Chapter 29: An Astounding Gift

Fu Juxing did not go inside; he slipped away before they discovered him.

Lin Wanbai ultimately chose a fresh, delicate style, because it bore her name. She guessed that Fu Juxing had it custom-made for her. Every birthday since their marriage, from head to toe, everything was prepared by him. Among all the options, there was always one thing he had put careful thought into.

Lin Jingyu ushered the men out, leaving only mother and daughter in the lounge. Standing behind Lin Wanbai, she fastened the necklace for her. “My daughter is beautiful, the most beautiful in the world.”

“Yes, yes, your daughter inherited your excellent genes, so naturally she’s the most beautiful in the world.”

Lin Wanbai resembled Chen Songyuan in appearance, but her temperament was much like Lin Jingyu’s—when she fell for someone, nothing else mattered: status, position, everything could be cast aside, so long as she could be with the one she loved, that was enough. So, while others failed to understand Lin Wanbai’s heart, Lin Jingyu understood it best.

“Is it true you kept the top performer at Karhuang?”

Lin Wanbai glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “What are you getting at?”

Lin Jingyu settled herself into a nearby chair, smiling. “It’s just been so long since I’ve had a heart-to-heart with my daughter. I want to talk about girl’s matters. It’s true what they say, a daughter married off is like water poured away. You used to tell me everything; since you got married, it’s been ages since we really talked. When I ask you things, you always dodge. What, do you not need your mother once you have a husband?”

Lin Wanbai laughed, closed the lids of the other jewelry boxes, and turned to face her. “Mom, your jealousy is rather misplaced.”

Just then, Lin Jingyu’s phone rang. She hadn’t intended to answer, but when she saw the caller, her expression changed. She grabbed her phone and stepped out to take the call.

Once the door was shut, Lin Wanbai quickly got up, crept to the door, and gently opened a crack to listen.

Soon, Lin Jingyu’s startled voice sounded, “Found her?”

“It’s been almost three years, how did you find her?”

“All right, I understand. In the next couple of days, I’ll have someone go over and handle it.”

Lin Jingyu ended the call, still stunned by the news.

Lin Wanbai’s voice drifted behind her, soft and ghostly, “Who was found?”

Lin Jingyu spun around abruptly, her expression not fully masked. “Huh?”

“Was it Yaoyao who was found?” Her gaze was steady, her tone almost certain.

…

Lin Wanbai’s birthday party was held outdoors, facing the sea; preparations began yesterday and only finished by dusk today. Fu Juxing personally inspected everything, making sure all was ready, awaiting the guests.

Fu Juxing ordered security to be tightened, ensuring nothing like the morning’s incident would happen again.

By six-thirty in the evening, guests began arriving. Lin Wanbai and Fu Juxing greeted them together. This birthday banquet was unlike previous ones; many distinguished guests attended. Jiang Shuzhi did not come, but Fu Changjun and his wife, as well as Fu Yonghui and his spouse, were present. There were many other dignitaries, all attending out of respect for Lin Zhaowei.

Lin Wanbai was determined to give her best in entertaining everyone.

It was the first time in her twenty-six years that a simple birthday party had been transformed into a business soirée.

Lin Wanbai was fully engaged, hosting each guest warmly with Fu Juxing at her side. With Lin Zhaowei presiding, no one dared cause trouble or say anything to embarrass Fu Juxing. The events of the day seemed as if they had never happened—no one mentioned them.

Lin Zhaowei personally accompanied Fu Juxing, introducing him to several of his old associates. This gesture made it clear to all: Fu Juxing was now under Lin Zhaowei’s protection. If anyone wished to make trouble for him, they’d have to weigh their own strength first.

Fu Yonghui, holding his wine glass, stood next to Fu Yanchuan. “Look, Lin Zhaowei is introducing him personally. Is he planning to make Fu Juxing the heir of the Lin family?”

Fu Yanchuan sipped his champagne—it tasted quite good. He smiled. “If he really has the ability, it’s not unreasonable.”

“Wouldn’t that benefit this bastard? I heard their marriage is troubled. Recently, Lin Wanbai spent a fortune at Karhuang, keeping a young gigolo. What do you think…”

“Dad, Xiao Bai was so determined when she broke off the engagement. Do you really think, if she divorces Fu Juxing, she’ll be willing to marry me?”

“It’s not impossible. Women—if you treat them well, it’s easy for them to be moved, especially when they’re hurt. You could take advantage of that.”

Fu Yanchuan chuckled and glanced sideways at him. He clinked glasses. “Dad, don’t try to sell your son. Just enjoy your drink.”

…

Han Chen had no idea why he was here, watching these glamorous, wealthy people mingle and toast each other. This was not a place for someone like him.

And the culprit was the focus of the whole affair. Everyone seemed eager to curry favor with her; she was the center of attention.

She brought him here, perhaps to show him that for someone so lofty to be willing to keep him was an honor.

Liang Zhixia, acting on Lin Wanbai’s instructions, was to look after him. She had no male companion and let him fill the role. With her family present, she kept a low profile to avoid trouble.

She pulled Han Chen to the farthest corner, facing the sea, drinking alone in the breeze. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, seeing his complicated expression, and laughed. “You look as if you’ve discovered treasure.”

He snapped out of it, withdrew his gaze, turned to face the sea with her. He didn’t drink, only sipped plain water. “This isn’t my kind of place. I want to go back to school.”

“You’re quite sensible, but without Xiao Bai’s orders, I don’t dare let you leave. So, you’d better stay put. Did you give her a birthday gift?”

He had a small box hidden in his sleeve. Her words made his eyes flicker. “I didn’t prepare anything.”

Liang Zhixia smiled, tilting her head and supporting her chin with one hand. “You think I’m blind? I saw it when you changed clothes. Why hide it?”

The next second, he suddenly stood up, walked to a nearby trash bin, and tossed his gift in.

Liang Zhixia tried to stop him but was too late. “What are you doing?”

“Throwing out the trash.”

With that, he wandered toward the shoreline.

Liang Zhixia called after him twice. Getting no response, she followed, lest something happen.

There were too many guests to entertain; Lin Wanbai hadn’t thought of Han Chen at all.

After the socializing, she was utterly exhausted.

Tonight’s birthday banquet concluded smoothly.

…

Yang Ruyue instructed the staff to deliver all the gifts to Lin Wanbai’s room. Lin Wanbai and Fu Juxing returned early to the villa. Fu Juxing’s body had reached its limit.

The bandages wrapped around him were stained with blood.

Lin Wanbai followed the doctor’s instructions, cleaning his wounds. Having been covered so long, the injuries on his back looked worse. She placed a soft cushion under his abdomen, positioning him on his stomach.

“Let Miao Sen handle it.”

She ignored him, boiled water, and snapped a close-up photo of his back, sending it to a doctor friend.

Throughout, Lin Wanbai remained silent, meticulously cleaning, applying medicine, and re-bandaging him.

She emptied a whole bag of pills, feeding them to him one by one.

From their return until now, she hadn’t rested. She was still busy, barely speaking a word.

After giving him his medicine, she went to inventory the gifts and take notes. When she got downstairs, she realized she’d already sent Yang Ruyue away.

She sat on the sofa, at last surrounded by quiet.

Her body was tired, but her mind unusually clear.

She didn’t want to stop. After sitting a while, she began sorting the gifts.

When Fu Juxing came down, she was sitting amid a pile of presents, packaging discarded on the left, gifts themselves on the right—mostly jewelry, with a few more creative items.

She was hunched over, curled up in a ball, doing something unknown.

He poured water in the kitchen and walked over. Before he could get close, she straightened and turned. “Didn’t I tell you to lie down? Why are you up again?”

He sat on the sofa behind her and handed her the glass. “Aren’t you going to bed? You’ve had a long day. Leave these for Yang Ruyue tomorrow.”

“I don’t want to sleep, and I’m not that tired. I just want to finish everything now.” She faced away, sipping tea slowly.

Yet, she had lost interest in making notes.

Without realizing it, she finished her water, turned, and looked at Fu Juxing again.

His expression was unchanged, meeting her gaze. After a moment, he said, “Thank you for today.”

She nodded, cupping her cheeks.

“After today, I’ll take a long vacation. Wherever you want to go, I’ll go with you.”

She paused for a few seconds, tugged at her lips, and played with the ribbon in her fingers. “Lin Yao has been found.”

That was the astonishing gift Heaven granted her for her birthday.