Lin Baizhi's Past: The Sickly Young Miss

Late at night.

Girls' dormitory.

Shen Qinghan finally finished reviewing all of Ye Cheng's documents and turned off her phone.

Her delicate face remained expressionless, like a porcelain doll—though not particularly cute, with an icy aloofness in her blank expression.

Though her face showed no visible reaction, her eyes were no longer as calm as before.

Especially when she saw the medical records proving Ye Cheng had treated a patient named Da Huang—even Shen Qinghan couldn't maintain her composure.

It was true.

Ye Cheng's earlier claims were actually true.

There really was a mutt named Da Huang that frequently sprained its paws or got injured, only for Ye Cheng to "work miracles" every time.

If Shen Qinghan remembered correctly, Doctor Tang from the infirmary had once praised Ye Cheng's techniques as highly professional, calling him "a seasoned expert."

Turns out... he really was a seasoned expert—just not for humans!

"What a strange guy," Shen Qinghan murmured to herself, staring blankly at her own injured foot.

......

The most bustling district of Great Sea City.

A specially cordoned-off area, where an enormous emblem stood imposingly on the lawn:

Lin

Countless spotlights illuminated the massive white character, lending it an air of solemn authority.

Inside the luxury villa...

"Young Miss, it's late. You should rest—your health comes first."

Nanny Wang looked at her young mistress with heartache.

On the sofa sat a stunningly beautiful girl, hugging a pillow as if lost in thought.

She didn't seem to hear Nanny Wang's words, her gaze fixed vacantly on the coffee table.

"Young Miss?"

"Hmm? What is it, Nanny Wang?" The girl finally snapped out of her daze.

Her eyes reflected an apologetic glimmer as she looked at the elderly woman.

"Sorry, I was distracted. What did you say just now?" She tilted her head slightly.

Under the lighting, her pale skin appeared almost translucent.

The sickly pallor, combined with her frail, delicate demeanor, gave her the aura of a modern-day Lin Daiyu.

Her scholarly elegance permeated the room—classical calligraphy and ink paintings adorned the walls, the faint scent of ink blending with her natural fragrance into something uniquely enchanting.

Lin Baizhi.

The rumored illegitimate daughter of Linsheng Group's chairman in Great Sea City.

Raised in a local orphanage until middle school, when a sudden illness hospitalized her—leading Lin Tianxiong to finally locate his long-lost daughter.

Technically, she wasn't a "love child" but the legitimate firstborn.

Her father Lin Tianxiong, then the Lin family heir, had fallen in love with her mother. Yet their vastly different social statuses doomed the relationship.

Lin Baizhi's mother died during childbirth—on the very day Lin Tianxiong was forcibly taken by his family to marry for political alliance.

Within twenty-four hours, the man lost everything. The trauma reshaped him; he spent years quietly consolidating power before reclaiming control.

And retrieving the daughter he'd secretly sent away to protect.

Years passed.

The household changed—step-siblings appeared—yet Lin Baizhi remained indifferent, as if none of it concerned her.

She knew nothing of the Lin legacy. Only that she'd grown up parentless in an orphanage... with one exception.

One person who'd shown her kindness.

She wanted to return to him. Everything else was irrelevant.

Her mind drifted back to her homecoming years ago...

"Baizhi... do you remember me? I'm your father, Baizhi..."

The man's voice trembled as he reached out, only to freeze when he saw his daughter flinch.

"Uncle... I want to go back," young Lin Baizhi whispered timidly.

"No. Never again." Lin Tianxiong's voice cracked. "I swear no one will ever hurt my daughter. No one touches Lin Tianxiong's child!"

"Everything I have is yours. I know it's too late to make up for my failures, but..."

Something in his raw sincerity finally broke through.

The girl hesitated, then uttered a single syllable:

"...Dad."

That one word shattered the composure of Great Sea City's most formidable tycoon, reducing him to tears.

Later, she learned many truths.

"Baizhi, my empire will be yours. While I live, I can shield you. But I won't be here forever—you must learn to wield this power yourself, or the vultures will descend."

"I've looked into that boy. Good character. But you can't see him yet—he'd become your weakness, slow your progress."

"The day you truly stand strong, capable of ruling alone... I won't stop you. I promise."

Lin Tianxiong's words echoed.

The details blurred now. She only recalled crying endlessly that day—the last time she ever saw him.

Every year since, Linsheng Group donated astronomical sums to her childhood orphanage.

Not once had those payments been delayed.

Nanny Wang's voice pulled her back to the present.

"Nanny Wang... am I pretty?" Lin Baizhi's whisper was softer than a breeze.

The old woman startled before answering fervently: "Beautiful! I'm no poet, Young Miss, but you're the loveliest soul I've ever seen!"

Lin Baizhi gave a joyless smile, lifting one skeletal hand. "This sickly wraith? How could I be?"

Fear gripped her.

After all these years, she could finally reunite with him—yet she couldn't take that first step.

Afraid of his questions.

Why had she vanished without a word? Why no contact all these years?

Afraid of his blame.

For never helping during his struggles.

Afraid...

Most of all, she feared he'd forgotten her. That she'd become irrelevant.

That some other girl might now bask in his sunlight.

He'd always been warmth itself—gentle, considerate, radiant.

In his presence, darkness never touched her.

He was the sun nurturing her frail sapling existence.

"Young Miss, are you feeling unwell? Perhaps postpone your return to school? Your health—the Master worries terribly..."

Nanny Wang's voice ached with concern. After years of care, she loved this girl as her own.

Seeing Lin Baizhi like this was utterly heartbreaking.

Lin Baizhi raised her head and gazed at the scenery outside the window. Just then, the dark clouds scattered, and the moon emerged, casting its light perfectly upon the young girl.

"Brother, will you forget Baizhi?"

Drip.

A single glistening tear rolled down the girl's cheek.