Chapter 111 - 38: "Bloodline Suppression

Chapter 111: Chapter 38: "Bloodline Suppression

"Yuncheng." A faint smile graced Lin Zhao’s features. The slanting afternoon sun cast a beautiful glow on her.

"Sister Zhaozhao?" Song Yuncheng exclaimed in surprise.

After speaking, he stepped aside to let Lin Zhao in, then turned his head toward the house and called out, "Mom, Sister Zhaozhao is here!"

Uncle Song had two sons, Song Yuncheng and Song Yunjin. Both were younger than Lin Zhao—one was seventeen, and the other was fifteen.

Hearing the call, Aunt Song hurried out. She froze the moment she saw Lin Zhao, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions. A biting remark escaped her lips, "It’s a wonder you still remember which way our door opens."

Her tone was laced with unspoken resentment.

’How could she not be resentful?’

She and Old Song had never wronged their niece in the slightest. Whatever they ate, they gave to her. They even boiled her an egg from time to time.

They gave her the best bed in the house to sleep in.

When she was having a growth spurt, Old Song ordered goat’s milk for her—something even Yuncheng and Yun Jin never had.

Her uncle, exhausted from his night shifts, would still make time to pick her up and drop her off...

But what about her?

’After getting married, she never set foot in their home again. How many years has it been?!’

’How many years!!!’

Old Song never said a word, but at night he would toss and turn, unable to sleep.

After all, this was the girl they had raised since she was little, no different from their own flesh and blood. When she didn’t visit for one year, then two, and they didn’t see her for three years, then four, how could their hearts not grow cold?!

Lin Zhao shoved the things she was carrying into Yuncheng’s arms and walked over to Aunt Song, wrapping her in an affectionate hug.

"This is my home. How could I ever forget which way the door opens?"

The young woman’s voice was sweet and soft, and she herself smelled lovely. The thorns Aunt Song had raised instantly retracted, but her words remained merciless. "You little liar."

"You say this is your home, but we haven’t seen you in years. What, did you disown your own uncle the moment you got married? You heartless little rascal."

Despite her words, she didn’t push Lin Zhao away with any real force.

Song Yuncheng glanced at his mother’s expression and sighed to himself. ’She talked so tough before.’

’..."If she doesn’t want to come, fine! If she dares to show up, I’ll throw her right out!"’

’So go on, throw her out!’

Sensing her son’s gaze, Aunt Song grew embarrassed and pushed Lin Zhao away. "You’re a grown woman now, stop hugging people all the time. Isn’t it a bit much?"

As she spoke, she got up to make Lin Zhao a cup of malted milk.

Song Yuncheng pursed his lips.

Noticing Sister Zhaozhao looking at him, he let out a sharp huff, crossed his arms, and leaned against a cabinet. "Mom’s so biased," he grumbled. "Who’s her real kid, anyway?"

Lin Zhao’s eyes curved into a smile as she looked at him. "I may not be their biological child, but Uncle and Aunt have always been good to me. That means I’ll also be responsible for taking care of them when they’re older."

The teenager rolled his eyes, his voice tinged with complaint. "Yun Jin and I will be here to take care of Mom and Dad. As for you, if you really mean it, just visit more often. They miss you."

"I’ll definitely come by more often," Lin Zhao said good-naturedly.

Song Yuncheng felt as if Sister Zhaozhao had become a different person. He gave her a strange look, and just as he was about to say more, Aunt Song came out holding an enamel mug.

Without a word, she set it down in front of Lin Zhao.

Her anger hadn’t completely subsided yet.

"Wow, malted milk! Thank you, Aunt Song." Lin Zhao’s smile was sweet, her eyes crinkling with joy, and her voice naturally softened.

Aunt Song still didn’t say anything or even look at her.

As if not noticing the deliberate cold shoulder, Lin Zhao sat down beside her and announced happily, "Aunt Song, I got a job!"

Only then did Aunt Song finally look at her, firing off a series of questions. "Where’s the job? Have you started yet? Is it tiring?"

"A salesclerk at the supply and marketing cooperative. I just started yesterday, and it’s not tiring at all." Lin Zhao answered each of her aunt’s questions, then affectionately hugged her arm and said with a charming pout, "I just knew you were worried about me..."

Aunt Song tried to pull her arm free, but Lin Zhao held on tight. The older woman was so exasperated she almost had to laugh.

She pinched Lin Zhao’s cheek.

"You’re such a pretty girl. Who taught you to be so shameless? Don’t you feel embarrassed at all?"

Lin Zhao shook her head, her expression one of pure innocence. "Nope."

After her moment of cheekiness, her expression turned serious. "All I know is that you have every right to be angry with me. It was wrong of me not to visit for so many years."

"I know I was wrong. Can you please not hold it against me and just forgive me this once?"

Aunt Song already doted on Lin Zhao, and hearing the girl’s placating words, the ice around her heart began to melt.

She patted Lin Zhao’s hand.

Her stiff tone softened.

"A salesclerk at the supply and marketing cooperative is a good job, and it’s something you like. Now that you’re in, make sure you work hard."

Her willingness to say this was a sign that she was no longer holding a grudge.

The anxiety Lin Zhao had felt the whole trip over finally subsided. She pulled over the bags she’d brought and began taking things out one by one.

"Aunt Song, I brought these for you and Uncle Song. It’s all food. Now that I have a job and am earning money, I couldn’t possibly show up empty-handed. I hope you like everything."