Chapter 44: The Plan Unfolds
She doesn't rush things. Instead, she first arranges for Li Jianguo to "naturally" "bump into" Zhou Xiaowen.
The first step is simple: she sends old Li to the high-end mall the former daughter-in-law used to frequent for some "shopping."
Old Li rarely visits malls since retiring, but Lin Xiulan prepares a solid excuse—"Ran Ju wants some of those old-brand dim sum; go buy some and bring it back. Check if they have any new teas while you're at it." Outwardly, he nods submissively, but deep down, he knows this is his wife's assigned task.
On the third afternoon, old Li duly "encounters" Zhou Xiaowen at the dim sum shop on the mall's first floor.
Zhou Xiaowen is dressed head to toe in designer labels, clutching a newly purchased bag as she prepares to check out. She spots old Li and freezes for a moment before flashing a professionally surprised smile. "Dad? What a coincidence! What brings you here?"
Li Jianguo recites his wife's scripted lines, offering an awkward, honest grin. "Xiaowen... Dad's here to buy some dim sum... Ran Ju loves it... didn't expect to see you here too..."
His voice quavers slightly, his eyes darting away—like a caught-out everyman.
Zhou Xiaowen's eyes light up as she catches that hint of guilt.
She smirks inwardly: Old fool. Looks like Ran Ju's mom keeps him on a tight leash. Sneaking out just to buy dim sum?
She sidles closer, her voice syrupy sweet. "Dad, you're here all alone? Auntie didn't come with you?"
Li Jianguo ducks his head, his voice even softer. "She's... busy... so Dad came out by himself..."
Zhou Xiaowen's sense of superiority surges. She deliberately loops her arm through his, cooing like she's humoring an elder. "Dad, at your age, shopping alone must be exhausting. Want me to keep you company? We could chat about Ran Ran... it's been ages since I've seen him."
Following his wife's instructions to the letter, Li Jianguo flushes, stammering. "Th-that... wouldn't be right... Ran Ran, he's... these days..."
Zhou Xiaowen pounces on the opening, her tone turning even softer. "Dad, don't overthink it. I just want to know how he's doing... we were husband and wife, after all..."
She lingers on those last four words, her gaze laced with provocation.
Li Jianguo keeps his eyes down, his murmur barely audible. "All right... then... shall we grab a cup of tea together...?"
They head to the tea restaurant on the mall's third floor.
Zhou Xiaowen orders the priciest set meal. Li Jianguo, per instructions, insists on paying—and "embarrassedly" tacks on an extra dessert for her.
Throughout it all, Li Jianguo wears a Bluetooth earpiece in his left ear, disguised as a mini hearing aid. Zhou Xiaowen doesn't suspect a thing.
Lin Xiulan's voice feeds him real-time directions, like a director from the shadows. "Old Li, don't meet her eyes—look more flustered... yes, just like that... make her think she's got you hooked..."
"Now sigh and say, 'Xiaowen, you're still so beautiful... Dad always thought Ran Ran didn't deserve you...' "
"No smiling! Hold it in! Make her think you're too shy to say it out loud..."
Zhou Xiaowen soaks up old Li's "heartfelt confessions," tinged with shame, her smugness practically bubbling over.
She shifts her legs toward him, her skirt "accidentally" hiking up to bare the soft skin at her thigh root.
"Dad, don't say that... Ran Ran... he just listens to Auntie too much... actually, I was good to him..."
Li Jianguo echoes the earpiece prompt in a low voice. "Xiaowen... Dad knows... Dad's always thought... you're a good girl... Ran Ran doesn't know how to cherish you... Dad... sometimes Dad wonders... if..."
He trails off deliberately, his face crimson as a boiled shrimp.
Zhou Xiaowen's eyes gleam. She leans in closer, her voice a husky whisper, laced with tease. "Dad... what are you trying to say?"
In the earpiece, Lin Xiulan's voice drips cold laughter. "Old Li, go on—say the most repulsive line."
Li Jianguo's voice shakes, laced with long-suppressed yearning. "Dad... Dad sometimes wonders... if back then... you'd married Dad instead... would Dad... cherish you more...?"
Zhou Xiaowen blanks for a second, then bursts into tinkling laughter—quickly reined in as she feigns wide-eyed shock and coyness. "Dad... don't joke... how could I ever...?"
But her eyes have changed. They're the eyes of a predator sighting prey.
She thinks: Old pervert... fantasizing about me? Doesn't even deserve to piss and check the mirror. Fine... I'll make you fall hard. You'll hand over your pension... kneel and lick me in bed... and learn who's really in charge.
At home, Lin Xiulan listens to the live feed, a cruel smile curling her lips. She murmurs into the earpiece. "Old Li, that's enough. Wrap it up for today. Leave her some room to fantasize. Next time, amp up the 'obsession'—but stay just shy of crossing the line... let her reel herself in."
Li Jianguo murmurs a quiet "mm."
Zhou Xiaowen watches his awkward retreating back, already scheming. This father-in-law... such an easy mark. Loaded, obedient, and that forbidden thrill... jackpot.
She has no idea the father-in-law hook is already firmly in Lin Xiulan's grasp.
The first step of revenge falls quietly into place.