Volume One, Chapter Six: The Lin Family Plans a Reunion Banquet

In the end, Lin Shaoqing cleared his throat and spoke up to explain.

“Qiao Qiao, when Shulan lost you, she was heartbroken and her health gradually declined; her mind was in a fog. Later, I adopted a girl, a bit younger than you, named Lin Yunxi.”

“After Yunxi arrived, Shulan started to improve little by little.”

“We didn’t mention it before because we didn’t want you to worry. Yunxi hasn’t been home these past few days, so we thought we’d wait a bit before telling you.”

The Lin family worried that Lin Qiao might harbor resentment. An unfamiliar girl had enjoyed the privileges of a wealthy young lady for years in her place. Now that Lin Qiao had returned, they didn’t want her to feel unhappy.

Lin Qiao shook her head gently. “Don’t worry. I want to thank her. Without her, Mom wouldn’t have pulled herself together. I will get along well with her.”

Being a mother herself, Lin Qiao naturally understood Ye Shulan’s situation and feelings at the time. She was grateful to Lin Yunxi for helping her mother through that difficult period.

The Lin Yunxi in the photo looked spirited and dashing, someone who naturally drew people in. Even before meeting her, Lin Qiao felt a fondness for her.

The Lin family relaxed and continued introducing their collection to Lin Qiao.

When Lin Qiao went upstairs, she saw some familiar works.

“This is...”

She hadn’t expected the Lin family to collect the photography of X.

“This is Dad’s favorite photographer, named X,” Lin Zhounian explained. “Although I don’t know much about photography, these photos are truly stunning. Have you heard of this great artist, sister?”

Embarrassed to reveal her true identity, Lin Qiao simply nodded. “I like photography too. I’ve heard of X.”

Lin Shao’s eyes lit up. “As expected of my daughter!”

“Qiao Qiao, what do you want to do in the future?”

Among his children, only Lin Guifan had joined the Lin Group as his right hand; Lin Zhounian harbored a dream of music, and Lin Yunxi loved jewelry design.

Now that Lin Qiao had finally returned, he naturally had high hopes for her.

“Are you interested in business?”

Lin Qiao shook her head apologetically. “Dad, I love photography.”

Photography was her dream, one she had once given up.

Now, she was determined to pick it up again properly.

“Good, good.”

Lin Shao nodded repeatedly, feeling that finding his daughter again was a blessing from heaven.

Having seen how much hardship Lin Qiao had endured, he only wished for her to pursue a career she truly loved.

Lin Guifan supported his sister. “Brother will open a photography studio for you.”

Their father coughed a few times, and Lin Guifan quickly corrected himself. “Or maybe Dad should do it.”

“Qiao Qiao, Dad supports you. Lin Group will arrange funding for you soon.”

Lin Qiao cherished the warmth of this family.

But she still politely declined.

She told the Lin family about her plan to open a studio in collaboration with Bai Xin and others.

This was her dream, and she wanted to achieve it step by step.

If her career was intertwined with Lin Group, from then on everyone around her would just be flatterers.

When one stands at the top, there might be no one left to speak honestly.

She wanted to see how far she could go relying only on her own abilities.

Seeing Lin Qiao refuse, Lin Shao’s overflowing love for his daughter found no outlet; he wished he could give her the very best.

Then he suddenly thought of something and asked, “Qiao Qiao, can I hold a recognition banquet for you? I want to make it grand and glorious!”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qiao thought of the Qin family.

Given the domineering nature of her former mother-in-law, Cheng Ru, would a smooth divorce even be possible if they knew she was a Lin heiress?

She voiced her concerns.

“Let’s wait to hold the recognition banquet until after I finish my divorce.”

“Qiao Qiao, now you’re a member of the Lin family; you never have to fear anyone.”

That was the confidence the Lin family gave her.

Lin Qiao was deeply touched but remained firm.

“I know, but I want to close the chapter of divorce on my own, properly.”

With Lin Qiao’s words, the family could only wholeheartedly support her wishes.

...

After dinner with her family, Lin Qiao had just returned to her room when Bai Xin called.

“Qiao Qiao, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

“Let’s hear the good news first.”

“The good news is, we’ve landed our first client.”

“And the bad news?”

Bai Xin hesitated for a moment before saying, “The first client is Qin Corporation.”

“Qiao Qiao, do you know Qin Tianlang’s uncle?”

“You mean Qin Chen?”

Qin Chen was close in age to Qin Tianlang but belonged to an older generation.

As the youngest son of Qin Tianlang’s grandfather, Qin Tianlang respectfully called him “Uncle.”

The Qin patriarch favored his youngest son and had high hopes for Qin Chen, who had shown remarkable business talent since youth.

Eight years ago, after the patriarch and Qin Tianlang’s father died in a car accident, the Qin family fell into internal power struggles.

At only twenty, Qin Chen fought his way through with ruthless determination.

It was later discovered that the patriarch had left a will early on, bequeathing the core Qin Corporation assets entirely to Qin Chen.

The eldest branch of the Qin family, discontented with this, moved abroad.

Strangely, the patriarch had distributed generous inheritances to all branches except Qin Tianlang’s second branch, which only received marginal assets.

Qin Chen was, in fact, the true ruler of the Qin family.

But he was not close to the Qin household; during the four years Qin Tianlang and Lin Qiao had been married, Lin Qiao had never met him at the old family estate.

“That’s right!” Bai Xin continued. “He once owed the Bai family a favor. Hearing I was planning a photography studio, he voluntarily handed over the Qin jewelry shooting contract to us.”

“Qiao Qiao, if you don’t want to accept it, we won’t take it.”

“I’ll take it.”

Without hesitation, Lin Qiao agreed.

Qin jewelry was the Qin family’s foundation business.

Qin jewelry was coveted by women everywhere, a dream come true.

If they could shoot this contract well, the studio would firmly establish itself in Haishi.

...

Photography Studio

“Sister Qiao, take a break.”

Lin Qiao put down her camera and accepted a bottle of water from the assistant, Mu Rongrong, softly thanking her.

“Sister Qiao, I didn’t expect you to be so skilled.”

The young assistant flipped through the photos and kept marveling.

Mu Rongrong had heard about Lin Qiao from Bai Xin.

She hadn’t expected Lin Qiao to be so good despite not having held a camera for so many years.

Once Lin Qiao picked up the camera, she transformed into a different person—charismatic, professional, and full of storytelling through her shots.

It was as if she was born for photography.

Nearby, Qin Corporation staff also leaned in to look at the photos.

“These are really good!”

When Mr. Qin chose this little-known studio, everyone was nervous.

This was the flagship jewelry for the year; if the photos failed, the year’s sales would be greatly affected.

But unexpectedly, Lin Qiao’s performance during the first day of lighting and test shots was eye-opening.

“Look closely, there’s a touch of X’s style in there,” one staff member remarked.

“You’re a fan of X too?” Mu Rongrong excitedly chimed in.

“Sister Qiao’s work really reminds me of X’s style.”

Seeing Lin Qiao appear a bit lost, Mu Rongrong quickly clarified, “I mean Sister Qiao’s work and X’s are both beautiful.”

Lin Qiao smiled gently. “It’s my honor to be compared to X.”

“Unfortunately, ever since X announced her return online, she hasn’t released any new work.”

A staff member sighed regretfully.

“I’m really looking forward to X’s comeback piece.”

Mu Rongrong sighed, “Why hasn’t X released new work yet?”

Lin Qiao listened quietly nearby, answering inwardly: Because X can no longer create.

Lin Qiao, who was X, had felt since picking up the camera again as if all her inspiration had disappeared.

Her current work was technically proficient but lacked a spark of soul.

These photos seemed to mock her, a punishment for having once abandoned her dream.

But Lin Qiao was not anxious; the future was long.

She had a lifetime to accompany her camera.

She would find her original passion again.

After a brief rest, Lin Qiao took the camera from Mu Rongrong.

The studio door opened, footsteps approaching slowly.

Lin Qiao remained focused on shooting until a female voice interrupted her.

“Lin Qiao! How could it be you!”