Chapter 5: You Don’t Get To Call The Shots In This Family
“Eldest sister, what’s wrong with you?” Chen Yang looked up at the noblewoman standing at the staircase entrance.
This was a traditional Chinese woman, about one meter fifty-five tall, with sharp eyes, delicate features, and an imposing presence.
Her jet-black hair clearly showed signs of having been permed, and her light blue qipao perfectly accentuated her figure.
She was the Lin family’s eldest daughter Lin Jing, also the eldest sister in Chen Yang’s words.
Chen Yang was from Wuzhou in Zhejiang Province, raised in the Lin family from childhood, and his background was actually quite tragic—his parents both died of illness when he was three.
In those war-torn and resource-scarce times, the four-year-old Chen Yang seemed destined to follow his parents like so many other poor souls.
Fortunately, heaven does not completely abandon people; before his death, Chen Yang’s mother wrote a letter to his elder brother Lin Zonghan, who was making a living in Shanghai.
Upon learning of his sister’s family’s misfortune, Lin Zonghan ignored the family’s opposition and brought Chen Yang from Wuzhou to live in Shanghai.
Strangely enough, after Chen Yang joined the Lin family, their business prospered more and more—they opened a cotton mill and bought shops.
In just a few short years, they rose to the ranks of Shanghai’s top merchants, and Lin Zonghan became a prominent figure in Shanghai’s business world, able to afford a garden house on Fukaisen Road.
“Eldest sister, don’t call me eldest sister, I don’t have a brother like you.”
Lin Jing glared at Chen Yang kneeling on the ground and angrily said: “Are you working for the Japanese now? Have you become a traitor?”
“Chen Yang, five years ago, you said you wanted to be like your elder brother Jianzhong, to join the revolution, to serve the country, to go to the Central Aviation Academy in Jianqiao, Hangzhou, as a pilot.”
“I respected your wishes and privately gave you five hundred silver dollars—who knew you squandered it outside for five months, only coming back after the money was gone.”
“Four years ago, you said you wanted to study abroad in Japan, to learn as Wei Gong’s Sea Charts said, to master the barbarians’ superior techniques to control the barbarians.”
“You wanted to learn Japan’s advanced knowledge, return to serve the country, and revitalize China.”
“Is this how you’re serving China now, by going to be a dog for the Japanese?”
“If I’d known you were an ungrateful white-eyed wolf, I shouldn’t have cared for you back then—let you starve or freeze to death.”
As Lin Jing spoke, tears involuntarily welled up in her eyes.
In this family, others could scold Chen Yang and he would retort, but only when Lin Jing scolded him would he obediently kneel and listen.
The reason was simple—Chen Yang had been single-handedly raised by Lin Jing.
When Chen Yang first arrived at the Lin family, it was the family’s most difficult time—Lin Zonghan’s wife was seriously ill, and the family had one daughter and two sons, with the eldest Lin Jing only thirteen years old.
Her two younger brothers Lin Xueyi and Xue Li were just over ten years old.
These two boys didn’t like Chen Yang; they both thought his arrival had stolen their food.
It was Lin Jing who sold handmade paper flowers on the street, using her meager income to supplement the family, preventing her two brothers from throwing Chen Yang out.
Chen Yang had followed behind Lin Jing from childhood; his rations could be said to have been wrung out of her hands for him.
“Eldest sister, don’t be angry first, hear me out.” Before Chen Yang could finish, Lin Jing angrily rebuked: “What more do you have to say?”
“All your things are already packed—take your stuff and get out.”
“Enough.” At that moment, a stern voice came from the door.
Three figures entered briskly from the door.
Leading was the Lin family head Lin Zonghan, followed by Lin Xueyi and Xue Li.
“Uncle, Elder Brother, Second Brother.”
“Chen Yang, get up,” Lin Zonghan gestured for Xue Li to help Chen Yang up, then turned to scold Lin Jing: “What can’t be said among family? Chen Yang just got back, and you’re already chasing him out.”
“I’m not dead yet—this family isn’t yours to command.”
Lin Jing fearlessly retorted: “Of course you want him back; with him here, you can connect with the Japanese.”
“Your traitor gang has another capable subordinate.”
Lin Zonghan flew into a rage: “What did you say? I’m no traitor—where do you think your food and drink come from?”
“Where from? Dad, don’t forget where the money for opening the cotton mill came from.”
Lin Jing angrily said: “That was Jianzhong’s solatium—if not for his one hundred silver dollars in solatium, the Lin family wouldn’t have today.”
“This is something the Lin family owes me for life.”
“You.” Lin Zonghan’s face flushed red then pale, his chest heaving—he was clearly very angry.
In terms of verbal sparring, how could he match this daughter who had sold goods on the street since childhood?
Seeing Lin Zonghan too angry to speak, Lin Jing snorted heavily, left a parting shot of “birds of a feather,” and turned back to her room.
“Dad, don’t be angry—anger harms the body.” Xue Li said as he helped Lin Zonghan sit on the living room sofa.
“A Ren, go tidy up the young master’s room.”
“Aunt Mei, brew a cup of tea for the young master.” After commanding, Lin Zonghan waved at Chen Yang: “Chen Yang, come let uncle take a look—years apart, you’ve become more steady.”
“These years you’ve been in Japan studying abroad, uncle hasn’t concerned himself much with your life—truly ashamed.”
Chen Yang hurried forward: “Uncle, during my years studying in Japan, I was supported by the family.”
“Otherwise, I couldn’t have completed my studies.”
Lin Zonghan patted the back of Chen Yang’s hand: “As long as you don’t resent uncle. What are your plans now that you’re back?”
“I haven’t thought about it yet for the time being.” Chen Yang respectfully replied.
“Chen Yang, no need to keep secrets from us now.” Xue Li beside him laughed: “You just left the Japanese consulate, and Mr. Liang called Dad—the position of Director of the Economic Department in the Ministry of Finance of the Nanjing Restoration Government has been settled.”
“Chen Yang, I truly didn’t expect you to be a dark horse, actually connecting with Consul Iwai.”
“From now on, the Lin family’s business will need your care.”
Chen Yang’s heart sank—Lin Jing was right; everyone big and small in this family had truly become traitors.
“Xue Li, you’ve said too much.” Lin Zonghan muttered lowly.
Xue Li laughed: “Dad, Chen Yang isn’t an outsider—he’d find out sooner or later.”
Lin Zonghan frowned: “That’s true, but Consul Iwai’s Iwai Agency’s Section Chief Inukai has instructed that there’s still a review process.”
“We need to keep a low profile now.”
With that, Lin Zonghan turned to Chen Yang: “Chen Yang, you’ve had a tiring journey back.”
“First go to the ancestral hall to light incense, tell your parents, rest well this afternoon—tonight uncle will host a welcome dinner for you at Half Moon Tower.”
Chen Yang nodded, picked up his clothes, bid farewell to everyone, and went to the rear ancestral hall.
The ancestral hall held many plaques: Lin family ancestors, Lin Zonghan’s late wife, Chen Yang’s parents, and Lin Jing’s husband.
Chen Yang lit incense, bowed respectfully: “Dad, Mom, Elder Brother Jianzhong, I’m back.”
