Chapter 128: Evening Conversations by Lamplight

After hanging up the phone, Lin Yu still felt no urge to sleep. He changed into a grey autumn pajama set and headed to the living room to turn on the TV and watch a football match.

The game featured Real Madrid against Barcelona. The main draw of this match was the superstar Luis Figo, who had recently transferred to Real Madrid and was facing his old club, Barcelona, for the first time that night.

Lin Yu soon found that while the match was intense and exciting, the lack of goals made it feel somewhat tedious. The only interesting moment was when a Barcelona fan threw a pig's head onto the pitch.

Just as Lin Yu was lamenting the lack of goals, the sound of the door opening signaled the return of his parents, Lin Tiancheng and Wang Chunhua.

Seeing them, Lin Yu stood up, feeling a bit sheepish. "I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I worried you tonight. It’s my fault."

Following his simple apology, Wang Chunhua, who had just taken off her coat, felt her eyes well up. "You silly boy, you did great today! They were the ones who were far too arrogant. They deserve to go to prison!"

"Exactly. We don't look for trouble, but we don't fear it either. You did well today. Mayor Wang even singled you out for praise at the banquet afterwards, calling you the MVP and the most critical person of the night," Lin Tiancheng added. Truth be told, as a lowly official, he would never have had the chance to be toasted by Wang Kezhou himself.

But Lin Yu, through his own efforts, had not only exposed the smuggling and profiteering of Jia Quan and his associates but had also saved Wang Kezhou’s life at a critical moment. It was as if he had coated his father’s reputation in a thick layer of 24-karat gold.

"Actually, I didn't mean to stir up trouble today; they were just being too overbearing. It was a coincidence, really. I met a girl named Jiang Lele at a gathering. If I hadn't chatted with her and learned about Jia Qing’s shipping business and his background, and then known about his habit of gifting sports cars, it wouldn't have come together. All the coincidences just happened at once," Lin Yu said as he lit a cigarette for his father and then one for himself.

Tonight’s events were enough to alter the trajectory of Bincheng for the next few years. Even with his strong composure, he couldn't help but dwell on it now that things had settled. It was a satisfying feeling.

"Heh, that’s just them reaping what they sowed," Lin Tiancheng said after a drag, as if exhaling all the grievances he had endured in his political career.

Seeing his father in such high spirits, Lin Yu felt a rare sense of relief. If Jia Quan fell, Wang Kezhou would likely be promoted to Municipal Party Secretary. If that happened, and all went well, Lin Tiancheng would likely be heavily relied upon.

After a moment of thought, Lin Yu reminded his father, "Dad, as the saying goes, 'The tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind.' I think our family should be more low-profile from now on, especially you. You cannot give others any handle to use against you. Only then will Mayor Wang feel comfortable relying on you."

"My son, you really have grown up. But your old man has been in the political arena for over a dozen years; I understand these things. As for 'handles,' that young man you recommended, Lian Jin—he's capable and efficient, but the crowd he associates with might bring me some negative influence. You know that, right?" Lin Tiancheng finished his cigarette and crushed it firmly into the glass ashtray.

"Yes, I understand his character. In certain aspects, he is a rare talent. 'Water that is too clear has no fish.' To strengthen our position, I want him to handle industries that aren't convenient for us to get involved in directly, like running a bar," Lin Yu said. He wasn't smoking as fast as his father; he held the half-finished cigarette between his fingers, looking at his father with expectant eyes, hoping for his approval.

This matter wasn't huge, but it certainly wasn't trivial, and the repercussions could be significant. It had to be kept out of the public eye to avoid affecting Lin Tiancheng’s career path.

"Actually, those are minor details. As long as he doesn't do anything wicked and just runs the bar normally, it should be fine. The key is that you are still too young. You’ll be going to university later, potentially in another city. What if you're too far away to keep him in check?" Lin Tiancheng asked with concern. After all, his son was only eighteen.

"Heh, don't worry, Dad. There’s no way he’ll become a tiger that turns on its master. I hold a very important handle on him—a fatal one. Besides, the commoners don't fight the officials; he understands that logic. Furthermore, everything he has is provided by our family. He should know how to return the favor. I know his character well enough," Lin Yu said, his cigarette burning down to the filter. He habitually flicked it into the ashtray.

He then added confidently, "Everything is under my control."

Watching his son’s self-assured demeanor, Lin Tiancheng smiled. "Young man, beware of getting carried away. You seem a bit cocky right now. That’s not good; it’s a bad habit."

"Dad, whenever your son looks like he’s getting carried away, that’s actually when he’s at his most humble. You can rest assured on that point," Lin Yu replied with a light smile, crossing his legs.

By then, the Tieguanyin tea Wang Chunhua had brewed was ready. The fine tea gave off a faint, refreshing fragrance that was soothing to the senses.

After pouring large half-cups for her husband and son, Wang Chunhua sat on a small stool opposite the coffee table. Looking at Lin Yu with a smile, she asked, "Son, what exactly is going on between you and the Yang girl?"

"This... it's nothing. We're just good friends. Mom, don't overthink it." Lin Yu felt his face flush at the mention of Yang Zhilin; he was suddenly unsettled.

After speaking, he picked up his teacup and blew on it, taking a small sip. It looked like he was tasting the tea, but he was actually just covering up his embarrassment.

Wang Chunhua didn't drink her tea. Instead, she glanced at her husband, Lin Tiancheng, and continued to lecture Lin Yu, "Actually, that girl Qi Yue is truly good to you. Her personality is great—lively, sensible, and likable. You must know how to cherish her; don't break that girl's heart."

"Heh, Mom, of course I know Xiao Yue is good to me. And I haven't done anything to hurt her. We even talked about getting married in a crystal church in the future," Lin Yu said with a grin. He was truly at ease in front of his parents.

"Good, as long as you know. Xiao Yue liked you when our family was at its lowest, and she has always stayed by your side. You must never become a Chen Shimei, condemned by Judge Bao," Wang Chunhua said earnestly.

"Don't worry, Mom. I will never let down the feelings that girl has for me. My heart will not change in this lifetime," Lin Yu said seriously, taking a light sip of tea.

"However, Mom also thinks that Zhilin girl is quite good. Not only is she beautiful, but she’s also very talented, has an outstanding temperament, and knows how to look after you. It’s just a pity that one cannot have both fish and bear's paw; otherwise, that would be truly wonderful," Wang Chunhua suddenly said with a laugh.

Lin Yu spat his tea directly onto the coffee table. He hadn't even dared to imagine such a luxury, yet his own mother was already musing about it.