"Dad," the young woman called out, "No matter what, we are your flesh and blood. Bones may break but theyâre still connected by tendons. My sister and I know we were wrong. We were also forced into the situation back then. Please forgive us."
"Yeah, Dad," He Caiyun also persuaded, "If you like to take in disciples, we have no objections, but you canât just favor a disciple over your own daughters. After all, we are family. Isnât it good to have two more people caring for you?"
"Elder sister is right, Dad, we truly want to honor you. From now on, we will be one family," she looked at Lin Chuxia, "Sister, since Iâm a few years older than you, Iâll shamelessly call you sister. Your master is getting on in years and is quite stubborn. You should also help us persuade him. What if he falls ill or encounters a disaster when heâs old? Can he take care of himself alone? The three of us sisters could take turns helping out. Donât you think so? From now on, we will be one family."
Lin Chuxia crossed her arms, leisurely watching the two, then raised an eyebrow towards Old Master He.
"Master, what is it that they want from you now? Or do you really have a treasure?"
Old Master Heâs expression grew even darker. He originally intended to ask Lin Chuxia to kick the two of them out, but seeing her thriving in their misery, he suddenly changed his mind.
With a sneer, he said, "I do have a treasure indeed. Isnât the precious disciple Iâve taken right before my eyes? Some people, knowing my discipleâs capabilities, have become restless. My place is so lively today, thanks to your involvement."
This left Lin Chuxia stunned. What did it have to do with her?
On the side, He Caixiaâs eyes lit up. She had thought her dad wouldnât intervene in her business and was considering how to approach Lin Chuxia.
Now that the conversation had taken this turn, she didnât want to miss the chance and immediately smiled at Lin Chuxia, "Ah, itâs nothing serious. Sister, we actually have quite the connection. I heard you are the owner of Xiyang Food Factory, and my man works at Ancheng Food Factory. Ancheng Food Factory and Xiyang Food Factory are about to become one, isnât that a sign of fate? The factories are becoming one family; we too are becoming one family."
Lin Chuxia then understood. How come yesterday after He Caiyun had hit a wall here, she not only didnât learn her lesson, but today she actually brought He Caixia over?
He Caixia continued, maintaining a smile, "If I had known we had this connection, there would have been no need for my brother-in-law to worry. You donât know, he hasnât eaten at home for several meals. He has been working at Ancheng Food Factory for over a decade, always so diligent and never making mistakes. Yet now Xiyang Food Factory has some assessment conducted by a youngster who simply disqualified your brother-in-law. What does such a youngster know? Itâs just because my brother-in-law is upright and spoken unwelcome truths which offended him. Now listen sister, I know itâs not easy for you, a woman to manage such a big factory. We mustnât blindly trust rumors, leaving everything to outsiders. If they deceive you, youâd be none the wiser. Now that we are family, we should speak our minds. Let your brother-in-law oversee things for you. I wonât say much, but in the food industry, your brother-in-law truly stands out..."
He Caixia didnât finish her sentence when a sound of snickering came from the side.
Old Master He sneered at Lin Chuxia, "Girl, do you see? What family? Theyâre interested because they see some use in us, the old man and child. I donât know what sins I have committed to raise such a pack of ingrates. Itâs my fault, too. Their mother died early, and I was always busy treating patients without knowing how to properly raise my daughter. Itâs my own doing and Iâve tasted the bitter fruit. I have nothing to say, except..."
His tone shifted as he looked at He Caiyun and He Caixia, "I donât care how you scheme against others, but stop pretending to be filial children in front of me, scheming against me and my disciple. I will say it again, I, this old man, have no daughters. You can get lost, and donât think Miss Lin is a fool. Even if you manage to deceive her, I will stop her, preventing her from dealing with the likes of you, you ingrates..."
"Dad, what are you talking about?" He Caixia said in urgency.
Old Master He didnât listen to their explanations any longer, and picked up a broom from the bed, throwing it at them.
"Get out! I donât want to see you even for a moment. If you enter this door again, donât blame me for being rude."
"Girl, drive them out. The bigger the fuss, the better. Even if it alarms the whole neighborhood, it doesnât matter. Theyâre not embarrassed, and I, the old man, am even less afraid."
As it turned out, He Caiyun and He Caixia did care about their reputation. Seeing that Old Master He was truly enraged, and that making a scene could draw the attention of the neighbors, they quickly ran outside.
He Caixia was not ready to give up, holding onto Lin Chuxia, "Sister, Dad is just confused. We, the younger generation, mustnât be..."
Lin Chuxia withdrew her hand decisively, speaking coldly, "Wrong, my master is never confused. Some damages, once inflicted, cannot be mended in a lifetime. You are his closest kin. When he was at his most vulnerable, you stabbed him in the heart. Now, you expect it to be as if it never happened? The wound may heal, but the scar remains. Donât come here again, or I will not be polite either."
He Caiyun frowned in dissatisfaction, "Who are you to be impolite to us? After all, this is my house."
"Then letâs give it a try."
Lin Chuxia left these words behind and turned to go back into the courtyard.
He Caiyun, with a furious face, swore under her breath while He Caixia consoled her, "Sister, what are you doing? Are you trying to find a job for your daughter? Yanyanâs grades wonât get her into college."
He Caiyunâs face stiffened, yet she was unwilling to back down, snorting coldly, "Iâm not even sure if that woman is truly the owner of Xiyang Food Factory. Iâve inquired; the head of Xiyang Food Factory is a man. Itâs likely sheâs just playing the big fish in a small pond, trying to fool us. Letâs go. We donât need to bother with them. If sheâs willing to take care of the old man, she can. Who cares?"
He Caiyun stomped off irritably while He Caixia had no choice but to follow. As they reached the entrance of the alley, they saw a jeep parked under the big tree there.
He Caiyun opened her mouth with confusion, "Whose relative in our alley owns a car?"
He Caixiaâs eyes darted around, but she kept silent.
......
It was a sunny day on Little Yaoyaoâs full month celebration, a pity it wasnât the weekend and Qin Yang couldnât return.
However, Qin Juan had taken leave and brought Little Ningning back with her.
Lin Chuxia heard the news and specifically drove to the station to pick up the mother and daughter.
Seeing Lin Chuxia, Little Ningning excitedly jumped up, "Auntie, I missed you so much."
Lin Chuxia hugged her as well, "Auntie missed you too. Is school starting soon? How was your summer?"