Chapter 288 - 288 Lin Family's Apology
The Lin Family Courtyard no longer retained its former glory; the whole courtyard was entrenched in a pall of gloom. The Lin family no longer held their heads high as they had before; now, they walked outside, heads bowed and hurrying on their way.
The incident involving Boss Lin had caused tremendous negative impact on the Lin family, which now found itself at the center of public scrutiny. Although most of the Lin family members were unaware of what Boss Lin had done outside, outsiders still firmly believed that Boss Lin committed those atrocities because the Lin family had shielded him. His actions were indelibly linked with the Lin family.
Thus, even though Boss Lin along with others like Fuyuan had been officially arrested, public accusations still pointed directly at the Lin family. People spared no mercy in their verbal abuse and sarcasm, bombarding the ears of the Lin family members.
Moreover, some of the major corporations that previously collaborated with Lin Corporation were now clamoring to terminate their cooperation, condemning the incident involving the Lin family.
Regarding this outcome, the members of the Lin family could only grit their teeth and swallow their losses. They had indeed made a grave mistake in the matter of Boss Lin, and it served as a warning to them, albeit at a great cost.
Zhen Nan had been at the company since last night, frantically dealing with the company's affairs. Several major corporations wanted to terminate their collaboration, which was a massive blow to Lin Corporation. If not handled properly, Lin Corporation feared a potential loss of about thirty percent of its funds, a significant setback.
When Ye Qing and Zhao Cheng Shuang arrived at the Lin Family Courtyard, most of the family members were at home. Many projects under Lin Corporation had been halted due to this incident, leaving most people idle, with everything now hinging on whether Zhen Nan could turn the tide.
Old Lady Lin, having heard of Ye Qing's arrival, had been waiting at the main entrance early with the help of several younger family members. She had deliberately sent Lin Yaqing away because she could tell that Yaqing was still very defiant towards Ye Qing and Zhao Chengshuang, and she did not want her presence to sour the mood.
"Mr. Ye, you finally arrived!" Old Lady Lin approached Ye Qing, her face full of warmth, no longer showing the hostility she had before.
Previously, Ye Qing had no good feelings toward the Lin family, especially this confused old lady whom he even resented. However, when he learned that after knowing about the atrocities committed by Boss Lin, this old lady had the moral fortitude to send her own son to prison, his opinion of her changed significantly.
Though this old lady was muddled, at least she had the virtue to admit and correct her mistakes, which was highly commendable.
Ye Qing exchanged pleasantries with Old Lady Lin and followed her inside the house. The hall was crowded with thirty to forty members of the Lin family, making quite a large gathering.
The last time Ye Qing was here, there were just as many people. However, the circumstances were different: Ye Qing had broken into the Lin family and had a severe conflict with these people. Among those present, many had been beaten by Ye Qing back then, creating an awkward atmosphere now as they met again.
"Mr. Ye, the fact that you've come to visit our Lin family again shows you are a magnanimous person, not holding grudges for what we did before," Old Lady Lin stood before everyone and addressed Ye Qing, "However, what our Lin family did previously was terribly wrong. To you, Mr. Ye, it was like returning your kindness with enmity. Yet, you responded with virtue to enmity, saving Yashi twice.
I don't even know what to say now, but on behalf of everyone in the Lin family, I offer you our most sincere apology. We are truly sorry!"
As she spoke, Old Lady Lin bowed deeply, which quite surprised Ye Qing.
Ye Qing quickly stepped forward to help Old Lady Lin up, saying, "Old Lady Lin, please don't do this. You are my elder, and I understand your meaning, but I really can't accept such a gesture from you!"
"Cheng Shuang always said that you were a good man, and I used to think he couldn't judge people correctly, unable to discern right from wrong," Old Lady Lin sighed, "Ah, it turns out it was my old eyes that were cloudy, unable to see the true nature of those around me, unable to distinguish who was honest and who was deceiving. Cheng Shuang was right; Mr. Ye, you really are a good person.
Our Lin family treated you so poorly, yet you still show such courtesy to me, an old fool. You are far superior to our good-for-nothing descendants."
The members of the Lin family looked at each other, but none dared to voice any complaints. Now that Old Lady Lin fully trusted Ye Qing, anyone who showed any discontent toward him would surely not be spared by her. Even her favorite daughter, Lin Yaqing, was sent away specifically, showing how seriously Old Lady Lin regarded Ye Qing.
Ye Qing gave an embarrassed smile and said, "Old Lady Lin, you flatter me, I dare not claim to be such a good person. However, whatever one does, maintaining a clear conscience is what truly matters!"
"You're right!" Old Lady Lin nodded vehemently, "There is no absolute right or wrong in everything, it all depends on conscience. Unfortunately, too many people have lost their conscience, willing to commit such outrageous acts. Oh, it's sad that our Lin family has always abetted such evil, a truly regrettable thing!"
Ye Qing remained silent; he could see that the affair concerning Boss Lin had deeply affected Old Lady Lin. After all, she had raised Boss Lin herself and trusted him immensely. Yet, he had committed such atrocious acts and even colluded with outsiders to harm his own family, something Old Lady Lin found utterly unbearable.
Sitting down, Old Lady Lin chatted with Ye Qing for a while and then had those members of the Lin family who had past conflicts with Ye Qing come forward to apologize personally. Though most were reluctant, under the stern gaze of the old lady, they had no choice but to proceed.
Ye Qing viewed these so-called apologies with indifference; regardless of how sincere these people were, he did not take it to heart.
After everyone had apologized, Lin Yashi slowly walked over with the help of a girl. Her body still seemed extremely frail, and she had lost a lot of weight over these past days. Once a beautiful woman, she now appeared distressingly haggard.
Seeing Lin Yashi like this, Zhao Chengshuang also felt a pang of sorrow and wheeled himself over, saying, "Aunt, you shouldn't have come out in your condition."
Lin Yashi shook her head and slowly made her way to Ye Qing's side, where she began to bow deeply.
Ye Qing hurriedly reached out to stop Lin Yashi. Of all the members of the Lin family, Lin Yashi was perhaps the kindest. Even though he was on bad terms with the rest of the Lin family, Ye Qing bore no resentment towards Lin Yashi, only pity for her misfortune. It was the fault of other family members, so why should she bear the consequences?
"Mr. Ye, Yashi wanted to come and thank you herself," Old Lady Lin said, looking at her daughter with moist eyes and speaking in a low voice, "Had it not been for you saving her twice, Yashi might have… might have already…"
Old Lady Lin's voice choked up. With all that had happened, she felt most guilty toward this daughter. Why should her daughter bear the repercussions of the other family members' mistakes?
Lin Yashi went to support Old Lady Lin, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes, and slowly shaking her head, she gave her a reassuring smile.
"I know, I know. I won't cry, I'll smile…" Old Lady Lin managed a weak smile, pulled Lin Yashi to sit down on the sofa, and said to Ye Qing, "Mr. Ye, the main reason I asked you here today was to discuss another matter with you."
Ye Qing nodded, "Please go ahead, madam."
Old Lady Lin said, "Chengshuang told me that you are planning to start a private orphanage to take care of those children. Is that true?"
"It is," Ye Qing nodded and said, "Those children have nowhere to go now, and most can't even contact their relatives. I'm not comfortable with public orphanages, so I want to take care of them myself."
Old Lady Lin said, "Starting an orphanage is not an easy task. And in doing this kind of work, you need to be prepared mentally, as it may be something that involves only giving without ever receiving anything in return."
Ye Qing's expression remained calm as he said, "I understand."
Old Lady Lin looked Ye Qing over then nodded slowly, "Mr. Ye, you truly are a person of great compassion. Of all those children, how many others are there who would be willing to take them all in? Ah, compared to you, our Lin family's younger generation is truly pitiful!"
"You flatter me, madam," Ye Qing said softly.
"You needn't be modest. The work you're about to do, looking across the country, there are few who would be willing to undertake it!" Old Lady Lin said, glancing at her daughter. "Mr. Ye, after hearing about your plan to open a private orphanage, Yashi discussed it with me and would like to volunteer at your orphanage to help care for those children. I wonder, do you need any help?"
Ye Qing glanced at Lin Yashi. This woman, always kind-hearted and having gone through such hardships becoming mute, still had such thoughts, which truly surprised Ye Qing. Had it been someone else, they might be currently overwhelmed by their plight and hardly in the state to think about others.
"Taking care of those children is no easy task, Miss Lin must think it over carefully!" Ye Qing said softly.
Lin Yashi looked at Ye Qing and nodded firmly, showing that she had made up her mind.
"If Miss Lin really decides to do this, then of course I would be very welcoming," Ye Qing said, looking at Old Lady Lin, "Of course, Miss Lin could also try it for a while. If she feels she can't continue and wants to leave, I wouldn't stop her."
"That would be wonderful!" Old Lady Lin exclaimed joyfully, looking at Lin Yashi and whispering, "Poor Yashi, I don't know what misfortune she bore in her past life. I hope these good deeds will allow her to live safely and free from danger in the future!"
Lin Yashi's eyes were slightly red, and she gently leaned on Old Lady Lin's shoulder. Old Lady Lin patted her and turned to Ye Qing, saying, "Mr. Ye, as a way to express our family's apology to the victims, I have decided that starting now, our Lin family will provide ten million in funding to your orphanage each year!"