My Amazing WeChat is Connected to the Three Realms - Chapter 19

“Haizi, tell me the truth. Where did you get so much money? You didn’t do something you shouldn’t have, did you?” Once the neighbors had left, Song Qin finally voiced her concerns.

“What are you talking about? Don’t you know your own son? Haizi isn’t that kind of person,” Chen Wen retorted, his neck stiff with indignation.

“You old fool, then where did all this money come from?”

“How should I know? Ask Haizi,” Lin Wen turned his head away.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this money,” Lin Hai quickly stepped forward to explain.

“I bought an ancient painting for 400 yuan at a stall on Antique Street. Turns out, it was an authentic work by Tang Bohu from the Ming Dynasty. An old gentleman from the capital bought it for 10 million.”

“What? 10 million?” The whole family was stunned.

This was an amount of money they couldn’t earn in several lifetimes.

“A… a painting sold for 10 million?” Lin Wen stammered.

“Yes, Dad. Your son is now a millionaire.”

“Good, good,” Lin Wen was so excited he started pacing around the room.

“You old fool, sit down already. You’re making me dizzy,” Song Qin scolded, though her face was also lit up with joy.

“Brother, is all this true?” Lin Yun’s mouth was wide open in shock.

“Yes, it’s absolutely true.”

“That’s great! Now that we have money, Mom and Dad won’t have to work so hard anymore.”

Lin Yun’s words made Lin Hai’s heart ache.

Yes, for the sake of him and his sister, their parents had endured so much hardship.

“Dad, Mom, you don’t have to farm the land anymore. From now on, I’ll take care of you.”

“How can that be? You need to save that money for your future wife. I’ve heard that marrying in the city costs a fortune,” Lin Wen scolded, his beard bristling.

“You old fool, can’t you talk properly? Why are you being so harsh with our son? Haizi, don’t mind him. Look at his attitude,” Song Qin shot Lin Wen a glare, but she was smiling.

Lin Hai smiled faintly, feeling an overwhelming warmth in his heart.

He had grown up amidst his parents’ daily bickering. Though those memories were filled with hardship, they were also filled with happiness.

Lin Hai then brought out the clothes he had bought for his parents and Lin Yun, though he didn’t dare tell them the prices. Otherwise, his parents would have neatly folded them away, too舍不得 to wear them.

“Dad, Mom, I was thinking of inviting the neighbors to a meal at the town’s restaurant tomorrow. I want to thank them for all their help over the years,” Lin Hai suggested after a while.

“That’s the right thing to do. We must never forget our roots. I’ll go and inform them,” Lin Wen immediately stood up and went out to spread the word.

“This old man, always loves to show off. Who knows how he’s going to brag to everyone outside.”

Lin Hai chuckled but didn’t say anything.

As a child, making your parents proud is the greatest act of filial piety.

“Come on, Yunyun, let’s go book the restaurant.”

“Okay,” Lin Yun had been eager to ride in their family car and happily followed Lin Hai to town.

“Haizi is hosting a meal at the town’s restaurant tomorrow. You must come. I’ll have Haizi pick you up.”

Lin Wen went from house to house, his face beaming with pride, as if he had become years younger.

Soon, the entire village knew that the Lin family’s son had struck it rich and was spending big money to treat everyone to a meal in town.

Sun Guizhi also heard the news at home. She sat on the kang, fuming with anger.

“Fine, this Lin Hai, who knows what shady means he used to get his dirty money, dares to ignore me now. He’s hosting a meal and didn’t even inform me. Has he forgotten all the good I’ve done for their family? So ungrateful!”

“When have you ever done anything good for my brother’s family?” Lin Wu muttered under his breath.

“What are you mumbling about? Your nephew is hosting a meal and didn’t even invite you. How can you just sit there? You useless man, how did I end up with someone as worthless as you?”

“No, this is outrageous. I must teach them a lesson. If this continues, they’ll be walking all over me soon.” Sun Guizhi grew angrier the more she thought about it. She slammed the door shut and went to the inner room to make a phone call.

“Brother, you have no idea how awful Aunt Sun is. Last month, her nephew had a full moon celebration, and she forced Mom and Auntie to give 200 yuan as a gift. Mom and Auntie weren’t even close to them, but Aunt Sun publicly shamed them, saying they embarrassed her, and made them give 500 yuan each. Then, when it was time to sit down, she said there were too many people and made Mom and Auntie sit with the waitstaff, not even allowing them to join the main table. All the seats were taken by her relatives. Mom cried when she got home.”

“And that’s not all…” Lin Yun seemed to have found an outlet, pouring out all the terrible things Sun Guizhi had done over the years.

Lin Hai listened expressionlessly, his heart aching for his parents while seething with anger at Sun Guizhi’s despicable behavior.

“Don’t worry, Yunyun. People like her will get their comeuppance sooner or later.”

That night, Lin Hai stayed up late talking with his parents before finally falling asleep on the family’s earthen kang. He felt an unparalleled sense of peace.

The next day, Lin Hai once again failed to grab a red packet in his phone game, frustrating him to the point of nearly throwing his phone.

Today, he had to pick up the neighbors. Originally, he had planned to hire a bus to take everyone to town at once, but Lin Wen insisted that Lin Hai drive them himself, making multiple trips.

Unable to refuse, Lin Hai understood his father’s intentions and made over a dozen trips to transport everyone.

Once everyone had gathered at the restaurant, Lin Hai suddenly remembered something.

He walked to the entrance and made a phone call.

“Hello, who is this?”

“Is this Elder Xiao? It’s me, Xiao Lin.”

“One moment.”

“Xiao Lin, haha,” a hearty laugh soon came through the phone.

“Elder Xiao, are you still in Lanzhen Town?”

“Yes, I am.”

“This afternoon, I’m hosting a meal for my neighbors at the Pearl Restaurant in town. I was wondering if you might have the time to join us and allow me to play the host?”

“Oh? Haha, you’re quite the interesting young man. Alright, I’ll be there shortly.”

After hanging up, Xiao Qingshan turned to a young man standing respectfully behind him. “Cancel my noon arrangements. I’m going to the Pearl Restaurant.”

“Sir, but…”

“But what?”

“Sir, the provincial, city, and county leaders are already on their way.”

“Who told them to come?” Xiao Qingshan suddenly erupted in anger, causing the young man to break out in a cold sweat.

“Tell them all to turn back. If anyone shows up, I’ll have them shot!”

“Yes, yes,” the young man nodded repeatedly, wiping the sweat from his brow.

“Ah, forget it,” Xiao Qingshan sighed. “Let Xiao Wu handle it.”

“Thank you for your understanding, sir,” the young man felt a wave of relief.

If he had to deliver that message himself, the higher-ups might take their frustration out on him, and he’d be finished.

“Alright, Mayor Huang, you’ll accompany me at noon. The rest of you, go about your business.”

Huang Bo’s eyes lit up. “Yes, sir.”

At the Pearl Restaurant, the hall was packed with people, all chatting about how successful Lin Hai had become and how fortunate the Lin family was.

Lin Wen and Song Qin warmly greeted their neighbors, happier than they had ever been.

Lin Hai stood at the entrance, constantly scanning the surroundings.

“Haizi, the neighbors have been waiting for a while. Should we start?” Lin Wen came out after some time.

“Dad, let’s wait a little longer.”

“Who are you waiting for?”

“A very important guest!”

As soon as Lin Hai finished speaking, a police van with its siren blaring screeched to a halt in front of him.

“Who’s Lin Hai?” A disheveled, drunken police officer stepped out of the vehicle.

Lin Hai was taken aback. “That’s me. What’s the matter?”

“Kid, you’re in trouble. Come with us!”