Jiang Shuqin and the others hurried over in a rush.
They searched all the way to the lakeside.
When Lin Li saw Jiang Shuqin's figure, his gaze flickered slightly.
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
Didn't Lin Xuan want to leave the Lin family to gain Jiang Shuqin's attention?
Didn't he manage to win over the eldest sister's affection?
Well, Lin Li would turn Lin Xuan's previous efforts into ashes.
"Brother, just go back. I've always seen you as my brother, and the eldest sister misses you too," Lin Li suddenly grabbed Lin Xuan's hand.
Then, he made a move as if he was pushed by Lin Xuan, falling backward.
With a loud splash, Lin Li fell into the lake.
Lin Xuan's lips twitched. It seemed the Lin family members had arrived, putting on this act with him.
Sure enough, Jiang Shuqin and the others' frantic cries came from behind, "Li'er!"
Lin Li couldn't swim and flailed in the water.
Lin Qingwan jumped into the lake and saved Lin Li.
They arrived just in time, and Lin Li only choked on a few mouthfuls of water.
"Mom, eldest sister, second sister," Lin Li said weakly, "I'm fine. I accidentally fell into the lake myself; it has nothing to do with Brother. Don't misunderstand him."
"We all saw it! Li'er, he knew you couldn't swim, yet he still pushed you into the lake. He wanted you dead, do you understand? If he wasn't deliberately doing this, why didn't he jump in and save you immediately? He knows how to swim!"
"Even after he treated you like this, you still defend him!" Jiang Shuqin exclaimed in a panic.
What if they hadn't arrived in time, and Lin Xuan didn't save Li'er? Would Li'er have drowned?
Jiang Shuqin felt a wave of fear.
Lin Qingwan wore a face full of disappointment.
She truly ached for Xiao Xuan's experiences, but his jealousy was too intense. She knew he couldn't tolerate Xiao Li, but she never expected him to push Xiao Li into the lake.
Lin Qingyan looked utterly disgusted, "Lin Xuan, didn't you cut ties with the Lin family? Why are you showing up at Xiao Li's birthday party?"
Lin Li pursed his lips and said, "Second sister, I invited Brother here. We used to celebrate birthdays together, so I invited him this time."
Jiang Shuqin, frustrated, said, "Li'er, how can you be so stubborn!"
"He never treated you well, yet you still see him as your brother?"
"But, Mom," Lin Li said dejectedly, "Brother was originally the sole heir of the Lin family. I, an outsider, took his place. I'm sorry to Brother."
"If it weren't for my existence, you wouldn't have conflicts with Brother, and he wouldn't have left the Lin family. Originally, I planned to return the Lin heir's identity to Brother, but I couldn't bear to part with your love for me, Mom."
Jiang Shuqin hugged Lin Li with affection.
Indeed, Li'er never felt secure in the Lin family and had been living in constant anxiety all these years.
Jiang Shuqin couldn't help but feel resentment towards Lin Xuan in her heart.
She had abandoned him already, so why did he have to return?
If he hadn't come back, Li'er wouldn't be so insecure, nor would he keep getting hurt.
Jiang Shuqin deeply regretted that she should have strangled Lin Xuan to death back then.
"Li'er, don't think too much. You'll always be my son, Jiang Shuqin's son. And you're my only son."
"Thank you, Mom," Lin Li said with heartfelt gratitude.
Lin Qingwan stepped forward, frowning, "Xiao Xuan, this time, you're in the wrong. You should apologize to Xiao Li."
"Heh," Lin Xuan scoffed, "Lin Qingwan, is this what you call compensation? Assuming it's my fault from the start?"
His tone was mocking.
His eldest sister was the most duplicitous.
Every time she claimed she wanted to compensate him and be good to him, he wouldn't believe her.
Of course, even if it was true, he didn't care anymore. He didn't need this so-called family affection anymore.
Lin Qingwan frowned.
Xiao Xuan still wanted to quibble, even now?
"Xiao Xuan, I just saw everything with my own eyes. This is a matter of principle. Even if I want to be good to you, I can't shield you," she said.
"Xiao Xuan, get rid of your bad habits. It won't do if you treat others like you do with Xiao Li. The family won't be able to protect you, and you might end up in jail."
"I'm doing this for your own good, Xiao Xuan."
Jiang Shuqin impatiently said, "Wan'er, why are you saying so much to him? If he could change, he would have already!"
"He's rotten to the core. This time, we can't protect him. We must teach him a lesson. Call the police, right now!"
Lin Li's lips curved triumphantly.
It had always been like this from a young age. He only needed a small trick to make Lin Xuan be scolded by everyone in the Lin family.
"Clap, clap, clap—"
Lin Xuan clapped his hands, "Bravo, truly a masterpiece. You really are a united family!"
"But there's an interesting video here. Want to see it?"
Lin Xuan played a video.
The video was silent, showing only the footage of the quarrel between Lin Xuan and Lin Li by the lake.
It was clearly evident.
Lin Li had grabbed Lin Xuan's hand, and Lin Xuan hadn't exerted any force on Lin Li.
So, it was entirely Lin Li who fell into the lake himself.
Lin Xuan only felt regretful. The surveillance camera lacked sound, or else they would have seen Lin Li's true nature.
By the way, this surveillance camera was too crappy—it malfunctioned at the crucial moment.
Lin Li's face stiffened.
How did Lin Xuan get this video? His eyes were fixed on Lin Xuan's chest.
Damn it!
He hadn't noticed Lin Xuan wearing a surveillance device!
Lin Qingwan's face was full of guilt, "Xiao Xuan, I'm sorry. I misunderstood you."
Just now, she and her mother had assumed Xiao Xuan was at fault from the start.
She had caused Xiao Xuan so much pain like that.
"Brother, I'm sorry. It was my fault. If I hadn't fallen into the lake myself, Mom and the others wouldn't have misunderstood you. Luckily, you brought the surveillance camera, proving your innocence," Lin Li said softly.
"Enough, what's there to apologize for?" Jiang Shuqin sneered, "This time, it was a misunderstanding. What about the past? Hasn't he hurt you enough before?"
"Li'er, forget about him. Let's go change our clothes. We can't delay your birthday party."
Jiang Shuqin helped Lin Li leave.
"Xiao Xuan..." Lin Qingwan was still full of guilt.
"Sister, don't mind him. You're all wet, hurry up and change clothes, or you'll catch a cold," Lin Qingyan dragged Lin Qingwan away.
Lin Xuan walked into the banquet hall indifferently.
At that moment, a Maybach stopped in front of the Imperial City Hotel. Amongst the luxury cars, it wasn't particularly noticeable, but it was the extraordinarily flashy license plate with a string of nines that caught attention.
Many in Yundu City recognized this plate.
A servant from the Lin family excitedly ran to Lin Chang and Jiang Shuqin, "Master, Madam, a Maybach just parked at the hotel entrance."
Jiang Shuqin frowned, "Isn't it just a Maybach? Why are you so excited?"
"Madam, that's Su Hua's car from Su Corporation!"