Chapter 10: Forever Deprived of Brother's Love

"Could you please leave her out of this romantic moment?"

"Honestly, it’s quite off-putting."

Lin Wan feigned shock. "Mo-mo, don't misunderstand. We spent all night looking for you."

"I'm just glad you're safe. Why didn't you answer your phone? You had us worried sick..." Lin Wan’s face was filled with concern, as if she truly meant it.

"Oh? Where did you look for me? Don't tell me you went looking for me in bed?"

Mu Bai frowned. "Lin Mo, don't be so disgusting. Do you think everyone is as cheap as you? You spent last night with that man, didn't you? You truly have no sense of shame!"

Lin Mo couldn't be bothered to explain. "Yeah, sure, whatever you say."

"You two are the same, anyway. You've both changed your clothes—don't treat others like fools, okay?" Lin Mo gave a mocking laugh.

Lin Wan tugged at her clothes, intentionally revealing some red marks on her neck. "It’s a misunderstanding..."

Mu Bai stepped in to defend her. "I don't have time to argue with you. Wan-wan and I are perfectly innocent; it’s not your place to point fingers!"

Lin Mo’s smile didn't reach her eyes as she shrugged. "Of course."

"Whatever dramatic, unforgettable performance you two are putting on, it has nothing to do with me."

Lin Wan had expected Lin Mo to be weeping and wailing; this reaction was rather boring.

The three of them entered the house. Qin Lian was waiting in the living room. Seeing Lin Wan return, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Wan-wan, I noticed you were gone this morning and thought something had happened to you."

"Mom..."

Mu Bai interrupted. "Auntie, I asked Wan-wan to accompany me to look for Mo-mo yesterday."

"It was too late to disturb you both, so we didn't mention it."

Hearing this, Qin Lian glared at Lin Mo. "Can you stop making people worry for once?"

"Your sister is already under so much pressure, and you made her spend all night searching for you! You really are a heartless, ungrateful wretch!"

Lin Wan sighed hurriedly. "Mom, don't blame Mo-mo. As long as she’s back safely, that’s all that matters." She frowned, hesitating. "It’s just... that man Mo-mo spent the night with..."

"Mo-mo, why don't you be honest with Mom? Don't let yourself be deceived by men out there."

"What? She spent the night with a man?" Qin Lian’s face turned as dark as a pot. This was happening right in front of Mu Bai! Wasn't this cuckolding him?

The Mu family was a powerhouse with assets worth over a hundred million. Compared to their own family’s tens of millions, they were lucky to be associated with them at all. Now, Lin Mo wasn't just failing to cherish this marriage; she was actively sabotaging it. Wouldn't this bring shame upon them? Wan-wan’s reputation would be dragged through the mud because of this.

"Lin Mo, how can you be so cheap? Can’t you control yourself?"

"Young Master Mu, please don't be angry. I will definitely get to the bottom of this. I’m sure there’s some misunderstanding..."

Mu Bai raised a hand. "Auntie, I won't hold the Lin family responsible. This is Lin Mo’s personal conduct."

"However, the Mu family cannot accept such a fickle woman. I hope you understand."

Qin Lian’s heart sank; she felt a pang of agony. Her golden son-in-law was flying away.

"Young Master Mu..."

"I have only two conditions. First, we are calling off the engagement."

"Second..." Mu Bai looked at Lin Mo. "Since you cheated first, I want you to apologize to the Mu family in public and admit your own indiscretion when we break it off."

"Only then will people know this wasn't the Mu family's fault."

A mocking smile played on Lin Mo’s lips. Admit she was indiscreet? That would destroy her reputation entirely. She looked at Mu Bai, thinking that the one who was truly indiscreet was someone else, yet he had the audacity to...

"Young Master Mu, you really are... lenient with yourself and strict with others."

Mu Bai had no shred of affection left. After the night that had passed, he had clearly made up his mind. Lin Mo used to be obedient, which was fine, and his family was satisfied that she was the Lin family’s biological daughter. That was the only reason for this engagement. He had to admit, Lin Mo was beautiful and clever. He could have settled for her before, but now that she was "second-hand," he wouldn't have her. He found her dirty.

"You must agree."

Qin Lian realized the gravity of the situation.

Lin Wan frowned. "Brother Mu Bai, you can't do this. What about Mo-mo's reputation?"

"Even though she shouldn't have found a man outside, surely..."

"She must have just been confused and led astray by someone."

Mu Bai replied, "I won't change my mind."

With that, Mu Bai left the Lin residence.

Qin Lian looked at Lin Mo with pure disgust. "Can't you learn from your sister? Look at you! You’re so young, yet you’re already this shameless!"

Lin Mo scoffed. "Learn what from her? To spend the night with my brother-in-law and wear his clothes?"

Ignoring them, Lin Mo headed upstairs to sleep.

Qin Lian refused to see any fault in Lin Wan. There must have been some minor incident that forced Wan-wan to do that! After all, Wan-wan was pure and innocent, obedient since childhood—naturally, she was different from someone like Lin Mo, who had come from the countryside.

"Mom, let me explain, it rained last night... that's why my clothes got dirty."

"Wan-wan, Mom believes you. It’s just... your sister is beyond saving."

"Once she signs the contract and gives the spot to you, we’ll send her back to the countryside. It will stop her from ruining our family’s reputation further."

"Oh? Mom, is that really okay?" Lin Wan pretended to be conflicted. "If my sister goes to the countryside, will she have to spend her whole life there?"

"No, I’m just worried she’ll keep causing trouble. Once your matters are settled and your marriage is confirmed, we’ll allow her to return." Qin Lian was always considering Lin Wan’s interests. If Lin Mo ruined Lin Wan’s bright future, it would be intolerable.

How could a biological child compare to one she had raised? She had eighteen years of history with Lin Wan, a child she had brought up with her own hands. Lin Mo, by contrast, was only eight months of history, and she was always causing trouble. To Qin Lian, she was just an annoying stranger she was forced to be responsible for.

Lin Mo slept soundly until she was awakened by a phone call. It was past 3:00 PM.

She rubbed her forehead and sat up. "Grandpa? Why are you calling me?"

"Mo-mo, why did you send Grandpa so much money? You need to study, you need tuition fees," Liu Fugui’s voice crackled with disapproval. "Wait until you’ve succeeded in your studies, then you can show filial piety to me."

"Your parents favor Wan-wan more; you need to be more independent in your daily life..."

"Grandpa has already transferred the money back to you."

Lin Mo felt a pang of heartache hearing this. But when she remembered that her own part-time earnings had been swallowed by her father, her anger surged to her throat.

She took a few deep breaths and softened her tone. "Grandpa, just keep it. I have my own money."

"That’s for your medical treatment. Please go to the hospital for a check-up. When I graduate, I need you to be healthy so I can take care of you."

"Don't make me worry."

After talking for a while, she finally convinced Liu Fugui.

She washed her face and headed out. Lin Wan was in the hallway. Unlike Lin Mo, who wore cheap, off-the-rack clothing, Lin Wan was dressed in designer labels worth over ten thousand. Around her neck, she intentionally wore the 180,000-dollar necklace Mu Bai had given her. Under the chandelier's light, she looked noble and beautiful.

"Lin Mo, you country bumpkin, you really shouldn't have come back."

"What can you prove by coming back?"

"So what if I’m not the biological daughter? I am the true eldest daughter of the Lin family."

"And you? You’re just a hanger-on living under someone else's roof. You will never receive the love of our parents or our five brothers..."