The Villainous Sister-in-law Mistakenly Marked as the Heroine (Transmigration) - Chapter 8

Entering the villa, she saw many guests. Just as she took out her phone to contact Lin Xinrou, the latter spotted her first and hurried over.

“Sweetheart!”

Lin Xinrou wasn’t wearing her usual cosplay outfit but instead a gentle blue floral-print qipao with a traditional Chinese style. “Oh my, where did this beauty come from?”

“Stop teasing.”

Lin Xinrou laughed and pulled her aside, then asked worriedly, “Where were you today? I called you over a dozen times, but you didn’t answer. If it weren’t for the fact that missing persons can’t be reported until after 24 hours, I would’ve called the police!”

“Uh!”

How could she explain this?

Say she went to help someone through their heat cycle?

But if Lin Xinrou found out it was Rong Jing, she’d probably faint from shock. The system hadn’t given her any information about others, so she’d done some research herself over the past few days.

Rong Jing was practically a legend.

An omega, yet stronger than most alphas—even defeating alphas in taekwondo and sanda. But due to her frigid pheromones, she had never experienced a heat cycle since childhood, leading to rumors that she was a deformed omega.

A little omega monster.

And she had marked her.

If this got out, no one would dare believe it.

Embarrassed, she rubbed her nose. “I was at school.”

“Liar!”

Lin Xinrou looked disappointed. “You’d even lie to me? Do you think I didn’t call the school to check? Where did you go that you can’t tell your mother? Your other mother was right, you really haven’t grown up at all. I actually…”

Seeing Lin Xinrou choke up with tears, Lin Qile suddenly felt a pang of guilt. She quickly stepped forward and carefully wiped her mother’s tears. “I’m sorry, Mom. I really was at school, but I was in the library. I don’t want to fail again, so I’ve been studying hard. But I was afraid I’d still disappoint you, so I didn’t want to say anything yet. I wanted to wait until my grades improved to make you happy.”

“R-really?”

“Really! I memorized a lot of knowledge points today. For example, hydrocyanic acid can bind with cytochrome oxidase in the mitochondria of tissue cells, inhibiting its activity and preventing cells from utilizing oxygen. I memorized so much today, I’ll definitely do better on the next exam!”

Lin Xinrou stared at her daughter in shock. “You actually studied?”

“Mhm. Just wait for my test results, I’ll definitely do better than before!”

Lin Xinrou excitedly grabbed her hands. “Then I’ll be waiting for your good news!”

Phew. So easy to placate.

“Alright, let’s go find your other mother. If she knows you’re working hard, she might agree to cancel the engagement.”

“Okay.”

The two searched through the crowd of guests, but after several rounds, they still couldn’t find Qi Song. Instead, they spotted the birthday girl, Rong Yihua, greeting people with her daughter, Rong Jing.

Lin Xinrou immediately led Lin Qile over. “Happy birthday, Rong Yihua.”

“Thank you.”

The two had gradually become friends due to Qi Song’s connections.

Lin Qile politely added, “Happy birthday, Aunt Rong.”

“Hm.”

Rong Yihua responded indifferently.

Calling the system!

[Here.]

Does Rong Yihua dislike me? Why does she seem so cold?

[Aside from Lin Xinrou, no one likes the original host.]

Ouch. That hurt.

[But you’re different, host. Hehe.]

How am I different?

[Can’t say.]

Tch.

Lin Xinrou suddenly asked, “Rong Jing, are you feeling unwell? You look a bit pale.”

The person addressed stiffened slightly, prompting Lin Qile to quickly glance at Rong Jing.

“Aunt Lin, thank you for your concern. I’m fine probably just got chilled on the way back,” she replied, then shot a covert glare at someone when their eyes met.

Lin Qile wondered: What did I do now?

Rong Yihua turned to her daughter. “If you’re unwell, go rest. This birthday party was your mother’s insistence anyway hardly meaningful.”

“Mm.”

Rong Yihua asked Lin Xinrou, “Where’s Qi Song?”

Lin Xinrou scanned the room. “Probably off taking another call. You two are worse than each other when it comes to workaholism. Where’s Bai Jiao? I wanted to discuss the children’s wedding arrangements with her.”

“The wedding? We’ve no objections. Didn’t you and Bai Jiao already settle on a date? Just proceed with that.”

“No, no!” Lin Xinrou exchanged a look with Lin Qile before hastily explaining, “We’re in no hurry. Marriage is a serious matter, if this year’s too rushed, next year would be fine too. Absolutely no need to force it.”

Rong Yihua studied her. “Has something happened?”

The businesswoman’s instincts immediately detected underlying implications.

Lin Qile’s eyes lit up this was the perfect opportunity. She subtly tugged her mother’s sleeve, sensing the timing was ripe to bring up canceling the engagement now.

Lin Xinrou glanced back with a discreet headshake: Your mother hasn’t agreed yet we can’t act recklessly!

Why did she need permission anyway?

Go for it, Mom!

“Nothing’s wrong. I’ll go find A-Song first.” Lin Xinrou whisked her daughter away.

Reaching a secluded spot, she finally released Lin Qile’s arm and emphasized seriously, “Sweetheart, we can’t mention canceling the engagement until your mother agrees, understand?”

“Why not?” came the petulant reply.

“Why? She’s your mother! Such matters absolutely require her consent.” Lin Xinrou embraced her daughter. “I love you dearly, and I love your mother too. I want our family of three to always stay united. She may seem distant, but she’s truly gentle, she just doesn’t know how to interact with you. You’re her only child. If we’re patient, she’ll respect your decisions.”

Lin Qile found herself unable to refuse this woman’s request.

Though she’d only been in this world for days, Lin Xinrou’s unconditional devotion was utterly selfless.

“Mom.” She returned the hug. “I promise.”

Lin Xinrou released her, affectionately ruffling her hair. “That’s my good girl.”

“I’m twenty-five already.”

“No matter how old you get, you’ll always be Mommy’s baby. Let’s split up to find your mother when she buries herself in work, she forgets everything. I worry she’s holed up somewhere making calls and forgot about me entirely.”

“Alright.”

The pair separated to search.

Lin Qile gave up after one round surely the woman would reappear for cake-cutting!

She’d just taken a sip of juice when she spotted Rong Jing heading toward the garden. Setting down her glass, she hurried after her.

Having promised her mother not to raise the cancellation yet, she needed to clarify things with Rong Jing.

The last thing she wanted was tomorrow’s internet flooded with embarrassing footage of herself.

Besides, what exactly had been said at the entrance earlier? Until she knew, Lin Qile felt thoroughly unsettled.

Following to the edge of the garden, she was greeted by a lush expanse of greenery, a simplified version of a garden maze, with plants and flowers nearly as tall as a person and densely packed.

“She definitely came this way. Did she go into the garden?”

Surveying the garden’s crisscrossing paths, she pulled out her phone to send Rong Jing a message while casually choosing a path to walk down.

“This kind of garden is practically made for secret affairs winding paths, thick foliage, making it nearly impossible to be spotted.”

As she strolled, admiring the scenery, Rong Jing hadn’t replied. She was about to call when she spotted two women embracing in the distance.

Huh?

Had her mouth just jinxed it?

Not interested in spying on lovers, she decided to take another path. But just as she turned to leave, one of the women turned around.

Her breath caught when she recognized the face.

Bai Jiao?!

It was Bai Jiao, Rong Yihua’s wife.

Were Bai Jiao and Rong Yihua here playing some kind of marital game?

Then Bai Jiao rose on her tiptoes, wrapping her arms around the other woman’s neck as they kissed passionately.

Wait, no!

She had seen Rong Yihua earlier, and he wasn’t wearing blue today.

Which meant…

Bai Jiao was cheating!

Rong Yihua was being cuckolded!

Just out for a walk, and she stumbles onto this soap-opera-level secret?

The two were still locked in a heated embrace, seemingly on the verge of getting even more intimate. But this was the Rong family estate, how could Bai Jiao be so bold as to meet her lover here, of all places, during her own husband’s birthday celebration?

Time to go.

If she were caught witnessing this, she might end up silenced for good.

Covering her mouth, she tiptoed backward, careful not to make a sound.

But after just two steps, Bai Jiao’s lover spoke up. “The marriage must not fall through. We’ve planned this for too long, we can’t let Lin Qile ruin it now!”

Lin Qile froze.

Qi Song?!

She whipped her head around, straining for a better look. It really was Qi Song.

Qi Song and Bai Jiao were having an affair?!

In the original host’s memories, Qi Song had never been a proper mother always buried in work, rarely home, let alone spending time with her family. Yet Lin Xinrou, hopelessly lovestruck, never saw anything wrong with their marriage.

Bai Jiao murmured, “Why would she suddenly want to break off the engagement? Did Lin Xinrou find out something?”

“Lin Xinrou wouldn’t suspect a thing. This is all Lin Qile’s spoiled tantrums. I won’t indulge her this marriage will happen. Thankfully, even though Lin Xinrou dotes on her, she still listens to me. My side is secure. You just make sure Rong Wanning doesn’t cause any trouble before the wedding.”

“Mm, I’ll do whatever you say. Wanning is obedient, she wouldn’t dare defy me.”

Bai Jiao nestled against Qi Song with a coy smile. “Qi Song, when can we finally be together openly? I can’t stand waiting any longer. Just looking at Rong Yihua makes me sick now.”

“Patience. The timing isn’t right yet. If you miss me, just call have I ever turned you away?” Qi Song leaned down, brushing a kiss against her lips. “I want us to be together too, but I want to give you a good life. I won’t let you downgrade your lifestyle just to be with me. Just wait a little longer.”

“But I want to be with you every day. Seeing that fool Lin Xinrou standing proudly by your side, it makes me so jealous.”

Qi Song lifted her chin and planted a kiss. “But there’s only one person in my heart. I haven’t touched her in two years, aren’t you satisfied yet? On her birthday, I went to the hot springs with you for two days and one night. Wasn’t that fun?”

“Stop it~”

“Let’s go. We can’t disappear for too long. Same place tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Lin Qile, seeing the two approaching her direction, quickly hid down another path.

Only after they left did she step out angrily, fists clenched, eyes bloodshot with rage.

Qi Song!

She had always considered herself an outsider in this world, but Lin Xinrou had gradually made her feel a mother’s warmth. She absolutely couldn’t tolerate anyone hurting Lin Xinrou.

Qi Song was just a live-in son-in-law, yet Lin Xinrou had given her dignity, a career, and wholehearted love.

And in return? That sincere heart had been fed to a thankless wolf.

Qi Song was absolute scum.

No wonder she had so vehemently opposed her breaking off the engagement her marriage to Rong Wanning was all part of her plan.

But why did she want her to marry Rong Wanning?

System!

[Here.]

How do I earn points to unlock the system store? I urgently need to know everything about Qi Song. I can’t let this scumbag hurt Lin Xinrou!

[Host, I can’t help you with that. Though I’m a system, my capabilities are limited. You’ll have to rely on your own strength.]

Lin Qile gritted her teeth so hard they creaked. Fine, she’d rely on herself!

Fuming, she stormed off, too angry to notice Rong Jing emerging from the shadows on another empty path, her expression equally dark.

Back at the banquet.

Lin Xinrou spotted her from afar and waved cheerfully. “Sweetheart, over here!”

Lin Qile looked up, but the moment she saw Qi Song standing beside her, a storm brewed in her eyes. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before walking over.

“Mom.”

She addressed only one person.

From this moment on, Qi Song no longer deserved to be called “Mother.”

Qi Song frowned. “Where have you been today? You disappear after a little scolding, is this your idea of maturity?”

“Then what would you consider mature?”

Stunned by the retort, Qi Song glared at her before looking away, face dark.

Lin Xinrou studied her daughter worriedly. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Are you upset?”

“Nothing.”

How she wanted to tell Lin Xinrou that the woman beside her was a wolf in sheep’s clothing!

But all she had was witnessing Qi Song’s infidelity, no concrete evidence. Even if Lin Xinrou believed her, Qi Song had been in the company for over a decade. Who knew what schemes she’d planted?

She couldn’t risk alerting the enemy.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Rong Jing, whom she’d lost earlier appearing in the distance, walking slowly with her head down.

“Mom, I’ll be right back.”

With that, she strode toward Rong Jing.

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