Zhong Jingjing's words successfully piqued Lin Xingwan's curiosity. For years, she had wondered why, despite her superior grades and abilities compared to Lin Shirou, she was deemed worthless in Zhong Jingjing's eyes.
"Why?" Lin Xingwan asked.
Zhong Jingjing, sobbing, choked out, "Your mother was always a bit… erratic. Han Hai rescued her from a small village, gave her the name Tao Xian, and paid for her ID. Han Hai loved Tao Xian and insisted on marrying her, regardless of her unknown origins. Moreover, your mother was already pregnant, so I couldn't stop them. Initially, the Lin family enjoyed a period of stability and prosperity. Despite your mother's mental instability, she possessed exceptional talent in company management, and Top Entertainment flourished under her leadership."
Recalling the past, Zhong Jingjing clearly saw the Lin family's continuous progress. However, ever since Han Hai got involved with Yang Niuyun, the Lin family's business plummeted. She deeply regretted not noticing these obvious issues over the years. She had, in her own hands, ruined the Lin family's two golden phoenixes. The grief, the urge to slap herself countless times, the heartache – Zhong Jingjing was filled with regret.
"My mother was mentally unstable?" This was the first time in over twenty years that Lin Xingwan had heard such a thing from Zhong Jingjing.
"More than unstable, Tao Xian even tried to kill me. I loved her dearly, but I discovered she would lie awake at night, staring at me, or even try to choke me. Sometimes she'd disappear at night and only return the next day. I used to think she had a lover outside. Later, I followed her one night and saw her standing on the rooftop, talking to herself, laughing and crying…"
Even now, Lin Han Hai couldn't forget the first time he saw that woman. Peach blossoms bloomed, and a beauty danced in the peach grove. The falling peach blossoms and her peerless face were enough to make any man fall. He thought she must be a fairy from the peach grove, hence the name 'Tao Xian,' a homophone for 'peach fairy.' He married her without hesitation, choosing to look only to the future, not the past.
"No, my mother was perfectly sane. You drove her mad," Lin Xingwan countered. Images of her mother in her prime flashed in her mind. Her mother always exuded an aura of confidence and intelligence, taught her many things, told her stories, and even wrote a book on company management as a birthday gift for Lin Xingwan. At the time, Lin Xingwan was too young to understand its contents, but as she grew older, she realized the profound impact of the book written by her mother. How could such a talented woman be mentally ill?
"When these things happened, I hadn't met Niuyun yet. I know you won't believe me now, but what reason do I have to deceive you? I loved your mother wholeheartedly, but she was truly terrifying. She ruined our marriage, not me." Lin Han Hai still spoke of Tao Xian with regret.
Zhong Jingjing continued her explanation, "When Tao Xian gave birth, I truly doted on you. But after your birth, strange occurrences plagued the Lin family, and Top Entertainment also faced setbacks. I consulted a renowned monk, who told me that you were born under an unlucky star, and nurturing you would lead to the family's ruin. He also said I had another granddaughter, a reincarnated Golden Phoenix from the Nine Heavens, sent to Earth for a trial. If properly nurtured, she would lead the Lin family to new heights. It was then I learned that Han Hai had another child. I was already superstitious, and the monk's words proved true, making me increasingly resent and reject you. Furthermore, Han Hai told me Tao Xian wouldn't let him touch her, and their intimacy was a result of a drunken accident in the peach grove. Since she couldn't fulfill her duties as a wife, it was natural for Han Hai to seek other women. All these tragedies were caused by your mother, Tao Xian. If she had been mentally sound, if she had allowed your father to touch her, if she hadn't jumped to her death, such a tragedy would not have occurred."
Zhong Jingjing shifted all blame onto Lin Xingwan's mother. Lin Xingwan's mind was in turmoil; she needed time to process everything. Zhou Jinbai hadn't expected things to escalate to this point; he had merely wanted his wife to witness these people's infighting. He put his arm around Lin Xingwan's shoulders, comforting her. Then, Zhou Jinbai's voice suddenly cut through the air, his icy tone laced with accusation, "Are you sure that night in the peach grove was merely drunken indiscretion, and not some scheme you concocted?"
Although Zhou Jinbai had never met Lin Xingwan's mother, the mention of 'Tao Xian' by these people suddenly reminded him of the Oriental family's old patriarch's long-cherished ideal daughter-in-law from years ago. The old patriarch had said, "During my travels south, I met a very talented junior named Tao Xian. The moment I saw her, I felt she was perfect for Qingxiao. If she hadn't already been married with children, I would have kidnapped her and forced Qingxiao to marry her." After all these years, this woman named 'Tao Xian' was the only junior the old patriarch had ever praised. The old patriarch was notoriously discerning; how could someone he admired fall for a mediocre man like Lin Han Hai?
Lin Han Hai's gaze met Zhou Jinbai's, which was as cold and deep as a winter abyss, and he nervously averted his eyes. "What scheme could I possibly have used?"
"My patience is limited." As Zhou Jinbai's words fell, a menacing group of people stormed into the hospital room. Led by Boss Yang and Master Qin, they were followed by a horde of fierce-looking subordinates. Two burly men lunged at Lin Han Hai, raining blows upon him. The spacious hospital room was filled only with the terrified screams of the Lin and Gu families, and Lin Han Hai's pleas for mercy. Zhou Jinbai raised his hand, and the two muscle-bound men stopped.
"What is the truth of what happened back then?" Zhou Jinbai approached Lin Han Hai, looking down at him, his sharp gaze piercing like knives. Lin Han Hai cast a pleading look at Lin Xingwan, only to see her face etched with indifference. Her delicate features reminded Lin Han Hai of Tao Xian. Back then, no matter what methods he used, that woman, like a goddess from on high, refused to even glance at him. Yet, the more unattainable something was, the more he desired to desecrate it.
"Not talking?" Zhou Jinbai's lips curved into a sneer. The sound of a blade being drawn echoed. The two muscle-bound men, each holding a gleaming blade, slowly crouched down. "Every three seconds that he doesn't speak, a finger will be severed." Zhou Jinbai's imposing aura was terrifying, his flawless features and formidable presence exuding an air of absolute dominion. At this moment, Zhou Jinbai unleashed his full power. Not only Lin Han Hai, but everyone present felt an immense pressure, as if Mount Tai were pressing down on them.
Hearing Zhou Jinbai's words, Lin Xingwan instinctively wanted to intervene. No matter how wicked Lin Han Hai was, he was still her father. She couldn't just stand by and watch Zhou Jinbai cut off his fingers. Just as Lin Xingwan was about to speak, she swallowed the words. She trusted that Jinbai wouldn't do anything she disliked.
"Three…" The man's deep voice was like a call from hell to Lin Han Hai.
"Two…" Sweat dripped from Lin Han Hai's forehead. He looked up at the chilling blades, his pupils contracting sharply.
"One…" With a swift motion, the blade descended. Lin Han Hai shrieked, "I'll talk… I'll tell you everything! I lusted after Tao Xian's beauty, but she disdained me, so I drugged her and locked her in a room, treating her like my slave, forbidding her to leave. I got her pregnant and threatened her with the child, forcing her to marry me. But even after marriage, she wouldn't let me touch her, so I went out and found other women. This is the truth. I swear, if I've told a single lie, may lightning strike me and may I die a horrible death." Lin Han Hai blurted out everything in one breath, then quickly curled up in a corner, hiding his hands. He didn't want to become a cripple!
Next, Zhou Jinbai turned his gaze to the trembling Yang Niuyun. Yang Niuyun stared at Zhou Jinbai in terror, her face pale, shaking uncontrollably. "I don't know, I know nothing. Apart from seducing Lin Han Hai, I've done nothing else, truly…" Yang Niuyun was terrified. She couldn't understand how such a seemingly useless person as Zhou Jinbai had transformed into a divine being.
"Don't worry, I won't have your fingers cut off," Zhou Jinbai said with a wicked smile. "I'll only have your face disfigured." An icy chill enveloped Yang Niuyun. Her pale lips moved, but fear had rendered her voice mute.
A subordinate respectfully handed Zhou Jinbai a photograph. He casually took it and tossed it at Yang Niuyun's feet. Yang Niuyun looked down, her eyes widening in shock. Despair washed over her terrified face. She collapsed onto the ground, feeling all her strength drain away.
Zhong Jingjing, lying in bed, shrieked, "This man is the monk I mentioned! He harmed me, he harmed our Lin family! This demonic monk!" Yang Niuyun's heart was wracked with torment. She knew Zhou Jinbai had shown her the photograph to force her to reveal the truth. After all her careful planning for so many years, it had all come to nothing. Yang Niuyun let out a despairing, mournful laugh, her eyes filled with lifelessness. "Back then, I had this man pretend to be a monk to deceive Zhong Jingjing. This man is my husband, and Rou Rou is our child. For years, I've been sending him money regularly and even arranged for his relatives to be employed in the Lin family's companies."
"You… you… this…" Zhong Jingjing's face turned ashen, and the monitors attached to her began to alarm. Doctors rushed in to tend to her. Lin Han Hai, huddled in the corner, was completely stunned.
Lin Xingwan and Zhou Jinbai left after Zhong Jingjing's condition stabilized. On the way home, Lin Xingwan remained subdued. She had never imagined her mother had endured such hardships before her birth. Yet, her mother, who had spent years with her, had never revealed any of the truth. She had taught her to read, to sing, to dance, to be grateful, and to love, but had never spoken of her own suffering.
Zhou Jinbai held the steering wheel with one hand, while the other gently enclosed Lin Xingwan's cold hand. Their eyes met, and Lin Xingwan said with a heavy heart, "Zhou Jinbai, I want to see my mother. I miss her so much."
"Okay." As soon as Lin Xingwan finished speaking, Zhou Jinbai made a U-turn and drove towards the cemetery where Tao Xian was buried. The car drove smoothly along the mountain road, lined with blooming lotuses, leading to Rongcheng's highest cemetery. This was where Tao Xian had instructed to be buried in her will, having chosen a plot even before she jumped. As the car reached the cemetery, despite it being only September, the temperature had dropped sharply, and white snowflakes began to fall. Zhou Jinbai stopped the car, its headlights illuminating the path. Lin Xingwan got out, snowflakes landing on her. Zhou Jinbai held a black umbrella, standing beside her as they walked towards Tao Xian's tombstone. The man's tall, strong physique made the woman appear even more delicate. The night wind ruffled her soft, long, curly hair, and the falling snowflakes seemed to signify a knight, forever loyal to his princess, protecting the one he held dear.
Lin Xingwan reached Tao Xian's tombstone, a childlike smile appearing on her face. "Mom, I've come to see you again. It's been almost half a year since the last time. This time, you won't think I've come to complain again, will you? Don't worry, even though a lot has happened in the past six months, I'm happier than ever." Lin Xingwan linked her arm with Zhou Jinbai's and said shyly, "This is my husband, Zhou Jinbai. He treats me very well. In the near future, we will get married and have children."
Zhou Jinbai looked at Lin Xingwan, his heart aching. He longed to tell her the entire universe, but words failed him. How he wished they could have met from the moment she was born. Zhou Jinbai looked at the photograph on the tombstone and said with sincere earnestness, "Auntie, hello. My name is Zhou Jinbai, and I am Xingwan's husband. I will always love Xingwan, even when she no longer needs me. I swear on my life, my devotion will be eternal." Zhou Jinbai's obsidian eyes shone with a trustworthy light.
Lin Xingwan's smile grew even gentler. "Mom, did you hear that? The boy I like is making a promise to me. Don't worry about me, I'll take good care of myself." As she spoke, she carefully wiped the dust from Tao Xian's photograph. Zhou Jinbai's gaze shifted from Lin Xingwan's face to the photograph, and in the next moment, his eyes, like a deep pool, churned with disbelief.