Make Up for the Birthday Gift

Lin Xuan had finished writing dozens of novels and set them aside.

These novels were enough to be adapted into TV dramas for several years. The remaining dozen or so novels were set to be published on a scheduled basis, intended to slowly update and keep readers hooked.

Aside from the black card Su Hua had given him, Lin Xuan already had 100 million yuan in his possession. This money came from his royalties at Yue Fei and another novel website, as well as a portion he had withdrawn from his own novel platform.

With this money, he went to the mall to buy a gift for Su Hua.

Last time, Su Hua had fallen ill on her birthday, so he planned to make it up to her with a belated celebration.

Lin Xuan walked into a jewelry store.

"Sir, how may I assist you?" a sales associate greeted him warmly.

"I'd like to buy a pair of diamond rings," Lin Xuan replied.

The sales associate discreetly assessed Lin Xuan, noticing his expensive clothing and dignified demeanor. She led him to the center display case.

"Sir, these are a pair of rings personally designed by Master Farlan. The centerpiece is a heart-shaped imperial jade surrounded by pavé diamonds, symbolizing eternal love and growing old together," the sales associate explained.

Lin Xuan examined the rings and found them to his liking. The size was just right.

"How much are they?" Lin Xuan asked.

The sales associate, sensing a potential sale, replied eagerly, "Sir, this pair of rings costs 90 million yuan." She was slightly anxious, as the rings were exorbitantly priced, and several previous customers had been deterred by the cost.

"Sir, these rings would be perfect for your loved one. Would you like to consider them?"

The sales associate enthusiastically promoted the rings.

"Big sister, isn’t that Lin Xuan?" Lin Qingxiu pointed at Lin Xuan.

Lin Qingwan’s eyes lit up when she saw Lin Xuan.

It really was Xiao Xuan!

She had long wanted to talk to him, hoping to convince him to apologize to their parents. Perhaps their parents would allow him to return to the Lin family.

Then, their family could live together harmoniously again.

However, she had been too busy, having recently returned from a business trip. She had planned to visit him at school but unexpectedly ran into him at the mall.

"Big sister, this jewelry store is an international luxury brand. The cheapest item here costs at least a million yuan. What is Lin Xuan doing here?"

Lin Qingxiu sneered, "Big sister, do you think Lin Xuan is here to show off? He’s still as vain as ever. It’s a good thing he left our family, or he would have brought shame to the Lin name."

Lin Qingwan felt a pang of discomfort.

They were flesh and blood, yet not only her younger sister but the entire Lin family held a deep prejudice against Xiao Xuan.

"Third sister, don’t speak nonsense!" Lin Qingwan scolded in a low voice. "Xiao Xuan isn’t the person you think he is. We’ve all misunderstood him."

"Then tell me, big sister, what is he doing here? Does he even have the money to buy these things?"

Lin Qingwan was momentarily speechless.

Lin Qingxiu snorted, "He’s been like this since he first came back, always taking the nice things we gave to Xiao Li. Whatever Xiao Li had, he wanted too. If that’s not vanity, what is?"

"Enough, stop talking," Lin Qingwan said irritably. "Let’s go see what’s happening."

Lin Qingxiu, eager to see Lin Xuan embarrass himself, followed Lin Qingwan to where Lin Xuan stood.

The sales associate had already taken the rings to be packaged.

"Xiao Xuan, what are you doing here?" Lin Qingwan asked with a frown.

Lin Xuan felt a sense of annoyance upon seeing the two sisters.

But it was just as well—he wouldn’t have to make a trip to the Lin family.

Lin Xuan took out a bank card. "This card has 150,000 yuan, which covers the money the Lin family spent on me. Consider the extra as a gift. The password is six zeros."

"Xiao Xuan, do you really have to draw such a clear line between yourself and the Lin family?" Lin Qingwan clutched the bank card, her expression pained.

"What else should I do?" Lin Xuan retorted mockingly. "Should I grovel in gratitude to the Lin family?"

"Xiao Xuan, why don’t you come back to the Lin family? I’ll talk to Mom and Dad. They might not mind that you insisted on leaving before," Lin Qingwan pleaded.

Her tone was filled with guilt. "I neglected you in the past, and I’m sorry. From now on, I’ll treat you better."

Lin Xuan let out a cold laugh.

"Lin Qingwan, stop pretending to be kind. The rest of the Lin family may be terrible, but you’re no better," Lin Xuan said with disdain. "Remember when you sisters created a group chat and often posted my embarrassing moments to laugh at me?"

He couldn’t use Western cutlery, and they mocked him.

He didn’t know how to use a shower, and they shared it in the group to ridicule him.

He once ended up in the emergency room after eating something by mistake, and they laughed at that too.

There were too many instances to count. The sad part was, he had thought it was his own fault, not realizing that no matter what he did, he would always be a joke in their eyes.

Not only that, but they would even play tricks on him just to amuse themselves.

Lin Qingwan’s eyes widened in shock.

Xiao Xuan… he knew about all of it?

She had never posted any of his embarrassing moments herself, but she had occasionally joined in the laughter in the group chat.

If he knew all this, how much pain had he endured? Yet, despite knowing, he had always treated his sisters well, never showing any resentment.

"Xiao Xuan, I…" Lin Qingwan struggled to speak. "I’m sorry."

"Big sister, why are you apologizing to him?" Lin Qingxiu interjected with a frown. "Wasn’t he asking to be laughed at with all the things he did?"

"Lin Xuan," Lin Qingxiu crossed her arms, "what are you doing in this luxury store? Do you even have the money to buy anything here?"

Lin Xuan had no interest in engaging with Lin Qingxiu and ignored her.

The sales associate returned with the packaged rings.

"Sir, please follow me to complete the payment," the sales associate said respectfully.

Lin Qingxiu sneered, "You’re wasting your time on him. He’s just a country bumpkin with no money. He’s only here to pretend he’s rich and play you for fools."

The sales associate frowned.

No money? How could that be?

She gave Lin Qingxiu a strange look. Earlier, she had noticed that the male customer’s clothes were from the Osai brand, each piece unique and costing at least a million yuan per set.

His shoes were also worth several hundred thousand, and his watch was worth millions.

His entire outfit was worth several million yuan.

How could he possibly have no money?

The other customers in the store, mostly socialites and wealthy women, also noticed Lin Xuan’s impeccable attire.

They frowned at Lin Qingxiu.

"Who is she? How rude."

"Yes, she has no manners at all. If she were my child, I’d give her a good spanking. She’s so embarrassing."

Lin Qingxiu thought they were talking about Lin Xuan and smirked. "Lin Xuan, if you don’t want to be humiliated, you’d better leave now."

"Third sister, shut up!" Lin Qingwan snapped.

Lin Qingxiu frowned.

What was wrong with her big sister? Why was she always siding with Lin Xuan?

"Miss, how much is it? I’ll pay," Lin Qingwan offered.

Lin Xuan had been deeply hurt by the Lin family, and it was natural that he wasn’t ready to reconcile. She wanted to show him through her actions that she still cared for him as her brother.