You're Crippled, Aren't You

"Mom, Dad, Eldest Sister, Second Sister, Third Sister, it's getting late. Let's head back for now," Lin Li said.

"Alright," Jiang Shuqin nodded.

Lin Li's eyes darkened.

Though he had been outmaneuvered by those underground syndicate members, seeing Lin Xuan end up in such a miserable state made it all worth it.

Over at the Black Snake Gang, Old Liu and the others reluctantly deposited the money into Lin Xuan's bank account before bringing the remaining five million back to the gang.

Li Dongfeng wore a satisfied grin. "We made five million. A bit nerve-wracking, but not a bad haul."

Thankfully, he had been sharp enough to squeeze some extra cash out of Lin Li.

Otherwise, all that effort would have been for nothing—a total loss.

The next morning, after waking up,

Su Hua left for work.

Lin Xuan, wearing slippers, went downstairs for breakfast. As he ate, he checked his phone and saw a notification from his bank.

A deposit of fifteen million.

Lin Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

Ever since his rebirth, he had become somewhat of a money fanatic—the more digits in his account, the better he felt.

Setting his phone aside, he focused on his meal.

Then, Lin Li suddenly called.

Though Lin Xuan hadn’t saved Lin Li’s number, he recognized it instantly.

Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Just yesterday, Lin Li had sent thugs after him, and now he was calling? Clearly, this was about gloating.

"Hello?" Lin Xuan answered, wedging the phone between his shoulder and ear while calmly cutting into his steak.

"Lin Xuan," Lin Li’s smug voice rang out. "Which hospital are you recovering in?"

"What hospital?" Lin Xuan frowned.

Lin Li scoffed. "Stop pretending. I know you got beaten up so badly that your legs are useless now. Oh, and you’re a eunuch too, just like me."

Once he got the chance, he’d make sure the whole world knew about Lin Xuan’s emasculation.

He wanted Lin Xuan to experience the same humiliation—being mocked online, called a "worthless eunuch" in public, and pointed at wherever he went.

Everything he had endured, Lin Xuan would suffer too.

Lin Xuan feigned ignorance. "What are you talking about, Lin Li? I have no idea."

Lin Li sneered. "Still playing dumb? Fine, I’ll spell it out for you. The people who attacked you were sent by me. Your current state? That’s my doing."

A smirk tugged at Lin Xuan’s lips.

Just as he thought—Lin Li was here to kick him while he was down.

Well, if Lin Li wanted to see him suffer, he’d play along.

Time to teach Lin Li what it meant to have triumph turn to despair.

"So it was you! Lin Li!" Lin Xuan gritted his teeth, injecting venom into his voice. "How dare you do this to me!"

Lin Li burst into laughter. "Hah! Couldn’t keep up the act, could you?"

He could already picture Lin Xuan—bandaged like a mummy, lying helplessly on a hospital bed, seething with rage but powerless to do anything.

Nothing but futile fury.

"Lin Xuan, let me tell you—this pain is just the beginning. Su Hua only liked you because of your pretty face. But now? You’re a crippled eunuch. Do you really think she’ll still want you?"

"Soon enough, she’ll dump you. And without her backing, how long do you think your company will last?"

"Hahahaha!"

Lin Li laughed triumphantly.

Before long, Lin Xuan would be destitute—while he, having secured the Jiang family’s favor, would be surrounded by admirers, dressed in luxury. And Lin Xuan? He’d be on his knees, begging for mercy.

"Lin Xuan, enjoy every second of the suffering I went through."

With that, Lin Li hung up.

Once the family recognition banquet was over, he’d personally go and savor Lin Xuan’s misery.

At Night Garden,

Lin Xuan set his phone down and shook his head.

Let Lin Li bask in his delusions for now.

But his joy wouldn’t last much longer.

Tonight, Lin Xuan would expose Lin Li’s true identity.

After a leisurely breakfast,

Lin Li returned to the Jiang residence after eating at the Lin family home.

Jiang Yutong descended the stairs in an elegant gown, twirling in front of Jiang Manting and Grandpa Jiang.

"Big Sis, Grandpa, how do I look?"

"Beautiful," Jiang Manting smiled.

"Good," Jiang Yutong sighed in relief.

"You never used to care so much about your appearance. Love really changes a person," Jiang Manting teased.

"This isn’t for him!" Jiang Yutong pouted. "It’s for Lin Xuan."

"Lin Xuan?" Jiang Manting frowned.

"Yep! If I want to convince him to be my little brother, I need to make a good impression," Jiang Yutong explained.

She had realized—Lin Xuan might not be ready for a sister yet, so she’d take it slow.

She’d win him over with sincerity.

Eventually, he’d accept her.

"Little brother? What little brother?" Lin Li interjected, puzzled.

Jiang Manting chuckled. "Yutong thinks she and Lin Xuan have a special connection—like siblings. She’s been obsessed with making him her brother."

Lin Li clenched his fists, resentment simmering in his eyes.

So that’s what was happening!

No matter how hard he tried to please Jiang Yutong, she remained cold toward him, never acknowledging him as a cousin.

Yet with Lin Xuan, she was practically begging to be his sister.

Of course—blood ties mattered.

He was just an outsider.

"Big Sis, Grandpa, when Lin Xuan comes to the banquet tonight, let’s make sure we leave a good impression," Jiang Yutong reminded them.

Jiang Manting sighed. "Don’t worry, we will."

"Cousin, don’t waste your efforts. Lin Xuan won’t be coming to the banquet," Lin Li blurted.

"Why not?" Jiang Yutong frowned.

"I heard he’s injured and needs to rest at home."

Jiang Yutong’s heart lurched. "Injured? How bad is it?"

Jiang Manting’s face also filled with concern. "Yutong, maybe you should call and check?"

"Right!"

Jiang Yutong grabbed her phone and hurried outside to call Lin Xuan.

Just then, her boyfriend, Liang Yilong, arrived at the Jiang residence.

Spotting Jiang Yutong, his face lit up.

"Yutong, I brought your favorite—"