Chapter 45
Dangerous and beautiful black rose
The last day of August.
Every year at this time, Lin Zhen holds a grand ancestral worship ceremony in the main ancestral hall of his residence.
His two children were both unmarried, resulting in a small family, while distant relatives came to pay their respects in droves.
These people are simply using the ceremony to cultivate relationships, so the huge hillside mansion is filled with a false sense of prosperity and excitement.
Lin Sheng had his hair neatly combed and was always dressed in a suit and tie. His feigned humility seemed genuine, and even the smile on his lips carried a gentlemanly air.
Right now, he is pushing his father, who is in a wheelchair, and is skillfully entertaining and exchanging pleasantries with the guests.
These sycophantic relatives, of course, understood who would take over the Lin family business in the future. They couldn't help but crowd around Lin Zhen, praising his excellent parenting skills and marveling that the Lin family had a worthy successor.
It seemed that no one cared about Lin Jin's existence, as if she were a taboo topic. Perhaps they were afraid of upsetting Old Master Lin, so they all tacitly kept quiet about it.
As if fulfilling his daughter's wicked blessing, Lin Zhen's complexion has been getting better and better these days. However, he still has an oxygen tube on his face and gets very breathless after talking to others for a few words.
He waved to his son, indicating that he should go to the lounge to rest first.
Lin Sheng pushed him along the elegantly landscaped veranda, putting on a show of filial piety in front of the guests, until they turned into the empty lounge, where the two instantly reverted to their most authentic selves.
"Still can't get through to Lin Jin on the phone?"
Lin Zhen rested his arms on the armrests, his voice low and husky. As he asked the question, he couldn't help but look out at the corridor, with a hint of anticipation in his eyes.
Lin Sheng stood behind him, his head slightly raised in a disdainful manner, as if he no longer bothered to pretend.
How could he not see how much his father cared about that cold-blooded monster? So he replied rather stiffly, "She never shows up today, so why should Father have any expectations?"
"Have your men search again." Lin Zhen was stubborn, and his tone became a little impatient. "How many times have I told you, it's better to make peace than to have another enemy. You always get more than her. You still have to put on a show of humility. She is your sister, and that will never change."
Having heard these words countless times, Lin Sheng impatiently adjusted his cufflinks and sneered, "I'd like to acknowledge this sister, but she might not see me as her brother. Rather than an enemy, I'm more like a foe in her eyes."
Lin Sheng's self-assessment was fairly accurate. Although his self-deprecating remarks sounded lighthearted, they were filled with resentment.
He was jealous of that woman's success, which had nothing to do with the Lin family, and he also hated that this outcome made him look like a useless joke.
Meanwhile, at Guishan Cemetery.
Lin Jin wore a wide-brimmed straw hat, and her delicate face was mostly covered by sunglasses, making it impossible to see what emotions were revealed in her eyes behind the black lenses.
The breeze from the mountain stream was quite refreshing, fluttering the hem of her black ankle-length skirt and a stray strand of hair near her temple.
Sheng He squatted in front of the tombstone, busy loosening the soil around the place where incense and candles were offered.
Once everything was ready, he handed Lin Jin three incense sticks and cautiously asked, "Boss, is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Go wait in the car," Lin Jin told him, then held three incense sticks to his forehead and bowed deeply to the tombstone.
On the other side of the city, the once quiet Lin residence was now crowded with people trying to curry favor with the powerful, turning a sham memorial ceremony into a lively affair.
In contrast, only Lin Jin came to visit this overgrown cemetery. Sometimes he would stare in silence for a long time, and sometimes he would chat casually about everyday things.
It's the same every year—a stark irony.
Lin Jin inserted the incense stick into the soil, turned around and sat in front of the tombstone, gently wiping the photo on the tombstone with her fingertips.
Even in the blurry black and white portrait, the woman in the photo has a radiant smile.
Lin Jin and she looked somewhat alike, except that Lin Jin did not inherit the gentleness in her eyes and brows.
My memory of my mother is frozen more than twenty years ago, on that stormy night, at the edge of the cliff outside the Lin family home, where she made a heartless leap.
Lin Jin closed her eyes, her brow twitched slightly, and she quickly shut out the bitter memories that were welling up inside her.
She dared not think too deeply about it, so she looked up to admire the expansive mountain scenery in order to distract herself.
"After all these years, I still can't let go. I can't forgive anyone, including you."
I really want to know, how could you bear to leave me alone in this world? Do you think you can bring back someone who has changed their mind by risking your life, or do you think that doing this will make them live in deep remorse and suffering?
In fact, those hateful people live more comfortably than you imagine. They won't thank you for your help, nor will they remember how they committed evil deeds.
Want to hear some good news?
Just wait a little longer, Lin Zhen will come down to be with you soon.
The doctor said he wouldn't live more than two years. I actually hope he lives to be a hundred. To be constantly on edge, barely clinging to life, that's true torment. Wouldn't it be better if he were finally done with it?
Lin Jin's tone was not gentle, but her expression was very sad.
Her nose was red and tingled with tears, but then she suddenly remembered something good, and her smile finally became warm. "After waiting for so many years, I've finally found her. She's changed a lot since then. She's covered in thorns and as stubborn as a donkey, but she's also so kind that it breaks my heart. I really want to bring her to see you. I will in the future. In the future, our family will be very lively."
Who would you like to bring to visit your teacher?
A sudden laugh interrupted Lin Jin's monologue, and a tall figure walked out from behind her, carrying a white chrysanthemum.
Sheng He also rushed over, his face showing an apologetic expression, as if to say that he had failed to stop the newcomer.
Lin Jin didn't need to look up; she could tell who it was just by hearing their voices. However, the somber atmosphere that had just been created had been dispelled, leaving only a cold indifference.
After Qin Shuhuai finished the whole process of offering incense and paying respects, she sat down next to Lin Jin and greeted her with, "Long time no see."
Lin Jin coldly retorted, "What are you doing here?"
"Of course I'm here to visit you, teacher. I come every year, but I always try to avoid coming at the same time as you. I don't want to do that this year. After all, it's not easy to see you, so I might as well take this opportunity to catch up."
Qin Shuhuai had long, jet-black, shiny hair. Her classical features weren't stunningly beautiful, but they were very pleasing to the eye, especially her slender, phoenix-shaped eyes, which would squint into slits when she smiled, brimming with a soft light.
She is a classical dancer with a slender figure that seems to have stepped out of a painting. Even when she simply sits there, her demeanor exudes an elegance that is different from that of ordinary people.
"I know you don't want to see me, but I can't resist missing you. After all, you used to call me 'sister' too~" Qin Shuhuai smiled even more brightly, probably because she remembered how Lin Jin used to follow her around like a little shadow when they were little, always calling her "Sister Qin, Sister Qin".
In fact, the two are less than a year apart in age.
"Why bring up the past?" Lin Jin didn't want to talk to her anymore, so he got up and left.
"Ah Jin." Qin Shuhuai grabbed her wrist just in time and pleaded in a low voice, "I want to have a good talk with you."
"What do you want to talk about?" Lin Jin impatiently pulled her arm back and asked in a low voice, "Talk about how you hid and didn't help when I was dying, or how you disappeared after the incident. Sometimes I really hate it when you call me 'mother' or 'teacher.' I think it's an insult, especially harsh and unpleasant to hear."
Qin Shuhuai was speechless, but fortunately she was good at composing herself. After a few seconds of silence, she regained her smile: "We've all been lying low, haven't we?"
Lin Jin stopped in his tracks, lowered his eyes and stared at the smiling woman. "This is my family matter, and it's none of your business. If you really want to do something for me, I hope you'll stay away and not get in my way or ruin my plans."
Her low, rebuking voice wasn't loud, but it still echoed through the mountains, as if mocking the utter ugliness of the people that night.
The atmosphere was very awkward, but Qin Shuhuai unconditionally tolerated all of Lin Jin's bad temper, as if this could bring her some salvation.
After a moment of silence, she fiddled with the offerings in front of the tombstone and began to talk about something important: "Over the years, I have toured all over the country and abroad. First, it was to fulfill my dream, my own dream and my teacher's dream; second, it was to make more connections with powerful and influential people and to prepare for everything in the future."
My dream has come true, and I can finally retire gracefully. Some things may have been delayed by time, but it's time to do them.
When I learned that Lin Zhen was seriously ill, I rushed back immediately. Nothing could be more exhilarating than that, so I came to see you today specifically to tell you that revenge is never a matter for you alone.
When Lin Zhen was mentioned, Qin Shuhuai's smile faded. She slowly explained her purpose, hoping that Lin Jin would understand her thoughts.
Lin Jin paused for a moment, then retorted, "Revenge isn't something you can just talk about. Do you know how difficult it was to bring down Lin Zhen's entire family?"
Qin Shuhuai smiled leisurely again. She did not answer Lin Jin's question, but instead reached out and stroked her teacher's portrait: "Your tone just now sounded like your teacher's. It reminded me of many years ago."
Back then, when I was practicing basic skills, my teacher would always push me in the opposite direction.
She kept asking me, "Do you know how difficult this move is? Do you know how difficult that move is? Stop practicing and stop learning."
She used harsh reverse psychology, but never questioned my talent.
I'd also like to ask you, how difficult was it to bring them down? When you want to accomplish something, no matter how difficult it is, it's not really difficult, unless your determination isn't strong enough.
Suddenly, a breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers blew in from the mountains.
The wind lifted Lin Jin's skirt and brushed past Qin Shuhuai's ear, like a long-awaited gentle embrace from the person in the tomb.
......
At noon, after the Lin family finished their grand worship ceremony, all the guests were invited to the main house for a luncheon.
Amidst the elegant attire and graceful figures, Ruan Jinxian stood out the most.
She wore a well-fitting dark green cheongsam, paired with a set of emerald jewelry, and raised a glass to greet everyone she met wherever she went.
As Lin Zhen's legal wife and Lin Sheng's mother, she naturally had to busy herself receiving guests on behalf of her husband and son.
As the rightful mistress of the Lin family, she was dignified and graceful, with a gentle and warm smile that gave people an incomparably kind and approachable feeling.
"presumptuous!"
In the seemingly harmonious atmosphere, a heavy and hoarse rebuke suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention.
At this moment, Lin Zhen tried to stand up, but his legs gave way and he fell back into the wheelchair.
He was so angry that his face turned pale, his lips trembled, and he glared at the uninvited figure in front of him. "Do you have to make everyone unhappy in a situation like today before you're satisfied?!"
Lin Jin was the least popular guest at the luncheon.
She appeared alone in the main house, still dressed in the same outfit she wore when mourning her mother, like a black rose with sharp thorns, dangerously beautiful.
The black backless dress was her carefully chosen choice; she had to expose that ugly scar in full view of everyone so as to irritate those who felt guilty.
With an air of confidence that she could take on many, she walked through the insincere crowd, ignoring the strange looks she received, until she stopped in front of Ruan Jinxian.
She presented the full, blooming white chrysanthemums from her arms, a provocative smile playing on her bright red lips behind her sunglasses: "You've managed this family for most of your life before you rightfully took the position of matriarch. It wasn't easy. I don't have any other gifts to give you, so how about I give you the same gift as my mother? It just so happens that chrysanthemums are appropriate for today."
Ruan Jinxian stared at the ominous white chrysanthemum, her face turning quite unpleasant.
Even so, she could only pretend to be kind and accept the bouquet in front of everyone, and she had to say it nicely: "The meaning of 'gentle as a chrysanthemum' is quite nice, Ah Jin is very thoughtful."
Lin Jin never glanced at her father from beginning to end. She responded to Ruan Jinxian's polite words and continued to make sarcastic remarks: "Do you have any heart? Compared to before, you are the most heartfelt one."
[Author's Note]
I suggest reading this chapter and the next chapter together.
I've changed the cover to make the title easier to read. I'll gradually return to my midnight update schedule.
I was too anxious about the content of my articles a while ago, so I wrote very cautiously. Now I'll write whatever I want, so I'm starting to focus on the main storyline.
My upcoming novel, "The Sinful Lover," is available for pre-order. Please add it to your favorites if you're interested.
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