Chapter 38: Choice

After finishing cleaning, Lin Xiaoxiao brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, feeling a bit frustrated.

Long hair was such a hassle, especially when working. It was all that jerk’s fault—if he hadn’t forced her, she wouldn’t have grown it out!

Curiosity struck: what would Zhou Ting’s reaction be to the lipstick mark on his collar? Doing something like that was honestly a bit embarrassing…

Just then, her phone rang on the nearby table.

She checked it—a local Yuncheng number, but unfamiliar.

Hesitating, she answered. “Hello, who’s this?”

The other side was silent for a moment before speaking. “Lin Xiaoxiao, right? Remember me?”

The voice clicked—it was Zhou Yang’s aunt, Xin Wan!

“I remember. You’re Zhou Yang’s aunt. What do you want?” Lin Xiaoxiao asked.

“Nothing major, just confirming something…” Xin Wan paused, her tone shifting. “By the way, you’re actually a woman, aren’t you?”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s heart raced, but she denied it. “W-what? Are you joking?”

Xin Wan chuckled lightly. “You know if I’m joking. And not only do I know you’re a woman, I also know about your little secret affair with my brother-in-law.”

Her body trembled, panic rising. How did Xin Wan know? More importantly, what did she want?

Forcing herself to stay calm, Lin Xiaoxiao asked coldly, “What are you getting at?”

“Three o’clock this afternoon, Ning’an Coffee Shop. Come, and you’ll find out. Oh, and don’t tell my brother-in-law, or you’ll regret it.”

Before Lin Xiaoxiao could respond, Xin Wan hung up.

Frowning, unease gnawed at her.

She opened Zhou Ting’s contact but ultimately put the phone away without calling.

That afternoon, she arrived at the coffee shop as agreed. Spotting Xin Wan by the window, her heart tightened as she approached.

“What do you want?” she asked bluntly.

Seeing her tension, Xin Wan smiled lightly. “Want something to drink?”

Lin Xiaoxiao shook her head, sitting across from her, feigning calm.

Xin Wan gave a soft chuckle, sizing up the “boy.” She’d sensed something off before, and a quick check confirmed her suspicions.

Now, seeing that face—so similar to her sister’s, though younger—it was obvious she wasn’t a man.

Xin Wan clicked her tongue. “Relax, I’m not here to do anything extreme.”

Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t buy it, staying silent.

Xin Wan continued, “You’re my brother-in-law’s mistress, right? You’re only a sophomore. Ever thought about what happens when he gets bored and dumps you? He won’t marry you. Your whole life could be ruined.”

Lin Xiaoxiao’s heart grew heavy. How could she not know this?

But back then, she’d had no choice.

And now, she didn’t mind being his mistress. As for being dumped? She’d never thought that far.

“I know all that,” she said. “So, can you not tell Zhou Yang?”

It’d be one thing if it was another woman, but she was Zhou Yang’s classmate and friend—yet sleeping with his dad…

Xin Wan shook her head. “I’m his aunt. I have no reason to hide this.”

“But,” she added, “I can help you escape him. How about it?”

Lin Xiaoxiao froze, confused. “What… do you mean?”

Xin Wan sipped her coffee, raising an eyebrow. “Isn’t it clear? You became his mistress to pay for your grandma’s surgery. I’ll give you the money, and you end things with him.”

Puzzled, Lin Xiaoxiao asked, “Why would you do that?”

Xin Wan’s eyes turned cold. “He caused my sister’s death, and now he wants to play around with other women? You know why he hasn’t had anyone else all these years? That’s right—my doing.”

“If you insist on being his woman, I can’t guarantee I won’t do something drastic. Thirty thousand isn’t much to me, but you have three days to decide.”

She placed a bank card and a photo in front of Lin Xiaoxiao, leaning closer. “One more thing—you’re just a substitute for my sister. If you didn’t look like her, I wouldn’t be this patient.”

Patting Lin Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, she left in her high heels.

Lin Xiaoxiao’s mind echoed with Xin Wan’s words. Picking up the photo, she froze.

It showed two women—one clearly Xin Wan, the other bearing a striking six-point resemblance to Lin Xiaoxiao!

Those eyes… even she felt like she was looking at herself.

The photo was old. Her emotions churned, realization hitting. So this was why Zhou Ting chose her?

It made sense—why else would he offer to keep a woman he’d just met?

She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or hurt…

*

Under the hazy night sky, Lin Xiaoxiao stared at the bank card on her table, her heart tangled.

She’d always dreamed of ending this deal, regaining her freedom.

Now the chance was here, but she hesitated, unsure why.

Could the system be right? Did she actually like him?

No, impossible, she denied inwardly.

She made an excuse—it was the system’s task, nothing more!

But… knowing she was just a substitute for another woman, could she keep going?