Chapter 38: They Were Caught Red-Handed by Wu Ya

Wu Ya stormed back to her parents’ house in a fit of anger.

Lin Zhengmin was weighed down by bitterness and drank heavily at dinner. After the meal, Lin Xuefei and Aunt Chen helped him to his room.

“Aunt Chen, you go clean up downstairs. I’ll take care of Dad,” Lin Xuefei said.

Aunt Chen nodded. “Alright.” The atmosphere at home had been off all day. She hurried to finish cleaning up, eager to hide away in her own room for some peace and quiet.

Once they were alone, Lin Xuefei gazed at Lin Zhengmin, who lay on the bed, her eyes full of conflict. At last, she gritted her teeth and began to undo her clothes...

...

Lin Zhengmin woke up in the middle of the night, parched with thirst. Sensing someone beside him, he nudged them.

“Wife, get me some water.”

“Alright~” came a soft, husky voice.

That wasn’t his wife’s voice.

Lin Zhengmin frowned and sat up, switching on the bedside lamp. Only then did he see who was with him.

“Xuefei, why is it you?!” His eyes widened in shock.

The girl’s appearance was disheveled; there was no need to guess what had happened between them. Lin Zhengmin couldn’t believe it—how could he have acted so depraved? How could he ever face his wife again?

“Last night you got drunk, I tried to take care of you, but you... you...” Lin Xuefei clutched the blanket, quietly sobbing, looking utterly pitiful.

“I’m sorry, Xuefei. It was a moment of weakness. Tell me, what can I do to make it up to you?” Lin Zhengmin’s face was clouded with torment as he raked his hair in agitation.

As she glimpsed his distress, a flicker of satisfaction flashed through Lin Xuefei’s eyes.

She spoke in a pitiful voice, “I... I don’t want to go to jail. Please, help me, will you?”

...

Early the next morning, Lin Xiaodou was awakened by the sound of shouting on the second floor. Driven by curiosity, she went upstairs only to be hit by an explosive piece of news: Lin Xuefei had slept with Lin Zhengmin!

Even Lin Xiaodou, who had weathered many storms, was stunned by Lin Xuefei’s audacity. She’d expected the fake heiress to do something reckless, but she’d never imagined anything this extreme. To avoid prison, she’d pulled out all the stops.

The two were still lying in bed together when Wu Ya, returning home early, caught them red-handed. Fortunately, Aunt Chen was off today and had already gone back to her own house—otherwise, this scandal would have become common knowledge.

Now, Wu Ya was about to tear out Lin Xuefei’s hair, but Lin Zhengmin stepped in to stop her. In her rage, Wu Ya scratched Lin Zhengmin’s face until it was a bloody mess. Unwilling to tolerate it, Lin Zhengmin slapped her so hard she was left dazed.

Wu Ya collapsed to the floor, clutching her face and wailing, “You bastard, Lin Zhengmin! You’re hitting me for a little tramp? After all these years as your wife, is this how you treat me?!”

Lin Zhengmin replied impatiently, “Enough with the sobbing! I’ve been sick of you, you old hag, for years!”

He had felt guilty in the dead of night when he realized what had happened. But after Xuefei soothed him, his mind cleared. She was right—the Lin family needed a son to carry on the line. Otherwise, all that had been left by his ancestors would end up in the hands of outsiders.

Over the years, Lin Zhengmin had considered finding someone else, but his wife’s fierce temper and his own reputation had held him back. Before learning of Xuefei’s true parentage, he’d thought having an obedient, sensible daughter was a blessing. But now, knowing she wasn't his by blood and his biological daughter was unreliable, the prospect of old age without his own child loomed grimly before him.

He was tired of his wife anyway. How could a haggard old woman compare to a beautiful, youthful girl? Once he divorced his wife, he’d find a quiet place for Xuefei, let a year or two go by, and have her bear him a child. To outsiders, he’d say she’d married, but her husband died unexpectedly, leaving her and a child behind. When the time was right, he’d bring Xuefei and the child home, and no one would say a thing.

As for what to do with Wu Ya—once she went to prison, she’d be out of the picture. Yes, Lin Zhengmin planned to make Wu Ya take the blame for Xuefei.

Wu Ya’s family had some influence in the past, but in recent years they’d fallen on hard times, surviving thanks to the Lin family’s support. As long as he used this as leverage, there was no way she’d dare defy him.

Lin Zhengmin thought he had everything planned out, but he underestimated Wu Ya’s selfishness. Compared to her family, she valued her own life more.

“You want me to take the blame for that tramp Lin Xuefei? Dream on!” Wu Ya scrambled to her feet, her eyes blazing with hatred. “I’ll go out right now and show everyone your true colors. Let’s see how you manage to stay in this city!”

“You’re insane!” Lin Zhengmin seized her wrist tightly, his voice cold. “Have you thought about the consequences? If this gets out, you won’t be the only one affected!”

In these times, adultery was strictly punished—publicly shamed and denounced. And this was far worse than ordinary infidelity, given his relationship with Xuefei. If word got out, not only would he lose his job, he might even end up in jail.

Wu Ya laughed coldly through her tears. “Now you’re scared? Why didn’t you think about the consequences when you did it?”

Lin Zhengmin glared at her menacingly. “I don’t care what you say—you must take the blame for Xuefei, or you’ll see what happens!”