Chapter 440: How Can Someone Be So Fake

The Lin family held an ancestral memorial, also informing everyone that the Haicheng Lin family had returned!

After the memorial, the threshold of the Lin residence was nearly worn out from being trodden upon.

There were former friends of the Lin family, those who had trampled on them in their time of hardship and feasted on their blood, and others who came to probe for news…

The Lin ancestral home, silent for over a decade, was reborn with vitality, bustling with activity.

Lin Fu carefully selected a few friends and familiar younger generations to receive.

One of them was the son of his old friend, Fu Miao.

Learning from Fu Miao that his old friend had passed away, Lin Fu felt deeply saddened.

Gazing at his nephew’s aged face, he let out a long sigh.

“...Child, you’ve suffered.”

Fu Miao, now a grandfather, heard these words from Uncle Lin and tears streamed down his weary, numb eyes—he wept like a child.

Before Uncle Lin, wasn’t he still just a child?

When his emotions steadied, Lin Fu patted his nephew’s shoulder and said, “Your father is gone, but I’m still here. If you ever face difficulties, come to me—I’ll help if I can.”

The visitor had come precisely because he was in trouble.

Fu Miao rubbed his fingers nervously. “Uncle Lin, I...”

Years of hardship had broken his spine—he was no longer the young master his father had tirelessly trained and his mother had indulged; now he was merely a broken, hunched man crushed by life.

Lin Fu looked at his nephew with deep compassion.

“What can’t you tell me?”

Seeing the lines of suffering on his old friend’s son’s face, his heart ached.

“Is it money? That’s nothing—how much do you need?”

Lin Fu believed giving his nephew a hundred fish was less valuable than giving him a fishing rod.

He asked again: “What do you do for a living now? Who else is in your household?!”

The man seeking a loan had nothing to hide.

He told the kind elder every detail of his past.

“...Those years, my father and I were sent to Heilongjiang. In the second year there, I married.”

“My wife had no fortune—she passed away early, leaving behind a son. I raised him, married him off when he came of age, but good times didn’t last—my son’s fate was cruel; he drowned in a flood just two years after marriage. His wife abandoned the child and left. My grandson was also unlucky—he was born frail, and later we learned he had congenital heart disease. I knew only by coming to the big city could he survive, so I came. I didn’t expect to hear you’d returned from Gangcheng—it was pure chance...”

These years had exhausted him—he wanted to see an old friend, and he needed some money.

His grandson’s health was failing; the doctor said he needed surgery soon, and he had no other options!

After hearing his nephew’s calm recounting, Lin Fu’s heart sank—he couldn’t find words for the mix of emotions.

Alongside his sorrow, he held absolute admiration for his father’s wisdom and foresight.

Back then, when his father insisted they leave immediately, he had agreed—but with indifference. He never imagined obeying his father had saved the Lin family.

“Where do you live?” Lin Fu asked his nephew.

The weary, weathered Fu Miao pressed his lips together. “...The shantytown.”

Lin Fu didn’t say anything foolish like, “How can a sick child live in a shantytown?”

He said, “We have plenty of rooms—move in with us. As for the child’s illness, don’t worry—I’ll find the best doctor. Old Fu’s bloodline won’t be lost.”

Fu Miao had suffered too long. Hearing Lin Fu was willing to help him, a man halfway to the grave couldn’t hold back—he trembled from his shoulders.

He stood up and bowed deeply.

“Thank you, Uncle Lin.”

Lin Fu rose and gripped Fu Miao’s elbow, pulling him back down.

“Your father and I were brothers who trusted each other with our backs—he took bullets to protect me back then. You’re a boy I watched grow up. Why be so formal?”

“If I have the ability to help, I won’t stand by and watch you suffer. Settle in. We’ll deal with the rest later.”

As he spoke, he gave Lin De a glance.

Lin De understood at once and went with Fu Miao to the shantytown to bring back the Fu family’s only grandson to the Lin ancestral home.

The Fu family’s young grandson had never seen such a luxurious house—he was dazzled, not knowing where to look.

“Grandpa, why are we here?”

Before Fu Miao could answer, Lin De smiled warmly. “From now on, you and your grandfather will live here. When you’re healthy, we’ll send you to school.”

He held great affection for the Fu family—had it not been for Young Master Fu’s protection back then, their young master might have lost half his life.

Now that he had a chance to repay the debt, even if the young master hadn’t said a word, he’d treat this grandfather and grandson well.

The thin but delicately beautiful boy’s eyes lit up.

His hollow cheeks glowed with hope.

“Can I really go to school?”

Fu Miao’s aged eyes nearly overflowed with tears. “Yes! When you’re well, you can do anything.”

The child’s gaze burned bright.

He would pass the college entrance exam, earn a fortune, buy his grandfather a big house, new clothes... and care for him in his old age.

The news that the Fu grandfather and grandson had moved into the Lin ancestral home reached everyone watching the Lin family.

Later, those who had trampled on the Lin family during their downfall came calling, trying to slip past scrutiny, repair ties, or gain some advantage.

Old Lin Fu was sharp as ever—he knew everything about their past before they even arrived.

Great rewards bring brave men.

He knew who had spoken ill of the Lin family.

Trying to deceive him? Pure suicide.

Without waiting for Lin Fu’s orders, Lin De knew exactly what to do—he waved his hand and had the bodyguards throw or beat them out.

How they were treated depended entirely on what seeds they had sown.

Those who neglect moral conduct will inevitably face backlash—it’s a truth every adult understands.

Lin Zhao watched her grandfather’s masterful moves, effortlessly bringing the Lin family back into public view, and admired him utterly.

“Zhaozhao, don’t learn from your grandfather,” Zhang Yun said, seeing her granddaughter’s sparkling eyes and fearing she’d pick up bad habits. “No merchant is honest—your grandfather’s heart is black too. Good Zhaozhao, don’t learn from him.”

“Grandpa is amazing,” Lin Zhao said, her expression full of admiration.

“Of course he’s amazing—if he weren’t, he couldn’t have protected the Lin family or built such a vast empire. But those in business—especially the big ones—are never simple. Their minds are as full of holes as a wasp nest—they’ll sell you and make you count the money for them. Be careful around such people.”

Lin Zhao’s eyes flickered. “Grandma, that world feels so far from me. There are so many people in our family—no one would dare cheat me, right?”

Zhang Yun paused, then smiled. “That’s true. Not just your grandfather and your eldest uncle—even your father can protect you.”

Little Jiu had always been a black sesame dumpling—since childhood, he’d manipulated his peers effortlessly. At home, his brothers were always the troublemakers; he was the pure white jasmine flower.

He rarely got angry, but when he did, he was terrifying. His brothers dared not provoke him, and they spoiled him so badly he didn’t know his own limits.

Thinking of young Jiu, then looking at his younger son’s calm, steady demeanor now, a thousand emotions surged through Zhang Yun’s heart.

Lin Zhao asked, “Grandma, when will my uncles arrive?”

“There’s still much to settle in Gangcheng—they can’t come until it’s done. Probably another one or two months,” Zhang Yun replied gently, her gaze tender as she looked at her granddaughter. “Miss the capital?”

Lin Zhao nodded. “Yes. I’ve stayed in Haicheng too long. Yaobao will miss me.”

Zhang Yun gazed at her—her face, though lined, remained smooth, and a smile appeared.

Only Yaobao? Probably not.

Young married couples, deeply affectionate—wanting to be together is natural. She understood.

“If you want to go back, go. When your uncles arrive, I’ll call you—you can come again. How do you plan to return?”

Lin Zhao’s lips curled slightly. “I want to drive back myself.”

The car Lin Yu had gifted Lin Zhao had arrived—black, high chassis, incredibly cool. Lin Zhao fell in love with it at first sight and couldn’t wait to drive it.

But her parents were worried and wouldn’t let her hit the road.

Zhang Yun didn’t know about this—she was merely surprised. “You can drive?”

“Yes, I’m good at it. Your grandson-in-law taught me, then I took formal lessons—I have a license,” Lin Zhao said earnestly.

“Grandma, I want to drive back,” she pleaded sweetly.

Driving might be tiring, but it wasn’t as stifling as the train—she could stop whenever she wanted, see the sights—it was the perfect life experience.

Zhang Yun was a doting grandmother—her granddaughter had never asked her for anything, so how could she refuse this rare request?

“If you want to drive back, drive back—but be careful on the road.”

“By the way, isn’t your second brother going to the capital? Go with him—he’ll be company.”

Her granddaughter was a girl; as a grandmother, she couldn’t fully relax—someone had to accompany her.

If she hadn’t known Zhaozhao hated being followed, she’d have arranged bodyguards to escort her home.

With Zhang Yun’s approval, Lin Heling and Song Xi could only agree—after watching Lin Zhao drive and seeing how steady she was, they finally felt reassured.

“You’re using your grandma to pressure me now—so crafty,” Lin Heling said to Lin Zhao.

Lin Zhao’s eyes sparkled. “You’re my father—your words I must obey. Grandma is your mother—your words must obey hers. So of course I go to Grandma.”

The legend of doting grandparents is true, hahaha.

“I’m not crafty—your grandma says your father is the one with all the tricks. Since childhood, he’s been a black sesame dumpling—tricking older kids was his specialty.”

Lin Heling froze—he hadn’t expected his mother to tell Zhaozhao all this.

He sighed helplessly.

“I can’t argue with you.”

Song Xi watched the father-daughter banter and smiled.

Lin Fu and Zhang Yun learned that their daughter-in-law was Little Jiu’s savior and had cared for their son for years—they were deeply grateful to Song Xi.

After spending time with her, they came to understand her character—she was straightforward, with no complicated thoughts—and this temperament suited the old couple perfectly; both sides were interested, and soon they became a warm, close-knit family.

Neither her in-laws were domineering or meddlesome, and Song Xi and Lin Heling lived comfortably in the ancestral home.

…

For her first solo road trip, Lin De handed her a cloth bag before she left, filled with everything she might need on the journey.

There were seasoning packets, a sharp dagger, a flashlight, even band-aids—the preparation was utterly thorough.

“Grandpa De…”

Lin De smiled gently; his eyes were no longer bright, yet they still held a certain strength.

“Take it. Better to have it and not need it than to be unprepared.”

Lin Zhao hugged the cloth bag. “Thank you, Grandpa De.”

“What’s to thank for? I used to pack things like this for your second brother when he went out on runs.” Lin De waved it off indifferently.

He couldn’t sit idle—he stayed at the Lin ancestral home as the steward.

He didn’t need to do any work himself; he had plenty of people under him to carry out tasks—he only needed to give orders.

Under his arrangements, everything ran smoothly and orderly.

Lin Zhao started the car and drove off, her face lit with a radiant smile.

She drove smoothly, and Lin Shi, sitting in the passenger seat, spoke up: “You drive well—you don’t need me at all.”

Lin Zhao was delighted by the praise.

Lin Shi added: “Drive slowly. I’m going to nap. Wake me if you get tired.”

“…“ Lin Zhao glanced at him, then quickly looked away. “Did you steal chickens from the neighbors last night?”

Lin Shi choked, opened his eyes, gave his sister a disgruntled look, then closed them again.

“You’re such a beautiful girl—why do you talk so sharply? You’re like a porcupine, not cute at all.”

Lin Zhao smiled faintly. “I don’t care whether others find me cute.”

Lin Shi raised a hand and pinched his philtrum.

“Zhaozhao, your brother’s going to be suffocated by you someday.”

Lin Zhao drove steadily, speaking calmly: “Not likely—you’re overthinking it. I have a car now, so you don’t need to buy me one anymore. Stop working so hard, enjoy life. Money can’t be earned endlessly. Take time to travel with your wife and Xuanxuan and Zhengzheng. What’s so great about work?”

Lin Shi rubbed his aching temples. “Hundreds of people rely on the factory for their meals—I can’t slack off. Zhaozhao, you’ve read the newspapers too. Factories are opening one after another. I’m afraid if I don’t push myself, mine’ll get left behind.”

Running a business carried heavy pressure, especially when hundreds of livelihoods depended on it—there was no room to pause.

Lin Zhao’s mouth twitched.

Stop pretending—everyone in the country knows your factory has no shortage of orders. Who the hell is this guy, acting so annoying!

Still, being a factory manager must come with other pressures.

Lin Zhao wondered uncertainly—she’d never endured such hardship, so she didn’t truly understand.

“If you’re feeling lost, why not go ask Grandpa for advice?”

“Your factory is child’s play in Grandpa’s eyes. If he knew you were stressing yourself into exhaustion over one factory, he’d laugh at you.”

Lin Shi wasn’t discouraged—he actually thought Zhaozhao’s words made sense.

“I should go seek his wisdom.”

Perhaps Grandpa would guide him. The problems he found difficult—Grandpa must have faced them too. Then they’d be solved effortlessly.

“Zhaozhao, you’re truly my wise star.” Lin Shi praised without hesitation.

Lin Zhao’s mouth twitched. “You’ve gone too far. This doesn’t require brains—you’re just too close to the problem. You’ll figure it out eventually. Don’t flatter me—I’m not falling for it!”

Watching his sister drive, Lin Shi felt his eyes were being treated kindly, and he praised again: “Zhaozhao, you look different when you drive.”

“How so?” Lin Zhao asked curiously.

“Everything’s different—you look cool.” Lin Shi used his limited vocabulary to describe the feeling.

His sister’s jet-black curls were pinned back with a bright yellow hair clip, large earrings dangling from her ears, her superior bone structure fully exposed—she looked distinctly Hong Kong-style, hands gripping the steering wheel, eyes fixed straight ahead. Lin Shi had never seen her like this before—he was stunned.

“I’ll accept your compliment, Brother. Good taste—I think I look both fierce and beautiful.” Lin Zhao tilted her chin up, radiating confidence.

Lin Shi burst out laughing.

He couldn’t wait to see how her future husband would react to this version of Zhaozhao.