Chapter 29: Replacing Your Life (29)

“Little Ling, what are you talking about? I’m your sister, Yu Yurou!” Tong Ling gazed at the woman on the hospital bed with disbelief, clearly unable to comprehend her words. “I heard you were sick. Are you feeling better now?”

Even the strongest person would struggle mentally after such a series of blows. And Yu Yurou was not inherently resilient; expecting her to remain calm under these circumstances was truly asking too much.

Tong Ling’s words distorted Yu Yurou’s expression, eliciting a torrent of furious curses: “Yu Ling, you liar! I thought you were forced by Shen Man to impersonate me and deceive others, but… even in front of me, you continue lying! Seeking revenge against me? Have you forgotten who took care of you when our parents wouldn’t give you the time of day? You ungrateful beast!”

Yu Yurou gritted her teeth in hatred, growing angrier as Yu Ling appeared more radiant before her. Everything Yu Ling had achieved came from stealing her identity! How could that dusty shadow, a mere follower without any independent thoughts, so shamelessly snatch away her life and have the audacity to bring Ye Xu here to see her?

Was this Yu Ling’s way of flaunting her superiority? To show just how pitiful Yu Yurou had become?

“Ye Xu! You despicable dog! Just like Ye Huan, you’re both blind idiots!” As Yu Yurou shouted, she grabbed a nearby glass and angrily hurled it towards Tong Ling’s direction. “Get out!”

Unbeknownst to Yu Yurou, her erratic behavior only intensified Ye Xu’s aversion towards her.

Ye Xu wrapped his arm around Tong Ling’s waist and stepped back several paces, a hint of disgust flickering in his eyes.

“It seems evident that she isn’t fit for visitors right now.” Turning to Tong Ling, he gently suggested, “Let’s go. The doctors here will take care of her. If you’re concerned, I can hire a professional nurse who can update you immediately if anything happens.”

Tong Ling couldn’t be dissuaded; she clutched at her heart, tears welling up as she choked back sobs. “I had no idea my sister’s illness was so severe. Her confusion is profound—she doesn’t even recognize me, her own elder sister.”

Yu Yurou wasn’t deaf. Hearing Tong Ling’s words and witnessing her feigned distress, her anger flared even more intensely, making her feel ready to burst with fury.

“What the fuck are you saying!” Yu Yurou erupted with curses, “How shameless can you be?! You despicable wretch, how dare you treat me like this!”

Yu Yurou’s eyes were bloodshot, her temples throbbed, and the ferocious expression on her face stripped away her usual pure and gentle demeanor. At that moment, Yu Yurou resembled nothing more than the cannon fodder minor character from the plot—a woman abandoned by the male lead, insulted by the secondary male character, and scorned by her parents and sister alike.

Instantly, m577 felt sympathy surge within it: [Host, look at what you’ve done to the perfectly fine protagonist! A once beautiful and cheerful beacon has been ruthlessly transformed into a fierce shrew—what a sin!]

“I’m not like the original Yu Yurou,” Tong Ling empathetically responded. “I won’t ignore my ‘sister.’ I’ll ensure she stays in a spacious private room, find her excellent nursing care, cover all her meals, and provide her with the best possible treatment.” Tong Ling sighed, adding, “I truly am such a good person.”

[…Please, just leave her alone], m577 pleaded silently. It feared even a healthy individual could develop illness due to Tong Ling’s actions. [Wouldn’t it be better to let her fend for herself?]

Tong Ling was utterly astonished. “Little M, how could you be so heartless? Has your system stopped caring even about the protagonist’s well-being?”

[…]

Feeling extremely weary, m577 dared not respond. It obediently curled up without saying another word.

While Tong Ling didn’t take Yu Yurou’s insults to heart, Ye Xu couldn’t dismiss them as easily. His expression turned cold as he warned, “Miss Yu, please watch your words and show some restraint.”

“Ha ha ha ha, Ye Xu, feeling hurt?” Yu Yurou bent over, trembling with laughter. “Have you fallen for this fraud now? No wonder… no wonder you wouldn’t acknowledge me during our encounter, no wonder you ignored my pleas for help. Just like that bastard Lu Yue, do you both intend to turn against me for her sake?”

Tong Ling glanced at Ye Xu, “You’ve met before?”

Ye Xu had previously denied it to Tong Ling, and there was no way he would admit it now. “Her mind isn’t clear; she speaks nothing but nonsense.”

Yu Yurou laughed even louder at his response. “Lu Yue treating me poorly is one thing; he never took our relationship seriously. But Ye Xu, why have you changed?”

“We’ve known each other since childhood; aren’t we friends? All those times you seemed so caring and protective towards me, were they just pretenses?”

Yu Yurou couldn’t bear this betrayal, tears streaming down her cheeks as she whispered, heartbroken, “Aren’t you my little gege anymore…”

Ye Xu’s heart jolted, feeling suddenly flustered and uncertain.

Tong Ling stood nearby, her gaze shifting between the two of them. “It seems like when speaking with you, my sister is more composed. Why don’t you stay here to keep her company while I step out?”

Quickly regaining his composure, Ye Xu suppressed his complex emotions. He tightened his grip on his girlfriend’s wrist and replied without hesitation, “No need for that. I’m here to accompany you. What would people think if I stayed behind to talk with her while you’re not around?”

Tong Ling placed the fruit basket and flowers at the head of Yu Yurou’s bed, noticing the intense hatred and anger directed towards her from Yu Yurou’s eyes. With a soft sigh, she said, “Little Ling, I know you’re unwell. Perhaps it’s hard for you to accept reality right now, but once you come to terms with it, things will get better.”

“I’ll visit you another time.”

With that, Tong Ling turned and left. Ye Xu didn’t spare Yu Yurou even a glance, closely following behind Tong Ling until they both disappeared from view.

Lying on the hospital bed, Yu Yurou’s heart throbbed painfully as she forcefully threw down the fruit basket and flowers that Tong Ling had placed nearby onto the floor. After venting her fury by smashing them, a grim determination washed over her face—she decided that Yu Ling must vanish, utterly without leaving any trace!

Ye Xu and everyone else were bewitched by Yu Ling; no one would help her now. So, she would have to take matters into her own hands. Only with Yu Ling gone could she reclaim her identity, only then could she truly be herself again!

Tong Ling and Ye Xu walked silently side by side, clearly unsettled by their visit to Yu Yurou.

After Ye Xu dropped Tong Ling off at home, she suddenly asked, “You really don’t know her?”

Ye Xu tightly embraced Tong Ling, his decision unwavering once made. He gazed deeply into the eyes of the woman in his arms, filled with unyielding tenderness, “No, I don’t. Do you not believe me?”

“Of course I believe you,” Tong Ling replied, her eyes filled with affection as she gazed at him. “I’m just afraid… that you might regret it later.”

“With you by my side, how could I ever regret?” Ye Xu kissed her forehead gently. “Don’t dwell on such thoughts; have more faith in me.”

Tong Ling’s lips curved into a radiant smile, and she enthusiastically confessed to Ye Xu, “Little gege, I really, truly like you so much!”

Seeing the woman’s pure and beautiful smile, any lingering discomfort in Ye Xu’s heart vanished completely.

This choice was right—so long as she remained by his side, he cared for nothing else.

M577 marveled, [Ye Xu is quite skilled at feigning ignorance! Knowing full well it was Yu Yurou, he still stubbornly denies it. And towards you, he shows another face entirely. It’s hard to decide if he’s deeply devoted or utterly heartless…]

“As I’ve said before, no one can match his dream realm expectations better than I can.” A hint of mocking amusement flickered in Tong Ling’s eyes. “He cannot leave me.”

Upon returning home, the atmosphere felt subtly tense.

Upon seeing Tong Ling, Father and Mother Yu became visibly nervous, unsure where to place their hands and feet. Especially Mother Yu, her expression stiffened; it was clear she wanted to warmly greet Tong Ling, but as soon as their eyes met, hers began to dart away uneasily.

“R-R-Rourou, you’re back.” Father Yu, as usual, handed slippers to Tong Ling. “What made you decide to come home today?”

“It’s not ideal to always stay outside,” Tong Ling casually linked arms with Mother Yu. “Besides, I missed Mom. Tonight, I’m having dinner at home, and I really want to enjoy your cooking.”

Mother Yu now felt completely frozen, even her limbs tensing up. She managed to say dryly, “Alright… whatever you’d like, I’ll prepare it for you.”

“Dad, Mom, did you know Little Ling has returned?” Tong Ling glanced at both of them and sighed heavily. “Little Ling fell ill, I just came back from visiting her at the hospital. Somehow, she now believes herself to be me, experiencing some cognitive identity issues.”

Mother Yu was startled. “Hospital? Did she get hospitalized?”

“Yes, she seemed to have been traumatized at Ye Huan’s banquet. It was Shen Man who took her to the hospital for treatment.” Tong Ling shook her head helplessly. “It’s my fault for not keeping a closer eye on her. Now everyone knows about her illness, and she can no longer participate in those social circles.”

“R-really…” Mother Yu’s mind quickly processed this information and asked Tong Ling, “Has it affected you at all?”

“Me? I’m fine. Oh, did I forget to mention? Ye Huan and I got engaged, and Madam Shen really likes me too.” Tong Ling smiled warmly at Father and Mother Yu. “I came back to share this wonderful news with you and also to invite you both to live in our mansion.”

Mother Yu was momentarily stunned but soon realized the significance of Tong Ling’s words. Overwhelmed by immense joy, her expression softened, and even her limbs felt more lively. She grasped Tong Ling’s hands and exclaimed, “Rourou, Rourou, you truly are Mom’s precious daughter! I always knew you’d achieve great things!”

Father Yu, equally moved, said, “My dear, why didn’t you tell us about such a significant engagement earlier? We haven’t had time to prepare anything.”

Tong Ling laughed, “There’s no need for preparations. I want you both to enjoy life comfortably; I don’t expect you to worry or labor for my sake.”

Hearing this, Mother Yu couldn’t help but wipe away tears, feeling emotional. “Rourou, have…have you ever resented Mom for not showing enough care in the past? It was wrong of me…”

Tong Ling sniffled, her eyes red as she said, “I only wish for our family to be happily together, and I hope that from now on, both Mom and Dad will love me.”

“How could Mom not love you?” Mother Yu embraced Tong Ling tightly, gently patting her daughter’s back. “There is no parent who doesn’t love their child. It was just my approach towards you that was wrong, and for that, Mom apologizes.”

Watching this intimate moment between mother and daughter, Father Yu nodded continuously. “A family should always be harmonious. Let’s cherish better days ahead.”

The trio left behind any thoughts of hospitalized Yu Yurou, with no one mentioning her again.

This prompted m577 to sigh, remarking inwardly about the superficial nature of this family’s relationships.

That very night, Father and Mother Yu called a moving company to transport their clothes and frequently used belongings to the large mansion. As for the now-empty house…

“Our current home is quite old, and its location isn’t ideal either. Keeping it serves little purpose; we might as well sell it and save some money for your retirement,” Tong Ling suggested.

“Sell the house?” Father and Mother Yu had always valued property highly. Although they were not entirely satisfied with their current residence, the idea of selling it had never crossed their minds before.

“Look at us living in their mansion now; who knows how many properties the Ye Family owns? What use is keeping this house?” Tong Ling reasoned. “Why are the wealthy so rich? Because they make money work for them. Holding onto this house just ties up capital; waiting for its value to appreciate could take ages. If you have some funds available, I can also arrange for Ye Huan to help you invest within the Ye Family’s businesses.”

Following Tong Ling’s suggestion, the initially hesitant parents quickly agreed and listed their house with a real estate agent for sale.

Since Shen Man stripped him of his position, Ye Huan had become idle. Having suffered immense embarrassment at the banquet, he severed social ties with those in his circle. The mere thought of Lu Yue and Song Xingyi made his teeth grind with hatred; without them, his career wouldn’t have been ruined.

Shen Man meant business; even when Ye Huan apologized humbly, she did not retract her decision.

Now everyone in the company knew he was no longer the heir of the Ye Family. Those who once fawned over him with smiles and deference abruptly changed their attitudes, turning arrogant and dismissive. Behind his back, whispers abounded, casting strange looks whenever he appeared.

Feeling unwelcome, Ye Huan stopped attending the Ye Group’s offices altogether. He recalled his ex-girlfriend and realized that if he hadn’t fallen for Lu Yue’s nonsense to find a fake substitute for her, things wouldn’t have escalated this far.

Now severed from the Ye Family and free from business entanglements, Ye Huan believed he could openly be with his girlfriend once again.

He returned to the mansion determined to explain everything to Yuruo, hoping to seek her forgiveness.

Vindictively, Ye Huan thought, “The women loved by Lu Yue and Song Xingyi will always belong to me.” Those whom they couldn’t have would ultimately end up at his side. The mere image of their jealous yet powerless expressions brought him immense satisfaction.

Upon entering the mansion, Ye Huan was initially startled.

Strange decorations had suddenly appeared within the Rococo-style villa. The genuine leather sofas in the living room were now covered with cheap slipcovers, and garish patterned seat cushions adorned each chair. Wall lamps were shrouded, and even the furniture had been rearranged…

With Ye Huan losing his income source, all servants and the housekeeper had been dismissed. Unaware of the exact situation, he decided to investigate himself.

Ye Huan found the two individuals responsible for these changes within the inner rooms of the mansion—Yu Yurou’s parents.

This was Father and Mother Yu’s first time living in such a luxurious mansion, so they were exceptionally careful with handling the interior furnishings. With no servants to clean, Mother Yu had meticulously covered numerous decorative items to maintain their cleanliness, occupying her for most of the day.

Ye Huan’s arrival brought broad smiles to their faces. Treating him like a prized son-in-law, they warmly welcomed Ye Huan as if he were family, without any hint of distance.

“You mentioned that Yurou got engaged to me and invited you both to live here?” Ye Huan wasn’t particularly fond of having others reside in his home with Yurou, but seeing the enthusiasm from Father and Mother Yu touched him deeply. After experiencing cold treatment outside for so long, this warmth resonated greatly with Ye Huan, especially when coupled with such good news.

If Yurou could bring her parents here and say those words, it clearly indicated she hadn’t given up on him, right? His girlfriend, just like himself, never intended to break off their relationship…

Mother Yu noticed the surprise on Ye Huan’s face and felt slightly puzzled. “What’s wrong? Is something not right?”

Ye Huan quickly shook his head. “No, nothing’s wrong. Yurou is correct; we are indeed engaged. Uncle and Aunt, please make yourselves at home here.”

Relieved, Mother Yu showered Ye Huan with compliments.

“Where’s Yuruo?” Ye Huan asked, eager to see his girlfriend as soon as possible.

Mother Yu was equally puzzled; after dropping them off, her daughter had vanished without a trace. With their house sold and Yuruo nowhere to be found, she wondered if perhaps her daughter had moved in with Ye Huan. Considering the numerous properties owned by the Ye family, it seemed unlikely that Yuruo would choose to stay cramped with them instead.

However, even Ye Huan couldn’t locate her, which added a sense of unease to Mother Yu’s heart.

After breaking up with Ye Huan, Tong Ling had no intention of further entangling herself with the male lead. Using the sale of her family’s house as an excuse, she smoothly moved in with Ye Xu.

Ye Xu had always lived alone since becoming an orphan at a young age. Despite inheriting a portion of the Ye Family’s shares, he never truly experienced having a family. Shen Man treated him coldly due to his status as a bastard child, while Ye Huan regarded him more like an adversary than a sibling.

Ye Xu’s aloof demeanor developed during his time in the orphanage, with only one bright memory—the girl who shared candies with him in childhood—remaining vivid in his mind. Over the years, this memory not only persisted but grew stronger, rather than fading away.

He had invested all his emotions into that girl, and when he met Tong Ling, he poured all his passion into her as well.

For Ye Xu, the idea of Tong Ling moving in with him felt like a blissful dream come true.

He began envisioning their future together: marrying his beloved, giving her a grand wedding. They would belong to each other, cherishing and supporting one another just as marriage vows promised, devoted for a lifetime.

Ye Xu was certain he would never seek a lover elsewhere; he would remain faithful to her. Perhaps they might even have a lovely child, living harmoniously as a family. Yes, they would finally have a home. Whenever this thought crossed his mind, Ye Xu couldn’t help but smile.

But such idyllic days vanished abruptly.

Tong Ling disappeared.

Ye Xu firmly believed that Tong Ling did not leave voluntarily. Her luggage remained at home, and she had left him a note saying she planned a surprise for him that evening.

He waited anxiously throughout the night, but Tong Ling never returned. His calls went unanswered, always reaching voicemail.

Ye Xu immediately had a dreadful premonition—something terrible must have happened to his girlfriend!

Indeed, Tong Ling found herself ensnared, having unwittingly fallen into a trap.

Thinking about it made her slightly angry; she had created countless opportunities for the protagonist, and even Tong Ling herself spent every available moment wandering aimlessly outside. She deliberately chose dark and secluded paths, displaying a complete lack of caution, as if beckoning others with a shout: “Come catch me.”

Yu Yurou’s actions were slower than anticipated, but fortunately, Tong Ling’s visit to the hospital to provoke Yu Yurou proved effective. Finally, Yu Yurou made her move.

Tong Ling was assaulted in a narrow alleyway. The attacker’s technique was crude, giving away their footsteps while trailing her.

If not for Tong Ling’s excessive cooperation, the petty thugs hired by Yu Yurou would never have been able to capture her.

Meanwhile, m577 felt somewhat disheartened by the protagonist’s descent: [She really did stoop to the level of a cannon fodder villainess…]

“Text Ye Xu already,” Tong Ling urged impatiently, “If he doesn’t show up soon, I might just take matters into my own hands.”