Chapter 66

Chapter 66

The Lin family members, having heard this inner monologue, kept glancing between Lin Tingyue and Bai Yaxin, eager for more juicy details.

Bai Yaxin shrugged it off, saying she didn’t know much either—she had just seen everyone discussing it in her high school alumni group chat.

"They lived in the same complex, even the same building, and their kids were in the same class. The families often arranged to pick up their children together. Sometimes, if one family was busy, they’d have the other cover for them. Before long, the two families grew close—and the two of them got involved."

"But both of them hid it well—no one caught on."

"Once, the wife went to pick up her own child and another kid. When the child got into the car, they suddenly asked, 'Auntie, why does Uncle want me to call him Daddy?' Later, the two kids even argued over whose dad he really was. The wife found it odd but brushed it off."

"After all, the other family was a single mom household, and the father was often absent from the child’s life. Besides, kids that age say the darndest things."

But the Lin family caught onto a key point.

If the child said that, didn’t it mean the two adults weren’t even hiding their affair from the kids?

Talk about shameless!

"Later, because her own child took a spill at home, the wife decided to install a surveillance camera. She had it set up but hadn’t told her husband yet when she discovered he’d been secretly hooking up with the other woman… in their bedroom."

"The wife lost it and leaked the footage of her husband and the mistress [doing the deed] in their son’s kindergarten class group chat."

"In the end, the wife divorced her husband, and the mistress skipped town with her kid."

Bai Yaxin’s phone buzzed, drawing Lin Tingyue’s attention.

"OMG, you guys—huge scoop!"

"Qin Feizhou cheated!!!"

"Pfft, old news—the class rep already spilled."

"The class monitor definitely doesn’t know as much as I do. Do you know how Qin Feizhou got caught cheating…?"

What followed was exactly what Lin Tingyue had mentioned earlier. This guy Ao Junyou happened to have a relative in the same kindergarten class group chat, so he spilled all the tea.

The group chat was flooded with comments like "What a mess!"

Exactly. Bai Yaxin sighed. Not only did they hurt two families, but they also hurt two kids.

Lin Chengyan, however, caught a weird vibe. He said, "Why is this Ao Junyou so excited about it?"

"Second Brother, congratulations—you hit the nail on the head."

Lin Chengyan: "?"

Since when is he that sharp?

But clearly, everyone was more focused on the blind spot in Lin Tingyue’s inner monologue.

What was going on? Was there more to this scandal?

"Qin Feizhou and Ao Junyou were childhood buddies. They were together from kindergarten through high school and were even planning to attend the same university, but out of nowhere, they stopped speaking."

Childhood buddies?

Lin Chengyan rubbed his chin, skeptical. The way he’s acting, they were more like guys competing for the same girl.

Hearing the rest, Lin Chengyan felt relieved—though he couldn’t help but wonder if they’d had a falling-out over the same girl?

Wen Fei’s new script actually had a similar plot. Lin Chengyan thought it was absolutely absurd.

“No one ever said why they broke up. They cut ties completely—it was because Qin Feizhou poached Ao Junyou’s girlfriend, claimed they were true love, and even said that if Ao Junyou didn’t let go, he’d only be hurting her.”

Damn, TV really does imitate life, Lin Chengyan thought. Maybe he should talk to Wen Fei again?

“After all this time, Ao Junyou still has that much animosity… Dude still hasn’t moved on after more than twenty years.”

After finishing this gossip, Lin Tingyue and Lin Xiawan went upstairs.

Lin Chengyan looked at Bai Yaxin.

Bai Yaxin: “?”

“Lin Chengyan, what are you scheming now?”

“My dear mom, did that classmate of yours end up marrying the girl he stole from someone else?”

Bai Yaxin broke out in goosebumps and pushed Lin Chengyan away as he tried to get closer. “As far as I know, no. And I think he only got married five years ago… Lin Chengyan, why are you asking this?”

Bai Yaxin stared at him warily. Was he cooking up some nonsense again?

“Mom, you should know that once people hit a certain age, their inner gossip comes alive.”

“Chengyan, how about you tell your mom and dad about Cheng Jinshuang instead?”

Lin Chengyan: “?”

Wait, wasn’t this just about hearing some gossip? How did he end up getting dragged into this?

Save me!

Early the next morning.

When Lin Xiawan came downstairs, she saw that only Tingyue remained at home. Not wanting her to be alone, she asked, “Tingyue, do you want to come out with me?”

Tingyue replied, “Xiawan, isn’t today your team outing? Wouldn’t I be intruding?”

Lin Xiawan sat beside Tingyue. “Our boss said we can bring someone along—as long as you don’t mind.”

Tingyue thought for a moment. “Sure.”

Truth be told, Tingyue truly hated being alone.

She had been an orphan, and though she worked hard to build a good life, when she was alone, she would inevitably remember those old hurts.

These memories sapped her spirit, making her dislike herself.

She was trying to love herself—who needed self-loathing? That feeling was the worst.

She much preferred basking in the energy of being around others.

Somehow, Lin Xiawan sensed a shadow of sadness in Tingyue.

This was unusual, because Lin Tingyue was always cheerful no matter what.

Lin Xiawan suppressed her concern and ruffled Lin Tingyue’s hair. “Go change into some sportswear then—we’re going hiking today.”

“Hiking, huh…”

Lin Xiawan narrowed her eyes. “No backing out now.”

“I definitely won’t!”

“Pshh, just hiking? Watch me crush this baby mountain!”

Lin Xiawan couldn’t help but laugh as she watched Lin Tingyue head upstairs.

She quickly messaged the group that she’d bring her little sister, and everyone welcomed the idea warmly.

After some thought, Lin Xiawan also sent a message in the family group chat—the one without Lin Tingyue.

Once ready, Lin Tingyue and Lin Xiawan set off together to meet everyone at the base.

The retreat was planned for three days, and their boss had already reserved a homestay up in the mountains.

When they arrived at the meeting point, Lin Tingyue realized how many people showed up.

Everyone in Lin Xiawan’s team was super welcoming. Every time someone’s plus-one arrived, everyone would cheer and clap, followed by another round of self-introductions.

Joining in the applause and enthusiastically introducing herself, Lin Tingyue said, “The vibe here is awesome—this is the dream team! Where do I sign up for a team like this?”

Is this how people think?

This is the best!

And honestly, they were all completely charmed by Lin Tingyue. She wasn’t just Lin Xiawan’s little sister—she was basically the group’s mascot.

So the scene unfolded like this—

Whenever Lin Tingyue got tired during the hike, Lin Xiawan—who wanted to hand her water—couldn’t even get close.

Not only that, but Lin Xiawan also overheard Lin Tingyue’s inner thoughts:

“Omigod, so many hotties! I’m so lucky—I love hiking!!!”

Lin Xiawan: “?”

Tch, Lin Tingyue—you forget who your real sister is the moment you step out, don’t you? Lin Xiawan was green with envy.

And when they reached the homestay, the same thing happened again.

Lin Xiawan: “…Whatever.”

Yang Yuxing, watching from the side, was dying laughing. She knew Lin Xiawan was a total siscon, but she hadn’t realized it was this extreme.

Lin Xiawan’s team was almost all women, with just one dude—who didn’t bring his girlfriend, but instead brought his ex-girlfriend’s younger brother.

Everyone was confused. Their leader, Song Hezhu, casually asked, “Aren’t you worried your girlfriend will get mad?”

Qin Tiangong scratched his head and replied, “I told her about it. She even said I should have fun with Xiao Hao, right, Xiao Hao?”

Xiao Hao nodded eagerly, "Yeah, yeah. Actually, the one dating Qin now is my second sister. She’s not the jealous type… Qin, wanna play some games?"

Xiao Hao's eyes sparkled as he looked at Qin Tiangong, as if gaming was the only reason he’d tagged along.

"All you think about is gaming. Go unpack your stuff first."

"Got it!"

Guys were paired up two to a room—even couples had to share!

One girl’s boyfriend sulked but quickly quieted down after she shot him a look.

The girls could pick roommates freely, but everyone found it unexpectedly tricky.

Song Hezhu tugged at her hair in frustration. "How am I supposed to choose? You’re all great!"

Yang Yuxing laughed. "Boss, you should’ve sprung for a mansion so we could all crash together."

Song Hezhu deadpanned, "Don’t joke about your boss’s wallet."

After all, Song Hezhu’s golden rule was: Never fight with money.

Once rooms were assigned, everyone had an hour and a half to settle in before gathering in the living room for the team-building kickoff!

Song Hezhu announced, "Our motto is: All play, no work!!!"

Yang Yuxing added, "Our motto is: Drain the boss’s wallet!"

"You’re dead first!"

Song Hezhu grabbed Yang Yuxing by the neck, and they roughhoused. Lin Tingyue thought life couldn’t get better.

Just as everyone sat down, Qin Tiangong remembered something. "I need to call my girlfriend."

Song Hezhu, busy laying out the mahjong tiles, waved him off. "Go ahead."

A while later, Qin Tiangong returned from his call, and Xiao Hao came back from the restroom. The two were about to start gaming when several others expressed interest in joining.

Song Hezhu asked, "Qin, is your girlfriend really not coming?"

Qin Tiangong nodded. "She’s kinda shy, I guess."

Song Hezhu let it drop. "Alright then."

"Actually, his girlfriend is already here—right beside him."

Wait, what???

Qin Tiangong instinctively turned to his side, only to meet Xiao Hao’s panicked deer-in-headlights look.