Chapter 65: The Shameless Grandfather

Lin Feng had guessed one thing correctly: Old Master Lin did indeed plan to wait for Lin Feng to leave the room so he could sneak in, find that jar of wine, and take it back to his own quarters. The whole business about leaving in half an hour had just been a ruse. Unfortunately, he had underestimated Lin Feng's resolve. Old Master Lin lurked in the shadows, watching the door to Lin Feng's room all afternoon, but Lin Feng never left. Only then did Old Master Lin finally give up on the wine.

By afternoon, all the Lin family members who had gone out—both men and women—returned home, only to be stunned by the heady aroma of wine wafting through the residential complex and the crowd gathered outside their door. Pushing through the curious onlookers, they squeezed their way back into the house and were surprised to find Old Master Lin sitting in the living room with a dark expression, alongside Lin Yu, who looked as though he’d suffered a great injustice.

Lin Chuanming, seeing the old man's somber face and the crowd outside, actually forgot all about the wine for a moment and asked in confusion, "Dad, what's wrong? Did Lin Yu upset you?"

Lin Yu, realizing he was being blamed again, felt utterly helpless. He had just spent the whole afternoon being questioned by Old Master Lin, all thanks to Lin Feng. Was he going to be scolded by his father right after just being lectured?

"It's not his fault. It’s all because of Lin Feng, but Lin Yu isn’t entirely innocent either—he’s an accomplice," Old Master Lin said to Lin Chuanming, his face still stormy.

"What? Lin Feng got into trouble?" Lin Chuan Zhi, who was listening nearby, looked at Lin Yu in surprise.

"Third Uncle, could you not stare at me like that? You’re making me nervous!" Lin Yu said quickly, unnerved by Lin Chuan Zhi’s gaze.

"Who else should I look at? The old man just said you’re an accomplice. By the way, where’s Lin Feng? Is he running away because he caused trouble?" Lin Chuan Zhi pressed on.

His words caught everyone’s attention. All eyes turned to Lin Yu, full of curiosity about what had happened at home that day.

Feeling the weight of their stares, Lin Yu grew even more anxious and hurried to clarify, "Honestly, stop looking at me! I don’t know anything—I’m innocent! All I did was help Lin Feng gather some materials. How was I supposed to know those would turn into some miraculous wine?"

"Wine?" everyone exclaimed in unison, staring at Lin Yu in even greater surprise.

"Yes, wine! Didn’t you notice the strong aroma?" Old Master Lin confirmed.

"Right, the wine! I meant to ask earlier, but the commotion made me forget. Do you know where the smell is coming from? It's incredible—just the scent is enough to make you feel refreshed. Mom said her chronic rheumatism felt much better after taking in a whiff by the door!" Lin Chuan Zhi asked, his curiosity piqued.

Old Master Lin said nothing, only glancing at Lin Yu, signaling that he didn’t want to answer. Unfortunately, the family misunderstood, assuming Lin Yu was responsible. Lin Chuan Zhi turned to Lin Yu, eyes wide. "Was it you, Lin Yu? Not bad! So what kind of wine is it? How did you get it?"

"Uncle Lin, you’ve got it all wrong! The wine isn’t mine, though I did have a little to do with it. The main credit goes to Lin Feng. This morning, he gave me a list of materials—some medicinal herbs and strong liquor. I bought them, and once I brought them back, Lin Feng took everything into his room. Not ten minutes later, that amazing aroma started drifting out. So the wine is definitely his doing, but we have no idea what kind of wine it is or how he made it," Lin Yu explained, looking helplessly around the room.

"So Lin Feng made it? Where is he now?" Lin Chuan Zhi pressed.

"He's holed up in his room, afraid someone will steal the wine. He hasn’t left all day! I’ve been waiting for a chance to sneak in myself, but no luck," Lin Yu grumbled to Lin Chuan Zhi.

"Ruo Xi, go see what’s going on in his room. If Lin Feng’s in there, bring him out," Liu Runli instructed Xia Ruo Xi beside her.

"Alright, Auntie, I’ll check on him," Xia Ruo Xi replied, turning to head to Lin Feng’s room to get to the bottom of things.

When she reached the door, she found it locked. Knocking, she called out, "Lin Feng, what are you up to in there? Open the door for me!"

Lin Feng had already moved to the door as soon as he heard footsteps approaching. Recognizing Xia Ruo Xi’s voice, he immediately opened the door, pulled her inside, and quickly locked it again.

Seeing how cautious he was, Xia Ruo Xi couldn’t help but laugh. "Really, are you serious? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were in a hotel, not your own home! With all those people outside, who would dare try and steal something from you?"

"Strangers wouldn’t dare, but you can never guard against thieves in the family—especially the biggest one!" Lin Feng said helplessly.

She burst into laughter at the exasperated look on his face, covering her mouth to stifle her giggles before finally managing, "What have you been up to this time? This whole room reeks of wine—don’t tell me you made it? Just the aroma says it’s good stuff!"

Her mention of the wine filled Lin Feng with pride. After all, he had gone to great lengths to make it, and now it was the center of attention. "You guessed right! I made it myself—it’s top quality. Men, women, young, old—everyone can drink it. I’ll let you try some in a bit; it’s supposed to be good for your complexion."

"Really? Is it that magical?" she said in amazement.

"Actually, it’s even better than I’ve told you. The real effects still need to be tested, but I have faith in it!" Lin Feng replied, brimming with pride.

"No way! Even better? Why didn’t you mention it back in Zhanhai City? And what’s it called, anyway?" she asked, her beautiful eyes wide.

"I only just got the recipe. It’s called ‘Immortal Brew’," Lin Feng replied, quickly making up a name on the spot since he had forgotten to ask Mo Tian earlier.

"If it really does what you say, it’s worthy of that name! So, what are you going to do with it? There’s a whole crowd outside, and I was sent here to bring you out," Xia Ruo Xi said, curious.

"Hmph, there’s nothing to discuss. I’m not sharing—not even a drop! I didn’t make much this time, and it cost me dearly," Lin Feng declared, feigning indifference.

Xia Ruo Xi laughed at his stubbornness and gave him a playful slap. "Don’t complain to me—go say that to everyone else!"

"Fine! I’m not afraid!" Lin Feng took her hand and marched out to the living room. With everyone gathered there, he didn’t have to worry about anyone sneaking off with his wine.

Ever since Xia Ruo Xi had gone to find Lin Feng, the rest of the family had been sitting in the living room, breathing in the rich aroma. The longer they inhaled, the more invigorated they felt—so much so that they had no desire to speak.

When Lin Feng and Xia Ruo Xi appeared, Old Master Lin was the first to notice—not surprising, since he’d been smelling the wine all day. He just let out a cold "hmph" at Lin Feng.

The sound snapped everyone’s attention back to Lin Feng. Liu Runli, always the most concerned about him, immediately rushed over, grabbed his hand, and asked anxiously, "Why can’t you behave no matter where you go? Did you upset your grandfather again?"

"What? Me, upset that old man? When did I ever upset him? He should talk!" Lin Feng retorted, looking at Old Master Lin in disbelief.

That remark reignited Old Master Lin’s simmering anger. He stood up, pointing at Lin Feng, and shouted, "You say you didn’t upset me? When I asked you for some wine, what did you do? You kicked me out of your room!"

Lin Feng bristled at the accusation. The old man had some nerve, blaming him first. "What do you mean, kicked you out? You should’ve seen yourself! You tried to take it by force. If I hadn’t thrown you out, I’d have no wine left by now!"

"And you still dare talk back! I..." Old Master Lin was so furious he was lost for words.

"Why wouldn’t I talk back? You’re the one in the wrong! I didn’t steal or take anything of yours. The wine is mine, and you tried to take it by force. How does that make me the bad guy for kicking you out?" Lin Feng continued defiantly.

Old Master Lin grew even angrier at his cheek and shouted, "What do you mean, yours? Everything in this house belongs to me! I have every right to take it!"

Lin Feng couldn’t help but laugh at the old man’s shamelessness. "Oh? Everything in the house? Does that include my dirty socks? Do you want those, too?"

"You..." Old Master Lin was speechless with indignation. The tension between grandfather and grandson was growing by the minute, but by now, everyone understood what had happened: Lin Feng had enlisted Lin Yu to buy some materials, then used them to produce some miraculous wine. Old Master Lin, enticed by the aroma, had tried to claim some but was thrown out by his grandson. Now, he was just trying to play the innocent party.