Chapter 48 Part 1

Le Yiqiu followed Lin Xianing out. They found their car first, then drove away from the Lin Family compound.

After dinner, the Lin Family had no further activities. Everyone simply returned to their own small courtyards.

It was only their first day back at the Lin Family, and they had already been targeted like this. How were they supposed to get through the next twenty-odd days?

Le Yiqiu felt a twinge of worry. They had been subjected to such hostility, skipped the evening gathering, and now left the family grounds outright. Wasn’t that inappropriate?

After all, even riding their bikes had drawn endless gossip from various relatives. Leaving the Lin Family during the New Year celebrations meant tomorrow they would surely be hounded without mercy.

“Are we really okay just leaving like this?”

Lin Xianing had been driving when they set out, claiming she was taking Le Yiqiu to a spot that was both delicious and fun.

Le Yiqiu was quite curious about the place. The scenic area had plenty of food and entertainment options—nothing wrong with that description. For the moment, she couldn’t think of any specific spot that fit.

Lin Xianing steered with one hand while reaching into a box beside her with the other to grab a chocolate.

“If there’s no traffic, it’ll take us fifteen minutes. Have a chocolate first.”

Le Yiqiu murmured her assent. She unwrapped one but held it up to Lin Xianing’s lips instead.

Lin Xianing glanced at her and opened her mouth with a smile. “Don’t worry. Rules are rules, people are people. Otherwise, with all their mistakes, how could they act like nothing ever happened?”

The Lin Family had countless rules, but rules were rigid while people were flexible.

Anyone would slip up after upholding them for decades straight. Once you erred, it all depended on whether someone seized the chance to hold it against you.

Eldest Brother Lin’s tardiness had hit Grandma Lin at a bad time. She decreed that he would never set foot in the Ancestral Hall again for the rest of his life.

Every year before her death, during ancestral sacrifices, Eldest Brother Lin was absent without fail.

Eldest Uncle Lin had pleaded on his behalf several times, only to be refused each time. It was clear how much Grandma Lin despised him.

It went beyond disdain—it was outright loathing.

That period coincided with Grandma Lin discovering Grandpa Lin’s infidelity, followed by Eldest Brother Lin’s lateness. To top it off, Eldest Sister-in-Law Lin had caused a scene over her husband’s affair at Aunt Lin’s place.

One thing after another piled up, fueling Grandma Lin’s hatred for Eldest Brother Lin to no end. Even Eldest Uncle Lin’s pleas fell on deaf ears.

Yet after Grandma Lin passed away, Eldest Brother Lin still gained entry to the Ancestral Hall and resumed participating in the sacrifices.

A new leader brings new laws. With Grandma Lin gone, matters that didn’t infringe on personal interests were ultimately up to Eldest Uncle Lin, the family head, to decide.

Moreover, Eldest Uncle Lin knew full well that if he ever used his authority to bar Lin Xianing from the Ancestral Hall and ancestral rites, she truly wouldn’t show up.

Lin Xianing couldn’t care less about such things. All she wanted was a legitimate excuse to cut ties with the Lin Family once and for all.

It all hinged on whether Eldest Uncle Lin would give her that opening.

In the Lin Family, Lin Xianing lived by “live and let live, but strike back hard if crossed.” After inheriting so many family assets, she held immense power, and no one with eyes would dare provoke her.

As for her, she ignored those who left her alone.

Everyone knew she was reasonable. Trouble usually stemmed from others being unreasonable first.

In the eyes of the Lin Family, Lin Xianing was the aloof, sharp-tongued superstar: a powerful woman commanding vast industries from on high.

Though the family disapproved of children entering showbiz, who wouldn’t envy Lin Xianing, adored by millions and shining at the pinnacle of fame?

To them, she was reclusive and venomous—silent until she struck, nailing her targets with irrefutable evidence.

Coldly rational, indifferent to family bonds. She did what she wanted; no one could force her hand, not even emotional blackmail.

It was this image that convinced the family: if Eldest Uncle Lin invoked special privileges to exclude her from ancestral rites, she wouldn’t just skip them—she’d never set foot in the Lin Family again.

Many couldn’t fathom it: if she cared so little, why return so often?

Those in the know understood that blood ties weren’t severed by mere absence.

The intricacies were too deep; only the old foxes saw through them.

Le Yiqiu understood Lin Xianing’s lack of agency, which was why she worried. Would leaving the Lin Family like this cause problems?

Since Lin Xianing was so confident, it meant Eldest Uncle Lin wouldn’t push too far.

The blessing and incense ceremony was over for the day anyway. Skipping dinner wasn’t a big deal.

Le Yiqiu reclined the passenger seat to a comfortable angle and leaned back against it.

“What a chaotic day.”

She sighed. The Lin Family was so crowded, with all that incessant chatter buzzing like flies—it made her head throb.

Lin Xianing felt exhausted too. Every visit drained her body and soul.

“Sorry. We’ve still got over twenty days left.”

The thought of facing this every day darkened her mood.

Beep-beep.

They were midway through their chat, not yet reviewing the day’s events, when Le Yiqiu’s phone buzzed.

She pulled it out and fell silent at the caller ID: Lady Xie, her mother.

It had been half a year since her amnesia, and this was the first call from Xie Dan.

Le Yiqiu glanced at Lin Xianing, hesitating whether to answer.

“Why not pick up?” Lin Xianing noticed her look and asked.

“It’s my mom.”

Having lost ten years of memories, Le Yiqiu had no idea what her mother had become.

The fact that Xie Dan had silently renovated the house said it all: still as stubborn as ever, heedless of others’ feelings.

Xie Dan was much like Lin Manyue—intensely controlling.

But Xie Dan’s control was selective, aimed at Le Yiqiu’s father, sparing her daughter.

Had Xie Dan shifted her control to Le Yiqiu after divorcing Le Zhuo?

Le Yiqiu dismissed the notion at once. If so, Xie Dan wouldn’t have waited half a year for this call.

She decided to answer. Guessing wouldn’t help; better to hear what Xie Dan had to say.

“Hello?”

“Why’d it take so long?” Xie Dan’s tone was sharp. “I’m flying back in a couple days. Pick me up at the airport.”

Meeting the Xie Dan from ten years later?

Le Yiqiu wavered on whether to agree.

“Why the silence? Don’t want to fetch me?”

Xie Dan, getting no reply, pressed on.

“No. Send me the flight details.”

Le Yiqiu couldn’t refuse. It was time to face her.

Over half a year of amnesia, she’d reconnected with everyone close except her parents.

Seeing them might jog some memories.

“I’ll send them.”

Moments later, the flight info arrived. Just as Le Yiqiu thought the call would end, Xie Dan spoke again. “Your dad…”

She paused, then continued. “Have you talked to your dad?”

“I haven’t talked to either of you. What do you think?”

Le Yiqiu shot back. Her bonds with both parents were equally strained; this wouldn’t give anything away.

Xie Dan snorted coldly. “We’re your parents. If you don’t reach out, why should we?”

Still siding with Le Zhuo.

Le Yiqiu was speechless. Divorced for years, and Xie Dan still loved him deeply.

“Le Yiqiu, listen up. Your dad and I both oppose you marrying into the Lin Family.”

Xie Dan’s temper flared from the retort. “You’re our only child. Why lower yourself to marry in?”

“Marrying a woman, no less. What about the child?”

“What big star? What wealthy heiress? Our family may not be rolling in riches, but we’re comfortable. Marrying in is self-debasement.”

“Unless you two have a kid right now—and it has to take our surname.”

Advances in tech allowing same-sex couples to have children had softened some parents’ views on homosexuality. Most still opposed.

Le Yiqiu’s parents were among the holdouts. Years into their marriage, objections persisted, shifting to battles over the child’s surname.

Le Yiqiu rubbed her aching brow. She had no plans for kids anyway—surname debates were moot.

But Xie Dan wasn’t done. “Perfect timing. I’m home for New Year. Bring your dad. We’ll have a family reunion dinner.”

On New Year’s Day? She had ancestral rites with the Lin Family up the mountain—no time.

Le Yiqiu refused flatly. “I’m at the Lin Family. Can’t make it back.”

“The Lin Family?”

Xie Dan’s voice sharpened. “You’ve gone there again?”

“Do you know why your dad ignores you? You’re his only daughter, yet you married into the Lin Family. What does that leave him?”

“Le Yiqiu, you’re young still. Divorce now—man or woman, remarry, have a child with our surname. That’s our one demand.”

Xie Dan’s traditional views nearly made Le Yiqiu laugh.

“A demand?” Le Yiqiu’s lips twitched, but no smile came. “Do you even have the right to demand anything?”

“My grandmother raised me, not you.”

Xie Dan snapped back, furious. “We gave birth to you!”

“Birthed but never raised.” Le Yiqiu sneered. “Maybe I wish you hadn’t.”

“You made me without my consent. How’d you know I wanted to be born?”

These words had festered inside her for years, unspoken due to rarely seeing her parents—not unwillingness, but absence.

Xie Dan’s words grated on her.

Le Yiqiu had long harbored resentment. She didn’t crave their love, only that they stop demanding.

One demand? Xie Dan’s “one” demand dictated her life’s choices. Birthed but abandoned, now dictating marriage and kids? Delusional.

Le Yiqiu hung up. Nothing left to say.

Better no call at all.

“You okay?”

Lin Xianing had never seen Le Yiqiu this furious. She vaguely knew of the poor parental ties but not how bad.

After hanging up, Le Yiqiu exhaled heavily.

She thought she’d made peace, but facing it stirred uncontrollable emotions.

Xie Dan’s call unearthed long-buried pain; sorrow radiated from her.

Lin Xianing pulled over, took Le Yiqiu’s hand. “Maybe they’re just not sold on us?”

The Lin Family sought gains from her; Le Yiqiu’s parents wanted a child with their name.

Neither showed unconditional care—none at all.

Le Yiqiu’s line stuck with her: “Birthed but never raised.”

Paired with Le Yiqiu’s closeness to her grandmother and countless details, Lin Xianing pieced it together. She saw nothing wrong in Le Yiqiu’s reaction to Xie Dan.

Le Yiqiu waved it off. “I’m fine. I once hoped they’d love me. Hopes shattered repeatedly, so I stopped hoping.”

“Better treat them as strangers. Live our lives separately—that’s enough.”

“Doesn’t she think it’s too late to start caring now?”