Chapter 88: Old Master Tang (2)

Seeing the tense, gunpowder-like atmosphere between the two men, Lin Yan hurriedly pulled Lin Fan over.

“What is wrong with you? Your uncle finally came back after such a long time, and you speak to him like that?” Through Ren Qianxing, Lin Yan knew most of Lin Fan’s affairs, but even now she still could not understand why her younger brother had suddenly switched careers and become a mercenary, much less the leader of mercenaries.

Lin Fan could only curl his lips helplessly. Since even his sister had said so, he could not very well argue further.

With a cold snort, Lin Haotian’s face remained dark. He was clearly very displeased with Lin Fan’s attitude. To be embarrassed in front of so many people—no matter what, he was still the boy’s elder.

“If you had not kept mocking that brat, would he have gone against you? Haotian, let me say this: you are nearly fifty years old, and you still quarrel with a child,” said Old Master Tang indifferently. He could see it too—Lin Fan probably had some issue with this uncle of his, which was why he was being so sharp and hostile.

Lin Haotian still held Old Master Tang in great respect. Hearing him say this, he shot Lin Fan a hard glare, then sat down in the chair beside him and began drinking tea. “Boy, I hear you also have an adopted younger sister. Bring her along too. I’ll have someone pick her up.”

“Okay,” Lin Fan replied without hesitation.

He called Feifei, explained the situation, and then sat down as well.

The fact that Old Master Tang knew he had an adopted younger sister must have come from his sister. Besides, after returning to the country, Lin Fan had only eaten with Feifei once, and that meal had been ruined by Yan Dong. Lin Fan could tell Feifei had been a little unhappy that time, so now that there was a chance for them to gather together, he was of course willing.

“Boy, if your mercenary force wants to develop here, I will support you with everything I have.” Old Master Tang had investigated him. After Lin Fan became the leader of Dragon Soul, it had taken him only two short years to lead Dragon Soul in wiping out Snow Leopard, a force known as the king of mercenaries, and to rise to the throne of supremacy among international mercenaries. A person like that would probably stir up a storm wherever he went.

“Old Master, you really should not spoil this boy. You are meeting him for the first time, and already you are indulging him so much. At this rate, he will turn the world upside down,” Lin Haotian said immediately, unable to remain calm as soon as he heard that. He stood up at once.

Lin Haotian knew that Lin Fan’s sudden return to T City could not possibly be only because of his parents’ affairs. Although Dragon Soul’s power had not yet fully entered China, who could say what the future might bring?

If Old Master Tang lent his support, Dragon Soul would undoubtedly develop very quickly in China. Lin Haotian feared that in the future Lin Fan might slip beyond the state’s control. Yet after a moment’s thought, it seemed that his nephew was not under state control even now, so how could there be any talk of slipping out of it?

“Haotian, that is not quite right of you. Who says this is the first time I have met this boy? When he was little, he and Yan’er came over here every few days,” Old Master Tang said. “Besides, I am still missing a grandson. I just do not know whether this boy would be willing.” As he spoke, he turned to Lin Fan with a smile in his eyes.

In truth, there were two reasons Old Master Tang said this. First, he knew Lin Fan’s return to China could not possibly be as simple as merely coming back for a visit. Second, he had his own selfish motive: he wanted to find someone dependable for his one and only granddaughter.

The Tang family’s business had always attracted covetous eyes. He feared that after his death, Tang Rui would not be able to hold up the whole situation alone. Regarding the matter of the collaboration with the IBM company last time, Old Master Tang had naturally learned of it through others. He later discovered that Lin Fan had helped his granddaughter and had even publicly offended that brat from the Xiang family. From that alone, Old Master Tang greatly admired Lin Fan.

Just as Lin Fan was about to answer, Butler Wu came in and said, “Old Master, Miss Feifei has arrived, and the meal is ready.”

“Come, eat with this old fellow first,” said Old Master Tang, taking the lead and walking out. “Boy, think it over carefully first. No need to rush your answer.”

Lin Fan naturally understood that Old Master Tang was referring to the matter of him acknowledging him as his god-grandfather. He had not really taken it to heart, thinking the old man was merely speaking casually.

“Grandpa, you are not old at all,” Tang Rui said with a smile, taking Old Master Tang’s arm.

...

They ate in a large pavilion, with a table filled to the brim. Feifei sat right beside Lin Fan. She loved the feeling of being with him, even though she knew full well that her brother already had a girlfriend.

Lin Fan, however, felt rather uneasy. Ever since Zhao Ying had reminded him, he had slowly begun paying attention to Feifei’s words and actions. Could this girl really have fallen for him?

Still, there were things Lin Fan had to do, such as serving Feifei some food. After all, he was her brother, and he had also promised Song Yashi that he would take good care of Feifei.

Whenever Lin Fan put food in Feifei’s bowl, Lin Yan would give him a meaningful look, signaling him not to forget Tang Rui. In Lin Yan’s eyes, Tang Rui was only one year younger than Lin Fan and, by rights, should count as his younger sister too. How could her brother favor only one person? Moreover, that night Lin Yan had seen Lin Fan’s earth-shaking kiss with her own eyes, and she was a little curious as to what exactly the relationship between her brother and Tang Rui was.

Boyfriend and girlfriend? But Lin Yan knew that the night before, Lin Fan had taken Zhao Ying to the auction, and had admitted that Zhao Ying was his girlfriend. For a moment, Lin Yan’s head nearly felt too small for all of it.

Lin Fan naturally understood what his sister meant. At first he could still pretend not to know, but later Lin Yan actually kicked him under the table. Helpless, when Lin Fan served dishes again, he gave some to both girls at once. Feifei did not mind, but Tang Rui was a little surprised, unable to understand why Lin Fan had suddenly begun serving her too.

As for his sister, Lin Fan did not dare show the slightest temper, let alone put on the airs of a boss. Only Lin Yan knew how difficult it had been for her to manage Shocking Heaven Group these past few years—how hard she had worked to raise it from an obscure little company into one of the top twenty enterprises in the world. The hardships involved were easy to imagine. Lin Fan knew that compared with what his sister had done, he was far behind. It could be said that without Lin Yan, there would be no Shocking Heaven Group today.

Seeing Lin Fan’s actions, Old Master Tang was obviously very pleased. “Boy, if it is inconvenient for your mercenary force to act in China, I can arrange official identities for them.”

Lin Fan curled the corner of his mouth slightly. “Then I will not trouble Grandpa Tang with it. I have already arranged everything.”

Although not all the people of Dragon Soul had gathered in T City, several had already come. Moreover, Lin Fan had instructed Tan Zhiyong to stay in T City and handle the preparations for Dragonrise Security Company. In that way, Dragon Soul’s entry into China would be fully justified, and even the government would find it difficult to interfere.

Besides, Lin Fan did not want Old Master Tang’s help. His own affairs, he still preferred to handle himself. If he relied on others for everything, then what was the point of his being the leader of Dragon Soul?

Ever since Lin Fan and the others arrived, Old Master Tang had been smiling the whole time. He was truly happy. In the past, Tang Rui had studied abroad. Although the vast manor had many servants, it simply did not suit Old Master Tang’s tastes. But now, not only had his granddaughter graduated and returned home, there were suddenly so many people around him. He was genuinely delighted.

A little after four in the afternoon, Lin Fan left with Lin Haotian, while Lin Yan and Feifei were forcibly kept there by Old Master Tang. The old man had grown old and liked liveliness; he wanted people beside him, and the two girls naturally found it hard to refuse.

On the way out, Lin Fan once again saw just how enormous the manor was. Calling it the Tang Residence would be no exaggeration. It had not only its own vegetable garden but also a fishpond, and even chickens and ducks had people specially assigned to raise them. In short, self-sufficiency was certainly no problem. Everything was completely natural and green. Even Lin Fan, who was not someone who cared much about food, could not help sighing inwardly that this fellow really knew how to enjoy life. It seemed he would have to pay more attention to such things himself in the future.

After the car left the Tang Residence, it slowly headed toward the city center. Lin Fan knew his uncle was about to discuss serious matters, but he could not refuse to go, because only through his uncle could he learn about the events surrounding his parents back then...

Since it was close to the capital, T City’s economy had developed increasingly well. Traffic streamed endlessly along the roads. Lin Fan lowered the front passenger seat and, just as on the way there, lay back with his eyes closed, saying nothing. In truth, even if he were asked to speak, he would not know what to say. Lin Haotian, meanwhile, drove in silence and focused on the road, finally stopping in front of a large hotel.

Lin Fan knew this place must be his uncle’s temporary residence, though he could not quite understand it. If there was something to discuss, why not simply say it at the Tang Residence? Why go to so much trouble to drag him all the way here? But since Lin Haotian said nothing, Lin Fan knew that asking would be pointless.

PS: Please add this book to your bookshelf! Believe me, as the plot develops, this novel will definitely, definitely not disappoint you! Because you are the motivation that allows me to keep writing, to keep going!