Chapter 23 She always thought of his tongue first—nimble and wet.

Chapter 23 She always thought of his tongue first—nimble and wet.

Lin Yufan stared at Jian Suzhen in silence. She knew this woman too well!

To save her life, she’d cry for her parents, feign insanity, and even pretend to defecate. She was capable of all that.

Lin Yufan said coldly, "Since this woman’s gone mad, keeping her alive would just waste food. Fifth Brother, bury her with her two sons."

Were her sons really dead?

A flash of murderous intent crossed Jian Suzhen’s previously vacant eyes.

Exactly! She was faking it.

Lin Yuwu was clever and immediately reacted, "Burying them together would be too easy on her. I say we just toss her into the fishpond to feed the fish."

As he spoke, Lin Yuwu signaled to Iron Dragon. One grabbed her head, the other her feet, ready to toss her into the pond.

As the fishpond neared and her hands and feet were tied, Jian Suzhen knew she’d die if thrown in. She realized there was no point in pretending anymore and struggled with all her might, "You killed my sons! I’ll haunt you as a ghost!"

"Done pretending? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you can’t even become a wandering ghost."

"Help! Someone help!" Jian Suzhen screamed desperately.

Lin Yuwu let go with one hand to cover her mouth, but Jian Suzhen fought back fiercely. Lin Yuwu lost his grip on her head, and she slammed into the ground.

Lin Yuwu watched her head about to hit the stone. Instead of saving her, he shoved her onto it.

Crash!

Jian Suzhen, already head-injured, fell completely silent.

Iron Dragon quickly went over to check her breathing, "She’s unconscious."

But with severe head bleeding, she’d surely die without immediate medical attention.

Since Lin Yufan had told her Fifth Brother that Jian Suzhen and her husband owed her money and had repeatedly tried to kill her, Lin Yuwu thought this woman deserved to die and wasn’t worth saving.

Lin Yuwu turned to Lin Yufan, "This woman’s too cunning and a great actress. If she were truly insane, we might spare her life. But I’m afraid she’s not really mad. Spending money to save her would just let her wake up and keep acting."

She’d be a disaster!

Lin Yufan nodded in agreement, "Fifth Brother, what’s your plan?"

Lin Yuwu took charge, "Leave it to me. Her life and death are none of your concern. Iron Dragon, escort First Madam back."

Lin Yufan’s flashlight once again shone on Jian Suzhen, who was unconscious and pale. She gave her Fifth Brother a few instructions, then turned and left.

Her Fifth Brother was more ruthless than her, and handling this matter was most suitable for him.

Iron Dragon followed behind her, carrying the cloth bag filled with gold bars.

The moon emerged from the clouds, and the wind howled in their ears.

*

The phone at Jinghua Building had been ringing all morning, all calls from the Second Branch.

They hadn’t raised enough money and hoped Lin Yufan could buy them time.

Lin Yufan was patient, saying she would ask Commissioner Bai.

After hanging up the phone, she returned to the small sitting room and continued tutoring Zhao Jingxiu in English.

Zhao Jingxiu was not naturally gifted and had spent a lot of time studying, yet her progress remained slow.

"This English is really too difficult. I have a bad memory, and I just can't remember. Eldest Madam, how did you learn it back then? You only attended middle school for two years, yet you're so proficient."

Lin Yufan had been forced to learn due to work requirements. She smiled and said, "Back then, I didn't have the good conditions you have now. I studied in a private tutor's home. It was only after my fifth brother pleaded for a long time that my grandfather agreed to let me attend a girls' middle school. The opportunity was hard to come by, so of course I had to work harder than others."

Zhao Jingxiu propped her head on the table with one hand and smiled at Lin Yufan, "Your English is so good; you could help Eldest Master with his business in the future. I've heard that there are many foreigners in Hong Kong, and Eldest Master's business often involves dealing with them."

"My skills are just enough to get by with you. Come on, translate these two sentences into English."

Zhao Jingxiu picked up her pen with a smile, "I still prefer playing with animals."

Lin Yufan watched her translate and couldn't help but softly remind her, "Pay attention to the third-person singular."

"I almost forgot again. If I can get into a university in Hong Kong, Eldest Madam, you'll be my lifesaver." Zhao Jingxiu had a sweet tongue and was particularly good at flattering.

Lin Yufan smiled, "What I'm teaching you is just the basics. When you go to Hong Kong, you'll still need to hire a foreign tutor to solidify your foundation."

Zhao Jingxiu was full of longing for studying and living in Hong Kong. She daydreamed, "I heard that the missionary schools in Hong Kong have many children of mixed heritage. I love children of mixed heritage; they have big eyes, high noses, and are very beautiful, like dolls."

Looking at Zhao Jingxiu, Lin Yufan suddenly remembered the rumors Jian Suzhen had mentioned. Zhao Jingxiu's father, Zhao Yanhui, who was Zhao Zhiao's Second Uncle, was said to be one of the murderers of Zhao Zhiao's brother. She wondered how much truth there was to the rumor.

While Zhao Jingxiu focused on her homework, Lin Yufan read the newspaper beside her. These days, various newspapers were publishing editorials about "No. 54 Ping'an Lane."

The call to punish traitors was growing louder.

Some were also curious about the identity of the anti-Japanese writer "Si Mu." Was it a pseudonym for a certain writer?

People speculated widely, and the newspapers listed several suspects, analyzing them with certainty, but all were male writers.

When interviewed, some male writers directly denied it, while others pretended it was inappropriate to comment, remaining mysterious and deliberately encouraging speculation.

Lin Yufan couldn't help but laugh as she read. She read all the reports in detail, feeling satisfied.

The sound of a car came from outside; Wang Junyao had returned.

Wang Junyao had gone to her relatives' place in Wuxi for a birthday banquet and had just arrived home, bringing back many Wuxi specialties, which she said she would take to Hong Kong.

On the way home, Wang Junyao had heard from the driver about the Second Branch's situation. She couldn't help but sigh to Lin Yufan, "I never expected Zhao Lijie and his brother to have secretly worked as traitors. This has truly brought shame to our Zhao family."

Lin Yufan pretended to be helpless, "They came to beg several times. I didn't see them the first few times, but yesterday Eldest Madam and Third Madam came in person. I had no choice but to agree to help them inquire. I think it's futile; they still haven't raised the money."

Wang Junyao understood Lin Yufan's dilemma, "These people, if you ignore them, they'll say we look down on them. If you engage with them, it's really hard to help. You're kind-hearted. Others would have quickly distanced themselves."

The kind-hearted Lin Yufan smiled, "Mom, when you're not home, I can't avoid these things. Now that you're back, things are better."

Wang Junyao had been looked down upon by the Zhao family in the past, and now she wasn't keen on interacting much with other branches, especially when it involved thankless tasks.

She lowered her voice, "This matter has escalated; it's definitely hard to handle. It's better they haven't raised the money; we have a reason to refuse them."

"Yes, they'll probably come again later."

Wang Junyao wasn't good at refusing people. She said, "You can handle them then. If they ask about me, just say I just returned and am not feeling well, so I won't see them."

"Understood."

The housekeeper entered with a telegram, "Madam, Eldest Madam, this is a telegram from the Eldest Master."

Wang Junyao asked, surprised, "What’s going on?"

Lin Yufan glanced at it and replied just as briefly.

"Got it, I’ll go pick them up."

They sounded like an old married couple.

Wang Junyao leaned closer, and Lin Yufan hurried to explain, "I reminded Zhao Zhiao to pick up Xi Gu and the others."

Wang Junyao knew how busy Zhao Zhiao was, and him personally picking someone up was a sign of respect for Lin Yufan.

She felt a twinge of envy; newlyweds are always in their honeymoon phase.

While others might prefer concubines to wives, Zhao Zhiao was different; he had a concubine before marrying, so his wife still had that newness about her.

"By my count, Mrs. He and the others should’ve arrived by now, right?"

Lin Yufan nodded, "Telegrams often take two or three days, so Xi Gu and the others likely arrived yesterday."

"We should start packing too. I’m attending a birthday banquet the day after tomorrow, then we’ll get ready to leave." Wang Junyao calculated, "Just seven days left—it’ll fly by. If there’s anything you need to buy, do it soon. I’ve heard Hong Kong has lots of foreign goods, and some things we have here you can’t find there."

Lin Yufan had already made a list, so she knew better than Wang Junyao.

Still, she smiled and agreed, "I’ll look later to see what we need to buy."

Second Madam Li’s house was in the alley behind Jinghua Building, and she knew the moment Wang Junyao’s car came back.

Within fifteen minutes, Second Madam Li knocked at the back door, on the pretext of returning something.

She mostly came to chat with Wang Junyao and butter her up.

Wang Junyao and she sat in the little hallway by the back door, chatting.

After some small talk, Second Madam Li got straight to the point, "Everyone is saying that the Second Branch won’t make it through this time."

Wang Junyao asked curiously, "How so? Is it that serious?"

Second Madam Li lowered her voice, "Being a traitor isn’t a big deal in itself, but when it causes such a scandal all over Haicheng, even if you have money, it’s hard to suppress. Unless your Zhao Zhiao steps in."

"Zhao Zhiao fought against the Japanese in the army, asking him to save a traitor..." Wang Junyao shook her head repeatedly.

Second Madam Li continued, "Thirteenth Uncle and Uncle Duo are unwilling to get involved. The Second Branch has no money themselves. Something happened last night, did you know?"

"What happened?"

"Third Madam Jian secretly took money and went to her relatives with her child last night, but they were intercepted on the way!"

Wang Junyao’s face changed instantly, "Was it for money or...? Is the child okay?"

"The child wasn’t in the same rickshaw as her, the child is fine but she’s in trouble. It’s said she hasn’t been found yet, and no one knows if she’s dead or alive." As she spoke, Second Madam Li wiped the corner of her eye.

Actually, there were no tears, but given the situation and it being her niece, not crying would seem too heartless.

Wang Junyao genuinely felt a bit teary, "With the world so chaotic now, it’s likely that Third Madam Jian is in grave danger. Oh dear, what will happen to the children?"

Second Madam Li said, "The children, being of Zhao family blood, will surely be taken care of by the Second Branch, but as for my niece, I’m afraid no one will care about her life or death."

"Wasn’t the police informed?"

"They called the police. They called the police because of the money. She shouldn’t have run off with the money. The Second Branch is only concerned with where the money went—who cares about her life or death? Everyone thinks she had it coming. Even if she’s alive, they won’t let her come back home."

In front of Second Madam Li, Wang Junyao couldn’t be too harsh. "Indeed, taking off with the money at a time like this is really heartless."

Second Madam Li smiled awkwardly, "Yes, her own husband is locked up, and she’s not even trying to help him. Now that I think about it, most of what she told me before was probably lies."

"What did she say?"

"She claimed your First Madam was cursed to bring bad luck to her husband and kids. Wasn’t it her who told me that? I was so naive, I rushed to tell you without considering that she might be jealous of her sister-in-law marrying so well the second time around and deliberately lied to deceive me. I said your First Madam is lucky—look how the Second Branch collapsed as soon as she left. What does that mean? It means her good fortune was keeping the Second Branch afloat before."

Wang Junyao smiled proudly, "They say you can read a person’s luck from their face. Although our First Madam isn’t fat, her facial features are classic signs of good luck."

"That’s right, your Zhi Ao is so particular, how could he pick someone with an unlucky face? It was all my fault before, hearing gossip and worrying for you, only to end up making a fool of myself." Second Madam Li flattered in a low voice, now afraid that Lin Yufan would know she had stirred up trouble before and hold a grudge against her.

She was also hoping Wang Junyao’s family would move to Hong Kong, hoping to cash in, preferably by getting her hands on managing the garden villa.

Taking care of the house not only meant making money but also possibly living in and enjoying the big villa.

Wang Junyao wasn’t particularly clever, and she didn’t bother to read others’ minds. Whoever was kind to her, she was kind to them. Second Madam Li came to share some sweet talk, and in the end, she always ended up giving her something.

So Second Madam Li clung to her like a leech.

In the small room next door, Zhao Jingxiu had finished her homework. She was playing a game of Go with Lin Yufan, who listened to the conversation next door. Hearing about the Second Branch’s troubles from others, she felt quite pleased.

*

After lunch, Nan Geer hurriedly visited.

These past few days, dealing with his father and uncle’s affairs, he seemed to have aged years overnight.

He had lost weight, and his stubble made him look much older.

Not yet twenty, Nan Geer, who had never handled major affairs before, had become the backbone of the Second Branch.

Lin Yufan didn’t hold much resentment towards the younger generation. Hearing that Nan Geer hadn’t even eaten breakfast, she had someone whip up a bowl of shredded pork noodles for him.

Looking at the noodles in front of him, Nan Geer’s eyes instantly reddened, "Thank you, Fourth Aunt."

Lin Yufan sighed, "I didn’t expect so many things to happen in just one day."

"Third Aunt is completely missing now, the money is gone, and my grandmother and mother resent her for being selfish. The family is a total mess."

Lin Yufan knew well that everyone in the Second Branch was selfish. She didn’t respond, only saying, "Eat quickly."

Nan Geer then picked up his chopsticks and started eating hurriedly.

"We want to find someone to sell the family property, but it’s too difficult to sell in such a short time. Those interested in buying are offering very low prices, making it impossible to sell. My mother is worried that now that the estate is gone, if we sell all the property, what will the family live on in the future?"

Lin Yufan was now completely in the mindset of an observer, "What are your plans then?"

Nan Geer still had filial piety. He said, "I still want to sell all the property to save my father and uncle. I’ve grown up; I can work and earn money to support the family."

"Can you alone support such a large family?"

Nan Geer was somewhat lost, "What else can I do if I can’t?"

The Zhao family still had some assets, so the Second Branch wouldn’t starve.

But the stigma of being a traitor’s descendants might never fade. After liberation, even greater hardships awaited them.

Lin Yufan sometimes wondered, should she be soft-hearted? No, the descendants of the privileged are also privileged.

They can only blame their father for becoming a traitor back then!

Lin Yufan: "Nan Geer, since you didn’t gather the money in time, it’s hard for me to ask Commissioner Bai for help again. Things have gotten so out of hand, everyone’s just looking out for themselves, and no one’s willing to stick their neck out. I’m afraid I can’t do much either."

"I know, Fourth Aunt, you’ve already done your best. Out of everyone, you’re the only one who’s really helping us." Nan Geer was still unwilling to give up: "Uncle Ao has a lot of connections; he must have a way. Fourth Aunt, could you give me Uncle Ao’s address? I’ll send him a telegram to plead for help."

"I just found out today that your Uncle Ao fought against the Japanese for years in the army. He’s got a deep-seated hatred for the Japanese, especially traitors who harm their own people. It’s useless to seek his help." Lin Yufan only understood Zhao Zhiao’s stance through Jian Suzhen.

In his past life, once Zhao Zhiao learned that Zhao Lijie and his brother were traitors, he cut ties with the Second Branch for good.

So there’s no way he’d help them.

Nan Geer had braced himself for this before coming. When you’re at rock bottom, no one’s going to lend a hand.

"Fourth Aunt, I’ve got to try. What if Uncle Ao comes through?"

Lin Yufan shook her head slightly: "I’ve only been married to Zhao Zhiao for a few days. If I push too hard, he might get suspicious, and I’ll be out of this family for good. Do you understand?"

Nan Geer understood, he truly did. He said guiltily: "I understand Fourth Aunt’s predicament. Out of everyone, you’re the only one who’s really helping us."

Lin Yufan shook her head, speaking with some sincerity: "To you, I might just be a woman, but I can’t fathom the idea of being a traitor. You could even say I despise what your father and third uncle did. That’s why I avoided you when you came to me earlier. Eventually, I gave in and agreed to see if I could help. Mostly for the kids in the Second Branch."

It was obvious this whole thing weighed heavily on Fourth Aunt, and Nan Geer felt terrible.

Lin Yufan: "Besides, anything that happens at home will get back to Zhi Ao fast. If he wanted to step in, he would’ve done it by now."

Hearing this from Fourth Aunt, Nan Geer knew there was no more hope.

He wolfed down the noodles, even slurping up the last bit of soup, then stood and bowed.

He didn’t get to pick his parents, but maybe he could choose to move on.

But Nan Geer, shackled by filial duty, couldn’t let go, stumbling around like a blind man.

Zhao Lijie and his brother’s case was wrapped up fast. As Lin Yufan was packing for Hong Kong, the verdict came in.

Zhao Lixiang had the inside scoop. He returned from the court while the family was having lunch.

Zhao Lijie, Zhao Mingjie, and Qin He were sentenced to execution and their property was confiscated to compensate the victims.

"So severe?" Wang Junyao was shocked. "Is there any wiggle room?"

"They were beaten to a pulp by the investigation team and had already confessed. There’s no wiggle room." Zhao Lixiang had no feelings for Zhao Lijie and his brother. Nan Geer had asked him for help before, but he refused.

As the mastermind behind the scenes, Lin Yufan, who had finally avenged herself, only sighed with slight regret.

The flower of joy slowly spread in her heart, and she tried to suppress it, then asked: "How is Editor Qin Hai?"

Qin Hai was suspended and investigated by the newspaper when the incident happened. Now Su Yibai has replaced him and taken the position of the editorial director.

Zhao Lixiang said: "The investigation found that Qin Hai was not involved in the Ping’an Lane 54 incident and does not need to bear criminal responsibility. However, he is suspected of deliberately withholding the manuscript, and the editor advised him to resign. Everyone says Si Mu deliberately set him up."

He was indeed deliberately set up.

Lin Yufan picked up a piece of lotus root and asked calmly: "What do you think?"

"Me? Of course, I think he deserves it! If it weren’t for encountering a great writer like Si Mu with such high tactics, the wronged souls of Ping’an Lane 54 would never have been vindicated. So Qin Hai is not innocent."

Lin Yufan found that her values aligned quite well with Zhao Lixiang’s.

She nodded, "That makes sense."

She even gave herself a pat on the back, "Si Mu is a real pro."

"Of course, he's a great writer!" Zhao Lixiang was all admiration. "If I knew who this writer was, I'd make sure to get a good interview with him."

Lin Yufan was curious, "How do you plan to interview him?"

Zhao Lixiang pondered, "I would ask about his motives, his sources of information, and why it took so long to expose these scoundrels."

There was no answer to that.

Lin Yufan smiled, "Good luck finding him."

Zhao Lixiang kept Si Mu's manuscript and sighed, "If I stayed in Haicheng, I might still have a chance to find him. Unfortunately, I'm going to Hong Kong, so there's not much opportunity."

After lunch, Lin Yufan headed to her room to rest, with Gui Xiang trailing behind.

"Miss, Hong Yu asked when we are going to Hong Kong? She feels bad for Ping Ge'er and the others and wants to look after them a bit longer."

After Lin Yufan agreed to hire Hong Yu as a maid, she kept Hong Yu by Jian Suzhen's side to help gather information. Hong Yu had been roped into some things, but she was clueless that Jian Suzhen's disappearance had anything to do with Lin Yufan.

Lin Yufan said, "Tell her to come a day early. What did she tell the Second Branch?"

Gui Xiang replied, "Most of the Second Branch's servants have already left. Hong Yu was planning to leave anyway. She only mentioned it to the eldest lady and asked me to help her find work. She didn't elaborate."

Back in her room, Lin Yufan lounged on the recliner, eyes half-closed.

Half of the gold bars she took from Jian Suzhen were what she considered the couple's debt from their past life. She hadn't decided what to do with the other half.

If she donated them, to whom?

Most charities in Haicheng were shady, and she worried the money would just pad someone's wallet.

In the end, she decided to exchange them for food and give it to the poor people in the shantytowns.

She figured it’d be best to let her Fifth Brother take care of it, with Tie Long’s assistance.

When Lin Yuwu dropped by that day, Lin Yufan handed him the money, and he was stunned.

"This is the money the Zhao couple owed you. Why are you handing it out to others?"

Lin Yufan explained, "I’ve already taken my share. This gold bar is your cut for helping out, and the rest will go toward buying rice and grains for the shantytown folks. I heard food prices are sky-high this year, and folks in the shantytowns are going hungry. If we can lend a hand, it’s something. Doing good helps me sleep at night."

Lin Yuwu knew his sixth sister had changed. Her husband was loaded, and she might not care about money anymore, so he didn’t push it.

"Alright. I'll take care of it."

Of all the Lin siblings, Lin Yufan was closest to her Fifth Brother. On the eve of liberation, the Lin family scattered—some went back home, some to Taiwan, and some to the States. Only she was in Hong Kong.

Lin Yuwu had gone back to their hometown in his past life, and she had no idea how he was faring.

"Fifth Brother, how about coming to Hong Kong with us?" This was the second time Lin Yufan had invited him.

Lin Yuwu knew that if he went to Hong Kong, his brother-in-law Zhao Zhiao would hook him up with a job, but he didn’t want to live off someone else and drag his sixth sister down, so he said, "Nah. I’m working for Master Kan now, and I’m getting by."

Lin Yufan knew pushing further wouldn’t help, but time might change his mind. "If you decide to come, just wire me."

Lin Yuwu agreed.

Lin Yuwu contacted a grain merchant and purchased a large quantity of food, which he sent to the people in the shantytowns who were starving. He did this good deed anonymously, without expecting any gratitude, and distributed the food in two batches.

*

Before they left, Wang Junyao followed Lin Yufan's advice and did not hand over the garden house to Second Madam Li, but instead left it in the care of a reliable elderly couple.

The Fifth Branch had booked their boat tickets early, like they were moving, with many people and a lot of luggage.

Lin Yufan’s group was just four people, including herself.

They would spend four days and three nights on the boat before arriving in Hong Kong.

At first, everyone was somewhat excited, but as time went on, they started to get bored.

Lin Yufan had books to keep her entertained, but mainly Wang Junyao and Second Aunt Liu Fang had nothing to do, so they decided to play cards to pass the time.

Zhao Lixiang and Lin Yufan were roped into it, and the four of them gathered in Wang Junyao's room to play mahjong.

Time flew by with mahjong.

Lin Yufan rarely played mahjong before and wasn’t very good at it, and the other three were also amateurs, so they were evenly matched, and the loser just had to buy everyone melon seeds.

On the evening before arriving in Hong Kong, Zhao Lixiang went to the bathroom, and Zhao Jingxiu filled in for him, sitting across from Lin Yufan.

Gui Xiang helped Zhao Jingxiu hold the puppy and watched from the side.

Lin Yufan played a five bamboo tile, but before she could put it down, Zhao Jingxiu shouted, "Kong!"

"I haven't put it down yet," Lin Yufan smiled and teased.

Zhao Jingxiu whined, "Sister-in-law, you can't do this..."

Lin Yufan smiled and gave the five bamboo tile to her, "Here!"

As they approached Hong Kong, Lin Yufan was somewhat distracted and carelessly played a new tile without calculating properly.

At noon tomorrow, she wondered if Zhao Zhiao would come to pick them up.

Whenever she thought of him, she always remembered his tongue first, nimble and moist.

Perhaps she should get him some Chinese medicine for conditioning. Such a big man must have strong self-esteem and might avoid seeking medical help. It would be better to wait until they were truly familiar with each other.

And the legendary three concubines would finally meet them tomorrow.

It’s going to be lively.