Volume One, Chapter 10: Owing the Lin Family

Lin Qianyu suddenly stepped in front of Lin Zhiyu.

“Since you say you have nothing to do with the Lin family anymore, how do you plan to account for the money the family has spent on you all these years? You hurt Huanhuan, and now you’ve even hurt me. How are you going to make amends? Lin Zhiyu, do you have money?”

The other’s aggressive words made Lin Zhiyu clench her fists unconsciously.

She truly had no money to compensate at the moment; after all, she had just been discharged from the hospital and all these troubles had erupted. Right now, she had no source of income.

“You all can go home and make a list. Everything the Lin family gave me, I didn’t take away. The money I used here over the years, I will repay in installments.”

Lin Zhiyu’s expression remained calm as she spoke, then glanced at Lin Qianyu’s bloodstained clothes.

“As for you, since you hurt me first just now, and I was only defending myself, if this goes to court, you’ll be the one who loses.”

“Lin Yihuan being hospitalized has nothing to do with me. She asked me for gifts, I gave them to her, and then she pretended to be innocent in front of me. Don’t you think that’s ridiculous?”

“You!” Lin Qianyu instinctively wanted to defend Lin Yihuan but was immediately cut off.

“You don’t have to act like that in front of me. I know you’re on Lin Yihuan’s side because you care for her.”

Lin Zhiyu clenched the keys tightly in her palm, trying to use the pain to hold back her tears.

“Brother, I know. I used to think you were the same with me — you cared deeply, treated me as your most precious sister, and tried to fulfill whatever I wanted. But that was only because you saw me as your sister.”

“Now, I’m not. I’ve shed that halo. Someone else will take my place as your sister. I understand why you care for Lin Yihuan, but we can never go back. The Lin family—I can never go back.”

Lin Qianyu frowned. Though he said nothing, the anger on his face had noticeably softened.

“When I got home, I wanted to talk to you all properly, but you never gave me the chance. I have no choice. This is indeed embarrassing in such a setting, but from now on, let’s keep things separate. I will repay you the money, and I hope you will let me go.”

Lin Zhiyu’s expression was unusually resolute, though her eyes involuntarily reddened. She seemed to carry many grievances yet was afraid of being hurt again, hence her defensive sharpness.

Beside her, Cheng Nianhua wept silently, unable to speak but still clutching Lin Zhiyu’s hand tightly, unwilling to let her go.

She truly did not want to lose her daughter.

Lin Qianyu calmed considerably, his mind flooded with beautiful memories of his sister from the past.

Those were the moments he cherished most, but now...

He lowered his gaze and noticed the reddened, swollen marks on Lin Zhiyu’s neck—marks he had left himself.

He was stunned, never imagining he had caused this.

Just as he instinctively raised his hand to touch the wound—

“Brother!”

Lin Yihuan’s anxious voice suddenly shattered the tense atmosphere.

Lin Qianyu froze in place, then turned toward the sound.

He saw Lin Yihuan, clad in a thin hospital gown, staggering as she ran toward him without hesitation.

He immediately turned and approached her.

Lin Qianyu draped his coat over Lin Yihuan’s shoulders, his expression full of concern.

“Huanhuan, why are you out? Didn’t I tell you to rest well in the ward?”

“Brother, I heard sister is back. There are many misunderstandings between us. I want to explain everything clearly.”

Lin Yihuan’s tone was urgent as she reached Lin Zhiyu’s side.

Before Lin Qianyu could say anything,

Lin Yihuan, in front of everyone, bowed deeply to Lin Zhiyu and apologized.

“I’m sorry, sister. I really didn’t expect things between us to turn out like this. I was genuinely happy when you came home. I even prepared many gifts for you and clothes we could wear together. I was just being selfish...”

“My health isn’t good. I was too anxious at the time and didn’t realize how serious it would get. I’m truly sorry. Please don’t be angry, okay? I apologize to you. Please don’t leave.”

Lin Yihuan’s face was pale, and she looked extremely weak.

But Lin Zhiyu, standing closest, clearly saw the foundation makeup covering Lin Yihuan’s face.

She had deliberately put it on before leaving the ward.

So people would feel sorry for her.

This was Lin Yihuan’s usual tactic.

At first, when she returned to the Lin family, Lin Zhiyu sincerely regarded her as a sister and wanted to get along well.

But ever since that time when Lin Yihuan cried and slandered her, everything changed.

Seeing Lin Zhiyu remain silent, Lin Yihuan seemed oblivious to the contempt and disdain in her eyes.

She even grasped Lin Zhiyu’s hand, her voice choking with emotion.

“Sister, please don’t be angry with brother and the others. They’re just worried about my illness, that’s why they’re so anxious. Please don’t be angry, okay? I really know I was wrong. Don’t go. If you leave, Mom and Dad will be heartbroken.”

This scene moved even the onlookers.

“Little girl, your sister has apologized. What’s the big deal? I think you should stop making a fuss.”

“Exactly. I thought it was something serious, but these young people nowadays...”

Hearing the crowd’s words, a sly smile flickered in Lin Yihuan’s eyes.

Of course, only Lin Zhiyu, standing closest, noticed this.

“Sister, everyone’s advising you. You shouldn’t be angry anymore.”

Lin Yihuan spoke again, her smile deepening with a hint of quiet provocation.

Lin Zhiyu sharply withdrew her hand.

“How long do you plan to keep up this act? Do you think I’m still the same Lin Zhiyu who would be morally blackmailed by what others say? Don’t bring childish tricks at this stage. Not everyone is a fool.”

She spoke coldly, then strode away determinedly.

“Lin Zhiyu, what are you doing? Hurry and apologize to Huanhuan! She’s endured so much and is even apologizing to you. How can you be so heartless!”

Lin Yuwen followed behind, having only seen Lin Yihuan’s apology, and scolded Lin Zhiyu without giving her a chance to respond.

Lin Zhiyu ignored her, without any reaction.

“I’ll personally deliver the bill to you later. Lin Zhiyu, what you owe the Lin family, you’ll have to repay sooner or later!”

Lin Qianyu snapped back to reality and whispered coldly in her ear.

“Fine.”

Lin Zhiyu replied calmly, then glanced indifferently at everyone present before walking away without a backward glance.

At the same time, around the corner in the hospital corridor,

The man whose bite marks had just been bandaged raised an eyebrow, listening to the absurd scene with detached amusement.

His assistant couldn’t help but speak indignantly.

“There really is such an unreasonable family. They can’t even see through the fake innocence!”

Shen Du glanced at the person beside him and coldly warned,

“Mind your own business.”