Chapter 29: A Family of Double Standards

Hospital.

The doctor watched as a crowd of people swarmed around Lin Wan, unable to suppress a sense of silence. It was a strange coincidence; she was the same physician who had treated Lin Mo last time. When Lin Mo had come in, her head wound had been so deep that it required over twenty stitches. Yet, back then, the family had simply stood around and scolded her. Now, facing the same family with a different patient, their attitude was completely different.

Qin Lian demanded, "Doctor, you must treat my daughter well. She has never suffered any injuries since she was a child." She continued, "Can’t you prescribe some painkillers? She says she’s in so much pain. What is wrong with this hospital? Would it kill you to give her something for the pain?"

The doctor remained unmoved. "The patient only required four stitches. There is no need for painkillers."

Lin Qinglang spoke up rudely, "Four stitches! That’s four stitches on the back of her head! You aren't the one hurt, so of course you don't feel the pain. We aren't short on money—prescribe them now!"

Lin Wan’s eyes reddened, her voice trembling with a pathetic, whimpering quality. "Fifth Brother, it’s okay, I can endure it... It’s just that I keep feeling nauseous. It’s so uncomfortable." As she spoke, she clutched her chest, appearing fragile and delicate.

Qin Lian glared at the doctor. "My daughter says she’s suffering, and you keep insisting she’s fine. If anything happens to her, you’ll be the one losing your medical license."

The doctor said nothing.

"The attending physician already performed a full-body check-up; there is nothing wrong with her," the nurse nearby couldn't help but interject. "It must be purely psychological!"

"What are you saying?" Qin Lian wouldn't hear of it. She scoffed and turned to Lin Wan. "Wanwan, don't be afraid. Mom will arrange for you to be transferred to another hospital. This place is terrible! We’ll go to a better hospital; they will definitely find out what's wrong with you."

The nurse was livid. It was a minor injury, yet they were insisting on hospitalization, wasting a bed. If a top-tier tertiary hospital wasn't good enough, what were they going to do—go to the capital? Or perhaps abroad?

Lin Wan sniffled and wiped away tears. "Mom, don't go to the trouble, I’m fine. Maybe I was just terrified last night. It was so horrific... I lost so much blood..." She shed two more lines of tears. "I really thought I was going to die..."

Qin Lian’s heart ached for her. Lin Wan looked at her brothers surrounding her, and her mother’s expression of worry, and couldn't help but feel that this fall was well worth it. It was said that Lin Mo had even been harshly reprimanded by their mother. She feigned concern, "Mom, it was my own carelessness last night. Please, don't blame Mo-mo."

Qin Lian had intended to scold Lin Mo, but since the situation between Lin Mo and the President of Chuan Guang was still unclear, she didn't elaborate. "Wanwan, I gave her a piece of my mind last night. I will never let you be wronged."

Lin Wan frowned. "Mom, really, the relationship between Mo-mo and the family is already so tense. I’m afraid that if she gets angry, she’ll never come home again. I’m fine, but after all, she is a daughter of the Lin family... If she suffers out there, it will be you and Dad who feel the pain."

Qin Lian didn't care about Lin Mo at all. She snorted, "Fine, just leave it alone. I’ve already sent her a message telling her to agree to your nomination immediately."

Lin Wan sighed. "Alright then." She suddenly remembered something. "Brothers, please don't blame Mo-mo for this. She didn't mean it."

"You’re still thinking of her, even when she’s so vicious!" Lin Qinglang tucked the blanket around Lin Wan. "You little fool, focusing on your own recovery is what matters most. Don't worry about her. Even if you care about her, she won't necessarily be grateful. You were almost killed by her this time; don't ever go find her alone again. It’s too dangerous!"

Lin Wan lay back obediently, feeling a sense of peace seeing all five of her brothers by her bedside.

Mu Bai arrived shortly after. Lin Wan struggled to sit up. "Brother Mu Bai..."

Seeing Lin Wan’s fragile, breakable state, Mu Bai felt a sharp pang in his heart. "Wanwan, don't move. How did it get so serious? Lin Mo is truly heartless. If she weren't family, she ought to be in prison."

The lingering traces of sympathy Mu Bai had felt for Lin Mo due to previous misunderstandings vanished completely. He had known it—Lin Mo would eventually bring disaster to Wanwan.

"How could I bear to see her go to prison?" Lin Wan’s face was filled with sorrow. "Don't say such things. If you say that again... don't come to see me anymore."

Mu Bai’s heart softened. "Wanwan, you are truly foolish to still..." He sighed. He had made up his mind: he would break off his engagement with Lin Mo and pursue Lin Wan instead. How could he walk away from such a kind-hearted girl? "Wanwan, I will break off the engagement with Lin Mo as soon as possible. From now on, I will protect you and never let you suffer any harm again."

The nurse nearby frowned deeper and deeper. As she followed the doctor out of the room, she whispered, "Teacher, does she have a terminal illness? It was only four stitches—why is she acting like she’s on her deathbed? Patients coming off the operating table aren't this weak."

The doctor shook his head. "I don't understand it either, but let's not gossip about patients."

The nurse nodded. "I know, but they are just so bizarre. Those men are ridiculous, too; anyone who didn't know better would think the woman was terminally ill. Though, that girl’s acting is truly something else. We were nearly on the verge of losing our reputations just because her mother was cursing us out."

The doctor felt a headache coming on. There were weird people every year, but this family was a special case.

...

Lin Mo received notice from Mu Bai in the afternoon. She was sunbathing on the top floor of the Jiangshan Garden. A message popped up on her phone: he demanded she return everything from the engagement. The Mu family would announce the breakup publicly, and she was required to attend. It was scheduled for three days later.

Lin Mo twirled her phone. "A public breakup? Why on earth would I show up? How ridiculous." Lin Mo wasn't a fool; why would she go there to humiliate herself?

He Yue walked over. "Lin Mo, I’m going out to buy some fruit. Do you want to come for a walk? The President asked me to help you get used to the environment. You’ll likely be staying here for a long time, so it’s better to get familiar with the surroundings."

Lin Mo turned back. "Once I find a place to live..."

"Oh, hold on! You can tell that to the President; I’m only responsible for taking care of you," He Yue waved her hand. "And don't try to sneak off, or I’ll be finished. You wouldn't want to see me lose my job, right? Be a good girl and cooperate." He Yue smiled at her.

Lin Mo curled her lips. "Fine, but I’m not close with your President."

He Yue chuckled. Not close? That didn't matter. If the President wanted to pursue someone, failure wasn't in his vocabulary!

The two of them went downstairs. Just then, someone was walking a dog nearby. "Dr. He, you’re here! Is the President home?" A beautiful woman tossed her wavy hair. "Will he be back tonight?"

He Yue gave an awkward smile. This woman was a celebrity who lived in building ten of the Jiangshan Garden. The residents of this estate were all wealthy or powerful, and she often lingered around here, determined to throw herself at Weisheng Yan. He Yue found the constant pestering quite annoying.

"He will be back," He Yue said, struck by an idea. She turned and gestured toward Lin Mo. "The President is, of course, coming home to have dinner with our Miss Lin."

The beauty’s smile froze, and she looked Lin Mo up and down without any pretense of politeness. "Oh my, I thought this was just a cleaning girl. Why is she wearing cheap clothes from head to toe? Doesn't your President buy her anything better?"