Chapter 55: Visitors from the Lin Family (Part 4)

After listening, Lin Xinsheng’s orderly, Xiao Zhou, couldn’t help but applaud. Looking around, he saw the crowd still abuzz with discussion—some people were still lost in thought over what Zhou Jiao had just said. Xiao Zhou carefully shielded his superior, Lin Xinsheng, and Lin Lishan as they quietly slipped out of the crowd, trying not to attract attention as they headed toward the village entrance.

Not far from the entrance to Zhangjia Village, two cars were parked at a secluded bend, with several people waiting nearby. Occasionally, passing villagers would catch sight of them and hurry into the village. In these rural areas, everyone’s families had lived here for generations, all related in one way or another. News spread fast—especially when something happened to the “Golden Child.” The word traveled like wildfire. Normally, those cars would have drawn a crowd, but today, even the most gossip-loving villagers were too distracted by the commotion to pay them any mind.

Zhou Jiao’s grandfather, Lin Xinsheng, had just driven over from the county seat. He planned to take his time and gather some news along the way, but he soon noticed many people hurrying in the same direction, loudly talking about the Zhou family and something about “beating the Golden Child.” He didn’t know who this “Golden Child” was, but he sensed it had something to do with the Zhou family—and likely his granddaughter, Zhou Jiao. He ordered the driver to find a place to park, then took his daughter, Lin Lishan, to follow the crowd and see what was going on. As soon as they got out of the car, he casually asked a local and, sure enough, it turned out to be his own granddaughter in trouble. The “Golden Child” everyone was shouting about was actually his Jiao Jiao. Lin Lishan was frantic when she heard this and insisted on rushing over. Lin Xinsheng quickly pulled her into the village. When they reached the Zhang family’s gate, they found a discreet spot to observe how Zhou Jiao would handle the situation.

Goodness, there were nearly 500 people gathered in front of the Zhang family’s house, with more still arriving. Even the township officials would be alarmed by this. Lin Xinsheng quietly signaled his staff member, Xiao Fei, to go up and gather information. But before Xiao Fei could return, they’d already overheard enough from the crowd to piece together what had happened. Lin Xinsheng squeezed his daughter’s hand. He suspected this was all part of his granddaughter’s plan—she’d deliberately made a statement, and today’s scene was well-prepared. The only question was whether someone so young could really handle such a situation.

Lin Xinsheng gently comforted his tearful daughter, “Let’s just watch for now and see how things unfold. We’re already here, there’s no rush. With Dad here, nothing will go wrong.”

With that, Lin Xinsheng looked at the small figure standing on the steps not far away. The child was bundled up, leaving only a pale, waxy face exposed, standing there expressionless, her eyes calm and unruffled. Amidst the sea of people, only that small figure stood ramrod straight, surrounded by rows of grown men—yet the impact she made was impossible to ignore. Her whole presence was composed and unflappable, facing the crowd with quiet confidence. Even Lin Xinsheng was shocked. Her aura was like that of a seasoned general. As the Zhou family’s daughter’s shouts faded, the crowd of 500 gradually fell silent. So, his granddaughter had already become so remarkable. Zhou Xiaozheng, oh, Zhou Xiaozheng—such strong genes! With a genius like Zhou Xiaozheng as a father, it’s no wonder the “Golden Child” was so famous.

He glanced at his daughter, tears streaming down her face, and sighed inwardly. He quietly reminded her not to draw attention. Fortunately, everyone nearby was focused on the small figure on the steps. Lin Xinsheng watched as Zhou Jiao dealt with Zhou Xue as if she were playing with a monkey. Yes, after listening for so long, he knew this was Zhou Xue, the eldest daughter of the Zhou family’s main branch. Just a couple of light, cutting remarks from Zhou Jiao had left the main branch utterly defeated, covering their faces and collapsing to the ground. She clearly intended to crush them.

Listening to her words—so simple and direct—she tossed all the burdens back to the other side. Every sentence recounted her years of misfortune, and every sentence emphasized how hard her grandmother had worked to raise her. The onlookers whispered among themselves, consciously lowering their voices as they passed the story along. Those further back, unable to hear, anxiously circled around, trying to catch the latest from those up front.

Lin Xinsheng looked again at the small figure, standing so straight, using just a few words to gradually take control of the situation, steer the crowd’s emotions, and manage the unfolding events. She handled the rhythm perfectly, starting gently and ending forcefully. After those three kowtows and her final words, she managed to extricate herself flawlessly. With her young husband’s cooperation, the two worked together seamlessly—every move under their control, never losing their grip.

She had won the crowd’s sympathy, and her three kowtows and stirring words had established her moral high ground, distancing herself from the Zhou family elders, clearing her own branch’s name, and preserving the family’s reputation. She had thought of everything. The Zhou family had no grounds to object, and the old patriarch could only swallow his bitterness in silence. Clearly, she’d figured something out and was eager to break away from the main branch. So clever!

Lin Xinsheng looked at these two little foxes, then at the old man being put on a pedestal. He felt secretly delighted, but also a bit sorry for the old man. The old fool had really misjudged things, always saying his granddaughter was dull and obedient. Dull? She simply didn’t care, so she kept quiet. If you can’t even see through your own granddaughter, you’re just a muddle-headed old man. Now, after a lifetime of scheming, he’s been outplayed by two youngsters—serves him right. Did he think no one could see through his little tricks? Even Xiao Zhou was applauding, and the crowd was whispering, casting knowing glances at the old man. He should just hide at home instead of embarrassing himself. Living all these years and still mistaking a dead fish’s eye for a pearl—what a fool, throwing away a real pearl and only knowing how to play petty tricks. With Zhou Xiaozheng and Zhou Jiao around, what does the Zhou family have to worry about?

On the way back, Lin Xinsheng was restless, lost in thought, holding his daughter Lin Lishan’s arm and looking at her. He couldn’t quite believe she was actually Zhou Jiao’s mother.

Lin Xinsheng ordered someone to stay behind for Xiao Fei, then had everyone else get in the cars and head to the county guesthouse, bringing along the reluctant Lin Lishan in the front car.

Seeing Lin Lishan’s red eyes as she turned away, Lin Xinsheng said helplessly, “Did you want to rush up there just now? Didn’t you notice anything?”

Lin Lishan was still angry at her father. If he hadn’t held her back, she would have gone up and demanded to know how the old man could treat her Jiao Jiao like that. Her daughter had suffered so much over the years. She even wanted to tear Huang Zhaodi apart—how dare she? With such a grandfather and a mother still around, after all the things she’d sent over the years, she didn’t expect gratitude, just a little kindness. But they were all ungrateful wolves.

Annoyed, Lin Lishan looked up and said, “What do you mean, notice anything? All I saw was that old man playing favorites, and that whole main branch is no good. The Zhou family is full of ingrates. Dad, just do what Jiao Jiao said and cut ties with those five families.”

Lin Xinsheng shook his head helplessly. His daughter was too naïve—smart, but lacking in cunning. He had to explain patiently, “If I did what you said, it wouldn’t match your precious daughter’s plan. We can’t be too hasty; we can only give things a nudge, not make the decisions ourselves. With such a big mess today, we don’t need to do anything—the township officials will have a headache. This issue touches on many aspects and will implicate a lot of people. Have you thought about that?

At best, the post office will be held accountable for negligence, and the village for issuing certificates. At worst, even the township officials could be implicated, and the assets of those five families will all be investigated. It all depends on Jiao Jiao now. She’s already thrown a stone into the water—what kind of waves it will make depends on what she wants in the end. Do you really think those people came looking for trouble on their own? Heh, they really did walk right into a trap. I’d bet this was all set up.

Tomorrow is the baby’s third-day celebration—why did this all blow up now, not earlier or later? We just arrived today, didn’t even rest before coming straight here. Now that things have happened, she’ll use the gathering of friends and relatives to make it clear she has nothing to do with the Zhou family’s main branch anymore. If they come, they won’t be received—the relationship is over. The main branch of the Zhou family and the Zhang family are now completely cut off. She probably even guessed we’d be coming, maybe even knows her father, Zhou Xiaozheng, is still alive and on his way back—and has even been promoted.”"