Lin Aiguo's final order hung heavy in the hall. Bai Mei Ling and Bai Lian stood rigid, their faces a sickly shade of white.
They did not dare to argue against the dismissal of Nanny Wang, whose hysteria continued as the guards dragged her away for further handling to police.
Lin Aiguo turned to leave for his study, needing solitude to manage the political fallout with the Chen Family.
"Father, wait," Lin Yue interjected, her voice cutting through the remaining tension.
Lin Aiguo paused, rubbing his temples, exhausted by the morning's turmoil. "What is it now, Lin Yue? The matter is settled. The thief is dealt with. Go back to your room."
"The matter is not settled," Lin Yue stated calmly. "You ordered Aunt Mei Ling and Bai Lian to think for the solution and explanation to Chen Family, but they also owe me an apology for their slander. I am still waiting."
Bai Mei Ling instantly bristled, her exhaustion fueling fresh rage. "You unfilial child! Do you think you can demand apologies from your elders?
You were merely cleared of a suspicion your own stubbornness caused! I will not apologize to you!"
Bai Lian quickly stepped forward, twisting her face into a pitiful mask. "Yue-jie, must you be so difficult? Father has enough stress.
You are already cleared; why insist on this humiliation? We are family; you should be more forgiving and filial, not hold grudges against your elders."
Lin Aiguo sighed, stepping in front of the two. "Lin Yue, they spoke in anger. Let it go. You were right about the thief, but you must learn to be less unfilial and contentious with your stepmother and sister."
Lin Yue met her father's gaze, unflinching. "I was not merely cleared, Father. I was subjected to a public, baseless accusation of theft and sabotage.
My room was turned upside down. I demand the apology not for forgiveness, but as recognition that accusations must be backed by evidence, not malice.
If they cannot apologize for their slander, then my punishment—the house arrest—must be lifted. An innocent woman should not be confined by a guilty father's order."
Bai Mei Ling opened her mouth to argue, but Lin Yue silenced her with a cold stare. Lin Aiguo saw the logic and the danger in pushing Lin Yue further. She had seized the leverage.
"Fine," Lin Aiguo grunted, defeated. "The house arrest is lifted. You are free to move. Now, go. I have serious business to attend to."
Bai Mei Ling and Bai Lian glared at Lin Yue, their faces sour with defeat, but they bit back their harsh words.This time, they knew Lin Yue had undeniable proof of their malice and Nanny Wang's guilt.
Lin Yue gave a slight, satisfied nod, the faintest hint of victory in her eyes, though her expression remained outwardly calm.
She turned and walked back upstairs, leaving the hall to its oppressive quiet.
As Lin Yue disappeared, Lin Aiguo immediately retreated to his study, slamming the door shut to plan his defense against the Chen Family's demands.
Bai Mei Ling and Bai Lian hurried into Bai Mei Ling's private sitting room.
"That viper!" Bai Mei Ling hissed, clutching her chest. "She knew exactly what she was doing! She trapped us with that apology demand just to get her freedom!"
"She is getting too arrogant, Mother," Bai Lian sniffled, dropping her 'innocent girl' act. "She mocked us openly! She will ruin us if we let her continue like this."
The two women continued to plot and badmouth Lin Yue, their voices low and full of venom, but their words were empty, reaching no ears but their own.
Inside her room, Lin Yue felt a quiet surge of satisfaction. The house arrest was the only thing genuinely hindering her plan.
She checked the time. The Lin family would be occupied with the Chen crisis and the police handling Nanny Wang. This was the perfect time.
Lin Yue changed into a pair of simple, neutral trousers and a plain top—clothing that would not draw attention.
Lin Yue retrieved a modest, empty backpack. After an hour of observing the mansion's quiet, she came downstairs. The hall was deserted.
Lin Yue quickly found the kitchen, grabbed a piece of cold toast and some fruit, her internal physical hunger was always minimal thanks to the spiritual spring water, and quickly exited the Lin Estate.
Lin Yue took a public bus toward a bustling downtown area known for its large, open-air vegetable markets.
She quickly found a public restroom and changed into a completely nondescript outfit, pulled a simple black surgical mask over her nose and mouth, and capped her hair beneath a cheap fabric hat.
Stepping out from the restroom, Lin Yue first went to purchased a large, sturdy bamboo basket from a nearby vendor.
In the seclusion of the alley, Lin Yue slipped her bagpack inside her spatial domain and began to fill the basket, pulling out the tomatoes, eggplants, green beans, and cucumbers from her warehouse one by one.
The vegetables, vibrant, large, and flawless, contrasted starkly with the dusty alley floor.
Carrying the heavy, overflowing basket, Lin Yue navigated the bustling vegetable market.
It was a cacophony of vendors shouting prices and customers haggling. Lin Yue found a small, unoccupied corner stall and set down her basket, arranging the colorful produce neatly.
Lin Yue took a deep breath and began to call out, her voice sweet and soft, yet clear enough to carry. "Fresh, organic vegetables! Chemical-free and nutritious!"
Her masked face and elegant posture, even in plain clothes, caught the eye. A middle-aged woman, dressed neatly, stopped by her stall, looking at Lin Yue with curiosity first, then at the produce.
The woman's eyebrows rose. "Goodness, your vegetables… they are so bright. And so large. Are these… treated?"
"Welcome, Madam," Lin Yue replied, her tone calm and elegant.
"My vegetables are grown using entirely natural, organic methods. They are completely chemical-free and untreated by pesticides."
The woman looked doubtful. "Natural? But they are too perfect. Well, what are your prices? They look expensive."
Lin Yue smiled faintly beneath her mask. "They are of exceptional quality, Madam. Therefore, the prices reflect their purity and superior taste."
She then recited the prices clearly as:
"Tomatoes are five yuan per piece."
"Eggplants are five yuan per piece."
"Green Beans are ten yuan per catty."
"Cucumbers are two yuan per piece."
The woman gasped, stepping back slightly. "Five yuan for one tomato? Ten yuan for a single catty of beans?
Girl, this is a vegetable market, not a jewelry store! That is far too expensive!
The vendors next door sell a catty of tomatoes for two yuan!"
Lin Yue remained unperturbed. "Indeed, Madam. But their tomatoes are mass-produced. Mine are larger, chemical-free, highly nutritious, and the flavor is incomparable. However, I believe in my product. Please, try one. It's on the house."
Lin Yue quickly took a large, ripe tomato, sliced it in half with a small knife she carried, and offered the woman a piece.
The woman hesitated but finally took the slice. As she bit into it, her eyes widened.
The rich, sweet-and-sour flavor instantly filled her mouth, followed by a rush of vibrant, rich juice. It was a flavor explosion far beyond any ordinary tomato.
"My Goodness!!…" the woman murmured, instantly captivated by the taste. "The taste! It's incredible! It's like eating sunshine!"
She immediately reached for her purse. "I'll take five of the tomatoes, two eggplants, two cucumbers, and half a catty of your green beans! Quick, before someone else realizes what they are missing!"
Lin Yue quickly and efficiently packed the items into the woman's reusable cloth bag, thanking her with a genuine, soft smile.
The sight of the well-dressed woman happily paying such high prices drew the attention of nearby shoppers.
Curious people began to crowd around Lin Yue's small stall, their faces showing shock when they heard the prices.
Lin Yue, now experienced, immediately cut several more tomatoes into small tasting pieces and offered them around, inviting people to sample the quality.
"Please, try a piece. A taste will convince you of the value."
One after another, people hesitantly took a piece, and one after another, their doubts vanished.
The intense, clean, rich flavors instantly captivated them. Despite the shock of the high price, orders started pouring in.
"Give me three tomatoes and four of those long cucumbers!"
"A full catty of beans for me!"
"Girl, I want five tomatoes, three eggplants, four cucumbers."
Lin Yue worked quickly, packing, tallying the money, and smiling as the crisp bills piled up. In just under an hour, the entire basket was empty.
The fruit vendor next to her, looked over with obvious envy. "Girl, you sold out faster than anyone I've seen! Must be some vegetables."
Lin Yue merely smiled, packing up her knife and money. "They are good vegetables, Auntie. They sold fast because the taste speaks for itself."
Lin Yue quickly left the market area, walking back to the secluded alley.
She placed the wad of cash and the empty bamboo basket into her space, changed her clothes back, and casually strolled the streets for a little while, ensuring she wasn't followed, before heading back to the Lin Estate. Her first step had been a resounding success.