Xue Jiao’s expression was strange, carrying an emotion that Lin Yinyin couldn’t quite place, making it very awkward.

Being fixed by that intense gaze, Lin Yinyin hesitated.

But quickly, she raised her chin slightly.

Why should she be afraid? She hadn’t said anything wrong.

“I already know about your relationship with my third uncle. My third uncle likes you so much, you can help me get him to come out.”

Xue Jiao’s expression grew even more complex: “Your third uncle likes me?”

As these words landed, her expression turned to disbelief and confusion, as if she couldn’t believe what Lin Yinyin was saying.

Immediately, Lin Yinyin glared fiercely, convinced that Gu Xue Jiao simply didn’t want to admit it.

“My third uncle is only good to you. If you don’t have a relationship with him, how could he protect you so much? How could he be so intimate with you? Gu Xue Jiao, I’ve already captured photos of you and my third uncle…”

Xue Jiao’s heart jolted, as if struck by lightning, filled with disbelief and… fear.

She interrupted Lin Yinyin with a question, her voice cold: “You should leave.”

Lin Yinyin stepped forward, trying to soften her tone: “Please just help me. I need to see my third uncle once.”

Xue Jiao looked at her coldly.

Lin Yinyin’s barely restrained temper exploded again: “Gu Xue Jiao if you help me meet with my third uncle just once, I’ll pretend I don’t know anything. Otherwise… I’ll expose how you’ve latched onto the Ling Corporation’s CEO! Let’s see how your schoolmates look at you then!”

Lin Yinyin had always had a bad temper, but because of Lin Zhihua’s threats, she could only hold it back and try to please Gu Xue Jiao.

Who knew the other party wouldn’t recognize the situation at all? Not only did she refuse to admit anything, but she still maintained that attitude toward her!

When had Lin Yinyin ever suffered such humiliation?

Once Lin Yinyin’s temper flared, she immediately lost control and threatened Xue Jiao again.

Xue Jiao’s face grew colder: “Lin Yinyin, you’re asking for my help, yet this is your attitude?”

Lin Yinyin was stunned, then exclaimed with joy: “You’re willing to help me?!”

“No, I’m not.” Xue Jiao looked at her and said flatly, “Didn’t you say there’s something between your third uncle and me? If you keep bothering me, regarding your family’s affairs, I might just have to let your third uncle help suppress them further.”

“You—” Lin Yinyin stared in disbelief.

“So you’d better leave now, and don’t provoke me.”

Xue Jiao’s gaze was too cold; at that moment, Lin Yinyin suddenly realized—

The young woman before her had eyes extremely similar to those of her rarely-seen third uncle.

Lin Yinyin shuddered, while Xue Jiao had already hugged her notebook and continued walking forward.

She stood there dumbfounded, not daring to follow.

Xue Jiao’s retreating figure was far from the calm she portrayed.

Did Lin Zhihua like her?

Yes, he liked her—if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be so good to her.

But this affection… was it really what she imagined?

Was it like the love between Cheng Suo and Li Sitong, or…?

Xue Jiao felt bewildered and then replayed every interaction she’d had with Lin Zhihua.

He had indeed been exceptionally good to her.

When she was sick, he comforted her; when she was confused, he enlightened her; when she didn’t understand her studies, he explained things to her; he was available whenever she called…

Some things were fine when not examined closely, but once scrutinized, evidence appeared everywhere.

So… was it because of what Lin Yinyin said?

But what had she done to deserve this?

Besides… he had never said anything.

Xue Jiao bit her lower lip, her mind racing chaotically.

Her face, which she couldn’t see herself, showed panic.

Xue Jiao took out her phone, feeling conflicted, strange, suspicious, and flustered.

At that moment, as if sensing her emotions, a call came in. Looking at the caller ID, she grew even more anxious—Lin Zhihua.

After a long time, just as the call was about to disconnect, Xue Jiao answered—

“Hello…”

The voice on the other end was gentle and concerned: “Jiaojiao, congratulations on your vacation.”

Xue Jiao’s lips formed a smile, but when she tried to speak, no words came out.

The other end went silent for a moment, then tentatively asked: “Jiaojiao, what’s wrong?”

Xue Jiao bit her lower lip, her face flushing red, and suddenly asked: “What kind of feelings do you have for me?”

The phone went completely silent on the other end, with only the sound of soft breathing.

Xue Jiao couldn’t see the expression of the man on the other end—a momentary panic, quickly transformed into a repressed and painful restraint.

After a long while, his voice trembled slightly—

“Love.”

—What kind of feelings do you have for me?

—Love.

Xue Jiao’s breath caught, and she hurriedly hung up.

Then, covering her strangely beating heart, she crouched down.

On the other end, Lin Zhihua, who had been hung up on, breathed heavily and pressed a bell.

“Boss.”

“Investigate! Who did Xue Jiao meet today!”

His voice carried a viciousness, and Chen Yan felt a terrifying pressure wash over him.

This man had never been a docile sheep.

And now, this wolf was furious.

When Xue Jiao returned, it was right after lunchtime. Li Sitong was applying makeup in the bathroom.

“Oh? You’re back? Have you eaten?” Li Sitong heard the door open and walked out.

“Mmm, yes.” Xue Jiao nodded randomly.

Li Sitong found it strange, sensing that Xue Jiao’s mood seemed off.

So she asked: “Jiaojiao, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Xue Jiao forced a smile and shook her head: “Nothing’s wrong.”

Does this look like nothing?!

“You can tell your mother if something’s bothering you…”

Xue Jiao shook her head: “Nothing’s wrong, Mom. I’m going upstairs to rest for a while.”

With that, Xue Jiao carried her backpack upstairs.

Li Sitong stared blankly at her retreating figure, her hands stopping mid-motion.

Her daughter respected her quite a bit, and the family atmosphere was good. She never angered her, and rarely even contradicted her.

But she also never shared her true feelings with her.

Because of past events, even though they had now “put aside their grievances,” they would never be truly close.

Cheng Suo was right—deep wounds leave marks, and the deeper the wound, the deeper the mark, even if inflicted by a birth mother.

Xue Jiao respected her and gave her the respect she deserved, but they would never have the intimate, tell-each-other-everything mother-daughter relationship…

Li Sitong became lost in thought. As Xue Jiao had grown over these two years, and as she had aged, she increasingly realized how wrong she had been.

She shook her head and decided to buy some groceries later, then cook a nice dinner for Xue Jiao and Mingze.

The damage was done and couldn’t be undone; all she could do now was try to make amends.

Thinking this, Li Sitong quickly finished what she was doing and went out to buy groceries.

There was a supermarket not far from their residential community. Li Sitong brought her bag to the supermarket.

“Bang—” She collided head-on with someone.

“Ouch!” The other person immediately held her waist.

Li Sitong was momentarily stunned, then noticed the middle-aged woman in front of her.

This woman was well-dressed and well-groomed. Although her face had quite a few wrinkles, her skin was still fine, and her makeup was well-applied.

Her coat, matching bag, and jewelry were all perfectly coordinated—refined and elegant.

Li Sitong immediately realized this was a wealthy lady.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she quickly apologized.

Li Sitong was always well-mannered in public, determined not to cause trouble for Cheng Suo. Though she wasn’t sure who had bumped into whom, she decided to apologize anyway.

“It’s alright, it’s alright.” The woman smiled brightly at her. “Young sister, I find you so likable!”

“Huh?” Li Sitong was confused.

“Are you here to buy groceries?” The woman smiled, her eyes crinkling.

Li Sitong nodded: “Yes…”

“What a coincidence! Me too. Let’s go together!” The woman was extremely friendly, smiling at Li Sitong, who was completely bewildered and growing wary.

But the woman made no suspicious moves, simply shopping for groceries while complaining about her son—

“My son is a troublemaker. I can’t control him at all, and he’s nearly thirty but refuses to find a partner!”

“He’s still young. Let him be,” Li Sitong smiled awkwardly.

The woman glared: “How can I just let him do whatever he wants? If I let him have his way, will I ever hold a grandchild in this lifetime?”

Li Sitong: “…” She truly didn’t understand this person’s thinking.

“Young sister, look how fortunate you are with your children. Do you have children?” the woman asked with a smile.

This question seemed harmless, so Li Sitong answered: “It’s okay, one son and one daughter.”

“Oh my, how wonderful! You even have a daughter. Unlike me with just my disobedient boy.”

“It’s not a big deal… one is easier.” Li Sitong could only say this as she picked up a few tomatoes.

She paused, then asked: “Sister, why aren’t you buying any groceries?”

The woman was startled, then smiled: “I am, I am.”

She reached out and put several large pieces of ginger into her bag.

Li Sitong: “…So much ginger?”

The woman laughed awkwardly: “Well… it’s for cooking.”

So much ginger for cooking? Storing it at home?

Li Sitong picked up two bitter gourds, and the lady casually took a head of lettuce, a very small one.

Li Sitong: “…Isn’t that too little lettuce?”

So much ginger but so little lettuce?

The lady was startled and quickly reached for two more heads, “Is this enough?”

Li Sitong: “…I suppose.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” The woman smiled and casually tossed them into her cart.

Li Sitong was confused but didn’t ask further, just pushed her cart forward.

The woman followed: “How old is your daughter?”

“Eighteen.”

“My, eighteen already! She must be in college, and it’s time for her to find a partner.” The woman made this unexpected comment.

Li Sitong stopped in her tracks, stunned: “She’s only eighteen…”

“She can get engaged!” the woman said firmly, her eyes expectant.

Li Sitong: “…Hahaha.” An awkward laugh.

After finishing her shopping, she fled in haste, not stopping again.

The woman watched her retreating figure, a smile playing on her lips.

A moment later, she walked to a car parked not far from the supermarket.

“How did it go?” Lin Changping asked eagerly.

Lin’s mother shook her head: “Gu Xue Jiao’s mother seems nice enough, but she doesn’t plan to interfere in Gu Xue Jiao’s affairs, sigh.”

Lin’s father glared: “Our Lin family is…”

“Enough, enough. What matters is Zhihua’s side.” Lin’s mother interrupted him.

“You think I don’t know that? How much time has passed already, and there’s still no movement!” Lin’s father frowned with worry.

Lin’s mother wore the same worried expression, then after a long while finally said: “…How is it that when he finally takes an interest in a woman, it’s a girl who just became an adult!”

“Sigh.”

Li Sitong returned home and promptly forgot about the incident. The woman had only chatted with her and she hadn’t lost anything, so she didn’t think about it anymore.

But Xue Jiao’s heart was in turmoil.

Since Lin Zhihua had confessed his feelings for her, Xue Jiao couldn’t calm down.

She didn’t even know what she was feeling—a mix of confusion, embarrassment, and panic.

“Ring ring ring—” Her phone rang again.

Xue Jiao knew without looking that it was Lin Zhihua. She buried her head in her blanket, turned over, and didn’t dare answer.

On the other end, Lin Zhihua listened to the beeping sounds, his eyes gradually growing dejected.

Xue Jiao was like a turtle—she might appear calm and collected, but she actually had low emotional intelligence. Not just low, but she was also afraid of feelings.

Whether family affection, friendship, or romantic love.

She wasn’t aloof at all, but she always erected a wall to keep others at bay.

He had originally planned to influence her gradually, step by step, but who knew Lin Yinyin would expose everything prematurely?

Even Lin Zhihua was flustered. He could outmaneuver everyone in the world, but he had difficulty outmaneuvering himself and the person he loved.

Xue Jiao’s feelings for him…

Even he didn’t know exactly what they were.

“Chen Yan!” Lin Zhihua called loudly.

“Boss.”

Lin Zhihua, his face cold: “Help me arrange a meeting with Lin Sheng’s entire family. Remember, the entire family. They want to see me, don’t they? Well, let’s have a good meeting!”

Chen Yan: “…Yes.”

He then respectfully left.

The boss was now like a ferocious tiger in a rage—whoever approached would be bitten.

As for Lin Yinyin?

Oh, Chen Yan just offered three words—

Just wait to die.

Lin Zhihua stopped calling, and Xue Jiao covered her face, quietly wailing—

“What should I do? What should I do?!”

She was truly frightened, and her mind was racing with various thoughts, making her completely unable to face Lin Zhihua.

Xue Jiao was like a turtle hiding in its shell. Apart from writing her thesis and sitting at home in a daze, she didn’t dare go out.

Meanwhile, Lin Sheng, Xu Jiaohong, and Lin Yinyin were led through the doors of the Lin Corporation.

Lin Sheng and Xu Jiaohong walked side by side behind Tan Qi, their hearts uneasy.

“Husband… why did Lin Zhihua suddenly want to see us?” Xu Jiaohong’s voice was nervous.

Lin Sheng shook his head, completely puzzled.

Behind them, Lin Yinyin shuddered, not knowing why, but feeling very anxious…

Could it be related to Xue Jiao?

After Lin Sheng and Xu Jiaohong stepped through the doors of the Lin Corporation, they felt even more terrified.

The atmosphere of such a large company was completely different from their small company. The people inside kept their eyes straight ahead, everything in perfect order.

Tan Qi didn’t say a word, leading them directly to the top floor.

“Assistant Tan…” Lin Sheng smiled flatteringly, “Do you know why Zhihua called us?”

His use of “Zhihua” was intended to show intimacy with Lin Zhihua, trying to fool Tan Qi.

While Tan Qi’s intelligence might not match Lin Zhihua’s or Chen Yan’s, if he could be fooled by someone like Lin Sheng, he wouldn’t be standing here today.

“You’ll know when you get up there,” Tan Qi said indifferently.

Lin Sheng and Xu Jiaohong exchanged a glance, not daring to speak further.

“You—” Lin Yinyin couldn’t help herself, instinctively starting to curse.

“Lin Yinyin!” Lin Sheng was fierce, and Xu Jiaohong grabbed her, giving her a hard glare.

Lin Yinyin was stunned and closed her mouth.

Tan Qi led the three upstairs and had them sit on the sofa in the waiting room. He immediately turned and left, without even offering them water.

“Husband…” Xu Jiaohong opened her mouth.

If Lin Sheng couldn’t see what was happening, he would be blind.

Not even a cup of water was offered. Whether it was Lin Zhihua’s direct instruction or his subordinates’ interpretation, it was clear that Lin Zhihua’s attitude toward them was far from good.

“We haven’t done anything wrong, have we?” Xu Jiaohong opened her mouth.

Indeed, since they had offended Lin Zhihua at the Lin family mansion, they had never interfered in his affairs again. Even when Lin Zhihua cut off the benefits he used to provide them, they didn’t say a word.

At this moment, Lin Yinyin trembled.

Lin Sheng noticed it and frowned: “Lin Yinyin, you haven’t done anything to offend your third uncle, have you?”

His voice was very serious, his eyes wide.

Xu Jiaohong interjected: “She’s just a child, how could she offend Lin Zhihua? She can’t even see him.”

Lin Yinyin didn’t speak, only daring to open her mouth before silently closing it again.

She shrank her neck, afraid that Lin Zhihua was coming for them because of Gu Xue Jiao.

But…

She hadn’t done anything to Gu Xue Jiao, it couldn’t be!

Lin Yinyin kept reassuring herself.

At this point, Tan Qi and another assistant respectfully opened the doors, both sides swinging open.

Lin Sheng’s party immediately looked over.

Tan Qi and the other person stood respectfully on either side of the door as a tall man with an imposing presence walked in.

He wore a black suit and had an expressionless face. His steps were quick; in just a few strides, he was in front of them, sitting down across from them.

He crossed his legs, tugged at his tie, and fixed his piercing gaze directly on them.

The three couldn’t help but sit up straight.

“Mr. Lin…” The words “Zhihua” couldn’t be uttered, replaced instead by this respectful title.

Lin Zhihua swept his gaze over the three, then his sharp eyes landed on Lin Yinyin—

“Tell me, what did you go to such lengths to find me for?”

His voice was flat and emotionless, but just saying it so calmly made the three feel tremendous pressure.

“No, no…” Lin Sheng stammered.

Lin Zhihua’s lips curled into a cold smile: “No? Then why did your precious daughter seek out my person?”

My person!

Lin Yinyin’s pupils contracted. It was because of Gu Xue Jiao!!

“No, I didn’t threaten her, I only begged her to help me see you, Third Uncle…” Lin Yinyin hurriedly said.

She naturally assumed Xue Jiao had complained and surely said bad things about her.

“Threaten?” Lin Zhihua raised an eyebrow.

Then, he picked up something nearby and flung it violently.

“Ah—”

“Bang—”

Lin Yinyin couldn’t help but scream. The object only flew past her side without hitting her, but the wind ruffled her light hair at the forehead, scaring her so badly her heart felt like it would jump out.

Thump thump thump.

Her ears could only hear her heartbeat.

“You’re something, threatening people like that.” Lin Zhihua looked at her and said coldly.

Lin Sheng finally understood—his daughter had taken matters into her own hands and provoked someone she shouldn’t have!

At that moment, Lin Sheng wished he could beat his hindrance of a daughter to death!

“Zhihua, I’m sorry—” Lin Sheng hurriedly spoke.

Lin Zhihua raised his hand and looked at him coldly: “Isn’t your company about to go bankrupt?”

Lin Sheng was stunned, staring dumbly at Lin Zhihua.

“Chen Yan!”

“Boss, I’m here!”

“Since they’re going bankrupt, let’s help them along. I want to hear news of their bankruptcy by tomorrow.”

“Yes!” Chen Yan responded and immediately left.

“Lin Zhihua!! You can’t do this!!” Xu Jiaohong’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Lin Zhihua stood up: “You’d better get back to where you came from quickly. Wait a little longer, and I might want more than just your bankruptcy.”

Go back?

“No—” Lin Yinyin shook her head frantically.

No! She didn’t want to go back!

Her foundation was all here. Back when she had proudly moved to Beijing, she absolutely couldn’t slink back with her tail between her legs.

Lin Yinyin reached out and tightly grabbed the hem of Lin Zhihua’s coat: “Third Uncle!! Please, Third Uncle! I’ll apologize to Gu Xue Jiao, I didn’t mean it, Third Uncle, please forgive me!”

The moment she reached out, Tan Qi and the other assistant signaled, and several people immediately came to drag them away.

“Third Uncle—” Lin Yinyin cried, heartbroken.

As she was pulled further away, in her daze, she saw Lin Zhihua disgustedly take off his outer coat.

She regretted it!

She shouldn’t have provoked Gu Xue Jiao! She never imagined that Lin Zhihua cared so much about Xue Jiao…

The three were thrown out of the Lin Corporation’s doors. Lin Yinyin collapsed numbly on the ground.

What should she do… what should she do…

“Slap—” Her face suddenly hurt.

Looking up in a daze, she met her father’s furious eyes.

Lin Yinyin’s heart tightened.

Xue Jiao knew nothing of these events. She just sat in her room, the thesis on her computer screen only having one paragraph written, as she stared blankly.

Xue Jiao was lost in thought.

Such inattention was unprecedented for her.

But her heart was in chaos, making it impossible to write.

Already… four days without seeing him…

Plus the previous ten days, they hadn’t seen each other for half a month.

Before, they would meet every Friday. She would talk about school and various random things, and he would listen with a smile, occasionally offering advice.

During this period, apart from the first day when Lin Zhihua made several calls,

Afterward, there had been no further communication.

Xue Jiao couldn’t help but glance at her phone again.

No calls, no messages.

She felt troubled but didn’t know why.

“Aaaahhhh!!” Xue Jiao ruffled her hair, looking frazzled.

“Jiaojiao, dinner’s ready—” Outside, Li Sitong called out.

Xue Jiao took a deep breath, then stood up and walked out.

Cheng Suo was changing his shoes.

Xue Jiao walked out looking completely dispirited. Cheng Mingze also came out of his room and naturally ruffled her hair—

“What are you worrying about? You’re turning into a little old lady.”

Xue Jiao gave him a weak look, then collapsed onto the sofa.

“Nothing…”

“You look like there’s nothing wrong?” Cheng Mingze raised an eyebrow, looking helpless.

Cheng Suo, who had finished changing his shoes, suddenly asked: “Jiaojiao, did you argue with Lin Zhihua?”

Hmm?

Xue Jiao was stunned, staring blankly at Cheng Suo.

“No, no,” Xue Jiao hurriedly denied after coming to her senses.

But Cheng Suo said: “If you didn’t argue, why are you like this? And why is Lin Zhihua standing foolishly outside the community?”

“Huh?” Xue Jiao was startled.

She instinctively looked out the window. Outside, it was already dark, but the lights were bright, and she could still faintly see the white world outside.

It was snowing…