Tang Zheng had a rare expression of seriousness on his face. He examined Fu Huai'an's cold face and sat up straight as he fixed his tie. "You can't take care of all the family members of Lu Xiangsi! She's no longer here—you should let it go! You can't afford to have scandals now. If you don't want Lin Nuan upset over some potential rumors you should let Lu Qili leave the company. If it's too much for you to handle, let Lu Jinnan take care of it!"
After a while, Fu Huai'an looked up and said, "Let him take care of it then."
Tang Zheng grinned.
…
Lin Nuan came out of Lin Jingquan's study, holding the "emergency file" he left her last time he thought he was in trouble.
Inside the file was cash left for Lin Nuan on a foreign bank account.
If she refused to take it, he would have given her a considerable stock share instead. Hence she decided to take the file out the study.
When Lin Ran came downstairs and saw Lin Nuan after changing, she glanced at the familiar file in her hands and looked up at Lin Nuan.
She held a polished cup in her hand. Crossing her arms, she grinned and said, "You really are likable—you seem to have a say in everything in this family when you're not even related to us! When father was in trouble, you still worked and did your show. Then you come back home to put on an act and get the money. Your cash is easier to make than the movie stars, isn't it?"
Lin Nuan let out a sigh and passed the file to Lin Ran.
Lin Ran smirked and glanced at the file in front of her. "If I take this, father would reward you better. Do you think I'm dumb?"
Lin Nuan knew it was impossible to reconcile with Lin Ran. She refused to take it, so Lin Nuan turned around and prepared to go back downstairs, without bothering to even pretend to make up with her.
"Lin Nuan, did you know? When I knew about my background, I didn't really hate your birth parents or you. But when I came back to this home and saw my own parents' affection towards you, and how they were crying a river when you left, I felt as if I was the mistake!"
Lin Ran tightened her grasp on the cup as her fingers grew pale. She grinned, and yet her eyes wettened. "At first I didn't even want to come to this home, but your father left me here and took his own life—leaving me nowhere to go! Even when you're not here, your shadow is here in this home. My mother would call me Nuan Nuan accidentally, and the presents father gave me these years were all ones according to your taste. Brother is indifferent to me as if my presence disrupted the harmony in this home. So you should know that I hate you!"
Lin Nuan kept one hand on the staircase and looked back at Lin Ran. "I understand your anger at how our identities were switched in the past, but we were both switched! The difference is I enjoyed the abundant lifestyle you should have had, and yet you were living the wretched life intended for me! Hence I am a monster to you…"