Chapter 362

Chen Yang and Lin Wei stayed at the Hu family's house for five days; in between they visited Chen Chunmei's home once to pay respects, and the rest of the time they stayed by Old Master Hu's side to keep him company.

Besides Huo Yunyan, Chen Yang and Lin Wei also met many officials from Dongjiangsheng.

However, Old Master Hu merely introduced his own granddaughter Lin Wei to everyone, without mentioning Chen Yang's name much.

At noon on the sixth day, Lin Jianguo and Hu Qingwan held several banquet tables at a villa on Jiangmen Dao to celebrate their new home. Besides members of the Lin and Hu families, the attendees also included Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission Chen Biwu and his wife. Moreover, Chen Biwu's son Chen Bing and his wife Zhong Lin also came.

Because of his connection to Lin Wei, Chen Yang felt a bit uneasy whenever he met Chen Biwu. Fortunately, the other party kept talking with Old Master Hu and had no time to attend to him.

By contrast, Lin Wei was much more relaxed, chatting and laughing constantly with the pregnant Zhong Lin. She even placed her ear on Zhong Lin's belly to listen to the fetus's movements.

This harmonious atmosphere lasted until the banquet ended. After Old Master Hu and the Hu family members had left, Chen Yang and Lin Wei were summoned by Chen Biwu to Lin Jianguo's new study.

"You two have a lot of nerve, knowing full well that I oppose Chen Bing's marriage to Zhong Lin, yet you still provided them lodging. Do you think that once the rice is cooked, I'll just compromise?"

Chen Yang was about to explain, but Lin Wei spoke first: "Uncle Chen, although Zhong Lin's family background is not good, she is gentle and virtuous, and she has raised Chen Bing to be fair and plump. Moreover, she and Chen Bing are mutually affectionate!"

Chen Biwu snorted coldly and said: "Unequal matches, incompatible families—since their upbringings differ, they will inevitably develop disagreements. Soon there will be petty quarrels every three days, major fights every five days, and in the end nothing but chaos."

Lin Wei did not agree with Chen Biwu's view, and she said: "Uncle Chen, have you ever lived together with Zhong Lin? Do you understand her? If you haven't lived with her and don't understand her, then your earlier words lack persuasiveness."

Chen Biwu gave Lin Wei a sideways glance and said: "As for my own daughter-in-law, would I not investigate? This girl has a good character and can take good care of Chen Bing. But her background and education are quite ordinary, and she offers no help whatsoever to Chen Bing's career."

Lin Wei, somewhat surprised, said to Chen Biwu: "Uncle Chen, with your current position, do you still need Zhong Lin to boost Chen Bing's career?"

Chen Biwu replied unhappily: "I will surely have a day when I step down. Once power is handed over, who will still give this old man any face?"

Lin Wei said: "My maternal grandfather also retired. Why do provincial leaders still frequently visit him in his old age?"

Chen Biwu gave a wry smile and said: "Although your maternal grandfather has retired, before his retirement he promoted many of his old subordinates. Many of them are prominent figures in Dongjiangsheng. Moreover, both of your maternal uncles are minister-level cadres. If even just one of them returns to Dongjiangsheng, they possess considerable influence. With them around, even if your maternal grandfather's tea has gone cold, no one would dare slight the Hu family."

Lin Wei said: "Uncle Chen, don't you also have many old subordinates? For example, my father—he too could help Chen Bing's future."

"Your father? Forget it!" Chen Biwu immediately showed an expression of frustration at inability to make steel from iron, and said: "He lacks tact, is too principled, and has offended many people over the years. Relying on him, I'd rather rely on this young man..."

Chen Biwu pointed at Chen Yang and added: "At least he still has money!"

Chen Yang never imagined that his standing in Chen Biwu's eyes was actually higher than Lin Jianguo's. He suddenly felt a bit of sympathy for his own father-in-law.

Lin Wei had always considered Lin Jianguo her pride since childhood. But reality is harsh: her grandfather and maternal grandfather have never approved of Lin Jianguo. Now even Lin Jianguo's direct superior, Chen Biwu, holds the same attitude. This is somewhat awkward.

At that moment, Chen Biwu suddenly said to Lin Wei: "Little girl, your abilities surpass your father's; you will surely have a boundless future. Although you cannot become a daughter-in-law of the Chen family, I still hope you and Chen Bing can become the best of friends, just as you were in childhood, and support each other in life and career."

Lin Wei nodded and said: "Uncle Chen, rest assured, Chen Bing is my lifesaver. If he encounters difficulty, I will certainly not stand by idly."

Chen Biwu was pleased with his attitude toward Lin Wei, yet also felt regret. If Lin Wei could marry his son, with his and the Hu family's combined strength, they could surely give the two a bright future.

"Little girl, quit that secretary job of yours; come to the Provincial Department to take an administrative post. Accumulate some years of experience and connections, then return to local posts for training when the time is ripe. That will save you many detours."

Upon hearing that Chen Biwu was willing to transfer Lin Wei to the Provincial Department, Chen Yang felt a bit relieved. This way he wouldn't have to constantly travel back and forth between Xingcheng and Qingshui City.

Moreover, working under Chen Biwu would speed up his promotions compared to staying in Qingshui City. Combined with the Hu family's support, he might even attain the position of County Party Committee Secretary earlier than in his previous life.

However, his happiness didn't last long, because Lin Wei directly refused Chen Biwu's goodwill.

"Uncle Chen, thank you for your kindness. However, I have already told my maternal grandfather that after the new year I will go to a township in Dongyang County to gain experience for a few years. Coincidentally, my husband has also set up a project there, so we can work and live together."

"Going to the grassroots for two years of training is also quite good." Chen Biwu, upon hearing that Old Master Hu had already made arrangements for Lin Wei, stopped pressing her. Having grassroots experience before returning to the province would broaden her scope of action.

After finishing his talk with Lin Wei, Chen Biwu then turned his gaze to Chen Yang.

"Chen Yang, although we both share the Chen surname and were one family five hundred years ago, the Chen clan still cannot afford the house you gave Chen Bing. Give me a bank card number later; I'll transfer back the principal plus interest for what you spent on the purchase."

Chen Yang glanced at Lin Wei, feeling a bit embarrassed, and said: "Uncle Chen, this house was a gift from my wife, and it was meant for Zhong Lin. Asking you to pay for it would be inappropriate."

Chen Biwu replied irritably: "Zhong Lin is my daughter-in-law; if you give her the house, wouldn't people still suspect me of taking bribes?"

Chen Yang hurriedly said: "Uncle Chen, I certainly did not mean to bribe you."

Chen Biwu waved his hand and said: "No matter what you're thinking, you must be given the money for this house. If others find out that the Chen family, when taking a daughter-in-law, still expects the younger generation to provide the wedding house, where would my Chen Biwu's face be placed?"

Chen Yang isn't short of money right now. He thought for a moment and said to Chen Biwu, "Uncle Chen, regarding the house money, you don't need to worry for now. Zhong Lin is currently starting a business, isn't she? She definitely needs working capital there. You might as well take it out first to help her through an emergency; it's not too late to repay me after her business stabilizes."