Wang Jiangyao was left red-faced by Liu Yutong’s sharp retort, but she couldn’t find any grounds to argue back.
Lin Dong’s expression also darkened. He knew his niece was domineering, but he hadn’t expected her to be so vicious at heart. And of all people to provoke, why did she have to pick this young lady whom even he dared not offend?
“Yueyue, you tell us! What really happened?”
Lin Yue covered her face, swollen like a pig’s head, and looked tearfully at her father, Lin Liang, then at her second uncle, Lin Dong, her lips moving but unable to utter a word for a long time.
How could she explain?
Was she supposed to admit that she tried to gift Liu Yutong to Zhou Heng, only to be turned around and nearly land her cousin in prison?
If that came out, how could she ever hold her head up in the Lin family again?
Lin Liang saw his daughter’s reaction and basically confirmed that what the other side had said was true. He had a rough idea of his daughter’s character.
She was usually spoiled, willful, with her nose in the air, looking down on everyone. Today, she had finally bitten off more than she could chew.
He sighed, stepped forward, and said, “Alright, the matter’s been cleared up. Let’s leave it at that.”
Zhang Yu immediately grew anxious. “Cleared up? How is it cleared up? Look, Xiaoyue’s face is still swollen! And what about the Zhou family? Zhou Heng has three broken ribs—how can this just be let go? What if they come looking for trouble with the Lin family?”
Lin Liang frowned. “I said it’s over. This was entirely Lin Yue’s own fault. The other side hasn’t pursued her for it, and that’s already lucky. What more do you want?”
Zhang Yu was choked into silence by her husband.
But deep down, she still couldn’t accept it. Why should her daughter be beaten like this while the other side got off scot-free?
Lin Liang turned to Liu Yutong. Though he was secretly annoyed, he was still a reasonable man and offered an apology: “Miss Liu, this matter was Yueyue’s fault. I apologize on her behalf. From now on, I’ll discipline her strictly and won’t let her stir up trouble again.”
Liu Yutong glanced at Lin Yue and smiled. “It’s fine. I’m usually very generous and never hold grudges over things like this.”
Seeing that the tension had eased somewhat, Lin Dong quickly stepped in to mediate. “Alright, alright. Since everything’s been clarified, let’s put this to rest.”
“Yueyue was in the wrong first, but she’s acknowledged her mistake. As for the Zhou family, how dare they plot against a guest of the Lin family? Breaking a few ribs is nothing serious. If the Zhou family dares to come looking for trouble, I, Lin Dong, will handle them!”
Zhang Yu still felt resentful but couldn’t argue further.
As for Wang Jiangyao, she was now looking at Lin Yue with displeasure. If not for Lin Yue’s instigation to go to that club, Xiaofeng would never have followed that kind of person to such a place—it nearly ruined his future!
But since both her second and third brothers had spoken, she had to swallow her anger.
Just then, Lin Dong, sensing this was an opportunity, made a decision that stunned everyone present.
“Now that we’re all here tonight, I have an announcement to make.”
Everyone turned their attention to him.
Lin Dong walked over to Gao Min and said solemnly,
“From today onward, Gao Min will be my daughter. She will appear in all settings as a member of the Lin family, and I will use all of the Lin family’s connections and resources to fully cultivate her.”
These words were like a bombshell dropped among the Lin family.
The living room instantly erupted in chaos.
“What?!”
“Have you lost your mind? She’s an outsider—why should our Lin family put all its efforts into her?”
“Third Brother, what do you mean by this? Xiaofeng, Xiaoshen, Xiaomian, Xiaofeng, Yueyue—they are the bloodline of the Lin family! Why are you neglecting them to groom an outsider?”
“Third Brother, this isn’t right. Gao Min doesn’t even bear the Lin name. Our family is a prestigious clan. If word gets out, people will think the Lin family has run out of talent.”
Even the normally mild-tempered Lin Liang frowned and spoke up, “Third Brother, you haven’t fully thought this through. Gao Min is a good girl, I can see that, but she’s not a Lin by birth. No matter how much we cultivate her, what can she do for the Lin family in the future?”
Zhang Yu was even more blunt, pointing at Jiang Lu and saying, “Third Brother, has Jiang Lu completely bewitched you? All these years you’ve indulged her every whim, and now you’re pushing her daughter to the forefront—are you trying to drive the Lin family into a trap?”
Hearing her sister-in-law’s words, Jiang Lu was immediately displeased. “Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that? Are you calling me a fox spirit?”
Zhang Yu curled her lips. “Even if you’re not, you’re close enough. Who knows what you’re really up to…”
Jiang Lu: “You—”
“Enough! Everyone shut up!”
Lin Dong slammed the table, cutting them off.
Then, taking a deep breath, he looked at everyone.
“Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, Fourth Brother, Fourth Sister-in-law, hear me out first.”
“I’ve thought this through carefully.”
“Why is the Lin family declining year after year? It’s not because Grandfather left us too early—it’s because our generation is lacking, and the next generation is even worse!”
Lin Dong’s gaze swept over every young member of the Lin family present, critiquing them one by one.
“Xiaoshen, you’re the eldest grandson. Look at yourself—all these years, besides eating, drinking, and hanging out with disreputable friends, what have you accomplished?”
“Xiaoyue, you’ve always been spoiled and arrogant, looking down on others. Today, you nearly brought shame to the Lin family.”
“Xiaofeng, your self-control is far too weak. Even as a civil servant, will you forget your principles the moment temptation comes? At this rate, you’ll end up behind bars sooner or later.”
“Son, you may be steady, but your abilities are limited. You can hold the fort, but you lack initiative.”
“Xiaomian, you… just focus on your studies for now.”
The younger Lins who were singled out hung their heads, faces flushing red.
Some were resentful inside but dared not show it.
Only the newly adult Lin Mian looked at his third uncle with clear eyes, lost in thought.
After speaking, Lin Dong let out a long sigh.
“Tell me, among all of you, who can take up the mantle now?”
The entire living room fell silent.
Even if they didn’t want to admit it, they all knew Lin Dong was telling the truth. Neither their generation nor the next had anyone truly capable.
Seeing that he had set the stage, Lin Dong finally formally introduced Gao Min’s credentials.
“Gao Min is Lulu’s daughter, so that makes her my daughter. Though she grew up in a small town, she is remarkably outstanding—a first-class police commissioner at the age of twenty-three, with a perfect case-solving record, a personal second-class merit, and the child of a martyr—impeccable background!”
“I believe her future achievements will be no lower than Lin Yi’s.”
“I have chosen her as the heir to the Lin family not out of personal bias, but because she is exceptionally capable. Moreover, Grandfather left us many old connections and friendships. If we don’t use them now, they’ll only fade away and eventually break off. Then where will the Lin family be? No different from those upstart nouveau riche families in the eastern city.”
Lin Liang was silent for a moment before speaking again. "Third Brother, I admit it—Gao Min is indeed an outstanding girl, no argument there. But she doesn't carry the Lin surname after all. If you dump all our family's resources into her, what can she possibly give back to the Lin family?"
"Yeah, if she makes it big one day, will she even remember our Lin family?"
"Isn't this decision too hasty? No matter how far our Lin family has fallen, we shouldn't have to rely on an outsider to save face."
"Don't forget, we still have Lin Yi in the Lin family."
"That's right. If we're going to groom someone, it should be Lin Yi. She's the one with our Lin family's true bloodline!"
"..."
Seeing everyone voicing their objections in a flurry, Lin Dong slammed the table hard.
"Lin Yi is indeed a member of the Lin family, but she was raised entirely by the Shen family. Can we really compete with the Shen family for her?"
"Also, I believe my daughter Gao Min is not someone who would forget a favor."
But the crowd still wouldn't back down, ready to rebut again.
Suddenly, a particularly sharp, mocking voice cut through the noise.
"A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well, still nitpicking. How ridiculous!"
