Chapter 434: From a Ruthless Woman Seeking Vengeance to a Sobbing Child

Lin Yu was facing the largest emotional black hole of her life.

Her mind was a chaotic mess; she tried to organize her thoughts, but nothing connected.

Her breathing grew rapid.

Cen Yan quickly opened the window and said to his fiancée, “Yu Yu, breathe!”

Lin Yu stared at him blankly, offering no response.

Cen Yan raised his voice, “Lin Yu, snap out of it! Your father doesn’t want to see you like this!”

Father?

Images of her father’s voice, face, and smile flashed through her mind; tears surged into Lin Yu’s eyes, smearing her makeup, as she wept silently, leaving dark water stains on her dress.

Cen Yan had known her for years and had never seen Lin Yu so broken.

His heart clenched sharply; he pulled her into his arms.

Lin Yu buried her face in her fiancé’s chest.

Her shoulders shook with sobs; her lips were bitten raw.

A hot wetness soaked through his chest; Cen Yan’s heart contracted with each beat, his mouth opening and closing, unsure how to comfort her.

Lin De met his eyes and shook his head.

In this state, silence is better.

The Young Lady has always been proud and strong; even with a gun pressed to her head, she never showed fear. Today is different… let her be for now.

Cen Yan pressed his lips together, tightening his hold on his fiancée, his broad, warm hand rhythmically patting her shoulder, his expression filled with sorrow.

He wanted to ask Lin De what had happened—how his father-in-law had died—but seeing Lin Yu beside him, he swallowed the question whole.

The car’s atmosphere was unnervingly quiet.

The driver sensed the strangeness and dared not even breathe.

The eerie silence only ended when they reached the Lin family cemetery.

Lin Yu and the others got out; only then did the driver exhale, wiping his forehead—drenched in sweat.

The young lady from Hong Kong is impossible to serve; just by not smiling, she exerts this much pressure—if she gets angry, won’t I have to kneel and beg for forgiveness?!

Looking at his crisp suit and the car he drove, the driver thought again: people from Hong Kong really are rich—and generous.

They pay him a high salary, give him clothes, and the work isn’t hard… this is an angel of a boss—he wants to work for them his whole life!

No one knew how the driver felt.

Lin Yu forced herself into the cemetery.

Her legs were weak; only Cen Yan’s support kept her from collapsing.

After walking only a few steps, among the many graves, Lin Yu saw her father’s.

“Father!” she cried out in unbearable grief, wrenching free from Cen Yan’s arm and stumbling forward; her knee slammed into the stone corner of the grave with a thud—painful to hear.

Lin Yu seemed not to feel the pain; she stared at the black-and-white photo on the tombstone, tears streaming down her face.

“Father, I’ve come back…” She choked, unable to speak further.

Father, you promised to walk me down the aisle. You said you’d hire someone to make my wedding dress. You broke your word!

Father, you said you’d come to Hong Kong to join us. You broke your promise… I don’t blame you for breaking it—I came back to find you. Why didn’t you wait for me…?

Lin Yu’s throat felt blocked by a stone; her entire throat ached, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

Father…

She leaned against the tombstone, her lips moving, whispering “Father.”

Lin De’s eyes turned red; he squatted before the old master’s tombstone, removed his black gloves, and laid out the offerings he had brought.

As he took off his gloves, Lin Yu caught sight of his missing fingers; she froze and asked, “Brother De, your fingers…?”

Lin De spoke casually, “Old injury. Nothing.”

“How did it happen?” Lin Yu pressed.

As a Lin, she naturally had the family’s fierce protectiveness. Lin De was family she accepted; she couldn’t ignore his wounds.

“Injured during a retaliation operation,” Lin De said, knowing Lin Yu’s stubbornness and choosing honesty.

“Retaliation operation?” Lin Yu wiped her eyes, fixing him with a sharp gaze. “Retaliation against whom? Why? I want to know, Brother De. Tell me everything.”

She knew the truth was tied inextricably to her father’s death—she needed to know exactly what had happened.

Lin De fell silent until he finished arranging the offerings, then began recounting the past.

What he told them was nearly incomprehensible to Cen Yan and Lin Yu.

Is having money a crime?

If it is, let God punish them. Those people, waving flags of justice, did things worse than pigs and dogs—they’re the ones who deserve to die.

Lin Yu clenched her fists, her long nails digging into her palms, her face burning with rage.

“The Lin family is rich—I can’t deny it—but every penny was earned through generations of hard work!”

“Yes, we’re big capitalists—but every year we help the poor, build schools, give out porridge, provide jobs for countless people. Father even gave food, weapons, and medicine for free. Where was he wrong? Those people eat from our bowls and call us father, then spit in our faces. I’m ashamed for Father!” Lin Yu spoke through gritted teeth; her hatred gave her pain a channel to flow through.

This was exactly Lin De’s goal.

A flash of sharpness lit his eyes. “The man who tormented the old master is still alive—now holding high office. He’s careful. I’m old; I can’t avenge the old master. Young Lady…”

Lin Yu understood his meaning—and willingly stepped into the abyss.

She hissed, “I’ll do it. Tomorrow, I’ll send word to my brother—he’ll hire some top mercenaries.”

Lin Yu’s eyes burned with hatred. “I’ll bring that man’s head to lay at Father’s grave.”

At the word “Father,” her eyes welled again—she had transformed from a ruthless woman seeking vengeance into a sobbing child.

Cen Yan thought, unreasonably, how adorable his fiancée was.

When he looked up, the photo on the tombstone seemed to be smiling at him—a smile that sent a chill through his bones.

Cen Yan clasped his hands together, bowing again and again, solemnly saying, “Uncle Lin, I’m Yu Yu’s fiancé, Cen Yan. I’m serious about her. I truly want to be your son-in-law. For the rest of my life, I’ll treat Yu Yu well. If I ever break my word, take me with you.”

A breeze passed—like the hand of the departed clapping in approval.

An unspoken agreement had been reached.

I heard you.

Lin De’s lips twitched.

When he first met him, he thought Cen Young Master was a composed man—never imagined he was this unpredictable.

You don’t just say things like that lightly.

After seeing her father, Lin Yu reluctantly left the cemetery and requested to meet her young nephew.

Lin De looked at her. “Young Lady, you’re sure your emotions are stable now, right?”

“Of course,” Lin Yu said, puzzled.

Then she realized what Brother De was worried about; a hint of helplessness crossed her eyes. “Brother De, do you really think I’m the kind of person who can’t tell right from wrong? He’s my own nephew—my brother and Lin Duan have waited so long to see him. Do you think I’d take out my anger on him?”

“Father’s death has nothing to do with Heling. I know that clearly—I won’t blame the innocent.”

Lin De smiled apologetically. “Yes, I was being petty. But I can’t help it—Little Master suffered so much. After the old master passed, he was devastated.”

Lin Yu could imagine: Heling was her youngest nephew, clever since childhood, always trailing after her father. He adored this grandson, took him everywhere, told everyone he was the child most like him—the heavenly gift to the Lin family…

To have been loved unconditionally by one person—and then lose them—was a crushing, profound blow.

“Brother De, tell me about Heling’s past. I want to hear,” Lin Yu said.

“Let’s talk in the car.”

The three got into the car.

Cen Yan reminded his beauty-conscious fiancée, “Yu Yu, your makeup’s smudged. Want to fix it?”

After all, she was meeting family she hadn’t seen in years—she cared deeply. If she messed up, he’d be the first to suffer.

Cen Yan could already picture it: “Why didn’t you warn me? It’s all your fault! Now I’ve lost all face—how will I ever face the younger generation again… Aaaahhh!”

Lin Yu was reminded—she immediately realized how terrible she must look.

She pulled out a compact mirror, checked her reflection: yes, her makeup was ruined, her eyes red, her eyeliner smudged black… she looked like a clown.

“Brother De, go on—I’m listening. I’ll fix my makeup in a moment. Otherwise, I’ll look awful.”

Lin De was used to this version of his Young Lady—he felt she hadn’t changed at all—and smiled before continuing.

He learned that Lin Heling had once lost his memory.

Lin Yu’s eyes widened in shock. “So movies are real? People really do lose their memories? I never believed it before—I thought it was fiction. Turns out it’s real.”

“No wonder he never came back—he didn’t remember us. I thought Little Jiu was gone… I never imagined he just couldn’t find his way home…”

They had poured countless resources into searching for him—found nothing.

But if Little Jiu had lost his memory and was hiding, it made sense they couldn’t find him.

That boy was as clever as a monkey—if he wanted to vanish, few could see through his tricks.

And back then, with war raging everywhere, once separated, the chance of finding each other was nearly zero.

“Poor little guy,” Lin Yu sighed.

Lin De: “…”

The little master already had grandchildren.

“Brother De, tell me about Little Jiu’s wife. What’s she like? I’m curious—what kind of woman could tame that man?” Lin Yu’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Lin De gave her a helpless look.

“A sharp, capable woman. You’ll see for yourself.” He said no more, fearing she’d act recklessly. “Without her, Little Master might have died long ago. She saved his life—he reveres her. They lived together their whole lives without ever arguing.”

Lin Yu was astonished. “I can’t even imagine.”

“Tell me about it,” Lin De thought, recalling the first time he saw Little Master carrying a hoe—no word could describe his feelings.

……

At the same time, Lin Zhao was at the Lin family home, having come to Haicheng to deliver her painting drafts and staying a few days with her mother.

Lin Zhao and her parents were sunbathing in the courtyard, with a Samoyed from Lin Shisheng’s household beside them.

They were just talking about their eyelids twitching.

Song Xi, idle and reading a health book, heard her daughter’s words and said, “You’re lacking some element—eat some pork liver, it’ll stop in a couple days.”

In response, Lin Zhao fell silent.

After a while, she said, “I don’t like pork liver!”

“Then let your younger brother prescribe you some medicine?” Song Xi suggested.

Lin Zhao rolled over, refusing further conversation, stroking the dog’s head and gazing into its bright eyes—her mood instantly lifted.

She bent down and kissed the big white dog’s head, her tone light, “This world can’t do without puppies. Dogs are so adorable, so sweet and cute.”

Song Xi smiled and shook her head—her son was nearly getting married and still so childish, spoiled rotten by his husband and children, truly living in a paradise of blessings!

Suddenly, Lin Heling sneezed twice in a row.

He rubbed his persistently itchy nose, frowning slightly.

“Catch a chill?” Song Xi asked with concern. “Shall I make you a decoction?”

“No need, it’s just an itchy nose, nothing serious, don’t bother,” Lin Heling politely declined. The decoctions at home were left over from Meng Jiu’s New Year visit—effective, but unbearably bitter, like an entire pot of coptis root, utterly revolting.

“If you’re uncomfortable, say so—don’t delay. If it gets worse, you won’t eat or sleep well,” Song Xi insisted, pouring her husband a cup of hot water and urging him to drink it to sweat it out.

Lin Heling’s eyes held resignation, but he accepted it, sipping the hot water slowly.

When he’d drunk half, visitors arrived.

The maid went to open the door.

The family of three and the dog in the garden all turned their heads in unison toward the entrance.

The moment Lin De appeared, Lin Heling guessed what was coming and stood up.

Then he saw two people following Lin De.

One of their faces was both unfamiliar and strangely familiar.

“Little aunt?” Lin Heling stepped forward.

Lin Yu quickened her pace, clasping his arms and scanning her nephew up and down.

“You’ve grown so tall—you’re just like your grandfather.”

At the mention of her father, she remembered he had left without seeing the grandson he longed for—and a fresh wave of pain struck her heart.

Not wanting to dampen her nephew’s mood, she said little about her deceased father, smiled instead, and greeted Lin Zhao.

“You’re Zhaozhao, right?”

Lin Zhao stepped forward, eyes bright with a smile. “Yes, I’m Lin Zhao. You’re my little aunt, right? Little aunt, hello.”

Lin Yu saw she was beautiful and intelligent, and felt Lin Zhao resembled herself—her fondness deepened further.

“Yes, I’m your father’s little sister—your little aunt.”

She turned back and extended her hand to her fiancé. Cen Yan understood instantly and handed the exquisitely wrapped gift box to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu presented the gift to Lin Zhao, eagerly asking, “I got you a present—quick, tell me if you like it!”

Lin Zhao looked at her father.

Lin Heling said, “Come inside first—we’ll talk indoors.”

The group entered the parlor.

Lin Yu looked around, seeing the same scene as in her memory, and couldn’t help smiling.

“Little nine, did you manage to restore this Western-style mansion?” she asked knowingly.

Lin Heling placed a cup of tea before his little aunt, speaking calmly. “Yes, fully restoring it was difficult—the vases and paintings were all gone. We could only manage this much.”

“It’s already wonderful—I’ve remembered so many things from the past since I came in…” Lin Yu’s gaze grew distant. “Time really flies.”

Things remain, but people are gone—true enough.

The tea grows cold after the guest departs—also true.

In today’s Haicheng, how many still remember the Lin family’s former glory?

Lin Yu quickly shook off her thoughts and gave another gift to her nephew’s wife. “First time meeting you—I didn’t know what you’d like, so I brought each of you a set of jewelry.”

Song Xi didn’t lack jewelry, but rarely wore any, finding it constricting.

Lin Heling thanked his little aunt on behalf of his wife and daughter. “Little aunt, you’ve spent too much.”

He glanced at Lin Zhao, a faint smile appearing on his increasingly refined face. “Zhaozhao resembles you—she loves beautiful clothes and jewelry. You’ve hit her right in the heart with this gift!”