CHAPTER 406: CHAPTER 307: LIN FAMILY UNCLE (PART 2)

Lin Aiguo sighed and said, "My brother-in-law has indeed become estranged from us. You can’t blame him; anyone would feel the same. I’ve spent the most time with him, and his only concern is the kids. With everything happening with the Gu Family and his unresolved issues with Mom, no one can untangle it."

Mr. Lin nodded, watching Lin Aiguo, and said, "Eldest, tell me, other than matters concerning her family, has your mom offended your brother-in-law in any other way? I notice even your sister doesn’t want to deal with your mom now. Something’s off! Now, tell me what really happened?"

"Dad, what’s past is past. Let’s just treat them well from now on. Should we go for a walk tonight?" Lin Aiguo secretly lamented. If he revealed the truth, wouldn’t his younger brother feel even more guilty?

Mr. Lin saw him change the topic and sighed deeply before saying, "Is it about money? I have a sense of it without you telling me. I initially wanted to turn a blind eye, but the Gu Family got into trouble. There are things you’re not aware of. If I’m not mistaken, your mom has known the true identity of Zhou Xiaozheng for a long time. If you were Zhou Xiaozheng, how would you feel?"

Lin Dingsheng slightly squinted upon hearing this, glanced at his uncle, then lowered his head in silence. It seemed there was still a lot he didn’t know about the truth.

"Speak! Otherwise, I might really have to ask your brother-in-law myself, and I, as the father-in-law, might end up with nothing to say," Mr. Lin said. His wife might not tell him, but she would definitely talk to their son.

Lin Aiguo frowned, whispering, "Is it true what you said about the trouble with Uncle’s family?"

"Hmph, you still don’t believe it?" After saying this, Mr. Lin looked at his carefully nurtured grandson with a face full of doubt, and after some thought, began to explain the Gu Family’s grudges to him.

After listening, Lin Dingsheng was silent for a moment before saying to Lin Aiguo, "Uncle, regardless of whether Uncle-in-law and his family were involved this time, the Gu Family is finished. We need to thoroughly analyze the rift between Grandma and Uncle-in-law to know how to proceed in the future."

Lin Aiguo looked solemnly at the three of them in the study. After a moment, he stood up and said, "I don’t quite know the specifics either, so I’ll ask Mom to come in and let her explain."

Lin Dingsheng quickly pulled him back, whispering, "Don’t let Grandma speak! The situation with Uncle’s family has already embarrassed her, so how can we make her face us and speak about this?"

Lin Aiguo paused, sat back down, and at a loss for where to start, he bitterly smiled and said, "My brother-in-law’s savings were all with Mom, and she misappropriated them..."

After hearing the story, Mr. Lin muttered to himself, "No wonder? No wonder? No wonder?"

It was Lin Dingsheng who first regained his composure and asked, "So the whole family thinks Grandma is hoarding their family’s assets without considering Jiao Jiao’s wellbeing? They believe the Gu Family is eyeing their money?"

Seeing Lin Aidang about to speak, he immediately stopped his dad, knowing he would surely ask where the money went. He knew somewhat that the money had been supporting their family over the years to his amazement that it wasn’t his grandmother’s private funds. Now, the main problem wasn’t where the money went but how to resolve this issue.

"Uncle, did Uncle-in-law ever mention this money to you? How is your relationship with them now compared to before?"

Lin Aiguo shook his head with a wry smile, "Your uncle-in-law isn’t an ordinary person. Why would he mention the money in front of me and make me feel awkward? Not just him, even Jiao Jiao wouldn’t let your aunt talk about it. Other than not visiting, do you see anything strange? But the two families’ relationship has definitely changed, becoming more formal and distant."

Lin Dingsheng looked puzzled, "Where did he get so much money? Is it some improper income, so they avoid discussing it?"

Mr. Lin shook his head upon hearing this.

Lin Dingsheng looked with confusion at Mr. Lin and Lin Aiguo. He didn’t understand what was wrong with his question to make the two elders appear disappointed.

"Grandpa..."

Mr. Lin faced his eldest grandson, quietly pondering how to arrange his future. Seeing him looking puzzled, he gestured for him to sit down.

After a while, he said, "Grandpa told you before not to make conclusions about someone before understanding them well. It seems you’ve stayed in the Northwest for too long and forgotten. You must have met Zhou Xiaozheng upon returning, right? Do you think he would leave evidence out in the open?"

Lin Aiguo continued, "Not long after he turned 15, he took ginseng and other things, ran away to S City, and made quite a bit of money in six months of business. I guess he initially wanted to find Liu Xizhi and didn’t plan to join the military. Later, for some unknown reason, he enlisted after turning 16. Initially, he even donated a lot of private assets to the organization. To him, is this amount of money considered a big deal?"

Mr. Lin saw his grandson suddenly enlightened and said, "Always understand the other party before making conclusions. You’ve been in small places too long these past two years. Second son, when you go back, inquire if there are any spots to study in Beijing. I’ll see what I can do to get the child into military school for a while."

Lin Dingsheng knew he couldn’t refuse his grandfather’s decisions and nodded, sitting aside, listening to their arrangements.

Mr. Lin discussed the future for each of the three grandsons with his two sons. Seeing his eldest grandson somewhat downcast, he paused to comfort him, saying, "Grandpa doesn’t think you’re lacking, but others are improving while you’re standing still. Do you understand what Grandpa means? You’re the eldest, so I can only set high standards for you."

"Grandpa, I’ve been complacent. Don’t worry, I’ll try my best!" Lin Dingsheng said firmly.

Mr. Lin nodded. He set aside these topics and began discussing how to ease tensions with Zhou Xiaozheng and asked his sons for opinions.

He would never allow this son-in-law to become alienated. With Zhou Xiaozheng around, the Lin family had a better chance of winning. If Zhou Jiao and her husband supported his family, he would be even more secure.

He knew Zhou Jiao was the key. The couple still had some favor towards him, but he worried that once he was gone, even that last little bit of respect might vanish.