V1: Chapter 85: The Villainous Fake Young Miss Embarks on a Child-Rearing Journey

Tentacles wrapped around Liang Lin's neck.

"Ugh..."

She felt like her brain was about to explode. This time, unlike the suffocating pleasure of the past, it was a real, agonizing suffocation.

Liang Lin couldn't utter a word, her eyes rolling upwards, revealing large expanses of white.

Her sister was right in front of her, but... her vision seemed to be blurring...

No, this can't be.

I finally see my sister again; I can't die like this!

Liang Lin was unwilling to accept this, making muffled sobs.

Her stomach... it hurts so much.

Instinctively, she blurted out:

"Liang... Liang Di... stomach, hurts."

These were the few words she forced out of her throat.

Stomach, hurts?

Ah, right, Liang Lin had both of their children inside her.

Liang Di froze for a second, the tentacles involuntarily relaxing, and Liang Lin finally breathed in fresh air.

Liang Di wondered, if she had killed Liang Lin, and with her, the fruit of their love. Was this truly the ending she wanted? The ending she wanted was…

Holding hands with Liang Lin, standing in a sea of ​​flowers, her daughter running through the blossoms, while she and Liang Lin smiled at each other, happy and serene.

This was the life she wanted, this should be the true ending!

“Liang Di! Don’t be impulsive!”

Octaville shouted anxiously, blocking the tentacles.

Hearing Octaville say that as she severing the tentacles was painful, Hilary hesitated for a moment, but seeing her sister’s suffocating pain, Hilary gritted her teeth, gripped Liang Lin’s former sword, and slammed it down on the tentacle again.

Sizzle~!

A bright red, viscous liquid gushed out like a fountain.

The tentacles possessed remarkable regenerative abilities, but Hilary used a magically enhanced sword that suppressed tentacle regeneration. The severed tentacles struggled desperately to reconnect, but to no avail.

Liang Di was in excruciating pain; the wound severed by the sword burned like fire, yet she refused to let go of Liang Lin, stubbornly clinging to her, her tentacles wrapped around Liang Lin's neck.

Seeing that Hilary and Octaville had severed the tentacles blocking their path and were trying to enter, other tentacles blocked their way again.

Octaville felt a pang of sorrow.

Despite the sheer number of tentacles, Liang Di didn't attack, only blocking them, showing no intention of harming the two. Perhaps she knew she couldn't win, or perhaps she couldn't bear to hurt them. Octaville leaned towards the latter.

“Liang Di, don’t make another mistake.”

Hilary raised her sword again.

“Liang Di, I don’t want to hurt you. Stop this. Even if your mistakes are huge, we’ll forgive you as long as you can make amends, because…”

“We’re wrong too. In fact, our mistakes are bigger,” Octaville added, finishing what Hilary was about to say.

“Make amends?”

Liang Di sobbed.

“How can I make amends? Octaville, let me be frank with you, Liang Lin… she’s pregnant with my child.”

Upon hearing this, Hilary nearly dropped her sword.

“What?!” they both exclaimed simultaneously.

“How do you plan for me to make amends to this?”

Both of them were thinking at lightning speed, their brains practically overheating.

If they told Liang Lin to abort the child, Liang Di’s next move might still be too extreme, so… it was best to calm her down first.

Hilary was about to speak to comfort her…

“Liang Di, the child, I will let Liang Lin give birth.” Octaville spoke first, cutting off her words.

At this critical juncture, coupled with Liang Lin's agonizing state as if she were being strangled, Hilary and Octaville couldn't care less about anything else and decided Liang Lin's fate themselves.

Of course, as a kidnapped person, a normal person would comply with the kidnapper's wishes. Moreover, Liang Lin's ears were ringing from being strangled; she had no time to argue with Octaville. She hadn't even heard what her sister-in-law was saying.

To be honest, Liang Di's resolve softened. She was lost in thought, and the tentacles unconsciously loosened their grip. Liang Lin finally gradually regained her senses.

“Hoo~”

“Haaa~~”

Liang Di was truly too dangerous.

Liang Lin thought, her emotions a jumble of complex feelings. It was impossible not to resent Liang Di; too many conflicting emotions clouded her mind, leaving Liang Lin completely unsure of her own feelings for her.

"Liang Di, don't hurt my sister."

This was perhaps the softest Liang Lin had ever spoken, but it wasn't for herself, but for her family.

Liang Lin wasn't afraid of death; she feared the pain inflicted on her family and friends. Even if she died, she couldn't die in front of the people she loved.

She could understand why Liang Di had become so twisted, but she couldn't forgive the harm Liang Di had caused her.

"Liang Di, even if you kill me now, what good will it do? I know you have your own ideals, and the Langwendi family needs you, Octaville needs you too. If you die like this, what about the Langwendi family? What about Octaville?"

Liang Lin admitted that her words contained an element of moral blackmail, but she had to say it, she had to persuade the tentacle girl before her.

Liang Di shook her head.

"Sister Liang Lin, I've never known what my ideal is. My ideal... was something others imposed on me: to revitalize Langwendi and... to overthrow the current rule of the Soteland Empire."

Oh shit!

Octaville and Hillary's expressions changed drastically.

It's over.

Liang Di's move completely exposed all three of them, revealing their ultimate goal. Hillary looked at Liang Lin. Given such loyalty to the empire, which would she choose between loyalty and family?

Sure enough, Liang Lin froze, repeating what the other had just said.

"Overthrow... the Soteland Empire?"

"Yes."

After her self-inflicted wound, Liang Di didn't care anymore.

"I've always been confused. I didn't know what I wanted until I recognized you again, Sister Liang Lin."

"Sister Liang Lin, from now on, you are my ideal."

No...

Suddenly bearing such a heavy responsibility, feeling like someone had entrusted her body and soul to her, put immense pressure on Liang Lin. At the same time, she was still pondering what Liang Di had just said.

“Wait, tell me first, what does it mean to overthrow the Soteland Empire?”

“Eli!” Hilary cried out, blurting out her sister’s former name.

Eli?

Liang Lin’s eyes widened suddenly. For a moment, everything around her seemed to freeze—the writhing tentacles, the loud cries of her sister, the tearful Liang Di.

Everything became static.

“Ah… I remember,” Liang Lin murmured, a glimmer of light finally appearing in her long-dormant eyes.

“My former name was Elijah Kronin.”

Because she was too far away, Hilary didn’t notice Liang Lin’s abnormality, and anxiously explained, “Eli! Overthrowing the Soteland Empire… doesn’t mean destroying this empire! It means making this empire better! We will elect a new heir! True power belongs to the Magic Tower!”

Liang Lin seemed to understand; the light in her eyes instantly dimmed again.

"Sister, don't you mean to put real power in your and Octaville's hands? Sister, I really never imagined that one day we'd be on opposite political sides."

But now wasn't the time to say that. To appease the distraught Liang Di, Liang Lin lied, saying things against her will.

"Liang Di, I promise you, I'll stay with you and have the baby. Don't kill me now; I still have an unfinished mission."

Liang Lin's eyes were sincere and earnest.

Seeing Liang Di hesitate, Liang Lin took a deep breath, then closed her eyes.

"Mmm..."

Liang Di felt the softness on her lips. Looking up, she could see Liang Lin's eyelashes so close to hers, trembling slightly, a blush spreading across her beautiful cheeks.

This was the first time Liang Lin had kissed her first. Although it was only a quick kiss, it rendered the tentacle-wielding woman incapable of thought. The tentacles slowly released Liang Lin, and Liang Di stood there, stunned, held in Liang Lin's arms.

Now, the priority is to keep Liang Di calm. Once I escape from this place, what happens next is no longer my concern.

That's what Liang Lin thought.

So, like soothing a baby, she gently patted Liang Di's back, "Sweetie, I won't leave you. You know, I'm carrying yours and my child. How could I bear to leave you?"

Even Liang Lin herself didn't believe these words, but she had to force herself to continue.

"Really? Really?"

Happiness came too suddenly; Liang Di's brain went blank.

"Really, from the moment you told me about your experiences, I stopped hating you. Although I didn't particularly like you, at least I don't dislike you anymore."

These words sounded quite sincere.

"So, Liang Di, maybe you could try pursuing me?"

This was pure nonsense; Liang Lin was giving Liang Di false hope.

"Me? Me pursuing Sister Liang Lin?"

"Hmm, look, aren't I holding you right now?"

At this moment, Liang Di finally regained her senses.

Liang Di, ah, is an easily soothed wounded puppy.

She nestled in Liang Lin's arms, silently retracting her tentacles.

Outside the room, Hilary and Octaville, who witnessed everything, were dumbfounded. Especially Hilary; she had never seen her sister so gentle with strangers, speaking so softly, even coaxing them. She couldn't even imagine what Liang Lin had gone through while she was away, to have worn down her bad temper like this.

"Sister Liang Lin..."

Liang Di huddled in Liang Lin's arms, sobbing like a child who had suffered a great injustice. Liang Lin could clearly feel that her chest was soaked. Liang Di crumpled Liang Lin's clothes, but refused to let go.

Seeing the two children at peace, Hilary breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a wave of exhaustion. She almost collapsed to the ground, but thankfully Octaville caught her. Hilary's body was very weak, and the side effects had left her somewhat listless.

"Baby, are you alright?" Octaville asked worriedly, picking Hilary up in her arms.

Hilary nestled in Octavier's embrace and shook her head.

“I’m fine, put me down, help me to them.”

Octaville helped Hilary to the two girls’ side. Hilary gently put her arm around Liang Lin’s shoulder, tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry you had to go through this.”

Those words finally released Liang Lin’s pent-up emotions. She leaned on her sister’s shoulder, crying like a child, awkwardly explaining between sobs, “I didn’t… I didn’t really want to cry, it’s just that I couldn’t control it, this body couldn’t control its tears! It’s not my fault… Before, I would never have cried!”

“Good girl, cry.”

Hilary gently stroked her sister’s head.

Octaville, standing to the side, looked at Liang Di, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes.

If she hadn't been so heartless as to abandon this child, if she had studied magic more diligently, if she had been truly powerful back then, would this child's living conditions have been better? Would her mind not have become so twisted? Would all these terrible things not have happened?

Octaville placed her hand on Liang Di's head, whispering gently, "Sleep well, child..."

Liang Di felt her eyelids grow heavy.

It was good; at least she was sleeping in Liang Lin's arms, at least she wasn't alone, shivering in her dog cage.

"Sister Liang Lin..."

Even asleep, she didn't want to let go of the villainous lady's clothes, which were already crumpled and torn.

Liang Lin picked up Liang Di in a princess carry, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Let's go upstairs."

She was saved.

After being imprisoned for two months, Liang Lin finally saw the light of day again.

“Sister, Liang Di has basically told me everything. I don’t know if she’s still hiding anything, but I know all the details I need to know.”

Liang Lin placed Liang Di on the bed, tucking her in tightly with the blanket.

Now, seeing Liang Di asleep reminded her of the experiences Liang Di had told her, including “sleeping in a dog cage at night.”

“What… she told you everything?”

“Hmm.”

Liang Lin looked at Octaville.

“Lord Tower Master, is that right?”

Suddenly addressed with such respect, Octaville felt embarrassed. She lowered her head and scratched it. “You should just call me Sister. This feels weird.”

Prescott leaned against the door.

He was a very kind-looking uncle. Seeing that the crisis had passed, he smiled and joked, “Little Fu has become the Lord Tower Master in other people’s eyes now. When she was little, she would grab my pants and call me uncle. How annoying! I was clearly still the older brother back then.”

“T-Teacher!”

Octaville was extremely embarrassed, lowering her head and looking at her shoes, not daring to look around.

Only then did Liang Lin notice that there was someone standing by the door. She looked closely and exclaimed in surprise, “Eh? The tavern owner? What are you doing here?”

“Oh… I’m here to deliver wine,” Prescott joked.

After Hilary explained to Liang Lin, Liang Lin nodded in understanding, her eyes filled with respect as she looked at Prescott.

"Thank you for coming to save me."

"Oh, you're too kind. You gave me a lot of silver coins back then, consider it for hiring me." Prescott waved his hand dismissively. "Since you've reached the happy ending, I'll be going now."

Prescott started to leave.

"Teacher!" Octaville called out to him.

Prescott turned back to look and saw the flustered Octaville. Even though she was an adult, she was still anxiously wringing her hands and pacing back and forth.

“Teacher, I’m the Tower Master now, so…would you be willing… to come back to the Magic Tower with me? You can take Joe with you.”

Octaville paused for a moment.

“Tiffany… she… a few years ago, inside the Seaside Demon Tower, was killed by a monster.”

Upon hearing the news of Tiffany’s death, Prescott stood frozen for a full minute before recovering. The smile vanished from his face.

“Hmm, Joe would be heartbroken if she knew.”

“Going back? Forget it. I’ve gotten used to running my own little tavern. Going back to the Magic Tower would mean researching those lousy magic tricks; it’s not as leisurely as it is outside.”

Prescott finished speaking and pushed open the door.

“Teacher Prescott, if you want to go back to the Magic Tower, you’re welcome anytime. The Magic Tower will always be your second home.” Octaville made a final attempt to persuade him to stay.

Prescott still stepped out, without looking back, only waving to those behind him.

“Hmm, I understand. If I have the chance, I’ll bring Joe to visit you.”

Click~

The door closed.

Silence fell over the room again. Liang Lin spoke up, "Sister, is it absolutely true that Liang Di said you want to overthrow the Soteland Empire?"

Seeing that their plan had been completely exposed, Hilary had no reason to hide it any longer.

"What she said is pretty much true, but it doesn't mean the destruction of the Soteland Empire," Hilary explained. "We feel that the current Soteland Empire needs a change of dynasty; it's been declining."

"Isn't that betraying the empire? Trying to seize power for yourself?" Liang Lin disagreed. "The empire is indeed declining, but we cannot rebel. That's the oath of the Kronin family!"

After hearing Liang Lin's words, Hilary didn't become angry or rush to explain. She simply looked at Liang Lin calmly. Liang Lin's words were like a pebble thrown into a lake, instantly submerged without creating a ripple.

“Liang Lin, I knew you would say something like that, which is why I didn’t want to tell you the truth,” Hilary said. “Only after experiencing hardship, setbacks, and the injustice of this world can one become completely disillusioned with the corrupt empire of Soteland. I thought you had already become disillusioned with this empire.”

"..."

Liang Lin felt uncertain. She had witnessed firsthand the absurd regulations of the Soteland Empire, the arrogant superiority of its nobles, their unbelievable extravagance, the stark wealth gap, and the countless civilians who starved to death each year. Nobles could simply kill civilians secretly, pay a small bribe, and escape punishment.

Previously, having been on the battlefield and in the territories under the Kronin family's control, she hadn't considered the extent of corruption within the capital.

Now, she had seen it for herself.

To say she wasn't disappointed would be a lie; Liang Lin was largely disillusioned with the Soteland Empire. However, due to her upbringing, she was unwilling to abandon it.

A strange silence fell over the room. No one spoke; everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts.

Time ticked by.

Finally.

“Sister, I cannot betray my country.”

Liang Lin resolutely raised her eyes to look at her sister.

“But I will not stop you just because your political stance differs from mine.”

“So,” as if making a firm decision, she jumped off the bed, grabbed the longsword that Hilary had placed beside her, and held it to her chest as if swearing an oath, “I will return to the border, to fight again with my former subordinates! To reclaim the lost territory of the Soteland Empire! Sister, I believe the Empire will not give up either, so let us go our separate ways and see whose idea is right!”

Hilary looked at her sister.

Hilary’s eyes shone with a resolute light, like the morning star shining in the night, never easily compromising.

“…I understand.”

“I agree,” Hilary said.

Oktaville, however, blocked Liang Lin’s way.

“No, the border is so dangerous right now, if you go back now…” Before she could finish speaking, Hilary interrupted her.

“Don’t say anything, Fu, let her go.”

Hilary knew her younger sister’s personality; once she made up her mind, she wouldn’t turn back until she hit a wall, and sometimes, even if she did, she’d tear it down and keep going.

Hilary stood up, walked over to Liang Lin, and placed her hand on the other’s shoulder. “Liang Lin, you have to take responsibility for this decision. You’re an adult now, and I won’t interfere too much with your decision, but please take care of yourself.”

“Take your old sword and go. I believe that on the battlefield, you’ll still be that brave little general.”

Liang Lin’s eyes reddened again, and she clenched her fists tightly.

 “I know, Sister. Knowing you're safe and sound, and happy with Octaville, puts my mind at ease.”

“But,” Hilary looked at Liang Lin’s stomach, her face troubled, “what about the baby in your belly? Are you going to take her to the battlefield? Ah… really, I still can’t accept the fact that you’re pregnant, just… a little brother becoming a little sister, and then getting pregnant and all that…”

Yeah, that’s pretty shocking; most people really can’t accept it.

Liang Lin stroked her stomach, remaining silent for a long time. She was struggling, thinking, weighing the pros and cons.

Time passed, she didn’t know how much.

“Sister, prepare me a packet of abortion pills. This child shouldn’t be in this world.”

“…If you’ve thought it through, that’s good. Don’t wrong yourself.”

Octaville stared blankly at the sleeping Liang Di on the bed.

When she heard Liang Lin say she was about to leave, she asked, “Then, what about Liang Di?”

The three of them simultaneously turned their gaze to the sleeping tentacle girl, so serene, so beautiful.

Liang Lin walked to the bedside and looked at Liang Di.

"Sister, I don't love her, but I can't bring myself to hate her either. I think my leaving is better for her and for us. After I'm gone, remember to explain things to her properly… never mind, I'll leave her a letter."

"Don't overreact. Write something in the letter that will calm her down, so she doesn't break down again," Hilary said.

Octaville, however, was certain.

"She will definitely break down," Octaville said, touching Liang Di's forehead.

"Ah, poor child."

Hilary felt sorry for her sister, so Octaville would feel sorry for her adopted daughter.

Liang Lin nodded, her eyes lowered, and also touched Liang Di's forehead.

"I know she's pitiful, but that's no reason for her to hurt me. I can't take her pain away, and I don't want to be blamed for her actions."

"Yes, I'm sorry, Liang Lin," Octaville said.

Liang Lin feigned indifference, flicking her long hair over her shoulder. "Well, you don't need to apologize to me. You're not Liang Di. Besides, this girl has already apologized to me. We'll see. Maybe I'll forgive her when I'm in a better mood."

Hilary looked at the girl before her, marveling at the child's growth.

Liang Lin looked at Liang Di lying on the bed, pinched her chubby little cheek, and smiled silently in her heart:

"Goodbye, Liang Di."

“Of course, it's possible we'll never see each other again.”

It was dusk.

The afterglow of the setting sun painted the sky red. The three of them stood outside the Langwendi mansion, their shadows stretched long.

Hilary handed Liang Lin a packet of white powder, then stepped forward and hugged her.

“Liang Lin, this is an abortion pill. If you've made up your mind, take it.”

After saying that, she released Liang Lin. The setting sun shone on her face, making her face glow red, just enough to cover her already reddened eyes. She pushed Liang Lin away.

“Don't deprive yourself when you're out and about. You brought enough gold coins and stuff, right?”

“I brought enough, Sister. I'm not a child anymore.” Liang Lin's nose also began to sting.

The three of them looked at each other.

Finally.

“Goodbye, Sister! Goodbye, Sister-in-law!”

Liang Lin turned away resolutely, her black cloak flapping wildly in the wind. With firm steps, she gripped her sword hilt and walked into the distance.

Behind her, Hilary nestled in Octaville's arms, silently shedding tears.

Inside the Langwendi mansion, Liang Di slept fitfully, mumbling incoherently in her sleep:

“Sister, sister…”

“Sister Liang Lin, don’t go…”

“Don’t abandon me again…”

Beside her pillow lay a pink envelope, its wax seal bearing a cute little bear. The envelope lay there quietly, awaiting Liang Di’s opening.

(Volume 1, Abusing Wife, Completed)

(Volume 2, Chasing Wife, Coming Soon)