Becoming the Villain's Discarded Wife
Chapter 235: Total Loss

Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Total Loss

"Father, Mother, dinner’s ready!" Lin Yicheng knocked on the door, and hearing the affirmations from inside, he returned to the storeroom.

At the dining table, Nanzhi felt her family was being a bit too enthusiastic.

Not only was her sister-in-law piling food onto her plate, even her father extraordinarily shared a piece of cake with her.

"Father, you eat this Osmanthus Cake..."

When his daughter rejected him, Father Lin casually grunted in disappointment but said nothing more.

"That chubby girl, have you figured out how to run the restaurant?" As Lin Yicheng ate his meal, he decided to ask.

"The stuff left by Baiweizhai’s manager is quite abundant and still usable, only needing some cleaning. The only thing is we haven’t decided what kind of shop to open."

Nanzhi sighed while eating the food in her bowl.

It was still a bit cold and she wanted to serve hot pot, but just the thought of preparing the base stock was a hurdle.

A good hot pot is defined by its base stock. Since she hadn’t learned cooking and even if she had apprenticed, the master chef might not share his secret recipe.

Yet if only grilled food was offered, it seems a waste of such a large restaurant like Baiweizhai.

Thinking about it, she was still without an idea.

"This really needs some careful thought." Lin Ercheng nodded his agreement. While he acknowledged that his sister cooked delicious food, it still couldn’t compete with a professional chef.

Moreover, doing business can’t be done casually.

"We have to hire people, need chefs, need porter, and waiters too."

"I know." Nanzhi rolled her eyes. Opening a restaurant was such a hassle.

"Alright, Let’s eat first, we can discuss these matters afterwards."

All the focus returned to food upon Mother Lin’s words.

They hadn’t even finished their meal when a knock echoed from outside the courtyard gate.

The Lins looked at each other, each seeing confusion in the other’s eyes. Lin Yicheng swallowed his soup, wiped his mouth, and got up to open the door.

Outside the door, Chi Sheng and Xiaoqi had come to take Yuanbao home. Noticing no one answering the door, they raised their hand to knock again but discovered the courtyard door was being opened.

"It’s you guys, come in, come in." Recognizing Chi Sheng and Xiaoqi, Lin Yicheng greeted them and stepped aside to let them in.

"If it isn’t Little Chi, have you had dinner yet, come in and join us."

Seeing that it was Chi Sheng with Xiaoqi, Mother Lin immediately stood up and invited them to sit down and have dinner with them.

"No need, Auntie, I’m here to fetch Yuanbao. You’ve been troubled these past few days." Chi Sheng rejected the invitation with a smile, slightly raising his voice.

"Yuanbao, hurry up, we’re going home."

Yuanbao was eating hungrily, froze at her father’s words with green vegetable leaves still poking out from the corner of her mouth.

"So soon?" Mother Lin was taken aback, glancing at the sun which was about to set. How would they return to the mountain?

"There’s some business at home, we have to hurry back." Chi Sheng nodded as an explanation.

Hearing from her father that they had matters to attend to at home, and seeing an obviously anxious Xiaoqi, Yuanbao guessed what was happening. She wiped her mouth and put down the chopsticks.

"I’ve finished eating, Father. Let’s go."

Caught off guard by how smoothly things went, it took Chi Sheng a moment to react.

"Mother, remember to miss Yuanbao." Despite her reluctance to part with Nanzhi, the little girl was still sensible and didn’t make a fuss, only waving her hand in their direction.

"Brother, don’t forget to miss Yuanbao!"

"Grandfather, grandmother, uncles, and aunts, remember to miss Yuanbao~"

It was only after the little girl’s voice had faded away, that the Lin family came back to their senses.

Having Yuanbao at home these past few days had been lovely, and her sudden departure left everyone feeling unused to it.

Chi Sheng led Xiaoqi and Yuanbao to the carriage and headed out of the city, finally heaving a sigh of relief.

Leaning against Xiaoqi, Yuanbao looked at him with concern in her eyes, asking, "Brother Xiaoqi, is it something to do with my sister?"

The soft voice of the little girl made Xiaoqi’s heart tremble slightly.

"Mmm." Xiaoqi pursed his lips and nodded his head.

The morning’s carrier pigeon brought news that Yueyue’s condition was worsening.

"Brother Xiaoqi, don’t worry. Nothing will happen to my sister." Yuanbao patted Xiaoqi’s head with a serious tone in her milky voice.

The carriage was heading towards Qingfenghan, crushing the setting sun beneath its wheels.

Weariness filled Su Tao’s eyes as she returned home, managing only a weak smile towards young Master He.

"Thank you, young Master He."

Seeing the delicate beauty so frail, young Master He couldn’t help but feel a pang of distress. He wanted to say more, but fearing he might upset Su Tao, he softly suggested that she return home and rest.

Shuangshuang helped Su Tao back to the courtyard, then tearfully whispered, "Miss, please roll up your sleeves. I shall apply medicine for you."

The light blue sleeve was gently rolled up, revealing the slender and snow-white forearm underneath.

A patch of red and several small blisters had appearred on her white and delicate skin. It was clear she had been seriously scalded.

"Miss." Shuangshuang sobbed at the sight of Su Tao’s arm.

"Why are you crying?" Su Tao felt a bit helpless as she saw her maid in tears while applying the ointment.

"This servant...This servant feels sorry for you, Miss." Shuangshuang wiped away her tears, gingerly peeling away the pieces of fabric that had stuck to Su Tao’s burnt skin.

Su Tao remained quiet. It was the last day of the gathering, and she had had a perfect opportunity, only to lose it at the very last moment.

She never expected that the always smiling Lady He would stab her in the back.

She had revealed Su Tao’s background in front of everyone, even accusing her of stealing the formula for her ice-skin cream from someone else. All the people who had done business with her turned to look at her. Yet, no one spoke up for her.

Even young Master He simply mumbled without stepping in, letting his mother drag her reputation through the dirt.

She would never forget the sensation of the hot tea burning her skin.

Thinking of Lady He’s mocking smile, a dark shadow passed over Su Tao’s eyes.

[Beep—

Host, after checking we found that Chi Sheng has left Yan City.

His current affection score is 37, 13 short of the target of 50—]

"Where did he go?"

Looking at her burnt arm, Su Tao’s face darkened.

[Qingfenghan—]

"Is the treasure from that day still in the city lord’s residence?"

[Beep—Checking—]

Su Tao didn’t ask anything else while the mechanical sound of the system resumed, she simply waited for its result.

"Miss, I will find a doctor to check on your wound." Shuangshuang’s voice was full of sorrow. She waited for Su Tao’s nod before hurrying out to find the doctor.

[Host, the treasure is still in the city lord’s residence—]

"Good, can you locate it?"

[You require 5 points—]

Su Tao was silent, feeling somewhat speechless.

The system had become pretty stingy by now.

Seeing that Su Tao remained silent, the system tentatively continued, [4 points?]

Su Tao’s gloomy mood suddenly improved a bit.

"1 point."

[3 points—]

"1 point."

[2 points—]

"1 point."

[Fine, 1 point it is. Should I locate it now?]

"Maybe next time."

Su Tao’s mood had lightened a bit as she sat in the chair, looking at the wound on her arm with a new idea forming in her mind.

Lady He, huh...