Lin Fan bought a large bag of fruit at the entrance to his aunt’s residential complex.
Although Lin Fan had never particularly liked his uncle-in-law, his aunt had always treated him sincerely and well. Even after he had been away for a year, his home was still spotless when he returned, which showed that his aunt must have gone there often to clean.
Having never seen his parents since childhood, Lin Fan cared deeply about this one remaining relative.
Carrying the large bag of fruit, he soon reached the door. He raised his hand and knocked. Zhang Qingshu opened the door, her face immediately lighting up with a smile.
She was wearing an apron and was clearly preparing dinner. “Xiaofan, you’re here? Come on in.”
Lin Fan walked in with a smile and placed the fruit on the coffee table in the living room. Huang Zhongshi was sitting on the sofa. He did not get up, merely nodding at Lin Fan.
Lin Fan still called out, “Uncle.”
“Mm.” Huang Zhongshi gave a noncommittal nod and continued watching the news on television.
Seeing this, Zhang Qingshu hurriedly reminded them, “It’s my birthday today. Don’t start arguing like you did last time.”
Lin Fan slapped his forehead when he heard that. No wonder his aunt had suddenly invited him over for dinner. He said, “Don’t worry, Aunt. We won’t.”
“Good. I’ll go finish cooking. We’ll eat once Qingqing gets home.” Zhang Qingshu smiled, then turned and went back into the kitchen to get busy.
Lin Fan sat down beside Huang Zhongshi as well. He took out a cigarette and offered one to him.
Huang Zhongshi frowned slightly. “Students shouldn’t be smoking.”
Despite saying that, he still accepted the cigarette. Then he asked, “How have your studies been lately? I heard from Qingqing that you weren’t held back and are continuing with your senior year?”
Lin Fan nodded. “Mm. All my friends are in senior year. It’d be too embarrassing to go back and repeat the year below them.”
“You’re still young. Don’t spend all your time fooling around with your friends.” Huang Zhongshi spoke earnestly. “At your age, you should study hard and find a way to get into a good university. When you come back, I can arrange a job for you, for Qingshu’s sake.”
Lin Fan remembered then that Huang Zhongshi worked for the Du family’s company. Of course, he was only a minor supervisor, barely counting as middle management.
“All right.” Lin Fan smiled and nodded. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Uncle.”
It was his aunt’s birthday, and Lin Fan did not want to make trouble.
Seeing Lin Fan respond that way, Huang Zhongshi felt much more at ease. He nodded slightly and said with a chuckle, “Looks like you’ve finally seen the error of your ways.”
As the two of them chatted, knocking sounded at the door once again. Lin Fan took the initiative to go over and open it. The moment Huang Qing saw who had opened the door, she exclaimed, “Lin Fan!”
“Call him Cousin.” Zhang Qingshu poked her head out of the kitchen. “Qingqing, put your schoolbag down. We’ll be eating soon.”
Huang Qing frowned. “Mom, why did you invite him over? Don’t you know who he offended at school?”
Huang Zhongshi looked over and asked flatly, “What? Lin Fan got into trouble again?”
“Dad, he beat up Lai Xiaolong today,” Huang Qing said.
What!
Huang Zhongshi sprang to his feet. As a minor supervisor at the Du family’s company, how could he not know the name of Lai Qiye?
A business tycoon like Lai Qiye was not someone they could afford to offend on a whim.
Huang Zhongshi trembled slightly all over and shouted, “Lin Fan, have you lost your mind? How dare you hit Lai Qiye’s son?”
Zhang Qingshu hurried over. “It’s my birthday today. What are you shouting for? Who’s Lai Qiye?”
Huang Zhongshi hurriedly said, “I told you, this relative of yours is useless and only causes trouble. I told you a long time ago not to associate with him. Lai Qiye is a business tycoon in Qing City. How could people like us afford to provoke him?”
Lin Fan said indifferently, “I hit him. So what?”
“See? Just look at him.” Huang Zhongshi cursed. “You have no idea how much trouble you’ve gotten yourself into!”
Zhang Qingshu looked panicked. “What should we do, Xiaofan? How badly did you hurt him? How much compensation will you have to pay? Tell your aunt. I’ll see what I can do to help you put the money together.”
“What good would that do?” Huang Zhongshi shoved Zhang Qingshu aside. “Do you think a few miserable coins can settle things with someone like Lai Qiye?”
“Try pushing her again.” When Lin Fan saw Huang Zhongshi shove Zhang Qingshu, his expression instantly turned cold. He drew a deep breath.
“What? You’re completely lawless, and now you want to hit me too?” Huang Zhongshi snorted. “Looks like you really won’t give up until you hit a brick wall. I may only be a supervisor at the Du family’s company, but if I went to apologize on your behalf, Lai Qiye might show me some consideration. But with that attitude of yours, don’t even say we’re relatives.”
Huang Zhongshi had an absurdly high opinion of himself. Lai Xiaolong had not even been willing to show Du Shengxiao any respect, so why would Lai Qiye care about Huang Zhongshi?
Of course, Huang Zhongshi knew that perfectly well. He was saying this purely to distance himself from Lin Fan.
It would have been disgraceful to cut ties the moment trouble arose, so he had put it this way. Originally, he simply did not dare get involved.
Instead, he made it sound as though he had the ability to settle the matter but was unwilling to help because of Lin Fan’s attitude.
After hearing this, Lin Fan shook his head slightly. “It’s Aunt’s birthday today. I don’t want to argue. I’ll leave after dinner.”
“You still think you’re eating dinner?” Huang Zhongshi pointed toward the door. “Get out of here right now. From this day on, I, Huang Zhongshi, have no relative like you.”
“Huang Zhongshi.” Zhang Qingshu gripped his hand tightly. “What did you just say?”
“Shut up. You have no idea how much trouble he’s caused!” Huang Zhongshi pointed toward the door. “Get out!”
Lin Fan wore his usual faint smile, but there was a hint of coldness in it. “We’re relatives, at least. In your eyes, Huang Zhongshi, is there only trouble, with no room for family ties?”
Huang Zhongshi said, “I have nothing to do with you in the first place.”
“That’s true.” Lin Fan looked at his aunt, apology in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Aunt. It looks like I won’t be able to celebrate your birthday with you. Huang Zhongshi, remember what you said today. Don’t regret it.”
With that, Lin Fan turned and walked out. Behind him, Zhang Qingshu watched him leave. “Xiaofan.”
“What are you shouting for? Sit down and eat properly.” Huang Zhongshi snorted. “That boy really is hopeless. Let’s just hope this mess doesn’t drag us into it.”
That night, as Lin Fan walked along the streets, he felt that the city was especially cold.
He walked with both hands in his pockets and a cigarette between his lips. Small groups of people passed along the street, their presence contrasting sharply with his solitary figure.
Although he had grown up alone and seemed to have gotten used to it, the more things were this way, the more he cherished family ties.
Yet he had never imagined that everything would turn out like this because of a single Lai Xiaolong.
“Sigh.” Lin Fan slowly exhaled. He shook his head slightly as he continued down the cold street.