The young and strong Lin Yuanpeng quickly came over, picked up his grandfather, and ran to the back room of the house. His movements were swift and decisive, without any hesitation.
Then, some honest child blurted out a puzzled question.
"Mom, we didn't eat fish for lunch, where did great-grandpa get the fish bones in his throat, mmph mmph!"
Lin Yousong's wife, Lady Fang, quickly covered the mouth of her dim-witted son, wearing an apologetic and embarrassed smile on her face.
"Well, the child is tired, he's starting to talk nonsense in his dazed state. I'll take him back to rest!"
With that, she scooped up the unfortunate child and swiftly left the troublesome scene. The other sisters-in-law followed suit, finding various excuses to take their children back to their rooms.
This spectacle that was clearly embarrassing for their family was not something these young wives could casually watch.
Lin Youtian, looking at his youngest son crying pitifully, couldn't help but tremble his fingers hidden behind his back.
This was all the fault of him as the Clan Leader. He shouldn't have given in to his father's stubbornness back then, which led to this child suffering so much.
If Yuanzhou knew about this from the underworld, wouldn't he be furious?
Ah, he had truly grown old!
How foolish he had been!
Looking at the clan members gathered around, he knew everyone was waiting for him to take a stance. So, with an expressionless face, he narrowed his eyes and asked in a low, hoarse voice.
"Yuanshan, what do you want to do? This time, I'll listen to you."
Lin Yuanshan inwardly scoffed.
Why bother sounding so nice? Now you're just in a dilemma, unable to back down. Although he was extremely annoyed inside, he couldn't show all of his frustration on his face. If he truly offended the Clan Leader, how would his branch of the family survive in the clan in the future?
But he also couldn't show no reaction at all, or he'd die of frustration! So, with a hint of anger on his face, he complained loudly.
"What can I do? Don't I have to listen to the elders' decisions? Otherwise, if I'm labeled as unfilial and disobedient, all the descendants of my father's branch will be ruined!"
Hearing his nephew mention his cousin, the slight anger in Lin Youtian's heart was finally completely suppressed by guilt.
Although he and the father of Lin Yuanshan and Lin Yuanzhou were only cousins, they were closer than most people's biological brothers.
That's why after his cousin and his wife died unexpectedly, Lin Youtian had helped these two nephews many times. Regardless of what his father thought, he truly treated these two brothers as his own nephews.
Now Yuanzhou had passed away at such a young age, leaving behind just this young son, oh, and a daughter too, right?
Sigh, he had been too simplistic in his thinking lately.
The Zhou Family taking the child away wasn't just because the child was willing to go with his birth mother, nor was it just because of his family's old master's insistence. He had other considerations as well.
At the time, he thought that no matter what, a birth mother would always love her child more than an uncle. Moreover, the Zhou Family lived in town and came from a scholarly background, which should be better for An Ge'er's future growth than staying in this countryside.
But who could have imagined that there could be such a cold-hearted mother in this world? Were all those years of Zhou's love for An Ge'er just an act?
"Yuanshan, this is my responsibility as the Clan Leader. I shouldn't have underestimated how much money can move people's hearts. I apologize here to you and You'an."
As he finished speaking and was about to bow with cupped hands, Lin Yuanshan rushed over to stop him. He was gnashing his teeth in anger inside.
This old fox wants to put me on the spot!
Did he think I didn't see the displeasure on Third Uncle's, Sixth Uncle's, and Ninth Uncle's faces? If I dare to let you apologize today, these uncles and granduncles will come down on me.
"Clan Leader, you mustn't do this! You know it's enough that you realize you wronged me last time. How can an elder like you bow and apologize to a junior like me? If word got out, how could I, Lin Yuanshan, ever show my face again?"
After this insincere speech, he leaned in close and gritted through his teeth.
"Second Uncle, that's about enough."
Lin Youtian, cunning as ever, hooked the corner of his mouth and replied in an equally low voice.
"You little brat, I'm teaching you what it means when they say the older ginger is spicier. When it comes to being shameless, what you're doing is just leftovers from what I used to do."
Damn!
Lin Yuanshan cursed inwardly.
Except for Lin You'an who was closest to them, no one else heard these two exchanges. A flash of surprise passed through the young boy's eyes, but he quickly lowered his head.
So, this is their true nature? How is this somewhat different from the scenes he saw in his dreams?
Even though the small child was clever, he lacked life experience. He didn't know that human nature often has many facets, and sometimes what actions people take depend on the circumstances they have to choose from.
Just like in his dreams, he saw himself hurriedly fleeing back to the Lin family, using his father's connections to put on a show of strength. Thinking back now, if the situation then was the same as now, what right did he have to come back and fight for the family property? And why would the clan stand on his side to help him?
If it weren't for his uncle willing to take him in, he probably wouldn't even have that room to live in under his name!
If this was the truth, Lin You'an's heart trembled violently. He closed his eyes in guilt.
"Sixth Brother, what's wrong with you?"
Lin Youwen, who had been keeping a close eye on him, immediately ran over to support his cousin. His inquiry also turned the Clan Leader's gaze towards them.
"You'an, what's wrong?"
"Grandfather Clan Leader, I haven't eaten for almost two days."
Lin You'an, coming to his senses, fell into his cousin's arms, feigning weakness and pitiful. This made Lin Youtian slap his thigh in guilt and turn to instruct his eldest grandson.
"Yousong, quickly bring some food."
"Coming, coming. You'an, first drink some porridge to ease your stomach. This steamed bun has egg inside, take it and eat. Take a bite then drink a sip, be careful not to choke."
Lin Yousong, already a father of two children, was very experienced in taking care of kids. He fussed over his clan brother, and after making sure he had eaten and drunk his fill, he pulled him aside to sit down.
By this time, the Clan Leader's attitude was very clear, so the other elders of the Lin family began to speak up.
"Second Brother, the Zhou Family has mistreated our child like this, we can't just let it go, can we?"
Third Uncle was known for his bad temper and had never shown a good face to these young rascals in the clan. But he also had one major flaw – he was fiercely protective of his own.
"Third Brother is right. Last time when the Zhou Family came to make a scene, I disagreed. You all insisted on considering Third Uncle's feelings, but if he's become senile, have you all become senile too? Old Ninth, don't pull me back, if I don't speak out, I'll feel awful!"
Sixth Uncle was known for being the most upright, never tolerating any nonsense. He had quarreled with his brothers over letting the Zhou Family take away the Lin family's descendant last time.
He had been so angry that he hadn't come to the Clan Leader's house for months.
If it weren't for Youwen coming to gather people earlier and roughly explaining the situation, he wouldn't have specially come over.
