Chapter 5

In the study, Lin Wanting found nothing at all, and her opinion of Lin Haifeng deepened further.

Checking the time, she realized Lin Haifeng would be back soon, and Qiao Yilan would also be waking up.

She carefully returned everything to its original place. Now that she understood her father better, she knew that even the slightest change would be noticed, so it was best not to alert him.

Tiptoeing back into the study to return the spare key, she thought to herself, “Dad leaves a spare key with Mom to make her think he trusts her, but in reality, he guards against her at every turn.”

Thinking back, she realized this wasn’t a sudden change in him—it must have been going on for quite some time.

Sure enough, when Lin Haifeng came home, he gave Qiao Yilan an explanation for not coming back the night before. Qiao Yilan wasn’t stupid—she just pretended to be. She didn’t care much for love anymore; as long as she had food and drink, that was enough.

But what she did want was for Lin Wanting to have love, and to be nourished by it.

“Dad, you’re home! I missed you so much!”

Lin Haifeng, however, didn’t forget to bring up the marriage issue. Unexpectedly, Lin Wanting’s attitude had changed completely.
“Before, I was being impulsive. It’s true—we’re just not a good match.”

“That’s right. A poor boy needs to be like your old man here—rely on himself. That’s the real way to live.”

From the side, Qiao Yilan smiled faintly. Lin Wanting suddenly having such clarity was rare. Before, no matter how they tried to persuade her, she wouldn’t listen. Now, after they’d left her alone, she’d made a dramatic turnaround.

“Dad, I’m at home all day with nothing to do. Why don’t you let me work at your place? I can do anything.”

Lin Wanting was thinking that she needed to get inside to better understand the family’s assets. She couldn’t let her mother end up losing both money and love.

“What can you even do? Every job I have is already taken. The other day, a matchmaker even told me she wanted to introduce you to someone. I didn’t say anything then, but now I can tell her to bring you more introductions so you can marry early.”

“Mom, you hear that? Dad’s trying to kick me out!”

“Haifeng, she’s still so young. She’s got everything she needs at home. Why rush her into marriage where she might suffer?”

“No. This has to be put on the agenda.” Lin Haifeng was firm. Lin Wanting sensed there was more to this.

Seeing the atmosphere get tense, Lin Wanting excused herself and went back to her room, leaving her parents alone to talk—they hadn’t had a real conversation in ages.

“Haifeng, I’ve got a bad feeling lately. I feel like something’s going to happen…”

Lin Haifeng said nothing, just kept drinking tea and reading the paper. In truth, he was torn inside—should he give Qiao Yilan some kind of warning in advance?

“Haifeng, what are you thinking?”

But Lin Haifeng was lost in thought, not hearing her at all. When he put down the paper, he simply lay down and fell asleep in seconds.

That left Qiao Yilan shaking her head and sighing. This was the kind of life she’d have to get used to.

Meanwhile, Xia Xue told Wang Xing her idea. Wang Xing was a bit timid—he feared it might backfire and cause trouble.

“Wang Xing, don’t be afraid. If something happens, I’ll take the blame. It has nothing to do with you.”

Xia Xue didn’t value sincere friendship, preferring to compete and scheme, but she’d fallen hard when it came to love—proving that there’s always someone who can outmatch you.

“That’s not how it works. Once you marry me, we’re family. And family doesn’t split into two sides. If something happens to you, I won’t be okay either.”

But the last part was his real point—he wanted her family background. Without it, he would never have chosen her.

“Then let’s put this off for now. First, let’s get married and use it to provoke Lin Wanting.” Xia Xue was convinced it would get under Lin Wanting’s skin.

Lin Wanting would probably thank her instead—finally someone had taken the scumbag off her hands so he couldn’t harm anyone else.

“Xia Xue, you’d better be sure about this. No backing out.”

Wang Xing still felt it wasn’t real. Deep down, he had a little resentment toward Lin Wanting—maybe because their only physical contact had been holding hands.

“I’m sure!” Xia Xue even planned to invite Lin Wanting to be her bridesmaid so she could personally witness her “happiness.”

Back in her room, Lin Wanting completed her system task. The reward was:
[Thank you for participating. Please try again next time~]

“Ugh, this system’s messing with me. If the next make-up sign-in task is like this, I’m not doing it—it’s too dangerous. I almost got caught.”

Since Lin Haifeng wouldn’t let her go, she decided she would—disguised—so she could see for herself what “white-boned demon” was keeping him from coming home.

[System: Early sign-in available! Extra reward guaranteed!]

But Lin Wanting wasn’t falling for it this time. She sat quietly at her vanity. Then came a knock at the door.

It was the new maid, Gu Qingqing—she was younger than Xiao Min and had also come out to earn money for her family.

“Hello, Miss. I’m the new maid. My name is Gu Qingqing.”

Lin Wanting turned around and immediately felt they would get along—unlike Xiao Min, who always looked lazy and sloppy.

“Hello. Come help me with my hair.”

Lin Wanting’s long, glossy black hair fell to her waist, swaying with the breeze, each strand gleaming.

Gu Qingqing’s hands were gentle, treating the young lady as she should. She knew clearly she was here to work.

Lin Wanting was very pleased.

Meanwhile, Xiao Min had gone to find Xia Xue. Seeing Lin Wanting’s longtime maid come to her, Xia Xue figured Lin Wanting must be doing worse and worse.

“Xiao Min, I can take you in, but I really can’t pay you as much. I’m getting married soon, so even if you stay here, it’s not like you’ll be serving me directly.”

“Thank you, Miss Xia. I knew you’d take me in.”

Xia Xue thought she could pry out some information about the Lin family, and they went into her house. The Xia family even had a large swimming pool. Seeing it, Xiao Min felt her old job was better—this pool alone meant way more work, almost no breaks all day.

She was already a little regretful, but there was no turning back—this time Qiao Yilan herself had agreed to let her go.

Xia Xue was in a great mood. After the wedding, she planned to make big moves—Lin Wanting’s life would change drastically.

After Gu Qingqing finished helping her, Lin Wanting decided to go out shopping—after all, she had spent so much time getting ready in her white dress, it would be a waste not to.

Xia Xue was also out, shopping for wedding clothes and such—all things she prepared herself. Wang Xing was only in charge of his family’s venue.

But enemies’ paths often cross. The city wasn’t too big or too small, and sure enough, Lin Wanting and Xia Xue bumped into each other on the street.

Xiao Min hid behind Xia Xue, not daring to face Lin Wanting, while Lin Wanting stood tall and confident. The two of them looked like they’d just been caught doing something shady.

“Xia Xue, what are you buying?”

Xia Xue quickly covered up the clothes. “None of your business.”

“I wasn’t trying to meddle. I was just wondering—how’s my leftover maid doing? Why does she look so much like a dog to me?”