Chapter 15: Filthy Parasite

Even if he turned to ashes, Lin Xiaoqing would still recognize this filthy parasite—Lin Qingyou.

He was the eldest grandson of Lin Jiaqian, the eldest uncle of the original body. In rural areas, the Confucian emphasis on propriety and the long-held tradition of revering the eldest son and grandson were especially prevalent. Thus, the original body’s grandfather, Lin Jiahan, held this nephew’s grandson in particularly high regard. Lin Qingyou, as the first grandson of the Lin family, was treated like he was made of gold and diamonds, practically born with a halo over his head.

Unfortunately, this man was rotten to the core and betrayed everyone’s expectations of what a family’s first grandson should be. He possessed none of the good qualities that such a role model should have. Worse, he was both cowardly and evil. Although the Lin family’s ancestors had made their name as barefoot doctors and were somewhat scholarly, by the time Lin Qingyou came around, the lineage had completely gone astray. He mastered every vice—drinking, gambling, womanizing—and was utterly detestable.

Lin Xiaoqing knew all too well what atrocities this scum had committed to the original body. Taking advantage of his familial relationship, he frequently visited their home. Especially a few years ago, just as he was finishing puberty, he somehow got hold of some pornographic materials, which heightened his lust and led to unspeakable, incestuous behavior toward his own cousin—the original body.

Qiao Chunjin and Lin Shurong had no idea of the full extent of the trauma the original body had suffered. They only knew that one New Year’s Eve, Lin Jialiang beat her so savagely that her skin was torn and her high fever wouldn’t subside. They thought her personality had changed because of that alone. But the true darkness clouding the original body’s heart came from Lin Qingyou’s added abuse.

That night, Lin Jialiang had grabbed her by the hair, stripped her of her winter coat, and whipped her with a belt until she was covered in wounds. Even after the holiday passed, she lay bedridden, having to change her dressings daily.

The wounds didn’t heal properly, so the festering, green-gray flesh had to be scraped away. The scissors, heated over a candle, would be thrust into the rotting wound to cut away the necrotic tissue. It was agonizing. Lin Xiaoqing hadn’t experienced it herself, but every time she recalled that memory, her heart raced, and she trembled in fear.

That Lantern Festival, while everyone was celebrating, Lin Qingyou followed his grandfather to the Lin house for a family dinner. When he went to use the bathroom, he heard movement in the west wing and sneaked under the window. There, he secretly spied on the original body changing her bandages.

Through the crack, he saw her young, pure body, and he lost control. Driven mad with lust, he was bewitched.

Qiao Chunjin was busy in the kitchen preparing the family feast and couldn’t come to help. Wanting to spare her mother the trouble, the original body struggled through the pain to tend her own wounds.

She was just a girl in her early teens, her body newly blossoming like a delicate flower. Though her pale skin was bruised and wounded from the whipping, to the depraved Lin Qingyou, it only made her seem more helpless, more desirable.

It was a gloomy day, dark and colorless. In the dim light, her figure, hunched over while changing her dressing, became a haunting vision in his mind.

Though he could only make out her faint silhouette, Lin Qingyou imagined he had seen paradise. His lust overwhelmed him, and he was ready to do the unthinkable to his cousin.

He crept into the west wing room. Hearing the door, she turned and saw his lecherous face. Pale with fright, she rushed to cover herself.

Even though he was the pervert, she was the one overwhelmed with shame, feeling she needed to die to preserve her dignity.

Step by step, he approached her with a disgusting grin. “Qingmei, you’ve grown up. You’re beautiful now. Why didn’t I notice before?”

His eyes roved over her body, and he mocked, “Probably because your mom is too beautiful. Everyone in the village envies her. They focused so much on her that they overlooked you. You’re changing your bandages, huh? Let me help you.”

Terrified, she trembled uncontrollably. A young girl like her couldn’t have come up with any defense. All she could do was cry and scream for her mother.

Lin Qingyou sneered. “What’s the point? Your mom is just a kitchen slave. If she weren’t useful like a mule, your family would’ve kicked you both out already. Your dad hasn’t sent a penny in years. He’s probably dead. Who do you think people will believe? You and your useless mother—or me, the legitimate eldest grandson?”

She even thought about stabbing her own neck with the scissors, to die and protect her innocence. But she feared what would happen to her mother if she were gone.

Lin Qingyou snatched the scissors and threw them aside. “You trying to hurt me, you little bitch?”

Then he grinned cruelly. “You think your cheap life is worth anything? If you died, everyone would blame your mom for raising a worthless, suicidal girl. You’d bring shame to the whole Lin family.”

She was horrified. There are layers to despair—and now she had fallen to the deepest level: a place where she couldn’t live or die.

Just as Lin Qingyou began to undo his pants, he caught a whiff of something revolting—rotting flesh.

Looking over, he saw the pile of dead flesh on the bedside table—what she had scraped off her wounds earlier.

He froze, looking at her weeping face, then her gaping wound. His imagination spun out of control: he thought he saw maggots writhing in the blood and pus.

Disgusted, his lust evaporated. “How could you be so gross? You’re just like your mom—revolting!”

He shoved her aside and sniffed his hands in disgust. “I’ll come back when you’re healed. I’ve got time. Ten days, a month, a year—I don’t believe you’ll stay injured forever. You can’t escape me, Lin Xiaoqing!”

Then he threatened, “If you breathe a word of this, I’ll ruin both you and your mom. Who will the family believe? Me—or two worthless freeloaders like you?”

With a final sinister glance, he left. He had hoped for more, but he couldn’t bear the stench. His desire, though insatiable, had limits.

From then on, Lin Qingyou became a regular visitor. Everyone thought he was close with Lin Qinghui, but the truth was he was just waiting to strike again.

Every time Lin Qinghui happily announced Lin Qingyou’s visit, the original body would tremble with fear. She was terrified she’d eventually be his prey.

Lin Qinghui, oblivious, thought he was gaining favor as a future leader of the Lin family. He had no idea Lin Qingyou secretly despised him as a tagalong.

Three years ago, Lin Qingyou was assigned to a kerosene plant in the county and even got married. His wife was known to be fierce and controlling. The original body thought her nightmare had ended—but he came back like a ghost.

Now, his filthy paw was back on Lin Xiaoqing’s shoulder. Seeing her grown beauty, he was delighted.

“Long time no see, Qingmei. You moved, and didn’t even invite me to visit your new place.”

Holding back her revulsion, Lin Xiaoqing coldly warned, “Get your filthy pig hand off my shoulder.”

Lin Qingyou raised an eyebrow, amused by her change. The once timid rabbit now talked back?

But Lin Xiaoqing was not the same. Her patience for scum had worn thin, and the coldness in her eyes turned lethal.

With a scowl, she issued her final warning. “Move!”

That only fueled his lust. He thought defiance made her even more exciting.

Dead dog. Fine. She’d teach him who the real boss was.

Lin Xiaoqing sneered. “You asked for this.”