Chapter Thirty-Three: The Most Cherished Sister

Lin Sangqian was afraid they’d get entangled with Lin Shuimei, so she intended to leave, but Lin Shuimei had already heard their footsteps. She turned around, saw them, and her face immediately twisted into a fierce expression.

“Lin Sangqian!”

Resigned, Lin Sangqian turned back and smiled. “Cousin, why are you out here? I remember the village chief asked you to stay home and reflect on your actions.”

“You dare mention it!” Lin Shuimei stormed over, and Lin Wenyen promptly stepped in front of Lin Sangqian.

“Lin Shuimei, if you’ve got something to say, say it properly. What are you planning?” Lin Wenyen frowned.

He was the same age as Lin Shuimei, two months her senior, so he was considered her older male cousin.

Lin Shuimei paused, finally noticing that it wasn’t only Lin Sangqian who’d come but also her three male cousins. Though she looked down on the village boys, she always behaved like a gentle, refined lady before them. Now, she immediately switched expressions, lowered her lashes, and pleaded pitifully, “Cousin, you don’t know how much Sangqian has tormented me!”

Lin Sangqian was speechless. Lin Shuimei’s talent for changing faces was remarkable.

“Oh? How did she torment you?” Lin Beitao asked, his face emotionless.

Lin Shuimei poured her heart out, embellishing her tale of that day, letting a few tears fall now and then, perfectly casting herself as the victim and Lin Sangqian as the mischievous child who framed her cousin.

A soft snort escaped as Lin Yanbei couldn’t help but laugh when she finished.

“Yanbei, what are you laughing at?” Lin Shuimei asked, confused.

“My second brother is laughing at your foolishness,” Lin Beitao replied. “You were so easily tricked—what else would you call it but foolish?”

“How can you say that about me?” Lin Shuimei was furious. Lin Beitao not only refused to blame Lin Sangqian but even mocked her.

Lin Sangqian was only his little sister—a mere slip of a girl—surely her own beauty should be enough to attract his sympathy?

“So what? Isn’t it true? Big brother, second brother, don’t you agree?” Lin Beitao turned to them.

Lin Yanbei nodded solemnly, and Lin Wenyen didn’t react, but the corner of his mouth twitched, as if struggling to suppress a smile.

“You’re all just biased toward Lin Sangqian!” Lin Shuimei cried in exasperation. “She’s clearly in the wrong—why won’t you call her out?”

“Oh, please. Get your facts straight,” Lin Beitao responded lazily. “Sangqian is our cherished little sister. No matter what she does, it’s always right in our eyes. You claim she framed you—so what? It’s your own fault for being so gullible.”

A wave of emotion swept through Lin Sangqian. Aside from her parents, no one had ever so openly favored her.

“You’re all too much!” Lin Shuimei was genuinely aggrieved now. “Are you ganging up on me?”

“We can’t be bothered to bully you,” Lin Wenyen said. “But if you ever try to harm Sangqian, don’t expect us to value the bonds of kinship.”

“If you’re so upset, why not find a brother to stand up for you?” Lin Beitao said, gloating.

Lin Shuimei’s eyes widened, frustration boiling inside her. She didn’t have any brothers—only a younger brother, who was eight years old and currently studying in a school in town. At home, he was a little tyrant, always snatching treats, doted on by their parents, leaving her to yield at every turn.

Yet Lin Sangqian was pampered by three older brothers, who stood by her no matter what…

Lin Shuimei was nearly mad with jealousy.

“If you’re so foolish, don’t come near Sangqian again. Don’t ruin her,” Lin Beitao said.

“Let’s go,” he added.

The three brothers took Lin Sangqian away, leaving Lin Shuimei trembling with rage.

How could they be so cruel? Helping Lin Sangqian bully her! Were they even men? She was so beautiful, yet they remained unmoved!

But then, Lin Yanbei was only fourteen, Lin Beitao twelve—what would they know? Hmph, when they grow older and understand the ways between men and women, they’ll regret treating her like this, for they dared speak harshly to such a beautiful girl!

Lost in her fantasies, Lin Shuimei slipped and fell into the river. The water by the bank was shallow, so she wasn’t hurt, but her clothes were soaked.

She stood up, stamping her foot in anger. “What rotten luck! It’s all Lin Sangqian’s fault! Nothing good ever happens when she’s around! I’ll make her pay for this!”

Just then, a sly voice called out, “Isn’t that Shuimei? What happened to you?”

Lin Shuimei turned and saw one of the village lads—Tian Six.

He was the sixth child in his family, hence the name. Everyone in the village knew he was lazy and gluttonous; though he was already eighteen, he refused to farm or find work in town, living off his parents. He hadn’t married because no one wanted to give their daughter to him. Luckily, his family was well off, and he was fat and greasy—in Lin Shuimei’s eyes, much like a pig.

Tian Six had always fancied Lin Shuimei. She usually scorned him, never giving him the time of day. But now, her eyes flashed with an idea.

“Brother Tian Six,” she called out, sounding aggrieved.

That plea melted Tian Six’s heart, and he looked at her with even more lecherous intent. “Oh, little sister, what happened? Tell your brother.”

“I just fell into the river,” Lin Shuimei said, “and it was Lin Sangqian who pushed me.”

“Lin Sangqian?” Tian Six paused. “Isn’t she your cousin? Why would she push you?”

“Brother Tian Six, you don’t know. Lin Sangqian seems quiet, but she’s cunning. Her three brothers returned today, and with them backing her up, she bullied me terribly, and then shoved me into the river,” Lin Shuimei whimpered. “Luckily, the water was shallow, or I might have drowned!”

Watching the pretty girl cry, Tian Six felt his heart ache and grew indignant. “Is there really such a thing? That Lin Sangqian—she always seemed timid, but who knew she could be so wicked? Shameless brat!”

“Exactly,” Lin Shuimei quickly agreed. “But she has brothers, and I have none, so I can only let her bully me…”

Tian Six puffed out his chest. “So what? Shuimei, you have me—I’ll stand up for you!”

“Really?” Lin Shuimei asked, delighted.

That fat fool was useful at last.

“Of course! But…” Tian Six leered at her, “when I’ve avenged you, how will you thank me?”