Page Sixty-One Preparation for Entry (Part One)
Xiàlù’s sharp question hit the core, and even Líng Shàojié couldn’t laugh it off…
No, that’s not right.
She never could laugh about her own matters. Even after I hung up the phone and finished lunch, she still wore a serious expression. Xiǎo Lěi couldn’t help but comment, “When it comes to others, you have no shame, but when it’s about yourself, you become silent. Do you think there’s something wrong with your personality?”
“Is this something to be laughed at?”
Líng Shàojié took the initiative to settle the bill and turned around, sighing as she said, “Today is not only my birthday, but it might also be the day I uncover the mystery of my origins. Could you laugh if it were you in my shoes?”
She reminded us of this fact.
Since this was Lín Zǐyè’s coming-of-age ceremony, it was also Líng Shàojié’s birthday.
Realizing this again, the tragic aura surrounding her seemed to deepen.
Feeling sorry, I stepped forward to comfort her, “Don’t be afraid of any difficulties. Your back is supported by us. Today, let the truth be your gift. Happy birthday, Senior.”
Regardless of whether the outcome is good or bad, after the truth is revealed, tomorrow will be a new beginning for her.
She must have long understood her situation. About her future, she surely thinks more deeply than I do.
“Língmèng, you said you were also looking for your mother, right?”
She smiled bitterly and put her hand on my shoulder.
“…Yeah, but my situation is incomparable to yours. You don’t need to look for sympathy from me. Even Tāo Jie’s situation is better than yours. Your father’s actions are the lowest form of behavior.”
I expressed my disdain straightforwardly.
Yǐjī Jie had voluntarily confessed her crimes to the old patriarch of the Dragon family. At least she had a repentant heart. Our mother was forced into a difficult situation, and even now, she remains in a precarious state.
In contrast, Lín Yùhuáng abandoning his biological daughter seems irrational and shows no signs of remorse. He even wants to reclaim the birth certificate that is detrimental to him. If it weren’t for the kind-hearted aunt, Senior would have lived under Lín Yùhuáng’s lies her whole life.
But Senior wouldn’t have developed such a criminal personality. From this perspective, maybe it’s a good thing?
She scratched her head and asked, “If, and I’m saying if…if I really am that illegitimate child, what should I do next?”
She rubbed her fingers, anxiety evident in her demeanor.
Although she didn’t show it in front of Lín Zǐyè, she still doubted her identity. Although I haven’t met their mother, Líng Xiǎoyè claims to resemble Líng Xīmí very much, but Líng Shàojié looks nothing like her. The only proof she has is the birth certificate.
Lǐn Huā stopped a taxi and squinted, “What else can we do? Life goes on. We’ve survived all these years without Lín Yùhuáng’s care. Would knowing the truth make us unable to live?”
“At least Lín Yùhuáng is definitely your father. Otherwise, why worry about a paternity test?”
Xiǎo Lěi mentioned this, and Chéngjiàng added, “The key is who your mother is. You said Líng Xīmí took care of you when you were young. If it wasn’t out of maternal love, she’s quite a loving person.”
The taxi turned and stopped in front of us.
I opened the door and turned back, asking, “Think about it. If all the information we know is true, you and Lín Zǐyè are twins, and your mother was indirectly killed by your father, what would you do?”
Líng Shàojié’s face darkened.
“Then expose his past misdeeds and the rotten traditions of the Lin family favoring males over females. He and the Lin family must pay the price.”
—
[13:21]
The venue for the coming-of-age ceremony was an European-style palace in the northern suburbs of the city. It takes about half an hour by taxi. According to Líng Shàojié’s information, this white European building is usually used as a wedding hall and is part of Lín Yùhuáng’s personal assets.
“Even a coming-of-age ceremony requires such grandeur. Is this how the rich live? I can’t even guarantee a birthday cake every year…”
For my sarcastic muttering, Líng Shàojié said, “Your father’s real intention is to establish Lín Zǐyè’s position as the heir through his influence. The coming-of-age ceremony is just a mediocre excuse. Essentially, it’s a publicity stunt. I bet Lín Zǐyè will frequently appear in the media after today.”
It feels like a predetermined event.
“Every employee here, including the janitors at the entrance, are Lín Yùhuáng’s people. It’s not easy to do anything in such a palace. This place is like his royal court.”
It was still early. Though we could enter in advance, we didn’t go straight in. Few people arrived at noon, and most of those present were relatives of the Lin family. Entering too early would draw attention. After all, while I can’t speak for others, I always attract a lot of attention. The Lin family and the Huangfu family have always had conflicts. Although Zhēn Yí received an invitation, she might still be subject to gossip.
The four of us circled the clean white exterior of the palace twice. Chéngjiàng released insects made of black matter to investigate the palace while looking for a place to kill time.
—“There’s nothing around here.”—
Chéngjiàng couldn’t even find a street. No wonder the northern suburbs are called a backyard garden. There were only trees everywhere. Finally, we sat on a bench in the small park near the palace, blowing cold wind… Why does a forest have such a stupid urban plan.
The environment around the European-style palace located in a natural setting felt too elegant.
—“That’s why it’s high-end. Could a palace in a bustling area have this level of sophistication? It would be noisy.”—
I’ve always been wary of the word ‘elegance’ because the higher the elegance, the higher the price.
The long bench warmed up beneath me, and I asked Líng Shàojié, “When is the best time for us to enter?”
She looked at the time and replied, “You can enter at 4:30. I’ll follow the journalists in after 5…”
“Ah? Senior isn’t entering with us?”
Líng Shàojié waved her hand and pointed at her face.
“I can’t. I’m easily recognized by the Lin family. So I’ll join the journalists.”
Does the Lin family still have a warrant for her arrest?
What did she do?
Xiǎo Lěi complained unhappily, “It’s only one-thirty! Are we just going to sit here and wait for three hours? That’s ridiculous!”
“No, we don’t have to.”
Lǐn Huā waved her phone and said, “Miāomiāo Jie and the others are almost here. Yǎuyuè Jie’s seven-seater business car is very spacious. We can squeeze in and change clothes.”
Fortunately, she had already contacted Miāomiāo Jie.
“Are they coming so early?”
“They probably set aside a day for a family activity. Both Yǎuyuè Jie and Miāomiāo Jie are busy. It’s rare for them to be free at the same time… Ah, here they come.”
Following Lǐn Huá’s finger, I saw the black business car we had seen before, Yǎuyuè Jie’s family vehicle. Miāomiāo Jie rolled down the rear window and waved at us, then pulled open the car door.
She asked, “Why are you here so early?”
“We didn’t expect the surroundings to be such barren land.”
The back seats of the SUV were all laid flat, creating a flat space, allowing more people to fit in than the original seven-seater. As soon as we sat down, Sister Léiluó pounced at me, growling, “You have to turn me back today!”
“It depends on what Yǎuyuè Jie says.”
My attitude remained firm.
Yǎuyuè Jie leaned back the driver’s seat and turned around.
Her wavy red hair symbolized maturity, with a confident chest that showed no wrinkles or excess fat, still appearing surprisingly young.
Even Lǐn Huá remarked, “How does Yǎuyuò Jie maintain herself?”
She was wearing a sexy black dress today, the same style as Sister Léiluó’s, even the necklace was identical. Of course, it was just cute on a little girl.
I couldn’t help but tease, “Are you two wearing matching outfits?”
“You still have the nerve to say that!”
Sister Léiluó made a cute face at me, but then noticed Líng Shàojié beside me and asked, “Oh, isn’t that the Lin family girl?”
This remark made Líng Shàojié unhappy.
“Huh?”
Last time, Sister Léiluó was present during the investigation of Líng Shàojié’s rental house, so she knew about Lín Yùhuáng and Líng Shàojié’s relationship. Probably, Miāomiāo Jie and Yǎuyuò Jie also knew, since Sister Léiluó’s mouth can’t keep secrets.
“Father, you should say less.”
Covering Sister Léiluó’s loose lips, Shān Jie looked at Líng Shàojié.
“Sorry, although it wasn’t intentional, we already know about your situation. So, are you preparing to confront your father… today?”
Líng Shàojié had her own questions. She looked at Sister Léiluó and asked Shān Jie, “Wait, why do you call him father?”
Shān Jie glanced at me, considering how much Líng Shàojié knew, and finally explained, “Yes, he is my adoptive father, Yǎuyuò Jie’s husband, and was transformed into his current form by Língmèng… I hope you won’t ask too many questions.”
Shān Jie’s expressionless eyes emitted a faint murderous intent, which wasn’t intended. But somehow, Líng Shàojié felt cold. She shivered and changed her tone, “Today, I’m just planning to reveal everything, but it’s not yet revenge. My goal is to understand what happened.”
She had been looking at Sister Léiluó with a strange gaze, and the latter silently took out a child alarm.
She asked, “Língmèng, can this spell that turns people into children also be used on my father?”
One of the backup plans mentioned earlier was to turn Lín Yùhuáng into a beautiful girl if he refused to cooperate.
I answered, “We did consider this operation, but it involves too many secrets, so it’s not our main plan. Remember not to disclose too much about us. Leaking information would be troublesome…”
“I understand. I don’t want my memories erased either.”
Líng Shàojié waved her hand again and asked, “But that mysterious girl A casually gave Lín Zǐyè a gender-changing ring. Doesn’t that violate your rules?”
“Please, do you think we can control her? Besides, that stainless steel ring is just a communicator. Whether Lín Zǐyè transforms or not is entirely up to the mysterious girl A.”
Líng Shàojié questioned further, “Since it’s not completely controllable, what if she doesn’t cooperate today?”
