Chapter 60: Giving Away a Billion

As soon as Lin Feng finished speaking, he was met with a roomful of disdainful gazes. Those who knew him well were well aware that this fellow was rolling in wealth. The first to lose her composure was Liu Runli, who lightly smacked Lin Feng on the head and chided, “How can you be stingier than your father!”

Lin Chuanzhi took a stray hit, dragged into the comparison with Lin Feng, and at this, the entire room erupted into laughter once more. Amidst the laughter, Lin Feng glanced speechlessly at Lin Xue’er and asked, “All right, tell me, what do you want?”

Lin Xue’er, unaware of Lin Feng’s actual financial standing, pondered for a moment before replying, “Could I have a car? I just got my driver’s license this year. All my friends have cars, and I’d like one too. It doesn’t have to be expensive—something around two hundred thousand will do. Dad and Mom can’t afford it, and when I asked Cousin Lin Yu, he just cried poverty. Lin Feng, could you buy one for me?”

Lin Yu, hearing himself dragged into this again, felt utterly helpless. Though he managed the family business, all the money belonged to the family, not to him personally. His own pocket money barely covered outings with friends—he wanted a car himself! Of course, he couldn’t say any of this aloud and could only endure everyone’s scorn, sitting there pretending not to care.

After casting their disdain upon Lin Yu, everyone looked at Lin Feng with curiosity, eager to hear his answer. Seeing all eyes on him, Lin Feng smiled and said to Lin Xue’er, “As for this gift, your cousin is too broke to buy a car. But since you’re so sincere and only asked for something modest, I’ll oblige. I’ll give you a bank card—pick any car you like, as long as it doesn’t exceed the amount in the card. Whatever’s left over, consider it your allowance from your cousin!” With that, Lin Feng took out a bank card and handed it to Lin Xue’er.

Overjoyed, Lin Xue’er took the card, gave Lin Feng a grateful kiss on the cheek, then kissed the card itself, before running over to Xia Ruoxi’s side and teasing, “Sister Ruoxi, I just kissed your boyfriend—aren’t you mad?”

“Heh, it’s fine. That guy’s not exactly pristine. With a lovely girl like you willing to kiss him, he should count himself lucky!” Xia Ruoxi playfully tapped the mischievous beauty’s nose.

Their banter sent the living room into another round of laughter, though Lin Xue’er’s parents could only manage wry smiles at their daughter’s boldness.

Once the laughter subsided, Lin Xue’er poked her head out from Xia Ruoxi’s embrace and eagerly asked Lin Feng, “Cousin, how much is in the card?”

Everyone perked up at that question, their curiosity piqued, except for Xia Ruoxi, who already knew the card’s sum and could only look at Lin Feng with a mix of amusement and exasperation, as if scolding him for giving such a large sum to a barely-adult girl.

All of Lin Feng’s earlier posturing had been just to tease Xue’er. Her wish was only for a modest car, and he was moved by that. He knew the family’s finances had been tight in the past, and money was always allocated where it was most needed—there was never enough left over to buy a car for a third-generation girl like Xue’er. But now that Lin Feng was back, he felt responsible. These days, he lacked for nothing but certainly not for money. Lin Xue’er was the only little princess of her generation, and Lin Feng was determined to fulfill all her wishes, as any doting cousin would. Seeing her bright eyes full of anticipation, Lin Feng continued to tease her, “There isn’t much in there. Didn’t you just say you wanted a car worth a couple hundred thousand? So be careful when you pick—don’t go overboard. If you choose something too expensive and run out of money, they’ll just kick you out!”

“Come on, how much is it really? Tell me, Cousin!” Lin Xue’er, unable to bear his suspense, ran over and clung to his arm, pleading playfully.

This time, Xia Ruoxi couldn’t stand seeing Xue’er bullied any longer. She pulled Xue’er over to her side and said, “Don’t beg him. I know how much is in the card.”

“Really, Sister Ruoxi? Then tell me! My annoying cousin is the worst!” Lin Xue’er exclaimed, happily tugging Ruoxi’s arm and sticking her tongue out at Lin Feng.

Ruoxi was amused by Xue’er’s antics, but after her laughter faded, she advised her earnestly, “You must take good care of this card. There’s a lot of money in it—enough for any car you want. Promise me you’ll be careful, all right?”

Lin Xue’er’s mother had been keeping an ear on their conversation, and hearing Ruoxi’s serious tone, she grew even more curious. “Ruoxi, just tell us—how much is in the card?”

As soon as she asked, everyone except Lin Feng turned their expectant eyes to Ruoxi, their faces full of curiosity and anticipation.

Finally unable to withstand the pressure, Ruoxi announced, “One billion.”

“What?!” Lin Xue’er’s mother shot to her feet, staring wide-eyed at the card in Xue’er’s hand.

“Hurry, Xue’er, give that card back to your cousin!” Lin Xue’er’s father, equally stunned, urged.

Everyone else in the room turned to Lin Feng, their gazes a mix of shock, admiration, and puzzlement. Even Xue’er herself was startled by the sum. Hearing her father’s words, she quickly offered the card back to Lin Feng, though her eyes were full of reluctance.

Lin Feng, amused, patted Xue’er on the head and said gently, “Keep it. I, Lin Feng, never take back what I’ve given. This card is yours now—spend as you wish. When you run out, just let your cousin know, and I’ll give you more.”

Xue’er’s father protested, “Lin Feng, this really isn’t appropriate. That’s far too much—one billion! That’s nearly our family’s entire annual profit. She’s just eighteen; it’s too dangerous. What if she squanders it all?”

“Uncle, don’t worry. What you give is your responsibility; what I give is my goodwill. One billion might be a fortune to others, but it’s not much to me. I’m only worried Xue’er won’t be able to spend it all. In fact, she might not even keep up with how fast I can make money. So, Xue’er, you just keep the card. Buy whatever car you like! No daughter of the Lin family should be mocked by her friends for not having a car, understand?” Lin Feng smiled, pinching Xue’er’s cheek.

“Thank you, cousin! Boohoo…” Moved to tears, Xue’er threw her arms around Lin Feng, sobbing with gratitude.

“Dad, isn’t this a bit much?” Xue’er’s father, seeing his objections brushed aside, appealed to the family patriarch for help.

After thinking it over, the old master finally declared, “Since Lin Feng insists, Xue’er, just accept it. From now on, you needn’t hold back—buy whatever car you want. With Lin Feng here, no other family will dare use money as an excuse to attack us!”

Hearing her grandfather’s approval, Xue’er finally stopped crying in Lin Feng’s arms. Watching her, Lin Feng could only shake his head in amusement—this little actress was too good at putting on a show. He’d have to watch out for her tricks in the future.

Seeing their little princess finally at ease, the whole family was soon laughing at her tear-streaked face. The house was filled with more joy and laughter that day than in an entire year.

Once the merriment had died down, the old master checked the time. Seeing it was nearly dinner, he called everyone to the dining table. As the family settled into their seats, their attention was drawn to the bottles of liquor on the table, and they glanced uncertainly at the patriarch. The Lin family had always had rules—no drinking at the table—a rule the old master himself had set.

Noticing everyone’s puzzled looks, the old master couldn’t help but chuckle. “Surprised? It’s rare for the whole family to be together. Surely we can have a drink tonight?”

“Heh, not at all, sir!” Lin Chuanming, a military man with a fondness for spirits, was the first to grab a bottle, open it, and start pouring drinks for the men at the table.

“You gentlemen can drink; the ladies will have juice! Xue’er, go to the fridge and bring some drinks for the elders,” the old lady said, delighted by the festive mood.

Tasked with her errand, Xue’er happily scampered off to fetch the beverages. Once everyone had their drinks, the old master raised his glass and made a toast: “In a few days, it’ll be the New Year. This year, our family’s situation is much improved, and most importantly, the third branch has come home. Let’s drink to leaving all past troubles behind with this cup! To you, my third son and your family!”

Lin Chuanzhi, seeing the old master raise his glass to him, hurriedly stood, grasped his own glass with both hands, and toasted in return, draining his cup. Liu Runli, Lin Feng, and Xia Ruoxi, seeing him take the lead, each finished their own drinks as well.

“Excellent!” the old master exclaimed, pounding the table in delight. He raised his glass again and said, “This next toast is to our entire family. It’s rare to have everyone together—let’s drink to that!” He drained his glass, and the rest of the table followed suit, unwilling to be outdone.

After the second round, the old master looked as if he wanted to raise his glass once more, but this time the old lady stopped him. “What are you doing? Why are you drinking so much? Didn’t the doctor tell you to cut back? What’s gotten into you? Enough—eat while the food’s hot!”