Chapter 53

**Chapter 53**

**Substitute lover trope?**

This single sentence made Bai Yaxin stop in her tracks. As someone who spent a lot of time online, she was at least somewhat familiar with the "substitute lover" trope. She turned around and took another look at the man in front of her—greasy and balding, middle-aged. Was *he* into stand-in romance?

As if!

Suo Haoguang thought Bai Yaxin had turned back out of regret, so he looked even smugger than ever.

He straightened his clothes and walked toward her. Just as Bai Yaxin thought he was coming for her, he suddenly brushed past her and hooked arms with the person behind her, gushing “darling” over and over.

Bai Yaxin: “….”

“Ugh, gross.”

Props to Tingyue for saying what she was thinking.

“And what’s he even smug about? Mom never gave this guy two thoughts.”

Preach!

Bai Yaxin grabbed Lin Tingyue and Lin Xiawan’s hands. “Xiawan, Tingyue, let’s just go eat already.”

She was really happy with today’s dishes and didn’t want to lose her appetite later.

“What’s wrong? Bailing already, Bai Yaxin?”

Lin Chengyan finally snapped. “Mom’s going to eat, not bail. If you can’t speak without being an idiot, do the world a favor and shut it.”

Suo Haoguang tossed his greasy center part and glanced at Lin Chengyan before asking Bai Yaxin, “Is this your son?”

Bai Yaxin replied flatly, “Mm-hmm.”

“You have a son already?”

Lin Chengyan scoffed. “What’s the big deal?”

He shoved past Suo Haoguang and said, “Mom, let’s go. Stay any longer and I might actually hurl.”

“Second Brother’s burns could go viral.”

Lin Tingyue jumped in, “Let’s go, let’s go, Mom.”

As Bai Yaxin walked away, Suo Haoguang tried to follow, but Lin Rusong cut him off.

“Please stop harassing my wife.”

Though Lin Rusong looked refined and calm, he towered over Suo Haoguang by a full head and clearly wasn’t someone to mess with. Suo Haoguang could only throw a tantrum on the spot, watching helplessly as Bai Yaxin and the others left.

Even after entering the VIP room, Bai Yaxin muttered, “Did I forget to check my horoscope today or something?”

She glanced at Lin Xiawan beside her and added, “Not you, hon.”

Lin Xiawan poured her a glass of juice. “Mom, I know. It’s okay. Have something sweet—it’ll cheer you up.”

Seeing how caring Lin Xiawan was, Bai Yaxin felt her heart warm.

Back when Xiawan first returned to the Lin family, she had been stiff and formal with everyone, which drove Yaxin up the wall. “That’s my girl.”

Bai Yaxin immediately took a sip.

"Actually, there's going to be a real spectacle soon."

A spectacle? What kind?

Everyone subtly glanced at Lin Tingyue, but when she looked back, they suddenly found their plates very interesting.

"This Suo Haoguang was originally pursuing that person's older sister, but the sister found out he'd been married before and was full of lies, so she refused to be with him. Who would’ve thought this Suo Haoguang would move on to her younger sister instead?"

"The older sister is on her way here now."

Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong exchanged a glance—this meant...

The Lin family was in the middle of their meal when a scream like a stuck pig suddenly came from the neighboring private room.

"No way—they’re throwing down already?"

Everyone curiously poked their heads out of their room in perfect unison. Other diners were also peeking, so the Lin family blended right in.

"Suo Haoguang, who do you think you are? You still got the gall to go after my sister? Get your eyes checked—with a face like yours, you think you're worthy?"

Cheng Miaoyin grabbed Suo Haoguang’s hair and yanked so hard that she actually ripped it clean off.

Staring at the hair in her hand, Cheng Miaoyin let out a bitter laugh. "Seriously? A wig?"

She threw the wig to the ground and, ignoring Suo Haoguang’s howls, tried to pull her sister Cheng MiaoYan away—only for Cheng MiaoYan to yank her arm away.

Cheng Miaoyin: "?"

Cheng Miaoyin was seeing red. "Cheng MiaoYan, what are you doing?"

"Sis, since you've already broken up with him, why don't you just let me have him? We're both consenting adults."

Cheng Miaoyin: "Huh?"

If she’d known Cheng MiaoYan was like this, she should’ve stayed home.

"You’ve always been better than me at everything since we were kids. Mom and Dad always praised you. But now it’s different," Cheng MiaoYan said, dusting Suo Haoguang off and helping him up, her face—so similar to Cheng Miaoyin’s—smiling smugly. "This time, I win."

Cheng Miaoyin thought her sister was out of her damn mind. "Get this straight—your mom is my stepmom. Why would she praise me over you?"

"Cheng MiaoYan’s mother had extremely high expectations for her, and since Cheng MiaoYan used to be close to Cheng Miaoyin, she deliberately pitted them against each other. Look how that turned out."

"Any idiot can be a parent—just giving birth isn’t enough!"

Cheng Miaoyin let out a frustrated breath. "We’ll settle our sisterly issues later. But look at him—can you really live with this?"

Cheng MiaoYan replied, "Not your problem."

Cheng Miaoyin: "?"

"Actually, Cheng MiaoYan isn’t into Suo Haoguang for his looks. She just wants his money. Whether he likes her or not doesn’t matter. But if she ever found out Suo Haoguang only sees her as a replacement for Cheng Miaoyin, she’d probably have a meltdown."

Hearing this, Cheng Miaoyin saw her chance. She took Suo Haoguang’s hand and said, "Yeah, I changed my mind—I still love you."

Suo Haoguang perked up like a puppy. "Really?"

"Mm," Cheng Miaoyin glanced at Cheng MiaoYan and threw in, "But what about my sister?"

"Of course I dumped her on the spot."

When Cheng Miaoyan reached for Suo Haoguang’s hand, he shoved her away. Cheng Miaoyan sobbed, wiping her tears. "How could you do this to me?"

"I only dated you as your sister’s knockoff. Now that she’s changed her mind, why settle for the discount version?"

"I'm just a substitute?" Cheng Miaoyan’s eyes turned icy.

Cheng Miaoyin again—why does she always outshine me?

*Smack!* Cheng Miaoyin slapped Suo Haoguang. "What substitute? She's my little sister!"

Cheng Miaoyan was stunned, but Cheng Miaoyin then turned to her and snapped, "You’re gonna get it later."

Watching Cheng Miaoyin like this, Cheng Miaoyan’s gaze grew even more feverish.

Later, Cheng Miaoyan and Cheng Miaoyin went downstairs, with Suo Haoguang chasing after them. In the plaza, they unexpectedly ran into Cheng Miaoyin’s mother.

Cheng Miaoyin was surprised. "Mom, what are you doing here?"

"I came shopping. Did you bring Miaoyan along?"

Cheng Miaoyin’s face fell. "Yeah."

Then, Suo Haoguang’s delighted voice rang out from behind. "Juan? Is that really you?"

Luo Juan spun around, scowling. "Why are you here?"

Suo Haoguang said with deep affection, "Juan, after all these years, I still can't forget you. You're still the one for me."

Lin Tingyue: "...What?"

"Holy crap, the daughter was a mom substitute all along!"

"Wait, then why was this guy harassing the mother?"

"Oh, so he collects by type—once a certain type appears, the others are just extras. Total trash."

Not just trash—he’s vomit-worthy.

Cheng Miaoyin stepped in front of Luo Juan. "Back off from my mom!"

She then turned to Cheng Miaoyan. "You’re not still hung up on him, are you?"

Cheng Miaoyan clenched her fists and mustered her courage. "Sister, I’ve figured it out."

"Good, if you finally get it—"

"It’s always been… *you*!"

Cheng Miaoyin: "?!"

"Have you lost your mind? We share a dad!"

"Sister, you didn’t say no. If I’m not Dad’s real daughter, there’s still a chance for us, right?"

"The daughter is the mom’s substitute, and the little sister confesses to her big sister. This world’s officially lost it."

For the first time, Lin Tingyue began to doubt—was this damn novel she got isekai’d into even *sane*?

Couldn't even reach the system. So freaking annoying!!!

Bai Yaxin was pissed too.

Back then, Bai Yaxin and Suo Haoguang weren’t even in the same class. He showed up at her place saying he liked her the most and that if she didn’t agree, he’d kneel there forever, blah blah blah. Bai Yaxin hated that kind of thing and rejected him outright.

All these years later, he still wouldn’t leave her alone.

Bai Yaxin said coldly, “Let’s go first.”

But because Lin Rusong stormed over and punched Suo Haoguang, they ended up being taken to the police station.

“Dad’s still got fire in him—so bold!”

Hearing Lin Tingyue’s praise, Lin Rusong puffed up with pride.

The next second, Bai Yaxin said, “Violence isn’t the answer. Don’t you dare copy that.”

Lin Rusong: “…”

Bai Yaxin patted the wrinkles from Lin Rusong’s suit. “Good thing he was actually harassing me, otherwise… well.”

Lin Rusong said, “Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

As they were going down the steps to head home, Lin Rusong suddenly said, “Isn’t that Yinyin?”

Just as Lin Rusong spoke, Jiang Yin, who was coming up the steps, also spotted them.

Jiang Yin said excitedly, “Uncle Lin, Aunt Bai, what are you doing here?”

Bai Yaxin looked at Lin Rusong, who awkwardly replied, “Just handling something.”

“Ohhh-kay.”

Bai Yaxin took Jiang Yin’s hand and asked, “Yinyin, why are you at the police station?”

Jiang Yin was Lin Jiaxin’s eldest daughter—pretty, with a sweet voice and way with words. Bai Yaxin liked her very much and worried something might’ve happened if she came alone.

Jiang Yin smiled and said, “Aunt Bai, don’t worry. There was some trouble with Ren’s partner. When I called him, he said it was already resolved. I just came to see.”

She added, “Since we met by chance, let me and Ren treat you to dinner, okay?”

Bai Yaxin said, “Yinyin, you’ve got enough on your plate. No need to waste your money. Why not come to our place instead…”

While they were talking, Li Ren and his partner came out of the police station. Jiang Yin waved excitedly at them. “Ren, Peng Yi, over here!”

Then Jiang Yin dashed over to Li Ren.

Li Ren caught her. “Watch your step—you’ll fall!”

“I know. I ran into Uncle Lin and Aunt Bai. Let’s go say hello.”

Li Ren paused before saying, “Okay.”

Li Ren walked up to Bai Yaxin and Lin Rusong. “Uncle Lin, Aunt Bai, this is my partner, Peng Yi.”

“Weird—why make a point of introducing the partner?”

Lin Tingyue looked deeper into it and she discovered a huge problem!