Volume One, Chapter 18: Swindling the Former Mother-in-Law of Ten Million

Lin Qiao’s trembling fingertips brushed over the yellowed photograph.

In an instant, she suddenly recalled Lin Yunqi’s voice calling out, “Sister Ran.”

At this moment, Lin Qiao could no longer pay attention to Xiao Bai. She picked up the photo and hurried toward the study.

In the study, Lin Shao was reading a book. Seeing her enter, he smiled warmly and greeted, “Qiaoqiao, what brings you here to see Dad?”

But when his eyes landed on the photo clasped in Lin Qiao’s hand, his expression changed abruptly.

“Dad, who is she?”

Lin Qiao’s mind was in turmoil, her thoughts echoing Lin Yunqi’s call of “Sister Ran.”

Lin Shao took the photo carefully, looking at it again and again.

After a long while, he sighed, “Qiaoqiao, she is your twin sister, Lin Ran.”

“Then where is she now...”

“She has passed away.”

Lin Qiao’s pupils dilated instantly—her own elder sister, whom she had never met, had already died.

Suddenly, she thought of Huo Xiao, who bore a striking resemblance to her.

“What about Huo Xiao...”

“That child is your sister’s son.”

Lin Shao began to tell Lin Qiao the story of Lin Ran.

“Your sister fell in love with Qin Chen’s bodyguard several years ago. At that time, I didn’t approve, so they eloped and had Huo Xiao.”

The Lin family had always kept track of Lin Ran’s situation. After Huo Xiao was born, Lin Shao’s attitude softened somewhat.

“Just as we were preparing to bring her back, an accident happened. Both she and the bodyguard died.”

“Why is Huo Xiao with the Qin family?”

“Before she died, she sent us a letter, saying she wished her son could live a normal life, love who he wanted, and hoped the Lin family wouldn’t interfere in Huo Xiao’s life.”

Therefore, when Qin Chen took Huo Xiao away immediately, the Lin family did not object.

Lin Qiao caught the key point, “So Sister Ran knew something was going to happen before she died, which is why she sent you that letter?”

Lin Shao shook his head and sighed, “Ranran is gone now. None of that matters anymore.”

Lin Qiao instinctively felt this was not the whole truth, but her father had many things he didn’t want her to know.

Seeing the redness in her father’s eyes, she didn’t press further.

The person was gone—Lin Qiao would never have the chance to meet her biological sister, nor would she ever see her again.

Thinking of the gentle face in the photo, Lin Qiao’s thoughts turned to Huo Xiao.

He was so young, still unaware that his parents had passed away, still waiting hopefully in the Qin family for their return.

Lin Qiao felt a profound sorrow in her heart.

“Qiaoqiao, you mentioned last time that you’ve been teaching Huo Xiao photography.”

Lin Shao sighed, “That child, please take good care of him.”

Lin Qiao nodded. Since learning that Huo Xiao was her nephew, her feelings for him had shifted from mere pity to a deep desire to cherish and love him.

She just wanted to give him the love her sister could no longer provide.

...

Back in her bedroom, Lin Qiao received a call from Huo Xiao.

She pressed the answer button, and his lively, youthful voice came through, “Auntie, how about we go on a trip next week?”

This trip was a prize he had longed for.

Lin Qiao was still reeling from the news about her biological sister and worried Huo Xiao might sense something was wrong.

Clearing her throat, a gentle warmth shining in her eyes, she softly said, “Sure, Xiao Xiao. Whenever you want to go, Auntie will make time for you.”

Huo Xiao responded with a hearty “Mm.”

“I told Uncle Qin, and he said he’ll come too.”

Lin Qiao frowned, surprised that Qin Chen would join.

Just as she was lost in thought, Huo Xiao’s voice on the other end sounded plaintive, “Does Auntie not want Uncle Huo to come? But I really, really want to go with you all.”

The child’s words ended with a slight quiver, almost on the verge of tears.

Huo Xiao was smart and sensitive.

Reluctant to go on a trip with her ex-husband’s younger brother, Lin Qiao softened when she considered Huo Xiao’s background.

She lowered her voice tenderly, coaxing gently.

“Auntie doesn’t think that way. I just didn’t expect Uncle Qin to be so busy but still willing to come with us.”

“Hello, Uncle Qin! Hello, Auntie! Xiao Xiao loves you so much!”

“Auntie loves Xiao Xiao very much too.”

Having set the trip for next week with Huo Xiao, Lin Qiao sighed. She had been married to Qin Tianlang for many years, yet they had never had a family vacation.

Unexpectedly, the first trip would be with Huo Xiao and Qin Chen together.

Time flew to the day of the trip.

By the time the three arrived at the ancient town, it was already afternoon.

After checking in, the three strolled through the old streets.

Qin Chen wore casual clothes, rare for him, and looked much softer.

Huo Xiao bounced happily, holding Lin Qiao’s hand, and spotted a stall selling woven straw crafts.

Many small straw animals were displayed, but none as exquisite as those Lin Qiao made.

He proudly shook Lin Qiao’s hand, “These aren’t as good as Auntie’s.”

Looking at the small stall of straw crafts, Lin Qiao thought of her past.

She told Huo Xiao stories of growing up in the orphanage, how she learned to weave straw crafts from a young age to help supplement the orphanage’s expenses, and how the director would sell them with love.

Huo Xiao listened with tears in his eyes.

He exclaimed loudly, “Auntie, you’re amazing!”

Lin Qiao shook her head, “These are just cheap trinkets. Knowing how to weave them isn’t anything special.”

“Miss Lin, straw weaving is now part of the intangible cultural heritage. Huo Xiao is right—you really are amazing.”

She looked up at Qin Chen, whose deep eyes revealed sincerity.

“The straw animals you gave last time were very popular with the investor’s child. This trip to the ancient town is also recognition from the handicraft competition.”

At the end, the man added, “You’re even better than you think.”

No one had ever told Lin Qiao she was truly good.

For years past, she had struggled to find affirmation.

Since being recognized by the Lin family, she no longer worried about money, but she still couldn’t fully believe in herself.

She hadn’t even fully reclaimed her only real talent—photography.

Yet now, Qin Chen seriously told her she was truly remarkable.

He looked at the straw crafts on the stall, a faint smile playing in his eyes.

“Miss Lin, those are not cheap trinkets. They could be worth a fortune.”

Lin Qiao’s once dim eyes brightened. She nodded, “Thank you, President Qin.”

Back at the hotel, she received a call from her former mother-in-law, Cheng Ru, who spoke urgently, “Lin Qiao, you said last time the straw crafts sell for a million each? I want two.”

“Lin Qiao, for these so-called cheap things, I’ll pay you two million. You’re getting a great deal.”

Suddenly recalling Qin Chen’s words, Lin Qiao calmly replied, “Five million each. Two for ten million.”