Lin Wanbai felt a deep helplessness. She seemed to be a caged bird in their hands, unable to escape no matter how much she thrashed.

But Lin Yao was now in her grasp, so she still had leverage, even if not enough.
She needed more leverage, more cards, to force everything onto the table in negotiation.

At three o’clock she went to the obstetrics clinic for a check-up. Nothing alarming showed up, only a warning to rest more; preterm birth could not be ruled out.

Right after the consultation, Lin Wanbai received a message from Yang Ruyue. It looked ordinary enough, but the hidden meaning was there.
It meant Lu Mian had used Lin Yao’s phone and identified the woman at the psychiatric hospital.

All the information and documents were now in their hands.

Lin Wanbai called. “Find a way to get her out for me.”

“Understood.”

She hung up, but her mood did not ease.
This thread felt too smooth, almost suspicious.
Had they really been fully tricked, or was someone deliberately making things easy for another reason?
She did not know.
All she could do was take the risk.

…

After that day, Yuan Wei’s mood kept rising and falling, a little excited, a little afraid.
He typed Lin Jinyu’s number several times and deleted it each time.

On the third day after the incident, Fu Dianyi returned to North City, where Yuan Wei had time to pick her up himself at the airport.

“How did you come back so suddenly?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she said. “I came back because I wanted to.”

“It is right to return,” he said.

She only lifted her lip slightly and said nothing else.

They both watched the window silently, their thoughts separate.

Back home, both children were there.
Yuan Lu had finished the college entrance exam. It was vacation time, waiting for results, sorting school matters, and planning travel.
She did not involve herself in house affairs.
Yuan Heng, rarely home, had just graduated and was launching a software development company. It was in the very early stage, and said to be going smoothly enough.
They did not restrict those children’s choices. Each would do what they wished.

The table felt heavy with atmosphere.
Yuan Heng ate and went straight to his room.
When Yuan Lu saw him leave, he immediately stuffed the remaining food into his mouth and hurried after him.
In such a strange air, leaving early was the safest move.

Fu Dianyi had wanted to ask about Yuan Lu’s school plans, but he had run off like a rabbit. She laughed and said, “You, as a mother, you’ve raised them to be more and more difficult to control. They don’t even bring their bowls back.”

Yuan Wei replied, “That’s your doing.”

“When did I ever indulge them? You did.”

Then Fu Dianyi drifted in with a side question. “Have you heard any rumour about your work? Something about anti-corruption or hard crackdowns?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“Just asking. I heard those above may be preparing for a strike in that area, to cut down on people. Not sure if it’s real.”

“I haven’t heard anything.”

“Then maybe they are just gossiping,” she said, smiling as she bent back to her plate.
“Even if it is true, we’re clean from head to toe, nothing to fear.”

“Right, right.”

After a pause, Yuan Wei asked, “When do you plan to visit grandmother? Someone said she isn’t doing well and is in the hospital.”

“Tomorrow.”

“Should I come with you?”

“Do you have time?”

“In a couple of days, maybe.”

“Don’t bother. I can go alone.”

Yuan Wei nodded. It was clear his earlier concern had already been spoken out of courtesy.

The next day, Fu Dianyi went to the designated hospital.
Jiang Shuzhi’s condition was poor. When Fu Dianyi arrived she was still asleep.
There were four police officers posted inside and out.
Fu Dianyi had called ahead, so they did not block her. After she entered, the two people in the room left, giving her and her mother room.

Fu Dianyi sat down and watched the weary mother in bed, and her chest tightened.

Not long after she sat, Jiang Shuzhi suddenly seemed to sense her. She opened her eyes all at once.
When she saw Fu Dianyi, she froze as if she could not believe what she saw.

She rubbed her eyes. “Little Yi?”

Fu Dianyi nodded. “It’s me.”

Jiang Shuzhi smiled faintly, nodded, and said, “You don’t need to visit me. Yongyi told me you weren’t implicated. Good. We won’t let the Fu family be completely wiped out. A man’s revenge does not need to be immediate.
You must keep this in mind: what has happened to us in the Fu family came from Fu Juxing and that cursed Fu Changjun.

You have to find Lin Jinyu now. Tell her if she keeps indulging Fu Juxing and not treating him seriously, the Lin family will be ruined eventually.”

“We must not let them get away. Never let them get away.
Even if it means killing, I want them killed!”

Fu Dianyi immediately covered her mouth. “Mother, aren’t you afraid they might hear?”

Jiang Shuzhi laughed. “I have nothing left to lose. I only want to see them fall while I’m still alive. Only then will I be satisfied.”

“Dianyi,” she said, her voice tightening, “you have received most of my true inheritance. I know you are clever. I know you have a mind.
My last hope is all placed on you. Go to Yuan Yujun and tell her not to cling to Lin Zhouye. If possible, save him; he still has strength to deal with Fu Juxing. And Lin Wanbai—go to Lin Wanbai and make her understand Fu Juxing’s conspiracy.”
Jiang Shuzhi grew more and more excited, breathing heavily.

She gripped Fu Dianyi’s hand with fierce certainty. “You must help me, you must help me.
If I cannot see their downfall, I can’t die at peace.”

She was too worked up for the room. Fu Dianyi had to nod and promise first.
She helped her back into bed and said, “Don’t get so worked up. I will do exactly as you said. I will not let Fu Juxing triumph easily.”

“Really?”

Jiang Shuzhi held her hand.
In truth, she was not sure whether Fu Dianyi would truly help. After all, this daughter had long stayed away and deliberately avoided trouble.
None of her children were willing to help her now in revenge.
All were perched high, fighting for profit, clearing themselves of blame when trouble came.
She understood all of it.

Fu Dianyi said, “I really will.”

“Then I’ll trust you. I’m waiting for your good news.”

“Mm.” Fu Dianyi nodded.

Soon after that answer, Jiang Shuzhi dozed off again.

Fu Dianyi did not stay long. On leaving the hospital, she reflected carefully on her words.
In truth, they were right.
Members of the Fu family were being persecuted one by one. Why should she be exempt?
She did not feel she would be, and she had the instinct that next, the blow would fall on her—and on Yuan Wei.

Instead of avoiding it, she decided to strike first.
She took out her phone and called Yuan Yujun.
They still had a workable relationship, and the call was answered quickly.

“Sister-in-law, I’m in North City. Where are you now? I’m coming to see you.”

…

The person in the psychiatric hospital was Zhou Lin, Lin Yao’s biological mother. At first Lin Wanbai had thought she was a patient, but when checked, she discovered she was the head nurse there.
Her reputation in the hospital was even good, and the records showed she was married.
In photos she looked like a beautiful woman, and unmistakably similar to Lin Yao.

She had been brought out without much effort. After all, Lin Yao was already in their hands.
Mother and daughter were caught together so easily, one net around both.

There had once been an explanation from Chen Songyuan: Lin Yao, it had been said, had been a secret child; a young lady wanted money with the baby and failed, then deliberately left the child at the Lin family gate, teaching her to call Chen Songyuan father to set him up for ruin.

The child had been innocent. At that time, already seven years old, Lin Yao had clung to Chen Songyuan and refused to let go.
Her pitiful face stirred pity, and in one generous moment Lin Jinyu kept her.

Who would have imagined it was all false?

Before people like them, the word trust was almost a joke.
They gave complete trust—what did they return in return?

Yet Zhou Lin’s mouth was harder than Lin Yao’s.
No matter how hard they tried, they could not pry from her details about what had happened between her and Chen Songyuan.

Lin Wanbai told Lin Jinyu this.

“I think this is now the biggest leverage we can hold,” Lin Wanbai said. “We no longer have time to wait. I think we now have enough grounds to negotiate. If we wait any longer, we’ll lose everything.”

“We can split the approach.
I’ll use Lin Yao to pressure Fu Juxing into releasing Lin Zhouye.
You use Zhou Lin to pressure your father into giving you and Yuan Wei every adverse piece of information.
On the right day, I’ll expose his affair with Zhou Lin.
He framed you and Yuan Wei only to ruin your reputation. Then we can strike first and ruin him.”

“Grandfather’s good name is our lifeline. By then, I believe most people in the company and many in society will stand with us and help us.”

Lin Wanbai added, “Under the current situation, getting any more leverage is impossible.
We can only take this single gamble.
If we delay, we only give them opportunity.”

Lin Jinyu rested her hand on her forehead and looked at the materials on Zhou Lin, a little distracted.
Strangely, this woman looked faintly familiar to her.