Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 682 - 557: Mr. Lin’s Self-Interest

In the study, after Mr. Lin took his seat, he glanced at his youngest son sitting below and then looked at his two dignified-looking grandsons carrying an ice platter, before lowering his eyes.

After a moment, seeing that everyone was seated, he opened his mouth and said, "You’ve been making rounds these past few days, and you’ve met the people you should. Do any families catch your eye? We can’t delay the marriage any longer."

Lin Dingsheng frowned, "Grandfather, let’s deal with the pressing issues first. Once that’s done, whoever you think is suitable, just arrange it without asking me."

Mr. Lin looked at the other grandson.

Lin Dingli scratched his head, glanced at his dad, and smiled at Mr. Lin, "Let’s sort out my brother first. He’s almost thirty, and he can’t delay any longer. I’m fine, I must settle it by twenty-five."

Lin Dingsheng lightly slapped his brother, "Stop grinning and use your brain a little more."

Mr. Lin quickly intervened, "Alright, what he said isn’t wrong. Do the math, everyone your age has kids by now, even Xiao Fei is about to become a father. How much longer do you want to wait? This year, you must get married and have children; I’m getting old, who knows if I’ll be able to hold my great-grandchild?"

At this moment, Mr. Lin conveniently forgot he had another grandson—a grandson ready to start a family upon graduation. People’s hearts are biased, and this fact is hard to change.

Lin Dingsheng and his brother exchanged a glance and nodded at Mr. Lin.

"My brother has high standards, you should find someone suitable for him. As for me, as long as she’s decent-looking and can cook, that’s all I need."

Lin Aidang had been silent on the side. Hearing his youngest son’s words, he gave him a stern look. He spoke so lightly; if it were that simple, he wouldn’t have offended old comrades.

He looked at his two sons and sighed, "Dad, let’s handle the current issues first. My brother-in-law has been preventing us from seeing my elder sister; what should we do about this? My mother’s matter needs to be resolved soon too, or else the children won’t find good matches. And what about Xiao Lin’s issue? Will my brother be implicated?"

Mr. Lin glared at him, his good mood spoiled again. What to do? He wanted to know that too.

Lin Dingsheng glanced at his father and said, "Grandfather is already working on a solution; don’t rush him. Uncle is determined not to get involved in these things. We’ve been trying to find Zhou Jiao for the past two days."

"What for? That child isn’t close with us to begin with. If she learns her mother isn’t your biological grandmother, she won’t want to get involved even more."

Lin Dingsheng asked with a frown, "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Seeing his son cornered, Mr. Lin changed the subject, "Rather than looking for someone else, why not find Xiao Fei? If not even he tells you, then stop looking."

"Xiao Fei said he’s been busy taking care of his wife, and Zhang Guoqing has been at school; they haven’t met for a while. However, he did mention once that luckily Zhou Jiao doesn’t know these things."

Mr. Lin shook his head upon hearing this, looking at his grandson, "In fact, it might be better if Jiao Jiao knows these things. She has a good ability to understand reason. Even if she resents your grandmother, she wouldn’t vent it on you. What I’m concerned about now is your uncle; he acts without scruple."

"So what now? I can’t find her at all."

Mr. Lin frowned and shook his head, "Things are very chaotic now. Today I heard that someone has been implicating your uncle and Xiao Lin, but your uncle has been defending his innocence. What does he really mean, making me confused again? It’s a pity he won’t even meet me; otherwise, I’d ask him myself."

Lin Dingsheng’s eyes lit up, "Then I’ll go see Zhang Guoqing tomorrow to gauge his stance."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lin chuckled and shook his head, "You’re underestimating him too much. Why haven’t I asked you to find him, and why haven’t I seen him myself?

Seeing him won’t necessarily get you anything, but you might end up being thoroughly understood by him. Your uncle has been taking him to some occasions these past years, obviously grooming him. Besides, this is a Zhou Family matter, he won’t intervene. Only Jiao Jiao, if I talk to her, she might still listen.

The decisions she makes will be followed by your uncle and the others. Your grandmother may be at death’s door, but she won’t kill your grandmother, will she? I can negotiate terms with her. As for your uncle’s matters, as long as your uncle is willing to protect his subordinate, there are ways to ensure that."

Lin Dingli, upon hearing this, ran over to Mr. Lin and knelt down beside him, "Grandpa, with grandmother’s situation this serious, it won’t be any use even if she steps in. Let’s think of another way."

Mr. Lin patted his grandson’s shoulder, "If it were useless, would I still want to find her? Your grandmother offended your uncle, so many people are getting involved.

I read those two letters. One of them mentions your grandmother accidentally giving your aunt sterilization medicine during the confinement period before the liberation, due to a mistake while taking care of her. That issue isn’t big and can be resolved easily. The other letter talks about cutting off the roots, but isn’t Zhou Jiao perfectly fine?

Doesn’t it seem simple?

Once your grandmother’s issue is resolved, everything else is trivial and can be ignored, with only Xiao Lin’s matter remaining. Your uncle didn’t participate in the matter about the quotas; it was me who intervened.

I’ve retired, so where else can I be demoted? At most, I’ll be criticized a bit, so what? Even if I’m assigned to a cadre school, so what? But now that they’ve set their sights on your uncle, it’s different; your uncle must step in to protect his subordinate.

Initially, these issues were easy to handle, but your grandmother has gone too far, trying to cut off your uncle’s descendants. I’m worried your uncle will retaliate, so I’m anxious to reach Zhou Jiao."

Outside, Chen Jingru was gripping the tray tightly, struggling to control her trembling body. She never expected that delivering a midnight snack would let her hear that the father-in-law she respected so much could shamelessly scheme against a girl and utter such disgraceful words. What about conscience?

At this moment, she had never felt so relieved that her son was not valued by the Lin Family. Otherwise, where would her upright and kind son turn?

Chen Jingru took a deep breath, knocked on the door, heard the four people inside cease their conversation, heard Mr. Lin’s voice, and then pushed the door open.

Seeing Chen Jingru coming in with four bowls of midnight snacks, Lin Dingsheng was the first to stand up, smiling as he took the wooden tray, "Thank you, aunt. I was just getting hungry, have you eaten?"

Chen Jingru smiled and said, "What trouble, Auntie made it; it was just a small effort for me." As for whether she had eaten? She didn’t answer.

Ha, how naive! Thinking anyone can have a late-night snack? The old man’s supply can only sustain so many people. There used to be Lin Lishan, this sister-in-law, providing help in private, but sadly no one knows gratitude before interests.

"Dad, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back first."

Mr. Lin nodded, "Be careful riding your bike on the way. Since you aren’t working, spend more time with your mom. I don’t think she has much time left, so don’t hold grudges against her too much."

Chen Jingru sighed quietly, nodded, and retreated. It’s a pity that the old man’s compassion couldn’t move her already cold heart. As they say, harmful things last a thousand years, and in her view, that old woman still has more trouble to cause.