LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 22:
Chapter 22: Lin Keqing’s Complicated Emotions, Su Wanqing’s Thoughts!
Magic Capital, Lin family residence.
After working overtime for an entire day and night, Lin Keqing returned home, exhausted. At the entrance, she lowered her head and took off her high heels, gently massaging her sore feet wrapped in black stockings.
She let out a soft sigh. Her glistening, peach blossom eyes were filled with complex emotions.
Five years ago, the Ye family of Magic Capital—whom she had been betrothed to—was destroyed overnight by the wrath of the Shen family of Yanxia. In desperation, the Ye family’s patriarch went mad and burned everything to the ground.
Even the Lin family was affected by the fallout.
From then on, she carried a bad reputation: a widow-to-be, bearer of bad luck, a jinx…
And it wasn’t just outsiders who said this—even her own family members whispered the same.
Not wanting to endure any more cold sarcasm at home, Lin Keqing took her savings and started a fashion design company. Thanks to her natural talent for art and a keen sense of style, the company grew steadily and even gained some recognition in the industry.
She usually lived at her company, treating it like home, though she would occasionally return to the family residence—only to face ridicule again.
Just as she entered this time, a crowd suddenly rushed out from the rooms.
Her parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, great-uncles, and distant relatives—all emerged at once.
Lin Keqing’s alluring face paled immediately. She braced herself, thinking, “So many of them… are they going to insult me again? This is unbearable…”
But to her surprise, things didn’t go the way she expected.
Her mother warmly took her hand and said with a bright smile, “Keqing, you must be exhausted. Come in quickly, we’ve made your favorite dishes—cooked by me personally!”
Her father followed with a kind tone, “Keqing, don’t overwork yourself. You need to take care of your health.”
The other relatives also swarmed around her with enthusiasm, practically escorting her into the house.
Lin Keqing was stunned. What on earth had happened?
Was she dreaming?
Her younger female cousin looked at her with jealousy and curiosity and asked, “Sister Keqing, you’ve met Young Master Shen, right? Is he really as handsome and powerful as they say?”
Still a little dazed, Lin Keqing answered casually, “Mm, very handsome.”
“And powerful… extremely powerful.”
As if recalling something, Lin Keqing slightly twisted her waist, and a flush spread across her charming cheeks.
Then she took a deep breath and addressed the gathered family: “I know what you’re all concerned about. Young Master Shen promised to protect the Lin family. Don’t worry, the recent storm has passed.”
However, no one seemed surprised. In fact, it felt like they already knew.
Her mother even clutched her hand tightly, speaking with sincere concern, “Keqing, a man like Young Master Shen is rare. You must make sure to keep him happy.”
“Men can’t control their desires. It’s easy for them to stray. Let alone someone like Young Master Shen—do you know how many women are throwing themselves at him?”
“Even if he flirts outside, you have to be understanding. Be more considerate.”
“Best thing would be to get pregnant early. Having his child is the only way to truly secure him.”
Hearing all this, Lin Keqing looked completely bewildered.
Her younger cousin then added, “Sister Keqing, you’re so much more attractive and feminine than that so-called beautiful CEO, Qin Ningbing. Go for it! Win his heart, and our Lin family will rise!”
One by one, the others chimed in, offering strategies on how to win a man’s favor.
Lin Keqing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Shaking her head, her eyes calmed as she said, “There’s nothing between me and Young Master Shen. It was just a transaction. It’s over.”
“There won’t be any further interactions between us.”
Even though the family now treated her differently because of Shen Anyu, and part of her felt gratified, she never believed a man like him would ever truly fix his eyes on just one woman.
Those two nights had already drawn a perfect conclusion.
That Shen Anyu ended up with Qin Ningbing didn’t surprise her.
Yet despite everything, a faint sense of loss and melancholy filled her heart at the thought.
But her cousin scoffed and said sourly, “Come on, Sister Keqing, stop pretending!”
“Just look at these.”
She pulled open a stack of boxes in the corner.
Inside were top-quality jadeite, rubies, emeralds, designer luxury items—gifts that sparkled with extravagance. Their combined value was well over a few billion.
Lin Keqing’s eyes widened in shock. “These… were sent by Young Master Shen?”
Her cousin nodded with barely concealed envy.
And that wasn’t all.
Her father stepped forward with a glowing smile. “Also, I’d like to officially announce that from today, Keqing will be the family head of the Lin family!”
“The full control of the Lin family group will be handed over to you.”
“This was Young Master Shen’s instruction.”
“But of course, we all support this wholeheartedly. We believe that under your leadership, the Lin family group will soar to new heights!”
“Keqing, Young Master Shen truly treats you well. You must go thank him personally when you have the chance!”
Everyone in the Lin family was looking at the precedent set by Renshintang Pharmaceutical Company—how could they not feel envious?
Lin Keqing bit her lip, overwhelmed with emotions.
At that moment, her eyes fell upon one of the boxes. Her lips parted slightly as she exclaimed, “Prenatal medicine?”
Inside was also a letter from Shen Anyu, asking her to take care of herself during the pregnancy, not to overthink things, and promising to visit soon—to care for her for the rest of his life.
Her body trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
[Ding! Detected increase in Destiny Female Lead Lin Keqing’s affection +6, Plundered +Destiny Points!]
[Ding! Detected total affection of Destiny Female Lead Lin Keqing at 82, Plundered +Destiny Points!]
…
Jinxiu Famous Tea Company.
CEO Su Wanqing listened with a smile as her young secretary excitedly chattered away. She shook her head and said, “The Shen family of Yanxia—an aristocratic clan of a thousand years, noble blood, unmatched looks. He truly is worthy of the title ‘National Heartthrob.’”
“No wonder you young girls are all head over heels for him.”
“But I’m older now, and I see things differently. A man like that is bound to be surrounded by all kinds of women. He might not be the ideal partner.”
The secretary laughed and flattered her, “Chairwoman, what girl could compare to you?”
Looking at Su Wanqing’s mature, stunning beauty and her skin as smooth as a peeled boiled egg, the twenty-something secretary was green with envy.
Ring, ring!
Just then, Su Wanqing’s phone rang. It was from her daughter, Su Hongmian. She picked up immediately. The secretary quietly slipped out of the office and closed the door.
“Hongmian, don’t tell me you’re calling about that so-called Young Master Shen again?”
“Anyu is a good child—don’t you dare hurt his feelings,” Su Wanqing teased.
She hadn’t connected Shen Anyu to the infamous “Young Master Shen” people were gossiping about online, especially since the latter was rumored to be domineering and ruthless.
But Shen Anyu was always gentle, refined, and courteous.
“Hmph! I don’t care about some Young Master Shen!” came Su Hongmian’s proud voice over the phone.
She then told her mother that Shen Anyu had taught her Yanxia Kung Fu.
Su Wanqing’s expression changed. She was silent for a long moment before replying to her daughter’s worried voice, “Anyu is sincerely good to you. That kind of inherited martial art is very rare and precious. Be kind to him, don’t be so spoiled.”
“Alright, I’ve got things to do. Talk later.”
After hanging up, her expression turned serious.
“Inherited martial arts? Could Shen Anyu also be… from that world?”
She wasn’t sure whether her daughter being with him was a blessing—or a curse.
As the thought surfaced, a rare trace of fear appeared in her usually composed and graceful eyes.
…
The stir caused by Young Master Shen had shaken the entire internet—reaching even the detention center, where it caused a massive ripple…