After Being Kicked Out, Seven Sisters Turned Against the Family One After Another

Chapter 7: Lin Shengnan:

The April breeze was still sharp, cutting through Lin You’s thin frame as he sat on the curb. 

Pulling out his battered four-year-old Redmi phone, he dialed his adoptive father’s number. 

The line rang, but no one answered. 

Frustrated, Lin You spat out another mouthful of blood, his body aching. 

Touching the wound on his face, he hesitated. 

If his adoptive father saw him in this state, it would only upset him. Perhaps it was better to wait until his wounds healed before returning home, so as not to cause worry.

Just as he lowered the phone, it rang in his hand. Seeing the name flash on the screen, Lin You answered quickly.

“Master, it’s me… Lin You,” he said, forcing a smile as though the person on the other side could see him. His voice was light, trying to mask the pain.

A violent cough came through the line, followed by a middle-aged man’s voice. “You’er, why are you calling today? It’s only Thursday—don’t you have school?”

“I… I just wanted to check on you,” Lin You replied, his voice trembling despite his efforts to sound calm. “How are you? Are you doing well?”

The warmth in his adoptive father’s voice ignited a torrent of emotion within Lin You. He wiped at the tears forming in the corners of his eyes and forced a smile. “I’m fine, Master. Everyone here is kind to me. I just… I just missed you.”

But his voice betrayed him, catching slightly. The silence on the other end lasted over ten seconds before his adoptive father spoke again.

“You’er, if you’re not doing well, come back. It’s just one more mouth to feed,” the man said, his tone gentle but firm. “The incense offerings at the temple haven’t been great these past two years, but I can always go out and work. Xiao Ming and Xiao Hui often talk about you. Come back. I can take care of you.”

Dinghui Temple wasn’t a grand temple perched atop a famous mountain. It was a modest structure with no tourism appeal and little development. Xuan Chai, Lin You’s adoptive father, often worked odd jobs, like delivering packages, to support the children under his care: Lin You, Juehui, and Jueming. They were all orphans left at the temple’s gates.

When the Civil Affairs Bureau had offered to transfer the children to an orphanage, Xuan Chai, despite his poor health at the time, had chosen to raise them himself. He believed they were brought to him by fate.

After hanging up, Lin You dug into his pockets, pulling out all the money he had—78 yuan and 50 cents. It wasn’t much, but it was all he had.

In four years, Lin You had only returned to the temple three times. Not because he didn’t want to, but because every time he mentioned visiting, Lin Yuan and Lan Lin would berate him.

“We’ve worked so hard to fix your bad habits, and now you want to go back?”

“What’s there to miss in that rundown temple?”

“If you dare to go back, don’t bother coming home!”

Back then, Lin You still held illusions about the Lin family and wanted to fit in. Thinking of it now, those efforts seemed utterly pointless.

The temple was about 50 kilometers away. With his limited funds, Lin You decided to buy small gifts for his adoptive siblings. Jueming, fifteen, attended No. 1 Middle School and was an excellent student. Juehui, fourteen, studied at No. 3 Middle School and was equally accomplished. Reflecting on his own academic decline since joining the Lin family, Lin You resolved to work hard and catch up.

He spent 40 yuan on a pair of sneakers for Jueming, 20 yuan on candied haws for Juehui, and used 10 yuan to buy a solid steamed bun for himself. He planned to eat it on the road as he walked back to the temple.

Lin You had barely walked five kilometers when a green military jeep approached from the opposite direction. Inside, a young woman in sunglasses sat in the passenger seat, wearing an unmarked camouflage uniform. Her face was striking and carried a heroic air. Beneath her confident expression, her features bore a resemblance to Lin You.

This was Lin Shengnan, Lin You’s fourth sister. A captain in the military, she rarely visited home due to her duties. Despite being his sister, Lin You had only seen her a handful of times.

The driver, Xiao Zhao, a soldier in his twenties with a rugged appearance, glanced at her curiously. “Shengnan, what’s wrong?”

“That boy looks like my younger brother,” she said, pointing at Lin You.

Xiao Zhao chuckled. “Come on, Shengnan. Your Lin family is worth billions. You’re not the wealthiest in Hangzhou, but you’re still a big deal. That kid looks like a beggar—he can’t possibly be from your family.”

“I’m not joking,” Shengnan replied, her gaze fixed on Lin You. “Stop the car. Now!”

Reluctantly, Xiao Zhao pulled over. Lin You noticed the military vehicle but didn’t pay it much attention. When it stopped beside him, he moved to the side, intending to let it pass.

Before he could take another step, the door swung open, and Shengnan stepped out. Pushing her sunglasses up, she stared at him in shock. “Lin You, is that really you?”

Her voice was sharp, almost accusatory, as she quickly approached. “What are you doing out here? Skipping school again? Wandering the streets?”

Lin You turned to face her, his expression briefly showing surprise before returning to indifference. Stepping back, he said flatly, “Ms. Lin, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. My name is Jue You.”

The moment Lin You spoke, Shengnan recognized his voice. But the sight before her made her frown deeply. Lin You’s face was littered with scars, his clothes were torn, and his exposed skin bore visible wounds.

“What happened to you? Who did you fight with this time?” she demanded. “You’re young, yet you spend your time fighting instead of studying. How many times have I told you not to bring your countryside habits into the Lin family?”

Lin You sighed inwardly, choosing not to respond. 

Experience had taught him that explaining himself was futile; prejudice had already clouded their judgment. 

He thought of the tragic end awaiting Shengnan: reassigned to the Public Security Bureau, she would die during an investigation into gang activity. Her death was gruesome—her throat slit, and her dignity violated.

And the worst part? 

The gang was connected to Lin Tianyang, though Shengnan never realized it.

But none of this concerned Lin You anymore. He had already severed ties with the Lin family. Their fates were no longer his burden.