Chapter 306: The Second Choice
Lin Chuxing leaned contentedly in Jian Qiuyan's arms, glancing provocatively at Lin Chuyue.
"But Mom and Dad, Grandpa doesn't like me. He only likes my sister."
Lin Feng and his wife could understand. After all, Lin Chuyue had grown up by Lin Aoshan's side.
"Dad, Chuxing just got back..."
Lin Aoshan cut Lin Feng off. He already knew what he was going to say.
"I'm too old to meddle in so many things. My health isn't what it used to be, and I'm tired today. I'm going back to rest."
With that, Lin Aoshan rose to his feet. Lin Feng quickly went to support him. "Dad, I'll walk you back."
The two of them walked along the path back to the small building.
Lin Feng's eyes were rimmed with red. "Dad, I'm sorry. I haven't been by your side for over twenty years, and now that I'm back, I've failed to handle things properly."
He could also see the problems between Lin Chuxing and Lin Chuyue.
But they were both his flesh and blood. What was he supposed to do?
He already knew everything about the situation with Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye and Lin Chuyue had met first and developed feelings for each other, but the one with the marriage engagement was Lin Chuxing.
If Lin Chuxing was willing to step aside, it would be a happy ending for everyone.
But now that Lin Chuxing was unwilling, no one could say a thing.
Not to mention, Lin Feng and his wife already felt more guilt toward Lin Chuxing to begin with.
"Dad, there are a couple of things I want to say, about Chuxing and Chuyue. Chuyue grew up by your side, after all. No matter what, she's always had family around her."
"But Chuxing is different. She had nothing. I was thinking... we should make it up to Chuxing first, and then make it up to Chuyue later. What do you think?"
What could Lin Aoshan say? He was so old that even if he truly wanted to get involved, he simply couldn't.
"You need to find the right balance yourself. Don't forget, Chuyue was separated from you, too! On top of that, she's had to shoulder the heavy burden of the Lin Family. It's been incredibly hard on her as well."
"You can't let your guilt for one make you biased against the other. If that's how it's going to be... it would've been better if you'd never had them at all!"
"Dad, I know." Lin Feng doted on both of his daughters. "I will definitely find the right balance."
Seeing his confidence, Lin Aoshan said nothing more.
'But he could see it clearly. In the end, Lin Chuyue would be the one to suffer.'
'She was too sensible, always hiding things in her heart and suffering any grievances alone.'
'Lin Chuxing, on the other hand, was the exact opposite—she wanted the best of everything.'
「Meanwhile.」
「In the living room.」
Even though they were her real parents and that was her real sister, for some reason, Lin Chuyue felt like she had become an outsider.
She could only swallow her bitterness. "Mom, I'm going to head back as well. I'm more familiar with Grandpa's health."
Jian Qiuyan was about to say something, but Lin Chuxing had already spoken up. "Fine. You'd better take good care of Grandpa, then. After all, he's the one who raised you."
"You have Grandpa, and I have Mom and Dad. That's perfect. Now we're even."
Lin Chuyue said nothing, simply turning and walking toward the small building.
By the time she returned to the room, Lin Feng had just left.
Seeing her dejected expression, Lin Aoshan's heart ached. "Chuyue, come here."
"Grandpa... I'm sorry. Am I being too selfish? I thought I had it all figured out. I'd already decided to make it up to my sister, to give her everything I have."
"But... but now that the time has come, it just hurts so much."
Lin Aoshan's weathered hand stroked her hair. "That's not selfish. It's only human."
"Chuyue, regardless of what Lin Chuxing is like, she is your older sister. Now that she's home, you're not the only one involved in many things anymore."
"In this world, it's impossible to treat everyone perfectly equally. Your parents... they feel more guilt toward Chuxing."
"They might treat Chuxing better because of it. Don't take it to heart. Just remember that you will always be Grandpa's most beloved granddaughter."
Chuyue leaned into his embrace. "Grandpa, I know. At the very least, I grew up by your side. But my sister... she had nothing."
"Chuyue, you're sisters, after all. Just because your relationship is strained now doesn't mean it will be forever. Sooner or later, you two will grow close."
「Two days passed in the blink of an eye.」
During those two days, the Lin Family was reunited, and there was an endless stream of conversation every day.
Lin Chuyue had tried to brace herself, but it was still painful to watch Lin Chuxing do everything in her power to draw their parents' attention away from her.
But she couldn't say a word. She could only endure it.
After dinner, she walked alone outside the small courtyard, letting the cold winter wind clear her head.
"Sister." Lin Chuxing's voice rang out.
Lin Chuyue turned around. She felt no joy at seeing her sister, only a sense of dread.
"Sister... W-what are you doing here?"
"Am I not allowed to be here? Once I marry Xiao Ye, I'll be the Lady of the House for the Xiao Family. This entire Xiao Family will be mine!"
"You're right..." Lin Chuyue could already sense her hostility. "So, Sister, you came looking for me, didn't you?"
"That's right!" Lin Chuxing walked up to her, a cold sneer on her face. "I know the whole story now."
"The reason I was taken, the reason I couldn't come home for over twenty years—it was all because of you!"
Hatred filled her eyes. "If your birth chart didn't clash with mine, why would I have had to leave home? Why would I have been separated from our parents?"
"The one who is so accomplished now should have been me, not you!"
Lin Chuyue took a step back, her face deathly pale. "Sister, I..."
"Don't bother." Lin Chuxing sneered. "Were you going to say it wasn't your fault? Even if it wasn't, you're still the reason!"
"I'm giving you two choices. First, you leave the Xiao Family. Leave secretly, and don't you dare pull any of your little tricks in front of Xiao Ye!"
"It's useless no matter how you try to seduce him, because I am the one he's fated to be with!"
Lin Chuyue felt as if her heart was being torn to shreds. "And the second choice?"
"The second choice is for you to stay in the Xiao Family. But I will make you watch with your own two eyes how Mom and Dad treat me... and how they treat you!"
"You stole twenty years of my life, you stole my grandfather, and now I'm going to take back what's mine! I was born first, so Mom and Dad belong to me!"
Lin Chuxing stepped in front of Lin Chuyue and grabbed her chin. "Not only will I take them from you, I will also completely destroy your reputation!"
"You wouldn't want the parents who just returned to think you're a vicious and hateful person, would you?"
Lin Chuxing made no effort to conceal her malice.
Lin Chuyue was horrified. "You... How could you do this? No matter what, we're sisters."
"Who's your sister? We're enemies! It's because of you that I've become what I am today!"
"You owe me a debt you can never repay in this lifetime! Weren't you the one always saying you wanted to pay me back? Well, now's your chance to start!"