Chapter 81: He Somewhat Resembles My Son-in-law

Late at night, it was already past one when Hong Yu returned home, but he noticed that the light in Lin Shuyu’s room was still on. After a moment’s thought, he knocked softly at her door.

“Thud, thud, thud—”

“Darling, why are you still awake at this hour?”

He had barely knocked a few times, and before Lin Shuyu could respond, the door to the adjacent room swung open. Chen Lan stood there in her robe, giving Hong Yu a wary, almost suspicious look.

“What are you knocking for in the middle of the night?” she snapped impatiently. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking of going into Shuyu’s room at this hour.”

Hong Yu replied helplessly, “Mom, I just saw her light was still on so late, and I was a bit worried about her.”

Chen Lan glanced over and walked to Shuyu’s door, knocking as well.

“Shuyu, why are you still up so late?”

There was a click, and after a while, Lin Shuyu finally opened the door. But the moment Chen Lan and Hong Yu caught sight of her eyes, both cried out in alarm.

“Shuyu! Darling! What happened to your eyes? Have you been crying?”

“What’s going on? Don’t scare us like this!”

Lin Shuyu had a history of suicide attempts, and both Hong Yu and Chen Lan feared a recurrence more than anything.

With a bitter smile, Lin Shuyu said, “I just got off the phone with the Lin family. Grandpa spoke with me for a long time.”

“The Lin family?” Chen Lan and Hong Yu exchanged a look; Chen Lan stepped right into Lin Shuyu’s room.

Hong Yu, anxious, wanted to follow, but he knew if he went in without permission, Chen Lan would throw him out for sure.

Sensing his anxiety, Chen Lan hesitated, then waved him over. “Come on in too—but don’t get any funny ideas, or I’ll toss you out of this house, I swear.”

“Yes, yes,” Hong Yu agreed quickly, not daring to argue.

He could disrespect the Lin family, curse them if he wished, but Chen Lan was Shuyu’s own mother. Sons-in-law always fear their mothers-in-law, after all. No matter how powerful he was outside, he would always respect Chen Lan for Shuyu’s sake.

They all sat down on the sofa in Lin Shuyu’s room. Seeing her silent, Chen Lan asked, “Why did the Lin family contact you so late? Could it be about the contract with Happy More Catering Group?”

Lin Shuyu nodded.

Chen Lan let out a cold laugh. “They can’t handle it themselves, so now they come looking for you?”

“How ridiculous. They’re running around like headless chickens now, aren’t they? When things were going smoothly with the contract, none of them wanted us involved, afraid we’d take away their profits. And now, when there’s trouble, suddenly they remember our family?”

Lin Shuyu looked surprised. “Mom, you already knew about this? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Chen Lan chuckled. “Who doesn’t know? This has spread all over Fengzhou. I heard the banks across the whole city have been visited by your uncles and aunts today, but not a single cent has been loaned to them.”

Lin Shuyu smiled bitterly. “That’s true—Grandpa just told me the same thing. If the Lin family can’t find a solution, they may go bankrupt.”

“Hmph. If they go bankrupt, it’s none of our business!” Chen Lan snorted. “Even though your father works for the Lin family, he doesn’t earn much. We’ve got a bit saved up—might as well retire early.”

“Whatever you do, don’t get involved. If we get dragged into bankruptcy proceedings and lose everything, I’d rather jump off a building.”

Lin Shuyu said awkwardly, “Mom, but I just agreed to help them…”

Chen Lan jumped up in fury. “Foolish girl! Are you out of your mind?”

“What makes you think you’re capable of helping? They’re talking about loans worth several hundred million. How did I end up with such a naive daughter?”

After scolding her, Chen Lan reconsidered. “Well, you’ve already agreed. It’s just words after all. Just don’t go there and don’t help with anything. This won’t concern you.”

Lin Shuyu replied helplessly, “Mom, I agreed, so I have to follow through.”

“And besides, Grandpa didn’t call to ask for my help. He wants Hong Yu’s help.”

Chen Lan was stunned. “Hong Yu? What can he do? You must be kidding.”

Lin Shuyu turned to Hong Yu. “I don’t really understand what’s going on, but both Grandpa and Uncle said you’re the only one who can help. Is that true?”

Hong Yu thought for a moment, about ten seconds, then finally nodded.

“Really?” Chen Lan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Impossible! I know your abilities—how could you possibly help with something this big?”

Lin Shuyu explained, “Uncle mentioned that Hong Yu seems to have some connection with Morgan Bank. If he steps in, there’s a good chance that loan will go through.”

“That’s three hundred million! What kind of contacts would you need for that? Even the general manager can’t make that call,” Chen Lan said in astonishment. “Who do you know at Morgan Bank, Hong Yu?”

Hong Yu answered, “Xia Yurong—I have a bit of a connection with her.”

“Xia Yurong? Don’t scare me! How could you possibly know her?” Chen Lan exclaimed, then eyed Hong Yu up and down. “A bit of a connection? What kind of connection, exactly?”

“I’m warning you,” she said sternly, “if you ever betray my daughter, I won’t forgive you.”

Chen Lan had always wanted Lin Shuyu to leave Hong Yu, but there was a difference between leaving and being left. Given Hong Yu’s status, only her daughter could leave him—not the other way around.

And after observing the situation with Lin Shufeng’s side lately, she’d had some realizations. Being the daughter-in-law of a wealthy family wasn’t easy; it might be better to find an honest man who wouldn’t bully her daughter.

After all, Lin Shuyu was their only child. She would not tolerate anyone wronging her.

Hong Yu forced a smile. “Mom, don’t misunderstand. Shuyu is all I want in this life. I have no interest in any other woman.”

Chen Lan nodded, at least for the moment willing to believe him.

She knew men couldn’t be trusted—if they could, pigs would climb trees. But her trust wasn’t really in Hong Yu, but in Xia Yurong. Such an important figure would never be interested in Hong Yu—unless she was blind.

Lin Shuyu smiled beside her. “Mom, you’re worrying too much. Hong Yu would never do such a thing.”

“Grandpa and Uncle are desperate. Let Hong Yu help them.”

Since Lin Shuyu had spoken, Hong Yu, even if reluctant, was prepared to agree.

Unexpectedly, Chen Lan shook her head decisively. “No! You mustn’t agree to this.”

“At least, not so easily!”

Lin Shuyu was puzzled. “Why, Mom?”

“Even though you make it sound so simple, I know you and Dad don’t want to retire just yet. If the Lin family does well, so do you two.”

“Well? Is being ordered around like dogs supposed to be good?” Chen Lan snapped. “You silly girl, haven’t you ever worked in the Lin family business before?”

“Whatever treatment you got, your parents got the same. Those Lin family scoundrels—I hate them to the core!”

Lin Shuyu was shocked. “Mom, why didn’t you ever tell me? I thought you and Dad, being senior, would be respected by the others…”

“Respected? Nonsense!” Chen Lan cursed. “Not just the older ones—even that little vixen Lin Shuqie dares to boss your father around. I’ve never been able to swallow this!”

After venting, Chen Lan suddenly turned to Hong Yu with a smile. “Hong Yu, well done. After all this time, you’re finally showing what a real son-in-law should be.”