Chapter 82: For Whom Does Qin Yu Stand Up?

"If it weren't for Miss Lin's mother showing up, the Bai and Lin families would have been joined by marriage long ago. It's said that President Qin's mother has always been in love with Miss Lin's father, so to this day she holds a grudge against the Lin family and can't stand Miss Lin."

"So even if they were together, it would be hard for Miss Lin to ever step through the Qin family's door."

"Is there really such a story..."

"It's hardly a secret in the compound, but no one dares to mention it these days."

"Childhood sweethearts torn apart—what a pity. But I've heard Miss Lin's mother is a great beauty; just look at Miss Lin now and you can imagine how stunning her mother must have been."

"Is Miss Lin's mother from the capital as well?"

"No, she's from Linsi. Her background is exceptional, too. Her ancestors served as imperial physicians, and her parents are famous traditional doctors in Linsi, the kind you need an appointment months in advance to see. Her father was even a former dean of a medical university."

"She may not have the revolutionary background of the Bai family, but hers is definitely a scholarly household."

"So afterwards the Bai and Qin families became in-laws?"

"Yes. President Qin's parents are one of those couples with little affection between them."

"Hmm, do you think there's a chance President Qin doesn't actually like that person from the Lin family? If he really did, why would he keep a stand-in by his side? I think—"

A soft sound interrupted them as the stall door was gently pushed open.

The two women at the mirror paused mid-conversation, glancing toward the source of the noise.

It was just a casual look, but what they saw startled them. The figure emerging wore a striking red dress, and her cool, noble face radiated an intimidating aura.

Startled, the pair shrank aside, watching Lin Xi walk to the center spot between them. She bent to turn on the faucet and began washing her hands.

Neither dared to move, frozen like two stone lions, one on each side of Lin Xi.

Shaking water from her hands, Lin Xi straightened and looked to the right, where the towels were kept.

Just one glance, and the woman on the right immediately picked up a towel and handed it over, so naturally it was as if she were a servant here.

"Thank you." Lin Xi took it, wiped her hands, tossed it aside, and turned to leave.

As soon as she left, the two finally exhaled in relief. Just as they were about to stand upright, the figure ahead paused briefly. "Let me correct something."

"Ah?" Their backs stiffened, and they gazed anxiously at her slender silhouette.

Lin Xi spoke: "My father's first love was always my mother. Don't let me hear you spreading rumors."

—

The elders of the Lin, Qin, Cheng, Bai, and Zhou families had always been close.

The youngest son of the Lin family had been the object of many girls' secret affection during his school years, but he never dated anyone then.

The eldest daughter of the Bai family truly cared for the Lin family's youngest son, and they had a childhood engagement—a fact that was no secret.

Yet the Lin family's youngest son explicitly refused the marriage and never took the childhood betrothal seriously. Though the Bai family's daughter was saddened, she didn't give up, chalking it up to his bookishness and lack of romantic interest at the time.

She believed that if he ever did want to fall in love, she would surely be his first choice. She was willing to wait.

Later, at the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey, the Lin family's youngest son met a girl from Linsi, and they fell in love at first sight. Soon he brought his girlfriend back to the compound to meet the elders.

The situation turned rather awkward, as the Bai family's daughter rushed over and caused a scene at the Lin household.

After that, meetings between the families carried a hint of embarrassment.

No matter how others tried to persuade her, the Bai family's daughter felt she had been wronged by the Lin family's youngest son, and that the woman from Linsi was an interloper.

When the Lin family's youngest son married, he didn't invite the Bai family's daughter to the wedding.

Not long after, she had a whirlwind marriage with the only son of the Qin family.

From then on, relations between the families eased somewhat. But since then, the Bai family's daughter and the Lin family's youngest son had no further contact—not even at his funeral did she attend...

As for right or wrong, Lin Xi never felt her parents had done anything wrong.

Whatever people said outside didn't matter to her; her parents had fallen in love freely, remained devoted to each other, and lived blameless lives. They shouldn't be subject to baseless suspicion.

As for Aunt Rong, President Qin's mother—

From as far back as she could remember, Aunt Rong's attitude toward her had always been cold. If others were present, Aunt Rong would put on a friendly smile, seeming like a kindly elder. But in private, she always looked at Lin Xi with disdain.

It was less obvious now, but when Lin Xi was younger, it was quite overt.

So as a child, Lin Xi never liked interacting with the Qin family—neither their parents nor Qin Yu himself.

Qin Yu's father had no issue with her; he and her own father were sworn brothers, and he treated her well enough. But he was a taciturn man, generally cold and reserved.

Though people spoke of old grudges between the previous generation, the truth was, it was really just Aunt Rong's one-sided drama.

Still, the others had been right about one thing.

She and Qin Yu would never work out.

All that talk of lost love and stand-ins, real and fake—if it had been a few years earlier, perhaps she'd have cared to dig deeper. But now, whatever the truth was, it didn't matter to her.

Leaving the restroom, Lin Xi lifted her skirt carefully as she stepped down the stairs.

—

As soon as she stood still, she looked up to see a man leaning against the wall nearby, smoking.

He heard the sound of her heels and glanced her way, naturally extinguishing his cigarette.

Lin Xi was already preoccupied; she'd just overheard gossip about Qin Yu, and now, meeting him right outside, she felt an indescribable awkwardness.

Though she hadn't taken part, she felt as if she'd been caught.

It was karma, she supposed—she'd just made those two women uncomfortable, and now it was her turn.

"Not leaving?" Seeing her standing still, Qin Yu condescended to approach her.

Lin Xi turned and walked away first. After rounding the corner, she asked, "Did you come looking for me, Third Brother?"

Behind her, the man followed closely. When she stopped, he stepped up and halted at her side.

"Have you seen Song Ning?"

"Yes." Lin Xi wasn't sure what he was getting at. "Did you come to back her up, Third Brother? Sorry, but I'm not the one who embarrassed her. You should look for Bai Xu."

The scent of smoke still lingered on Qin Yu. Noticing her wrinkle her brow as he came near, he stepped back to keep his distance.

"I didn't intend to bring up unrelated outsiders with you."

"But today, there seems to be plenty of rumors about you and that person."

Lin Xi raised her eyebrows. "Such as?"

"Lost love."

He offered only those three words.

Lin Xi's brow twitched, feigning indifference. "I've heard some of it. But don't worry, Third Brother, I know these bits of gossip are nonsense. I won’t take them seriously."

"Not entirely. Half true, half false." He paused, his dark eyes locked onto her.

Lin Xi sensed trouble and instinctively looked for a way to leave.

But Qin Yu didn't give her the chance—"The part about outsiders is all false."

"The truth is, it's always been about you."

(End of this chapter)