Chapter 432: Chapter 432: The Lin Family
Su Shuochi listened, completely engrossed. Truth be told, he found everything his wife said fascinating.
His profound gaze fell upon the charming figure by his side. Her clear voice, as lovely as an oriole’s song in the mountains, washed away all the fatigue from his day.
Her smile was more brilliant than the setting sun. She seemed to have felt his intense gaze.
Gu Jiaojiao suddenly turned her head and gave him a sweet smile before continuing her story about what had happened at the Mu Family’s home.
In her past life, Gu Jiaojiao hadn’t been one for idle chatter, but now, she loved talking to him.
She recounted even the smallest details with such seriousness and care that it made him feel as if he were experiencing it all himself.
"Jiaojiao, we’re here." Suddenly, a gentle, magnetic voice sounded beside her ear.
It wasn’t the first time she had heard him say her name.
But every time he said it, it sounded devastatingly sexy. His voice was much deeper than most people’s.
She averted her eyes from his intense gaze, pretending to look out the car window. "Oh, wow. We’re here already."
Su Shuochi smiled and played along. "You were so caught up in your story that time flew by."
Gu Jiaojiao blushed. She hadn’t realized how engrossed she’d been. "We should get out."
"Alright." Su Shuochi smiled warmly and leaned over to unbuckle her seatbelt for her.
"That’s okay, I can do it." Gu Jiaojiao shook her head in a fluster, her face turning as red as a beet.
Turned to his side, Su Shuochi saw the smooth, fair skin of her forehead. Her blush added a lively new dimension to her already stunning features.
Her eyes were downcast, her long, dark lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. The hand Su Shuochi had reached out with came to rest on her waist.
His touch was scalding. She lifted her eyes to look at him, but before their gazes could meet, he pressed on her waist and pulled her forward.
Gu Jiaojiao’s head snapped up, her dewy eyes meeting his. The instant their gazes locked...
...Su Shuochi suddenly cupped her face with one hand. His tall frame leaned down, capturing her full lips.
Gu Jiaojiao let out a small sound, instinctively leaning back until her shoulders pressed against the seat.
She wasn’t wearing any makeup, yet her features were exquisite. Up close, her skin was so delicate it seemed poreless.
Her usually vibrant features softened in that moment, her lashes trembling faintly.
Su Shuochi was tall, and in this position, he loomed over her like a mountain.
He held her tightly, one hand gripping her waist, the other pressing against the back of her head, leaving Gu Jiaojiao unable to move. She could only tilt her head back and surrender to his deep kiss...
Soon, her hands snaked around Su Shuochi’s neck, holding on tight.
She opened her eyes to see his passionate expression, and a hint of a smile touched her own. Her full, soft lips pressed against his.
"Su Shuochi, I’m hungry," Gu Jiaojiao murmured, her voice syrupy-sweet and gentle. It wasn’t that she wanted to break the beautiful moment.
It was because she’d heard his stomach let out a protesting growl. Her heart ached at the thought that he hadn’t eaten properly all day.
A hint of passion still lingering in his voice, Su Shuochi’s eyes darkened, his pupils filled with desire.
His large hand rubbed the nape of her neck unhurriedly, not straying lower. "I’ll go make you dinner."
With that, he casually unbuckled her seatbelt, got out of the car, and walked around to open the passenger door for her.
Gu Jiaojiao never knew this seemingly unrefined Su Shuochi had such a thoughtful side.
"Jiaojiao, I’ll go into the space and get a chicken. How about I stew half and stir-fry the other half?"
"Okay, and soak some wood ear mushrooms. I’m craving stir-fried chicken with wood ears tonight."
"Alright. And some greens, too. You were at a banquet today, so you should have something light for dinner." Su Shuochi’s voice was gentle, laced with affection.
The couple divided the tasks and happily prepared dinner together, the atmosphere warm and sweet.
*****
At the Lin Family estate, Third Aunt Lin returned to the main compound with her son, Lin Mingjun. Instead of going to their own courtyard, the pair headed elsewhere.
They went straight to the main residence to find Old Master Lin, who was already eighty-six years old.
He was the son of the head butler to a great tycoon’s family—also named Lin—during the Republic era. From birth, he was considered a cut above the average servant.
He had been the young master’s study companion, attending school with him and later even accompanying him to study abroad.
At the start of the war, that Lin family relocated abroad, and his father went with them. However, they left the bulk of their assets in the hands of the young man who would become today’s Old Master Lin.
Relying on that family’s fortune, and possessing some genuine skill of his own, Old Master Lin flourished.
In his youth, Old Master Lin was busy building his career and married rather late. He went on to have several daughters in succession before finally having a son.
Within the Lin Family, the Old Master was the most authoritative figure. Normally, no one dared to even raise their voice in his presence.
But Lin Mingjun was different today. The moment he entered the room, he started yelling, "Great-Grandpa! Great-Grandpa! I got bullied today!"
"What? What blind fool dares to bully a descendant of our Lin Family?" Old Master Lin demanded, his voice booming with vigor.
Mr. Lin, the Old Master’s only son and Lin Mingjun’s grandfather, had been enjoying the cool evening air and drinking tea with Old Master Lin in the courtyard.
Upon hearing his grandson’s words, he slammed his teacup down on the table.
He roared, "Ming Jun, have you no decorum? What is the meaning of all this shouting?"
Having been spoiled rotten by his older sisters and mother since childhood, Mr. Lin was arrogant and naive, interested only in frivolous romanticism.
He was obsessed with the high-minded etiquette of scholars and poets but had no concept of what it meant to have a career.
Though he himself was unaccomplished, he had three sons and five daughters. His eldest son was Geng Haoyi’s stepfather.
He was the current Lin Family Head and considered quite accomplished, but he was unlucky in marriage, having been wed three times.
His first two wives had both died of illness, each leaving him with a daughter. Thus, by middle age, he only had two daughters.
It was only after marrying Geng Haoyi’s mother, Wang Shuping, that he had a son, who was now ten years old.
Mr. Lin’s second son had three sons and two daughters, while his third son, Lin the Third, had one son and one daughter. The ones who had been thrashed by Gu Jiaojiao at the Mu Family’s home were precisely the wife and son of Lin the Third.
Third Aunt Lin hurried forward. "Dad, Ming Jun is just a little worked up, you don’t have to be so harsh with him! We came to ask Old Master Lin to see that justice is done."
Mr. Lin sneered. "Dad, don’t let them fool you. This mother-son duo does nothing but cause trouble all day long."
"Who knows what powerful person they’ve arrogantly offended this time? And now they want you to step in and fix it for them?"
Mr. Lin preferred demure and accomplished daughters-in-law, so for many years, he had harbored a grudge against this wife of his third son.
Third Aunt Lin knew that with her father-in-law present, this matter wouldn’t be resolved easily. She could only brace herself and press on.
"Dad, you can’t forget that Ming Jun is your own grandson! If we don’t get our dignity back after this, how can he ever hold his head up among the other heirs of prominent families? Grandfather, you agree, don’t you?"
"That’s a fair point." Old Master Lin nodded. "In that case, tell me exactly what happened."
Third Aunt Lin and her son exchanged a look, then both dropped to their knees in unison.
Lin Mingjun cried out, "Great-Grandpa, you have to get justice for me!"
