Falling After Marriage - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: The Dangerous and Beautiful Black Rose

The last day of August.

Every year at this time, Lin Zhen would host a grand ancestral worship ceremony in the main family ancestral hall.

His two children remained unmarried, leaving the family home sparsely populated. However, collateral relatives flocked in droves for the ceremony.

These people were simply using the ritual to cultivate relationships, making the huge villa in the half-mountain area falsely bustling and prosperous.

Lin Sheng wore his hair slicked back with oil and, as always, was impeccably dressed in a suit. His feigned humility seemed genuine, and even the smile etched on his lips carried the refinement of a gentleman.

He was currently pushing his father, who was confined to a wheelchair, skillfully hosting and exchanging pleasantries with the guests.

These opportunistic relatives clearly saw who would take over the Lin Corporation in the future. They gathered around Lin Zhen, showering him with praise, commending him for raising such a capable son, and marveling that the Lin family had a worthy successor.

No one seemed to care about Lin Jin’s presence, as if she were a taboo subject. Perhaps they feared displeasing Old Master Lin, so they tacitly avoided mentioning her.

Lin Zhen seemed to have answered his daughter’s vicious wish; his complexion had improved recently, but he wore an oxygen tube and still struggled to breathe heavily after speaking a few words to others.

He waved his hand at his son, indicating he needed to rest in the lounge.

Lin Sheng pushed him along the elegantly landscaped corridor, enacting the scene of a kind father and dutiful son in front of the guests. The moment they turned into the empty lounge, the two immediately reverted to their true selves.

“Lin Jin’s phone still can’t be reached?”

Lin Zhen rested both arms on the armrests of the wheelchair, his voice low and hoarse. As he asked, he couldn’t help but look towards the corridor outside, carrying a hint of anticipation.

Lin Sheng stood behind him, slightly raising his head with a condescending air, seeming too lazy to even pretend anymore.

How could he not see how much his father cared about that cold-blooded monster? His response was exceptionally stiff: “She never shows up today. Why do you hold out hope, Father?”

“Have your people look for her again.” Lin Zhen was stubborn, his tone acquiring a touch of impatience, “How many times have I told you, better to make peace than acquire another enemy? You always gain more than her. You still need to put up a show of yielding. She is your sister, and that will never change.”

Having likely heard these words countless times, Lin Sheng impatiently adjusted his cufflink, sneering: “I want to acknowledge this sister too, but she might not regard me as a brother. Rather than an enemy, she probably sees me more as an arch-foe.”

Lin Sheng’s self-assessment was quite accurate. Although his self-deprecating remark sounded relaxed, it was rife with jealousy.

He was jealous of the woman’s success, achieved without relying on the Lin family connections, and he resented that this outcome made him look like an incompetent joke.

Meanwhile, at Guishan Cemetery.

Lin Jin wore a wide-brimmed straw hat. Her delicate face was mostly obscured by sunglasses, making it impossible to discern the emotion flowing in her eyes behind the black lenses.

The wind sweeping through the mountain ravine was quite refreshing, moving the hem of her black ankle-length dress and a strand of hair scattered by her temple.

Sheng He was squatting in front of the tombstone, busy loosening the soil for the joss sticks and candles.

Once everything was ready, he handed Lin Jin three incense sticks and asked cautiously: “Boss, is there anything else you need me to do?”

“Wait in the car,” Lin Jin instructed. She brought the three incense sticks to her forehead and seriously bowed towards the tombstone.

In the other corner of the city, the cold and cheerless Lin residence was packed with opportunists, making the falsely solemn memorial ceremony lively and bustling.

In contrast, only Lin Jin came alone to visit this overgrown cemetery. Sometimes it was a long, silent gaze, and other times she would casually chat about everyday life.

It was like this every year, a stark irony.

Lin Jin placed the incense into the soil, turned, and sat down in front of the tombstone, gently wiping the photograph on the headstone with her fingertips.

Even in the blurry black-and-white portrait, the woman in the photo still wore a radiant smile.

Lin Jin bore some resemblance to her, but she hadn’t inherited the gentle demeanor in her mother’s eyes.

Her memory of her mother was frozen over twenty years ago, on that stormy night, on the cliff outside the Lin residence, when she took a decisive leap to her death.

Lin Jin closed her eyes, twitching her brow slightly, quickly blocking the rush of bitter memories.

She dared not think too deeply, so she looked up to admire the expansive mountain view to distract herself.

“After all these years, I still can’t let it go. I can’t forgive anyone, including you.

I really want to know, how could you bear to leave me alone in this world? Did you think sacrificing your life could win back a man whose heart had strayed? Or did you believe doing so would make them live in tormented guilt?

The truth is, those despicable people are living better than you can imagine. They won’t thank you for your sacrifice, nor will they remember the evil deeds they committed.

Do you want to hear some good news?

Wait patiently. Lin Zhen will be coming down to join you soon.

The doctor says he won’t live for more than two years. But I hope he lives to be a hundred, barely clinging to life, unable to find peace. That’s real torment. Wouldn’t death be a relief for him?”

Lin Jin’s tone of narration wasn’t gentle, but her expression was profoundly sad.

Her nose became moist with sorrow, but she suddenly thought of something pleasant, and her smile finally warmed, “After waiting all these years, I finally found her. She’s changed a lot compared to before, full of thorns and stubborn as a mule, but she’s also kind in a heartbreaking way. I wish I could bring her to see you. I will in the future. We’ll be a lively family then.”

“Who do you want to bring to visit your teacher?”

A sudden cheerful question interrupted Lin Jin’s monologue. A tall figure holding white chrysanthemums approached from behind her.

Sheng He hurried over, his face apologetic, as if to say he failed to stop the newcomer.

Lin Jin didn’t need to look up. Just hearing the voice was enough to identify the person, but the melancholic atmosphere she had just created was instantly dispelled, leaving only coldness.

Qin Shuhuai finished the ritual of lighting incense and bowing, then sat down next to Lin Jin, greeting her: “Long time no see.”

Lin Jin coolly countered: “What are you doing here?”

“Of course, I came to visit my teacher. I come every year, but I used to deliberately avoid you during peak times. This year, though, I didn’t want to. After all, it’s not easy to see you, so I might as well catch up.”

Qin Shuhuai had long, glossy black hair. Her classical features weren’t breathtakingly beautiful but were very pleasing to the eye, especially her slender phoenix eyes, which narrowed into a soft line when she smiled, filled with gentle light.

She was a classical dancer. Her figure was so slim she looked like she had stepped out of a painting. Even just sitting there, her demeanor exuded an unusual elegance.

“I know you don’t want to see me, but I miss you too much to stay away. After all, you used to call me ‘Jiejie’ (Big Sister)~” Qin Shuhuai’s smile grew even brighter, clearly remembering little Lin Jin, who used to be like a shadow, constantly calling her ‘Sister Qin, Sister Qin.’

In reality, they were less than a year apart in age.

“Why bring up old matters?” Lin Jin wanted to get up and leave.

“A Jin.” Qin Shuhuai quickly held her wrist, pleading softly: “I want to have a good talk with you.”

“Talk about what?” Lin Jin impatiently pulled her arm away, asking in a hushed tone: “Talk about how you hid and didn’t help that night, or how you vanished without a trace afterward? Sometimes I really hate you calling my mother ‘Teacher.’ I feel it’s an insult, especially harsh and grating.”

Qin Shuhuai was momentarily speechless. Fortunately, she was good at managing her emotions. After only a few seconds of silence, she regained her smile: “We were both lying low, weren’t we?”

Lin Jin retracted her step, looking down at the woman who greeted her with a smile, “This is my family matter. I don’t need your involvement. If you truly want to do something for me, I hope you leave and stay far away. Don’t be an eyesore, and don’t ruin my plans.”

Her soft rebuke was not loud, but it echoed in the mountains, seemingly mocking the utter ugliness of the crowd that night.

The atmosphere was incredibly awkward, but Qin Shuhuai tolerated all of Lin Jin’s bad temper unconditionally, as if this was her path to redemption.

After a moment of silence, she adjusted the offerings in front of the tombstone, bringing up an important matter: “These years, I’ve been touring extensively, both domestically and internationally. Firstly, to fulfill a dream—my dream and my teacher’s dream; secondly, to network with more powerful and influential people, preparing for everything that lies ahead.

The dream is fulfilled. I can finally step back. Some things were delayed by time, but it’s time to act now.

I rushed back as soon as I heard Lin Zhen was gravely ill. Nothing is more exciting than this. That’s why I specifically came to see you today. I want to tell you that revenge is never just your task alone.”

Mentioning Lin Zhen, Qin Shuhuai stopped smiling. She spoke slowly to make her intentions clear, hoping Lin Jin would understand her thoughts.

Lin Jin was silent for a moment, then countered: “Revenge isn’t just talk. Do you realize how difficult it is to bring down the Lin Zhen family?”

Qin Shuhuai smiled leisurely again. She didn’t answer Lin Jin’s question, instead reaching out to caress the photo of her teacher: “Your tone just now sounds so much like my teacher. It reminds me of many years ago.

Back then, when I was practicing fundamentals, my teacher would always spur me on by contradicting me.

She would repeatedly ask me, ‘Do you know how difficult this move is? Do you know how difficult that move is? Stop practicing, stop learning.’

She used tough methods of encouragement but never questioned my talent.

I also want to ask you, how difficult is it to bring them down? When you are determined to accomplish something, no difficulty is truly difficult, unless your resolve is not strong enough.”

Suddenly, a wind carrying the scent of flowers blew through the mountains.

The wind lifted Lin Jin’s skirt and brushed past Qin Shuhuai’s ear, like the long-lost gentle embrace of the person in the grave.

At noon, after the Lin family concluded the grand worship ceremony, all the guests were invited to the main residence for a luncheon.

Amidst the elegant attire and jewels, Ruan Jinxian was the most prominent.

She wore a well-fitted dark green qipao, accessorized with a matching set of emerald jewelry. Everywhere she went, she raised her cup to greet and exchange pleasantries with people.

As Lin Zhen’s legal wife and Lin Sheng’s mother, she naturally had to busy herself entertaining guests on behalf of her husband and son.

As the official mistress of the Lin family, her demeanor was graceful and proper, her smile gentle and warm, giving people a sense of immense benevolence and approachability.

“How dare you!”

In the atmosphere of superficial harmony, a heavy, hoarse roar suddenly rang out, causing everyone to turn their heads.

Lin Zhen was trying to prop himself up to stand but, with his legs too weak, he immediately slumped back into his wheelchair.

His face was pale with anger, his lips trembling. He glared furiously at the uninvited figure before him: “Must you make everyone unhappy at an occasion like this to be satisfied?!”

Lin Jin was the most unwelcome guest at this luncheon.

She appeared alone at the main residence, still wearing the same attire she wore to mourn her mother. She was like a black rose with sharp thorns, dangerously beautiful.

The black backless long dress was her deliberate choice. She had to expose that ugly flesh scar in front of everyone to make the guilty parties squirm.

She walked with the momentum of facing an entire crowd, passing through the hypocritical masses, completely ignoring the strange looks directed at her, until she stopped in front of Ruan Jinxian.

She presented the full, brightly blooming white chrysanthemums she was carrying. Her vermillion lips under the sunglasses curled into a provocative smile: “It hasn’t been easy for you to manage this family for most of your life and finally sit legitimately in the position of the lady of the house. I don’t have any other suitable gift to send, so I’ll give you the same gift I gave my mother. Coincidentally, chrysanthemums are fitting for today’s occasion.”

Ruan Jinxian stared at the inauspicious white chrysanthemums, her face turning incredibly unpleasant.

Even so, she could only pretend to be kind in front of the crowd, taking the bouquet and forcing out words that sounded pleasant: “The symbolism of ‘a person as serene as a chrysanthemum’ is quite nice. A Jin is very thoughtful.”

Lin Jin never once looked at her father. She acknowledged Ruan Jinxian’s politeness and continued her sarcastic remarks: “Thoughtful? Compared to back then, you were the most ‘thoughtful’ one.”

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