Won't Come Back

Lin Chang slammed the door and left for the company again, while Jiang Shuqin shut herself in the bedroom.

Lin Qingyan said worriedly, "Eldest sister, third sister, do you really think Xuan will cut all ties with our family?"

Lin Qingwan sneered, "Xuan is determined to bring down Starlight Group. Do you honestly believe he still has any attachment left for the Lin family?"

"But, eldest sister, is it possible that he’s doing this just to make us realize how important he is to the family? So that we’ll finally accept him?"

Even now, Lin Qingyan clung to the hope that Lin Xuan would return.

"Second sister, do you think Father didn’t try to bring him back? He practically begged him, but Xuan didn’t waver at all," Lin Qingwan slumped onto the sofa, her voice hollow. "Xuan will never come back."

He has Starlight Group now, the woman he loves—everything he could want.

To him, the Lin family probably means less than a passing stranger.

"And if Xuan truly wanted to return, he wouldn’t have pushed Starlight Group to the brink of collapse like this," Lin Qingwan shook her head weakly.

"But, eldest sister, just a week before he cut ties with us, he gave me a pair of shoes. How could he just stop caring so suddenly?"

The mention of those shoes made Lin Qingyan’s heart ache.

Those shoes—Xuan had saved up for so long to buy them.

She remembered how eagerly he had presented them to her. And how had she responded?

She threw them in the trash. Worse, she scolded him, calling them cheap garbage unworthy of her sight.

The pain in Xuan’s eyes was still seared into her memory.

"Yan'er, it was our constant cruelty that drove him away. At first, Xuan tolerated it, but once the disappointment piled up, there was no going back," Lin Qingwan laughed bitterly. "Have you forgotten what we did on his wedding day with Qin Ruoyao?"

One by one, they had berated him.

And that was when Xuan presented the severance letter.

From that day on, his attitude toward them changed completely.

The last flicker of hope in Lin Qingyan’s eyes died.

She collapsed onto the sofa. "Xuan... really won’t come back."

Her lips trembled as she whispered, "We... we broke his heart."

"Xuan will never return to the Lin family again."

Lin Qingxiu’s face was equally desolate.

Only now did she realize—she had truly and utterly lost her younger brother.

"Second sister, third sister," Lin Qingwan wiped away her tears.

"Let’s not disturb Xuan anymore. Just... let him live his life in peace."

If they went to him now, he wouldn’t change his mind. They’d only humiliate themselves.

"Mm."

Lin Qingyan and Lin Qingxiu nodded weakly, their faces pale.

Outside the room, Lin Li overheard their conversation, his fists clenched at his sides.

Hah.

Of course. Blood siblings were different from half-siblings like him.

He had schemed tirelessly, putting on act after act, just to turn them against Lin Xuan.

Yet, without lifting a finger, Xuan made them feel so guilty.

Now, if Xuan ever wanted to return, all he’d have to do was suggest kicking Lin Li out, and these sisters would agree in a heartbeat.

Good thing he’d never invested real feelings in them.

Lin Li walked in casually.

"Eldest sister, second sister, third sister, I heard about the company."

He comforted them, "Don’t worry. As long as we stand together, we’ll pull through."

"Mm."

The three sisters barely responded, too drained to care.

"Is Mom home?" Lin Li asked.

Even though Jiang Shuqin had cut ties with the Jiang family, she was still their daughter. They might still have some affection for her.

He needed to stay on her good side—she could still be useful later.

"Mom’s in her room," Lin Qingwan answered, rubbing her temples. "Li, Mom and Dad fought today. Dad even choked her. Go comfort her."

Li was Mom’s favorite. With him around, she might feel better.

"I’ll go see her."

Lin Li went upstairs and knocked on Jiang Shuqin’s door.

"Leave me alone. Whatever it is, we’ll talk later," Jiang Shuqin snapped.

"Mom, it’s me," Lin Li said.

Recognizing his voice, Jiang Shuqin hastily wiped her tears. She couldn’t let Li see her like this.

After checking that no trace of her crying remained, she opened the door.

"Mom, I heard you and Dad argued. Are you okay?" Lin Li’s concerned gaze lingered on her neck.

"I’m fine, Li. Don’t worry." She forced a smile.

"Mom," Lin Li took her hand, his voice tender. "No matter what happens, my sisters and I will always be here for you."

"Even if the company goes under, we’ll make sure you’re taken care of."

"Mm." Jiang Shuqin nodded, touched. "Li, I’m so lucky to have you."

At least she still had him.

Without him, she didn’t know how she’d survive.

Lin Li played the devoted son flawlessly, but inside, he sneered.

Hah.

If not for Jiang Shuqin, his birth mother, Wang Yajun, would never have been forced apart from Father. She wouldn’t have become the other woman, let alone end up in prison.

And he wouldn’t have grown up a hidden bastard, scheming to win Jiang Shuqin and the Lin sisters’ favor.

He hated Jiang Shuqin.

Once he rose to power, he’d make her regret ever stealing Father away with her family’s influence.

Jiang Shuqin, oblivious to his dark thoughts, patted his hand.

"Li, do you know the best decision I ever made?"

"What?" Lin Li feigned curiosity.

She smiled warmly. "The day you rushed to save me, even getting hurt for me, and I brought you into the Lin family."

Otherwise, how could she have such a thoughtful son?

Li had brought her so much joy.

Unlike Lin Xuan—her own flesh and blood, yet always opposing her.

Now he wanted to destroy Starlight Group, to ruin the Lin family.

A son like that... Jiang Shuqin wanted no part of him.

"Mom, I’m grateful too. You gave me a mother’s love and a family’s warmth," Lin Li said emotionally.

When Lin Qingwan and her sisters entered, they saw this heartwarming scene between mother and son.

"I’m going to Dad’s place with my brother for dinner~ Gonna have some lychees, hehe."

"Goodnight."

"Thanks to Luoyue Xuesnow, Can’t Lift 35 Pounds, Tiny Panda 06, and other sweethearts for the gifts!"

"Uu."