Chapter 38: Relinquishing All Power

The family certainly possessed a remarkable stamina for walking. They had toured the entire campus of A University. Lin Mo was not entirely without use, though; whenever they took family photos, she served as the designated photographer.

Qin Lian looked at the photos with satisfaction. "These pictures of our family look wonderful. Wanwan, send them to me later; I’m going to post them to my social feed."

Lin Wan smiled and asked, "Mo-mo, do you want to be in one? I can take one for you, too."

"You can take it with your brothers."

Lin Jianchen scoffed and walked off first. "Who would take a picture with her? Bad luck."

Lin Tiancheng chuckled. "It’s alright. There will be plenty of opportunities for photos in the future. There’s no need to rush. Today is your day, Wanwan. Next time, when Mo-mo starts university, we can take photos at her school as well."

Lin Mo felt a sense of envy. She envied their ability to be so thick-skinned and speak such words with such composure. It was baffling. Was this not her school?

Qin Lian beckoned to them. "Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s go find a place to eat nearby."

By the time they returned home, it was past eight o'clock. Lin Mo was exhausted. Her phone had received several calls from her company. She sent a message to Lu Mingzhu asking for a few days off and then ignored the rest.

After she finished showering, Lin Tiancheng came to find her—a rare occurrence. "Mo-mo, come to my study."

Lin Mo looked at her father. "Oh."

Qin Lian and Lin Tiancheng were waiting for her in the study. As Lin Mo left her room, she saw Lin Wan drinking water in the hallway, wearing a mocking and malicious smile.

The study was quiet. Lin Tiancheng’s expression was grave. "Mo-mo, sit."

Lin Mo sat opposite them. Qin Lian closed the door. This was the first time the three of them had been alone together. Lin Mo looked at them—her parents in name only. She had once craved family affection, but she had since realized that not all parents love their daughters.

Lin Mo lowered her eyes. "You can say what you need to say."

Lin Tiancheng smiled and took a contract out of his drawer. "Take a look."

Qin Lian looked somewhat guilty. "You should already know what this is about. It’s just to put it down in writing, just in case you change your mind."

The contract was thin, only three pages long. The clauses were simple:

First, Lin Mo must forfeit her university admission spot to Lin Wan and keep the secret for life.

Second, Lin Mo must waive her right to inherit from the Lin family; any inheritance would be distributed according to their will after they passed away.

Third, starting the day after tomorrow, Lin Mo would head to the countryside and not return for a year.

In exchange, she would be compensated with 100,000 yuan.

"One hundred thousand yuan." Lin Mo laughed. Were they taking her for a fool? "I’m actually curious: what was your purpose in bringing me back? If you hadn't brought me back, you wouldn't have so much trouble now."

Qin Lian’s smile stiffened. At the time, she had felt that the daughter she had carried for ten months shouldn't be left in the countryside to benefit someone else, and there had been a sense of guilt. But over the eight months since bringing Lin Mo back, she had truly come to regret it. Lin Mo was simply a piece of trash that couldn't be molded. She felt annoyed just looking at her, let alone treating her like a daughter. That thin thread of biological connection was nothing compared to the eighteen years she had spent with Lin Wan.

"At the time, we were afraid you were suffering in the countryside," Qin Lian said. "This contract doesn't mean we don't want you anymore; it’s just to let you go back to the countryside to study and review. When you get such good grades again next year, you’ll still be our good daughter."

Lin Mo pursed her lips. "And what if I don't pass?"

Lin Tiancheng was silent for a moment. "We will try our best to arrange things properly. At the very least, we will ensure you have an education."

Lin Mo lowered her gaze. "I can agree to this, and I don't want a single cent."

Qin Lian was stunned. Was there such a good deal? Lin Tiancheng also looked at Lin Mo curiously. "If you are trying to get the university spot back, that is impossible, as you well know..." The couple watched her with guarded expressions. But to their surprise, Lin Mo’s request was simple.

Lin Mo shook her head. "I want to move my household registration out."

As soon as these words were spoken, the couple exchanged glances and fell silent.

Lin Mo added, "This will be convenient for both you and me." She looked up at them, her eyes devoid of sorrow or joy, as if she felt nothing at all. She was simply looking at two strangers. That gaze made it difficult for Lin Tiancheng to meet her eyes.

"I don't agree." Lin Tiancheng scoffed. "Your mother carried you for ten months and nearly lost her life in the process. Are you trying to cut ties with us? Let me tell you, don't even think about it. If you really want to break away from us, you’ll have to pay your mother back for your life!"

Lin Mo’s expression turned weary. They had no curiosity about her, yet they refused to let her move her registration. They were calculating quite craftily. Demanding she pay her mother back for her life—yet had her mother ever fulfilled a single duty or responsibility toward her?

Lin Mo sneered, "Then I won't sign the contract. Unless I die, I will not agree to waive my inheritance rights."

Qin Lian frowned. "Don't be stubborn, Lin Mo. Just sign it like a good girl; it’s better for everyone!"

"Why should I waive my inheritance rights?" Lin Mo asked, looking at Qin Lian with curiosity. "Legally, we are a family. Whatever Lin Wan inherits in the future, I should inherit the same..." She suddenly smiled. "No, I would definitely inherit more than her. After all, I am your biological daughter."

"Whether you sign this contract or not is up to you," Lin Mo said, her eyes deepening. "I don't care for this 100,000 yuan. Think it over carefully."

She left the study. Outside, Lin Wan had been waiting in secret. Seeing Lin Mo emerge, her expression was one of schadenfreude.

"Lin Mo..."

Lin Mo snapped, "Get lost."

"You!" Lin Wan was shoved and stumbled back, her spine hitting the wall—this time, she wasn't faking it. The glass of water in her hand spilled all over the floor. "Lin Mo, are you crazy? What happened? Why are you taking it out on me!"

Lin Mo paused. "If they don't agree, I won't just be taking it out on you. I will drag you down into hell with me!"

Lin Wan met Lin Mo’s cold gaze. A chill ran down her neck, and she hurriedly ducked into the study.

Lin Tiancheng had heard the exchange outside, and his face was darker than the bottom of a pot. "This Lin Mo is truly hopeless!"

Lin Wan frowned. "Mom, Dad, what happened? Mo-mo’s mental state doesn't look very good. She’s been wronged lately; why don't you try to accommodate her?"

"Accommodate her?" Qin Lian sighed. "But she wants to move her registration out!"

When Lin Wan heard this, she realized it was entirely to her advantage. If she didn't fan the flames, she would be a fool. "Mom, why don't you just agree for now? It’s just a temporary appeasement. If she really does something impulsive, it would truly ruin her life..." Lin Wan sighed. "I’m really afraid she’ll do something extreme, and then..."

Qin Lian looked at Lin Tiancheng. "That’s true. She wouldn't actually do something, would she? She already tried to kill Wanwan before; if she does it again..."

Lin Tiancheng thought about it and found the logic sound. If Lin Mo really did something foolish, how would he face people if word got out? But once the registration was moved, if there was ever a time they needed to leverage Lin Mo, wouldn't they lose their hold over her?

Lin Wan sighed again. "Dad, Mom, your biological connection won't change. Once Mo-mo thinks it through, she’ll still stay with the Lin family, just like before. You know how she feels about this home."

Lin Tiancheng frowned. The only change in moving the registration would be that Lin Mo would lose all rights to inheritance. Furthermore, she would unconditionally agree to the contract. He slapped his thigh. "Fine, then agree to her terms!"