Chapter 55 - 45: Visitors from the Lin Family (1)

The service soldier, Xiao Zhou, beside Lin Xinsheng, couldn’t help but applaud after listening, noticing the surrounding crowd buzzing with discussions, some still lost in the words Zhou Jiao had just spoken. Xiao Zhou protectively escorted Commander Lin Xinsheng and Lin Lishan slowly out of the crowd, trying not to draw attention as they headed towards the village entrance. Not far from the entrance of Zhang Family Village, in a secluded corner, two vehicles were parked with a few people waiting there. Occasionally, villagers passing by would hurry towards the village upon seeing them. Everyone in the ten-mile radius had lived on this land for generations, all related as kin. News spread quickly here, especially since this time it involved the ’golden baby’ having an incident, broadcasting the news at an especially fast pace. The usually noticed sedans now could not distract crowds who love watching the scene and gossip. Zhou Jiao’s grandfather Lin Xinsheng had just driven over from the county, intending to drive slowly to gather information. Seeing many people on the road hurrying forward, overhearing conversations about the Old Zhou Family and something about beating the ’golden baby’, he wasn’t sure who the ’golden baby’ was. However, Lin Xinsheng sensed it was related to the Zhou Family and his granddaughter Zhou Jiao, so he ordered the vehicle to be parked. He took his daughter, Lin Lishan, to follow the crowd to see what was happening. After getting off the car and casually asking a local, it turned out that it was indeed about his granddaughter. The ’golden baby’ everyone was mentioning was actually Jiao Jiao. Upon hearing this, Lin Lishan became anxious and insisted on hurrying over. Lin Xinsheng quickly pulled her into the village and reached the Zhang Family’s entrance. They found a spot inconspicuous to observe how Zhou Jiao would handle the situation. Good heavens, about 500 people had already gathered in front of the Zhang Family’s house, and more were making their way here. Approximately even the township’s cadres might be alarmed by now. He intimated to the staff beside him, Xiao Fei, to step forward and inquire. However, they didn’t have to wait for Xiao Fei’s return, as they soon understood the situation from people chattering around them. He gently tugged his eldest daughter’s hand, as he felt this might have been orchestrated by his granddaughter. The scene today seemed prepared, though he wondered if someone so young could truly manage the event. Lin Xinsheng softly reassured his daughter, who was on the verge of tears, "Let’s listen first, see what follows. We’re here now, no rush, with Dad around, nothing will go astray." After speaking, Lin Xinsheng looked at the small figure standing on the steps not far away, completely wrapped up, exposing only a pale, waxy face, standing emotionlessly with eyes calm and unperturbed. Amidst the vast crowd, she stood straight with unwavering posture. Although surrounded by rows of big men, the shock brought by her presence was undeniable. The aura she exuded was serene, standing before the entire audience so composedly. He was still amazed—her presence akin to a veteran general. As the Zhou Family girl’s yelling echoed around, gradually, over 500 people fell silent. Not surprisingly, his granddaughter had become so exceptional. Zhou Xiaozheng, oh Zhou Xiaozheng, indeed strong genes. With a genius like Zhou Xiaozheng, producing an outstanding daughter is hardly surprising, no wonder the ’golden baby’ had such a reputation. Looking at his tear-streaked daughter beside him, Lin Xinsheng sighed internally, reminding her to remain inconspicuous. Fortunately, everyone unfamiliar around them was entirely focused on the small figure on the steps. Lin Xinsheng watched as she maneuvered Zhou Xue—yes, from the information he’d gathered, this was the elder Zhou Family’s daughter, Zhou Xue. The lightly delivered words from her thin lips left the elder family facedown on the ground, completely intending to crush the opposition. Listening closely to the simple, straightforward words from her small mouth, all burdens wrapped up and tossed to the opponent. Each statement recounted her unfortunate experiences over the years, all acknowledging how her grandmother struggled to raise her. The watching crowd busily exchanged information, consciously whispering the news forward and backward. Those far away, unable to hear, anxiously craned to overhear the conversation, buzzingly muttering back and forth. Lin Xinsheng observed the small, erect figure, controlling the entire scene with just a few words—maneuvering public emotion, manipulating the narrative, handling the situation with tact from light to heavy, mastering the tempo entirely. Furthermore, the three ritual kowtows afterward, coupled with the words that followed, allowed her to withdraw perfectly. With her young husband assisting, the young couple coordinated seamlessly. Every gesture was under their control, nothing spiraled out of hand. Public opinion fostered mass sympathy. Jiao Jiao’s three bows and the rhetoric shaped a great righteousness, excluding the elder Zhou couple, clearing the second branch’s name, preserving the Zhou Family’s dignity. Every aspect had been considered, leaving the Zhou familial elders speechless, especially the Old Sir Zhou swallowed bitterly without uttering a word. They deduced the truth and hurriedly distanced from the elder branch. Truly clever! Lin Xinsheng watched the young fox duo, then glanced at the uplifted Old Man Zhou with delight and compassion. The old fool truly misjudged, still claimed his granddaughter to be dull and sensible, obedient. Is this dullness? It’s merely indifference leading to silence; even his granddaughter by his nose was misjudged—what a muddlehead. Despite being around for ages, now outwitted by two youngsters, serves him right. Who wouldn’t guess his little schemes? Even Xiao Zhou applauded afterwards, haven’t you noticed the onlookers whispering while casting marked gazes at the old fellow? He better retreat home, save himself from disgrace, having lived this long. He’s mistaken fish eyes for pearls, abandoning the pearls, and being adept only at petty calculations. With Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhou Jiao present, what worries could the Zhou Family have? On the way back, Lin Xinsheng was restless, pacing internally, holding his daughter Lin Lishan’s arm, looking at her—a hard-to-imagine mother of the child. Lin Xinsheng instructed to leave someone behind to connect with Xiao Fei, having everyone board the car heading to the county guesthouse. He took the unwilling Lin Lishan into the front car. Lin Xinsheng glanced at Lin Lishan, her eyes red, turning away, and helplessly remarked, "Did you want to intervene earlier? Did you not notice anything?" Lin Lishan was still angry with her father. If he hadn’t held her back, she would have confronted the old man on how he could treat her Jiao Jiao like this. Her daughter had endured so many grievances over the years. She even wanted to tear Huang Zhaodi apart—how dare she! With such a capable grandfather and a mother here, how many things had they sent over the years, no gratitude needed, but to treat them well wasn’t too much to ask—such ungrateful wolves. Hearing that, Lin Lishan irritably lifted her head and said, "What did I see? That stubborn old man is biased, the entire elder branch is despicable, and the Zhou Family is full of ingrates. Dad, just do as Jiao Jiao said and close their five branches." Lin Xinsheng shook his head helplessly, his daughter was raised too simply. Smart but lacked scheming. He had to carefully analyze things to her, "If I followed your instructions, it wouldn’t align with your beloved daughter’s calculations. We can’t rush into things; we can only aid the momentum, not make decisions. Today’s huge trouble doesn’t require our interference; the township cadres will already have headaches. This matter implicates numerous aspects, involving many people. Have you considered this? At the least, there’s accountability for postal negligence and village certification, and at the most, the inaction of township cadres. Investigating the five families’ assets—all these depend on Jiao Jiao. She has cast stones into the river, ripples will follow. What she ultimately wants, we’ll see. Did you assume people confronted her on their own today? Haha, they unwittingly walked into a trap, I reckon. Tomorrow the child’s wash and three, why did this incident erupt just now, not sooner or later? We only arrived today, went directly without rest. The incident happened so that she can use the wash and three gathering of relatives and friends to declare severance from the elder Zhou branch. No longer entertaining them, severing ties, severing the elder Zhou branch and Zhang Family permanently. She likely already guessed we’d be coming, even confirmed her father, Zhou Xiaozheng, is alive, returning, and promoted."