Crying?

"Sister, after you left today, Dad was very unhappy and said he would cut off the funding for the orphanage. What should we do?"

Even through the phone, Lin Wan could imagine the gloating expression on Lin Weiwei’s face.

Without hesitation, she rushed to call Lin Jiaming.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently busy..."

The cold, automated voice hit Lin Wan’s heart like a knife. She never expected that Lin Jiaming had blocked her.

She tried calling her mother, but the result was the same.

Helpless, she could only call Lin Weiwei.

After a long time, Lin Weiwei finally answered. Her tone was lazy and teasing.

"My dear sister, you finally called me."

"The funding agreement that Grandpa signed with the orphanage was for twenty years, and only fifteen years have passed. How could..."

Lin Weiwei burst into laughter. "My dear sister, you’re so naive. As you said, it was Grandpa who signed it. Now that he’s gone, it’s no longer valid."

Lin Wan didn’t expect them to be so ruthless. She became anxious.

"But..."

Lin Weiwei interrupted her with a laugh. "Come to our house tomorrow at ten in the morning. I have something to tell you. If you don’t come, you and your orphanage won’t get a penny."

With that, she hung up, leaving Lin Wan feeling both sad and angry.

Since her grandfather passed away, they had done everything they could to make her life difficult.

First, they fired all the employees from the traditional Chinese medicine clinic.

Then, they had people empty the place, leaving nothing behind.

That clinic was something her grandfather had left for her. With it, she could have lived a stable life.

But now, she felt like her wings had been clipped, and every step forward was difficult.

Then, they forced her into marriage, only to change their minds later. And now, they were using the orphanage children to threaten her...

Lin Wan felt despair creeping in. When did that couple become like this?

She went to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to calm herself down.

Looking at her reddened eyes in the mirror, she forced a smile, though it looked worse than crying.

She wouldn’t be defeated. She had a child to protect.

She gently touched her belly, trying to encourage herself, and then walked back to the room.

Huo Tingxiao had finished eating, and the servants had already cleared the dishes, leaving only a bowl of Chinese medicine. Lin Wan walked over, picked up the bowl, and took two steps toward him.

"Drink your medicine."

Her voice was hoarse, and her eyelashes drooped, as if she had been crying. Huo Tingxiao looked at her with mockery in his eyes, showing no intention of taking the bowl.

"Are you crying?"

He found it amusing that this shameless woman could cry too.

Lin Wan ignored him and brought the bowl closer, but he pushed it away.

"Is it because the man outside doesn’t acknowledge this child and it’s hurting you?"

Lin Wan looked at him mockingly, her eyes sharp. Taking advantage of his inattention, she forced his mouth open and poured the bitter medicine down his throat.

Huo Tingxiao was caught off guard and almost choked. His face turned red as he reached out and grabbed her neck with force.

"Lin Wan, are you trying to die?!"

Lin Wan looked at him fearlessly, even smiling coquettishly as his grip tightened. She didn’t struggle.

Huo Tingxiao stared into her eyes—despair and stubbornness mixed together. For some reason, he suddenly let go.

Those eyes… They reminded him of the woman from that night. Their eyes were so similar.

But how could she be that woman?

Lin Wan fetched a basin of warm water and began cleaning him.

Normally, the servants would do this, but he didn’t allow them near, so she had to do it herself.

She endured the pain in her hands as she carefully wiped him down. Then, she brought a chair and sat by the bed.

Huo Tingxiao’s face darkened as she lifted one of his legs. Instinctively, he tried to push her away.

"Don’t move. I’m going to massage your legs. If you keep lying like this, your muscles will atrophy."

She started massaging with gentle pressure. Huo Tingxiao remained tense, watching her closely.

She wasn’t sure what had happened earlier, but several blisters on her hands had burst. They looked terrifying.

She knew they would leave scars, but she felt no pain.

She just kept focusing on massaging his legs, even though every movement pulled at her wounds.

Huo Tingxiao watched her, unable to tell what she was truly thinking.

After a while, she stopped and stood up.

"Okay, you should rest early."

Without looking back, she turned and walked away.

That night, Lin Wan finally finished all the manuscripts she owed and sent them to the editor.

After everything, she felt like she had no strength left. Her stomach was so empty that she could barely feel the hunger anymore.

Thinking of the baby, she grabbed some bread and ate before falling into a deep sleep.

---

The next morning, Huo Jie arrived before breakfast.

When Lin Wan opened the door and saw him, her eyes dimmed with disappointment.

Huo Jie got angry. "You bad woman! What kind of look is that?!"

Lin Wan ignored him and went to wash up. Huo Tingxiao glanced at him.

"Are you going back to the company today?"

Huo Jie sat down in a chair, looking reluctant. "Yeah."

Huo Tingxiao’s black eyes darkened slightly. He quickly figured out who was behind this and why.

"Aunt Qin is doing this for your own good. Work hard."

Huo Jie was surprised. "How did you know it was my mother…?"

After a moment of thought, he didn’t say anything else. He just reminded Huo Tingxiao to take care of himself and left.

"Brother, I’m waiting for the day when you recover and return to the company!"

The man smiled foolishly, checked his watch, then hurriedly ran downstairs.

Huo Tingxiao watched his back, his gaze deep in thought.

Lin Wan came out of the bathroom, took breakfast from the servant, and ate ravenously. She had been starving.

Huo Tingxiao looked at her with disdain, but Lin Wan didn’t care.

She just wanted to fill her stomach. Otherwise, the baby in her belly would protest.

After finishing breakfast, she took her medicine under Huo Tingxiao’s watchful eyes. Then, she changed her clothes and headed to the Lin family’s house.

When she arrived outside the Lin mansion, she was stopped by a servant.

"The master said Lin Wan, the unfilial daughter, is not allowed to step into the Lin mansion again."

Lin Wan frowned and was about to call Lin Weiwei when the gate suddenly opened.

"Sister, you finally came. Come in quickly!"