Chapter 18: Differential Treatment

With someone like that, could Wang Linfeng not harbor resentment?

Especially after he learned that Lin Qiyan wasn’t his real sister, his resentment reached its peak.

The situation at his house right now was partly due to her actions, yet she had the nerve to just walk away, completely disregarding the years of sacrifices made by the family.

Today, when Wang Linfeng came home and saw that Lin Qiyan hadn’t returned, he didn’t need to think twice. That cold-hearted person certainly didn’t want to come back. Now that she had everything she ever dreamed of, wouldn’t she be happy to grab it all?

Wang Linfeng’s words completely left Su Baili speechless.

She had seen shameless people before, but never anyone so shameless…

After hearing this, she realized she had underestimated how bad it really was.

Wasn’t this just pure evil from the start?

The Lin family had nearly ruined another household, and now they thought a simple one million could settle everything?

This was nothing more than taking advantage of the Wang couple, who were easy to bully.

Was it fair to say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?

It was truly powerful bloodlines—after so many years of raising them, they still hadn’t raised them right. One was an ungrateful wolf, the other hiding malicious intentions. What a perfect family match.

Wang Linfeng hadn’t planned on speaking ill of anyone behind their backs, but the more he talked, the angrier he became. Su Baili, feeling deeply empathetic, couldn’t help but nod along.

“She really is so bad!”

“Right? It makes me so mad! Mom and Dad always say we’re family, and we should give her some leeway since she’s a girl,” Wang Linfeng fumed. “But look at this—she’s not even part of our family! No wonder she’s so bad!”

Su Baili patted her chest and reassured him, “Don’t worry, I’m not like that.”

Wang Linfeng’s face couldn’t help but flush again. This sweet, gentle sister seemed nothing like Lin Qiyan at all.

“I know, you’re not like her,” he said, relieved.

“Poor thing. If you ever need anything, just tell your sister. I’ll always be your strong support,” Su Baili said with overflowing compassion, immediately reaching for her phone to add Wang Linfeng to her contacts.

Wang Linfeng was completely taken aback. He never expected that on their first meeting, his sister would already stand up for him.

Was this the charm of a real sister?

“So, Lin Qiyan really isn’t coming back?” Wang Linfeng couldn’t help but ask.

Su Baili nodded. “Yes, and from now on, when you see her, just ignore her. You’re strangers now.”

“Great,” Wang Linfeng said with satisfaction. This outcome was the best he could hope for.

He looked around at the room’s furnishings and added, “Don’t worry, this room is yours to stay in. No one’s lived here before.”

He emphasized “before” as if he were afraid Su Baili would dislike him for taking a room Lin Qiyan had once used.

Seeing her thoughtful younger brother, Su Baili couldn’t hold back a laugh.

“Alright.”

In that moment, she felt the distance between herself and the Wang family had closed a lot. There was a feeling inside her she couldn’t quite describe.

When it came time for dinner, Wang Linfeng’s parents were astonished at the scene in front of them.

What on earth had happened in such a short time? The brother and sister seemed to get along so well.

At least from their perspective, Su Baili seemed much more affectionate toward this younger brother than she was with them.

Especially considering their usually rebellious son, who was known for his explosive temper—seeing him speak with such patience was something they hadn’t anticipated.

Was this the magic of being biological siblings?

Was it that siblings with blood ties were just naturally more in sync than those without?

At this moment, Wang Linfeng didn’t have time to care about how his parents viewed him. He was busy being overly attentive to his sister, who clearly needed care.

He picked up a piece of rib and placed it in Su Baili’s bowl, saying, “Sister, eat some rib. Mom makes the best ribs.”

Su Baili smiled sweetly at him and returned the favor, “Thank you, Xiao Feng. You eat too.”

Wang Linfeng grinned at the rib in his bowl, giving a silly, happy laugh.

The scene of brotherly affection and sisterly care left Wang Linfeng’s parents stunned.

Wait a minute… their son, who used to be so rebellious, could actually call someone “sister”? And he was this considerate too?

They had thought it was just a phase, that his rebellious behavior was simply part of growing up, but now it seemed like they had misunderstood him.

It turned out that he simply didn’t get along with Lin Qiyan’s behavior.

Indeed, if you took away the “parental filter,” Lin Qiyan’s actions over time were hard to justify.

But she had been their daughter, and as parents, they were naturally inclined to accept her unconditionally.

“What are you thinking about? You eat too,” Wang Linfeng noticed his mother daydreaming, so he picked up another piece of rib and threw it into her bowl.

Wang  Mother looked at the rib in her bowl, feeling much better, but still grabbed her chopsticks and gave Wang Linfeng a few taps on the head. “What’s this? Throwing food around? Can’t you be gentler when serving?”

Wang Linfeng rubbed his head and complained to Su Baili, “Sister, look, Mom’s always bullying me!”

Seeing her mischievous younger brother, Su Baili smiled and patted his head. “Did it hurt, poor thing?”

Wang Linfeng looked up at her, acting like a puppy. “Mom’s hand is so strong, it really hurts. Be careful with her next time. You can’t take too much of her hitting.”

Wang  Mother, though angry, couldn’t help but laugh. “As if I’m some kind of man-eating tiger. Your sister is so well-behaved, unlike this little rascal. How could I hit her?”

“Who knows? Women are all unpredictable,” Wang Linfeng muttered under his breath.

“You brat, always ruining my reputation,” Wang father joined in, teasing.

Wang Linfeng, still feeling wronged, remained silent, but his pout and expressions had everyone in the room laughing.

In that moment, the distance between the entire family seemed to shrink. The warmth in the room was palpable.

After dinner, Su Baili glanced at the time. It was getting late, and she prepared to leave.

Wang  Mother looked at her nervously. “You’re leaving? Can’t you stay for just one night?”

They had just been chatting so comfortably. Why was she leaving now?

Wang  Mother couldn’t understand.

Wang father, too, looked worried, as if afraid something had gone wrong or that they hadn’t made Su Baili feel comfortable. He cautiously asked, “Is there something wrong with the bedroom? Is there anything you don’t like?”