64: Chapter 64 Zhang Tieshan's Butler

Chen Huihui rushed to the bedside, wanting to touch him but not daring to. Her hand hovered in mid-air, trembling, as large tears fell onto the bedsheets.

The Fatty was awakened by that cry. He opened his eyes groggily and saw Chen Huihui's tear-stained face. Subconsciously, he reached out to wipe away her tears, but ended up aggravating the wound on his back, causing him to grimace in pain.

"Hiss—ow... Huihui, stop crying... you look so ugly..."

"You still know it hurts! You still know you look ugly!" Chen Huihui cried while gently punching his arm. "You scared me to death, do you know that! Sister Man said you were slashed by someone... I thought..."

"Thought what? Thought I kicked the bucket?" The Fatty gave a chuckle. Although his face was pale, his eyes were bright. "Don't worry, your Fatty master here has thick skin and flesh; I've got 'copper skin and iron bones.' That old man used every ounce of his strength just to barely break my defense, and he even chipped his blade."

"At a time like this, you're still cracking jokes!" Chen Huihui was both angry and heartbroken, holding his hand tightly against her face.

Lin Yu stood to the side, watching this scene, his heart filled with a complex mix of emotions.

He gently patted Tang Man and Xia Xiaotang on the shoulder, signaling them to come out. Tang Man took a deep breath and followed Lin Yu out to the corridor outside the ward.

At the end of the corridor, Lin Yu leaned against the window, asked Yu Yi for a cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and furrowed his brows.

Tang Man stood by his side without speaking, just quietly keeping him company. She silently took a bottle of mineral water from her bag, unscrewed the cap, and handed it to Lin Yu.

"Moisten your throat." Tang Man's voice was very soft, carrying a hint of imperceptible heartache. "I heard your voice shaking on the phone earlier; you scared me to death."

Lin Yu took the water and drank a mouthful. The slightly cold water flowed into his throat, calming his somewhat agitated emotions. He exhaled a smoke ring, his voice slightly hoarse. "That knife was aimed at my neck. If it wasn't for the Fatty, I'd be lying in the morgue next door right now."

Upon hearing this, Tang Man's face turned deathly pale. She subconsciously grabbed Lin Yu's arm, her fingers turning white from the force. "Lin Yu... as long as you're okay. I'll arrange the best doctors for the Fatty, and don't worry about the company; I'll keep an eye on it."

"I know. With you here, I'm at ease." Lin Yu turned his head, looking at Tang Man's slightly tired yet still beautiful face, and reached out to smooth the messy hair behind her ear. "Don't worry too much; the doctor said the Fatty is fine and will be better in a few days."

"Mm." Tang Man nodded and leaned against his shoulder, whispering, "Huihui was crying so hard in the car earlier she almost fainted; I comforted her the whole way. Although the Fatty seems unreliable, he's truly good to Huihui. He risked his life for you this time; as his big brother, you must compensate him well in the future."

"That goes without saying." Lin Yu stubbed out the cigarette and threw it into the trash can. "Regarding the farm at his home, you and Xiaotang should look after it a bit more later. Also, this is his ID card. Buy him a large flat at Jiangshanyin Residential Complex, downstairs from my dad's place, as a wedding home. Let them handle the decoration, and I'll cover the costs."

Tang Man resumed her usual capable assistant demeanor. "I've already thought about it. I'll get him an 'Employee of the Year' award, make the trophy out of gold, and let him show it off properly."

The two shared a smile; that unspoken tacit understanding flowed through the air.

In the ward, Chen Huihui's emotions had finally stabilized quite a bit.

Su Qingxue walked in holding an IV bottle and skillfully inserted the needle for the Fatty.

"Sister Xue..." Chen Huihui stood up with red-rimmed eyes. "Is he... is he seriously hurt?"

"Don't worry, Huihui." Su Qingxue gently patted her head and glanced at the Fatty on the hospital bed. "The wound was cleaned very well. As long as there's no infection, he'll be jumping around in a month or so. However, during this period, you'll have to take good care of him, especially with things like going to the bathroom, as he can't use his back muscles."

Upon hearing the words "going to the bathroom," the Fatty's face, which had been putting on a brave front, instantly collapsed. "Ah? Someone has to help me with my business? That's so embarrassing, let Huihui do it..."

"In your dreams!" Chen Huihui laughed through her tears and glared at him reproachfully. "Figure it out yourself!"

Lin Yu, Tang Man, and Xia Xiaotang walked back into the ward.

"Fatty," Lin Yu walked to the bedside, his expression serious. "That old man has already been taken away by the police. Focus on recovering; I will make him, and the people behind him, pay this debt back a hundredfold."

The Fatty leaned against the pillow. Although his body was weak, his eyes were exceptionally firm. "Old Lin, there's no need to say that between us brothers. As long as you're fine, me getting stabbed in the butt... oh no, getting stabbed in the back, it's worth it!"

"Alright, stop with the dramatics; it's cheesy." Lin Yu laughingly scolded him and turned to look at Tang Man. "Manman, you stay here and keep Huihui company tonight; I'm worried about her being alone. Xiaotang, take me to the police station to check things out."

"Okay, go ahead." Tang Man nodded, her eyes full of concern. "Be careful on the road."

The night deepened. Only a dim bedside lamp was left in the ward. ... Outside the interrogation room of the Ze City Public Security Bureau.

Yu Er had been waiting at the door. Seeing Lin Yu come out, he immediately stepped forward, his expression grave. "Boss, I've found it out."

"Speak." Lin Yu lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. The taste of nicotine cleared his somewhat muddled brain a little.

"That old man's name is Wang Fu, and he's not an ordinary person." Yu Yi's voice was very low. "He is Zhang Tieshan's old housekeeper and has been with Zhang Tieshan for a full twenty years. After Zhang Tieshan was arrested, the police seized his assets and arrested the core members, but because Wang Fu only handled Zhang Tieshan's daily life and diet and didn't get involved in specific business, plus his old age, the police didn't list him as a key target for arrest at the time, allowing him to slip through the net."

Lin Yu exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes becoming sharp. "So, he came to avenge Zhang Tieshan?"

"It should be." Yu Yi continued. "Wang Fu went missing after Zhang Tieshan's incident. I didn't expect him to have blended into the area near 'Min Shi Wei Tian.' It must have been to ambush you."

"Heh, a loyal old dog." Lin Yu sneered, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. "Zhang Tieshan is in, and he's still thinking about being loyal to his master. Unfortunately, he picked the wrong target."

Knocking on the door, he entered the interrogation room. Through the one-way glass, Lin Yu saw Wang Fu sitting in the interrogation chair. The old man who had been murderous in the supermarket this morning now appeared exceptionally calm. He lowered his head, his hands cuffed to the chair, his gray hair messy, and that old jacket was still stained with dust from the supermarket shelves.

The criminal police captain in charge of the interrogation saw Lin Yu and immediately came out, saluting him. "Mr. Lin, you're here."

"Thank you for your hard work, Captain Sun." Lin Yu handed over a cigarette. "Has this old man confessed?"

"He's very tight-lipped." Captain Sun sighed. "From last night until now, he hasn't said a word. He won't even respond when asked his name; he's just sitting there with his eyes closed. However, we checked his identity and found that his relationship with Zhang Tieshan is unusual."

"I know, he is Zhang Tieshan's housekeeper." Lin Yu said calmly.

Captain Sun was stunned for a moment. "You've already found out? Then, what do you think..."

"Let me try." Lin Yu straightened his collar and pushed open the door to the interrogation room.

"Creeak—" The sound of the iron door opening seemed particularly harsh in the silent interrogation room.

Wang Fu slowly raised his head. Seeing Lin Yu walk in, there wasn't a trace of fear in those cloudy eyes; instead, a flash of gratification flickered through them.

"It's you." Wang Fu's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper grinding against a tabletop. "That Fatty has a tough life; he didn't die, did he?"

Lin Yu pulled out the chair opposite him, sat down imposingly, crossed his hands on the table, and looked down at him.

"He didn't die. But you will spend the rest of your life paying for that knife." Lin Yu's voice was terrifyingly calm.

"Pay? Hahaha!" Wang Fu suddenly started laughing, his laughter shrill. "My old life was given to me by Master Zhang in the first place. Master Zhang has been arrested, his assets are gone, and he's ruined; what's the point of me living? It would be best if I could drag you down with me, but if I can't, just being able to slash you once makes it worth it!"

"Zhang Tieshan is a criminal; you know in your heart how many people he has harmed." Lin Yu said coldly. "Your so-called loyalty is nothing more than aiding and abetting an evildoer."

"Bullshit!" Wang Fu slammed the table, the chains clattering. "Master Zhang was kind to me! When I was about to starve to death back then, it was Master Zhang who gave me a bite to eat! You people destroyed Master Zhang, destroyed his family business, and I just want to make you pay the price!"

"Kindness?" Lin Yu leaned forward, his eyes sharp as a knife. "He gave you a bite to eat, so you help him do illegal things and help him take lives? Wang Fu, you've lived over sixty years, can you not even distinguish right from wrong?"

Wang Fu was stunned for a moment, his eyes flickering, seemingly touched in a painful spot, but he quickly became stubborn again. "I don't understand any big principles. I only know that whoever treats me well, I will risk my life for them. Master Zhang has fallen, so I will avenge him. If I can't kill you, there's always a next time, and the time after that! As long as I live one more day, I will keep my eyes on you!"

Lin Yu looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

Lin Yu stood up, straightened his cuffs, and said in an indifferent tone, "The crime of intentional homicide, plus your previous rotten accounts, is enough for you to stay inside until you die. Zhang Tieshan can barely save himself; he can't save you. Your so-called loyalty will only lead you to die in prison, without even anyone to collect your body."

After saying this, Lin Yu walked out of the interrogation room without looking back. Behind him came Wang Fu's hysterical roaring: "Lin Yu! You will die a horrible death! Master Zhang will return! He will trample you all under his feet!"

Lin Yu closed the iron door, and quiet was restored. He said to Captain Sun, "Captain Sun, don't be polite with this kind of murderer. Sentence him however it should be sentenced, and sentence him heavily. Also, check if he has any accomplices."

"Don't worry, Mr. Lin. We've seen plenty of these people; they're die-hard fanatics." Captain Sun nodded. "We will have the suspect's family bear the medical expenses and emotional damages for your friend, although I suspect there won't be much money."

"No need, I'll handle it myself." Lin Yu waved his hand. "Just make sure he rots in jail."

Walking out of the police station, he got into the business van. Lin Yu dialed the number of Secretary Zhou of the Municipal Committee. He recounted what happened today, implying that it was all caused by the Zhang Tieshan father and son, and asked when they would be sentenced. Secretary Zhou hesitated for a few seconds, then implied that Zhang Tieshan's protectors were pressuring the Municipal Committee and government for a lighter sentence. Secretary Wang Zhenshan had made a special trip to the provincial capital for this, and now the pressure had been resolved, so there should be results soon.

Lin Yu expressed his understanding and was also somewhat moved; the city was able to withstand the pressure to handle these issues.

After hanging up the phone, Lin Yu leaned back in his chair, tired, his long fingers rubbing his temples firmly. The successive shocks and anger were like a receding tide, leaving behind only deep exhaustion.

Xia Xiaotang saw this scene in the rearview mirror, and her heart couldn't help but ache.

She skillfully turned the steering wheel, parking the black Alphard steadily under the shade of a tree by the roadside. She cut the engine and pulled the handbrake. Xia Xiaotang unbuckled her seatbelt and, like a nimble kitten, crawled from the driver's seat to the back row.

"Lie back." She said softly, her voice filled with an irresistible gentleness.

Lin Yu obediently lay down. Xia Xiaotang sat behind him, reached out to flatten the seat back for him, and then those warm, soft little hands pressed against his temples, kneading them with just the right amount of pressure.

"Does that feel good?" She leaned close to his ear, her breath like orchids, her hair gently brushing against Lin Yu's cheek, sending a tingling sensation through him.

"Mm." Lin Yu closed his eyes, his tense nerves finally relaxing completely at this moment. The tip of his nose was surrounded by the faint scent of jasmine on her body—that was Xia Xiaotang's unique fragrance, fresh and alluring. He didn't want to think about anything anymore; he just wanted to immerse himself in this rare tender refuge.

The car was so quiet that they could only hear each other's breathing, and an ambiguous atmosphere fermented in the small space.

After about twenty minutes, Lin Yu reached out and grabbed Xia Xiaotang's wrist.

"Are you tired?" His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of suppressed emotion.

Xia Xiaotang's heart skipped a beat, and the heat radiating from her wrist made her feel a bit flustered. She wasn't shy; it wasn't as if she hadn't kissed Lin Yu's face before, but the atmosphere at this moment was clearly different from the past.

She pulled her hand back generously and took the opportunity to pat his chest, saying coquettishly, "You're really heartless; you still know I'm tired?"

After saying that, she got up and sat in the middle row, right next to Lin Yu.

Lin Yu sat up, turned his face, and looked intensely at the pretty face inches away. Xia Xiaotang had fair skin, her large eyes blinking, and because of the massage just now, her cheeks were slightly flushed, making her look even more alluring.

"What are you looking at..." Xia Xiaotang was flustered by his gaze and just wanted to look away.

Lin Yu curled the corner of his mouth, reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace.

"Ah!" Xia Xiaotang exclaimed, and before she could react, Lin Yu's lips had already pressed down: "Then let me thank you!"

This was a slightly aggressive kiss.

Lin Yu's kiss was passionate and urgent, as if venting the tension and lingering fear of the day. His tongue pried open her pearly teeth, driving straight in, greedily plundering the nectar in her mouth.

Xia Xiaotang only felt a "boom" in her head, and her whole body went soft. She subconsciously clutched Lin Yu's lapels, her eyelashes trembling, and slowly closed her eyes, responding clumsily yet passionately.

The temperature inside the car rose instantly, and the streetlights outside the window shone through the glass onto the two of them, casting overlapping shadows.