Chapter 24
She is the antidote, and also the secret. [Revised]
The next day.
The cool of the night had not yet faded in the early summer morning. The sunlight streaming through the window carried a gentle warmth that wouldn't scorch the skin. People busy making a living were full of vitality amidst the hustle and bustle, while others were leisurely enjoying life.
Yunxing Health and Wellness Center is built on the mountainside of Cuiping Mountain. The shell-shaped building built against the mountain is a landmark building in Zhoushan.
This large-scale health and wellness center was established several years ago as a private health and wellness enterprise, with Gu Shinian providing the construction, Lin Jin providing the capital investment, and Chi Jue organizing the medical team.
The top floor of the central building features only one private ward, with a spacious reception room featuring a full-length, semi-circular panoramic window that provides excellent natural light and offers a bird's-eye view of the endless coastal scenery.
Lin Jin wore an Egyptian-style off-shoulder dress that accentuated her beautiful collarbones, which seemed to hold a sliver of raindrops, and her slender figure.
Her bare, porcelain-white feet trod across the comfortable cashmere carpet, making her appear like a cold and elegant queen who had stepped out of the desert—charming, noble, and mysterious.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze swept over the enchanting coastal scenery, but she couldn't muster much interest. Her face was etched with weariness. Her fingertips twirled the wine in her glass, the silky red wine swirling within, evoking the restless dreams of the previous night.
The empty living room was suddenly filled with the rhythmic clatter of high heels on the wooden floor, breaking the silence of the room.
"You haven't come to see me for a long time. How have you been lately?" The woman in the white coat had neat, shoulder-length hair, with strands fluttering gently with her steps. Her tone of greeting carried a hint of helplessness.
Lin Jin turned around at the sound, then rested her head on his shoulder and greeted him lazily, "Long time no see, Dr. Qin. If I were better, I wouldn't have come to see you, would I?"
Her elegant sip of red wine hinted at an inescapable dependence on alcohol. As if not satisfied, she downed it in one gulp to finally quench her thirst.
Qin Congyi is an expert in treating mental illnesses and is highly authoritative in his field. He was Gu Shinian's attending physician, whom Gu Shinian hired from abroad.
She also manages the entire health and wellness center, so she occasionally sees Lin Jin and provides him with some mental health treatment.
Qin Cong felt relieved upon hearing Lin Jin's pleasant and friendly tone. He sat down on the soft guest sofa and said helplessly, "Drinking so early in the morning, it seems Mr. Lin has something on his mind. It's not hard to guess that you haven't taken the medicine I prescribed on time."
"Wine can dispel all sorrows," Lin Jin sighed, then shrugged dismissively. "To be honest, your medicine is ineffective; it makes no difference whether you take it or not."
Qin Congyi was already used to the two bosses' eccentric tempers. They were both ruthless and unpredictable, each with their own unique characteristics, making them a real headache.
In comparison, Lin Jin's condition is slightly easier to control, but it is still a fairly severe case of childhood traumatic stress syndrome.
The cruelty of her childhood distorted her world. The little girl was like a twisted doll, wrinkled, tattered, and pitiful, despised by everyone.
She is easily provoked by certain things and events, and once this happens, she is prone to manic or self-harming behavior.
With strong medication and psychological counseling, the symptoms of PTSD can be completely alleviated. However, this person did not listen to advice, did not take the medication on time, and was also addicted to alcohol. Over time, even the best treatment plan became ineffective.
Lin Jin sat down leisurely next to Qin Congyi, playing with the empty wine glass. "I didn't plan to do any treatment today. I just came to see my half-dead father."
Qin Congyi nodded knowingly. She never discussed topics that would affect her patients' emotions, so she simply changed the subject: "Any good things happening lately?"
Lin Jin rubbed her canine teeth against the rim of the cup, then suddenly remembered the stubborn little dog that refused to bow its head. Her eyes gleamed with excitement. "Of course there is, and it's an immense joy."
Qin Congyi could sense her genuine smile, so he asked guidingly, "If you don't mind, could you share with me what good thing it is?"
"No, it's a secret I don't want to share." Lin Jin refused the questioning-style counseling, appearing petty.
Cheng Sangluo was like her secret treasure, something she had to hide carefully and lock away deep in her heart where no one knew. Even sharing topics with her made her anxious and uncertain.
Qin Cong smiled without saying a word, naturally ending the conversation.
Her treatment time was charged by the minute, and she wouldn't linger. So she got up to say goodbye: "If Mr. Lin has no other requests, I won't disturb your good mood while enjoying your wine. However, I still want to advise you to take your medicine, quit drinking, and get proper treatment for your illness."
Lin Jin was pouring himself a drink when he heard these simple words of advice. His smile grew even brighter. "It's still the same old story: wine can wash away a thousand sorrows."
After saying that, she leaned back into the sofa and toasted Qin Congyi, saying, "Don't worry, I have a good medicine with amazing effects."
Yes, Cheng Sangluo is her best antidote.
Qin Cong raised an eyebrow and retorted, "Since there's a good medicine, why resort to drinking to drown your sorrows?"
This doctor always managed to pinpoint the crux of the problem with a sharp eye. She knew that inner demons were the hardest to overcome, so her questions were full of skepticism.
Whether it's a good medicine or a poison, who knows?
Lin Jin's smile froze slightly. The answer to this question wasn't difficult; it was because the medicine was hard to tame that wine had to be used as a catalyst.
She put down her cup and prepared to check on the people downstairs. "Walk with me for a bit."
"I would be happy to." Qin Congyi politely declined, then gently advised from behind, "Nothing can be rushed. Let time slow down, and your emotions will naturally relax. Promise me that you will be calm when you see your father later."
"Tch." Lin Jin scoffed. "I can't control my emotions, otherwise why would I need medicine or medical treatment?"
......
Unlike hospitals, the special care wards at the health and wellness center are not cold and do not even smell of pungent disinfectant.
The interior decoration features warm colors, giving residents a sense of home and comfort, which may alleviate the sensory burden of illness.
It was the time for morning rounds, and a group of professional nurses were gathered around the bed, busy helping the man on the sickbed to wash up.
Several attending physicians stood aside, discussing today's medication plan based on his physical condition.
The electric double doors are extremely quiet, and the opening and closing motion is remarkably smooth.
It's clear that everything here is built with money to provide the best service and the highest quality.
Lin Jin's expression remained as cold and indifferent as ever; her detached attitude made it seem as if she had come specifically to care for her seriously ill father.
"Good morning, Mr. Lin." The attending physician bowed and greeted him, about to report on the patient's condition.
Lin Jin waved his hand to stop them in time and ordered, "Everyone, get out first."
After the group left, she pulled out a chair and sat down, giving her father a fake smile. "You look good. It seems you can live a little longer."
Lin Zhen clutched a handkerchief in his hand, his words so harsh that they caused him to cough uncontrollably.
His lungs were already in the final stage of fibrosis, and the doctor gave his verdict in less than two years.
This disease is very devastating. Patients cannot live without oxygen tanks. Let alone getting out of bed and taking a few steps, they will be out of breath just by talking a few words. As a result, their final days are destined to be spent in the dark and confined space of a small hospital bed.
He was already used to his daughter's bad attitude, so he didn't show much emotional fluctuation.
This person never smiles, keeps his thoughts very deep, and even though he is extremely thin and has an oxygen tube attached to him, he still exudes an aura of authority.
Rarely able to see his daughter, Lin Zhen's expression was anything but friendly, and he only asked business-related questions in a hoarse voice: "How's your company doing lately?"
"I don't need to answer this kind of question. Someone should be reporting to you all the time. Senyao is doing very well now. Doesn't this result disappoint you?" Lin Jin asked with a smile, her posture neither humble nor arrogant. "That's right. Of course you should care. After all, it hasn't developed into the vulnerable state you described, right?"
Lin Jin doesn't need her father's approval; she just wants to show off her success. The more difficult it was to achieve success on her own, the more ruthless the slaps will be.
These slaps landed on Lin Zhen's face, shattering the predictions that his daughter would fail.
Perhaps speechless, he snorted and changed the subject: "Hmph, your brother is more sensible than you. At least he comes to visit me every few days. People who don't know the situation would think I only have one child."
"Your son is the number one heir. If he doesn't pretend to dote on you and coax you, how can he win your favor?" Lin Jin's words were harsh enough to tear down the veil of pretense and rub salt into the wound. "I never expect you to give me anything as a father, so don't expect me to give anything as a daughter. Just treat me like you only have one child. Seeing me less often might give you a few more days to live."
Lin Jin crossed her legs, dangling her toes leisurely. As she spoke, her hypocritical smile grew increasingly cold, her gaze fixed on her father's face, hoping for an even more intense reaction.
The shrewd and calculating Lin Zhen knew exactly what everyone was thinking. He remained calm and didn't reveal the side that Lin Jin was hoping for. "As your father, I know you and your brother best. Do you know why I would think your brother is better than you?"
Lin Jin's smile faded, and she narrowed her eyes as she retorted, "Stronger than me? The illegitimate son you've poured your heart and soul into raising since childhood recently lost a huge deal, and unfortunately, Sen Yao snatched it away. So how can you say something so laughable?"
Lin Zhen sighed deeply. Even though the company had been handed over to Lin Sheng to manage, he was still the largest shareholder behind the scenes, so people would naturally whisper about all the big and small things in the company to him.
"Fine, your brother couldn't get the good project, but you did. It's just a matter of whether it goes into your left hand or your right. Whoever succeeds, it's the Lin family's success." Lin Zhen's words neither blamed his son nor diminished his daughter's credit.
He had to admit that Lin Jin had inherited his advantages and was far more capable in business than Lin Sheng, but deep down he was unwilling to bring the facts to the table.
He closed his eyes to rest, his tone still calm: "If you knew how to please your elders, you wouldn't have to walk every step of the way on your own."
"How can you so calmly say the principle of 'left hand pays, right hand pays'? Don't you feel ashamed at your age?" Lin Jin's eyes flashed with deep hatred, but she quickly mocked, "If I knew how to please you, I wouldn't be Lin Jin."
"You know what raising Gu poison is, right?" Lin Zhen said succinctly, revealing the cold-bloodedness of a father in just a few words.
The path he paved for his children was full of thorns, with no mutual assistance, only primitive survival of the fittest, as if only in this way could the best candidates be selected for the family to take on the main responsibility.
However, in this long-running struggle, he never acted fairly; the favorable winds always blew in Lin Sheng's favor.
Lin Jin raised her eyebrows with a half-smile, her eyes looking at a monster, incredulous that such a person could be a father.
Lin Zhen opened his eyes, staring straight at his daughter, and uttered a twisted set of words: "Regardless of whether you're an illegitimate child or not, you and your brother are both of the Lin family bloodline. You share the same fate, and you share the same fate. I never interfere in your disputes because I want to see who will ultimately inherit this vast family business. I admire your courage and investment acumen, but I also hate your nitpicking about the past. You ask me where Lin Shengsheng's advantage lies? He wins because his methods are more ruthless than yours."
Lin Jin gritted her teeth. Being acknowledged by her father wasn't something to be happy about, because in the end, he still lost to Lin Sheng.
"The Lin family is the Lin family, and I am me. There is no such thing as sharing the same fate. Even if your so-called huge family business is eventually given to Lin Sheng, I will not envy you at all."
Okay, so you want to compete in ruthlessness?
After you close your eyes, I will destroy everything you are so proud of: the son you have carefully raised, the family business you have worked so hard for all your life, as a belated burial for my mother.
Oh, and I have only one small wish: I will definitely pull out your oxygen tube myself.
Of course, I'm not in a hurry, because right now I'd rather you lie here sober, enjoying the living hell day after day.
"You must live to be a hundred years old, so that you can fully experience suffering."
Lin Jin sent out this vicious blessing through gritted teeth, word by word, a silent but deadly blow to the heart.
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