Chapter 33: Silly Zhu Taken Away by the Second Uncle

“Father-in-law, the great storm has already begun. If you don’t want to be constantly watched by others, I advise you to convert as much of your current assets as possible into real estate. Whatever you can’t convert, donate away, leaving only enough to support your family’s basic needs.”

“Is the impact really that severe?”

Lou Zhenhua looked at Wang Lin’s serious expression, and his previously calm heart began to feel uneasy.

Wang Lin smiled lightly.

“No need to be so nervous. I’m just being cautious. After all, I can’t watch over you all the time, and it’s not good to always have those people keeping an eye on you.”

Knowing that Lou Zhenhua didn’t understand many things, Wang Lin continued.

“The properties in the 49 City will appreciate. After ten years, when the great storm subsides, that will be your chance to turn your fortunes around.”

Hearing he still had a chance to rise, Lou Zhenhua immediately became interested.

“Someone like me really can turn things around?”

Wang Lin smiled confidently.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t deceive you. No matter what, you’re Xiaoe’s father—I would never harm you.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’ll make arrangements right away.”

Wang Lin thought for a moment and continued to remind him.

“By the way, if you donate money, it’s best not to give cash directly. Convert it into grain before donating.”

Lou Zhenhua nodded.

He was known as Lou Half-City, holding half the wealth of 49 City; of course he understood Wang Lin’s meaning.

This was the era of the great famine—no matter how much money one had, grain was far more tangible.

After spending some time at Lou Zhenhua’s home, Wang Lin left with Qin Huairu and Lou Xiaoe to return to the No. 95 courtyard.

At this moment, a crowd had gathered in the central yard—indeed, today was another full meeting.

Liu Haizhong began to confront Shazhu.

“Shazhu, you troublemaker, always causing destruction in the yard. When Wang Lin isn’t home, you even smashed his window. Tell me, is that how you handle things?”

Shazhu sneered at Liu Haizhong.

“Who are you to me? When I’m happy, you’re my second master; when I’m not, you’re nothing.”

Third Master Yan Bugui knew he couldn’t let Shazhu continue to be so arrogant, or else their authority would be meaningless.

“Shazhu, how can you speak to Second Master like that? Have you forgotten First Master’s teachings on respecting elders and loving the young?”

“Pfft.”

Shazhu disdainfully glanced at Yan Bugui and sat down, shaking his leg nonstop. He was curious to see what Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui could do to him.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai spoke up to defend Shazhu.

“Shazhu, did you smash Wang Lin’s window because you have some grudge against him?”

Upon hearing Yi Zhonghai’s question, Shazhu immediately caught his meaning.

“That’s right. First Master is First Master as you say, but Wang Lin doesn’t deserve Qin Huairu at all. I just don’t like him, so I smashed his window.”

Shazhu thought for a while but couldn’t recall how Wang Lin had offended him.

The incident where Wang Lin crippled him—he couldn’t mention that; after all, it was Shazhu who attacked Wang Lin first. Even if Wang Lin had killed him, he couldn’t blame him.

Other than that, Wang Lin truly hadn’t provoked him.

Just then, Wang Lin brought Qin Huairu and Lou Xiaoe in. Shazhu’s words were heard clearly by them.

Qin Huairu broke free from Wang Lin’s embrace, her face darkening as she strode over to Shazhu and slapped him hard.

“Scoundrel.”

Having honed her strength through practice, Qin Huairu’s slap was no ordinary one. Shazhu spun a full 360 degrees from the blow.

He fell heavily to the ground, dazed and stunned.

Seeing Shazhu struck, Yi Zhonghai quickly scolded Qin Huairu.

“Qin Huairu, how can you hit Shazhu?”

Qin Huairu cast a cold glare at Yi Zhonghai and said icily,

“What? This fool wrecked the relationship between me and my husband for no reason and smashed our window. Is it not right for me to hit him?”

Yi Zhonghai was left speechless, already resenting Shazhu deeply—he never thought before acting.

“Even if Shazhu is at fault, you shouldn’t hit him.”

Before Qin Huairu could respond, Liu Haizhong stood up to defend her.

“Old Yi, if you won’t let Qin Huairu hit him, then let him come with our inspection team.”

Yi Zhonghai was furious but powerless against Liu Haizhong.

“Liu Haizhong, do you realize you’re damaging the unity of the courtyard?”

At this, Yan Bugui spoke to support Liu Haizhong.

“Old Yi, that’s not right. If someone makes a mistake, they must face punishment. Look at what Shazhu has become—reckless in the yard, disrespecting everyone.”

“You…”

Yi Zhonghai had no retort. At that moment, the eldest aunt arrived, bringing the deaf old lady with her.

“Who’s trying to take my precious eldest grandson away?”

Seeing the deaf old lady arrive, Yan Bugui immediately backed down.

But Liu Haizhong was no longer the timid man he once was. Though still somewhat intimidated by the deaf old lady, with Wang Lin backing him, his fear had subsided.

“Old lady, things aren’t like before. If you want to be sent for reform labor, I can take you along.”

“You, you…”

The deaf old lady never expected Liu Haizhong to disregard her like this. She pointed her cane at him, gasping for breath, trembling all over.

At this moment, Wang Lin came over with Lou Xiaoe to Qin Huairu’s side.

“Second Master, just send this deaf old lady straight to the police station. She’s an enemy agent. If anything happens, let the police handle it.”

Wang Lin’s tone was calm, but his words instantly drained the color from the deaf old lady’s face.

“Oh, my Director Wang…”

“How dare you? I’m an elder here! You can’t take me away.”

But as the head of the inspection team, with his son also a member and Wang Lin backing them, there was no fear of a deaf old lady.

Seeing no way out, the once feeble old lady suddenly moved quickly, rushing to Wang Lin and grabbing his leg.

“Director Wang, I was wrong, I was wrong—please don’t hand me over to the police!”

Wang Lin kicked the old lady aside coldly, then cast a disdainful glance at Yi Zhonghai, a sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

Faced with Wang Lin, Yi Zhonghai was cowed, unable to argue.

But the deaf old lady was different. Now that Wang Lin refused to help her, she could only pin her hopes on Yi Zhonghai.

“Zhonghai, you have to help me, you must help me. Don’t let them hand me over to the police.”

Wang Lin walked toward the back yard and instructed Yi Zhonghai.

“Remember to seal the deaf old lady’s front door. No one except the police is allowed inside.”

“Alright, Director Wang.”

Liu Haizhong felt invigorated, as if he had finally stood up for himself.