From Nun to Real Heiress: Expert at Turning the Tables

“It’s alright, there’ll be plenty of time to make up for it in the future. You’re her biological mother, she won’t blame you.”

The words touched Lin Qing’s heart. Seeing the face that resembled her younger self, she felt a growing sense of affection and satisfaction.

“Don’t leave tonight, stay at home. I’ll have someone arrange a room for you. The day after tomorrow is Granny’s birthday celebration, and I’ll bring you with me. From now on, you’ll be my niece and Ming Jing’s cousin. Nobody will dare bully you in Jiangzhou again.”

Lin Qing was determined to keep her close, after hearing that even a school beauty dared to casually bully her. If Ming Jing hadn’t happened to come across her that day, who knows what would have happened to this child.

It was perfect timing as Zhu Xiangxiang had gone abroad, and her room could be given to Lin Ya.

Ming Jing saving Lin Ya must have been due to their cousinly fate.

Lin Ya graciously accepted without any pretense of modesty.

Lin Qing was pleased with her tact, for if she had any ulterior motives, she would have declined to show she wasn’t after the Zhus’ wealth. This girl simply agreed, which put Lin Qing at ease.

Lin Qing instructed Li Juan to prepare a guest room, as she chatted with Lin Ya about various matters. Lin Ya responded appropriately, and the two quickly became as close as mother and daughter.

Lin Qing slipped off her jade bangle from her wrist and put it on Lin Ya’s: “This is my gift to you, my niece. I hope you won’t find it too offensive.”

Lin Ya’s wrists were thin, and the bangle almost slipped off. She hurriedly removed it and handed it back to Lin Qing, “This is too valuable, Auntie, I cannot accept it.”

“You must take it since your aunt gave it to you.”

“Thank you, Auntie. I guess I’ll have to put on some weight to wear such a beautiful jade bangle.”

Lin Qing suddenly remembered that she had given Ming Jing a jade bangle when she first returned to the Zhus, but it had been too loose for Ming Jing, who was even thinner than Lin Ya. The bangle would fall off her wrist the moment she tried to wear it.

She never saw Ming Jing wear it again, and when Ming Jing left the Zhu family, she returned everything, including that jade bangle.

Lin Qing couldn’t help but blame herself. No wonder Ming Jing had never warmed up to her.

Lin Qing received a phone call stating that there was an issue with the hotel hosting the banquet, which required her attention. She told Lin Ya a few things before rushing out.

Lin Ya went to see Granny Zhu, who had a good impression of her and chatted happily.

It got dark early in winter, and around five o’clock, the sky began to dim.

Lin Ya entered the kitchen, rolled up her sleeves, and said, “Madam Zhou, let me help you.”

“It’s not necessary, Miss Lin. Please go on out.”

“Don’t call me Miss Lin. Just call me Xiao Ya. I was never born a miss. I did all the cooking at home. Let Aunt and Granny have a taste of my skills tonight.”

Madam Zhou nodded with a smile, “Alright, let’s give Xiao Ya a chance to show off.”

Lin Ya was efficient and tidy. Madam Zhou could tell she often did housework by the way she went about doing the tasks. She appeared every bit like a proper lady, a true sister.

Lin Ya quickly prepared four dishes and a soup. She picked up the soup pot with a smile and walked out, just as a young girl approached from outside.

Lin Ya smiled and said, “Is Cousin Xiangxiang back? Come and wash your hands, it’s time for dinner.”

Zhu Xiangxiang was stunned, staring at the elegant figure standing next to the dining table with a apron tied around her waist, and asked in disbelief, “What did you just call me?”

She only had one cousin, Zhou Bao, so where did this cousin come from?

Lin Ya’s smile was gentle and kind, “I’m Lin Ya from your Uncle Lin Feng’s family in Qingfeng Town. We used to play together when we were young. Don’t you remember, Cousin?”

It took Zhu Xiangxiang a while to find her voice, “You’re Lin Ya?”

Lin Ya’s smile grew warmer, as she walked over and took Zhu Xiangxiang’s hands, “It’s touching that you still remember me. Are you still angry with me, Cousin? I was immature back then, but more than a decade has passed. No matter how angry you are, you should’ve let it go by now, right? If you’re still upset, you can hit me a few times, if you’d like. We’re blood cousins, after all. Even if we break our bones, we’re still connected by tendons. You wouldn’t hold a grudge against me for the rest of your life, would you?”

Zhu Xiangxiang was so angry, her nose was almost crooked. Lin Ya’s last words were clearly sarcastic.

A sarcasm directed at how she was a fake.

Just as Zhu Xiangxiang was about to shake off Lin Ya’s hand, she caught sight of Madam Zhou pushing Granny Zhu out of the bedroom from the corner of her eye. Thinking quickly, her face broke into a smile, “Cousin, what kind of nonsense are you talking about? I don’t even remember what happened when we were young.”

“That’s great. Cousin, you’ve grown more and more beautiful.”

Zhu Xiangxiang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, her face looking quite stiff and distorted.

At that moment, Lin Qing and Zhu Wentao returned home one after the other. Lin Qing saw the two cousins being affectionate and her smile deepened.

“Uncle, hello. I’m Xiao Ya.” Lin Ya greeted him respectfully.

Zhu Wentao looked at Lin Ya and paused.

She resembled a young Lin Qing so much, but with a touch more of gentleness and quiet beauty.

No one would doubt their relationship if they claimed to be mother and daughter.

Zhu Xiangxiang watched this scene thoughtfully.

Once everyone was seated, Lin Ya calmly served soup for the three elders without any sign of panic. “Granny, Madam Zhou mentioned that you have weak spleen and stomach. I made this yam and mushroom porridge specially for you. It’s been simmering for a long time and is very light, fragrant, and nourishing for the spleen and stomach. Please try it.”

Granny Zhu took a sip and nodded with satisfaction, “The taste is quite good; you’re very thoughtful, child.”

“Compared to Cousin Ming Jing, I’m not so great. Don’t praise me too much, Granny, or I might become arrogant.”

Granny Zhu laughed, “You little girl and your sweet talk …”

Zhu Xiangxiang found it hard to swallow, even though the taste was excellent. “Cousin, didn’t your family decide not to have any dealings with our family? What brought you here all of a sudden? Nobody visits temples without reason.”

Lin Qing frowned and scolded her, “Xiangxiang!”

Lin Ya gave a faint smile, looking at Lin Qing, “I just wanted to see my aunt, that’s all.”

Only you know what you’re up to. Zhu Xiangxiang put down her chopsticks, “I’m full.” She then got up and went upstairs.

Lin Qing sighed regretfully, “I’ve spoiled that child. Xiao Ya, don’t take her seriously.”

“Aunt, that’s not true. Cousin Xiangxiang is your precious daughter, and it’s only natural for you to spoil her. By the way, where is Cousin Ming Jing?”

Lin Qing’s face stiffened slightly.

Zhu Xiangxiang paused at the stairs, gritting her teeth with hatred.

Lin Ya, that wretched woman, must have come here on purpose just to annoy her.