Chapter 4: A Mother's Favoritism

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Qin Lian stared at Lin Mo in disbelief, speechless for a long while. Was Lin Mo mad? How dare she speak to her like that? Qin Lian felt a surge of irritation. By the time she hurried after her, Lin Mo had already taken people down the elevator.

“Really, just seeing Lin Mo makes me angry,” she muttered, pounding the elevator door in frustration, then growing worried. “She’s delaying the important matters again. It’s already August. If things aren’t settled soon, what will happen to Wanwan’s schooling?”

“Wanwan has always had smooth sailing in life. If she can’t get into a top university, she won’t be able to accept it,” Qin Lian thought. These past few days, Lin Mo had been stubborn as if impervious to anything. She figured she’d wait until Lin Mo was discharged before putting pressure on her again.

She didn’t believe that a mere eighteen-year-old could be rebellious to such an extent. Sooner or later, she would comply obediently. “I’ll leave her to cool off for a few days; she’ll surely listen to my plans then.”

“She’s never refused my requests before. At most, she’ll just be stubborn for a few days this time,” Qin Lian thought as she stepped into the elevator in her Chanel heels, already convinced that Lin Mo would yield.

She took out her phone and began instructing her assistant to prepare everything for Lin Wan to attend university. “After all, Wanwan is going to the very top school. Everything must be impeccable.”

“Even her clothes and accessories must be expensive, so no one looks down on us.”

“Since she’s a top student, her daily necessities and skincare products all have to be imported...” Qin Lian mused with interest. “It’d be best to get Wanwan a fifty-thousand-yuan car to make commuting easier. With that, she definitely can’t stay in a dormitory...”

Just this plan alone would cost over six hundred thousand yuan before the new semester began. She sighed, “Raising a child really costs money, but that’s how it is with daughters.”

She got into her car, almost forgetting that Lin Mo had been relying on poverty subsidies for months, working part-time on weekends to earn living expenses.

As for the thousand yuan monthly allowance the Lin family gave Lin Mo, she sent it intact to her grandparents.

But Qin Lian had no intention of associating with those rural folks. That small sum wasn’t even enough to cover a single piano lesson for Wanwan, so she spent it carelessly. As for life-saving money, it had nothing to do with her.

Those two country elders must not be allowed to latch onto the Lin family! Otherwise, they’d be like sticky candy—impossible to shake off.

On the way out of the hospital...

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The elderly couple were uneasy.

Li Guihua said, “Mo Mo, we shouldn’t have come. Don’t worry about us. Hurry back and apologize to your mother.”

Liu Fugui added, “Yes, there’s no lasting grudge between mother and daughter. You should go back soon. Your mother won’t blame you.”

“Besides, we know the way. We’ll head to the bus station and go home. The chickens and ducks need tending.”

Lin Mo said, “Grandpa, Grandma, you are my true family. As for the Lin family, I don’t mind them.”

“Mo Mo, you can’t say that. You were born from your mother’s womb,” Li Guihua urged gently, her face full of kindness. “Though your mother speaks harshly, there’s no mother in this world who doesn’t love her children.”

“Oh, we’ll talk again in a few days,” Lin Mo said casually, her indifferent attitude lightening their hearts considerably.

They had just sat down in a restaurant when Lin Mo’s fiancé, Mu Bai, who had betrayed her when she was down, called.

Lin Mo’s eyes darkened as she recalled the bitter words he had said when exposing her. A chill ran through her heart. Four years of feelings had turned out to be a joke.

She tightened her expression and answered the phone. “What do you want?”

“Mo Mo, when will you be discharged? I’ll drive to pick you up,” Mu Bai’s tone was extremely gentle. “By the way, I specially prepared a graduation gift for you. You’ll definitely like it.”

Lin Mo remembered how she had once been deeply moved by Mu Bai’s small acts of kindness. She sneered bitterly. “We’ll see when the time comes.”

“I’m busy now, I’m hanging up.”

Mu Bai was surprised. “Mo Mo, don’t you always complain that I don’t have time for you? You…”

Lin Mo had already turned off her phone.

After the meal, at Lin Mo’s insistence, she left her number with the elderly couple for easy contact and personally saw them off to the station.

The old couple were deeply moved, realizing their granddaughter was still as thoughtful and considerate as ever.

In the following days, no one from the Lin family came to visit Lin Mo at the hospital, as if she didn’t even exist.

A few days later, Lin Mo was discharged, and only the butler came to pick her up.

“Second Miss, the First Miss has been in a bad mood these days.”

“Master, Madam, and the Young Master have all gone to the nearby villa for summer vacation.”

“Do you want me to contact Madam to send you there as well?”

Lin Mo sneered, “No need.”

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Since they hadn’t informed her, she certainly wouldn’t be so tactless as to tag along.

What was the point of her joining their family gathering?

Back home, Lin Mo looked around the large house.

On the table were seven matching water cups, all in the pale blue favored by Lin Wan, but each with a different pattern.

It was a symbol of their family’s unspoken agreement.

“Miss, you must be thirsty. Here, have some water,” Aunt Zhao brought a disposable cup of warm water. “You just got out of the hospital; it’s better to drink something warm.”

Lin Mo looked at Aunt Zhao, the only person in the household who treated her kindly.

“Thank you, Aunt Zhao.”

“You’re welcome. What would you like to eat tonight? I can cook for you. How about some chicken soup to nourish your body?”

Aunt Zhao genuinely cared for Lin Mo.

Although the First Miss was loved by the entire family, Aunt Zhao felt even more sympathy for the biological daughter of Master and Madam.

Such unfair treatment!

“You must take good care of your injury and not get upset; it’s not good for your health.”

Lin Mo smiled and nodded.

Seeing that Lin Mo didn’t seem as gloomy as usual, Aunt Zhao brightened considerably. “You’re so young—you should be more lively.”

She said this and then turned to busy herself in the kitchen.

Before long, Mu Bai arrived.

He carried some gifts and, upon entering, glanced around before fixing his gaze on Lin Mo.

Lin Mo wore simple clothes, just out of the hospital, her face somewhat pale, and she looked thinner.

But unlike her usual timid and self-deprecating self, she now appeared more aloof and composed.

There was a subtle but distinct change about her.

His smile was sincere. “Mo Mo, I’m glad you’re out of the hospital.”

“I specially bought two necklaces. The one in the white box is yours—it’s quite expensive. The other I just added on.”

“I was worried your sister might think I’m favoring you, so I gave the cheaper one to her. You don’t mind, do you?”

Mu Bai deliberately placed the box with the pink silk bow on the side. “After all, I’ve known Xiao Wan for a long time; I can’t let her say I’m favoring looks over friendship.”

As he spoke, he handed the necklace box to Lin Mo. “Open it and see if you like it.”

Lin Mo didn’t immediately take the gift.

She instantly noticed the difference between the two presents and then let out a cold laugh.

Did he really think she was a bumpkin?