Location: Lin Family Dumpling Shop – Noon
Just as Jin was finishing his dumplings in peace — one hand holding chopsticks, the other reaching for chili oil — a new shadow appeared outside the frosted glass door. The bell above jingled innocently, as if it had no idea what fresh chaos was about to walk in.
Enter: Jin Yanyu, the fifth sister.
She was all silk and softness, her dress fluttering like a wuxia heroine stepping out of a historical drama. Her eyes were wide and watery, and her hands trembled just slightly as she approached.
"Gege…"
He looked up from his meal.
[Jin]: [Here comes the green tea hurricane.]
---
Note – Jin Yanyu:
Soft-spoken, overly polite, "I'm just worried about you" energy. Used to be the fake young master's personal cheering squad. Often found crying for reasons she can't explain.
---
"I brought you your favorite jasmine tea," she said, voice trembling as if each word was a haiku of sorrow.
He stared at her, unblinking.
[Jin]: [So she can say she tried, right before stabbing me with emotional guilt.]
"Can I sit?"
He gestured to the stool across from him without a word.
---
Scene: The Sound of Hypocrisy Steeping
She placed the tea gently on the table and watched him for a second too long.
"You've… changed," she whispered.
[Jin]: [So did your standards. From basic decency to blindly trusting that faker.]
"I-I didn't know things would go so far. I thought Ichiro was just a little misunderstood…"
[Jin]: [He's 'misunderstood' in the same way poison ivy is 'a misunderstood plant.']
"I only supported him because he was so polite, and always smiling…"
[Jin]: [Smile, my ass. He was smiling when he accused me of stealing from mom's room.]
She flinched. Just like that.
A visible tremor crossed her lips.
---
Family Group Chat (Jin is blissfully unaware):
Fourth Brother: She's cracking.
Grandfather Jin: About damn time.
Second Sister: I always knew Yanyu was too naive for this world. That faker had her wrapped around his finger.
---
"You think I'm stupid, don't you…" she said quietly, eyes dropping.
[Jin]: [I think you're easy to lie to. That's more dangerous.]
"I just… I wanted to believe the best in everyone. That's not wrong, right?"
[Jin]: [Believing in people isn't wrong. Believing blindly is how you end up clapping for your own funeral.]
---
She put the cup down and stood up abruptly, tears welling in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, okay?! I should've seen it! I should've said something when he—when he framed you!"
He didn't say a word.
[Jin]: [Saying sorry now is like taping up a sinking boat. It still sinks. Just slower.]
"I won't let him hurt you again," she said, voice cracking.
[Jin]: [Too late. I already made sure he won't.]
She paused. Confused. The words stung more than she wanted to admit.
Then, quietly—
"…Do you hate me?"
He looked her in the eye, his voice calm.
"No."
[Jin]: [I pity you.]
---
Scene: Outside the Shop
Yanyu walked out into the sun, tears finally streaming freely, past her trembling lips and ruined mascara.
From behind a corner, Ichiro appeared. Clean white shirt, loose tie, crocodile smile.
"Oh, what's wrong, dear sister?" he asked, voice soaked in honey.
Yanyu looked up at him. For the first time, her eyes didn't sparkle.
"Don't talk to me."
---
End of Chapter 30
Next Time – Chapter 31: When the Puppet Tries to Pull Strings
Ichiro starts planting seeds of suspicion again, framing Jin with clever phrasing and innocent eyes.
But when the real siblings start seeing through the act…
It's time for the fake young master to face real consequences.