Father Lin's banquet for Yang Jinkuan was hardly a secret in their circle, and everyone knew that Lin Corporation's current crisis stemmed from Yang Jinkuan. The Lin villa had been elaborately prepared to welcome him. Lin Xujia stood on the staircase landing, coldly observing the living room below, filled with laughter and chatter. Her sharp eyes caught sight of her father and her half-sister weaving through the crowd—the girl clinging to his arm, beaming with a spring-like smile, and Lin Xujia found it utterly grating.
Xia Yan suppressed her pity for Lin Xujia. She understood all too well that feeling of being abandoned, especially by one's own flesh and blood. At this moment, Lin Xujia stood silent, her gaze seemingly unfocused. She lifted her head, squinted, and parted her lips slightly. "Xia Yan, what do you think it would be like if I just jumped from here?"
Xia Yan was startled. Without a second thought, she reached out and grabbed Lin Xujia's hand, her expression serious and earnest. "Xiao Jia, how about we leave now? Before Yang Jinkuan arrives."
"Don't worry, I was just talking. I won't actually jump."
Lin Xujia's words left Xia Yan bewildered. She stared at her, puzzled, as Lin Xujia gripped the railing with both hands, leaned forward slightly, and craned her neck to scan the crowd below. Father Lin hadn't only invited Yang Jinkuan but also many of Jiang City's promising young elites and wealthy figures. In his calculations, even if Yang Jinkuan didn't work out, there would be other options. With his daughter Lin Xujia's looks, most men would fall into her trap.
The Lin family was quietly orchestrating their plans when Yang Jinkuan arrived at the villa with a formidable entourage of bodyguards. In an instant, the atmosphere grew tense; everyone regarded him with a mix of awe and fear. His narrow eyes narrowed further, his gaze sharp as he swept it across the room. After a pause, he waved his hand, and the two rows of bodyguards behind him filed out in an orderly fashion. He now kept so many guards around solely to guard against Lu Zhengting.
A mere family like the Lins held no weight in his eyes. He withdrew his gaze nonchalantly and cleared his throat.
The two watching from upstairs tensed at the sight of Yang Jinkuan. Lin Xujia, leaning on the railing, met his gaze midair. Catching the greed and malice in his eyes, a wave of revulsion washed over her, yet she maintained her composure and smiled faintly at him.
Interesting, very interesting...
Yang Jinkuan smiled back at Lin Xujia, then noticed Xia Yan beside her, a glint flashing in his eyes.
Father Lin arranged for Yang Jinkuan and sent a servant upstairs to notify her. Lin Xujia lowered her eyes, her slender fingers lightly lifting the hem of her dress on both sides. Her long legs, clad in seven-centimeter heels, appeared even more elongated. As she prepared to descend, Xia Yan instinctively grabbed her hand, staring intently at her without a word. Lin Xujia understood the unspoken message.
Every step forward meant there was no turning back.
Thinking this, Lin Xujia felt that everyone had forced her into this corner. Even if there were a way out, she wouldn't take it.
Xia Yan gazed at her now-empty hand, sighed deeply in her heart, and strode quickly behind Lin Xujia, appearing together with her before the crowd.
One was alluring and captivating, the other pure as jade. Their entrance stirred quite a commotion in the living room. Most men's eyes followed them intently, their lust, desire, and conquest laid bare without pretense. Xia Yan cast a cold glance at the men staring at her, their naked desires making her think of Lu Zhengting. Though both were men, these people disgusted her—so much so that a second look felt like it would give her pinkeye.
Yang Jinkuan's gaze never left Xia Yan. Lin Xujia walked calmly to her father, her demeanor perfectly obedient. Father Lin nodded and led her to Yang Jinkuan. "Jiajia, come, this is President Yang."
"President Yang, nice to meet you." Lin Xujia extended her hand. Yang Jinkuan squinted, shifting his gaze to her. His half-smile held no charm, only an unsettling quality. His round face, with prominent jowls, and fine lines at the corners of his eyes made him look unappealing. Black clothes were said to be slimming, but they did nothing for him—his round belly was impossible to hide. He kept his hands at his sides, making Lin Xujia wait a moment before casually reaching out to shake hers.
Lin Xujia smiled as his greasy hand clasped hers, his fingers subtly brushing against hers. A flicker of disgust crossed her eyes, but she quickly masked it.
The banquet officially began with Yang Jinkuan's arrival.
Xia Yan was left aside as Lin Xujia accompanied Yang Jinkuan. Watching his hand land on Lin Xujia's waist, she frowned.
"Sister Yan, why are you standing here?"
It was Lin Xujia's younger sister, her voice as innocent and sweet as ever, like a princess living in a castle—endearing to those who didn't know her true nature. Xia Yan glanced at her sidelong. "I don't think we're close enough for you to call me that."
"Sister Yan, you're my sister's best friend. By that logic, I should call you sister, right?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Why not?"
Xia Yan turned to face Lin Youran directly. "Watching your sister like this, doesn't your conscience bother you?"
"Oh? Sister Yan, you should know I didn't force her into this."
Lin Youran's smile was sweet, but Xia Yan found her more unsettling than Xia Siyue. Words were wasted here. Unable to continue this casual discussion, she set down her glass and turned to leave.
Lin Xujia forced herself to stay composed, suppressing her nausea as she endured Yang Jinkuan's blatantly lecherous gaze while searching for Lin Youran.
Xia Yan, bored, found a quieter spot to catch her breath. Watching Lin Xujia's forced smile pained her deeply, but they were both gripped by a sense of helplessness. She tapped her fingers absently on the armrest beside her.
She wasn't the center of attention, so her absence from the living room went unnoticed. She stood on the small balcony of the Lin villa, a place Lin Xujia had once shown her. It wasn't high, but the view was decent—a stretch of lush trees in the distance, though now in late autumn, their leaves had yellowed and hung precariously, ready to fall with the slightest breeze. It was peaceful here, matching Xia Yan's current mood.
Watching the natural cycle of growth and decay, she felt a strange melancholy. Things grew and withered, year after year, just like this. She thought of Lin Xujia and her own past struggles, trapped in helplessness. But she had been lucky to meet Lu Zhengting.
At this moment, she missed him terribly, wishing he were by her side.
Noise from the living room shattered the brief tranquility Xia Yan had found. Frowning, she placed her hands on the railing, slowly turned, and tilted her head back to glance toward the living room. But the curtains blocked her view, leaving everything blurry.
After a moment's thought, Xia Yan wondered if something had happened to Lin Xujia. Without hesitation, she headed back to the living room. Seeing the guests exchanging glances, some with glints of intrigue or schadenfreude, she blinked in confusion, pushed through the crowd, and climbed the stairs.
Her cotton slippers made soft thuds on the wooden steps as she ascended toward Lin Xujia's room. With each step, she drew closer, and she could hear angry shouts—both male and female—mixed with soft sobs. What else? Frowning deeply, she finally stood outside.
Lin Xujia's room was in chaos. The bed and carpet were a mess, and the air carried a faint, lingering scent of intimacy. Lin Xujia stood in the center, still wearing the dress her father had specially prepared, her fair face tinged with regret—or perhaps pity. Her parents looked grim, while another person lay half-collapsed on the bed, crying weakly, covered only by a thin blanket that barely concealed her exposed skin.
Tears glistening in her eyes, Lin Xujia walked to the bedside and wrapped an arm around Lin Youran's shoulders, pulling her close. She whispered in her ear, "Stop crying. No matter how much you cry, it won't change what's happened."
Her voice was so soft that only Lin Youran could hear.
At this, Lin Youran stopped crying. Her swollen eyes fixed on Lin Xujia with a deathly stare. Her hands, which had been gripping the sheets, suddenly shot out and clamped around Lin Xujia's neck. Her eyes bulged with rage, her disheveled hair making her look like a vengeful spirit crawling from a grave. "It's you! You planned this! Lin Xujia, I'll kill you! Yes, I'll kill you—only then will my hatred be avenged!"
A smile tugged at Lin Xujia's lips, but her eyes were wide and wild, almost grotesque. Her cheeks flushed as her breathing grew labored. She stared at Lin Youran, her lips moving as if to say, "Even if you kill me, it won't change the fact that Yang Jinkuan took you."
Everyone present was frozen by the sudden attack. Seeing Lin Xujia's eyes about to close, Xia Yan snapped back to reality and rushed over, trying to pry Lin Youran's hands away. Yang Jinkuan casually picked up his coat from the floor, dressed slowly, and walked over to Father Lin. He gave him a meaningful look before leaving with a smile.
Lin Youran, exhausted from Yang Jinkuan's rough treatment, had no strength left to match Xia Yan's. Xia Yan pulled Lin Xujia away, just as Lin Xujia's mother stepped toward them.