Chapter 144
“Jiahe is your property, and you were the one who helped me in the beginning.” Lin Mengyao stammered a little as she spoke.
“That’s right.” Xu Ke smiled and pinched Lin Mengyao’s nose, saying, “So this time you don’t need to worry, I’ve got everything under control, hmm?”
Lin Mengyao’s mind was still somewhat dazed, but thinking of Xu Ke’s capability, she swallowed her concerns back down.
When Lin Mengyao received the call from Old Mrs. Lin, perhaps because she was prepared, her heart held no panic, but instead was extraordinarily calm.
Xu Ke gently squeezed Lin Mengyao’s hand, and when she turned to look at him, he gave her a reassuring smile, “No need to be nervous, I’ve got everything handled.”
This wasn’t the first time Xu Ke had said something like this to her, but it was indeed the most comforting for Lin Mengyao.
Lin Mengyao nodded to Xu Ke, even with a slight smile on her face.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Old Mrs. Lin and the rest of the Lin family, finally having reached the villa’s entrance from the foot of the mountain, wore expressions of disbelief, and even a slight daze. They simply couldn’t believe they actually had a day when they could enter a mountaintop villa.
Once that sense of disbelief faded, it was quickly followed by a greed and jealousy, wanting to claim the place as their own. At this moment, greed and jealousy were like seeds planted in everyone’s hearts.
Upon hearing the doorbell, Sister Zhou opened the door for everyone. The massive expanse of dark green and the American country style design immediately caught everyone’s attention. With Sister Zhou’s attitude towards them, they almost felt they had stepped into the home of some European aristocrat, even subconsciously lightening their breaths. However, once they remembered whom they were to face, the carefulness seemed to water the seeds in their hearts, making them sprout.
“You all are really here, since when did you move in, when did you buy it, why wasn’t I told of such a big thing,” Old Mrs. Lin said angrily, her wrinkled eyes wide open, as if the fury within might burst forth from them.
“Where did you get the money to buy a villa, did you pocket the project funds we entrusted to you before, is that why there was no money when we were to build the resort, turns out it all went into your pocket to buy a villa, a person like you shouldn’t stay in the Lin company, you should be fired.” Lin Zike pointed at Lin Mengyao’s nose, with undisguised disdain in his eyes.
“Zike is right, someone like her who uses public resources to satisfy personal desires really isn’t suited to remain in the Lin company. I propose removing her from her current position, no, she should be dismissed and subjected to an investigation.” As Lin Shixian spoke, he received majority approval, with the only one not expressing any stance being Lin Shide.
The villa erupted into chaos, like a bustling marketplace, while Xu Ke sat steadily on the sofa with Lin Mengyao, looking at everyone disdainfully as if they were a circus performance or monkey show, until gradually the crowd’s noisy mouths quieted down.
“Not talking anymore? Then maybe it’s our turn to speak.” Xu Ke said in a slight mocking tone.
“What do you have to explain, the facts are all laid out, just admit it already.” Lin Shixian said with a false magnanimity, squinting slightly. Old Mrs. Lin likewise squinted at Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao, with an unwavering air.
“If your attitude was better, maybe we’d be lenient in our punishment, isn’t that right, mom?” Lin Shixian said while looking at Old Mrs. Lin, and upon seeing her nod in agreement, he couldn’t hide his triumphant grin, his gaze even wandering around the interior of the villa, filled with greedy desires.
Seeing this scene, Xu Ke’s contempt for the Lin family’s attitude grew even stronger. If it weren’t for Lin Mengyao still having the last bit of ties with the Lin family, Xu Ke wouldn’t have given them the chance to even step foot into the villa, let alone bother to engage with them.
“This villa isn’t suitable for you to continue living in. Go up and move your things out, I’m moving in today.” Even the always composed Old Mrs. Lin couldn’t resist the villa’s allure as she spoke.
“Mom, with so many rooms here, you can’t possibly live alone, right? How about we move in too and take care of you, so you can enjoy some family happiness,” Lin Shixian hurriedly retracted his gaze upon hearing Old Mrs. Lin’s words, an elderly person acting spoiled by shaking her sleeve.
“Alright.” Old Mrs. Lin readily agreed.
On the other side, the usually stealthy Lin Shide couldn’t sit still seeing how easily Old Mrs. Lin granted Lin Shixian’s request, and adjusted his posture before speaking to her, “Mom, since you’ve agreed to move the eldest’s family in, you can’t play favorites with us either, Zike would miss you too.”
Lin Zike, who was still looking around, flashed a cute and charming smile just before Old Mrs. Lin turned her gaze, looking like a pretty ragdoll cat that melted her heart. She quickly laughed and responded, “Alright, everyone move in and keep grandma company.”
The group busily discussed the allocation of everything concerning the house, naturally excluding Xu Ke and Lin Mengyao, as if they didn’t exist at all, and the third household was entirely left out.
Lin Shichang watched this scene unfold, the veins on his forehead popping out, as he glared darkly at Li Lihua, hissing through gritted teeth, “Are you out of your mind?” Lin Shichang rarely spoke this harshly to Li Lihua, but she wasn’t afraid of him anymore, even feeling unprecedentedly pleased.
“If I can’t live there, then nobody should. Lin Shichang, this is your retribution for leaving me behind back then.” Li Lihua showed a triumphant and satisfied smile to Lin Shichang, smugly eyeing the ongoing farce.
“You’re really mad, no matter what stunts you pull, it’s our family matter, why drag in so many others. Yes, I left you that day, but I’m Mengyao’s father. Once she’s calmed down, if I talk some sense into her, what can she do to you? Eventually, she’ll have to let you move back in, after all, she’s your daughter, she’s your flesh and blood, what can she do to you.” Lin Shichang said with frustration and a stern tone.