Chapter 51: Fifth Brother Sees Through the Fake Sweetheart

“What's the matter? Can't I feed you?” Lin Mo met Sheng Cang’s icy gaze. She obediently opened her mouth. The chicken soup tasted good, with chestnuts added, giving it a subtle sweetness. Lin Mo sipped it spoonful by spoonful and soon drank more than half a bowl. When Sheng Cang handed her the spoon again, she shrank back, saying, “I can’t drink any more.” “You don’t have an ounce of flesh on you, yet your appetite’s still so small,” Sheng Cang said disdainfully. “From tomorrow onward, three meals a day, I’ll make sure you eat properly.” Lin Mo rubbed her slightly swollen belly and glanced at Sheng Cang secretly. She whispered, “Now that I’m taking over as CEO of Yaoming, I guess a lot of people will try to cozy up to me.” Sheng Cang nodded. “Of course. Isn’t it because you want to punish the Lin family?” “I know you still have to study and don’t have time to manage the company, so it’s just a nominal position.” “To deal with the Lin family, do you really need to go to such lengths? I could settle it with just one word...” Lin Mo looked at his Buddhist prayer beads and reminded him patiently, “Brother, you believe in Buddhism.” Sheng Cang sneered. “Who says Buddhism forbids killing?” He stopped laughing and rubbed Lin Mo’s head. “Alright, time to sleep. Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.” Sheng Cang escorted Lin Mo back to her room and watched as she lay down under the covers. Sitting at the bed’s edge, he held her small hand, his gaze lowered, the orange light casting shadows on his face, making him seem lonely. Lin Mo scratched his palm and yawned. “Brother, you should rest too.” “I’m not sleepy.” Sheng Cang waited until she fell asleep before leaving the room. He quietly closed the bedroom door behind him. Turning around, his eyes hardened into a frosty glare. He took out his phone and dialed. “Everyone, come out. The little sister’s with me. Hmm...” — The Lin Residence. Night had deepened. The search and rescue team called. “We’ve done all we can. There’s no one in the reservoir or the nearby waterways.” “However, we found fragments of clothing near an underwater current. This is the worst-case scenario; the person may have been swept into an underground river...” “At this point, it’s beyond human intervention.” “But we’ll continue the search tomorrow. Still, after more than 48 hours, the chance of survival is slim.” The call ended. Lin Hen, exhausted, set down the phone. An underground river. Someone had been dragged into it. He dared not think further. Qin Lian was speechless, her heart a tangled mess of panic and despair. “It has come to this. Mo Mo was a good child. Since she’s gone, we must at least give her a ceremonial grave...” “Tomorrow, call a master to inspect the place and invite monks to chant sutras for her soul.” “I only hope she’s reborn into a good family next life.” The Lin residence was deathly silent, save for Qin Lian. No one else spoke. “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep at the garage tonight,” Lin Hen said expressionlessly as he stood, grabbed his things, and left. Qin Lian tried to stop him. “Second brother, you…” “Mom, brother’s hurting inside. Let him be,” Lin Wan held back Qin Lian. “It’s better to rest early.” “Aren’t we still seeing the master tomorrow?” Qin Lian felt a pang of sorrow. “Yes.” The mother and daughter went upstairs first. Lin Tiancheng was in a bad mood and didn’t come home at all. Lin Yunhe sat on the sofa and glanced at Lin Qinglang. “Fifth brother, your mood isn’t good. You should adjust your mindset.” “You were wrong to bully her before, but the dead are gone...” “Life must go on.” Lin Yunhe owed Lin Mo a life. In his heart, he felt guilty and grateful to her, but nothing more. Lin Juan was overwhelmed with shame. He stood up. “I’m going to sleep. Tomorrow, I have to go to the Yaoming Group’s business association with Dad.” Lin Jianchen’s face was like frost. Without a word, he left. After everyone else had left, Lin Qinglang’s pupils darkened as he stared at Lin Yunhe. “Why can you all live on so well after our sister’s death?” “She died for us, yet we treated her so poorly.” “Do you know how much she did behind our backs just to please us?” “I don’t know!” Lin Yunhe frowned. “Then should we have died with her?” Pain flickered across his face. “She died saving me. I regret it. I’m in pain.” “But there’s nothing I can do to make it right. Do you understand?!” Lin Qinglang shook his head. “You really don’t understand. To you, she was just someone you disliked who died saving you.” “You feel annoyed, but not remorseful.” Lin Qinglang stood, his face cold. “You will regret it sooner or later.” “We don’t deserve to be her brothers.” Saying that, Lin Qinglang left the Lin residence under the cover of night. Lin Yunhe, usually gentle and warm, was a university professor many students liked. But he knew himself to be cold inside despite his outward warmth. Lin Mo’s death shocked him and filled him with regret. But only slightly. Compared to the affection he had for Lin Wan, Lin Mo was at best a stranger to him. A stranger he disliked. Early the next morning, the Lin family gathered for breakfast. No one at the table mentioned Lin Mo, whom Qin Lian despised. Yet her heart felt heavy and aching. Lin Juan put down his chopsticks. “Tonight, the Mu family is arranging for us to attend the Yaoming Group’s banquet.” “Are you all going together?” Qin Lian waved her hand. “I have to handle Mo Mo’s affairs. I’m not in the mood.” “Since it’s arranged by the Mu family, bring Wanwan along. It’ll help her meet some influential people.” Lin Wan felt a flicker of excitement but forced it down. She was curious about the Yaoming Group’s business association. Would the mysterious CEO be there? She wondered if the CEO was male or female, young or old... Distracted, Lin Wan ate her breakfast. Lin Qinglang glanced at her with complicated feelings. After returning to her room, Lin Wan began choosing an outfit. She picked a light blue spaghetti strap dress and deliberately wore the necklace Mu Bai had given her. She applied delicate, light makeup and let her hair fall like ink. Lin Wan pursed her lips and smiled, spinning in front of the mirror. The young girl’s cheeks still bore a slight baby fat, tender and adorable. She looked like an innocent, unworldly flower. “This will definitely help me stand out in a crowd.” While she was admiring herself, Lin Qinglang had been watching at the door for a long time. Seeing Lin Wan radiant and seemingly in good spirits, his hand clenched tightly at his side. Memories and emotions surged, nearly causing him to speak out. “Wanwan.” Lin Wan paused and turned to see Lin Qinglang’s sullen face. She looked flustered, unsure how long he had been watching. “Fifth brother, what’s wrong?” “When did you get here? You didn’t say a word. You scared me!” Lin Qinglang looked deeply at her, then walked behind her, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Lin Wan forced a stiff smile. “Fifth brother, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything?”