"That absolutely cannot be allowed!"
So Lin Yuanshan grabbed his nephew and shoved him in front of the Clan Leader. This time, however, he didn't dare to wail and cry loudly. His voice dropped several notches, and his face was filled with anguish.
"Clan Leader, Second Uncle, please look! Look at what a sorry state those Zhou Family people have reduced this little brat to!
Back then, it was my father, the Third Grand Uncle, who made the decision. He said that I, Lin Yuanshan, wasn't reliable and feared I would bring harm to the widow and orphan. He also said that the Zhou Family was Lin You'an's maternal uncle's family and would surely treat my brother's only son well.
I was forced to agree!
It's only been a few months since then, Clan Leader. You still remember those words, don't you?
But look now! Everyone, open your eyes and take a good look! This little brat is barely clinging to life, dragging himself and his sister all the way back home!"
As he spoke, this middle-aged man broke down in tears, snot and tears streaming down his face.
The two Lin brothers, who had deliberately attracted many clan members to come and watch the commotion, had just stepped into the courtyard when they heard their father's wailing cries.
They hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to enter or not. If they didn't go in, they feared their father and younger brother might be at a disadvantage. If they did go in, after secretly glancing at the clan members gathered around to watch the drama unfold, the brothers exchanged a bitter look.
They cared about their reputation, after all. Sigh.
"Enough, stop your wailing," the Clan Leader growled in a low voice, his head aching. Then he turned his gaze to the thin, emaciated child before him. As he looked closer, his pupils suddenly constricted.
This is...
"An'er?" he called out hesitantly, not quite believing his eyes. The child responded with a barely audible whisper.
"Grandfather Clan Leader, wuu wuu..." Lin You'an cried like an injured cub, his sobs incoherent. Coupled with his pitiful and disheveled appearance, it was impossible not to feel heartbroken and furious at the sight.
Lin Youtian couldn't believe that the skinny, ragged child before him, looking like an abandoned stray dog, could possibly be the clever young An'er from Lin Yuanzhou's family!
How could he have changed so drastically in just a few short months?
The other Lin family members couldn't believe it either.
The Third Old Master hobbled over, leaning on his cane, his aged face filled with shock and dismay.
"How did you end up like this? Has something happened to the Zhou Family? How is your uncle Zhou Chengguang? Are your cousins alright?"
These concerned questions, one after another, made Lin Yuanshan's blood boil!
"Third Grand Uncle, last time you said you were too old and your body wasn't working well, telling me not to be disobedient or unfilial. I was angry then.
Now I see that I wronged you, old man! It's clear now that your eyes truly don't work well, and neither do your ears.
Can't you see how miserable this little brat looks? Didn't you hear me say earlier that he was reduced to this state by your grandson Zhou Chengguang?"
He enunciated the last part clearly and forcefully, ensuring that all the clan members inside and outside could hear every word.
The old man's face changed abruptly. He slammed his cane on the ground, his hand shaking as he pointed at Lin Yuanshan.
"Stop spouting nonsense! Guanger is Lin You'an's own maternal uncle. Haven't you heard the old saying that uncles are as important as the Thunder God? Don't you know the principle that maternal uncles are to be respected?
That child has been kindhearted since he was young. How could he possibly mistreat his own nephew? Could it be that you, you good-for-nothing, have once again set your greedy eyes on your brother's estate and are deliberately trying to ruin others' reputations?"
Even his own son found these words hard to stomach.
"Father, Big Mountain isn't that kind of person. Didn't we clear up that misunderstanding last time?"
"Misunderstanding or not, that's just what we say to save face. He knows the truth in his heart!"
What's wrong with this old fool's brain? Always defending the Zhou family and stepping on the Lin family. What's going on? Could it be that Zhou Chengguang is actually his own grandson?
Anger rising from his heart, Lin Yuanshan was about to unleash a torrent of words when his nephew pitifully hugged him.
"Wuu wuu, Uncle.
All the family property my father left behind has been seized by the Zhou Family!
I was almost beaten to death by my two cousins! My mother remarried and abandoned us siblings shortly after giving birth to my sister. My own uncle and aunt sold my sister to another family for a ghost marriage!
Luckily, I overheard this by chance when I got up at night to use the bathroom. I managed to steal my sister away in the middle of the night, then fled, hiding from them. We took many mountain paths and back roads to finally escape back home.
Uncle, please save us!
I was blind and foolish before, falling into the Zhou Family's trap and hurting your good intentions. Wuu wuu, I truly know I was wrong.
For the sake of my father, please save me..."
This kid was indeed clever. Although his face was covered in tears and snot, his words were clear and his narrative concise. Between sobs and pleas, he managed to explain the situation clearly and completely.
It made it impossible for some people to pretend to be confused and brush it off.
After all, one look at the child showed he had clearly been severely abused, and he could explain things so clearly – it certainly wasn't a lie.
"You're talking nonsense..." The Third Old Master tried to say something more, but Lin Youtian grabbed his arm and spoke in an especially loud voice of concern.
"Father! What did you say? Are you still feeling unwell from choking earlier?"
He quickly turned to call his eldest son.
"Yuanju, your grandfather says he's not feeling well. Hurry and help him to bed to rest. How can you be so inconsiderate at your age?"
"Yes, coming! Grandfather, let me support you. Let's quickly go back to your room so you can lie down and rest properly. At your age, you need to take good care of your health. I'll go fetch Thirteenth Uncle right away to have another good look at you. We mustn't let your throat be damaged from the choking – that would be a serious matter..."
The father and son from the Clan Leader's family coordinated with impeccable tacit understanding, not giving their old man any chance to voice those muddled words. Couldn't they see that the observing clan members' expressions were starting to change?
"Let go of me, there's nothing wrong with my throat..."
"What? There's a fishbone stuck in your throat?!"
An even louder exclamation drowned out the Third Old Master's angry roar. Lin Yuanju's face was filled with such anxiety that it didn't seem like an act at all. Anyone who didn't know better might think his grandfather was on his deathbed.
"Oh heavens! Old Five, Old Five, come here quickly! Hurry and help me take Grandfather back to his room to lie down. Then you need to go fetch Thirteenth Uncle immediately. I've always said that Grandfather is getting on in years and needs to be more careful when eating, but none of you would believe me..."
