Chapter 189

Page Forty-Five Negotiation

For my groundless speculation, Sakura Sauce held an opposing view.

—”This not only lacks evidence, but also brings in too much subjective conjecture. If we follow your logic, Ling Ximí taking care of the young Ling Shàojié was merely out of maternal kindness? Taking care of her husband’s illegitimate daughter, that’s quite a selfless act, isn’t it?”—

Perhaps not many, but there must be angelic women like that, right? Even Old Dad treats Qianxia as if she were his own daughter.

—”That’s sophistry! Can those two be compared? Our mother and Zhú Běihǎi are just siblings, so Qianxia is essentially his niece!”—

Líng Xiǎoyè returned after changing into the maid outfit, her whole demeanor changed. She bounced behind Xiàlù, wrapping her arms around her neck and pushing her back onto the sofa. “Xiàlù, you don’t need to worry about her anymore! We agreed to meet based on believing that birth certificate, didn’t we?”

Xiàlù pouted. “I’m just worried you might get tricked.”

“Hey, am I that easy to fool?”

Líng Xiǎoyè waved her hand and looked over here. “Sister Língmèng… Ah, can I call you like Xiàlù does?”

Huh, trying to act young?

Just now, I called her brother, this age relationship is too messed up.

“You’re originally one year older than me, and our transformed bodies are both seventeen, so we are now the same age… Forget it, you can call me however you want.”

I gave up on explaining.

“Alright, thank you, Sister Língmèng!”

Are you still deciding to call her that?

“From what you said, do you acknowledge Senior Shàojié’s identity?”

“I said, this conversation is based on trusting each other. If I decide not to believe that birth certificate, I wouldn’t be here. So, to keep the conversation going, please take care of me, Sister?”

The last sentence was directed at Ling Shàojié, who winked playfully. This seemingly innocent Ling Xiǎoyè is clearly a smart person, or perhaps a shrewd businesswoman. She knows how to gauge the bottom line of both parties and avoid a lose-lose situation.

“That couldn’t be better, Zǐyè little sister.”

“No no no, now you should call me Xiao Ye, Líng Xiǎoyè!”

She even deliberately lowered her stance, but Líng Shàojié isn’t stupid. She understood his meaning. Besides, she was the one seeking cooperation. Only with Lín Zǐyè’s help could she corner and interrogate Lín Yùhuáng during the coming-of-age ceremony.

—”So, the coming-of-age ceremony is at eighteen years old, right? Then wouldn’t their birthdays be on the same day?”—

Two adult children would question their father to uncover the truth about their mother’s death.

Lǐn Huā urged, “Senior, share your plan. Since you’ve been preparing for so long, you must have thought of how to deal with your father, right?”

Líng Shàojié pondered and replied, “This cooperation was completely unexpected. Thanks to Língmèng’s assistance. According to our original plan, when you attend the coming-of-age ceremony, you’ll be turned into a woman. At that point, your father will have only two choices: accept you as a female heir or cancel the ceremony… But is it really that easy to cancel such a grand ceremony with so many dignitaries, guests, reporters, and government officials invited?”

Líng Xiǎoyè was surprised.

“Woah! That’s truly ruthless. Didn’t you consider anyone’s feelings?”

“Sorry, but if it means striking a fatal blow to my father, your feelings don’t matter.”

Líng Shàojié smiled coldly, while Líng Xiǎoyè sighed, “Father must have his reasons. The older generation of the Lin family indeed has outdated ideas, but Father is different.”

Xiàlù nodded in agreement, “Compared to those old folks, Uncle doesn’t have any prejudice against women and is very kind to me.”

But Líng Xiǎoyè said, “How could he not be kind? He can’t fight you, and he dares not offend your father…”

“Wait, did you actually fight with Lín Yùhuáng?”

“Not just that, Xiàlù even dared to confront her father, though she couldn’t win. As the saying goes, martial arts start with virtue. She lacks virtue.”

Miaomiao Jie once mentioned that Xiàlù is also a martial artist, but she never imagined Xiàlù would dare to confront her elders. This leader’s temperament is indeed fiery.

“I’m reasonable, but some people won’t listen. So, I have to knock them down first before talking sense.”

What kind of twisted logic is this.

Xiàlù realized her unrealistic expectations, and Líng Xiǎoyè didn’t want to waste time on this.

“Don’t mind what Xiàlù did. Let’s hear your new plan, dear Sister.”

Líng Shàojié clapped her hands and said, “If Xiàlù can really give our father a good beating, I’ll applaud her. But before we discuss the plan, I need to ask… When does your coming-of-age ceremony start? Can you tell me the schedule?”

“Of course, the banquet starts at six on Saturday evening and ends at eight. I’ll make a formal speech at around half past six. After that, Father will announce my official entry into the company. Finally, the main guest will crown me. Afterwards, there will be toasts… None of these details matter, right?”

“Mmm, the banquet starts at six, and you appear at half past six. So, our action time is within that half hour. We need to resolve this issue before the party begins.”

Lǐn Huā timely interjected, “I’ll handle the入场资格. Although the Huangfu family has no connection with the Lin family, my mother could still get an invitation, and your father would show respect, right?”

Líng Xiǎoyè looked puzzled.

“Isn’t it simpler for me to handle the入场资格?”

“No, before facing Father and confronting him, he shouldn’t know about my connection with you, and you can’t reveal the secret of this ring.”

A hidden surprise can remain until the end, but revealing it prematurely would create unnecessary complications. Understanding Líng Shàojié’s intentions, Líng Xiǎoyè asked, “I understand. So, what exactly should I do?”

Líng Shàojié continued, “The plan isn’t complicated. At six o’clock, you’ll go see him in this form, but don’t tell him the transformation is controllable. Just say you suddenly turned into a girl. When he panics, I’ll step in and threaten him to reveal the truth.”

“So, I just need to stay silent and pretend to be unaware?”

“Mmm, you can make your own judgment on the specifics.”

“What do you mean by ‘make your own judgment’?”

Líng Shàojié patted Líng Xiǎoyè on the shoulder.

“Our relationship is still unclear. I don’t trust you yet, and I don’t expect you to trust me either. So, you can also develop your own investigation plan… You want to know what Father did to Mother, right?”

“Of course!”

Líng Shàojié continued, “As long as it doesn’t interfere with my plan… No, as long as it uncovers the truth, even if it disrupts my plan, that’s fine. But you must tell me the truth in the end.”

Her tone was serious.

Líng Xiǎoyè’s expression became solemn.

“You can count on me, Sister!”

“Then I leave it to you, little sister.”