Chapter 136: Your Grandfather Wants to See You

"That’s settled, then! I’m going to go prepare right now!"

Without giving Chu Ling-shuang a chance to object, Chu Yun-ran made the executive decision and turned to dash out of the room.

Beside her, Yu Xue-yan’s mouth twitched. This second young lady was truly full of restless energy. It was only because the eldest young lady was in a good mood that she could tolerate such antics.

Observing Chu Ling-shuang’s expression, she asked cautiously, "Then, Miss, if there is nothing else, shall I go down and arrange the details for the return trip?"

Seeing Chu Ling-shuang nod, she exhaled in relief and turned to head for the door. However, before she could even reach it, she heard Chu Ling-shuang’s icy voice cut through the air.

"Wait!"

Yu Xue-yan froze, instinctively turning back. "Ah? Miss, what is it?"

She looked at her mistress, bewildered. From a distance, she could see that Chu Ling-shuang’s expression had turned grim.

"If he were truly a member of the Lin family, would it have taken them over twenty years to find him?"

Chu Ling-shuang’s chilling voice echoed in the room. At the door, Yu Xue-yan shuddered, suddenly realizing the truth.

"You’re right! Miss, with the Lin family’s power, finding someone should be effortless. How could it have taken..." She trailed off, having grasped the implication. She looked at her mistress in shock; she had been so caught up in the romantic fantasy of it all that she had completely overlooked this detail.

Chu Ling-shuang’s expression plummeted to freezing point, the atmosphere around her heavy and cold as iron. She narrowed her eyes at Yu Xue-yan and said gloomily, "At the banquet in a few days, send men to protect Lin Feng in secret."

Yu Xue-yan nodded repeatedly. A second later, she asked, "And what about Miss Ran-ran?"

"Include her as well." Chu Ling-shuang lowered her voice, adding, "Do not let Ran-ran know about this."

"Understood."

Once Yu Xue-yan had left, Chu Ling-shuang’s gaze returned to her phone screen. She stared at the indifferent, distant eyes of Lin Feng in the image, her gaze darkening.

"What secret do you hold that it took the Lin family so long to track you down..." she murmured to herself, a sudden flash of last night’s passion crossing her mind.

She licked her parched lips insatiably, a look of greed in her eyes as she whispered, "You will never escape me..."

...

"We’re here, son."

Inside the slowing car, Sheng Chao looked back at Lin Feng and smiled. "Remember, don't mention your loan shark troubles or your past with the Xu family. Once you step through these doors, from today on, you are the rightful young master of the Lin family."

Looking at the crowd of reporters surrounding the estate, the red carpet, and the floral arrangements lining the entrance, Lin Feng felt a heavy weight in his heart. Sheng Chao signaled the driver to slow down and rolled down the rear window.

Instantly, a barrage of camera flashes erupted. Their car pulled onto the red carpet, moving through the bustling crowd into the estate. Lin Feng didn't have to do anything but sit in the back and let them take their photos. It made him feel like a trophy on display.

He especially hated scenes like this. He despised the high-society world because it was full of complications and power struggles. Yet, here he was, sitting in this car, being forced into that very cage.

This was already the third time. Living under someone else’s roof, being kidnapped—every time, he was forced into compromise. His fate seemed to have slipped out of his control. He was truly sick of this feeling of powerlessness, of being forced into entanglements he never wanted.

In the lenses of the cameras, Lin Feng sat silently in the car, watching the Lin estate with a blank expression. They all assumed he was overwhelmed with joy and shock, unable to process his emotions. They didn't know that Lin Feng only wanted to find out the truth and leave the Lin family as soon as possible.

No one would restrict his freedom!

"We've arrived."

The car stopped in front of the villa, and Sheng Chao personally stepped out to open the door for Lin Feng. Dropping his previous amiable demeanor, Sheng Chao bowed slightly with respect. "Young Master Lin, I can only take you this far. Please continue the rest of the way on your own."

Being addressed as "Young Master," especially by someone who had just claimed the role of an elder, felt strange to Lin Feng. He didn't respond, noticing a bodyguard in black approaching to bow to him. "Young Master, please."

Lin Feng glanced at the luxurious villa. It was, in truth, a bit smaller than Chu Ling-shuang’s home. At the Lakeview Villa, he hadn't been able to see the end of the property at a glance, but here, he could even see the security station from the entrance.

He nodded slightly, walked around the car, and stepped onto the stairs. Dozens of servants and bodyguards were lined up in a row, all bowing in unison as they called out, "Welcome home, Young Master!"

The volume made Lin Feng pause. He couldn't help but twitch his mouth. Whose idea was this? It was so awkward. It was even more conspicuous than at Chu Ling-shuang’s place.

Regardless, he had to go inside. Lin Feng scanned the area in silence and braced himself to walk through them.

Just as he entered, as expected, a teenager a few years younger than him rushed out and looked him up and down.

"So you’re Lin Feng?!"

The youth blurted out, eyeing Lin Feng with visible disdain. He circled around him, muttering, "You don't dress very well, that's for sure..."

This must be the other heir, he thought. Lin Feng glanced at him; the boy seemed to have no filter, his thoughts written all over his face.

"I am Lin Feng," he said coldly. "And you are?"

"Don't be so rude!" the boy scolded, looking at Lin Feng with an arrogant, stuck-up expression. "My name is Lin Hai-xuan. I am your cousin, so you should address me as Uncle."

"What?!" Lin Feng froze.

A cousin? Uncle? And this young? Judging by his looks, he had just turned eighteen! Was he trying to play a joke on him?

Lin Feng didn't have the patience to play games with this kid. He only wanted to clarify the situation and tell those who had gone to such great lengths to bring him here that he had no interest in the Lin family's wealth.

He rolled his eyes and snapped, "You talk too much."

"Is that how you talk to your uncle, you brat? I'm your cousin, and you dare to insult me?!" The pampered Lin Hai-xuan could not handle the slight. He raised his arm, ready to strike.

Lin Feng was about to dodge, but a stern, middle-aged voice suddenly boomed out.

"Hai-xuan, stop this nonsense!"

Lin Hai-xuan shuddered, turned around, and looked back with a face full of discontent. "Dad, I’m his cousin! I’m just teaching him the rules!"

Lin Yi walked over, his expression grave. "Get back to your room!"

The command made Lin Hai-xuan flinch. He immediately lowered his hand and began to walk inside, but shot an angry glare at Lin Feng as he muttered, "Raised in some small, backwater family... no manners at all..."

Lin Feng stood his ground, looking at Lin Yi fearlessly. His lack of intimidation earned a flash of appreciation in Lin Yi’s eyes, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared. His steady, firm voice resonated again.

"Your grandfather wants to see you. He’s on the second floor."