Chapter 41 Chapter 41

Chapter 41

1

The warm, bright sunlight fell on Lin Chenxin's face, and for a moment she was dazed, thinking she was in a dream.

"Sister, sister."

It wasn't until a small, soft hand touched her face that she snapped back to reality, seeing her younger brother's little face, and her eyes instantly welled up.

"Chen'an!"

Her voice was hoarse, she pulled her little brother into her arms.

Little Chen'an had no idea what was going on, only sensing his sister's sorrow, and quickly patted her back with his tiny hands.

Lin Chenxin hugged her brother tightly, burying her face in his thin shoulder.

Maybe she'd learned to cry all over again.

Even though her eyes were puffy and stinging, tears still poured down in big drops.

She couldn't help but let out muffled sobs—a mix of joy at being reunited with family, an unspoken guilt, and the pain that was tearing her apart.

And after waking up, the pain only got worse.

But she didn't cry long before she asked urgently, "Where's Chenyi!"

"Sister."

A tiny voice came from the doorway.

She immediately turned her head and saw Chenyi, who looked even skinnier than Chen'an, being wheeled in.

She was frail, but her eyes were bright, and her spirits seemed good.

The nurse said with a smile, "Chenyi is recovering well, don't worry."

Lin Chenxin threw off the covers and got out of bed, but her legs gave out and she almost fell to her knees.

The nurse looked tense, but Lin Chenxin grabbed the nightstand and pulled herself up.

Truth be told, Lin Chenxin didn't look much better than Chenyi, who had just undergone major surgery.

Her face was pale, her lips bloodless, her puffy eyes full of tears, and she had lost a lot of weight.

"Chenyi."

She knelt before her sister, reaching out to gently touch her face, her eyes glistening with tears.

Chenyi pressed against her hand, giving her a smile that showed a cute little fang.

Her heart instantly eased.

The dizziness and weakness made her drop her head and shut her eyes.

The nurse watched her worriedly from behind.

"It's okay, it's okay," she whispered softly.

Then she lifted her head, looking at Chenyi with gentle eyes.

But Chenyi saw a broken sadness in Lin Chenxin's eyes.

—

Lin Chenxin was in the hospital for three days total.

Her body got a lot better, but she'd often stare silently at the peach tree outside the window, growing quieter and more withdrawn.

One day, someone was pruning the peach branches outside. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly opened the window and asked, "Why are you trimming the peach branches?"

The blooming season was over, and only a few flowers were left on the tree.

"A patient said they have bad hay fever, and this peach tree faces the ward window, so the director had the branches cut back."

Lin Chenxin's eyes went dim.

Maybe seeing how disappointed she was, the worker handed her a trimmed branch and said with a smile, "If you like it, you can have it. This one has the best flowers left."

She just stared blankly at the flowers and whispered, "Thank you."

The peach branch was full of leaves, with only a few scattered blossoms. Her eyes were empty, like she wasn't sure if she was looking at the flowers or seeing something else through them.

She tentatively reached out, but the second her fingers touched the branch, the petals fell right off.

The flowers had already withered.

Her heart seemed to sink into a void right then.

"Chenxin?"

She stared at the petals until someone called her name again. She snapped back to reality and turned to look at Doctor Jiang, who had come up beside her.

"You okay?"

She pulled her hand back, dropped her eyes, and said, "I'm okay."

Doctor Jiang didn't say much more, just glanced at the flowers she was holding and then at the pruned peach branches outside the window.

"Go take a walk."

Lin Chenxin froze for a moment, then looked up at Doctor Jiang.

"The weather's nice out. Go for a walk, see some friends." Doctor Jiang chuckled. "The hospital isn't a good place to stay. Staying here all day will make even a healthy person sick."

Lin Chenxin pursed her lips and let out a hoarse sound.

"Mm."

After a moment, her eyes brightened as she said, "I'm really fine. I'll get better."

Doctor Jiang nodded with a smile.

"I know."

—

Standing before the opulent clubhouse, Lin Chenxin glanced at the dazzling lights inside and stepped through the entrance.

When she saw her appear, Miss Liu’s eyes brightened, and she hurried over, saying, “Lin Chenxin, you’re here.”

“Mm.” She nodded.

Catching her expression, a flicker of concern crossed Miss Liu’s eyes as she leaned in and whispered, “Are you okay?”

“What’s wrong? I’m fine.” She smiled faintly.

Miss Liu tugged her sleeve, in a low voice. “Didn’t you hear? The Chen family’s in trouble. I heard Mr. Chen’s been taken in for questioning.”

Lin Chenxin’s eyes flickered.

She hadn’t known about that.

Miss Liu hesitated, tugging her sleeve again. “This whole thing’s pretty weird and sudden. If you and that eldest young master don’t have... much of a connection, maybe you should just get a divorce sooner rather than later...”

“Lin Chenxin!”

A sharp voice called out from behind, cutting Miss Liu short, though she didn’t let go of the sleeve.

A glint flickered in Lin Chenxin’s eyes as she looked up at Miss Liu and said, “Thank you. I’ve got it under control.”

Only then did Miss Liu let go of her sleeve.

Cheng Liao strode into the lobby, walking straight up to Lin Chenxin, his eyes burning as he looked at her.

“Lin Chenxin, long time no see.”

Cheng Liao had changed a lot.

Before, he had on dull glasses, wore his hair a bit long, dressed simply, and was shy and moody.

Today, he was wearing an expensive suit, with silver-rimmed glasses, his hair neatly combed, his manner confident and open—gone from a shy college kid to a social elite.

Lin Chenxin didn’t even blink as she nodded calmly. “Long time no see.”

Miss Liu clearly didn’t like Cheng Liao. Seeing that most people had arrived, she announced, “Let’s head to the private room.”

Everyone headed for the elevator. Cheng Liao tried to get to Lin Chenxin, but Miss Liu kept her close.

Soon, Cheng Liao, who’d fallen behind, was surrounded by others, all kissing up to him for his sudden success. He brushed them off impatiently.

He didn’t give a damn about these people anymore.

The private room was huge, set up by a few students from rich families, including Miss Liu.

Back in school, Lin Chenxin had mostly stuck to a routine of classes and part-time jobs, hardly knew her classmates. Afraid she might feel awkward, Miss Liu stuck by her.

Lin Chenxin thought it was kind of funny but went along with it.

She didn’t feel like chatting anyway.

Professor Yu didn’t come, so the classmates quickly fell into lively conversation.

Somehow, the conversation got around to Lin Chenxin.

Some said she’d secretly married into money, others claimed she was a kept woman, and even nastier rumors that she was involved in escort work.

Hearing that, Miss Liu snapped, “Hey, do you know you’re spreading lies!”

Surprisingly, someone stuck up for Lin Chenxin. The man, embarrassed at being called out, stiffened his neck and said, “I’m not wrong. Everyone knows her family was in debt, and her sister had surgery recently. She had no money—how was the surgery paid for? She got into an expensive car right in front of all of us. That’s a fact, not something I made up.”

“You’re just talking nonsense. Whether her sister’s surgery was paid for is none of your business, and what car she got into doesn’t concern you either. So what if I said I saw you going into a hotel with a middle-aged woman yesterday? I could claim you were up to no good!”

Miss Liu, despite her delicate appearance, turned out to be sharp-tongued.

The man’s face flushed red with anger. “That was my aunt yesterday!”

“Oh, who knows?” Miss Liu shrugged.

“You... it’s not just me saying this. Why are you picking on me? Him, her, him, and her all said it too!”

The man stomped his foot in frustration, pointing at each person in turn.

Those he pointed at wore increasingly sour expressions.

“But you’re the loudest,” Miss Liu pressed.

“I... I won’t argue with you!”

Not wanting to clash with Miss Liu, the man, still fuming, turned his anger on Lin Chenxin.

“Come on, you tell us—did you do escort work...”

Before he could finish, Cheng Liao charged forward.

A gasp went through the crowd, and the man looked stunned.

But just as Cheng Liao was about to throw a punch, a glass of wine was splashed over them, the cold liquid instantly cooling both Cheng Liao and the man.

With a clink, the glass was set down on the table, a sharp, commanding sound.

“I’m not an escort. Watch your mouth. And I don’t need you to stand up for me.”

With those last words, Lin Chenxin shot a sharp look at Cheng Liao.

Silence fell over the room. Both the man and Cheng Liao wore unpleasant expressions.

But since everyone present was now a respectable figure in society, especially under the public eye, no one went too far.

Someone stepped in to smooth things over. The man, still fuming, was taken to clean up, while Cheng Liao was pulled aside. Someone eagerly handed him a tissue, and a woman even offered to wipe his face.

Cheng Liao didn’t refuse, but his eyes stayed fixed on Lin Chenxin.

Miss Liu pulled Lin Chenxin closer, using her body to block Cheng Liao’s gaze, and whispered, “Stay away from Cheng Liao.”

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

From today’s display, Cheng Liao had indeed changed.

In the past, faced with such a situation, he would have just watched from the shadows. Now, he dared to act openly.

For a moment, even Lin Chenxin was taken aback by the hostility in his eyes.

Miss Liu frowned. “I heard he’s working for some shady big shot now. Nothing good. You know how it is—no matter how polished those rich people look, only they know the dirty secrets behind the scenes.”

Lin Chenxin smiled and said, "Aren't you supposed to be rich?"

Miss Liu shook her head. "I can't compare."

Her eyes flickered.

So that means Cheng Liao has some serious backing.

But that had nothing to do with her, either.

She lowered her lashes, keeping her face calm.

"Anyway, he's strutting around all high and mighty now, but it won't last long, if you ask me."

Guys like Cheng Liao are usually just small-time pawns who get tossed aside after they're used. For now, it's best to stay out of his way and not cause any trouble.

After a moment, Lin Chenxin asked, "Why are you helping me so much?"

Miss Liu blinked her big eyes and said, "Since I know your secret and promised to keep it, that makes us friends. Of course, I have to look out for you."

Lin Chenxin looked surprised for a moment.