Chapter 65

Since the college entrance exam, Wen Jiu and Lin Yu had left Nancheng and never returned, not for holidays, not even for work.
This year was the first year Lin Yu’s studio officially launched games. Two games: one multiplayer competitive, one otome with microtransactions. The first could get a million people to spend five yuan in a day; the second could get one person to spend five million in an hour.
With promotion from Xie Junyu, Yue Ling, Wen Ling, and major stars under Chu Film, plus high-quality production, user growth soared. The first year’s profits not only covered costs but multiplied the investment the young lady had given Wen Jiu nearly a hundredfold.
Wen Jiu finally became a boss, no longer needing to work.
Yet after only a couple of days resting, Lin Yu called her to work.
“Boss, the company poll chose Nancheng for the celebration; you must attend.” After the polite phrasing, Lin Yu continued normally: “Wen Jiu, though there are some annoying people in Nancheng, the food is amazing. Don’t you want to make up for your childhood self?”
Nancheng’s cuisine exists nationwide, but only locally can you get the unique flavors, something chain restaurants can’t replicate.
Memories of all the delicious foods she had craved but never tasted made her swallow instinctively. “When do we go?”
“All except the tech department will fly there; tickets are reimbursed. But we can go early together.”
Even though Wen Jiu now controlled billions, she still felt for overworked employees.
“Tech department getting a raise?”
“They get a share this year, three million per department. Plus, those on duty get an extra month’s salary. Their wages are already high.”
Wen Jiu’s left and right brain were at war.
At this point, her mindset was half capitalist, half worker. Her left brain thought the tech department was getting too much money, while her right brain argued they should not only get the money but also extra vacation days.
In the end, the right brain won.
“Arrange an annual leave for the tech department too. Let them schedule it within the year, just make sure not everyone is absent at the same time.”
“Okay, I’ll tell them later. They’ll be very happy.”
Ever since the company started making profits, employees’ pay and benefits had increased, making staff at other major companies insanely jealous.
Every time there was a drinking gathering, Lin Yu would be subtly mocked by other bosses and CEOs.
Everyone’s salary and benefits were at the same level, but you give the most. How can anyone compete?!
Many wanted to transfer over, but Lin Yu rarely accepted newcomers. After all, with benefits this good, no one left, and there were no openings.
“Let’s leave early. We’ll set off today!”
Wen Jiu, led by the young lady, had become a real action-taker.
She tore her plane ticket from Beicheng and left, while Lin Yu appeared from Haicheng.
The two met at Nancheng airport at three in the afternoon.
Lin Yu had brought Song Qin and initially wanted to give Wen Jiu a hug, but then she saw Wen Jiu was with Shen Xingzhou.
Lin Yu: …
The people who flaunt their relationships the most are the worst.
Wen Jiu, however, peeked behind her. “Ji Yujing didn’t come with you?”
Young Master Ji insisted on staying at Lin Yu’s company, even refusing salary, just to spend every day with her. Wen Jiu admired him for that.
Getting up early, working late, earning nothing and enduring hardships, pursuing someone for a year and a half without success, yet still persisting, that was top-tier “love brain” behavior in Beicheng’s wealthy circles.
The young lady never thought she’d have to endure hardship to chase Chu Yan; Young Master Ji had taken a completely different approach.
“He went to get the luggage.” As the words left her mouth, Young Master Ji rolled over with the suitcase.
No complaints, no fatigue, just a pure smile, all eyes on Lin Yu.
Song Qin was used to it but still twitched slightly at the corner of her mouth.
Wen Jiu glanced at Shen Xingzhou, signaling with her eyes: your cousin.
Shen Xingzhou pushed back: now also your cousin.
After a year apart, Ji Yujing’s love brain was even stronger.
Wen Jiu was rather double-standard in this regard. The young lady could indulge in her love brain with Chu Yan, fine. Ji Yujing’s love brain with Lin Yu, she thought it could even be stronger.
On the way, Wen Jiu whispered with Lin Yu while Song Qin leaned in to listen, and the two boys sat in the front.
Since Ji Yujing’s ears were sharp and could pick up on Lin Yu’s words, Wen Jiu simply lowered the car’s middle partition.
“Lin Yu, what do you think of Ji Yujing?”
Lin Yu stroked her chin, thinking carefully. “Marriage is possible, but I don’t want to get a certificate yet.”
“Men are unpredictable creatures. Maybe he won’t cherish it. A marriage certificate could serve as an excuse, and even domestic abuse might not be legally punished.”
“My life is long, with many unfinished projects. I want to continue producing more games, placing the name Lin Yu at the pinnacle of the gaming world.
Marriage and men cannot become obstacles. I can have them, but they cannot consume too much of my energy.
Besides, I don’t need a man to add color to my life. I’m happy with you guys. And when physiological needs arise, I spend a night with Ji Yujing each month, he’s cooperative and happy about it too.”
Wen Jiu gave Lin Yu a thumbs-up.
She thought this approach was pretty good.
The five of them arrived at a snack shop they’d visited as children.
Both their families valued boys over girls, Lin Yu’s more extreme, even resorting to hitting her.
It was less about having eaten there before, more about having smelled the flavors in childhood.
The shopkeepers were kind. Seeing two students walk by in awe, they would serve them a bowl on the house.
It happened only once, witnessed by Lin Yu’s adoptive mother and older brother.
Wen Jiu recalled the scene from her own memories.
Lin Yu’s adoptive mother pulled on her ear to lift the frail child, tipping over the red plastic chair in the process.
Lin Yu’s older brother grabbed the uneaten food on the table and finished it all. After Lin Yu’s portion, he even took Wen Jiu’s. He ate two bowls of rice rolls, smacking his lips, shouting, “Mom, she must have stolen money; otherwise, how could she afford these?”
“I could taste the meat just now, and she even had the egg and meat added.”
Though he didn’t intervene physically, his words prompted Lin Yu’s adoptive mother to strike harder.
“I’ll beat you to death, stealing money to eat! You little brat! This money is for your brother’s education, don’t you know?!” She slapped and scolded, leaving young Wen Jiu stunned.
Both Wen Jiu and Lin Yu were still students, very young. Lin Yu was three years younger, malnourished, small as a child.
After a few slaps, Lin Yu’s face swelled red; the washed-out school uniform sleeves fell, revealing the bruises on her arms.
Little Wen Jiu ran over. “Lin Yu didn’t steal anything! The boss treated them!”
The shop staff hurriedly stopped Lin Yu’s adoptive mother. “What are you doing to the child? Stop! It’s just a meal of rice rolls.
Besides, the boss paid. It’s not like the children stole anything.
Even if the boss hadn’t paid, I would have covered the cost for them. Two bowls of rice rolls, why beat them?”
Lin Yu’s adoptive mother didn’t care, but seeing others criticize her, she vented her anger even more. “This is my family business! None of your business!
So what if I hit the children? Even if I killed them, it wouldn’t be illegal.”
Wen Jiu, protecting Lin Yu, was pushed to the ground as well.
She watched Lin Yu dragged away by his adoptive mother, with his brother smugly walking behind, kicking Lin Yu’s waist and legs as he went. “Mom, they’re just bones. Kicking them hurt my foot.”
Lin Yu’s adoptive mother pinched Lin Yu’s ear. “Hear that? You made your brother’s foot hurt. I’ll strangle you.”
The wind lifted her sleeves. Wen Jiu rose, standing at the snack shop door, noticing the bruises under her sleeves matched Lin Yu’s.
Apparently, her adoptive family had beaten her too, taking it out on Lin Yu.
Back then, Wen Jiu didn’t know Lin Yu wasn’t biological, she was just terrified.
After that, the shop no longer dared to serve Lin Yu or Wen Jiu free meals.
Wen Jiu’s mother somehow learned about this and told young Wen Jiu at home: “Next time the boss gives you rice rolls, pack them for your brother.
Our family’s been good to you, we never beat or scolded you. You should be grateful.”
Wen Jiu let it go in one ear and out the other.
Still, she couldn’t resist asking, “Does Lin Yu’s mom get beaten too?”
Of course, Wen Jiu’s mother replied, “Her family only has one son who’s a failure. Even in high school, he couldn’t compare to your brother. Lin Yu’s mom was injured giving birth and couldn’t have another child, so she deserved it.
But the Lin man is rough, hitting her daily. Her mother couldn’t stand it and had to take it out on her daughter, so she kept beating her.
If she hadn’t had this daughter, she wouldn’t have injured herself. Plus, it’s a girl, useless once married off.”
Wen Jiu’s mother smiled, feeling lucky. “I’m lucky I married your dad. He doesn’t hit. Your brother studies well and will succeed.
Remember, your family treats you well. Look at other girls, they get beaten. We only make you do chores.”
Young Wen Jiu got the information she wanted; the last few words went in one ear and out the other.
The memories ended there.
Wen Jiu didn’t dwell on her mother or family. The relationship was already severed; her brother was in prison.
The original memories only triggered in fragments. She only knew Lin Yu had been sponsored in high school and then went abroad, she didn’t know how painful Lin Yu’s childhood had been.
Recalling Lin Yu’s view on marriage, Wen Jiu sensed the shadow of Lin Yu’s childhood still lingered.
The adoptive parents’ shadow over Lin Yu’s view of love couldn’t be erased, but she could hint at it to Ji Yujing, to see if he could provide care and help her step out of that darkness.
She hoped Young Master Ji would continue treating Lin Yu well, ideally, for life.
The rice rolls arrived quickly. As Wen Jiu ate, she sent a message to Su Yaoyao:
Wen Jiu: Ding ding, can you help me give your brother a beating?
Su Yaoyao didn’t ask why: Sure.
Su Yaoyao: But I can’t do much; I’ll have my brother take him to the island.
Su Tan must have known about Lin Yu’s past.
Lin Yu had suffered so much, and Su Tan still targeted her, he deserved a beating.
Su Heng at least gave Lin Yu five million and hired a lawyer to sever ties with her adoptive parents. Though not perfect, in this matter he did what Lin Yu wanted most.
“Boss, I want to ask you about someone in the village.”
It was still early, and not many people were around. The older, gossip-loving boss cheerfully walked over. “Who do you want to ask about? I’ve run this shop twenty years, heard a lot of things in the village.”
“I want to know how Lin Guangzong’s family is doing now.”
Lin Guangzong was Lin Yu’s older brother, the biological child of her adoptive parents.
Lin Yu perked up her ears.
After all that had happened, she was now simply curious.
If Lin Guangzong’s family was doing poorly, she would be even happier.
“Lin Guangzong, huh… he’s in his thirties. He only went to prison a few years ago, and I heard he won’t be getting out anytime soon.”
Prison, good! People like that are a threat to society anyway.
“Why did he go to prison?” Wen Jiu asked further.
The shop owner spoke like he was gossiping, more interested than the customers themselves.
“Back then, it was quite a big deal, the whole village knew. Everyone knew the details, but no one could really talk about it. A few outsiders came through, so they had to explain.”
Wen Jiu and Lin Yu had been malnourished as children, looking grey and pale. Now, with normal routines and proper nutrition, they were fair-skinned and looked well-raised.
Sitting in front of the owner, he didn’t even recognize them as the two children who used to pass by his shop every day.
“A few years ago, their family had a girl, taken from a wealthy family. The rich family came to take her back.
I’ll tell you in private, Lin Sao herself admitted she did it on purpose. What is that? That’s human trafficking!
Not only did she take the girl, she beat her every day. She had no conscience whatsoever.
When the rich family came to take the girl back, Lin Sao and Lin Shu, those two were even more malicious. They never treated the child well but demanded an outrageous upkeep fee, several million.
The family paid, and the girl left.
After that, Lin Sao went around boasting. If she hadn’t said anything, we wouldn’t have known all the details.
Coincidentally, her eldest son was lazy and couldn’t find a proper wife. When the money came in, he got a beautiful one, building houses, buying cars, the whole deal.
Lin Guangzong’s wife was fierce. As soon as she came in, she kicked Lin Sao and Lin Shu out. Lin Sao and Lin Shu cried to us every day.”
“Well, serves them right. We didn’t care to listen, nor would we help them.”
“Later, after arguing back and forth, Lin Guangzong’s wife allowed them to stay. She didn’t want to work and needed two capable people to do the chores.
Lin Shu not only refused to work but also beat his wife. Lin Sao suffered, endless work, endless beatings.
That’s how the Lin family lived for a year. Then Lin Guangzong discovered the child in his wife’s belly wasn’t his.
That night, the village lights flickered as everyone gathered at the Lin house, listening to the arguments.
Lin Guangzong’s wife had a tall, strong lover. One against the family of three, Lin Guangzong and his parents were completely overwhelmed. They had no allies; everyone else just watched.
Lin Guangzong’s wife stood on him, saying: ‘With that ugly face, how could I ever like you? Weak and useless, good for nothing. Since you found out, I won’t stay. Divorce, quickly.’
There’s no divorce cooling-off period back then. Lin Guangzong was forced to divorce, and his wife took all the money. Anything valuable in the house was gone; the car was secretly sold by her.
All the money was in Lin Sao and Lin Shu’s hands. Lin Guangzong, afraid of his wife’s lover, went home to ask his parents for money.
Lin Shu and Lin Sao refused, and Lin Guangzong accidentally killed them.
The neighbors found out and helped report it. Lin Guangzong has been in prison for two years now.”
Wen Jiu: !!!
If the setting had been different, she would’ve stood up and shouted: Serves that whole family right.
“Why are you asking about Lin Guangzong?” the owner countered.
He stared at Wen Jiu, again and again. “You look familiar… like a child from the Wen family.
You’ve changed so much I can barely recognize you. Ah, my daughter saw you on TV… yes, you’re the Wen child from the news.
I was wondering why you’d ask about Lin Guangzong, back then, you and the Lin girl were very close.
Wen girl, listen, don’t let your parents see you back here. They’d cling to you and never let go.
My daughter said you’ve cut ties with your family. Definitely don’t let them trick you into going back as their daughter.”
The owner was sincere, so Wen Jiu quickly nodded. “Don’t worry, uncle. I won’t go back. I have no connection with them now; my household registration is transferred out.”
“My daughter said you gave them 1.8 million. Mostly spent, I guess, to fight your brother’s legal case. Your brother is young, doesn’t study, and gets into all sorts of illegal trouble.
If you ask me, he really shouldn’t be let out, or he’ll become a second Lin Guangzong.
People in the village say the same, but your parents insist your brother is fine, always helping reduce his sentence.
When your brother arrives, who knows, your parents might have no money left. Even if the money is gone, he might turn violent like Lin Guangzong.”
Leaving the rice roll shop, the Nancheng sky was painted orange by the setting sun.
The sky was full of evening clouds, stunningly beautiful, with a tinge of hometown warmth and melancholy.
Wen Jiu and Lin Yu’s childhood had no warmth, only sorrow.
Wen Jiu, not the original body, listened as if watching a play, Shen Xingzhou’s tender embrace didn’t stir any sadness.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Lin Yu nearly misstep off the steps.
Luckily, Ji Yujing reacted quickly, catching her arm and pulling her back into his embrace.
Perhaps because they weren’t officially a couple, Ji Yujing didn’t hold her as long as Shen Xingzhou did, he reluctantly let go.
Yet his eyes were all on Lin Yu, unable to look away.
Carefully, he said, “From now on, I’ll be with you. Together, we’ll overwrite your bad memories. Is that okay?”
Wen Jiu internally exclaimed “Wow!” and peeked through her fingers.
Her heart went wild.
Young Master Ji had matured, no need for her guidance, he bravely took the initiative.
Lin Yu turned her head to look at Ji Yujing; in the sunset, the corners of her eyes sparkled with glimmers.
Wen Jiu didn’t know if it was emotion or the sun’s glare.
Lin Yu’s voice reached Wen Jiu, and in Ji Yujing’s heart, a firework exploded.
“Will you marry me? Not registering is fine, right?”
She would only marry him officially after they were truly together and he passed her test.
“Anything’s fine. I just want a status to stay with you,” Ji Yujing said quickly, fearing Lin Yu would change her mind.
Wen Jiu thought: ahhhhh.
Indeed, watching others date was more entertaining.
“Mm.” Lin Yu nodded.
Ji Yujing, delighted, spun her around in the middle of the street, ignoring onlookers.
Song Qin looked at Shen Xingzhou and Wen Jiu cuddled together on the left, then at the spinning pair on the right.
Song Qin: ……
She vowed to immediately adopt ten handsome eighteen-year-old boys! Two per day Monday to Friday, weekends off for herself!