Chapter 25: The Impostor Daughter Collapses Upon Learning Her True Origins

Lin Xuefei was on the verge of collapse.

Today was her seventeenth birthday.

During the day, she had been happily celebrating. But by nightfall, she was confronted with a cruel truth.

She was not her parents’ biological daughter.

Instead, she belonged to the shabby tenement building in the north of the city.

She had always been the cherished young miss of the prestigious Lin family of doctors, envied by countless people. Yet overnight, she had become the daughter of a poor, destitute household.

The drastic contrast was more than she could bear.

“I don’t believe it! Dad, Mom, are you joking, aren’t you?!” Lin Xuefei’s eyes were red, her whole body trembling.

Seeing her so agitated, Lin Zhengmin did his best to comfort her. “Xuefei, this is the truth, you have to accept it. But don’t be hasty, let us explain…”

“No, let me speak first…” Lin Xuefei’s eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at them, her gaze pleading and red-rimmed.

“Mom, Dad, if I’m not your daughter, will you still love me?”

“Of course!” Lin Zhengmin and Wu Ya replied in unison.

Had Xuefei not been involved in that accident, they would never have acknowledged that ugly girl. In their hearts, the daughter they had raised for over ten years was far more important.

Hearing their answer, Lin Xuefei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She could no longer hold back and burst into tears.

“Dad, Mom, after learning the truth, I was so afraid you’d abandon me. I don’t want to leave you, I really don’t… wuwuwu…”

“Oh, my dear child, don’t cry.” Wu Ya hugged her tightly, heart aching, and soothed her, “How could we ever let you go? You’re our precious daughter, we couldn’t bear to lose you.”

Lin Zhengmin chimed in, “That’s right, Xuefei, don’t worry. You’re a daughter of the Lin family—no one can drive you away.”

“Really?” Lin Xuefei sniffed, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. “But what about that girl you mentioned, Lin Xiaodou? Won’t she be angry?”

Wu Ya sneered, “What does she have to be angry about? She should be grateful we’re even letting her come back. If she ever dares to bully you, I’ll throw her out at once!”

“Xuefei, I haven’t finished,” Lin Zhengmin said, and went on to explain their plan to have Lin Xiaodou take the blame for her.

When he finished, the confusion and pain in Lin Xuefei’s eyes vanished completely.

Her gaze sparkled with delight and emotion. “Dad, Mom, you’ve been so good to me. I’m truly blessed.”

Wu Ya smiled, stroking her hair gently. “Silly child, you’re our daughter—if we don’t treat you well, who would we treat well?”

Lin Xuefei pouted in slight displeasure. “But that Lin Xiaodou is your real daughter…”

Lin Zhengmin replied, “To us, you are our true daughter.”

Wu Ya added, “Exactly. You’re so sweet and sensible—she can’t hold a candle to you.”

Hearing her parents’ words, Lin Xuefei smiled with satisfaction.

She nestled into her mother’s arms, her eyes sparkling with undisguised pride.

Hmph, so what if there’s a blood tie? In the end, she’s still the one their parents despise.

Just a rag from a crumbling tenement—she’s not even fit to carry her shoes.

Since she’s here to take the blame, Lin Xuefei could tolerate her for a few days. When she’s no longer useful, she’d have some fun with that girl herself…

[Lin Xiaodou: “Have fun? We’ll see who’s having fun with whom.”]

—

The next morning, bright and early.

Lin Xiaodou woke from sleep, washed and dressed, then made her way to the living room.

Lin Xuefei had been chatting happily with her parents.

At the sound of footsteps, she turned her head. When her gaze landed on the scar on Lin Xiaodou’s face, a flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Lin Zhengmin took the initiative to introduce them. “Xuefei, this is Xiaodou.”

“Yes, I know, Dad.”

Lin Xuefei’s lips curled into a brilliant smile. “Hello, big sister. My name is Lin Xuefei. Come have breakfast—the food’s getting cold. We’ve been waiting for you!”

Ha, so this Lin Xiaodou turned out to be so ugly. Her parents hadn’t mentioned it last night!

If she’d known earlier what the girl looked like, there would’ve been no need for her to put on a tearful performance.

Just based on looks alone, her parents would definitely have chosen her.

“Mm.” Lin Xiaodou responded blandly.

She’d read plenty of these “real and fake daughter” stories and was no stranger to all the tricks.

The fake daughter always called herself the younger sister, supposedly respectful, but really just to escape blame.

If the fake daughter made a mistake, it’d be: “She’s your little sister, she’s still young.” You’d be expected to let it go, not pursue it.

Or if the family needed both daughters to contribute: “You’re the elder sister, you should set an example.” So you’d have to sacrifice, not complain.

In those novels, the original heroine was forced again and again, eventually breaking down and making irrational choices, leading to a tragic end.

But Lin Xiaodou was different.

She didn’t care for these so-called titles, nor would she be shackled by moral expectations.

As for the fake daughter’s veiled jabs about her getting up late or being lazy—she couldn’t care less.

She hadn’t come to this house to fit in, but to stir up trouble.

Let them think whatever they liked.

Breakfast at the table was quite lavish.

Steaming millet porridge, fragrant scallion omelette, and delicate, snowy soup dumplings—it all looked delicious.

Lin Xiaodou sat down and started eating, without greeting anyone else.

Lin Zhengmin’s brows knit in displeasure.

A glimmer of schadenfreude flashed in Lin Xuefei’s eyes.

Mother absolutely hated rule-breakers. It looked like this foolish woman would make trouble for herself without any help.

Sure enough.

Wu Ya scolded sharply, “What kind of behavior is this? The rest of us are sitting here, and you don’t even say hello?”

“Oh, good morning.” Lin Xiaodou answered perfunctorily, then lowered her head and bit into a dumpling.

She had to admit, the dumplings were genuinely delicious.

Thin-skinned, plump with filling—one bite and the rich, juicy flavor burst in her mouth. Incredible!

It was the first time Lin Xiaodou had tasted soup dumplings this good.

Back in her old life, breakfast shops always skimped on ingredients. Some even used scraps for filling—she barely dared eat them.

In no time at all, she polished off a whole tray of ten dumplings.

Watching her eat so brazenly, Wu Ya’s face twisted in disdain.

“Eating like a reincarnated beggar—how utterly vulgar.”

Lin Xuefei covered her mouth with a laugh and tried to mediate, “Mom, don’t say that. Sister’s family was so poor growing up, she probably never had anything this good.”

Lin Xiaodou paused, spoon midair.

She raised her head, smiled at Lin Xuefei, and said, “Sister, you’re wrong. That poor family you mentioned—that’s yours, not mine.”

Lin Xuefei’s smile froze; her eyes reddened instantly.

Wu Ya slammed the table in anger. “Lin Xiaodou, how dare you bully your sister! Get out of this house!”

“Enough, both of you,” Lin Zhengmin cut in to smooth things over. He turned to his wife, “After breakfast, you’ll have to take Xiaodou out and see what she needs.”

Wu Ya’s eyes flashed, “I won’t—”

“Mom, don’t be rash—” Lin Xuefei gave her a meaningful look.

Only then did Wu Ya remember her husband’s words from last night.

She still needed to offer this ugly girl a few benefits, to get her to take the blame for Xuefei.

Fine, she’d endure her for a few more days.

…

Nearing the end of breakfast, Lin Zhengmin spoke up.

“Xiaodou, I’ll visit your family today. Is there anything you’d like me to say to your parents?”

Lin Xiaodou raised an eyebrow. “No need. In fact, I don’t think you should go.”

Lin Zhengmin: “Why not?”

Lin Xiaodou smiled faintly.

She glanced at Lin Xuefei, whose face was alight with pride, and spoke slowly:

“Because Lin Xuefei’s real father is in prison…”

—

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