Chapter 127: Controlling the Old Master

Section Chief Xie, is the old master still sturdy?

Facing the phone's high-definition camera, Chu Jinsong kept hiding his excitement, doing his best to maintain the composure and poise expected of an official.

Xie Yixin smiled and replied: "Old master, he gets spirited when happy occasions come. Now Dongfan has returned, and Lingxi is pregnant again. When the old master is pleased, he's more spirited than a few years ago."

"That's good, that's good. I really didn't expect that my Lingxi would have such fortune." Chu Jinsong smiled modestly.

Xie Yixin said warmly: "In-laws, it's fate that the children have come together. Don't be polite; from now on we're one family, so we should visit often."

"You're right..."

Chu Jinsong exchanged a few more pleasantries, then hung up.

He turned to look at Shen Junlan, eyes full of emotion: "Teacher Shen, Dongfan's family background is too..." He trailed off, not knowing how to put it.

Shen Junlan, who is usually sentimental, didn't overthink today.

She smiled in understanding and gently soothed Chu Jinsong's shock: "A great peng rises with the wind in a day, soaring straight up ninety thousand li—this is a good thing."

"Hmm."

Chu Jinsong nodded sheepishly: "It seems Teacher Shen has discerning eyes—after sifting through countless people, she actually picked a prince fallen among the common folk."

If I had followed my own foolish opinion and invited Li Hengbo to be a son-in-law, it would have harmed Lingxi instead.

Having served as an official all my life, my judgment of people is truly poor; I almost fell for Li Hengbo's superficial tricks.

Fortunately, Dongfan stepped forward without hesitation to shout my injustice and send me medicine.

In danger, he gave charcoal in the snow.

Only with a clear contrast did I realize: Li Hengbo is merely a petty profiteer who forgets righteousness, his whole life doing nothing but adding icing on the cake.

As for my daughter's marriage, I've really been of little help.

I'm just a drag on progress.

Chu Jinsong felt more guilty the more he thought, lit a cigarette on the sofa, his chest tight with unending vexation—family affairs, state affairs, worldly affairs, nothing seemed resolvable.

Shen Junlan also sat down beside him.

She tacitly asked Chu Jinsong: "Our Chu family and the Lin family differ so greatly—are you worried the Lin family will look down on our Lingxi?"

"Indeed, I have such concerns."

Chu Jinsong nodded noncommittally, thinking that people have always valued matching families, especially prominent clans.

Shen Lan smiled and asked: "Old Chu, do you know what your greatest strength is?"

"I never lose my temper with family." Chu Jinsong replied bluntly.

Shen Junlan shook her head with a smile: "You treat others sincerely and are easy to trust—this is your flaw and also your strength. It's also the main reason Secretary Liang has always admired you. If you lacked this honest character, given the Lin family's stature, they wouldn't readily accept our Lingxi."

Teacher Shen's words were truly a wake‑up call.

Chu Jinsong finally showed a hint of relieved smile: "According to what you say, I, Chu Jinsong, won't hold the kids back?"

"Rest assured, since Xie Yixin spoke with you, it means the Lin family has already accepted Lingxi." Shen Junlan said: "Members of the Lin family can hold important posts and are not unreasonable folks. As long as you don't muddle over major principles, upholding your integrity, they won't try to tear the lovebirds apart."

"That makes sense."

Under Shen Junlan's guidance, Chu Jinsong let go of all his worries.

At that moment, in Jingcheng.

Lin Dongfan was accompanying the old master in basking in the sun in the courtyard, Chu Lingxi also joined the leisurely chat, the family enjoyed harmonious bliss.

The old master eyed his daughter‑in‑law's belly, somewhat anxious: "Lingxi, why is there still no movement in your belly? When your grandmother was pregnant with Dongfan's father, her belly grew day by day."

"Grandpa, don't be so rushed—you need to give the baby time to grow." Chu Lingxi chuckled, rubbing her belly; she knew her own belly was already changing.

The old master laughed till he couldn't close his mouth: "Once the child is born, even if this old bone of mine dies, I'll die content with no regrets."

Lin Dongfan hurriedly interrupted: "Old master, it's the New Year—can we say something pleasant?"

"I'm sick of hearing 'It's the New Year'—does that mean we're not allowed to speak normally?"

The old master probably didn't realize he himself was stubborn, sitting in the sun stroking his beard and glaring.

Lin Dongfan, having been talked down to, had no temper left: "Fine, say what you want—I can't stop you."

The old master, relaxed, rocked in his rocking chair: "I've already picked the child's name—boy: Lin Wuhan, girl: Lin Wuyou."

Hearing that, Lin Dongfan broke out in a black line (was left speechless).

Lin Dongfan said: "Old master, would you like to read it backwards?"

"Is there a difference if reversed?" the old master blurted out: "Girl: Lin Wuyou, boy: Lin Wuhan—reversed it's the same."

Lin Dongfan said: "It's not about reading it like that..."

"How else could you reverse it?" the old master lounged in his rocking chair, quite pleased.

Lin Dongfan awkwardly explained the implication: "Han Wu Lin, You Wu Lin... regret and worry without Lin—no Lin, does that mean it's somewhat..."

Before Lin Dongfan could finish, the old master suddenly sat up.

He raised his hand and gave Lin Dongfan a flick on the forehead: "You little brat! It's the New Year—can't we say something nice? All this nonsense!"

"Who just said they're sick of hearing 'It's the New Year'? Now you won't let me speak plainly..." Lin Dongfan felt gloomy after being hit.

The old master glared, righteous and firm: "Now are you the grandfather or am I? What I can say doesn't mean you can too—you deserve a scolding!"

"Alright, you may set fires but I may not light lamps." Lin Dongfan rubbed his sore head, steeled himself, and ventured his small goal: "I have a half‑baked idea—may I ask your opinion?"

"Out with it!" the old master snapped, his anger not yet spent.

Lin Dongfan asked with a smile: "I've made an appointment with a real estate agent to look at houses; I plan to buy two courtyard homes in Jingcheng—can you help with the down payment?"

"No!"

The old master assumed a firm, unyielding stance.

Lin Dongfan furrowed his brows: "Old master, I am the sole heir of the Lin family—think it through before being stingy. My young uncle and eldest aunt have already declared their support for me."

"Is this house too small for your sub‑two‑meter frame?" he said, pointing backward at the residence: "I can live here, but you can't? Give me a reason."

"I knew there'd be a generation gap." Lin Dongfan said: "I'm buying the courtyard house not to move out, but to invest."

"What's there to invest in a dilapidated house?" the old man scoffed.

Lin Dongfan patiently explained: "Some well-preserved courtyard houses inside the Second Ring Road now cost just over ten thousand yuan per square meter; do you know how much they'll be worth in ten years? Any random courtyard house, resold, would yield a difference of tens of millions."

"I'm not senile yet; stop trying to fool me. Who knows what will happen in ten years?" the old man still didn't believe it.

Helpless, Lin Dongfan gave Chu Lingxi a glance.

Chu Lingxi was initially a bit confused, not understanding what Lin Dongfan meant, until he kept sending signals, and only then did she belatedly grasp it.

She stood behind him, massaging the old man's shoulders: "Grandfather, does it feel good?"

"Comfortable." The old man looked pleased: "Still, my grandson's wife is sensible and reliable."

Chu Lingxi instantly struck a wronged pose: "Grandfather, you may be comfortable, but I'm not. When Dongfan married me, he didn't give a single penny of betrothal gift. It's not that I want money; mainly, my classmates now mock me, saying I'm worthless."

"I told you, this brat is unreliable." The old man said: "What do you want? Tell me, and I'll back you up, guaranteeing no one will dare mock you from now on."

Seeing the old man was receptive, Chu Lingxi couldn't help but smile: "Grandfather, I want a courtyard house, okay? As long as you help with the down payment, I'll handle the loan myself afterward."

"It's just a courtyard house? Grandfather will give you one, fully paid."

The old man didn't even think, sat up straight, and went to help Chu Lingxi realize her dream.

Seeing this situation.

Lin Dongfan was speechless, silently pulled out his phone and sent a thank-you message to his aunt Lin Yuzhi: "Aunt, you're brilliant—indeed only Lingxi can handle the old man."

"The old man's money—if we only pay the down payment, getting four or five sets should be no problem." In Lin Yuzhi's reply, she attached a green‑capped soldier smoking a cigarette emoticon, looking cool.

Lin Dongfan replied with an OK emoticon: "Fine, when we make money later, we'll split it."

Lin Yuzhi replied again: "Cough cough! Do you think your aunt is the type who wants to split money? Hurry up and improve your perception; remember, from now on I'm the head of the Lin Family—report my name if you need anything."