Chapter 16 — Su Zhihan: Look at the Three of Us, a Family of Three Ji Han: Those Are My Parents!

Lin’s parents were utterly unprepared for the sudden turn of events. Had Lin Pingting told them about what happened at the Ji family’s old estate the moment she returned home, perhaps they could have braced themselves in advance—but she did not.

When Lin’s aunt learned that her beloved niece had been involved in such a matter, she fainted on the spot. The family knew well how difficult her life had been over the years; she had repeatedly begged them to help with a divorce, yet not a single soul lent her a hand. Even Lin Pingting, whom she cherished deeply, urged her to accept her fate and blamed her drunkenness that night.

But it turned out she hadn’t been drunk at all—she had been drugged.

“I’ll kill her! I must kill her! She was the one I loved most in that family—how could she do this to me!” Upon waking in the hospital, Lin’s aunt was devastated, muttering endlessly about taking revenge on Lin Pingting.

That night, the internet was abuzz. Night owls and netizens alike stayed up, devouring every morsel of gossip. After splitting up, Su Zhihan and Song Yu, along with Song Miaoke, returned home, their phones glued to their hands, engrossed in the scandal.

The male protagonist truly lived up to his role—either he refrained from acting or, once he did, he struck straight at the heart. By the next day, the Lin family affair had become the talk of the town. Even at work, Su Zhihan overheard colleagues gossiping about it. Some even tried to pry, hoping she might have insider information.

“Dr. Su, you must be in the same social circle as the Lin family, right? Do you know what happened last night? Any inside scoop?”

“Yes, yes! Some netizens are spinning conspiracy theories, suggesting that enemies of the Lin family might be behind this.”

Facing several pairs of curious eyes, Su Zhihan stroked her chin thoughtfully and replied, “I’m not too sure about the inside details, but most of what’s circulating online is true.”

A collective gasp filled the room.

All of it true? Such a wealthy family is terrifying! They had once envied the luxurious lifestyle of the elite, but now it seemed that such a life was not meant for everyone. One wrong step, and you might be ensnared by others. Were these people not afraid of the law?

Had Su Zhihan known their thoughts, she would have said: “This is a Mary Sue romance novel world—what does the law even matter?”

Fortunately, this world had become somewhat more normal lately, perhaps thanks to the arrival of this unbeatable beauty. People seemed to have calmed down a bit.

***

With the Lin family embroiled in scandal, rival companies were practically salivating, eager to tear a chunk out of their empire. The Lin couple even pleaded with Madam Ji for help, but she refused to see them and warned them to stay away.

Yet the Lin family shamelessly lingered outside her door, blocking her way.

Madam Ji, furious at the audacity of the trio, cursed vehemently, “Do they have any shame? They actually dared to block me after deceiving me?”

When Su Zhihan came by, she noticed the family waiting outside. Lin Pingting looked at her with venomous eyes, but Su Zhihan was unfazed—if she had the nerve, she could try and bite her.

Seeing Su Zhihan arrive, Madam Ji, as if finding an ally, immediately began venting about the Lin family’s antics.

Listening to Madam Ji’s complaints, Su Zhihan thought it didn’t seem too serious. If they wanted to loiter there, let them. It was a battle of endurance, and the Lin family didn’t have that much time to spare.

“Auntie, why do you care about them? Let them wait outside if they want—after all, it doesn’t affect your life at home.”

“You should learn from Uncle. Look at how calmly he fishes; it’s clear his mind is at peace.”

Yet Director Ji, who hadn’t caught a single fish, was speechless.

Su Zhihan picked up a fishing rod herself, unsure whether the pond even had fish. Judging by Director Ji’s empty bucket, either the pond was fishless or his skills were lacking.

Two minutes later, Su Zhihan reeled in a large fish, grinning broadly.

Director Ji was stunned. “You didn’t even bait your hook, did you? How did you catch that fish?”

Flipping her hair, Su Zhihan boasted, “What can I say? I’m just that good.”

Instantly stirred by her arrogance, Director Ji’s competitive spirit flared. Having fished for decades, there was no way he’d be outdone by a young girl, especially one so cheeky.

With Su Zhihan’s presence, the Ji family’s old estate was lively indeed. The three of them resembled a real family. As for their biological son, Ji Han, he was currently slogging away at the company.

***

Su Zhihan hadn’t forgotten to send a photo boasting of their “family of three.”

Upon seeing the picture, Ji Han nearly punctured the paper with his pen while signing documents.

Ji Han messaged: [That’s my parents! Please stop taking my place!]

If they were a family of three, then who was he? Su Zhihan was clearly scheming to usurp his position.

Though Su Zhihan’s relationship with her own parents was strained, Director Ji and Madam Ji truly treated her like a daughter. Calling them a family of three in the photo wasn’t entirely inaccurate.

The Lin family scandal was vast and vicious, and many suspected who might be behind it. Consequently, many had kept a low profile lately.

Most notably, fewer people were picking on Song Miaoke—in fact, some even subtly tried to curry favor with her. This was unprecedented; it was a relief that she wasn’t bullied anymore.

Feeling unsettled by the situation, Song Miaoke, knowing Ji Han was busy with the Lin family matter, hesitated to bother him and thus sought out Su Zhihan instead.

Su Zhihan: “So that means it’s okay to bother me?”

She promptly shifted the responsibility onto Song Yu, refusing to be the emotional caretaker.

Song Yu, uncomfortable with speaking to Song Miaoke alone, passed the matter back to Ji Han.

After many twists and turns, Song Miaoke finally spoke with Ji Han.

Su Zhihan said, “You have to solve your own problems yourselves; outsiders like us can’t intervene.”

Song Yu agreed, “Exactly.”

Ji Han and Song Miaoke were speechless: “You’re really considerate!”

Perhaps after Ji Han’s intervention, those who had been troubling Song Miaoke toned down their actions.

Though the Lin family hadn’t gone bankrupt, they were clearly on a downward spiral. Even Lin’s patriarch, the chairman, was on the verge of being ousted.

One night, Lin Pingting fled. Her aunt refused to forgive her, insisting the law must punish her. Where she escaped to was unknown.

When Su Zhihan heard of Lin Pingting’s escape, the only thought in her mind was, Damn!

The venomous antagonist had fled; no doubt she would cause more trouble, and it would be serious.