Chapter 73: On the Brink

Fu Miao finished her lunch with delight, warmly thanking Aunt Rong before returning to her room. Lin Wanbai’s expression remained unchanged, her mood unruffled; after all, Fu Miao was nothing but a clown. She reminded herself that if it were to happen again, she would not endure it.

She went to the conservatory to water the flowers, read a little, and even took a nap. When she awoke, Fu Miao’s raucous voice once again pierced her peace, making her head throb.

Aunt Rong rose and said, “I’ll go keep her out.”

Lin Wanbai pulled the blanket from her lap and waved her hand, “No need. If she wants to come in, let her. If you block her, she’ll only shout louder.”

She sighed. “That woman is truly infuriating.”

“It’s nothing. Just treat her as a clown. I was angry yesterday too, but then I thought, it’s not worth it to get upset over someone like this. For the sake of my child, I can’t afford to get angry. Sometimes I just don’t understand—why do bad people seem to have all the luck, as if every good thing falls to them? But, thinking further, the reason they get all the benefits is because they have no shame, no bottom line, capable of anything. Their happiness isn’t real happiness.”

She yawned. “Their joy is like a bubble; one day, it will burst. Heaven’s justice always comes full circle—there will be a reckoning. It’s easy to act without scruples; what’s hard is keeping your integrity in a place like this.”

Aunt Rong looked at her, her eyes softening. “You’re so young, and yet you see things so clearly. I’m twice your age and not as open-minded.”

“Who says I’m open-minded? I just make myself say these nice things every morning to pretend that I truly don’t care. Achieving that state is difficult—I’m still learning, still cultivating myself.”

Life is a journey of cultivation. To live with joy, with meaning, and with a clear conscience—that would be success. Lin Wanbai didn’t expect to achieve perfect success, just to get a little closer to it. The people who angered her, she’d treat as tribulations along her path—cross them and move on; it wasn’t so hard.

As her words trailed off, Fu Miao entered. The conservatory was filled with a variety of flowers, tended by a dedicated gardener.

When Fu Miao saw Lin Wanbai, she feigned surprise. “Oh! I didn’t know you were here. Am I disturbing you?”

“Not at all. I was just about to leave.” Lin Wanbai handed her blanket to Aunt Rong and prepared to go.

“What a coincidence. The moment I arrive, you leave.”

“I just woke from a nap and need to wash up. Or do you think I’m avoiding you?”

“Who’s to say?”

“Rest assured, I have no reason to avoid you. This is my home—if anyone needs to leave, it won’t be me.”

“Xiaobai, can’t we really get along peacefully?”

“Isn’t it already peaceful?” Lin Wanbai countered.

“I mean, sit down, chat, have tea—like friends.” Fu Miao sat down nearby, glancing at the untouched tea and pastries on the table. Lin Wanbai had barely touched them, and Fu Miao would never eat her leftovers.

“These pastries are ugly. They’re not the least bit appetizing.”

Lin Wanbai glanced at her. “Didn’t you hate me? Why do you suddenly want to be friends?”

“Well, I married your uncle, didn’t I? Following the principle of loving all that belongs to him, I should get along with you. I’ve said it before: I truly like Lin Zhouye, and I truly wanted to marry him. When nothing else worked, I had to use a few tricks to get what I wanted. In fact, we’re not so different. You once forced Lin Yao to go abroad for further study—that was your method. It seemed harmless, just sending someone away to study, but in the end, it’s not so different from what I did.”

Fu Miao crossed her legs, cupping her chin with a smile. “But I do envy you—truly envy you. Even fate favored you back then, letting Lin Yao’s ship meet disaster at sea, everyone lost. Now, there’s no one left to compete with you. Fu Juxing’s beloved woman is dead, and you have no more worries.”

Lin Wanbai couldn’t help but laugh in anger. Was this woman here just to provoke her? Did she really think she was an easy target, someone to manipulate with a single video, even the entire Lin family?

If so, she was gravely mistaken.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Wanbai sat back down and retrieved her blanket from Aunt Rong. “Aunt Rong, could you make me another pot of hot tea?”

Aunt Rong hesitated, but Lin Wanbai smiled and said, “Go on.”

Aunt Rong left.

Leaning back in her chair, Lin Wanbai asked, “Did the old madam send you here to stir up trouble in our family?”

Fu Miao turned to her, asking seriously, “Xiaobai, you can’t blame my grandmother for targeting Fu Juxing. She’s told me countless times how my grandfather wronged her for another woman. She’s obsessed, and it’s understandable. Honestly, if you had married my brother back then, our families would be happy now. You let one person’s choices plunge everyone into chaos. In the end, it’s your fault. Don’t you regret it at night?”

“If I hadn’t refused to marry Fu Juxing, would you have had the chance to marry my uncle? Shouldn’t you be thanking me?” Lin Wanbai smiled. “Really, you should thank me. Without me, you wouldn’t even have had this opportunity.”

Fu Miao burst out laughing. “You’re right, I really should thank you—truly thank you.” Her words carried a hidden meaning.

“But this time, I really do want to live with Lin Zhouye sincerely. It’s just that simple. As long as we can all get along, I don’t care about you and Fu Juxing. I said I liked Lin Zhouye and wanted to be with him, and I mean it. I keep my promises. I said I’d give Zhang Danni a bright future, and I did—I gave her my studio, put her name on it, and secretly arranged business deals for her. I’m not as bad as you think, not as evil as you imagine.”

“Sometimes, circumstances force us down certain paths. Just as you once used your power and status to break up Fu Juxing and Lin Yao, you’ve done disgraceful things too. Who’s truly pure here?”

Her gaze was earnest, as if she longed to pull Lin Wanbai down from her pedestal, to make her just like herself—then she’d be satisfied, and all her envy and resentment could vanish.

Looking at her, Lin Wanbai’s anger faded. Instead, she felt pity—pity and contempt. Envy and jealousy had driven Fu Miao mad, and now she wanted to drag Lin Wanbai into hell with her. But that was pure fantasy. Even if she had once acted selfishly for love, she had never stooped to such methods. She would never become like Fu Miao.

After that, Fu Miao would visit her studio in the mornings and return home in the afternoons, often bringing Lin Wanbai tasty treats. Outwardly, their relationship seemed to have improved. Other than wanting to fill Lin Zhouye’s room with her belongings, Fu Miao did nothing excessive. She knew when to stop, and never mentioned the video again. Still, Lin Jingyu found her presence grating, her smile unbearable. Yet the family pretended harmony.

The household had changed.

Fortunately, as long as Xiaobai was unaware and unharmed, all was well.

The days slipped by, everyone busy. Lin Wanbai realized she hadn’t seen Lin Jingyu in some time. She was always gone before Lin Wanbai woke and not yet home when she went to bed. Unable to see her, Lin Wanbai would call or text, reminding her not to overwork, to rest and eat well.

Apart from Fu Juxing, the person she saw most now was Fu Miao. Fu Miao seemed to love chatting with her, seeking her out whenever she was idle. Lin Wanbai recorded all their conversations, good and bad, occasionally replaying them.

Ever since Fu Miao moved in, Lin Wanbai couldn’t help but notice the shift in atmosphere. Before, no matter how busy Lin Jingyu was, she always came home for dinner and chatted with her. But after Fu Miao’s arrival, even dinner at home became rare—and if she did return, the smiles were forced. Lin Wanbai knew her family well; even the slightest change did not escape her notice.

If it was just the matter with Fu Yanchuan, Lin Jingyu would not act this way. Lin Wanbai suspected that, aside from the video, Fu Miao had something else with which to threaten them—something known to the others but kept from her.

If it were just the video of her and Fu Yanchuan, it wasn’t so serious. If it were exposed, she would face it—after all, if it went public, Fu Yanchuan would be implicated as well. Fu Miao and Fu Yanchuan were siblings. If she could sacrifice her own brother, Lin Wanbai and her family could fight to the end.

The video’s main purpose was to control her—she did owe Fu Yanchuan, and his words had convinced her to endure for peace. But patience had its limits.

For her family, she could sacrifice—she was not afraid.

She stared at the video of her and Fu Yanchuan on the computer screen, lost in thought. Sometimes, she considered that instead of everyone living in constant anxiety, it might be better to destroy everything and give no one any leverage. What was a little lost reputation? It hardly mattered.

…

When Lin Wanbai was five months pregnant, Fu Juxing accompanied her to the prenatal checkup.

The results were all good, and Lin Wanbai was reassured.

She took his arm, “Are you free today? If you are, let’s go out for a stroll?”

“I am. I’ve set aside the whole day. Where do you want to go?”

“Let’s go to Chenxiang Lake.”

“Alright. But let’s have lunch first and go in the afternoon.”

“Can we eat out today? I don’t want Aunt Rong’s nutritious meals anymore.”

“I know you’re tired of them. Today you can have your freedom.”

She beamed. “I want Western food. It’s been so long.”

They left the hospital, and Fu Juxing booked a private room at a Western restaurant, which was specially redecorated for them.

“Why go to such lengths?” she asked.

He pulled out her chair. “You’re in a special position now—you deserve it.”

The two sat down. Over the past month, Lin Wanbai had only gained a pound; the doctor praised her restraint, all thanks to Aunt Rong’s careful supervision. Pregnancy had changed her tastes—things she’d once disliked, she now craved, but couldn’t always have. Fu Juxing had indulged her just once, and after a single taste, threw the rest away.

Before pregnancy, she’d avoided sweets; now, she craved cakes and desserts daily, never minding if they were too sweet.

She’d been yearning for steak for a long time, and when it was served, she ate quickly and with such intent, as if she hadn’t eaten in days, oblivious to the sauce on her lips.

After lunch, they returned home for a nap before heading to Chenxiang Lake. They drifted on the water, taking in the scenery—the sunlight warm, the spring breeze fragrant with flowers. It was a perfect day.

Lin Wanbai lay on his lap, eyes narrowed, watching the shimmering water. “I have an idea,” she said.

“What is it?” He leaned closer.

Feeling his breath on her cheek, she smiled. “I want to expose the video of me and Fu Yanchuan. That way, the Fu family will have nothing to threaten us with.”

“Why this sudden thought?”

“It’s not sudden; I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.” She sat up, looking at him. “Don’t you think the atmosphere at home has changed since Fu Miao moved in? Outwardly, everything seems fine, but it’s all fake. I think, if the video is the cause, there’s no need to keep enduring.”

“Now isn’t the right time.” Fu Juxing smoothed her tousled hair. “Besides, I’m working with Fu Yanchuan right now. If you release that video, it’ll disrupt everything. And have you thought about the consequences? There’ll be endless rumors. Public opinion can be managed, but the internet is wild—no one can control what people say or think.”

“Bear with it a little longer. We’ll find a solution. I don’t want to see you sacrifice yourself.”

Lin Wanbai smiled, hugging him. “As long as you believe in me, that’s enough. As long as the people I care about believe in me, nothing else matters. Unless… you’re afraid people will say you’ve been cuckolded.”

She teased him. Fu Juxing tapped her forehead, “Silly girl.”

There was no chance of that—not in this lifetime.

…

Every noon, Fu Juxing would visit his private apartment to have lunch with Fu Changjun. Recuperating there, Fu Changjun’s energy improved, and his spirits lifted. The nurse took care of him scientifically, even taking him out for walks and the occasional stroll around the neighborhood—meticulous care.

Fu Yanchuan visited every few days, relieved to see all was well.

“Why is there still no movement?” he asked.

Fu Juxing didn’t answer, just placed more greens in Fu Changjun’s bowl. “You should eat more vegetables.”

“How long has it been? Both sides are silent—are we just going to stay stalemated?”

“You’re too impatient.”

Fu Changjun took a deep breath. “Of course I’m impatient. After all these years, how could I not be?!”

“At critical moments, one must be all the more patient.”

Halfway through the meal, Fu Juxing’s phone buzzed, followed by a call from Lei Sen.

He put down his chopsticks and answered.

“Boss, check the news.”

“Just tell me.”

“The old madam acted first—she released the video of Madam and Fu Yanchuan.”

“And then?”

“Lin Zhouye acted immediately, giving Fu Yanchuan no time to react. He sent all the collected evidence straight to the police. They’re on their way now.”

“Good.”

He hung up and put his phone away.

Fu Changjun was quiet, then, after a long exhale, smiled. “Finally, someone made a move.”

Fu Juxing placed more greens in his bowl, saying only, “Eat more vegetables.”

…

Lin Wanbai learned the video had been leaked after waking from her nap. Aunt Rong’s demeanor told her something was wrong—she forbade her from using her phone or the internet, and Lin Wanbai could guess what had happened.

Honestly, she’d long been prepared. This was inevitable—just a matter of time.

Now that it was out, she actually felt relieved. At least she wouldn’t have to see Fu Miao’s smug face around the house.

The video was so explosive that servers crashed. Though quickly deleted, netizens were fast—everyone saved a copy.

Lin Wanbai already had a “history”; she’d been cleared before, but with this new scandal—well, the third time’s the charm. This was her second incident, and many were already turning against her.

Her Weibo was unreadable, flooded with curses, though some messages of support remained.

Upon hearing the news, Fu Miao rushed back to Sibei and confronted the old madam. “Grandma! Why did you do that? Are you crazy?!”

Fu Yanchuan was there as well.

Shattered teacups and an overturned table littered the floor; from his red, angry eyes, it was clear he’d just lost his temper.

Jiang Shuzhi, however, was calm, having expected their outrage.

She looked at Fu Yanchuan, disappointment plain in her eyes. “Yanchuan, I never imagined that the grandson I doted on most would side with the person I hate most to oppose me. Everything I’ve done is for this family. I’ve kept the power because you’re too soft-hearted. Lin Wanbai is your weakness—because of that, you’ll never defeat Fu Juxing.”

“That’s why I must wait until Fu Juxing is completely finished before handing power to you. Look at you now—I haven’t even given you control and you’re already colluding with him. If I did give it to you, our family would be finished!”

“I’ve told you countless times—Fu Juxing is no pushover. What are you thinking, trusting him?!”

Jiang Shuzhi was exasperated. Releasing the video had been a last resort.

But his actions had hurt her deeply, and now she would show no mercy. If this heir had to be abandoned, so be it. If giving the family to him meant it would end up in Fu Juxing’s hands anyway, she might as well destroy it herself.

Fu Yanchuan said, “Do you really believe everything you do is right? Are you wary of Fu Juxing because of his talent and your fear he’ll overshadow us all, or is it because you’ve oppressed him for years and now fear his revenge?”

“Perhaps it’s the latter. If you’d treated him equally from the start, things wouldn’t have come to this. Grandma, if he does seek revenge, it’s because you forced him. When he first entered the family, he was innocent, ignorant of right and wrong. You taught him, bit by bit, that power corrupts, that money talks. If the family falls to him, I’d say it’s deserved!”

Before he could finish, Jiang Shuzhi strode over and slapped him hard. “So you blame me?! I raised you, educated you, held this family together—who’s really at fault? Who brought us to this point?!”

Fu Miao licked her lips nervously and quickly pulled Fu Yanchuan back. “Enough, enough—don’t fight. It’s not Grandma’s fault.”

“Exactly, it’s not her fault. I don’t know who’s to blame for the state of this family. Now the video is out, and I actually feel free. Let’s see who wins or loses. Grandma, this is what you wanted. Prepare for Lin family’s retaliation.”

With that, he shook off Fu Miao’s hand and left.

She tried to follow, but the old lady stopped her.

“Come here.”

Frowning, Fu Miao glanced at her, then at Fu Yanchuan’s retreating figure, but finally returned and stood before her grandmother, closing her eyes and taking a breath. “Grandma, why did you do it? Don’t you realize this means war with the Lin family?”

“That’s why I only released one video. There’s another—one that’s our biggest bargaining chip.”

Fu Miao pressed her lips together; she saw the ruthlessness in her grandmother’s eyes.

She truly was ruthless—so obsessed with destroying Fu Juxing that anyone could be sacrificed. She’d already sacrificed Fu Yanming and now Fu Yanchuan; perhaps Fu Miao would be next.

“Go tell Lin Zhouye to tread carefully. If he goes too far, I’ll release the other video.”

…

Online, rumors swirled, and the phones of those involved nearly exploded with calls and messages.

Lin Zhouye sent only one message to Fu Yanchuan: [Sorry.]

Then he had the PR department spread negative news about Fu Yanchuan. Since the video was out, he had his own plan. Fortunately, in the video, Lin Wanbai was unconscious throughout, clearly drugged, so all the blame could be pinned on Fu Yanchuan, who had taken advantage of his sister-in-law. Lin Wanbai was the innocent victim.

Amid a flood of messages, Fu Yanchuan found that one and replied: [It’s fine.]

He then shut off his phone and went to the club, not returning home for three days.

Fu Yonghui and Yuan Yujun were furious, especially after learning it was the old madam’s doing. They wanted to confront her, but she refused to see them, sending only a message through Nanny Song: “You have greatly disappointed me.”

Fu Yonghui understood Jiang Shuzhi’s meaning, but didn’t think himself wrong—he only regretted not being ruthless enough. But from now on, he would show no mercy.

…

In this war of public opinion, Lin Zhouye was prepared. The online comments were overwhelmingly in his favor: everyone sympathized with Lin Wanbai and cursed Fu Yanchuan and the entire Fu family. “The lives of the rich are truly a mess,” they said.

Then Lin Zhouye exposed all that Fu Miao had done to Zhang Danni, including recordings of her covering up the plagiarism incident. Of the people who’d bullied Zhang Danni, two were Fu family members. When the incident first arose, Lin Zhouye had personally visited them. Fortunately, Lin Zhaowei had done many good deeds over the years, including for a high-ranking official in the system, so resolving the issue became simple.

Before going public, Lin Zhouye had informed them, so their anger was now directed entirely at the Fu family.

Immediately, a nearly completed Fu Group development was held up, with approvals stalled on all sides. With the handover date looming and no solution in sight, panic spread among buyers—a mortal blow to the company. Contractors began demanding payments, and pressure mounted from all directions.

No one could touch Lin Wanbai; to do so was to invite disaster.

Lin Zhouye meant what he said.

After Fu Miao’s plagiarism scandal broke, she vanished—no one could find her.

Scandal after scandal sent the Fu Group’s recovering stock price plummeting, hitting the daily limit every day. Inside, chaos reigned; some employees watched and waited, others, seeing the writing on the wall, prepared to jump ship.

Jiang Shuzhi removed Fu Yonghui as acting director and took charge herself. Having ruled for so long, she still had loyal elders and held key positions through her own family. But her return only deepened the turmoil; the departure of the finance director had already turned many against her.

Rumors had long circulated within the company of her mental instability and poor decisions leading to significant losses over recent years; these whispers were never brought to her attention by Fu Yonghui or Fu Yongyi.

After the scandal broke, word spread that Jiang Shuzhi herself had released the video. Everyone thought she was mad.

The company’s partnership with the Lin Group had just begun to turn things around, but now its future seemed bleaker than ever, perhaps worse than before. The staff cursed her behind her back.

After the finance director was taken away by the police, the situation could have been serious or trivial. Confident, Jiang Shuzhi arranged for a top white-collar crime lawyer.

She even gave an interview: when asked about the video, she offered a sincere apology and recounted childhood stories of Lin Wanbai and Fu Yanchuan—sweet as young lovers, childhood sweethearts. She mentioned their broken engagement, explaining that Lin Wanbai had found true love and asked to break it off.

Facing the camera, she said, “My grandson just loved Xiaobai too much, which is why he acted so rashly. But flies don’t bite seamless eggs—can you truly say the other party is blameless? And I want to ask Chairman Lin: where is my granddaughter? She hasn’t returned since moving to your house. Please have her contact me—I’m very worried about her safety.”

After her remarks, Jiang Shuzhi made her opposition clear, and online rumors multiplied. News that Lin Zhaowei had collapsed and was hospitalized in a coma also spread, fueling more speculation.

In the end, it had come to this.

Beset from all sides, after days of pressure, even Jiang Shuzhi was beginning to feel overwhelmed.

She sat in the chairman’s office, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

Now she truly understood the meaning of collapse.

Fu Yanzheng sat at the desk, reporting on the week’s company data and employee resignations.

“No more,” she said, raising her hand to stop him.

Lin’s intention was to push the Fu Group into a corner. Every step Lin Zhouye took was steady and sure, clearly with insiders planted long ago. When the war began, victory was already in his grasp. Outwardly, he seemed a gentleman, but in truth, he was ruthless.

Only now did she realize the Fu Group was no longer what it once was. Internally, it was split into three factions; beneath the surface harmony, everything was rotten.

Attacks came from outside, while inside, members turned against each other.

How could they withstand such blows?

“Any word on Miao Miao?”

Fu Yanzheng shook his head. “I’ve asked friends and hired detectives—nothing. She went into the Lin home and hasn’t been seen since.”

“How many days has she been missing?”

He calculated. “Nearly two weeks.”

“Call the police.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Wait.”

“Yes, Grandma?”

“Arrange a meeting with Lin Zhouye—I want to speak with him alone.”

…

That evening, Jiang Shuzhi waited at the restaurant until eight, but Lin Zhouye never appeared.

Fu Yongyi slammed the table. “What is the meaning of this? Agrees one minute, stands us up the next? Scoundrel!”

Jiang Shuzhi was annoyed by the sight of him. “You should leave.”

“Mom, I don’t feel safe leaving you here alone.”

“Isn’t Yanzheng here? And Song is here too—what’s there to worry about?”

“Dad, you should go,” said Fu Yanzheng.

After a moment’s thought, Fu Yongyi agreed and left.

No sooner had he gone than Lin Zhouye arrived.

He was somber, unsmiling. After sitting, he neither drank tea nor touched the food. “Say what you must—I've only ten minutes.”

Jiang Shuzhi considered, then dismissed everyone but Nanny Song.

Once only a few remained, she poured tea for Lin Zhouye herself. “Keeping Miao Miao won’t help you.”

“I’m not holding her.”

She didn’t argue. “I have that video of Xiaobai—you know that, don’t you?”

He raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Let’s make a deal. You back off, and I’ll delete the video for good, never using it against you again. What do you say?”