Chapter 77

After bitterly waiting for three months, Lin Xu could no longer hold back. She had underestimated Shu Qingyou’s limits of endurance—and there was one fact she simply couldn’t accept.

Shu Qingyou had truly let her go, casting her aside like some past grievance.

The mere possibility of this realization made Lin Xu restless all over. She had nowhere to vent her anger, suffered from insomnia, and grew neurasthenic.

Her complexion worsened day by day, to the point where she desperately needed medication. She went to see a psychologist.

In their back-and-forth questioning, the doctor scribbled notes on paper and prepared to prescribe her drugs. Lin Xu snatched the notepad and tore it to shreds, pointing at the doctor’s nose and cursing him as a quack.

Day after day, it was all about taking pills—pills, pills. Every medicine was three parts poison. What if her brilliant mind turned into that of an idiot? Who would take responsibility for her then?

Next came her endless cycle of numbly picking up and dropping off the child and going to work. Shu Qingyou had sold the house and thrown away a bunch of unnecessary furnishings in the trash.

A projector played in her mind, replaying the times when Shu Qingyou had been at her kindest toward her. In the end, Lin Xu had to admit that being a devoted lapdog suited Shu Qingyou’s tastes best.

And it had to be sincere—genuineness was the ultimate killer move.

She flipped out of bed in a carp leap, pulled out paper and pen, and scribbled a long, sprawling passage.

She double-checked it for typos, then picked up her phone and dialed a number.

Shu Wan Ning arrived at Lin Xu’s front door, sized up the electronic lock, and kicked the door three times with loud thuds. Lin Xu leisurely opened it for her.

“Little sister-in-law, you’re here so early. I just picked up the child,” Lin Xu said. She wore a impeccably tailored high-end women’s suit that made her look sharp and presentable.

As soon as she stepped inside, Shu Wan Ning silently spat at her in her mind.

Her little niece clutched a tablet. Shu Wan Ning leaned over for a look—the screen was filled with colorful clothes and accessories. Lately, Shu Rong had become addicted to dress-up games.

She often played until she forgot to eat, and it was always Lin Xu who patiently fed her, bite by bite.

“You said you had something important to discuss with me? You’re not trying to fool me, are you?”

Shu Wan Ning had no intention of sitting down for a chat. She just stood there. Whenever she encountered Lin Xu, she felt utterly uncomfortable, her fists inexplicably itching.

Lin Xu brimmed with enthusiasm and poured her a cup of rich, aromatic coffee, handing it over with a bow. “It’s truly important. Please, have a seat.”

What a terrifying opening. Lin Xu was even using polite language with her. Shu Wan Ning rubbed her knuckles against her pant leg—Lin Xu’s enthusiasm made her skin crawl.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Shu Wan Ning drank the coffee uncomfortably. Lin Xu sat across from her and got straight to the point. “I heard your thesis defense passed. I prepared a gift for you.”

With that, a black gold card appeared right under Shu Wan Ning’s nose, its gleam nearly blinding her.

Shu Wan Ning looked up warily. What was this about?

“Are you mocking me? What do you take me for?!”

Lin Xu didn’t dare argue back and quickly defended herself. “It’s not just for you specifically. You know, even though my company has professional managers, major decisions still need my approval.”

Shu Wan Ning was even more baffled. Seeing the sincere expression on Lin Xu’s refined face, she frowned and asked, “What does that have to do with me?”

Lin Xu pointed at Shu Rong. “I’m going on a business trip for a while soon, and I want to entrust Rongrong to you.”

So, what did that have to do with the company?

Lin Xu guessed her thoughts and gracefully picked up Shu Rong, who kicked her dangling legs in dissatisfaction twice.

“The child’s getting older and needs to follow in her mother’s footsteps. She’ll handle the company stamps for me, and you can act as her supervisor for a bit.”

Shu Wan Ning nearly choked on her coffee, unable to believe the nonsense she was hearing. “Say that again?”

Such a fuss—what an inexperienced little sister-in-law. Lin Xu explained in detail. Don’t underestimate Shu Rong just because she was three; she already recognized basic characters. It was time to start cultivating her early.

Shu Wan Ning hadn’t even caught her breath when she saw her little niece buried in her game, utterly engrossed—a total gaming addict toddler. And Lin Xu dared to do this?!

Did all rich people fool around like this?

“Little sister-in-law, I also have a letter of repentance here.”

Lin Xu respectfully showed her own heartfelt confession. Shu Wan Ning was hit with shock after shock.

Every word on the paper seemed like Lin Xu’s self-analysis: her past mistakes, her character flaws that had hurt both sisters, and her failure to fulfill her duties as a mother for three empty years.

Shu Wan Ning’s brows furrowed deeply. She opened her mouth several times, wanting to speak but holding back.

After a long pause, Lin Xu prompted her. “So, little sister-in-law, can we temporarily form a united front?”

Even if Lin Xu had written all that with deep emotion, it didn’t mean she’d forgive her for money and a confession.

Out of the principle of not hitting a smiling face, Shu Wan Ning softened her tone. “A united front is pushing it a bit. Besides, taking care of Rongrong is my responsibility anyway.”

There was room to maneuver in those words. Lin Xu clutched the card and stuffed it forcefully into Shu Wan Ning’s pocket, pressing down on it. “Little sister-in-law, Rongrong is in your hands for now.”

Having gotten a limitless gold coin card for free, Shu Wan Ning coughed and averted her gaze unnaturally. “This is your card that crawled into my pocket on its own.”

“Yes, yes, it is,” Lin Xu said as she turned and brought out some pastries from the kitchen. “You’ve come all this way—how about this: why don’t you just live here from now on?”

“Huh?” Shu Wan Ning hesitated. “You’re leaving so soon? When will you be back?”

Lin Xu’s beautiful peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly as she said forlornly, “I don’t know. It depends on the project progress at the branch. We’ll keep in touch.”

Seeing her little sister-in-law reluctantly agree, Lin Xu achieved her first goal. She didn’t waste a second—her flight ticket was already in her pocket.

She picked up her suitcase. Before leaving, she wrote down meticulous instructions for Shu Rong’s care—diet, daily routine—and told Shu Wan Ning, “There’s a new dress in the dress-up game. Remember to top up for her draws. The child needs to stay at the top of the server.”

Shu Wan Ning: “…”

Would Shu Rong really get ruined by Lin Xu? Shu Wan Ning seriously doubted it.

With a blank expression, she urged, “Fine, just go already.”

Lin Xu parted reluctantly, kissing and hugging her daughter.

But the second before, she was tearfully bidding her daughter farewell; the next, she was racing to the airport.

The flight to Japan was just a few hours. She managed a nap on the plane, waking up feeling as energized as if she’d been injected with adrenaline.

Investigating Shu Qingyou’s alias and identity was a piece of cake. Within months, she had the person’s details and address sent straight to her computer.

In the small mountain village where Shu Qingyou lived, plenty of potters resided, all carrying on ancestral crafts. But the young ones weren’t so attached to the tradition.

As a result, there were many vacant houses for sale in the area. It was remote, so Lin Xu bought the one right next door to Shu Qingyou’s.

She purchased ready-made furniture and had an agent handle it all.

As sunset fell, Shu Qingyou returned home stepping on a carpet of golden afterglow. It was just a ten-minute walk. Today, a new neighbor had moved in next door—large furniture was being hauled inside nonstop.

An unfamiliar middle-aged woman. She paused at the door, glanced back once more, then rummaged in her bag for her keys and unlocked the bolt.

Living alone kept things simple, and she saved on ingredients. A block of cold tofu salad, a small plate of stir-fried water spinach, a bowl of miso soup, and nori flakes sprinkled evenly over rice—dinner was ready in ten minutes.

She wasn’t a vegetarian; she just had no worldly cravings for fine food.

Slightly full was enough for a living person.

At night, Lin Xu sneaked in through the back door. This old-style traditional Japanese house was earthquake-resistant, with a balcony on the second floor and curtains perpetually drawn.

She had specially prepared an expensive tactical telescope with high light transmission lenses and coatings for good visibility at dusk, dawn, or under moonlight.

Lin Xu paced to the second-floor balcony, directly facing Shu Qingyou’s place. She crouched under the curtains, lifted a corner in her blind spot, and covered her perverted actions.

She really didn’t want to do this, but the longing in her heart surged like a flood, causing an irreparable breach.

Just like back then, secretly observing Shu Qingyou from corners she wouldn’t notice—Lin Xu could watch her forever.

The thrill of secrecy welled up inside her, only to vanish without a trace when Shu Qingyou entered her view.

Shu Qingyou’s home glowed with warm yellow light. She seemed to like that ambiance; she never cared for overly bright places before either.

Her figure was slender and aloof, exuding a sparse solitude—oh, except for the fullness at her chest.

It was dinnertime now. Lin Xu adjusted her kneeling position.

Shu Qingyou wore her usual plain clothes and skipped makeup, but her exquisite jawline, lightly brushed eyebrows, porcelain-pale skin visible in fine detail, and rosy lips parting and closing—all highlighted her stunning features. It had been so long since Lin Xu had seen the living Shu Qingyou; her heart raced like a thief’s.

An indescribable heat surged from her lower abdomen. The pheromones under her inhibitor patch throbbed hotly. She frowned tightly and pinched her thigh hard in annoyance.

Of all times, she was thinking about that!

She had just glimpsed Shu Qingyou’s dinner, which made her ache—it had barely any oil or substance. She lived too frugally.

No nutritional supplements despite the poor diet. Sure enough, Shu Qingyou couldn’t take good care of herself. Lin Xu was different; she could care for both mother and daughter alone.

No more thinking. Lin Xu shook her head and continued her shameless peeping.

She stayed up all night in excitement, unable to sleep. Even when Shu Qingyou drew the curtains, Lin Xu felt like she could peer through the thick fabric to see her faint sleeping face.

She watched Shu Qingyou for nearly a week. During that time, Lin Xu never went out without a hoodie and hood, sunglasses, and a black mask.

Plus a heavy coat and down jacket—she looked so disguised that even if Shu Qingyou saw her, she wouldn’t suspect a thing.

On the seventh day, Shu Qingyou sat in the living room for a long time, her face etched with worry. The book in her hands hadn’t turned a page in ten minutes.

Lin Xu saw her pick up her phone and tap away. Lin Xu grew uneasy, wondering if she was thinking of someone?

Over these seven days, Shu Qingyou had always returned home alone, with no visitors.

Then Lin Xu’s thigh vibrated. She ducked back, pulled out her phone—and it was a message from Shu Qingyou!

[Are you still on your business trip?]

[Yes.]

The guilt from lying made it impossible for her to reply with long texts, afraid she’d slip up.

In truth, Shu Qingyou wouldn’t notice.

[Ningning says Rongrong misses you.]

Shu Qingyou knew she had no right to demand Lin Xu stay with the child constantly. When Rongrong cried for Mama, it broke her heart, but she was powerless.

Lin Xu: [I’ll head back as soon as possible.]

Shu Qingyou: [Okay, thank you.]

Minutes passed with no further reply from Shu Qingyou. Lin Xu clutched her phone, then crouched down again, eyes glued to the telescope.

Shu Qingyou clutched a tissue, wiping away tears…

Lin Xu narrowed her eyes, bitterness flooding her heart. She still didn’t understand why Shu Qingyou had left her.

That night, Lin Xu stayed up until dawn. Shu Qingyou slept in the living room, letting her keep watch.

Lin Xu decided to stay here for half a month before returning. Once Shu Qingyou finished washing up and left, Lin Xu collapsed into exhausted sleep.

She slept until dusk, her stomach growling. Though the village seemed remote, it had a small diner, a fruit and vegetable shop, and a general store at least.

Since it was surveillance, tracking was inevitable. From what she’d learned, Shu Qingyou went to the fruit and vegetable shop after work each day.

Lin Xu was starving, and it wasn’t Shu Qingyou’s outing time yet. She disguised herself low-key and headed to the diner for food.