Chapter 34: Utterly Confused

“Was it you who sent Zhang Tian to that old geezer’s hospital room just now?”

Outside Lin Shuyu’s hospital room, Hong Yu considered for a moment and decided to call Li Fei over to ask about the situation.

Li Fei smiled, “Yes, Mr. Hong. You’re not upset that I took the initiative, are you?”

Hong Yu chuckled, showing not the slightest hint of displeasure.

With Chen Dayong, perhaps he would have been. But Li Fei was just an errand man, not like Chen Dayong, and Hong Yu had always held a good impression of him. They were both young, so Hong Yu wouldn’t mind—he even felt a bit of admiration.

Hong Yu patted Li Fei’s shoulder. “Of course not. You handled it well this time. You’ve opened the eyes of those fools in the Lin family.”

Li Fei was elated, for Hong Yu might one day become the head of the Hong family. The odds weren’t high, but even if he didn’t, with Hong Gang’s favor, his future was bright. If he could latch onto Hong Yu, he’d be the next Chen Dayong—no, he should be even more illustrious and impressive to match Hong Yu’s status.

After all, Chen Dayong’s rise and glory depended solely on Da Laogong, the Hong family’s second steward, speaking up for him. Hong Yu was the young master of the Hong family; how could he lose to a mere servant?

After exchanging a few words with Li Fei, Hong Yu returned to the hospital room.

As he entered, Lin Shuyu was staring at him intently. Hong Yu smiled, feeling a little awkward. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Lin Shuyu’s face turned stern. “What happened just now? Men like the Zhang father and son, why would they bow their heads and admit fault to you?”

Hong Yu replied, “Well… they were indeed in the wrong. Isn’t it only right for them to apologize?”

“Hong Yu, do you think I’m a child? Anyone with half a brain can tell something isn’t right!” Lin Shuyu, abandoning the gentle demeanor she’d had for days, rebuked him. “You’re just a live-in son-in-law—no one in the Lin family even cares about you, let alone the mighty Zhang family of Fengzhou.”

“Why did Zhang Tian come to apologize so deliberately, even made his son kneel to you? And now I recall, during the old man’s birthday, you seemed to know something and told me to watch the show.”

“Hong Yu, you must tell me honestly—what is going on?”

In the hospital room, Hong Yu fell silent for a long time.

He didn’t know if he should reveal the truth to Lin Shuyu. But thinking of the Hong family’s history and the fact that he was still regarded as an outcast by those decrepit elders, he steeled himself and decided to keep it hidden for now.

Hong Yu spoke coldly, “I’ve already explained the matter about watching the show.”

“As for Zhang’s business, didn’t Second Aunt say they mistook me for someone else? Maybe she was right.”

With those words, Hong Yu turned and walked out. He knew Lin Shuyu was already suspicious, and even a child wouldn’t believe these excuses.

But he had no other way—he couldn’t think of a better explanation at the moment.

“Hong Yu, don’t leave!”

“You know I, Lin Shuyu, hate being lied to the most. You can be poor, unemployed, and without status, even meek. But if you’ve done something shady, I’ll never forgive you.”

Lin Shuyu cried out in anguish.

Lately, she felt Hong Yu had changed.

He was more confident, more manly, but Lin Shuyu truly cared for him. Such a sudden change must have been triggered by something.

But try as she might, Lin Shuyu couldn’t figure out how Hong Yu had managed to accomplish all this.

He’d injured Zhang Hao, and the Zhang family hadn’t killed Hong Yu—wasn’t that already remarkable? Yet Zhang Tian personally came to apologize, and even spoke of some share transfer.

She didn’t know whose shares were being transferred to whom.

“Sigh, so that’s how you see me.”

Hong Yu stood in the doorway, let out a cold laugh, and left.

His words left Lin Shuyu stunned.

Had she been too harsh, too damaging to his confidence?

She immediately reflected, but quickly shook her head with resolve.

She believed everything she said was for Hong Yu’s own good. If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t care to say a word.

——

A few days later, Lin Shuyu had recovered well enough to be discharged.

Before that, the old man had also left the hospital on the same day the Zhang father and son caused a stir in the ward.

Lin Shuyu wanted to visit him at the Lin family home, but Hong Yu was against it.

He didn’t understand why she was so persistent. In his eyes, the Lin family’s old man was just an old fool who lucked his way into his current position. If not for his petty-mindedness and limited education, the Lin family would still be a lower-class household.

After much persuasion, Hong Yu managed to convince Lin Shuyu to return home.

Not long after, Hong Yu received a text from Chen Dayong. Upon reading it, he sneered.

At the Lin family mansion.

A group of Lin family members sat anxiously in the hall.

Lin Jiarong was still detained and couldn’t be visited. Second Aunt was frantic but helpless.

Lin Shuqing was in worse shape; after being forced by Hong Yu to donate blood to Lin Shuyu, she now sat weakly in a wheelchair, barely able to walk. After only twenty minutes, she was already drifting off.

“Let’s not beat around the bush—let’s talk about Hong Yu. What do you all make of this?”

“We used to insult and order Hong Yu around, and he always obeyed without protest. But lately, he’s been different—not only disobedient but defiant. He must have some confidence now.”

“We’ve confirmed these past few days. Chen Dayong is real, Zhang Tian is real. To be acquainted with so many Fengzhou big shots at once, Hong Yu can’t be simple.”

“Do you think it’s possible? Maybe this is all an act, and Hong Yu is just their pawn, designed to bring down our Lin family.”

Everyone speculated. Second Aunt’s family had suffered the most, and she glanced at her daughter, then cursed, “Let’s be honest—Hong Yu’s a loser, a son-in-law we picked up. If he were anything special, my Fang Rui would be the richest man in China, and Xiaohui would be a god.”

“I think the pawn theory is likely. Even more likely, they mistook him for someone else. In short, Hong Yu is definitely a worthless nobody—he could never pull this off!”

The Lin family wasn’t foolish. After these days, they knew Second Aunt had a strong bias against Hong Yu, so her words couldn’t be trusted entirely.

The scene in the old man’s hospital room was clear to everyone.

Zhang Tian had truly bowed to Hong Yu, even made his young son kneel and apologize. When Second Aunt spoke out of turn, didn’t she get beaten badly?

Zhang Tian’s attitude was so intense—it hardly seemed like he’d mistaken Hong Yu for someone else.

The family fell silent. Second Aunt looked at Fang Rui, saw him hang his head, and then, furious, hurried to Zhao Minghui. “Xiaohui, you’re the most knowledgeable here. Tell Second Aunt—did you ask your family to intervene? I know you’re the most low-key. Quickly, tell everyone the truth!”

Zhao Minghui was stunned. He hadn’t spoken, afraid Hong Yu really had connections and might bring trouble to his family.

The Lin family was already a good option. To be honest, if Lin Shufeng hadn’t insisted he stay these past few days, he’d never remain in such a troublesome place.

Just as Zhao Minghui hesitated, a middle-aged man with a stubbled face entered the Lin family home.

Second Aunt, about to scold him, saw his face and her eyes turned red.

“Jiarong, how… how did you come back?”

“Thank goodness, thank goodness!”

She rushed over, and despite usually keeping her distance, she actually hugged Lin Jiarong.

Lin Jiarong was happy as well, but when he saw Lin Shuqing in a wheelchair, he quickly pushed Second Aunt aside and asked anxiously, “What happened to Xiaoqi? What’s gone on while I was away?”

Lin Shuqing, energized by her father’s return, spoke fiercely, “Isn’t it because of Hong Yu and that wretch Lin Shuyu? They forced me to donate blood to Lin Shuyu. I must report that hospital—they almost killed me!”

Lin Jiarong didn’t fully grasp the situation from her brief words, but Lin Jiahao, the Lin family’s patriarch, was more rational.

He went straight to Lin Jiarong’s side and asked, “Jiarong, Xiaoqi’s fine. You’d better tell us how you got out. Was it lack of evidence?”

Lin Jiarong laughed bitterly. “Evidence? There was none. This was all baseless. If someone wants to target me, they can just make up an excuse.”

Lin Jiahao was puzzled. “Then what happened? Do you know?”

Lin Jiarong pondered for a moment. “I’m not sure myself. When they released me, someone said a big shot spoke up for me. I don’t know who…”

Second Aunt’s eyes lit up. She hurried to Zhao Minghui again. “Xiaohui, was it you? Only you and your family have that kind of influence. Didn’t Shufeng say you called home last night?”

Lin Shufeng boasted beside her, “Of course. If not for that call, Second Uncle wouldn’t be out. Minghui, just admit it. Doing good deeds is fine, but don’t let others take credit for what you’ve done.”

Her expression suddenly darkened. “Others don’t matter. What I fear most is someone like Hong Yu pretending and stealing your credit.”

Zhao Minghui’s eyes were vacant; he had no idea what to do.

He had made a call home yesterday, but only to report the situation to his father, who scolded him thoroughly.

His father had always been dissatisfied with marrying into the Lin family. If he were to help, the sun would have to rise in the west. The Zhao family was powerful in Yulong, but in Fengzhou, who cared about them?

Hadn’t they been thrown out of the hotel during the birthday banquet?

Impossible.

Zhao Minghui felt that this time, things were truly impossible.