“Hurry up and change the water.”

  Seated on the sofa were a man and a woman, having just finished soaking their feet. They were Ye Feng’s parents—Ye Luohua and Cui Mei. Their fingers tapped lightly on the armrests, their tones casual but full of command.

  Lin Xue lowered her gaze and answered softly. Her long hair slid down her shoulders, hiding the flicker of sadness in her eyes.

  The Ye family, a second-tier household in Jiangcheng. Three years ago, after being cast out by the Lin family, Lin Ruoxue was married into the Ye family—at the matchmaking of Old Master Ye himself. The wedding caused quite a stir in Jiangcheng, not because of joy, but because the heir of the Ye family, Ye Feng, was marrying an ordinary woman. It became the city’s favorite gossip.

  Only Old Master Ye knew Lin Xue’s true identity. But two months after the wedding, he passed away from illness. From then on, no one knew who Lin Xue truly was. In the eyes of the world, she was just a nobody.

  For the past three years, Lin Xue endured cold eyes and ridicule from those around her. Yet none of it hurt as much as being banished from the Lin family.

  She had never spoken of it. Not even Ye Feng, her husband of three years, knew the truth.

  “Move faster,” Cui Mei said with a smile, her eyes filled with disdain as they flicked over Lin Xue.

  “Don’t be too harsh,” Ye Luohua said mildly.

  Cui Mei curled her lips into a mocking smile. “So what if I am? Just look at her—plain and poor. If it weren’t for a family arrangement, who would let their son marry someone so worthless? Tomorrow’s the Ye family annual banquet. It’s embarrassing to even bring her.”

  Ye Luohua quickly changed the subject. “Xue, if you’re tired, just take a break. Don’t worry about dinner tonight. Your aunt and I will grab something outside.”

  As the words fell, Lin Xue poured out the footbath and turned to leave. But before she could take a step, Cui Mei spoke again, coldly:

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  “Lin Xue, make sure Feng’s suit for tomorrow is ironed. And my evening gown too. Handle both.”

  Lin Xue nodded, holding the clothes in her arms. Back in her small room, she took out her own outfit as well. Tomorrow was a family gathering—she wanted to look clean and presentable.

  Just then, her phone buzzed.

  She looked at the screen. The number ended in eight eights—familiar yet distant. Her heart skipped a beat. This number... it seemed connected to the Lin family.

  With a sense of unease, she opened the message.

  Her entire body froze.

  “Miss Lin, this is Butler An. I have fulfilled the old master’s dying wish. The old madam and her son have been expelled from the Lin family!”

  Then, a second message arrived:

  “Miss Lin! I’ve waited in silence for three years to fulfill the old master’s final command. Please return to the Lin family and take back your rightful place!”

  Lin Xue’s hands trembled uncontrollably. The past surged forward like a tidal wave.

  Ten years ago, her birth mother disappeared suddenly. In the following years, her father built the Lin Corporation, which rose to become one of the most powerful families in the southern region.

  But three years ago, her father fell seriously ill. The family fell under the control of her stepmother. With no other choice, Lin Xue was forced into hiding, marrying Ye Feng under Old Master Ye’s protection.

  She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

  Suddenly, the door opened. Ye Feng stepped in, his voice carrying a trace of concern.

  “You okay? You seemed spaced out.”

  Lin Xue hesitated, then simply shook her head. “I’m fine.”

  Ye Feng didn’t press. “Things aren’t going well at the company. Don’t bother leaving dinner for me tonight.”

  Lin Xue nodded, though her mind was a storm of thoughts.

  She had no resentment toward Ye Feng. They had married without love, and she knew he felt he had married beneath himself. She understood.

  Later that night, Lin Xue stared at her phone for a long time before typing:

  “I don’t plan to return to take over the Lin family just yet. Handle affairs for me in the meantime. But I need a black-tier bank card—just in case.”

  She hit send, tossed the phone aside, and lay heavily on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

  That night, she tossed and turned until dawn.

  “Lin Xue! Get up and take Ye Feng to work!”

  A loud knock startled her awake.

  “Are you deaf or just dumb? I said take Feng to work, didn’t you hear me?” Her mother-in-law’s voice rang out, filled with authority.

  Lin Xue groggily got up from the floor, confused. In their three years of marriage, Ye Feng had never let her appear at his company—he didn’t even acknowledge her in public. Why today?

  “Hurry up! Feng has an important meeting, and his father took the car. The roads are jammed. Take him on the electric scooter,” Cui Mei barked from the door, looking at her like she was a burden.

  Lin Xue quickly changed and got ready. Then, she rode the electric scooter, quietly carrying Ye Feng to work.