Chapter 36: Lin Xiaodou Fiercely Beats Her Own Mother and Father

Lin Xiaodou struck with both fists, unleashing a chaotic barrage onto Wu Ya’s face. Ever since she had entered the Lin household, this old woman had never stopped nagging or pestering her. She’d long since itched to deliver a beating. Previously, she’d held back out of consideration for the Lin family’s status and the protagonist’s aura. But now, the Lin family was in ruins thanks to her, and the protagonist was rotting in jail. What did she have to be afraid of anymore?

It was just a pity that people were so fragile; she had to restrain herself. Otherwise, with her strength, a single punch could send someone flying. Even so, though Lin Xiaodou was holding back, Wu Ya was still beaten so viciously that she screamed and wailed.

“Ah! Help! Min, save me!” Her shrill, miserable cries roused the entire household.

The first to arrive was Aunt Chen from the servants’ quarters next door. She’d just been dreaming of eating pork when suddenly, the piece of meat in her dream let out a blood-curdling scream. She woke with a start, and after realizing the screams came from the next room, she grew tense. Was there a burglar in the house? Xiaodou was all alone in her room—she could be in danger!

Aunt Chen dashed to the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and rushed over. “Don’t be scared, Xiaodou! Aunt Chen is here!” She opened the door and was met with a shocking sight: Xiaodou was straddling Madam Wu, pummeling her with her fists.

Aunt Chen leaned against the door, wiping the cold sweat from her brow. Thank goodness, it wasn’t a burglar—just a war between mother and daughter. Should she intervene or quietly leave? She hesitated for only a second before decisively shutting the door, running back to the kitchen to put away the knife, then hurrying back to bed, pulling the covers over her head. She’d heard nothing. It was all just a dream!

In the darkness, Aunt Chen smiled to herself. She’d worked for the Lin family for over ten years, regularly enduring Madam Wu’s shouting, insults, and arbitrary wage deductions. If not for needing to support her family, she’d have quit long ago. Watching Xiaodou give Madam Wu a thorough thrashing, Aunt Chen felt nothing but satisfaction. Xiaodou had done what she’d never dared. Fierce girl!

...

Soon, Lin Zhengmin and Lin Xuefei on the second floor were awakened by the commotion. They met on the stairs and hurried down together. Entering Xiaodou’s room, they were both stunned by the scene before them.

As soon as she saw them, Wu Ya shrieked for help, “Save me! This wretched girl has gone mad!”

“Lin Xiaodou! What are you doing? Stop this at once!” Lin Zhengmin’s face darkened as he strode forward, reaching out to pull Lin Xiaodou away. But before his hand could touch her, she swung a fist at him.

With a dull thud, Lin Zhengmin was sent flying, slamming heavily against the wall.

“Ah!” Lin Xuefei couldn’t help but scream, shrinking into a corner in terror. How could that ugly thing be so strong?

Lin Zhengmin slumped to the floor, coughing twice, his eyes wide with shock. Xiaodou’s adoptive mother had told him she was strong and had violent tendencies, but he’d never believed it—until now.

Though Xiaodou had only been beating Wu Ya for a short while, the woman’s face was already battered and unrecognizable. Seeing his wife’s miserable state, Lin Zhengmin couldn’t help but speak up, “Lin Xiaodou, let your mother go. We can talk this out.”

Lin Xuefei quickly chimed in, “That’s right! If you don’t stop, I’ll call the police!” She didn’t actually want to help Wu Ya; she was just afraid Xiaodou would turn her fists on her next.

“Go ahead and report it. I was just thinking of telling the police about what happened tonight.” Xiaodou sneered, landing two more punches on Wu Ya’s face. “Sneaking into my room to steal and trying to hit me? Really?”

“Please, I won’t dare again, I swear…” Wu Ya sobbed, shaking her head in terror.

“Lin Xiaodou, you—” Lin Zhengmin started.

“Shut up!” Xiaodou shot him a cold glare. “Say one more word and you’ll get the same.”

Lin Zhengmin fell silent at once.

Lin Xuefei hurried over to help him up. “Dad, we should call the police. Sister seems to have lost her mind.”

“And who are you calling crazy?” Lin Xiaodou rose slowly. She’d already dealt with Wu Ya; next was the pure white lotus, Lin Xuefei.

Lin Xuefei’s pupils shrank. “Sister, I—”

Before she could finish, a fist crashed down on her. “I don’t have a sister. Every time you call me that, I feel sick to my stomach!” Xiaodou pummeled Lin Xuefei with a barrage of ugly punches.

Even Lin Zhengmin, who tried to intervene, wasn’t spared.

Soon, the entire family was reduced to a pack of swollen-faced, groaning wrecks on the floor.

“How wonderful—a family, neat and tidy together!” Xiaodou declared, deciding to move up her revenge plans. She’d originally intended to torment them a bit more, but Wu Ya’s sneaky visit tonight made her realize: some people are nothing but trouble unless you destroy them quickly.

With that in mind, Xiaodou dragged over a chair and sat down, looming coldly over the battered trio on the floor.

“Now, I have something to tell you…” she began.

She told them that Professor Wang’s parrot had never actually identified anyone that night; it had only spoken under her direction. From childhood, she’d had the ability to control animals. To prove it, she summoned a rat on the spot and had it perform tricks. The magical display left everyone dumbfounded.

After the demonstration, Lin Xiaodou laid out her terms. They had two choices: either Lin Xuefei confessed to Professor Wang’s family, or Wu Ya would take the blame. Since she controlled the parrot, it would “identify” whoever she wished. She gave them two days. If they hadn’t reached a decision by the evening of the second day, she would go to Professor Wang herself and reveal the truth.

Lin Zhengmin demanded to know why she was doing this.

“Because I want revenge,” she replied. “You picked the wrong daughter and made me suffer in Lin Xuefei’s place all these years!”

This was the voice of the original soul speaking through her. She left one thing unsaid: in the novel, the original’s tragic death was inseparable from their actions. If she was to take revenge, she’d be delighted to see them turn on each other like dogs in a pit.

Xiaodou wasn’t worried they’d tell anyone what happened tonight. Who would believe a tale about someone controlling animals? More likely, she’d be branded as superstitious or delusional.

Still, just to be sure, she made her point clear: if they weren’t afraid to die, they could go ahead and tell others what happened. As she spoke, she smashed a nearby table with one punch. The sheer power of it left the three so terrified they could barely breathe.

“We understand… We won’t tell anyone…” they stammered, trembling on the floor.

Watching them leave, Xiaodou’s lips curled into a faint smile. The real show was about to begin.

After tonight, this family would tear itself apart in chaos and betrayal. Then, she’d swoop in, empty the house, and walk away in broad daylight. No one would find fault with her. After all, she was just a pitiful girl who’d been switched at birth, unloved after seventeen years apart. Who would ever suspect her?

She had truly perfected the art of using others to do her dirty work…