Chapter 22: The Imposter Heiress Hits Someone With Her Bicycle

Capital City, southern district.

From the courtyard with blue brick walls and white plaster, laughter and joy echoed.

“Dad, Mom, do you think the dress looks nice?”

“It’s a gift from Brother Tianjun! He said it’s the newest style from the department store!”

The girl wore a blue cotton dress with a yellow sash at her waist. She spun around in delight, like a butterfly fluttering among flowers.

Her face was charming and delicate, with fair skin and large almond-shaped eyes. She looked every bit the pampered daughter of a wealthy family.

“It looks lovely! My daughter must look lovely!” Lin Zhengmin gazed at his daughter with indulgent affection. She had always been lively and sweet since childhood, and he adored her.

“Xuefei, be careful, don’t trip!” Wu Ya smiled wryly, her eyes full of helplessness.

“You’re already so grown up, yet you still can’t sit still,” she said, though her eyes held no reproach whatsoever.

Lin Zhengmin patted his wife’s hand in reassurance. “Let her be. If she’s this happy every day, we’ll have nothing to worry about.”

Lin Xuefei ran over, hugging her father’s arm and shaking it playfully. “Dad, you spoil me best, hehe~”

“Min, you’re always indulging her,” Wu Ya huffed lightly.

Lin Zhengmin gently withdrew his arm and said, “Alright, hurry up and get ready. Tianjun will be here soon.”

Lin Xuefei pouted unhappily. “Dad, did you forget something? Today is my seventeenth birthday!”

Lin Zhengmin and Wu Ya exchanged amused glances. This child was clever indeed.

“Alright, your father has long prepared your birthday gift. Open it and see,” Wu Ya said with a smile, handing over a delicate box.

“Thank you, Mom!” Lin Xuefei opened it eagerly.

Her eyes lit up instantly when she saw what was inside: a silver ladies’ wristwatch.

It was a Seagull brand, worth about two hundred yuan! The latest model, and only three were for sale at the Capital City department store.

Because it was so expensive, no one had dared to buy it yet.

Just a few days ago, she had seen it while shopping with her girlfriends and had admired it for a long while.

She never imagined her father would buy it for her as a birthday present.

Now she would have something to show off among her friends again!

“Dad, you’re amazing! I love you so much!” Lin Xuefei planted a kiss on her father’s cheek, making Wu Ya laugh.

“Oh, you silly girl, you just never grow up,” she said, not noticing her husband’s embarrassed expression.

After a few seconds, her husband said helplessly, “Alright, stop being mischievous and go get ready.”

“Mm-hmm!” Lin Xuefei responded cheerfully and returned to her room.

Soon after, a tall and handsome figure arrived at the Lin household.

“Uncle Lin, Aunt Wu, hello,” Zhang Tianjun greeted, his usually aloof expression softened by a rare smile.

He handed over his gifts and spoke, “I brought a little something for you. I hope you’ll like it.”

“You’re here, there’s no need for such formality,” Wu Ya smiled warmly at her future son-in-law.

Zhang Tianjun was a truck driver for the Capital City department store, responsible for transporting goods.

His job was highly sought after in these times, envied by many.

His father was the general manager of the department store, and their family was very prosperous.

Tianjun himself was handsome, a perfect match for her daughter.

With such an ideal son-in-law, Wu Ya was naturally pleased.

After ushering him inside, Wu Ya called toward the kitchen, “Chen, bring out the fruit and hot tea! Tianjun is here!”

“Right away!” came the reply.

Soon, fruit and tea were served, and everyone took their seats.

Lin Zhengmin asked, “What have you been busy with lately? When are you heading out on your next run?”

Zhang Tianjun replied, “In a while. I have some things to take care of these days.”

Lin Xuefei walked over with a smile. “What’s keeping you busy, Brother Tianjun?”

“Have you heard of Professor Wang from Capital City University? He lives in the courtyard up ahead, and he’s a friend of my father,” Zhang Tianjun began. “A few days ago, Professor Wang’s father, Grandpa Wang, was hit by someone on a bicycle. He’s still unconscious in the hospital.”

“Professor Wang knows my father has many connections, so he asked for help to find the culprit and bring them to justice. My father entrusted me with the task.”

Lin Xuefei’s face turned pale.

Just a few days ago, her girlfriends had invited her to see a movie in the evening.

Afraid of being late, she hurried out on her bicycle. At a corner, she accidentally collided with an elderly man.

The sky was already dark, and anxious to get to the movie, she left him there and rushed off.

After the movie, she remembered the incident and felt uneasy. She confessed to her parents, who reassured her, saying it was probably nothing.

But now, Tianjun was talking about the very same incident.

She knew Professor Wang—he was stern and upright.

If he discovered she was the one who injured his father, he would never let her off.

And what about Tianjun? If he learned the truth, would he think she was awful?

Fear gripped Lin Xuefei’s heart.

She glanced at her father, who gave her a calming look.

Lin Zhengmin asked, “Tianjun, have you found any clues?”

He tried to probe for information. If his daughter had injured an ordinary person, it could be settled with money. But Professor Wang was notoriously principled and hard to deal with.

“Nothing yet,” Zhang Tianjun replied. “It was dark at the time, nobody could see clearly, and there were no witnesses nearby.”

He continued, “But before Grandpa Wang fell unconscious, he mentioned the culprit was a girl, judging by her voice, quite young.”

Lin Xuefei felt regret.

After she hit the old man, she had called out twice. If only she hadn’t spoken.

Just as she thought this, Zhang Tianjun’s next words made her even more anxious.

“It shouldn’t be too hard to find. There are over three hundred households in this neighborhood, and probably dozens of young women who ride bicycles. I’ve arranged for people to interview them one by one. Within half a month, we should find her…”

“No!” Wu Ya, who had been silent, suddenly spoke out.

Ever since Zhang Tianjun started discussing the matter, Wu Ya had grown uneasy.

She adored her daughter and couldn’t bear anything bad happening to her.

Zhang Tianjun frowned, “Aunt Wu, is something wrong…?”

“She’s just tired and misspoke,” Lin Zhengmin quickly interjected, smoothing things over and changing the subject. “Tianjun, today’s Xuefei’s birthday, and you promised to take her out. You should head off now and come back early.”

Lin Xuefei grabbed Zhang Tianjun’s hand and urged, “Yes, Brother Tianjun, let’s go!”

Seeing her eager expression, Zhang Tianjun’s lips curled into a smile, and he nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”