Chapter 107

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Chapter 107: Every Family Has Its Own Difficulties

“Old Lin, isn’t your company planning to sign the regional franchise rights for Harley soon? If you’re not there, can your subordinates handle it? I can keep Xiao Mo company with Shanshan,” Yang Lian said casually, serving Lin Yuanfang some fish.

Lin Yuanfang paused for a moment to think. Indeed, recently, the internationally renowned brand Harley had been expanding its sales channels in China. Currently, there were only stores in Wenzhou and Shanghai, while the Hangzhou market was still a blank slate. Harley was interested in opening a flagship store along the famous auto corridor by West Lake in Hangzhou, which would greatly benefit Lin Yuanfang’s car sales company in expanding its brand. He had been busy preparing a business plan to secure the dealership rights for this brand in Hangzhou, aiming to elevate his company to the next level.

“You’re right!” Lin Yuanfang replied apologetically to Lin Mo. “How about I finish this task and then spend some quality time with you?” This opportunity was indeed crucial for him, as many competitors had their eyes on the Harley brand entering Hangzhou.

“It’s fine, Dad. You handle your business; I can contact my classmates and plan a trip somewhere farther away,” Lin Mo replied, narrowing his eyes slightly. Yang Lian had cleverly dissuaded Lin Yuanfang from his intentions. However, thinking about his place in his father’s heart made Lin Mo feel a bit overshadowed by his father’s career, causing his heart to dim slightly.

Dinner lasted quite a long time, until nine o’clock at night. As Lin Mo planned to return to his place, Lin Yuanfang wanted to keep him overnight, but Lin Mo shook his head in refusal. He sensed that although Lin Yuanfang cared for him greatly, Yang Lian, while appearing to encourage him to stay, seemed less enthusiastic, as if a mountain stood between them.

After Lin Mo left, Lin Yuanfang and Yang Lian tidied up, watched some TV together, and then went to bed.

“Old Lin, I need to discuss something with you,” Yang Lian suddenly said to Lin Yuanfang, who was lying beside her.

“What is it? Go ahead!” Lin Yuanfang replied, surprised.

“Lin Mo’s workplace isn’t in Hangzhou, and it’s rare for him to come back. Isn’t his apartment just sitting there empty?” Yang Lian said softly, watching Lin Yuanfang’s expression closely.

“What do you mean?!” Lin Yuanfang’s expression changed. “That’s the apartment I left for Xiao Mo! Don’t get any strange ideas!”

“What are you talking about? Lin Mo is no small child anymore. His current job has high confidentiality, and his income is comparable to that of a civil servant. He probably won’t return to Hangzhou after finding a girlfriend and getting married. His apartment is just sitting idle, so I suggest we help manage it. If not, we could sell it, take the money, and invest in him. When he gets married, it would give him a bit more to work with for things like renovation and new furniture. After all, he’s your son, and as his little mom, I should consider him more,” Yang Lian said, observing Lin Yuanfang’s reactions. She knew that although Lin Mo didn’t grow up with them, his weight in Lin Yuanfang’s heart was not any less than her daughter Shanshan’s.

“Well…” Yang Lian’s words made some sense. On the surface, she appeared to be thinking of Lin Mo, which made Lin Yuanfang hesitate. The apartment Lin Mo lived in was the only asset he had after his divorce with his ex-wife. It had originally belonged to Lin Mo’s grandfather and was replaced during an urban redevelopment project, situated in a prime downtown area.

“Oh, Old Lin, I never thought of taking advantage of Xiao Mo. With inflation, money is losing its value day by day. A million today can buy an apartment, but in two years, it might only buy a car. A few years later, you might only have enough to feed yourself for half a year. People save a few hundred bucks over a lifetime, and thirty years ago, that could buy a house. Now? With interest, it wouldn’t even buy a pack of cigarettes. If you don’t manage your finances, your finances won’t manage you. Why would I try to cheat Xiao Mo out of a bit of money?” Yang Lian said, trying hard to show concern for her ex-husband’s son, but she was scheming in her heart.

Her daughter Shanshan would be going to college soon, and in just a few years, she would be getting married. The bride price wouldn’t be small, and the larger the bride price, the greater the groom’s return gifts would have to be. Lin Mo’s apartment in the city center, though a bit small, was still valuable. Besides, the young man likely wouldn’t return to settle down; selling the apartment to convert it into cash seemed like a waste. Selling it could be seen as a failed investment, and she could discreetly take the money for her daughter’s dowry, perhaps even not returning any to Lin Mo. After all, there would always be more opportunities in the future.

As for Lin Mo, he was capable and had a job with the state, so it could just be seen as sponsoring his sister’s dowry.

“Where will Xiao Mo stay when he’s on leave?” Lin Yuanfang still thought more about his son without noticing Yang Lian’s motivations.

“Are you dumb? He’ll stay here! Clear up your study, just put in a single bed. How much space can that take up?” Yang Lian playfully chided Lin Yuanfang.

“Hehe!” Lin Yuanfang chuckled, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Lin Yuanfang thought Yang Lian was truly considering his son. After all, Yang Lian worked in the banking system and was knowledgeable in finance. He reached out and embraced her, saying, “Okay, I’ll think it over and discuss it with Xiao Mo when I get a chance.”

“Hmm!” Yang Lian hid her triumphant thoughts, wrapped her arms around Lin Yuanfang, and rewarded him with a clever kiss, while her mind ran a mile a minute.

The next morning, Lin Mo went to visit his biological mother, He Yuejiao, as planned. She lived in a villa with her new husband, Xie Feitian. As soon as she saw Lin Mo, He Yuejiao couldn’t help but shed tears, but Xie Feitian looked particularly pleased. Lin Mo was handsome and poised, and his calm demeanor impressed both He Yuejiao and Xie Feitian. Since they had no children, Xie Feitian was eager for Lin Mo to inherit his family business, given the importance of carrying on the family line.

However, Lin Mo aspired to soar high in the skies and engage in life-and-death battles with enemies. He had no intention of becoming a rich second-generation real estate developer. He earned enough to support himself, and as a pilot, he had an impressive salary, especially being an active duty personnel with countless subsidies, often not having to spend his own money for daily needs, and never worrying about food.

The household staff was preparing meals and ordering food from outside. He Yuejiao held Lin Mo’s hand and talked endlessly, reminiscing about Lin Mo’s childhood, while Lin Mo simply listened quietly. She shared stories of why she and Lin Yuanfang divorced.

Father Lin Yuanfang was decisive but carefree; he focused on the big picture and neglected the details, which made He Yuejiao, who was always meticulous, unable to tolerate him. Their personality differences became increasingly evident after marriage, leading to growing disagreements and eventually a broken relationship. They could no longer live together and opted for a mutual divorce. Lin Yuanfang kept the house, while He Yuejiao took the money and Lin Mo’s grandfather’s small apartment was left for Lin Mo. At that time, Lin Mo chose not to remain with either parent, managing to care for himself while preparing for the college entrance exams. After the divorce, Lin Yuanfang would transfer living expenses to Lin Mo’s bank card, and they would occasionally call him over for dinner.

This also fostered Lin Mo’s habit of being silent; true to his name, he hardly spoke. Even when he bravely saved someone and was nearly killed by a vehicle, he didn’t shout before he passed out.

Suddenly, while He Yuejiao was speaking, her phone rang, and upon answering, her expression subtly altered. She forced a smile at Lin Mo and said, “It’s your dad, Lin Yuanfang. I wonder what that rascal is thinking calling me.”

As she turned to take the call, He Yuejiao suddenly stood up and exploded with anger, saying, “You Lin! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. If necessary, I will leave all my assets with Xie to Xiao Mo. Don’t think that just because you’re doing well now, you can push me around. I’m not short on cash. It’s definitely that Yang Lian’s bad idea! Tell her, no one is touching even a thread from Xiao Mo’s belongings. You’re a scoundrel! You were, you are, and you will always be!” Shaking with fury, He Yuejiao hung up and slammed the phone down heavily on the coffee table.

“Hmph! That old fool!” He Yuejiao grumbled incessantly.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” Lin Mo asked, confused about how his biological parents could be shouting at each other over a phone call and why she referred to Lin Yuanfang’s current wife as a “bad woman.”

Realizing it was inappropriate to be angry in front of her child, He Yuejiao forced a smile and held Lin Mo’s hand, saying, “Xiao Mo, I need to remind you to keep the three certificates for your apartment safe. Don’t give them to anyone. Don’t think I’m unaware of how the market is; that place is going to be redeveloped soon. If that apartment falls into Yang Lian’s hands, it would be a total loss. That woman is cunning; you must be careful not to be tricked by her.”

“I’ll remember!” Lin Mo affirmatively squeezed He Yuejiao’s hand and nodded.

When lacking a family, he had longed for one, but now that he had one, it was so complicated. The saying that “every family has its difficulties” rang true, and Lin Mo felt a headache coming on.

“Let’s keep our distance from Lin Yuanfang in the future. We don’t need his meager assets. Xiao Mo, if you need anything, just tell Mom. I run a small company; I can come up with hundreds of thousands or even a million. Don’t hold back; spend as much as you need. If it’s not enough, I’ll ask that deadbeat for more. He’s not short on cash,” He Yuejiao reassured him, her expression brightening as she shouted toward her current husband, Xie Feitian, who was still on the phone, “I’m saying, Feitian, if Xiao Mo runs out of money, you have to support him!”