Chapter 389: Your Engagement Is the Real One
Xiao Ye sighed. He never wanted things to turn out this way, but life was unpredictable.
The Angel Association would definitely be able to find out about Linton kidnapping Lin Chuyue.
If Lin Chuyue disappeared, he would probably be the first person they'd suspect.
So, for his own sake, and for Lin Chuyue's safety, faking her death was the best option.
The fire at the end wasn't just to destroy the evidence inside; it was to give Lin Chuyue a plausible way to "die."
"Alright, I'll tell you everything."
Xiao Ye stepped forward and pulled Lin Chuyue into his arms. "I never planned to break up with you. Everything was for the sake of investigating the Angel Association."
"I was worried that someone would target you to get to me. Staying away from you was the best way to keep you safe."
A sweet feeling bloomed in Lin Chuyue's heart, but it was quickly replaced by reason. "But... what about my sister? Your engagement to her is the real one."
"Don't worry, I'll find a way to cancel the engagement. And you shouldn't worry too much about her."
"Like I told you before, even if she's your sister by blood, she's changed over the past twenty years."
"She's a member of the Angel Association, there's no doubt about it. She needs to pay the price for what she's done."
Xiao Ye's tone shifted. "So don't overthink it. From now on, you'll live here. I'll come and spend time with you whenever I can."
"It's just that you'll have to put up with staying in such a small place, without even being able to go out."
"I don't mind!" Lin Chuyue looked at Xiao Ye, her eyes full of affection, but it was quickly replaced by worry.
"As long as you're safe, I can rest easy. It's just... if something happens to my sister, I'm afraid Mom and Dad..."
"Don't worry, they're adults. They can handle more than you think. Besides, there might be other solutions when the time comes."
'If it really comes to it, I'll just have to find a way to brainwash Lin Chuxing.'
'I could overwrite her memories, make her forget everything that happened.'
'It would cause some brain damage, but it's still the best possible outcome.'
Lin Chuyue leaned against Xiao Ye's chest, greedily savoring the momentary warmth.
She had missed this embrace for far, far too long.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Lin Chuyue couldn't help but ask.
Her thoughts turned to Jin Mingzhu. 'If only I had her strength, I could actually help Xiao Ye.'
'But I'm already so old. It's too late to start learning now.'
Xiao Ye smiled and held her tighter. "No, you don't need to do anything. Just stay here and relax."
"If you get bored, how about I have Chu Yan come and keep you company? Don't worry, I'll find someone to help with the Chu Family's business. I'm sure she'll come willingly."
Lin Chuyue nodded obediently. "Okay."
"I'll also get you more things to pass the time. I want you two to be as happy as possible here."
The two of them stayed wrapped in each other's arms for a long time. Xiao Ye didn't leave until night fell.
He returned to the Xiao Family estate. The news of Lin Chuyue's "death" hadn't broken yet.
To be safe, the fewer people who knew, the better.
Otherwise, the plan could easily be exposed. However, he had to tell Lin Aoshan, whose heart condition couldn't take such a shock.
With this in mind, Xiao Ye got up and went to Lin Aoshan's room.
Lin Aoshan had been focused on recuperating during this time, not concerning himself with other matters.
As for Lin Chuxing, while she was also his granddaughter, he just couldn't bring himself to like her personality.
Seeing it was Xiao Ye, he propped himself up. "What brings you to see this old codger all of a sudden?"
He still held some resentment toward Xiao Ye as well.
After all, he had hurt his most beloved granddaughter.
She was the treasure he had doted on, yet because of one man, she had planned to go abroad.
Xiao Ye pulled up a chair and sat down. "Old Man Lin, I came to tell you something, but it must be kept secret. No one else can know."
Lin Aoshan's expression was blank. "What is it? Just say it."
"Sometime tomorrow, you'll hear some news. That something happened to Chuyue, and she'll likely be declared dead."
"What?" Lin Aoshan was stunned.
"Wait, don't panic, Old Man Lin. Chuyue is fine. It's just false news. I've already taken her to a safe place."
"For her safety, faking her death is the best way to get her out of this situation. I was worried your heart couldn't take the shock, so I'm telling you in advance."
"But I won't be telling anyone else. I hope you'll put on a good act tomorrow, Old Man Lin, so no one sees through it."
Only then did Lin Aoshan let out a sigh of relief. "What on earth is going on?"
Xiao Ye gave a wry smile. "Old Man Lin, please don't ask. I can't tell you the details because it involves national security."
"You just need to know that I will never let Chuyue be in any danger."
Lin Aoshan was a sharp man. Since it involved the nation, he knew he really couldn't ask any more questions.
"Fine, I'll do as you say. But you have to find a way for me to see Chuyue. I need to confirm she's safe with my own eyes."
Xiao Ye nodded. "Don't worry, I've already thought of that. I'll make the arrangements."
He stood up. "This was the main reason I came. Old Man Lin, it's all up to you tomorrow. But I think it would be best if you pretended to faint."
It's perfectly normal for an old man to faint from a shock.
A rare smile appeared on Lin Aoshan's face. "You and I are on the same page. Although I can act, this kind of performance is too difficult. It's better if I just faint."
"When it happens, just send me to a sanatorium. That way, no one will find out, and I don't want to stay here anymore anyway."
The main reason was that every time he saw Lin Chuxing, he felt an indescribable sense of vexation.
He knew he shouldn't show so much favoritism toward Lin Chuyue, since they were both his biological granddaughters, but he just couldn't bring himself to like the other one.
'It always feels like Lin Chuxing isn't a member of the Lin Family at all!'
"Alright. When the time comes, I'll arrange for people to take you to the military's sanatorium. It's guaranteed to be safe and comfortable."
Having settled the matter, Xiao Ye got up and left.
The next day, a call came through to Jian Qiuyan's cell phone.
"Hello, am I speaking with a family member of Lin Chuyue?"
Jian Qiuyan replied, "This is she. What's happened to Chuyue?"
For some reason, a terrible premonition suddenly rose in her heart.
"This is the Imperial Capital Police Station. We found a body in the manor that caught fire. After forensic analysis and comparison, we have confirmed it is Ms. Lin Chuyue."
"Please find some time to come and identify the body."
CLANG!
The phone fell to the floor.
Jian Qiuyan's face went deathly pale. She collapsed to the ground in disbelief.
A voice came from the phone, "Ma'am, are you alright?"
Hearing the commotion, Lin Feng walked over. "What's wrong?"
Jian Qiuyan grabbed his arm as if it were a lifeline. "Chuyue... Something's happened to Chuyue!"