on, Nan Nan. Why are you still holding onto it! Nan Nan has been sent away and will never see you again. What use are those photos to you! Please give them back to us, Mengmeng. We beg you!""I don't..."Long time no see!"
Lin Zi stood proudly before Lin Meng, gracefully reaching out to take the tray from his hands.
"How could this happen!"
She pouted, as if she and Lin Meng were close confidantes, as if these four years had never separated them in the slightest! But, had they ever been intimate Had they ever shared feelings
Just as the tray was about to be pulled away by Lin Zi, Lin Meng gathered her composure, tightened her grip, held onto the tray, and politely refused.
"No need, I'll do it!"
She doesn't need her help, four years ago it was like this, and four years later, it's still the same!
Lin Zi was a little surprised by Lin Meng's assertiveness, but when she thought about Lin Meng's current status today, she felt that it was understandable for Lin Meng to become this way. If she had replaced everything Lin Meng possessed today, she would also have such arrogant capital.
Lin Meng whispered, "Wait a moment," then turned back to the kitchen and carried the tray with the dishes into the sink. As she slowly washed her slightly soiled hands with soap, the turmoil in Lin Meng's heart gradually subsided!
What is she afraid of! What is she panicking about!
She's no longer the penniless Lin Meng she used to be! Four years ago, she cut ties with her family. So what does she have to fear Today, everything she possesses is a result of her hard work, earned fairly and honestly. What does she have to fear!
No matter what her reason, Lin Zi stands firm against any attack, like a wall of steel.
Si Ding's lips curled into a faint smile, one tinged with both determination and confidence.
"Let's talk privately!"
When faced with Lin Zi again, she also became poised and confident.
Fang Meijia, like a child, began to clamor and rudely interjected: "Hey, Lin Zi, you know Lin Meng!"
After her words fell, Fang Meijia suddenly paused!
Lin Tzu!
Lin Meng!
All the same surname, Lin! This――
Lin Zi merely nodded, for Lin Meng had already headed towards the small study on one side. She could only hurry after him. After all, her main purpose for this trip was for Lin Meng!
As soon as the door to the study closed, Lin Zi picked up a chair and sat down on her own, as if she were the mistress of this house. Lin Meng also followed suit and sat down, quietly watching Lin Zi with her eyes.
Compared to four years ago, this woman is clearly much more beautiful. Back then, she would only put on light makeup at most, and her small face looked plain and innocent, dressed like a student. Now, all kinds of cosmetics have been applied to her face, making her look glamorous. Coupled with her stylish and avant-garde outfit, she looks like a model in an advertisement. She was already pretty, but with these makeup enhancements, she is now truly a beauty!
He deliberately didn't inquire about Lin Zi and their news. Lin Meng just thought it was a thing of the past, but unexpectedly, in this vast sea of people, they bumped into each other!
Lin Zi retracted her gaze from surveying the small study and looked at Lin Meng, saying with a light teasing tone, "It seems like you're doing well!"
Lin Meng smiled. “You look pretty good too!”
Lin Zi started to sneer. "It's just superficial gloss, how can it be considered good!"
Lin Meng was silent.
Lin Zi also fell silent, but her eyes stared fixedly at Lin Meng. After a long while, seeing that Lin Meng still said nothing, she had to speak first.
"Don't you ask Dad!"
"Oh, how is he!"
"Lin Meng, you seem so cold!" Lin Zi sneered again. "Do I have to remind you You'd only ask then! It truly proves the old saying, once someone becomes successful, they forget their old friends!"
Lin Meng slowly lowered her eyes, and when Lin Zi thought this time Lin Meng should feel ashamed and uneasy, Lin Meng lifted her head instead and responded with a faint smile.
“I think you haven't forgotten that four years ago, I was no longer a member of the Lin family. So, some things don't need me to be overly enthusiastic!”
Lin Zi's heart pounded, but her face showed no sign of it. She had climbed to this position today, and while she wasn't exactly an expert at controlling her facial expressions, she could still manage them well enough.
“You’re saying these words It chills me to the bone!” She stopped smiling, her voice turning cold. Without waiting for Lin Meng to retort, she continued, “Do you think by throwing a few million at your father, you can pretend our parent-child relationship doesn’t exist! In this world, is family love something that can be measured in money! And besides, your father hasn't even touched a single cent of your money! You think you've paid it back Have you truly repaid what you owe!”
Lin Meng slightly frowned, her dark eyes looking at Lin Zi with a hint of coldness.
Lin Tzu-chi was fortunate that she had access to some information about Lin Meng before the competition. Otherwise, with this level of play from Lin Meng, she feared she wouldn't have been able to win in the first round.
"Over these past four years, there have been some changes in our family that you might be interested to hear about!"
Although she phrased it as a question, she didn't give Lin Meng any chance to refuse. Immediately, with a self-deprecating tone, she continued, "You leaving was truly good. Clean and simple, you didn't have to worry about this family anymore. Look at you now, you're living so comfortably. It's nothing like us, we're exhausted every day like dogs, always looking at people's faces, just begging for a bite to eat!"
You threw that money away, thinking you had cut off ties with me completely, but Dad wouldn't be so heartless. He would never just pretend you didn't exist as his daughter. When you suddenly disappeared, Dad went to great lengths to find you. He spent a fortune and neglected the company, handing over full control to your brother. Your brother isn't cut out for business; he has a bunch of irresponsible friends, and before long, they led him into gambling. He became addicted and ended up losing all our family money, even Dad's company. Dad had suffered a brain hemorrhage on a construction site years ago when he was hit by falling materials. There were still blood clots in his brain. The doctors warned him not to get angry and to take it easy. But finding you took its toll on him emotionally, then your brother betrayed him. That caused Dad to faint on the spot. He had to be rushed to the hospital, where he miraculously survived, but he developed Alzheimer's disease as a result.
Without the father at home to be the head of the household, chaos immediately ensued. Those who were owed money and those who had paid for houses but hadn't received them came to the house every day to make a ruckus.
You, of course, are fine. You hid away. All these disgusting things at home didn't fall on you. Mom is already old and has no way to make money; Dad is the way he is, and I still have to pour money into him. As for my brother, don't even expect anything from him. In the end, all this mess of debt fell onto me alone. But at that time, I was still a student, a student who had been advised to leave school. Where should I go to get money!
"Lin Meng," Lin Zi sneered, raising her voice, "Haven't you seen me all these years Haven't you seen any news about me!"
Lin Meng frowned. She had no idea about the situation at home, nor could she imagine it. When she left, she left a few million yuan, plus her father's ongoing construction project, which was enough to ensure the family's basic needs. But now Lin Zi said they were being chased for debts, she found it too unbelievable!
Isn't this "impermanence of life"!
Lin Zi looked at Lin Meng like that, she suddenly chuckled and reached into her bag to pull out a pack of cigarettes. She took one out, gracefully pulled out a lighter, lit it, and placed it in her mouth, taking a long drag.
Lin Meng frowned again.
Linda's red lips parted slightly, taking the cigarette from her mouth.
"Don't mind, do you" she asked, though without much conviction. With her crimson nails expertly manicured and a cigarette poised between her fingers, there was an air of decadent extravagance about her.
Lin Mengqiang endured, shaking his head. He sensed that Lin Zi's appearance was enveloped by some kind of oppressive thing, as if she needed to be released, otherwise, it seemed like she was about to explode.
Lin Zi took another hard drag of her cigarette, expertly exhaling two rings of smoke after which her bright red lips curled up in a sneer, her face full of disdain.
“Who would have thought that the online video, which I once despised so much, would eventually become a lifeline for this family. Hehe, you probably didn't expect it either. Back then, thanks to you, all my prospects were ruined. I spent my days like a mouse hiding in a sewer, truly hating you to death."
It was at the last moment, thanks to this video, that I finally found my way here!
Oh, by the way, Fang Meijia said that you'd been abroad before and only just returned. She mentioned the name Lin Meng before, and I wasn't really sure if it was you, after all, you've disappeared for so many years... I came with a glimmer of hope, and surprisingly, it really is you! If that's the case, you probably don't even know me anymore. Guess my current profession!
Lin Meng shook her head, not interested in playing this guessing game with Lin Zi.
"You're so boring!" Lin Zi took another puff of her cigarette and smirked. "What else can I do I'm ruined, my reputation is in tatters. Besides avoiding those sleazy gigs, the only option left is to film. Isn't it ironic The director chose me because that old internet video of mine went viral and got me some notoriety, a small amount of fame. I guess people will watch because I'm somewhat known. Of course—" she flicked ash from her cigarette, a sly smile on her lips — "the films I can get are only slightly better than those XXX movies. They all require nudity, but not full-on stripping. Does that make you feel better"
Lin Meng's lips moved slightly, and finally opened her mouth. "No!"
Lin Zi's eyes were sparkling, and she smiled shyly.
"Between sisters, there's no need to be so fake! If you have it, then you have it. I'm really thick-skinned now and can handle any blow!"
"No!" Lin Meng raised her voice slightly, calmly repeating herself.
Lin Zi finally stopped laughing, looked at Lin Meng, and seemed a little surprised. Then she angrily snapped off her cigarette and continued speaking to herself.
“From now on, things will remain the same. I take jobs, receive a certain amount of pay, and then use it to repay my family's debts. This cycle has been going on for four years. Now, besides the gradually decreasing debt at home, my only achievement is that I have gained some fame. There are roles that require me to expose myself, and I now have the right to choose. Occasionally, I can even play a small supporting role in a movie with first- or second-line stars for a few minutes. So, if you have the chance, you might still see me on screen!”
This is a tragic play!
It seems that since Lin Meng left the Lin family, Lin Zi has fallen into a melodrama. Her experience is one that deserves sympathy, and Lin Meng is no exception. But sympathy aside, Lin Meng will not forget all the cruel things Lin Zi did to her back then!
So, after Lin Zi finished speaking, she remained silent, simply sitting there.
This silence brought a mocking smile to Lin Zi's face.
"Don't you have something to say!"
Lin Meng retorted, "What do you think I should say!"
You look so apathetic, it's heartbreaking!
"I told you, four years ago, I was no longer a member of the Lin family!"
“This is impossible!” Lin Zi glared at her. “Our family has fallen to this state, and you have to take some responsibility. If Dad hadn't been so focused on bringing you back, he wouldn't have given the company to your brother, nor would he have allowed him to squander Dad’s assets and rack up a mountain of gambling debts. Dad was driven to despair by your brother, but his brain hemorrhage also had something to do with you. As for me, I don’t even need to mention it – the video incident ruined my reputation, all because of you. After that, you and your brother left us to clean up the mess, and now you're expecting me to handle everything! It's unfair! You are a daughter of the Lin family; you have the obligation to shoulder the family’s debt!”
"Anything that needed to be paid back, I already did four years ago. That online video back then was your own doing, and had nothing to do with me!" Lin Meng raised an eyebrow, her voice cold.
"Irrelevant!"
Lin Zi suddenly burst into a hearty laugh. Her slender fingers reached into the bag she carried, pulled out a piece of paper, and placed it on Lin Meng's body.
“Look for yourself! If you hadn't left that bottle of juice in Dad's car back then, I wouldn't have gone through all of that! Here's the lab report from that bottle of juice. Take a good look at it yourself! My entire life is ruined because of this paper, so I've been carrying this with me ever since!”
Lin Meng did not look at the report, but gently swept the paper aside.
"I didn't do it, and I won't take the blame. Our feud ended four years ago. Didn't you get your revenge back then"
Speaking of this, Lin Meng's eyes sharpened slightly!
Despite being an actress for four years, Lin Zi didn't seem nervous at all. She wasn't showing any emotions and just kept laughing mockingly.
"Who is who, only you know in your heart. Lin Meng, just remember this, that bottle of juice came from your hand. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gone through those things, and there wouldn't have been all the mess that followed!"
This is forcing Lin Meng to confess, making her feel more guilty. But, Lin Meng isn't the same as she was four years ago!
"I don't want to talk about the past anymore, say what you will!" She remained calm and collected, not giving an inch.
Lin Zi secretly hated it in her heart, but she said it very crisply.
"Alright, let's not dwell on the past. We are both adults and sisters. Let's just forget about those old things. Now, let's talk about Dad. He's suffering from dementia and incontinence now. The yearly care costs are significant, and we need someone to look after him full-time. What are you planning to do Are you just going to ignore Dad Disown him"
Let me make things clear first, back then, your father didn't spend a single cent of that money. It was all squandered by your brother. So, your idea of "repaying the debt and cutting ties with your father" doesn't hold water at all. Now look where your father is! You, his own daughter, are ignoring him completely. This wouldn't even stand up in court.
Of course, Dad loves you. Even if he's senile now, following what he wanted back then to get your spirit back up, I can't allow myself to actually sue you! I don't have any other demands right now, but for taking care of Dad, you must take part! You are his daughter, the necessary contributions, it shouldn't be that different, right
Lin Zi's words were indeed sharp, bringing up Lin Bao as an example was indeed a hit to Lin Meng's weak spot.
In that household, Lin Meng's closest companion was Lin Bao. Therefore, when Lin Bao asked her to accompany Rong Ling, she went along. Lin Bao also took her to entertain guests, and she attended those as well. Under the circumstances at the time, being pressured by Lin Bao, her heart gradually turned cold. Disappointed, she declared an end to their relationship and stated, "I will never come back to this house," but her father was ultimately still her father. So, Rong Sanbo used Lin Bao as leverage against Lin Meng, leaving Lin Meng with no choice but to comply. She hadn't expected that after she left, Lin Bao would seek her out, and subsequently, those things would happen.
In her eyes, her father was tall and capable. He went from a simple farmer to the final foreman, builder, and even started his own company. She could feel the resilience and tenacity in him. She couldn't imagine that such a capable person would eventually suffer from dementia, become bedridden, and need others to care for him. It felt like a nightmare. She had hated Lin Bao, but she never thought of bringing such misfortune upon him.
She panicked, and beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead!
Blood is thicker than water, she couldn't ignore her father!
She softened her heart. Some things are impossible to make her heart as hard as iron!
"If you have time, go see your dad. He'd be absolutely thrilled to see you if he hasn't gotten senile!"
Lin Zi threw over a sticky note with an address written in black on it, including a phone number.
That's the address of the nursing home where Dad is. Here's my phone number, give me a call if anything happens.
After a moment's pause, she added, "I believe you were as surprised to see me as I was to see you. Or perhaps even a little disgusted. So, I won't stay long. I need to go back and process the shock of seeing you!"
Over the past four years, Lin Zi seems to have become extraordinarily pragmatic. Her speech often carries a self-deprecating tone, with hints of cynicism and world-weariness!
Such a graceful posture, it feels better than four years ago!
Lin Meng this time did not push away the paper, but reached out, pinching that tiny note tightly, so tightly that her fingers began to show white!
Lin Zi walked out, but Lin Meng didn't move. She needed time to digest the shock Lin Zi had brought her. She needed to figure out whether the mocking words Lin Zi said held any truth. She needed to think carefully about how she should face her former family!
She had made up her mind, even feeling light and carefree, believing she owed the Lin family nothing more and needn't worry about them again. However, Lin Bao's transformation and circumstances, as well as Lin Zi's situation, felt like a new net being spread before her once more.
She needs to think about it, really think about it!
She collapsed onto the sofa, exhaustion pulling at her limbs. She clutched the note in her hand, its message seemingly pointing to a sanatorium in the suburbs. Her nerves buzzed erratically, throbbing behind her eyes with each beat of her pulse. A dull ache pulsed through her head.Her growling stomach tightened, reminding her of her own neglect. It urged her to eat something, anything, but she was too weary, too content to remain still.
Reuniting with the Lin family gave her a strange feeling of pressure, weighing heavily on her heart!
Chaos!
It's so chaotic!
With her eyes closed and brows furrowed, a jumble of thoughts danced in her mind. Finally, overwhelmed, she drifted off to sleep as if escaping.
When阮承輝 pushed open the door, he saw a painting of a "beauty with furrowed brows." A woman's face, as white as porcelain, creased with a blue-smoke colored beauty, causing him to marvel at the wonder of creation once more! His eyes flickered, and as if possessed, he gently closed the door. Then, light on his feet, he approached her, squatting beside her as if entranced.
She seemed to be asleep, but in her dreams, something seemed to be bothering her, making her brow furrowed and never relaxed. Her bright red lips were also tightly pressed together, and on her incredibly delicate face, a faint trace of sadness could be seen.
What could possibly have changed her so much!
What did that Lin Zi say to her! What is her relationship with Lin Meng!
阮承輝 was called back by Fang Meijia, who said she wanted to introduce a friend to him. The lights came on, and the friends Ruan Chenghui had before seemed like nothing had happened as they gathered around him. After this series of drastic changes, Ruan Chenghui understood the impermanence of the world and the nature of relationships based on interests. Therefore, he did not push these friends away with aloofness or resentment, but would occasionally make time to deal with them. However, asking him to give his heart was absolutely impossible.
Nguyen Cheng Huy has many friends and a diverse social circle, so people often ask him for help!
Fang Meijia majors in performance. She said she wanted to introduce a friend, nine out of ten it was her classmate. It's estimated that she wants to follow his path, get close to good directors, and get good roles. This kind of thing, Ruan Chengrui had encountered before. Since Fang Meijia opened her mouth, he came back, intending to see what her friend looked like!
But I didn't expect it to be Lin Zi!
阮承輝 knows 林姿, an unknown third-rate actress who initially rose to fame through physical means. Back when Guangda was still thriving, Ruan Chenghui was considered the golden son-in-law by everyone, with many female stars vying for his attention. He enjoys women and didn't refuse most of the women who threw themselves at him. Women sought money and power from him, while he demanded their bodies. It was a mutually beneficial transaction; you give, I take. Once the deal was done, they parted ways. It was straightforward and nothing worth paying special attention to.
Lin Tzu and Ruan Cheng-hui knew each other several years ago. She is a woman with ambition and cunning. You can see her abilities from the fact that she went from being just a bit player in some TV series to now running around behind some big stars and occasionally getting small supporting roles in their productions.
This is a beautiful woman, young and tender. She should be a good bed partner. However,阮承輝 wasn't short of pretty bed partners at the time, so he didn't make a move on 林姿. Besides, he thought she was a bit dirty and wasn't very willing to touch her, even though she was beautiful; even though back then, he only had to flick his finger and 林姿 would happily come over.
Of course, all of that is ancient history!
Nuan Cheng Hui was curious, how could a woman like that be connected to Lin Meng! What he cared about most now was what she had said to Lin Meng, making Lin Meng look so troubled!
It seems necessary to ask Fang Meijia, and it's also inevitable to check on Lin Zi!
This is his wife from the Ruan family. One cannot just let outsiders bully her!
阮承輝 narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them. But when he saw Lin Meng's sleeping face, his expression softened. Reaching out, he acted as if bewitched, his long fingers tracing the lines of Lin Meng's furrowed brows through the air, lightly sketching over them. However, this only moved a layer of air at most; Lin Meng's eyebrows remained tightly creased.
阮 Cheng-hui furrowed his brow, his gaze fixed on her eyebrows. He felt a twinge of annoyance, but then he was drawn to her pale pink lips. Lin Meng was very fair, like she was carved from jade. So against this backdrop of whiteness, her eyebrows looked jet black, like ink, and her lips were rosy red, like cherries. Every detail that differed from white emanated a unique allure, captivating him involuntarily, stirring something within him.
My heart pounded for a moment, then jumped twice in quick succession!
Ruan Chenghui stared at those lips, as tender as if they were frozen. His jet-black eyes slowly steamed up and gradually became scorching hot. Uncontrollably, he lowered his head, slowly, inch by inch, leaning towards her small mouth.
So close, so close, it seemed like just one more move and he could press his lips against that soft little mouth. For a moment, he felt like he was already smelling the fragrance of flowers, her breath exhaling like a bloom.
His lips were just about to touch hers when the door creaked open with an incredibly sharp sound!
He was shocked, as if he had been caught stealing. He quickly looked up and jerked his body back. He exerted too much force and lost his balance, falling backward onto the ground. This only made things worse, exposing him further. It fell into Ruan Chengyi's eyes. Some things could no longer be concealed.
Ru Chengyi's eyes sharpened suddenly. He strode towards Ru Chenhui, then bent down and grabbed him with a sudden force, pulling him hard up from the ground.
"Come with me!" His voice was stern, brooking no refusal. However, he lowered his voice because he had noticed that Lin Meng was asleep.
Nuan Chenghui's heart was in turmoil. His handsome face, rare for him, flushed red, like a child caught doing something wrong by their elder, meekly pulled out by Nuan Chuyi!became unbearably hot, as if it were a volcano.Outside the private room, there was utter silence. Gu Jianxi's face was pale as earth.The woman's moans and the man's grunts, like a fierce storm, burst...