Chapter 230 - 230 A Family of Ingrates
Although the Zhao family was related to the Lin family through marriage, in reality, their relationship was not good. Chengshuang usually did not want to visit the Lin family, and only came to look for his uncle Zhen Nan at the Lin family when encountering particularly important matters. Frankly, Chengshuang simply could not be bothered with the other relatives of the Lin family.
However, now being blocked and accused at the door, Chengshuang could not help but become angry.
"Save your nonsense for someone else. Elders? What kind of worthless elder are you!" Chengshuang shouted angrily, "All you do is talk behind people's backs, flip-flop like a weathercock, and envy those who are capable. What else can you do?"
Fuyuan had not expected Chengshuang to dare speak to him like that, and he was stunned, trembling as he pointed at Chengshuang, and yelled, "Rebellious! Rebellious! Is this the lack of manners typical of the Zhao Family? To speak to an elder in such a way, did your father never teach you what manners are?"
Chengshuang said coldly, "My father did teach me manners, but he also taught me that there's no need for politeness towards despicable people!"
"You... how dare you talk about me like that!" Fuyuan exploded in rage.
Yaqing furrowed her brows and said sternly, "Chengshuang, this is the Lin family's residence, not a place for you to act wildly!"
Chengshuang replied, "I don't want to waste words with you. Where is my uncle? I'll speak to him and then leave!"
"For someone like you to still call him 'uncle'? Just roll back to your Zhao Family," a young man burst out from the crowd, shouting angrily. He was Tianyun, Fuyuan's son, and he was already furious upon seeing his father being insulted.
"Get lost!" Chengshuang also shouted back furiously, "I'm here to talk to my uncle, not you."
"Say that again, damn you!" Tianyun was livid, rolling up his sleeves and charging towards Chengshuang aggressively.
"You want to hit me!" Chengshuang glared and pushed his wheelchair forward a bit, saying, "Come on, come on, try hitting me."
Tianyun was about to kick Chengshuang but fortunately, Fuyuan quickly pulled him away. Fuyuan knew very well that although the Lin family despised the Zhao family, the Zhao family equally despised them. If Tianyun really hit Chengshuang under such circumstances, the Zhao family would not let it slide.
Even though the Lin family had considerable influence in Shenchuan City, the Zhao family was not weak. If they truly angered the old master of the Zhao family, Tianyun would likely be detained for a few days, which would be a loss indeed.
"Don't stoop to the level of such ill-mannered people!" Fuyuan glared coldly at Chengshuang and said, "Hmph, such trash!"
"Oh, like you are any better. You are perfect, the best there is!" Chengshuang retorted defiantly. He had grievances against the Lin family before, but he never expressed them so openly. However, after the incident involving Yashi, he was completely disillusioned with the Lin family and no longer cared about showing respect to these elders.
"Are you done!" Tianyun was still shouting from a distance.
Chengshuang shouted back loudly, "If you're not satisfied, come and hit me then, otherwise shut up!"
The living room was in chaos, with most people blaming Chengshuang for his lack of manners. Chengshuang could not be bothered to argue with them and simply said sternly, "Where's my uncle? I will speak to him and leave, damn it, you think I want to see a bunch of ingrates like you!"
Just then, Zhen Nan finally came down from upstairs. Seeing the chaos in the living room, he could not help but frown and said sternly, "What is going on now?"
The members of the Lin family immediately crowded around, bombarding him with criticisms of Chengshuang, without mentioning their previous mockery.
Chengshuang did not rebut, only watching the people of the Lin family with a cold sneer, as if watching a bunch of clowns.
After hearing everyone's words, Zhen Nan just nodded without saying anything more and walked straight up to Chengshuang, asking, "What happened?"
Chengshuang replied, "I can't talk about it in front of these people."
Yaqing was furious and said, "What do you mean! Why must you speak secretly without us? Do you think we are untrustworthy? Are you doubting someone?"
"Yeah, we are all from the Lin family, why do you need to exclude us when you speak?"
"I think he just wants to report us behind our backs, so he wants to avoid us."
The members of the Lin family shouted and accused Chengshuang, hoping that Zhen Nan would discipline him.
Zhen Nan's brows furrowed deeply, and he suddenly turned and shouted loudly, "Enough!"
The Lin family members instantly closed their mouths, staring blankly at Zhen Nan, all somewhat shocked. Even Yaqing was stunned for a while before cautiously whispering, "Big brother, he... he..."
Zhen Nan said sternly, "Take them to the inner room first!"
"Big brother..." Yaqing wanted to speak but Zhen Nan glared at her sharply. Startled, she quickly turned and led the group of Lin family members into the inner room.
Although everyone was displeased, it was an order from Lin Zhen Nan, and who dared to defy it?
After all the people in the living room had left, Lin Zhen Nan turned his head to look at Zhao Chengshuang and said, "What is it, speak."
Zhao Chengshuang took a breath and said, "Uncle, Ye Zi asked me to pass on a message. He said… he said to be careful of Tianhao…"
"Hmm?" Lin Zhen Nan's eyebrows furrowed even tighter, his face puzzled, he said, "Why?"
Zhao Chengshuang said, "He suspects Tianhao is colluding with He Ziqiang!"
Lin Zhen Nan's expression turned icy, and he fiercely glared at Zhao Chengshuang and said sternly, "Tianhao has caused a lot of trouble outside, but he is still part of the Lin family. You can't just say things like that!"
Zhao Chengshuang said firmly, "Ye Zi wouldn't say these words without a reason. He must know something, and that's why he came to this conclusion."
"So what you're saying is, you'd rather trust an outsider than your own family members!"
Suddenly, an elderly voice came from the living room. Zhao Chengshuang and Lin Zhen Nan both turned their heads, only to see Old Lady Lin being supported by a few people as she walked out. Her face was frosty, and she glared furiously at Zhao Chengshuang, the expression one of extreme anger.
Zhao Chengshuang's complexions slightly changed, he dared to throw tantrums in front of Lin Fuyuan and Lin Yashi, but he didn't dare in front of Old Lady Lin. This old lady had too high of a status within the Lin family.
Lin Zhen Nan also hurriedly went over and helped Old Lady Lin, saying, "Mom, why did you come out?"
"I just wanted to come out and see the good child brought up by the Zhao Family!" Old Lady Lin glared coldly at Zhao Chengshuang and said, "They say that filial piety comes first in all virtues. My children might not be successful and haven't managed any big corporations or businesses to support you materially.
But at the end of the day, they are still your elders, and even if you don't have to be filial towards them, at least you should show some respect. Hmph, instead, you only see your eldest uncle as an elder, and disregard everyone else. You even had a confrontation and nearly fought with your own cousin; is this the manners taught by Zhao Shilin, that old man?"
Zhao Chengshuang was initially ready to just endure and let it go, but upon hearing this, he was displeased.
Zhao Chengshuang said in a low voice, "Aunt Grandma, you can scold me, and I'll listen. But please don't drag my grandfather into this. However you put it, he is of your generation. Is it appropriate for you to talk about him as if you are teaching a child?"
"Zhao Chengshuang, you still dare to talk back!" Lin Yaqing was furious, she charged over to the side of Zhao Chengshuang's wheelchair and swiftly slapped him twice.
If Old Lady Lin hadn't been there, she would never dare to slap him. But now, with the old lady backing her, she seized the opportunity to vent. After slapping Zhao Chengshuang twice, she felt a total relief, while the people of the Lin family burst into laughter.
Zhao Chengshuang was stunned; he used to be a spoiled young master, and had never been treated like this. To be slapped twice in front of so many people, even his parents had never done such a thing. His eyes widened, and it took a long time for him to come to his senses.
Lin Zhen Nan's expression changed, and he said angrily, "Yaqing, what are you doing hitting him?"
Old Lady Lin glared at Lin Zhen Nan and said sternly, "It is only right for an elder to discipline a younger one, what's wrong with that!"
Seeing Old Lady Lin speak up, Lin Yaqing's face immediately filled with triumph. Lin Zhen Nan didn't dare to contradict Old Lady Lin and could only say in a low voice, "Mom, Chengshuang might have a bad temper, but he hasn't made any big mistakes. Besides, he's already a grown man, slapping him in front of so many people… this… this isn't quite appropriate!"
"Hasn't made any big mistakes?" Old Lady Lin coldly glared at Lin Zhen Nan and said, "Didn't you hear him talk back just now? A child with lack of even basic manners, shouldn't he be disciplined?"
Lin Zhen Nan said quietly, "Even if he needs to be disciplined, that should be a matter for the Zhao Family."
Old Lady Lin said coldly, "This is the Lin family residence, if he acts up here, then it's up to our Lin family to discipline him!"
Lin Zhen Nan was speechless, he couldn't contradict Old Lady Lin, fearing he might upset her further by saying too much. Yet, seeing Zhao Chengshuang's aggrieved look, he really felt somewhat guilty.
Zhao Chengshuang delivered this message to the Lin family, true or not, his intentions were sincere. However, not only was he given a hard time by the people of the Lin family, but now he was made a fool of in front of so many people, Lin Zhen Nan himself felt quite uncomfortable about it.
"Chengshuang, don't be angry, let me take you back," Lin Zhen Nan offered to help Zhao Chengshuang.
"Don't come over!" Zhao Chengshuang suddenly looked up and yelled, startling Lin Zhen Nan into stopping in his tracks.
Zhao Chengshuang's eyes glinted with a sad and furious rage, he scanned the Lin family members and said, "Good! Good! Good! I, Zhao Chengshuang, must be blind to have run here to report to you Lin family. If I ever make such an error again in my life, I'll no longer carry the Zhao surname!"
After saying this, Zhao Chengshuang turned his wheelchair around, pushed forcefully on the wheels, and hurriedly left the Lin residence. He nearly fell several times but still managed to right his wheelchair, shaking and trembling as he rushed out of the Lin family's door.
Lin Zhen Nan watched Zhao Chengshuang's sad departure, his silhouette lonely and desolate. His own heart felt heavy, but what else could he do?