Chapter 32: Why Does She Seem So Terrifying?

Looking at the plainly dressed old man before her, Lin Xiaodou was somewhat surprised. Professor Wang’s status was far from ordinary. He was a professor in the History Department at Jing City University, highly esteemed within the school. Perhaps because of his study of history, his character was upright and uncompromising, with clear distinctions between right and wrong. He was also deeply filial, most respectful to his elderly father.

His father happened to be the old man whom the impostor heiress Lin Xuefei had hit with her bicycle not long ago. At the time, Professor Wang had just returned from his walk with a birdcage, turned a corner, and collided with someone. The old man, already eighty and frail, was knocked down, his head hitting a brick on the ground, resulting in a stroke that had left him unconscious ever since.

To find the culprit responsible for hurting his father, Professor Wang had been searching through various channels these days. If he discovered Lin Xuefei was the one, given his nature, he would never let her off easily. That’s why the Lin family planned to have Lin Xiaodou take the blame. Lin Xiaodou had never expected that a simple stroll could bring her face to face with this pivotal figure.

The kindly Professor Wang before her was quite different from the descriptions in the book. Yet his father...

“Dad, Dad!” A young man ran up from not far away, his face anxious, lips trembling as he spoke, “The hospital just called. They said... Grandpa has passed away!”

“What?!” Professor Wang’s hand slipped, and the birdcage crashed to the ground...

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When Lin Xiaodou arrived home, the family was just about to begin dinner. Wu Ya caught sight of her and immediately wore a look of disdain. “Where have you been? Always vanishing. Don’t get mixed up with any unsavory people outside.”

Lin Xuefei quickly chimed in, “Mom, maybe it’s because Sister had such a hard life before. Now that she’s idle, she can’t sit still.”

Wu Ya snorted, “If she can’t sit still, then help Aunt Chen with some chores at home. So lazy, always running out every day!”

The mother and daughter nestled together, echoing each other, clearly reconciled. Wu Ya was impulsive and short-tempered, her anger coming and going quickly. Lin Xuefei, with her sweet tongue, could easily coax Wu Ya into forgetting any unpleasantness.

Seeing his wife and daughter getting along so well, Lin Zhengmin’s furrowed brow finally relaxed a little after days of tension. The three of them sat at the dining table in harmony, a warm scene. But Lin Xiaodou’s return shattered that peace in an instant.

Lin Zhengmin became displeased. “From now on, stay in more, like your mother says. Help Aunt Chen with some chores. Don’t wander around outside for no reason.”

Lin Xiaodou replied, “Do you know whom I just ran into?”

Lin Zhengmin asked, “Who?”

The abrupt question was puzzling. Lin Xiaodou scanned the faces of those present and slowly said, “I met Professor Wang. And I heard something about his father...”

“What happened to his father?” Lin Xuefei’s heart skipped a beat.

Lin Xiaodou said, “He’s dead. Sudden stroke and massive hemorrhage.”

“That’s impossible... How could that be...” Lin Xuefei’s face turned ashen, shaking her head in disbelief.

Lin Zhengmin and Wu Ya were both shocked. They knew well how filial Professor Wang was to his father. He had already said that if he found the person who hit his father, he would send them to prison. Now that Professor Wang’s father was dead, it wasn’t just a matter of jail—it demanded a life for a life.

In the original novel, Professor Wang’s father also died, and Lin Zhengmin’s family immediately pushed the protagonist out to take the blame. She refused, but the male lead learned of this and forced her into submission through cruel means. In the end, she was sentenced to over twenty years, sent to a remote farm in the borderlands, and died miserably.

So ultimately, it was the male lead who brought about this outcome. Right now, the family was still hiding the truth from him, afraid he’d despise Lin Xuefei if he found out. But they had no idea—outwardly, the male lead appeared noble and refined, but inwardly he was ruthless. He had fallen for the impostor heiress Lin Xuefei at first sight, determined to have her by any means. Yet Lin Xuefei had only dated him for less than a month and didn’t understand his temperament. If she did, she would have told him about the matter long ago and let him handle it.

The Lin family always made Lin Xuefei appear pure and kind in front of the male lead to win his favor. Unless pushed to the brink, they would never reveal the truth. Lin Xiaodou intended to exploit this, to swiftly shatter all their relationships.

“Dad...” Lin Xuefei was panicking. That night, she had ridden out to the movies with her girlfriends, who also lived nearby and knew what happened. Now that someone had died, Professor Wang would surely accelerate his investigation and suspect her!

Wu Ya spoke up as well, “Zhengmin, we can’t wait any longer. Tell her now.”

Though she’d been upset the past couple of days, deep down she still favored Xuefei. As for Lin Xiaodou, she couldn’t compare to the obedient and considerate Xuefei. Better to have her take the blame sooner, so she wouldn’t be a bother at home.

Lin Zhengmin sighed, stood up, and said, “Xiaodou, come with me to the study. I have something to discuss with you.”

Ever since he’d returned from Lin Xiaodou’s foster mother’s house, he’d hesitated over this matter. But now time was pressing, and with no other options, he could only try.

Lin Xiaodou ate a meatball, unmoving. “Whatever you have to say, say it here. I’m eating.”

Wu Ya glared at her, “You wretched girl...”

Lin Zhengmin tapped the table to stop her from shouting. He then went to the kitchen and told Aunt Chen a few words, sending her away from the house. Once she left, only the family remained in the living room.

Clearing his throat, Lin Zhengmin began, “Xiaodou, the family needs your help with something...”

In a few words, he made everything clear. Lin Xiaodou listened, then laughed. “So what you mean is, Lin Xuefei makes a mistake, and I take the blame? Am I misunderstanding, or do you really take me for a fool?”

Lin Zhengmin caught the sarcasm in her tone and was displeased. “Lin Xiaodou, Xuefei is your sister. As her elder, can’t you help her?”

Wu Ya eagerly agreed, “Exactly! It’s not like you’d take the blame for nothing! When you’re released, the family will give you money and a house, guarantee you’ll have no worries for the rest of your life. Such a good deal—others wish they could do it. This is your blessing!”

Lin Xiaodou retorted, “If it’s such a blessing, why don’t you take it yourself?”

“You!” Wu Ya’s face flushed with anger. “I am your mother! How can you say such rebellious things? Besides, how can you compare to me? You’re already disfigured, hard to marry or find work. You live in our Lin family, eating but not contributing. Is it really so hard for you to take the blame?”

“Ha! Just take the blame, you say?” Lin Xiaodou laughed in exasperation. “If it’s so easy, why don’t you do it for your precious daughter? Why come to me?”

“I can’t!” Wu Ya jumped up, grasping at excuses. “Didn’t Tianjun say before, Professor Wang’s father heard a young girl’s voice. I wouldn’t fit the description!”

Lin Xiaodou raised an eyebrow, “Old people get confused. Mistaking voices is normal.”

“Lin Xiaodou!” Wu Ya slapped the table in frustration. “Why must you always oppose me? Do you even consider me your mother?”

“I don’t have a mother who pushes her own child to prison,” Lin Xiaodou shot her a cold look. “If you think taking the blame is easy, then do it. If you can’t, then shut up!”

“I...” Wu Ya just opened her mouth.

Lin Xiaodou’s gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over her. Wu Ya shuddered, instantly tongue-tied.

What was happening? She’d only ever thought this girl was a bit clever and lazy, but now—she seemed frightening.