Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Xicheng Manor

While Wen Yu was chatting with Lin Xi about the Xicheng Manor, her eyes were secretly observing the reaction of her youngest son, Lin Zhibai.

Three years ago, at Xicheng Manor, the cousins from Lin Zhibai's uncles' families were bullying him under the guise of playing. In the chaos, someone pushed Lin Zhibai hard. He lost his balance and hit his head against the wall, resulting in a severe brain injury that left him with serious sequelae.

Since that incident, Lin Zhibai had never set foot in Xicheng Manor again. He had always been adept at hiding his emotions, and Wen Yu couldn't discern any clues from his expression. She cautiously asked, "Xiao Hei..."

"I'll go to Xicheng Manor," Lin Zhibai interrupted, anticipating his mother's question.

Lin Xi glanced at Lin Zhibai thoughtfully. Just then, hurried footsteps were heard outside, indicating someone was approaching in a rush.

Mom stopped talking and looked towards the door. "Your dad must be back. He was really quick. I only just finished the phone call."

"Xiao Hei!" Lin Zhibai's father, Lin Dong, called out as he entered.

Lin Dong, tall at nearly 1.85 meters, was slightly taller than Lin Zhibai's 1.83 meters. His skin was sagging, and deep nasolabial folds marked his face. He looked at Lin Zhibai and asked in a low, hoarse voice, "Are you really well?"

"Yes," Lin Zhibai confirmed.

Lin Dong examined his son closely, then burst into laughter. "You look different without your glasses. You seem more energetic. Now, let's go to the hospital for a full-body check-up!"

"Now?" Lin Zhibai questioned.

"Right now."

"Is the hospital even open?"

"We'll go to the old man's hospital," Lin Dong insisted, not wanting to wait any longer.

Despite the family's surprise, Lin Dong had never permitted them to seek treatment at the old man's hospital before. Lin Zhibai agreed, knowing it would reassure his family.

Five minutes later, Lin Dong drove Lin Zhibai to the hospital. This private hospital, under the Shinhwa Group, was owned by the Lin family and provided VIP services and the best medical team for family members.

After completing all the examination procedures, Lin Dong spent half an hour discussing the results with the doctors. On the drive home, he remained silent but visibly emotional, driving faster than usual.

"Slow down," Lin Zhibai reminded him.

Lin Dong grinned. "I know. I'm just so happy! The doctors said there was no cure, but here's the miracle! I'll have to visit the Great Buddha Temple to fulfill my wish."

Lin Dong, who had never been religious, was now attributing his son's recovery to divine intervention. Lin Zhibai felt both amused and touched.

The phone rang, and it was his second brother calling. "Second brother," Lin Zhibai answered.

"I heard about your recovery. Take care of yourself. We'll celebrate when I get back," his second brother said hoarsely.

"Okay," Lin Zhibai replied before hanging up.

Evening

At nine o'clock, the night was cool and serene. Lin Xi lounged by the small swimming pool in the courtyard, drinking a can of beer. She deliberately burped at Lin Zhibai, who was stargazing on a nearby couch.

Afterward, Lin Xi lazily looked at the starry sky and smiled. "Little Heizi."

"Can you not add 'child'?" Lin Zhibai retorted.

"Isn't it more endearing that way?" she teased.

"It's weird."

"Then what should I call you? Xiao Bai? No, that's too common. Bai Di might work, since I call our second brother Tiandi. What do you think, Bai Di?"

"Stick with Xiaohei," he replied.

Lin Xi chuckled before changing the subject. "What do you think of the Shinhwa Group?"

Lin Zhibai was taken aback. Lin Xi raised her beer, as if making a grand declaration. "Our dad and the old man are like oil and water. Your second brother lacks the ambition expected of a plutocrat's heir. And I have no blood relation to the Lin family..."

Lin Zhibai sighed inwardly. The old man had two wives. His first wife, who bore him three sons and a daughter, died of illness. His second wife died in childbirth, leaving behind Lin Dong. Because they had different mothers, Lin Zhibai's family was always ostracized by his uncles.

Lin Dong grew up in a hostile environment, frequently beaten by his half-brothers. This shaped his meek character, though it wasn't his fault. Lin Zhibai remembered his father sharing a painful memory during a drunken night. Young Lin Dong had once cried to his third brother, the only one who didn't beat him, asking why everyone else did. The third brother, wiping away his tears, had pointed downstairs and suggested jumping off would stop the beatings.

Lin Dong's eyes had reddened as he recounted this. Compared to the physical abuse from his other brothers, the gentle cruelty of the third brother's words was far more hurtful and unforgettable. Lin Zhibai's injury likely stemmed from this deep-seated animosity.

As for Lin Xi, she was the daughter of an old friend of Lin Dong and was adopted by the family. Despite not being biologically related, Lin Xi was treated as a daughter by Lin Dong and his wife, though her mother never allowed her to mention it.

"Even if I were really a Lin, inheriting family property is nonsense," Lin Xi laughed.

"Absolute nonsense?" Lin Zhibai echoed, amused by her use of idioms.

Lin Xi glanced at him. "Do you want to see those uncles and their sons divide up Shinhwa Group?"

The thought was unsettling. Lin Zhibai nodded. "I'll do my best."

Lin Xi was reminding him to fight for their rightful share of the Shinhwa Group's assets. In her view, as direct descendants, they deserved a stake in the family business.