CHAPTER 78: BEAUTIFUL JIN YUEXIN

Based on the information Su Meilin had shared, Jin Haolong’s younger sister was named Jin Yuexin—a 23-year-old girl who hadn’t stepped foot outside her apartment in over five years.

She lived in one of the other units within the same complex, specifically in the third building just a short walk from Su Meilin’s place.

From what Meilin knew, Yuexin lived quietly with her childhood nanny, rarely seen but far from helpless.

Despite her reclusive lifestyle, she was a successful artist—working on commissions, major collaborations, and even digital exhibitions. Her name carried weight in certain art circles.

In short, money was not a problem for her.

Zhao Yiming stood in front of the unit door, pressing the bell.

A soft chime echoed inside. Moments later, it creaked open, revealing a short, silver-haired woman who looked to be in her sixties.

She wore a knitted vest and had kind eyes, though they sharpened for a second when she saw the unfamiliar man beside Su Meilin.

"Who might this be?" the old woman asked with polite curiosity.

"Ah, Aunty Liu, it’s me—Su Meilin." Meilin stepped forward, giving a small respectful nod.

The woman’s eyes brightened instantly. "Ah! Miss Su! Long time no see!" Her smile was genuine, almost maternal. "Are you here to see Xin’er?"

"Yes, if it’s possible. And this is my friend, Zhao Yiming," she added, gesturing to him.

Her tone dropped slightly, more hesitant. "I know it might sound inappropriate, considering Jin just passed... but we need to discuss something about his inheritance. I wouldn’t disturb her if it wasn’t necessary."

Aunty Liu’s expression softened. She gave a knowing nod, unbothered by the topic. "Don’t worry about that, child. I’ll talk to Xin’er and see if she’s up for visitors. Since you’re not alone today, she might hesitate at first, but I’ll try."

She stepped aside, opening the door wider. "Come in. Please wait in the living room—I’ll bring you some tea."

The apartment had a warm, quiet energy. Not overly decorated, but tasteful. Sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, revealing stacks of canvases along the hallway and faint pencil sketches tacked to one corner wall.

There were even pictures and painting of a little girl in pink hair with a boy that was probably Jin Haolong and Jin Yuexin.

The air smelled like green tea and something sweet—probably the rice crackers Aunty Liu returned with a few minutes later.

As they sat on the sofa, Zhao Yiming glanced around curiously, crossing one leg over the other.

Though he had read about social anxiety before, he still didn’t really understand it. His generation, especially the one he’d originally grown up in, rarely talked about mental health.

Back then, a problem was a problem—you drank it away, smoked it away, or shoved it down and moved on. This... reclusion? Locking yourself away for five years?

It sounded extreme.

He leaned toward Su Meilin and whispered, "What exactly happened to her?"

She lowered her tea cup and looked at him. "I asked Jin once, and he just snapped, ’It’s bullying! Don’t ask again. It’s none of your business.’"

Zhao raised his eyebrows as she tried to mimic her late husband’s rough tone, making him snort with laughter.

"Sounds about right," he muttered. "I just hope she’s not as overbearing as he was."

"She’s not," Meilin replied, more firmly this time.

"She’s quiet... but she’s sweet. Really sweet. A good girl. Just... extremely shy. Be careful not to scare her."

Zhao Yiming straightened his back. "I’d never do that."

She arched an eyebrow at him. "Mmhm. You say that now. But who knows—you might even end up flirting with her."

He blinked and gave her an awkward chuckle. "Why would I—?"

She smirked. "You’ve got that face."

He raised both hands in surrender. "Alright, I promise you I won’t do that!"

’Also, its that damned perverted god doing, not me!’

Not long after, Aunty Liu returned—this time with someone following shyly behind her.

A beautiful, delicate girl dressed in a pastel pink lolita dress trailed just one step behind. Her long, flowing hair was the same soft pink as her dress cascading down her back in gentle waves.

A pristine white lace headdress framed her doll-like face, while her eyes—blue as a cloudless ocean—remained fixed on the floor.

She clutched tightly to Aunty Liu’s sleeve, refusing to let go even as they reached the living room.

Despite being taller than her nanny, she half-hid behind her like a frightened puppy peeking out from behind its mother.

Zhao Yiming stared, dumbstruck.

She was breathtaking.

’How the hell did that bastard Jin Haolong end up with a sister like this? She looks like a moon goddess fell into a toy shop!’

Before he could say anything else, the system chimed in gleefully:

[Ding!]

[New target found!]

[Talk to her carefully to enter Jin Yuexin’s Route!]

’WHAT THE—?!’ Zhao Yiming’s mind spiraled.

’I CAN’T ROMANCE HER! AFTER WHAT I’VE DONE WITH HER BROTHER!"

His thoughts were in utter chaos, a swirling storm of shame and disbelief. Just then, Su Meilin elbowed him sharply in the ribs, snapping him out of his internal meltdown.

"Focus," she hissed under her breath. "I already introduce you to her. Now its your turn!"

Zhao Yiming cleared his throat and sat up straighter, forcing on a composed expression.

"Ah, Miss Yuexin," he began gently, "we’re here to talk about the inheritance. Based on your brother’s will, he wanted to divide it in half—half for you, half for Miss Su here. She’s completely fine with it too."

Jin Yuexin didn’t reply. Instead, she leaned in and whispered something to Aunty Liu, who turned to them with a warm smile.

"Xin’er says she doesn’t mind. She’s okay if Miss Su receives everything."

Both Zhao Yiming and Su Meilin blinked.

"...Really?"

"She says," Aunty Liu continued, "all she wants is for her brother’s clothes and personal items to remain here. Nothing more."

Zhao Yiming turned to Meilin. "That’s fine, right?"

Su Meilin hesitated, then nodded. "Of course. I wouldn’t take anything she wants to keep."

Guilt bloomed in both of them—especially in Zhao Yiming. The thought that this girl might become a target in his system route? He wanted to throw himself into a dumpster.

"But, Yue..." Meilin said softly, her voice a little tight, "don’t you want anything else? You can live in my unit if you’d like. I think I’ll be moving soon."

Yuexin shook her head, still holding on to Aunty Liu. She seemed content with just her memories—her brother’s scent on his old clothes, the things he left behind.

"I want... a picture of me and Gege in his office," she said suddenly.

Her voice was soft and light, like raindrops on glass. "I want to paint it... and put it here."

"And... I have his urn too," Su Meilin said gently. "I’ll give it to you, Yuexin."

Yuexin’s eyes widened, a rare emotion flashing across her face. She nodded, happiness sparking in her ocean-colored eyes.

Zhao Yiming looked away.

’I’m not staying here a second longer. This is too much. There’s no way I’m romancing her.’

Just as he was planning his mental escape route, Yuexin’s gaze flicked toward him.

Then, she leaned into Aunty Liu again and whispered something, her cheeks turning slightly pink.

Aunty Liu covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"She says... she wants to draw you, if you don’t mind."

Zhao Yiming froze.

"...Me?"