The Lin Family’s house was located in the area of Dong Qian Lake, which was not far away from both the downtown and the seaside. Dong Qian Lake was now developed into a resort area, equipped with high-leveled hotels. The Lin Family’s house was in a relatively isolated but quite large area.
This house was inherited generation after generation in the Lin Family, which spoke of the family’s high position in the old days. When it was inherited by the present Lin siblings, Lin Changting and Lin Changhe, the family’s past honor had faded gradually.
The whole world was faced with a recession more or less, especially the substantial economy sector. The Lin Family’s businesses were mostly traditional ones. Over the past few years, the Lin siblings resorted to real estate and invested a great deal of money in it, initiating a couple of projects around the province. They also made money in the financial industry, becoming aware of the benefits of quick success.
But in previous years, the real estate and financial industries were both restricted in a large part by the government’s new policy for economic structural adjustment, especially the purchasing restriction policy. Then the capital from the financial industry was not allowed to be injected into real estate anymore, which made the Lin Family that relied on the two industries drop to the bottom.
The Lin Family was a shareholder of both China Zheshang Bank and Ningbo Bank, having access to capital with little interest. However, the government’s restriction on the financial industry set limitations on many enterprises and no one was even going to test the waters. In the latter half of last year, the China Banking Regulatory Commission had levied out a great deal of fines. Even the Qin Family had to reduce or cut off some of its business under the pressure of the government, let alone the Lin Family, such a common family that only had some power in Zhejiang province.
The final straw for the Lin Family was placed by the Qin Family silently. A provincial government leader officially criticized the Lin Family’s real estate project, accusing them of violating relative regulations, and then the Real Estate Bureau stopped the advance sale, which was the major way to recoup funds. As a consequence, the Lin Family was almost stricken to death.
Funds came with costs. While the real estate industry was, by its nature, a game amongst capital, to be the winner of this game, one should first get the cheapest land from the government and then grab the fund with the lowest interest from the bank, manipulated by the government.
Obviously, the Lin Family and its regional real estate enterprise had no resources to do so. Only national families could do so with their resources and more comprehensive financing sources.
So really, the Lin Family was now suffering from a series of problems, including an unsmooth capital chain, blocked contraflow, and increased cost of funds.
That was why the Lin Family had its most difficult days over the past year and Lin Changting couldn’t help finding a strong ally. He had to do it particularly carefully, lest he present any opportunity to their enemies.
At this moment, it was almost lunchtime. The Lin Family’s house was full of the sound of talking and laughter. The seniors were in one dining room, whilst the youths gathered in another dining room.
Lin Su had gone to meet her grandmother, who had guessed that something was on her mind. She said to her poor granddaughter, “Susu, I’m sorry, I’m too old to protect you here.”
Lin Su felt an ache in her heart, but she didn’t tell the truth, which was that Qin Sheng was coming, and just comforted her by saying, “Granny, things will be fine.”
She chatted a few words with her grandmother and asked her to take care and to not think too much. She stayed there until her new fiancé arranged by the family arrived.
The Lin siblings, accompanied by Chen Jiahao, Tan Jing, and Song Chu, had lunch in the smaller dining room. Lin Changting and Lin Changhe, as well as their wives, were having lunch in the bigger one with a round table, entertaining the guest, a middle-aged man, who was not coming to pay any New Year’s call, but was invited by Lin Changhe to talk business.
The Lin Family now had some problems with funds and had to try to resolve them, even resorting to usury. The Lin brothers had always been looking down upon this man, their nephew, but couldn’t help asking him for help now.
“Songhao, just tell us, how much you can give us?” Lin Changting tried his best to be polite and mellow. He had ignored this man for a long time, and never expected that he would lower his head to him. But the reality, anyway, was that they had gotten this far and had no other way.
Lin Songhao, in his black sweater, was smoking a cigar arrogantly, with his hair combed back, a veiled but still visible face with an excited expression, and a gold Rolex limited edition watch around his wrist. He eyed the two aunts, who were not young but still beautiful, with some evil ideas emerging.
“Third Uncle, it depends on what you’re going to mortgage. You know, the situation is not so good, and we have to be really careful about any deals, especially when it requires such a large amount of money, right?” Lin Songhao said with an aggressive and reckless voice. It was the first time that he could enjoy the feeling of looking down upon his two uncles. He still remembered how they treated him in his childhood; cruel, distant and indifferent, like he was air, only because he was from the branch of the family, rather than the main stream. He often dreamed to be Lin Changting or his brother’s son in those days.
Lin Changhe continued, “Songhao, we don’t have many expensive things to mortgage. You know our situation. That’s why we’re asking you for help. We really need you to find us some way out.”
Lin Songhao almost erupted with laughter. Now they were showing their last card up their sleeve, the family, and the kinship. Why didn’t they talk to him about this before? He offered a fake smile and said, “Sixth Uncle, I’m working on it. All of Ningbo City knows that our family is in great trouble. I’m the only one to help now. It’s said that our family offended some bigshot, so if can you tell me the truth at least, then I’ll think about it.”
Lin Changhe, however, was not going to tell any truths. “Songhao, that’s not true. How could you believe it? Anyway, just tell us, how much can you lend us? We’re family, right? At least you shouldn’t ask for too much interest. We have helped you a lot over the years.”
“It’s not true?” Lin Songhao glanced at them with a sense of sarcasm in his eyes. The Lin Family’s projects were all stopped and being investigated. Things like that had never happened. There had to be something weird going on. In fact, Lin Changhe didn’t lie, for he himself even had no idea of what was behind this predicament. Did they offend someone? They had paid a lot to buy the information, but still had no way.
Lin Songhao was kind of angry about Lin Changhe’s words. They just shared a family name, but had no real connection. When he started his own business, they refused to lend a hand. They didn’t contact him once until his business developed and gained some success, let alone he had done a lot for them over the years.
The Lin brothers still didn’t understand that Lin Songhao was not going to help, but wanted to destroy the Lin Family and gain some benefits. The Lin Family had so many enemies, who were all ready to kill the moment an opportunity presented itself. Lin Songhao, however, was taking the best, closest position on the battleground.
Lin Songhao said, “Sixth Uncle, if this was my money and I was making the decision, then I’d be willing to give it to you with no interest, but it’s not. Other people might give you money for my sake, but the interest should never be negotiated.”
Lin Songhao spoke, giving them a non-negotiable eye. The Lin brothers froze, never imagining that Lin Songhao could be so cruel to them. They eyed each other, sighing at the Lin Family’s unpredictable predicament.
“Third Uncle, Sixth Uncle, if you can find other money, then you’d better not opt for usury,” Lin Songhao said deliberately.
Lin Changting had a very angry and critical face, staring at Lin Songhao. It seemed that he was about to throw a huge tantrum…
In the small dining room, the atmosphere was also weird.
Lin Ze thought that Lin Su had given in to the family since she left her room and that she would at least treat Chen Jiahao friendly, but he was so wrong. Lin Su kept silent and just focused on her food, embarrassing Lin Ze and Chen Jiahao. Song Chu and Tan Jing realized that and tried to start and smooth out the conversation, or else everybody would feel awkward.
Chen Jiahao was handsome and young, but thin and with dark circles under his eyes, which was maybe due to an indulgent life of alcohol and sex. After all, he hung out with Lin Ze a lot.
Song Chu had a special interest in this kind of rich and indulgent young man. If he had not been introduced to Lin Su, she would absolutely give it a try. Tan Jing just tried to be polite and friendly to everyone, but not flattering.
“Lin Su, I know I’m not good enough for you. But I’m really into you. Can you give me a chance to know more about me? I’ll never let you down.” Chen Jiahao put these words so directly. He was good at playing word games to fish for women.
Lin Su still said nothing, but just shook her head. She didn’t want a husband who was so humble to her, but someone who could conquer her from the bottom of her heart. She chose Qin Sheng not for the achievements he made, but for what he had done for her when they were in Chuannan.
Lin Su just focused on chewing, thinking that Qin Sheng must have arrived in Ningbo. It only took two and a half hours to drive from Shanghai to Ningbo.
At this very moment, Lin Su’s text tone rang. She checked it and the text read: “I’ve arrived.”
Then, Lin Su beamed at everybody. Chen Jiahao was stilled by her beauty. Lin Ze immediately realized that something was wrong. How could Lin Su have another cell when her own was taken?
Lin Su raised her head and declared, “Chen Jiahao, I’ll never fancy you. You know why? I love, am loving, and will love one man only, and his name is Qin Sheng.”
Lin Ze was startled by her words and shouted, “Lin Su, how dare you!”
Meanwhile, Qin Sheng, accompanied by Qu Fan, had driven into the Lin Family’s yard.