Chapter 29: Grandfather Arrives

Old Master Lin heard the beeping sound from the other end of the phone, his anger boiling over as he slammed the phone onto the table and cursed loudly, “This is outrageous! Lin Chuanzi, you little brat, how dare you hang up on your father’s call, I…”

“Grandpa, what's going on? What did Third Uncle say? How are we going to handle this matter now?” Lin Yu hurriedly stepped forward to support the furious old master and asked anxiously.

Although Old Master Lin was infuriated by Lin Chuanzi’s attitude, the words Lin Chuanzi had spoken left him deeply shocked. If things truly went according to Lin Feng’s plan, the Lin family would be in serious trouble, possibly even in danger. Without delay, Old Master Lin barked at Lin Yu, “Quickly! Go call your father and Second Uncle home. No matter how busy they are, they must come back immediately.”

“Ah, Grandpa, what’s this about?” Lin Yu asked nervously, seeing the old master so agitated.

“Ah, what? Hurry up!” Old Master Lin ordered.

Lin Yu was efficient at getting things done. By evening, all the main members of the Lin family in Beijing had gathered in the old master’s study.

“Old Master, you called us back so urgently—did something big happen?” a middle-aged man asked. He was Lin Yu’s father, Lin Chuanming, a lieutenant general serving in the army.

“It’s still about Third Brother’s child. Who would have thought, after all these years, I, Lin Chuanqi, would end up defeated by a child? How laughable,” Old Master Lin said with self-deprecation.

“Dad, what's the matter? The situation may not be in our favor right now, but don’t say such things. That brat from Third Brother’s family—can he really turn the sky upside down?” another middle-aged man spoke up. He was Lin Feng’s Second Uncle, serving in a high government position in Beijing. He had been the main proponent of targeting Lin Feng’s company.

“A brat, you say? But that very brat has forced us into this predicament,” Old Master Lin retorted, then repeated what Lin Chuanzi had said to him.

The room erupted with outrage after hearing this, especially Second Uncle Lin Chuanyan, who shouted, “If Lin Feng really dares to do that—I refuse to believe it!”

“Ha, Second Brother, don’t be so sure. Third Brother said it himself. At first, he held back, considering our blood ties and urging us not to go too far. But when I called him again and pressed him, he finally revealed all this. Now Third Brother is disheartened and won’t speak for us anymore, saying he’ll let Lin Feng handle it himself and he’ll just watch as an outsider,” Old Master Lin sighed to the gathered relatives.

“Hmph! See, I told you that child was trouble. I warned you not to do this, but you wouldn’t listen. Now look—you’ve forced a family feud, and a single junior has crippled a great clan!” Lin Chuanming vented angrily at Lin Chuanyan, the instigator.

“I—I was only thinking of the family! You know the situation we’re in. If we could acquire Lin Feng’s company, our family’s weaknesses could be resolved, and our power would rise to another level,” Lin Chuanyan retorted, dissatisfied.

“But you shouldn’t have used such methods—just grabbing for it outright! Have you considered how you’ve treated him all these years? Why should his things belong to you?” Lin Chuanming continued to argue.

Lin Chuanyan, naturally unwilling to back down, immediately began arguing with Lin Chuanming. Old Master Lin, seeing the situation escalate, slammed the table in anger and shouted, “What are you bickering about? I’m not dead yet!”

The two brothers, chastened, fell silent. Once the room was quiet, Old Master Lin continued, “There's no point in arguing now. I didn’t call you here to listen to quarrels, but to hear your opinions on what we should do.”

“Dad, only Third Brother can solve this. You know why he left home years ago. Look at what the family has become—no wonder he’s unhappy,” Lin Chuanming said indignantly. He had the best relationship with Third Brother, and although Lin Chuanzi had distanced himself from the family, the two brothers stayed in touch.

“Second Brother, what do you think?” Old Master Lin asked Lin Chuanyan.

“Uh, well, if Lin Feng is willing to let go, that would be best. But I fear he won’t. If it’s like Third Brother said, he’ll cripple us in one blow, making an example out of us!” Lin Chuanyan hurriedly replied.

“Yes, Grandpa, it’s best if we and Lin Feng remain allies, not enemies. Whether his assets are ours or not, he’s still Third Uncle’s son. Anyone trying to harm us has to consider whether Third Uncle will retaliate. Though Third Uncle hasn’t been powerful, that’s history. Now, with Lin Feng as his son, his strength matches ours!” Lin Yu, who had remained silent, finally spoke up.

“Ah, in the past… I wasn’t as perceptive as Lin Yu. I really underestimated Lin Feng. Tomorrow, our whole family will go to Zhanhai City to visit Third Brother. If he won’t come to Beijing to see me, I’ll go to Zhanhai City to see him. Let’s see if he can drive me away! And none of you are to notify him. Tomorrow, we’ll just show up at his door,” Old Master Lin instructed, displeased.

“Ha, Old Master, you’re playing dirty now!” Lin Chuanming laughed, seeing the old man’s stubbornness. He was actually happy with the situation, as it meant the old master was ready to compromise and surrender, albeit unwilling to admit it.

Sure enough, the next day, the entire Lin family boarded the earliest flight from Beijing to Zhanhai City. By the time they arrived, it was already past eleven. Outside the airport, Old Master Lin surveyed the surroundings and couldn’t help but sigh, “Indeed, it’s a first-tier city. The infrastructure is excellent. Third Brother has had a hard time all these years!”

“Grandpa, Uncles, let’s not stand around sighing. The car’s here—let’s get in quickly!” Lin Yu said to Old Master Lin, then hurried to help him into the car.

Meanwhile, Lin Chuanzi was leisurely reading the newspaper in his villa. After yesterday's conversation with Old Master Lin, he had spent the night thinking. He had said what needed to be said. Now he was caught between his family and his son. Lin Feng had no affection for the family, but he did. Despite being disappointed by the family’s actions over the years, it was still where he grew up. After a night’s contemplation, Lin Chuanzi concluded that if Lin Feng truly decided to take action, he wouldn’t interfere, but might eventually step in to plead for the family.

After lingering in the hall for half an hour and finishing the newspaper, Lin Feng was busy in his room. The women of the house, Liu Runli and Ling Shixuan, had gone out shopping somewhere. Now only he remained, bored and with no one to talk to. As he was about to tidy up and head to the company, the doorbell suddenly rang.

“What’s going on? Who would ring the doorbell at this hour? Could it be those two women forgot their keys and bought so much stuff they can’t open the door?” Lin Chuanzi muttered to himself.

Talking as he walked, he slowly made his way to the entrance and opened the door. In that instant, he was stunned by the sight outside.

“What’s with that ghost-stricken expression? Don’t recognize your father anymore?” Old Master Lin snapped at Lin Chuanzi’s dumbfounded look.

“Wait—Dad, how are you here? Weren’t you in Beijing? And how did you all come together?” Lin Chuanzi asked in surprise, staring at Old Master Lin and the entourage.

“What, you won’t come back to Beijing, so I can’t come to Zhanhai? Is it that you don’t welcome me?” Old Master Lin continued to glare at him.

“No, Dad, how could I not welcome you? Please, come in and sit!” Lin Chuanzi hastily replied, ushering Old Master Lin and the group into the living room.

“Come, come, Old Master and everyone, please sit,” Lin Chuanzi said, picking up the tea set and kettle to make tea for them.

“Third Uncle, you don’t need to trouble yourself. I’ll do it. Please, everyone sit and chat!” Lin Yu hurried over, grabbing the tea set from Lin Chuanzi.

“Ha, you’ve been living quite comfortably all these years. Nice place, too. No wonder you won’t come back to Beijing to see me. Clearly, you don’t want this old man anymore!” Old Master Lin, once seated, immediately began berating Lin Chuanzi.

“Uh, Old Master, it’s not as you say. I’ve been busy with work all these years. With my business here, I can’t just leave so easily. Sorry, Old Master!” Lin Chuanzi quickly explained. Everyone knew the real reason, but it couldn’t be said outright. The old master’s journey here was already a sign of surrender; Lin Chuanzi hurried to offer him a way to save face.

“Hmph, you’re good at evading. Business, you say? That shabby company of yours, after so many years, you’ve achieved so little. Not half as impressive as my grandson—he’s built a booming enterprise in less than half a year!” Old Master Lin grumbled, clearly dissatisfied.

“Yes, yes, Old Master, your criticism is right! So, what brings you all here today?” Lin Chuanzi dared not contradict, but was curious.

“What’s the matter, Third Brother? The family hasn’t gathered in years. Old Master suggested it, so we all came to see you. No need to act so startled!” Lin Chuanming interjected. Though no one believed the reason, it couldn’t come from the old master’s mouth.

“Exactly, Eldest Brother is right. It’s been a long time since we gathered. We just came to see you. Where’s Lin Feng? Why isn’t he here?” Old Master Lin followed up.

“Oh, Lin Feng is in his room. That boy is always so lazy—I don’t even know if he’s up yet!” Lin Chuanzi replied, still dodging.

“Still sleeping? Go, call him down. I haven’t seen him in years, but lately he’s often in the media. He’s done excellently, bringing honor to the Lin family!” Old Master Lin said with satisfaction, praising Lin Feng.