Chapter 9: Sworn siblings? Not blood-related?

Hou Yizhen wanted to curse, but hearing the exhaustion in the old man’s voice, he held back. "You... old man, you’ve really gotten old."

"I have indeed gotten too old," the old man sighed. "Fortunately, Tingyu is a good boy and can handle things."

Tsk. Hou Yizhen was annoyed. "Stop trying to act pitiful to me. It won’t work."

"Then consider it a favor to your Sister Yufei."

The man did not miss the hint of sadness at the mention of the name. He finally sighed.

"...Then I’ll let this brat stay for a while. But I’ll make it clear, I’m not gonna help out with that bastard Lin’s debts."

"Naturally, this will be handled by the Lin family."

"I thought you would say they were also victims."

"It’s their fault for raising such a useless son."

Hou Yizhen mocked the other party. "Did you forget that the third party is your second daughter?"

The old man’s voice became cold. "Don’t mention her. I’ve already removed her from the family register. Her last name is no longer Bai."

Then he paused, softening his tone. "Fine, I admit that the Bai family indeed shared some faults for raising that shameless woman, but it’s precisely why I didn’t give them the inheritance. Part of it was used to pay off half the debt, and the rest... The rest is considered compensation to my grandson."

Hou Yizhen was too lazy to retort. "Whatever. Anyways, as long as this guy is on my side, I can at least ensure those people from your end will not be able to touch him. But don’t forget, I myself have a lot of enemies."

A chuckle sounded from the receiver. "You have enemies, but they dare not really do anything too extreme. Sometimes, the hidden blades are much more deadly than open fire."

Hou Yizhen glanced at the boy, who had remained silent throughout the entire time. He had expected the boy to at least ask if he could speak to the old man, but the boy never did. "The kid is right here. Do you want to talk to him?"

Soon, the phone was handed to the boy, who suddenly stiffened.

Madam Lin stared at the phone in her hands, feeling nervous.

She remembered all the memories of Lin Feng, but she did not know how to speak to the old man.

Madam Lin had been listening all this time, and coupled with those memories, she knew that he, Lin Feng, was supposed to be very heartbroken and distraught right now due to the death of his own mother and the affair between his father and his aunt, including the fact that his cousin turned out to be his illegitimate half-brother.

How was Madam Lin supposed to react while speaking to the old man?

Should she cry? But Lin Feng was not the type to cry easily, except when his mother died and he became very emotional... So did that mean she could cry freely?

But Madam Lin was worried that the old man would feel even more terrible. After all, his most treasured daughter died, and the cause was his other daughter. She did not want to add to his troubles any further.

"...Ah Feng? Ah Feng, are you there?"

Hearing the old man’s worried voice, Madam Lin finally decided. She took a deep breath.

Elders must always be cared for; worrying them was an unfilial act. This was a value that had been deeply ingrained in Madam Lin’s soul, and even Lin Feng had a similar point of view.

Grandfather Bai was now her grandfather, and she hoped to form a filial bond with him.

"Grandfather," Madam Lin said softly. "I am here, grandfather. How is your health?"

Hearing the boy’s words, Grandfather Bai, who had always been a strong iron man, felt his eyes warm up a little.

His good grandson was an obedient and sensible boy. To be pushed to that extent, turning the world upside down, Ah Feng must have been truly in despair and desperate.

Grandfather Bai felt like something was blocking his throat, and he coughed to clear his voice. "Ah Feng, grandfather is very sorry. I couldn’t wait for you and had to do the funeral rites without your presence. Do you hate your grandfather?"

The boy shook his head, forgetting that the old man could not see her. "No, grandfather, how can I hate you? I just feel sorry that I cannot accompany you in bidding farewell to mother. It is not your fault. I had been unconscious for two months. I should be the one apologizing."

"No, it’s not your fault. It’s the fault of those evil people who had harmed you!" Grandfather Bai declared. "I was careless. I never expected that they would stoop so low as to harm you when they should have been looking for ways to apologize for their shamelessness. I’ve already taught them a lesson, but after all, the family ties are still there, so I cannot be too extreme."

In the end, the old man sighed.

Madam Lin hurriedly comforted the depressed old man, "Grandfather, I am alright now. I was a little too emotional before and also became careless. If only I had been careful, things would not have escalated to this point..."

The old man and his grandson kept repeating this farce for a little longer, and Hou Yizhen became impatient. "Is this not going to end? Both of you are at fault, but the ones who are really terrible are those people, alright? Now that’s decided. Move on!"

Grandfather Bai and Madam Lin both felt a little embarrassed.

But this also loosened the gloomy and awkward atmosphere between the two.

Grandfather Bai began to advise his grandson: "Ah Feng, it’s still very chaotic here, so you cannot come back just yet. Just wait until your grandfather and Uncle Tingyu clean up the mess completely, then you can return to your peaceful life. I have already applied for a year’s leave from the university, so don’t worry and just rest."

Madam Lin nodded obediently, humming softly in response.

"Your Uncle Hou might look scary, but he’s a good man. He’s your mother’s sworn brother. Your mother saved him before, and although he is much younger than your mother, they decided to become sworn siblings after getting along for a while. Don’t listen to what others say. He is a very trustworthy and loyal person."

Madam Lin froze.

Sworn brother? Sworn siblings?

They were not blood related?

A little bit of happiness sprouted in Madam Lin’s heart, which died immediately.

Her brightening eyes dimmed again.

Even if they were not blood related, what was the use?

Hou Yizhen clearly disliked the idea of romance between men, was disgusted by Madam Lin’s display of affection, and only treated her as a nephew, asking her to call him Uncle Hou.

This made Madam Lin regain her senses, and she smiled bitterly, but she still obediently replied to the old man, "I understand, grandfather."

"Make sure to follow his words."

"Uhm, I’ll be obedient. You too, grandfather, make sure to take care of your health. Please send my regards to Uncle Tingyu."

"I will. Your Uncle Tingyu misses you a lot too, but he’s currently very busy with the company, so he can’t come to you just yet. Take care of yourself. Make sure to eat on time."

"Uhm, I understand, grandfather. I will."

After exchanging soft words of filial piety and concern, the pair of grandfather and grandson finally ended their conversation.

Madam Lin handed the phone back to Hou Yizhen, thanking him in the same soft and gentle tone, "Thank you, Uncle Hou, for letting me talk with grandfather. I will be in your care. Please take care of me."

The boy smiled gently and bowed his head, looking every inch of an obedient and refined boy.

Hou Yizhen was finally satisfied and nodded.

"Hmm."

This was how the boy was supposed to be, obedient and sensible.

Hou Yizhen was not the type to dwell on useless things. Now that the boy had been handed into his care, he was naturally responsible for the boy’s safety and living conditions.

"Later, when we arrive at Bohai Town later, don’t speak and just follow me quietly. I have a house and a small farm there. I think it should be a suitable place for you to stay and recuperate in peace."

"Bohai Town?" The boy tilted his head, his soft amber eyes shining curiously.

"Yes, it’s in southwest of Huairou District on the outskirts of the capital. Many villages in Huairou District are known for rural agri-tourism. Have you never been there?"

Madam Lin tilted her head again, thinking deeply as she tried to remember. "If it’s Bohai Town, I think I have never really gone there. I’m usually busy with classes or staying at home to read and paint."

The original body, Lin Feng, was someone introverted just like his mother, but he was actually quite popular due to his incredibly beautiful looks and impeccable grades. In every school he attended, he was always crowned the school prince unanimously by the entire student body.

Lin Feng had no qualms communicating with his classmates at school, and was even part of the student council and various extracurricular activities, but outside school, he was very reserved and rarely accepted invitations to eat and drink with his classmates.

Even when he skipped a few grades and entered the university, where the academic atmosphere was no longer so strict, Lin Feng still stayed the same.

He became known as a gentle and aloof male god.

And because of his aloofness, he rarely went on trips with other people his age, satisfied with his own peace and quiet solitude.