Chapter 96: Kindred Spirits in Misfortune

Li Ting looked at him and waited for a while. Seeing that he still remained silent, he smiled again and said, “I must take the person away. I hope you can show some face for me and not make me lose face in front of others, okay?”

As he spoke, he gently patted the shoulder of Fu Juxing, as if giving a subtle reminder.

Fu Juxing’s peripheral vision briefly flicked toward the fingers on his shoulder, then he met his gaze, clearly understanding that this time, the other was determined to succeed.

The two locked eyes.

Li Ting’s brow rose slightly; surprisingly, he couldn’t quite read the young man’s intentions. Having drifted through the years, experienced so much, and handled countless matters, this was the first time he encountered someone whose thoughts eluded him.

His eyes carried an aura of detachment and lack of desire, yet for a person like him, it was impossible to be truly without wants.

Before coming, he had done some background digging on the heir of Chaosheng.

At just over thirty years old, Fu Juxing had recently risen to prominence as a key figure in Beicheng. As the lowest-ranked illegitimate son of the Fu family, he had endured hardship quietly, single-handedly bringing the entire Fu family to ruin and taking over the Fu conglomerate. Now, he enjoyed favor from all shareholders of the Lin Group.

Being the grandson-in-law of Lin Zhaowei, it was only natural for him to serve as acting chairman temporarily.

Step by step, he had climbed steadily, earning Li Ting’s respect.

If he could seize control of the two great families of Beicheng, it was because of genuine ability—not an ordinary man.

Moreover, he was still young, with a limitless future.

Li Ting sensed a strong aura emanating from him, a subtle but sharp ruthlessness, and he couldn’t help but reflect on the power of youth.

Youth was truly a blessing.

He withdrew his hand, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and smoked slowly, lost in thought, silent.

Zhou Lin watched him anxiously. She couldn’t fathom the thoughts of this powerful man. To them, women were insignificant; when interests clashed, women had no place in their calculations.

Though he spoke nicely earlier, she wasn’t sure if he would turn hostile toward Fu Juxing for Lin Yao’s sake.

To be at odds with Fu Juxing was to be at odds with Chaosheng.

Businessmen were clever enough not to make enemies easily with someone who held substantial interests.

Zhou Lin twisted her fingers nervously, trying to calm herself, but found it difficult.

...

Yunqi.

Fu Juxing didn’t come home for dinner, so Lin Wanbai simply had Aunt Rong cook a bowl of noodles for herself. Today, she asked for two bowls.

Then she approached Lin Yao, glanced around, found a small mechanism, opened the door before her, and went inside to untie her bindings and the chain around her neck.

Once freed, Lin Yao dropped to the floor, her legs weak and unwilling to move.

She had been standing all day, nearly collapsing from exhaustion.

Aunt Liu hurried over, saying, “Xiao Bai, what are you doing? Why are you letting her down?”

“She can’t run away like this, and even if she had the strength, she wouldn’t get out,” Lin Wanbai replied, turning to Aunt Liu. “I can’t get out, let alone her.”

After speaking, she headed to the tea room, instructing Aunt Liu to bring Aunt Rong’s two bowls of noodles, and beckoned Lin Yao with a crooked finger.

Lin Yao rested on the spot for a while before barely managing to get up and follow her into the tea room.

Lin Wanbai sat comfortably in the soft chair, hearing the sound, glanced sideways, and pointed to the seat in front, “Sit.”

Dragging her exhausted body, Lin Yao sat down, glaring fiercely at her with eyes full of hatred, but inside, she was calmer than ever. Having survived death once, even a shipwreck hadn’t claimed her life—nothing could easily defeat her.

As long as she had a chance to leave here, she could start anew.

Soon Aunt Rong’s noodles arrived, along with some pastries. Seeing Lin Yao, Aunt Rong lingered nearby, not intending to leave.

Lin Wanbai said, “Aunt Rong, you can go now.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry, she can’t hurt me like this.”

“But—”

Lin Wanbai grew impatient, “I said you can go.”

Aunt Rong was the most approachable person in the villa and cared deeply for Lin Wanbai. Seeing her slight displeasure, Aunt Rong naturally complied, though still uneasy inside.

The door closed.

Lin Wanbai took up her chopsticks and began eating. Lin Yao didn’t move, just watched quietly, puzzled.

She didn’t speak immediately but ate slowly. Halfway through, she paused, put down her chopsticks, reached for the pastries, chewed slowly, then looked up at her.

Lin Yao disliked that look. Gritting her teeth for a long moment, seeing Lin Wanbai’s unrelenting gaze, her irritation peaked. She snapped, “What are you looking at? What’s there to be proud of? Do you think you’re doing so well now? Your own blood treats you that way, yet you have the leisure to revel here with the man who persecuted your family. If I were you, I’d die right now!”

Lin Wanbai smiled lightly, “Of course you want me dead. Death is easy—I could leap out the window every morning, and no one could stop me. But even if I die, do you think you’ll succeed? By now, you should see clearly that Fu Juxing has no feelings for you. Even if you died before him, he wouldn’t be moved. You should be smart enough not to deceive yourself this far.”

“So what? Does that mean he loves you? If he truly loved you, he wouldn’t have stood by and watched you get defiled,” Lin Yao caught a flicker of vacancy in her eyes and felt a rush of satisfaction. She lifted her chin and smiled, “Don’t you get it? Lin Wanbai, you’re the biggest fool in the world. You called me shameless, accused me of stealing your merits. Fu Juxing is with me out of gratitude.”

“Honestly, if circumstances had allowed, I would have liked to show you how much he despises you.”

Lin Wanbai remained composed but instinctively clenched the spoon, her heart pounding as if something was about to explode.

Lin Yao stared into her eyes, speaking slowly and clearly: “When you were assaulted, Fu Juxing was outside watching. He watched closely, didn’t move, didn’t make a sound.”

Lin Yao’s words echoed clearly in her ears. The grip on the spoon tightened, as if she could snap it next moment.

Her heart had long sunk to the bottom of a pit, now descending into the very depths of hell.

Her eyes clouded with gray as she told herself: what couldn’t she endure from Fu Juxing? What couldn’t she bear?

He had no heart, no feelings. What couldn’t he do?

Only pity for her shattered heart, chopped to pieces, now ground to pulp by a meat grinder.

Her face turned pale, lips faint. She raised her eyes to Lin Yao, noticing the triumphant gleam in her gaze, and found it almost laughable.

Women only knew how to torment other women, taking pleasure in their rivals’ misery, never realizing they were equally pitiful.

Both were stepping stones for men climbing upward—tread on and discarded. Two pawns abandoned, yet still hurting each other—what was the point?

She slowly lifted the teacup and sipped. The tea was warm, but her heart and body felt colder than ever.

She couldn’t stop trembling.

Lin Yao said, “Stop pretending to be calm! I know you’re hurting badly. If it hurts, cry. Why hold it in? You expect others to pity you but won’t allow yourself to be pitied? Honestly, you don’t deserve any pity. Among so many people, you deserve this most of all! You walked into this trap willingly. This family’s downfall is all your fault! Even Dad, it’s all because of you!”

“Honestly, you have no right to blame others!”

Lin Wanbai’s gaze darkened a little, chuckling coldly. But she didn’t want to argue or dig into what happened in middle school. Yet speaking it aloud made her despair even deeper.

She was silent for a moment, then took the teacup and moved beside Lin Yao, saying, “Don’t use these words to provoke me. I know very well what I’m like. As for you, you still don’t seem clear-headed.”

Before she finished, she raised the cup and poured tea over Lin Yao’s head. Lin Yao instinctively looked up, and the tea drenched her.

Lin Yao gasped but had no strength to jump up and fight.

Lin Wanbai stepped back calmly, smiled, and said, “No hair isn’t so bad.”

Lin Yao glared fiercely, “Then you shave yours! Dare you?”

“Clear-headed now?”

Her chest heaved with anger but no action followed.

Lin Wanbai handed her two tissues, “Do you think you’re important to Chen Songyuan?”

Lin Yao didn’t take them, unsure what she meant.

“If you’re more important than wealth and power, you should have left here long ago.” Lin Wanbai stepped forward, gently wiped the water from her face, removed the tea leaves from her head, and said, “You probably know your father better than I do. After all these years, he never showed his true self to me and Mom. Only you and your mother know the real him. When you came to my house at seven, how we treated you, ask your conscience.”

“At that time, my mom could have rejected you, sent you to an orphanage, ignored you, even withheld money. But in the end, she softened, believing a child is innocent, so she kept you and never disclosed your real identity, saying you were her adopted daughter, taking my surname Lin, making you part of the Lin family. Though she felt uneasy, everything I had, you had equally—nothing less.”

Lin Yao pursed her lips, her gaze fixed somewhere.

“People’s hearts are flesh and blood. After all these years, I don’t believe you could be so heartless towards my mother.”

Lin Wanbai sneered, “If she really cared for me, she wouldn’t have forced me onto that ship. If she hadn’t, I wouldn’t have faced the shipwreck. Do you know how desperate I was when the ship sank? No one helped or cared about your life. Everyone only saved themselves. The feeling of water swallowing your head—you’ll never understand. If I died, you’d be happy…”

“No one is happy.” Lin Wanbai interrupted, “After the shipwreck, my mom never stopped searching for you. She was full of guilt. She did it all for me, her daughter. But blaming her for the shipwreck is wrong—it was a natural disaster, not man-made. Nobody expected it. If not for that, you’d be successful now, a swan.”

That was true; Lin Yao was confident in dance.

“If she hadn’t forced me to leave, I’d have succeeded too, not ended up like this because of you!” She angrily pushed her hand away.

Some things were better left unthought, for dwelling only bred resentment.

Lin Wanbai watched her for a while, then said, “Consider this my apology to you.”

Lin Yao was stunned, not quite reacting, and looked at her.

“Just this once, consider me sorry.”

Her eyes flicked, eyebrows furrowed, “What are you up to?”

“Nothing. Just bored. No one else to talk to at home, so I talk to you. I never really hated you that much.”

Lin Wanbai sat back down and resumed eating.

Lin Yao stared, wondering what her true intentions were but couldn’t figure it out.

Lin Wanbai added, “You and your mother shouldn’t rely on Chen Songyuan. To him, only wealth and power matter. If one day you threaten those, he’ll abandon you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have married my mom.”

“Luckily you met my mom. If it was someone like the old witch Jiang Shuzhi, you and your mom wouldn’t have survived so many times.”

Lin Yao said nothing.

After a pause, Lin Wanbai seemed to have realized something, lifted her eyes, and said, “Or maybe your mom and Chen Songyuan planned it all along—to use my mom’s identity to get rich, then split once they had power, or to wait until my grandpa was gone and take over Lin’s company alone. Then my mom would be kicked out, and your mom would have her happy ending. That would make sense. I just don’t understand why your mom risked being discovered by sending you to the Lin family. Do you?”

She spoke as if bored, chatting about their parents’ tangled love and hate like gossip.

Lin Yao stayed silent. Though young then, she understood some things.

Her mom sent her there partly so she could have a bright identity, the best education, and a future like Lin Wanbai’s—a proper lady.

Also, because she suspected Chen Songyuan’s infidelity and feared both mother and daughter would end up with nothing.

Lin Wanbai was right; Lin Yao knew what Chen Songyuan was.

He might genuinely care for Zhou Lin but was more wary. Zhou Lin knew too much about him and wasn’t to be underestimated. She wouldn’t become a discarded wife.

They knew each other’s secrets and held leverage, so Chen Songyuan wouldn’t abandon her—at least while his position was unstable.

Lin Yao remained silent.

Lin Wanbai looked at her, then changed the subject: “We’re both quite pitiful. You’re Fu Juxing’s pawn, and so am I. No one’s better. Being this pitiful, hurting each other is pointless. Besides, we’re half-sisters, sharing the same blood. For that alone, we shouldn’t keep hurting each other. Don’t you agree?”

Lin Yao sneered, “So what? Should we love each other, lick wounds together, and comfort each other?”

“I told Fu Juxing tonight not to lock you up anymore. You’ll be my personal maid.”

“Hmph.” Lin Yao shot her a sidelong glance.

Lin Wanbai blinked, “Or do you prefer to stay in that box, being someone’s plaything?”

Lin Yao grew angry, “Lin Wanbai, you talked about not hurting each other—what are you doing now?”

“Or should I tell Fu Juxing to let you go? That’s impossible. He won’t listen. If I say I want to torment you by making you my maid, he’d agree immediately. Until he gets your father’s shares in Lin’s company, he won’t spare you. And as the legitimate Lin daughter, I still have value. He has to keep pretending to love me deeply, so he’ll indulge me.”

Lin Wanbai tapped her bowl, “I can’t get you out, but at least I can make this room more bearable, unless you don’t want it, then I won’t bother.”

Lin Yao snorted and turned her head away.

“The noodles are good—Aunt Rong’s cooking is delicious but gets bad when cold.”

Lin Yao hesitated, then slowly leaned over, grabbed her chopsticks, and began eating. She was hungry; before, they only gave her bread, which she was tired of. The aroma of noodles awakened her appetite, and she couldn’t resist.

One bowl quickly disappeared, and it was almost not enough.

Lin Wanbai asked Aunt Rong to make another bowl and brought some stewed bird’s nest for Lin Wanbai to eat.

Aunt Rong often went out to buy ingredients and heard many things.

Whatever she knew, Lin Wanbai knew too.

After eating and drinking, Lin Wanbai asked Lin Yao to rest on the tea room sofa and went to the living room.

Lin Yao was truly exhausted, her mind blank, and soon fell asleep.

Lin Wanbai waited in the living room for Fu Juxing to return.

He came home late, nearly ten o’clock.

She was almost asleep, hugging a pillow, but the noise outside woke her immediately.

She sat up straight, waiting for him to come in.

Soon, his tall, lean figure appeared. The living room had only a night lamp on, dimly lit, so she couldn’t see his face clearly or read his expression.

She complained, “You’re home so late. I already took a nap.”

He approached but didn’t sit beside her. “Had an engagement. The other party was difficult, so I was late.”

She looked up at him pleadingly, then put aside the pillow and stood. He smelled heavily of alcohol mixed with smoke.

“I’ll make you some hangover soup. You go upstairs.”

He grabbed her wrist. “Don’t bother. Let’s go up together.”

“You go first. It’s easy to make. I’ll bring it up after your shower.”

He wouldn’t relent, clinging to her. After a moment, his lips were about to meet hers.

Since the day he was freed, he had been restless every day. Coming home early, he always insisted on some intimacy before doing anything else.

Normally, as the new chairman, he should be busy to the brim, but he seemed unusually relaxed, often coming late and leaving early.

Lin Wanbai thought this was good. If she could keep him distracted, the shareholders would surely object and might depose him. That would be beneficial.

Also, a method of her own.

She dodged and coquettishly said, “Behave.”

Such coquettishness was very effective with Fu Juxing right now. He pinched her and smiled, “Alright.”

He held her without letting go, pulled out a box from his pocket, and handed it to her. “Put this on.”

Lin Wanbai opened it and saw a simple plain ring.

He took her hand, slipped the ring onto her ring finger, then grasped her hand, saying, “Never take it off. If you dare, I’ll have someone sew it onto your finger.”

He kissed her ear and went upstairs.

Lin Wanbai swallowed, calmed herself, then went to the kitchen to make a bowl of hangover soup.

When she brought it up, Fu Juxing hadn’t showered yet. He sat on the sofa, legs crossed on the coffee table, tie loosened, watch and other things casually tossed on the floor. She handed him the soup and said, “Drink a sip; you’ll feel better.”

He opened his eyes, drank it all in one gulp, then leaned heavily against her.

...

Late at night, Lin Wanbai got up to wipe herself and came out. Fu Juxing had turned on the bedside lamp and sat on the bed.

She smiled and said, “Did I wake you?”

“Not used to sleeping without you beside me. I can’t sleep when you’re not here.”

She leaned over, “Really? Then I’m your medicine.”

“Mhmm, you’re my everything.”

She chuckled lightly. After a while, she looked up and said, “I got Lin Yao out of the box. She’s always so tense; I’m startled every time I see her. I might as well make her my personal maid. I think it’ll be more fun to tease her that way.”

He stared at her for a moment, then pressed his thin lips to her forehead. “As you wish.”

“I’ll think of ways to play with her.”

She smiled mischievously like a half-year-old child.

...

Fu Juxing didn’t give Li Ting face. His final words were, “How much is your face worth per pound? I’ll pay.”

Li Ting didn’t blow up then but grew angrier the more he thought about it. He felt utterly disrespected. By seniority, Fu Juxing had no right to act arrogantly before him.

He truly thought himself a capable man, disregarding his elders.

Suppressing his anger, he ordered his company to halt all cooperation with Chaosheng.

The next day, Qin Guang hurried to Fu Juxing’s office early, but Fu Juxing didn’t come all morning, which irritated him.

Liang Xi poured tea and sat down across from him. “I already called Dad. He said he’ll be back in a few days.”

This time, Qin Guang didn’t say much.

Liang Xi added, “I heard that Mr. Li wants Lin Yao.”

Qin Guang guessed something but couldn’t understand how Li was connected to Lin Yao.

He frowned, “That Chen Songyuan has many tricks.”

Liang Xi said, “Actually, we don’t necessarily need Lin’s company. Lin Zhaowei’s reputation is well-known, and the shareholders are not easy to fool. If Lin’s company is not handled well, their reputation could be damaged. I think there’s no need to fight for Lin’s. Let them fight among themselves, let Lin Wanbai handle Chen Songyuan. We can sit back and reap the benefits.”

Qin Guang glanced at her, “Your intentions aren’t pure.”

“That’s true. My intentions aren’t pure, but my methods aren’t bad.”

“The method is good, but will he listen?”

“So Dad must come back and knock some sense into him. He needs to realize what really matters. Dad never officially said he wanted him to inherit Chaosheng. That was just to boost his status. Right now, he’s too arrogant and needs a wake-up call. Otherwise, he won’t know his own worth.”

Qin Guang looked at her, thinking about Fu Juxing’s recent behavior. Indeed, he needed a lesson.

After lunch, Fu Juxing finally came to the office.

A fresh bite mark on his Adam’s apple showed what he’d been doing all morning.

Liang Xi’s expression darkened but gave no sign.

After she left, Qin Guang spoke earnestly. “Didn’t I tell you not to offend Li Ting?”

“I didn’t offend him.”

“Not offended? Li Ting suspended cooperation with Chaosheng. Isn’t that offending? If your uncle knows, he’d be furious. He spent so much effort, and you ruined it with a few words.”

Fu Juxing said, “The Hongcheng market is nearly saturated. There’s little profit to be made. Li Ting should think about expanding inland.”

Qin Guang said, “You’d better say that to Mr. Liang yourself.”

“I will when he’s back. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

Qin Guang paused, “Mr. Liang has no interest in Lin’s company. You know Lin Zhaowei’s influence best. The cake is big and tasty but depends on digestion. If you swallow it and can’t digest, you’ll just throw it all up and harm yourself. You’re smart; don’t be stubborn. Ultimately, Mr. Liang is still the biggest.”

“Just give Lin Yao to Li Ting as a favor. It’ll make things easier for Mr. Liang in Hongcheng.”

Fu Juxing was silent, not responding, but his expression clearly showed disagreement.

Qin Guang grew impatient. “Let it be. When your uncle returns, I’ll talk to him. You can leave now.”

He looked at Fu Juxing, sighed, and left without another word.

Li Ting waited three days with no sign from Fu Juxing.

He smoked by the floor-to-ceiling window, chuckling, “They really don’t take me seriously.” He turned, stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, and raised his chin. “Is the person found?”

“In Yunqi. We scouted the villa. It has a strict surveillance system, layers of bodyguards—no flies get in.”

Li Ting sneered, “What treasures are hidden in there to warrant such security?”

“His wife lives there.”

Li Ting raised his eyebrows, touched his chin, and said, “I believe this level of defense is a piece of cake for your A team. I give you three days to get the person out, and bring his wife along.”

“Yes, sir.”

The man took the order and reached the study door, which was open. He pulled it and saw Liang Xi standing there, with Li Ting’s assistant by her side.

The three exchanged looks. The assistant was about to speak when Liang Xi smiled, grabbed the man’s clothes, and pulled him back to Li Ting. “Mr. Li, I think your plan is excellent, and I can assist wholeheartedly. I have only one request.”

Li Ting sized her up disdainfully.

“I want Lin Wanbai.”

...

The next day, Liang Yusheng returned to Beicheng with Liang Yukang.

Before coming, he had bought a set of clothes for him in Hangcheng. The new look brightened his spirit somewhat, hinting at the grace he once had.

But his deeply ingrained timidity was impossible to shake.

They arrived around four in the afternoon, and Liang Xi came personally to pick them up at the airport.

She greeted Liang Yukang politely, sweetly calling him uncle.

He smiled and nodded, then glanced at Liang Yusheng.

Liang Yusheng said, “This is my daughter.”

His eyes brightened as he was about to ask, but Liang Yusheng quickly added, “Adopted daughter.”

“You should settle down too.”

Liang Yusheng waved his hand, clearly uninterested. Seeing Liang Yukang so pitiful, he was even less inclined to marry or have children. Things were fine as they were.

Besides, the Liang family line continued; no need for him to add more.

On the way, Liang Yusheng asked about the company. Liang Xi didn’t mention Fu Juxing, only gave a brief report. They reached downtown at five. Liang Xi suggested going to Fu Juxing’s home.

“He goes straight to Yunqi after work. Maybe we can still catch dinner.”

Liang Yusheng looked at his elder brother, who hesitated. “Since we’re here, don’t hold back. If the kid knows we came but didn’t visit, it would hurt him more.” Then he decided, “Let’s go. Call him and say we have guests and will eat at home so he can prepare.”

“Alright.”

Liang Xi immediately called the house.

Aunt Rong answered.

Fu Juxing was watering flowers in the yard with Lin Wanbai. After the call, she told Fu Juxing.

His expression stiffened. He responded, then took a few steps away and called Liang Xi.

The call connected. Before he spoke, Liang Yusheng’s voice came through: “Ah Xing, don’t make the meal too elaborate—just some home-style dishes. I brought an old friend; you’ll be pleased.”

“If they’re guests, let’s meet outside. I’ll book a restaurant.”

“No need to trouble yourself. Home is better.”

“It’s inconvenient at home.”

Liang Yusheng frowned, about to say more, when Liang Yukang tugged his sleeve.

Then Liang Yusheng softened his tone, “Fine, outside it is.”

After hanging up, Liang Xi smiled at Liang Yukang. “A surprise for him.”

After a pause, she sent two messages on her phone.