Chapter 158

Page Fifteen Lin Yuhuang

When the middle-aged man entered the store, Aunt Lin stopped brewing the coffee, and her face was very ugly.

She said irritably, “Put that ugly face away. I don’t owe you anything, and besides… there are children in the shop.”

She then looked at AJ and said, “Girl, can you take care of the shop for a bit? Just ten minutes, and I’ll treat both of you to lunch.”

AJ, suddenly entrusted with such responsibility, felt a bit uncomfortable.

“Huh? I have no problem with it, but do you really trust me so much? Don’t you fear I might steal something and run away?”

“I know who I can trust…”

She then looked towards the middle-aged man at the door.

“Let’s go upstairs to talk.”

Amidst the astonished gazes of other customers, the middle-aged man followed Aunt Lin upstairs, his expression stern.

Hey, could that person be…

—“Although I haven’t seen him before, isn’t that Lin Yuhuang?”—

He exudes the aura of a successful person. Is this how all the people from our family look?

But this time, we’ve truly caught a big fish. I thought we wouldn’t get any clues, but it seems today wasn’t a waste after all.

—“Let’s eavesdrop through the wire. Since Chairman Lin came to see Aunt Lin, it’s likely related to Líng Shàojié.”—

AJ rushed behind the counter to take over Aunt Lin’s work. Although she wasn’t professional, thanks to her experience working part-time at the café, her movements while brewing coffee were quite decent, though it was uncertain if the guests would be satisfied.

—“I only connected the sound, otherwise the wire would be too thick.”—

Unlike the first floor with many corners and crevices, the attic had fewer items, making the dark line stand out.

Through the wire leading into the attic,传来中年男人的疑问：“少婕平时就住在这种地方？她不是把那套房子给租下来了吗？”

Aunt Lin replied, “She doesn’t want me to know about this. So, she still lives here, and she won’t come back to live with me either… But why did you still collect rent from that child?”

Líng Shàojié renting a place was known to these two. Indeed, the truth she knew was false?

“If I didn’t collect rent, it would raise suspicion. She’s very astute, but I will find a reason to give her that house later, and return the rent during that period.”

So, Líng Shàojié rented the house from Lin Yuhuang?

This is some incredible intelligence. If Líng Shàojié herself heard this, she’d owe him a favor.

—“No problem, I recorded it.”—

You have that feature?

—“Tian Dao regularly releases the latest functional patches!”—

What operating system are you using?

Lin Yuhuang said, “So, make her stop causing trouble at the company. Dànhàn, considering your face, I’ve already shown great restraint. This is my final warning. You know what would happen if someone else were in your position.”

Dànhàn is Aunt Lin’s name.

“Hmph, do I even have any face with you?”

Aunt Lin showed great disdain towards Lin Yuhuang’s harsh words.

“Moreover, that house was left by Xīmí to her. Do you think you can use it as a favor?”

Xīmí (Xīmí) is Líng Shàojié’s mother’s name?

This can be searched later as a keyword.

“That’s my house, isn’t it?”

This father is quite intimidating, continuing to threaten.

“She recently came to the company again. If you can’t manage her, I will have to resort to legal measures.”

“Legal measures? Go ahead. That girl holds your life in her hands. If she leaks that information, it won’t be good for you.”

Lin Yuhuang vehemently denied, “That’s just your fabricated lie!”

“A loud voice doesn’t mean you’re right. Besides, the birth certificate is real, right? I believe the results of a paternity test would also be unfavorable to you… Lin Yuhuang, you shouldn’t underestimate that girl. After all, she has your blood in her veins.”

“But she’s not my child!”

“Do you have no shame saying such things?”

“Shame? I’ve done everything in my power for them.”

Aunt Lin sighed heavily, expressing her despair.

“The methods she uses are more extreme than you think. Do you know what she’s doing?”

“As long as she doesn’t cause trouble for me, I don’t care what she does. If she wants to continue, it won’t matter.”

There was a light click, the sound of a lighter.

“Whew—you still underestimate her.”

A jumble of sounds, as if searching for something, until Aunt Lin shouted, “Enough, stop looking! That girl hid things where even I don’t know. How could they be simply kept in the cabinet?”

“You shouldn’t have given that thing to her in the first place!”

“That’s the only proof of her identity she has. I can’t let you destroy it.”

There was a dull thud as Lin Yuhuang forcefully closed a cabinet or drawer. After a while, he said, “…I’ll send someone to check the neighborhood.”

“Lots of toys for that girl. Look at those devices on the wall. If nothing else is found, she might leave some evidence behind.”

Lin Yuhuang clearly came for the birth certificate. Perhaps anticipating this, Líng Shàojié gave it to us.

—I’m being used as a safe?—

Silence ensued, and Lin Yuhuang’s tone softened.

“Dànhàn, I came today because I have something to ask you. This weekend is Zǐyè’s coming-of-age ceremony, and both parents will be present. As an aunt, you should attend… at least show up.”

“Zǐyè’s coming-of-age ceremony, isn’t that Líng Shàojié’s coming-of-age ceremony?”

“I know you don’t want to hear this.”

“Then you should know I don’t want to go, preparing for the Tianping Group’s future heir? Sorry, I can’t stand that kind of occasion. Thinking about what you’ve done makes me sick.”

“Zǐyè is your niece.”

“Líng Shàojié is also my niece!”

“I haven’t neglected her, have I?”

“That child needs more than just your money. She hasn’t taken a single penny, don’t you know?”

“That’s the hatred you’ve instilled in her.”

“Yes, that’s to give her the strength to live. Otherwise, the harsh reality would crush her… Even if you tell her the truth, she will hate you. After all, Xīmí saved your life, and you could say you caused her death.”

Didn’t you just say she’s not dead!

Could I have misunderstood?

Anyway, what exactly is the truth?

Lin Yuhuang also denied, “That can’t be considered death. It’s more like… she’s gone.”

“That can’t be considered living. Since she’s gone, she’ll never come back. Líng Shàojié is her child. Even out of gratitude, you should treat her well. Do you lack the courage to give her a proper status?”

These two’s conversation made me feel lost. What does ‘gone’ mean?

From the previous context, we can infer that Líng Shàojié’s mother is in a state between life and death.

Was she brutally put into a gas chamber by a cruel physicist?

—“Can’t figure it out, there are too few clues.”—

Then, Aunt Lin started to see off the guests.

“Chairman, I don’t have time to play dumb. I know you understand everything clearly, but you refuse to admit it… Really, you should visit less often. Seeing your face ruins my whole day. Please leave quickly.”

“Dànhàn, media reporters will be at Zǐyè’s coming-of-age ceremony. Even if you don’t come, please persuade Líng Shàojié.”

“Alright, but I can’t guarantee she’ll listen. Hurry up and leave.”

Although they are siblings, Aunt Lin showed no respect to Lin Yuhuang, her disgust unhidden. Yet, he couldn’t do anything about it.

On the other hand, it’s clear that Lin Yuhuang fears Líng Shàojié causing trouble. However, based on my understanding of that senior student, she wouldn’t act rashly without a ninety percent chance of success… Though she appears carefree, she’s actually meticulous.

—“Though she’s part of the Lin family, Aunt Lin has no affection for the Lin family at all. Perhaps she faced discrimination since childhood, which is why they rarely interact now. She opened a café and leads a reclusive life.”—

Cherry Sauce focused on Aunt Lin.

In short, this is still the old idea of favoring boys over girls. I’ve heard many absurd news stories before that could be reported on the 1818 Golden Eye.

There are cases of parents bringing only their sons to amusement parks and leaving their daughters alone at the entrance; others divorce at the hospital because their wife gave birth to a daughter; grandparents abandoning newborn granddaughters… But I never imagined I’d witness such bizarre incidents in such a peculiar family.

Lin Yuhuang went downstairs, hesitating at the door, as if he had something unsaid, but ultimately left the café.

“Curry beef has arrived… it’s heavy!”

During this time, AJ brought back a large stainless steel pot, and Aunt Lin returned to the counter after sighing in relief when AJ placed the pot on the stove.

She said, “Thank you for the hard work, little girl.”

AJ clapped her hands and shook her head.

“It’s nothing, compared to a meal… Who was that person? Were you arguing upstairs?”

AJ’s concern mirrored the worry of other customers.

The attic had poor soundproofing, and Lin Yuhuang spoke loudly. Even if the words weren’t clear, the commotion downstairs caused concern.

“Nothing… thank you.”

The elderly gentleman sitting opposite the counter raised his hat slightly.

“Glad you’re alright. That man is no good.”

This elderly gentleman seemed to recognize Lin Yuhuang.

“Lord Tuohai, you’re early today?”

“I was worried about you. Besides, the bar only opens in the evening.”

The elderly man, known as Lord Tuohai, took a sip of his coffee and couldn’t help but praise, “Oh? This young lady’s skills are quite good. I was hesitant about hiring her as a temporary staff member, but her coffee is better than the boss’s.”

Aunt Lin blinked and looked at the coffee cup in the elderly gentleman’s hand.

“You make me feel sad. Young lady, make me a cup.”

AJ scratched her head awkwardly.

She replied, “I’m afraid I can’t… The grinder is out of beans. I don’t know your recipe, so I just guessed and threw some in.”

“Just guessing?”

Upon hearing this, the elderly gentleman next door spat out his coffee.

Got it, this old man is trying too hard.