Chapter 51

“Wait a moment.”

Lin Xu called out to her and plucked a purple petal, lightly sniffing it. The violet, symbolizing beauty and love, was slightly inferior to her pheromones but still won out narrowly.

Gu Huaiyuan’s back stiffened just as she was about to make her escape.

It felt like seeing an old friend. Lin Xu had a possessive and controlling desire over everything and wouldn’t allow anyone to defy her.

She stiffly turned her neck. “Good sister, what else do you need?”

Shu Qingyou noticed the reluctance on Gu Huaiyuan’s face and assumed Lin Xu was making things difficult for her over their last meeting.

She patted Lin Xu’s head soothingly. “Don’t scare her.”

Karma was a wheel. Lin Xu felt as if a wad of cotton had been stuffed in her mouth, choking her completely.

Gu Huaiyuan, displeased, chimed in, “Yeah, why scare her for no reason? You suddenly turned into a thousand-year-old ice block.”

She plopped down on the attendant’s chair and tossed her handbag aside casually. “Seeing how pitiful you look, spit out whatever you have to say. I’m in a hurry.”

Lin Xu didn’t bother exposing her. Her so-called hurry was just rushing off to some club or nightclub.

Her face pale, Lin Xu lifted her gaze and gave Shu Qingyou a puppy-like obedient smile. “Sister Shu, I have some things I want to ask Miss Gu about. It’s regarding what her parents mentioned to me last time about the project issues.”

Afraid Shu Qingyou wouldn’t believe her, she put on a pitiful act, her brows and eyes drooping cutely as she added, “I don’t know how to explain it to my grandmother… But it involves business secrets, so Sister Shu, could you and the others wait outside for me?”

If pitifulness had levels, Lin Xu would take first place without question. Gu Huaiyuan felt like she was about to vomit up two ounces of last night’s dinner.

Shu Qingyou fell for it hook, line, and sinker, losing all sense of direction. She decisively beckoned to her sister.

Lin Xu suddenly threw in, “Leave Rongrong here, Sister Shu. I miss her so much.”

“Rongrong, you miss Big Sis too, right? Come here. After Sis gets discharged, I’ll buy you sky-high piles of little cakes.”

One of Shu Rong’s weaknesses was little cakes, like catnip for cats—no need to lure her; she’d come running at the scent.

Painting big pies for a three-year-old toddler… Lin Xu fully embodied the sinister face of a capitalist.

Not only Gu Huaiyuan, but even Shu Wan Ning had to give her a thumbs-up. This act was peak hypocrisy—playing the pitiful victim to bewitch her sister into dizziness.

“Fine, so what exactly do you want? Say it upfront. I don’t remember my parents asking you for anything. Are you trying to stir up trouble?”

Lin Xu held Shu Rong’s hand with one hand, her gaze lingering on the tightly shut door, darkening slightly.

She slowly turned to Gu Huaiyuan, as if in slow motion, making Gu Huaiyuan shiver inexplicably.

Without looking at Shu Rong, Lin Xu said flatly, “Rongrong, cover your ears in a bit, okay?”

After giving the instruction, she continued, “Little Yuan, what calls itself king when there’s no tiger in the mountains?”

Gu Huaiyuan was stunned for a moment. “Monkey?”

After she spoke, the silence between them stretched for an instant. Gu Huaiyuan shot to her feet in shock, her eyes widening slightly.

“You called me… Little Yuan.”

Only the childhood Lin Xu had used that nickname. Did that mean she…

“Yeah, so you’re using those out-of-context video clips to threaten me.”

What videos? Gu Huaiyuan was even more confused. She felt utterly uneasy—Lin Xu was like a different person from before.

That gloomy gaze signaled she was about to erupt in the next second.

Combined with Lin Xu’s Sichuan opera face-changing attitude, Gu Huaiyuan thought of a possibility and blurted out, “You haven’t… remembered everything, have you?”

Lin Xu rubbed her temple. “Your reaction arc is way too long. Am I supposed to play riddles with you?”

They’d already guessed monkey and tiger. Gu Huaiyuan clutched her chest, which had jumped in fright. “You’ve already figured out about Shu Rong…”

Lin Xu nodded and glanced at Shu Rong, who was innocently tugging at her hand, oblivious.

Gu Huaiyuan was puzzled. Since she’d remembered everything, why keep Shu Rong there? Lin Xu had no need to flaunt a “cheap daughter” to her.

Seeming to guess Gu Huaiyuan’s doubt and surprise, she explained, “Keeping her here means Shu Qingyou won’t suspect me. She’s naturally sensitive.”

But Gu Huaiyuan saw through her real intention and pierced it without hesitation. “I think you’re just henpecked, trying to reassure your girlfriend.”

Lin Xu snorted coldly and chuckled. “Rongrong, cover your ears.”

Shu Rong, like an obedient little animal hearing a command, immediately clapped her hands over her ears and coquettishly sought favor with Lin Xu.

Though her daughter couldn’t speak, she was smart. Even with a bit of a gluttonous streak, it was an adorable bonus.

Lin Xu could half-sit up in bed now. She hugged half of Shu Rong’s little body. “Huaiyuan, think whatever you want.”

“With your nosiness, you’ve already investigated that accident from a few years ago and the collapse of her company.”

She was sharp; there was no hiding it from her. Gu Huaiyuan shrugged. She hadn’t meant any harm, and Lin Xu knew that. They’d known each other since childhood, after all.

They knew each other’s little schemes inside out.

Mentioning Shu Qingyou’s family matters wasn’t something Gu Huaiyuan should meddle in, but even an outsider with a shred of justice couldn’t bear it. She sternly accused, “You’re going too far. Even if her mother did that, the crimes don’t extend to the parents or family…”

Lin Xu shot her a warning glance.

Gu Huaiyuan, indignant, lowered her voice. “Her company was already on the brink with its cash flow, chased by banks and delayed deadlines. And you were ruthless—setting up a shell company for fake purchases…”

Lin Xu lifted her chin. “Stop.”

Back then, Lin Xu had been blinded by rage in the heat of the moment. Young and arrogant, she’d wanted to take revenge on the culprit’s entire family.

But crippling a small-to-medium company in the short term wasn’t simple.

Beyond the shell company defaulting on payments, it required bank coordination and nonstop malicious reports on product quality, leading partner clients to demand compensation.

Finally, a hostile takeover—a combo punch that left it half-dead. Investigating the causes for such companies was like an ant shaking a tree.

Lin Xu found her nagging annoying. “This is between her and me. I’ll handle it.”

As for how much Gu Huaiyuan had dug up, Lin Xu felt the need to curb it. “And what are you getting worked up about? What’s it got to do with you? Let go of the past. Don’t play hero… I’ve compensated her.”

So shameless, brushing off such guilt-by-association like that.

Gu Huaiyuan, another Omega, nearly choked on her breath and clapped sarcastically. “Have some shame. Your compensation was leaving her a kid? How generous.”

Her words stung like thorns. Lin Xu’s face visibly darkened several shades.

Especially with this cheap daughter nestled in her arms, her fluffy head nuzzling around to find a comfy spot.

Lin Xu said coldly, “Gu Huaiyuan, I didn’t keep you here to listen to your bitching. If you’re that unhappy, go jump off the building. Fifth floor—safe travels.”

She laughed in anger. Right, why argue with someone whose brain was wired wrong?

Gu Huaiyuan smoothed her hair, freshly styled by Tony that morning.

Facing Lin Xu in her best look, she said, “Fine, fine. I’m listening. I’ll try to do whatever I can.”

Lin Xu gritted her teeth inwardly. “That car accident back then wasn’t simple. I’ve been investigating privately these past few years and was getting close to some leads. Turns out they noticed—someone tried to take me out recently. Heh, no surprise; it was probably them pulling strings.”

Down to business, Gu Huaiyuan’s anger dissipated mostly. “Who’d you find?”

Lin Xu paused, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Lin Shi…”

Whoa, peak drama—classic “palace intrigue.” Gu Huaiyuan was shocked for a moment before mimicking Lin Xu’s familiar shush. “That brainless minnow couldn’t stir up waves. Lin Hai, right? Right?”

Lin Xu frowned and covered her ears. “Can you consider I’m a patient? And this car crash—ninety percent chance it’s tied to them.”

Gu Huaiyuan sat up straight after hearing it, smiling. “Alright, gossip’s over. Now the real stuff?”

So all that talk, and Gu Huaiyuan hadn’t absorbed a word.

Lin Xu: “You treating me like a monkey?”

Gu Huaiyuan whistled. “Back at you—you said I’m the mountain king, didn’t you?”

After some back-and-forth, Lin Xu finally understood: Lin Corporation was launching a project, and the Gu Family was blocking the bid on Lin Hai’s orders.

She finally shooed Gu Huaiyuan away, and the project smoothly fell into her pocket with her.

Lin Xu took a deep breath, forcing herself to revert to another persona. Shu Rong, the silly child, was still covering her ears, awaiting the next step.

She pulled Shu Rong’s hands away. The little white soft ears were pressed red. “Rongrong, do your ears hurt?”

Shu Rong’s eyes sparkled. Confirming they didn’t hurt, she shook her head.

After Shu Qingyou and her sister entered, she automatically ignored Shu Wan Ning’s disdainful gaze and launched into a green tea performance.

She weakly parted her lips.

“Sister Shu, Gu Huaiyuan scolded me. She said I know nothing and will come educate me next time.”

“Rongrong is so cute, but my hand hurts so much. It felt like I pulled my wound holding her.”

“Hiss… it hurts.”

She raised her hand. The hospital gown sleeve was messily folded to her elbow, revealing a section of pale, slender arm.

The back of her hand was no longer swollen, but a large patch of blue-purple bruising remained in the center. Compared to her distinctly jointed, fair fingers, it looked especially alarming.

Shu Qingyou sensed Lin Xu’s helplessness. The room had excellent soundproofing, but she’d heard Gu Huaiyuan’s voice suddenly rise outside.

Her soft heart inexplicably clenched. She hurriedly took Shu Rong. “Rongrong, how could you bully Big Sis? We’ll go home with Little Aunt later.”

Shu Wan Ning was nearly choked to death by Lin Xu’s little white flower antics. She reached for Shu Rong. “Who’s bullying who? Sis, you’re really… whatever, you’re blind anyway.”

No little cakes, no mom—Shu Rong immediately pouted and clung to Shu Qingyou’s neck, refusing to let go.

She’d die before letting go, unless there were little cakes.

“No, no,” Lin Xu immediately staged a tearjerker. “Don’t take Rongrong away. I want to spend the night with her.”

Shu Rong couldn’t speak and was reluctant to leave now anyway. Shu Qingyou misunderstood it as Shu Rong especially missing Lin Xu.

She had no choice but to agree to Lin Xu and arranged with Shu Wan Ning for her to drive over tomorrow to pick them up.

Shu Wan Ning gnashed her teeth. She wanted to crack open her sister’s head—this was the legendary invincible love brain.

A little kindness, and she’d sell herself whole to a woman like Lin Xu.

Watching Shu Wan Ning’s frustrated yet helpless retreating figure and Shu Qingyou’s all-around care.

Lin Xu smirked inwardly. Revenge successful. She’d reached the peak of life—Oscar owed her a little golden man.

Suddenly, she felt her hair being ruffled. “Baby, time for your nap.”

Was Shu Rong going to sleep?

Lin Xu was still basking in her small triumph when a soft, cool hand pressed against her warm cheek.

“Baby?”

Huh?

Something was off…

Unsure, she looked again, lifting her eyelids to meet Shu Qingyou’s gaze.

Sure enough.

Shu Qingyou looked at her like a mother hen eyeing her newborn chicks.

Lin Xu’s expression shifted from puzzled anxiety to utter shock in an instant.

What?!

Shu Qingyou called her baby?!