Chapter 86: Turning the Spear Toward Lin Xi

Though she said ten minutes, Lin Xi disliked being late, but in the end she entered just as the clock struck the hour.

The café was quiet at this time of day, and as soon as she walked in, she spotted the two ladies seated inside.

Aunt Rong was always meticulous about her appearance; nearing fifty, she looked barely over forty. But the woman beside her, Bai Xu’s mother, was quite different.

As Aunt Rong’s sister-in-law, Bai Xu’s mother should have been younger, but years of illness had taken their toll. She looked frail and worn.

In Lin Xi’s memory, Bai Xu’s mother had always been a gentle woman—so gentle, in fact, that she seemed to have no temper at all.

Lin Xi had never seen her lose her composure with anyone; she greeted everyone with a warm, smiling face, a true lady from the water towns of the south. But after Bai Xu’s father passed away, and Bai Xu himself proved troublesome, it seemed she aged overnight.

In recent years, Bai Xu’s mother had been living in a sanatorium, returning to the family estate only for holidays.

“Aunt Rong,” Lin Xi greeted, and by family seniority, she should call Bai Xu’s mother “Second Aunt.”

“Second Aunt,” she said.

“Xi Xi, come sit,” Second Aunt managed a smile and took her hand, guiding her to a seat.

“We’re not disturbing your work, are we?” Second Aunt asked.

“Not at all.” Lin Xi was always patient with Bai Xu’s mother. “How is your health lately, Second Aunt?”

“I…” Second Aunt began to answer, but Aunt Rong interjected, “Your Second Aunt was quite well recently, but just these past few days she’s been feeling unwell.”

That timeframe was deliberately narrow, clearly hinting at something.

With Cheng Si’s repeated reminders last night, Lin Xi could easily guess their purpose here—more precisely, Aunt Rong’s purpose.

Second Aunt was soft-hearted, always easy to persuade. Since marrying into the Bai family, she had no say in major matters, always deferring to Aunt Rong, rarely disagreeing.

So this time, Second Aunt was almost certainly brought here by Aunt Rong.

Given that, Lin Xi decided to give Aunt Rong the opportunity and asked directly, “Has something been troubling you lately, Second Aunt?”

Aunt Rong stayed silent, only glancing at Bai Xu’s mother several times.

After a pause, Second Aunt sighed. “It’s Bai Xu, of course. I thought he’d grown up after these years of working. Who knew… he’s still so reckless.”

“Xi Xi must have heard, right? About Bai Xu and the youngest son of the Lu family,” Aunt Rong chimed in.

Just then the waiter approached; Lin Xi nodded, indicating he should set down the coffee.

Once the waiter departed, Lin Xi answered calmly, “I’ve heard. I went back to the estate immediately and learned the details from Fourth Brother.”

“It seems to have been an accident. Please don’t worry yourself too much, Second Aunt. I heard the Lu family isn’t making a fuss, and Lu Bei wasn’t seriously hurt.”

Aunt Rong replied, “That’s only because your Third Brother intervened.”

She seemed to be emphasizing this point. Lin Xi looked up, and Aunt Rong continued, “It didn’t seem like an accident. Bai Xu appeared to crash into him on purpose.”

“Where did you hear that, Aunt Rong?” Lin Xi suspected that Second Aunt’s distress was largely due to Aunt Rong stirring trouble, adding to her worries.

“What I’ve heard is quite different. Fifth Brother and Lu Bei don’t even know each other—how could it have been deliberate?”

“I don’t think so,” Aunt Rong said. “Bai Xu has always cared about you. Lu Bei keeps pestering you, so maybe Bai Xu really did something like this for your sake.”

This time, the accusation was no longer subtle—it was direct, putting Lin Xi squarely in the crosshairs.

After meeting Aunt Rong’s gaze, Lin Xi suddenly smiled.

Bai Rong frowned; when Lin Xi didn’t smile, she resembled her father, with that indifferent look that seemed not to care about anything.

Her father was a typical “bookworm,” a straightforward man of science, wholly absorbed in his research. He didn’t have the cold rigidity of the family’s eldest son, but was more stiff and awkward.

When Lin Xi smiled, though, she looked a little like her mother.

The thought of that woman made Bai Rong clench her fist.

Even after all these years, she still resented Lin Xi’s parents—especially Lin Xi’s mother.

It had become her insurmountable barrier.

Back then, she had cast aside her upbringing as a young lady, hysterically accusing them, while Lin Xi’s father merely frowned. Lin Xi’s mother, meanwhile, remained aloof, sitting with poise and offering Bai Rong a gentle smile.

The stark contrast between her own distress and that woman’s serene composure was humiliating. She hadn’t said a word, yet every gesture was an affront.

“Lu Bei and I are hardly entangled; we stopped seeing each other long ago. Aunt Rong, you’re truly blaming me unjustly.”

Even facing her elders, Lin Xi showed no intention of giving ground. Her words were blunt and sharp:

“If you dislike me, Aunt Rong, just say so. There’s no need to cloak your accusations. To suggest Fifth Brother would do such a thing for me is giving me far too much credit.”

Bai Rong’s smile faded.

The atmosphere froze instantly; Second Aunt was startled and hurried to explain, “No, Xi Xi, don’t misunderstand. We just heard some rumors, don’t take it to heart.”

Second Aunt feared Lin Xi would be upset. “Actually, I came today hoping you could help talk to Bai Xu.”

“I heard he was unruly again last night. Please, speak to him for me.”

“That boy listens to no one these days. Even your Third Brother’s lectures don’t work.”

“He’s distant from everyone except you. So I really have no other choice…”

“I’m afraid if he keeps this up, he’ll do something outrageous again, just like before.”

“I called him today, but he was impatient and wouldn’t listen.”

“The old man keeps indulging him.”

Second Aunt sighed heavily, her eyes glistening with tears.

Lin Xi held her hand in return. “I can’t quite grasp Fifth Brother’s temperament either. We had a bit of a disagreement last night. But don’t worry, I’ll try my best to talk to him and help him avoid mistakes.”

“What happened last night really was a misunderstanding, and I was partly to blame.”

“I’ve heard it all. It’s not your fault. He’s just impulsive, always acting out whenever he’s dissatisfied, never caring for reason, just doing as he pleases. Sigh, he’s been spoiled by me.”

News of last night’s events had spread almost immediately.

Though Qin Yu stepped in later to quell gossip, it wasn’t difficult for the elders to find out details.

Lin Xi had never been one to stir up trouble; everyone around her knew that.

So Second Aunt bore her no grudge.

All the blame rested on Bai Xu.

She knew well enough what kind of son she had.

After reassuring Second Aunt, Lin Xi needed to return for a meeting.

“Go back to the car,” Aunt Rong stopped Second Aunt, her gaze settling on Lin Xi.

(End of Chapter)