Chapter 28: Burning Bridges After Crossing

"What promise did you make?"

Lin Qingqian frowned as she asked.

A smirk curled at the corner of Lin Hao’s mouth. He let out a cold snort. “Tang Yunhao and Tang Jiao are still furious and intend to make things difficult for the Lin family. My father had no choice but to promise them that your entire family would be struck from the Lin family genealogy.”

“You’re to be expelled from the Lin family!”

“That’s the only way we secured their forgiveness, and the only way the Lin family was allowed to attend General Tang Qiong’s apprenticeship banquet!”

Hearing this, Lin Qingqian was stunned. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she turned to look at her parents.

Her mother, Zheng Mei, stood at the doorway, her face twisted with resentment.

Her father, Lin Changli, hid in the corner, dejected and downtrodden.

Clearly, they had known this already.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Qingqian looked at Lin Changren with a furrowed brow. “Uncle, if this is all because of me, then just strike my name from the genealogy. I won’t complain. But why take it out on my parents?”

Lin Changren let out a dismissive grunt, his face devoid of emotion. “That was at the suggestion and instruction of Tang Yunhao. My hands are tied.”

“For the Lin family’s interests, I can only do as they say.”

“That’s enough, everything’s been made clear. Now, the three of you—leave.”

Lin Qingqian bit her lip hard in anger.

“So this is what being the general manager of Dongliang Group does for you. You’ve grown so much bolder, even learned to burn bridges after crossing them.” She paused, her words sharp as blades. “Lin Changren, don’t forget how you got that post.”

Ye Tianci spoke up, his tone cool.

He had barely finished before the rest of the Lin family erupted in collective outrage.

“Ye Tianci, just shut up! So you recommended my uncle to Feng Hai—so what? Even without you, my uncle could have landed that general manager position at Dongliang Group!”

“That’s right. With his talent, he could be general manager of Dongliang, or even Longxiang Grand Hotel if he wanted!”

“Ye Tianci, if you hadn’t slandered Tang Jiao and offended her and Tang Yunhao, would the Lin family be in this mess?”

“Just now, uncle called Tang Yunhao as the general manager and got chewed out. For the sake of the Lin family, he had no choice but to sacrifice a pawn to save the king—expelling Lin Qingqian’s family! And as for you, you can leave with them!”

“Yes! Leave together!”

The Lin family members all shouted at once.

Lin Changren stared coldly at Ye Tianci. “Burning bridges after crossing the river? And what of it?”

“Since ancient times, has any man of great ambition and accomplishment not burned bridges to achieve his goals?”

“Ye Tianci, I am now the general manager of Dongliang Group, a trusted aide to Liang Xianrong. He’ll only rely on me more and won’t give you any face!”

A smug look appeared on his face.

From his seat of honor, the patriarch, Old Master Lin Daonan, who had been silent until now, could bear it no longer. He slammed his cane hard against the floor.

Thud!

The sudden shock silenced everyone in the living room.

All eyes turned to the old master.

“Changren, who gave you the authority to expel Changli’s family from the Lin clan on your own?”

“I’m not dead yet!”

Lin Daonan’s beard trembled with rage.

Lin Changren remained calm. Now that he was general manager, his spine was stronger than ever.

“Father, since it’s come to this, I’ll not hide it from you.”

“While you were ill, I made all the arrangements. All the Lin family’s assets are in my name now, all managed by my people.”

“And now that I’m general manager of the Liang family’s Dongliang Group, I’ll become the right hand of the Liang family head. In Shucheng, I’ll be a man of influence.”

“You may have recovered, but you’re old now, and frankly, muddle-headed. I think you’d best step back and stop meddling. From now on, I’ll make all the decisions for the Lin family.”

Hearing this, Lin Daonan stared in disbelief. Supporting himself on his cane, his voice trembled. “What did you say? You unfilial wretch!”

“Your father isn’t even dead and you’re already seizing power behind my back?”

Lin Changren snorted indifferently, then spread his arms wide to the family and relatives. “Those who support me as head of the Lin family, stand with me.”

“Those who support the old master, stand with him.”

The Lin family members and relatives chose sides.

Only Lin Qingqian, holding Ye Tianci’s hand, stood with Lin Daonan.

All the others—family and relatives—stood with Lin Changren.

Dongliang Group was powerful, assets worth billions. With Lin Changren as general manager, he could command enormous wealth. In the eyes of the Lin family, he was a walking cash machine.

Naturally, they would curry favor with such a one.

So they all chose Lin Changren without hesitation.

Seeing the crowd behind him, Lin Changren wore a victorious smile. “Father, as you can see, everyone has eyes—they know what’s wise. The Lin family headship is mine now.”

“You can retire in peace. Trust me, I’ll make the Lin family prosper and bring honor to our ancestors.”

“And since I’m the head, all previous decisions stand. Changli’s family is struck from the genealogy.”

“As for you, Ye Tianci, you’re not even married in yet. The Lin family will never accept you.”

“Pfft!”

Old Master Lin Daonan, his health only just restored, was so furious he coughed up blood.

His cane clattered to the floor, his eyes rolled back, and his body swayed as if he might collapse.

“Grandfather!”

Lin Qingqian hurried to support him.

Ye Tianci rushed to his side, grasping the old man’s hand, channeling a thread of vital energy into him, preventing him from fainting outright.

“Ah…”

Lin Daonan let out a long, shuddering breath, tears streaking his aged face.

In that instant, he seemed to age another ten years.

“Lin Changren… you unfilial son!”

Lin Daonan cried bitterly, cursing in despair.

Lin Changren’s expression darkened. “Father, that’s uncalled for. Don’t forget, this villa is in my name. I am its owner now.”

“You’ve been living here all these years, provided for entirely by me.”

“Expelling Uncle’s family is for the Lin family’s future. If you can’t accept it, you can leave and let Changli’s family care for you.”

Lin Qingqian’s eyes flashed with anger. She raised her brows and confronted Lin Changren. “This villa truly belongs to Grandfather! Who knows what tricks you used to change the deed.”

“If it’s supporting Grandfather, we’ll do it. From today on, our family will care for him.”

Lin Changren clapped his hands with a mocking sneer. “Then go.”

“Father, don’t blame your son for being heartless. Blame yourself for being so muddled.”

“But if you ever come to your senses, just say the word and I’ll welcome you back anytime.”

Lin Daonan trembled with rage, wishing he could slap this rebellious son.

“Grandfather, don’t be angry. Let’s go.”

Lin Qingqian supported Lin Daonan as they walked out.

Not a single member of the Lin family tried to stop them. They all stood in place, as if their feet were glued to the floor.

As Lin Qingqian reached the door, Lin Changren called out deliberately, “From this day on, Lin Changli, Zheng Mei, and Lin Qingqian—your family is expelled from the Lin family! Your names are struck from the genealogy!”

Not only did the Lin family show no regret, they even burst into unrestrained laughter.