Chapter 20: Be on Guard Early

After deep thought, Lin Jin'an asked, "Why not tell Father?"

Lin Jinyan replied, "What would Father do if he knew? It wasn't a major incident to begin with. If Father were to reprimand Zhou Yuexue, it would surely upset Grandmother. If Grandmother decides to protect her, could Father really drive Zhou Yuexue out of the house?"

Lin Jin'an scratched his head. "So we just let it go?"

Lin Jinyan said, "She was just playing with me; she didn't push me into the water. It's not like anything significant happened. Now that we know her true character, we simply won't open our hearts to her. Since we live in the same manor, for Grandmother's sake, we must maintain proper etiquette and save face."

Nanny Gu sighed with admiration. "The Young Mistress has truly matured. To be so thoughtful at such a young age brings this old servant great comfort. Young Master, let us follow the Young Mistress's lead. We shall pretend we know nothing and simply maintain appearances."

Lin Jinyan gave a cold, faint smile. "Indeed. Having experienced such things, one naturally has to think more carefully."

In her past life, she had also fallen into the water during the Mid-Autumn Festival of this very year, and it was indeed while Zhou Yuexue was playing with her that she fell.

Just like a few days ago, she had been worried that her brother would be frightened if he found out, so her grandfather had coaxed her and taken her to the General's Manor.

It was also her aunt who had spent a whole day treating her high fever before she recovered, but even after waking up, she could never remember how she had fallen into the water.

This time, she still couldn't remember how she fell, but it no longer mattered.

She knew who the wolves and tigers were in this household, and she would naturally ensure those around her were on guard.

As for whether she was framing Zhou Yuexue, she didn't care at all. What if she did? All she cared about was ensuring this wench didn't die a peaceful death!

Lin Jin'an stared at Lin Jinyan and said, "Yan'er, I feel like you've changed a lot since falling into the water. You didn't used to cry much, nor did you calculate things like this. It's as if you've become a different person..."

Lin Jinyan paused, took a slow sip of water, and then spoke.

"How can anyone remain unchanged after experiencing life and death? Being calculating means suffering fewer losses. Is that not a good thing?"

Lin Jin'an thought for a moment. "Well... it's not that it's bad. It's certainly a good thing that my sister is so clever, it's just... I can't quite put my finger on it. I just feel like you aren't as happy as you used to be, as if you have many things weighing on your heart. When I first arrived, you were just staring blankly with a frown."

Lin Jinyan said, "At that time, I was thinking... why hasn't my brother come to see me even though I've been awake for so long?"

Lin Jin'an's eyes widened. "Who says I haven't come to see you! I came to see you twice yesterday, and I came the day before! This morning, as soon as I heard you were well, I urged Nanny Gu to stew soup for you, and I came over as soon as the tutor finished his lesson! I even ran here!"

Lin Jinyan burst into laughter. "Yes, yes, yes, I know my brother is the best to me."

Lin Jin'an asked, "Then why did you cry when you saw me?"

Lin Jinyan replied, "I missed my brother after not seeing him for a few days."

Lin Jin'an said, "Nonsense, I come to see you every day."

Lin Jinyan said, "I was running a fever and didn't see you."

Watching the siblings talk, Nanny Gu could not suppress her smile. Her little mistress had truly grown up.

In the midst of their laughter, Yulan reported, "Miss, the Master has come to see you."

With that, Lin Siyuan entered the room.

Lin Jinyan and Lin Jin'an stood up and saluted Lin Siyuan. After Lin Siyuan took his seat, he spoke affectionately

"Yan'er, are you still feeling unwell anywhere? How is your appetite?"

Seeing her father, who had died before her eyes in her past life, Lin Jinyan's eyes uncontrollably turned red. This was the first time she had seen her father since being reborn.

She bit her lip hard, trying to suppress her emotions, but remembering how her father had never blamed her even before he died, and had only wanted her to live well, she could not stop her tears.

(End of Chapter)