132: Chapter 132 Money is the Foundation

Lin Ning pointed to the balance displayed on his mobile banking app.

"I started a company with a friend and invested two million. After paying off our debts, there's still less than 1.4 million in cash left on the card. Since I'm back this time, I plan to buy a house, Mom, and I'll put it in your name."

As he spoke, he shot Wang Hui a smug look, as if begging for praise.

Although Lin Ning deliberately acted as relaxed and playful as a child.

But the content of his words and the balance on his phone alone shocked everyone, making it impossible for them to stay relaxed; the table went silent for a moment.

You have to realize, two months ago, the whole family was almost driven to death by nearly a million in debt; even the old lady's retirement home had been sold, and at such an advanced age, she was still out washing dishes at a small restaurant to make ends meet.

Lin Jing's tears fell again, and she immediately asked, "What on earth have you been doing? Where did you get so much money?"

Wang Hui's face also slowly turned pale.

Only Wu Qingshan silently glanced at Lin Ning; there was no questioning in that look, only urgency—hurry up and explain, my wife is crying.

Lin Ning felt helpless and directly pulled up the remittance records for the past two months, shoving them right in front of Lin Jing and Wang Hui.

Money sent by the state was the most powerful evidence, but Lin Ning couldn't tell them everything about his experiences, especially regarding the spies, so—

"Didn't I send you screenshots before? When I was delivering food, I would report wanted criminals or people who had committed crimes if I saw them. These are all whistleblower rewards. Look at the sender; it's all money paid by the state."

Lin Jing and Wang Hui carefully examined every single entry, and it really was money sent by state units.

Their minds were put at ease, but—

"You ran into so many wanted criminals? How dangerous! You've been having such 'bad luck' since the beginning of the year. I'll go find Aunt He tomorrow; she knows an old shaman in Mahaqida, and I'll have her perform a ritual for you," Wang Hui said.

Lin Ning didn't know whether to be touched or helpless for a moment.

He muttered, "People don't know how much they envy me for being able to make money from the state so easily just by making phone calls, and I don't even have to pay taxes. Maybe it's just that Heaven saw how miserable I was and let those wanted criminals appear in front of me."

Seeing that they were about to say more, Lin Ning didn't want to dwell on these things and gave them a direct instruction:

"I don't show my face when I make the calls, so no one knows I'm the one reporting them. But if word gets out, outsiders might get jealous and who knows what rumors they'll spread. So, just tell people outside that my classmate took me to trade stocks and I made money. Got it?"

Everyone nodded quickly. It's a common human nature to laugh at those who have nothing and hate those who have something. The "whistleblowing" matter definitely couldn't be talked about; who knows what kind of trouble that might attract from bad people.

Even little Weiwei, who didn't understand anything, saw everyone nodding and followed suit, nodding with her little face set, "Uncle has money!"

As she said this, drool ran down the corner of her mouth.

Now that the family had money, everyone's mood was different, and the invisible atmosphere had become relaxed.

Wang Hui urged, "Hurry up and eat, Weiwei is hungry."

Weiwei, biting her finger, gave an embarrassed smile, and the milky little girl made everyone laugh too.

Everyone picked up their chopsticks.

Wu Qingshan, who hadn't spoken much, first picked up a piece of the most tender braised beef for Wang Hui, then a piece of lamb chop for Lin Jing, and finally placed the largest piece of lamb into Lin Ning's bowl.

"Brother-in-law, I'll do it myself," Lin Ning said quickly.

Wu Qingshan shook his head, his voice low, "Eat. You're tired from the road."

Lin Ning felt a warmth in his heart. This brother-in-law was a man of few words, but he was a rare person with deep affection and righteousness.

Back then, when his sister had taken all their savings behind his back to pay off his debts, he had been angry at her for several days after finding out. Lin Ning learned later that his brother-in-law wasn't angry about the money; he was angry that his sister had done it without telling him first.

After his parents and siblings found out, they scolded Lin Jing as a "spendthrift," but Wu Qingshan immediately retorted, "It's my family's money, I'm happy to give it."

With the familiar taste of home-cooked food and the fact that he was hungry, Lin Ning ate with gusto, his chopsticks moving continuously.

After a few bites, Lin Ning brought up the previous question again.

"Who came to the house to 'care' about me again?"

Lin Jing glanced at Wang Hui. This time, feeling more confident, she said, "Aunt. Recently, her son got promoted to captain at the coal yard, so she came over to show off and spread some gossip."

Lin Ning had already expected the faces of the relatives and friends here, but he really didn't expect them to be so low as to talk about it in front of a child.

He sneered in his heart.

Before, he just wanted to shut their mouths; now, they were forcing him to slap them in the face!

He took a mouthful of rice and asked, appearing casual, "With someone like Wang Hao, is the coal yard so short on people that they promoted him to captain?"

Lin Jing didn't believe a word of Aunt's praise for her son, but she didn't know why he was promoted either, so she looked at her husband.

Wu Qingshan: "The previous captain died in a car accident. It's rumored that he gave gifts to Manager Liu and got promoted, but nobody knows the real reason."

This implied that it would be very difficult for Wang Hao to get promoted just by giving gifts.

He paused and said to Lin Ning, "Don't go to the maintenance station or storage area outside; just stay in town."

Lin Ning couldn't help but laugh; he was being treated like a child.

Wu Qingshan looked at his expression and said seriously, "I don't know why, but there are a lot of new faces lately. Our coal yard has recently had conflicts with several unfamiliar drivers."

Lin Ning immediately thought of the red star-sea outside the town and was about to ask, but was interrupted by Lin Jing.

Hearing "driver" reminded Lin Jing of the car, "Xiao Ning, keep the car for yourself, you don't need to leave it for the family."

Lin Ning ignored her and said to Wu Qingshan, "Brother-in-law, go get the license plates tomorrow; the temporary plates won't last many days."

Wu Qingshan glanced at Lin Jing and didn't respond.

At this moment, Wang Hui spoke up, "Qingshan, go handle it!"

He then nodded.

His eyes held a simple, honest joy.

What man doesn't like cars? It's just a matter of circumstances. Besides, with elders and children, a car is truly a necessity.

Wang Hui continued, "Buying a house is good; it's a foundation. But don't put it in my name; put it in your own. I haven't divorced that old fart yet, so it would count as marital property. Why should I let him benefit?!"

After speaking, she stared intently at Lin Ning's expression.

Lin Ning's original intention of using his mother's name was to give her a sense of security and allow her to stand tall in front of those gossiping relatives and friends.

But what his mother said made sense.

"Fine, I'll buy one in my name first for you to live in."

Then, he changed the subject, "While you go report him as missing, Mom, file for divorce. Once that's done, I'll buy you another house in your name."

Nothing beats having your own assets for confidence, which is why he insisted on buying a house for Wang Hui.

And the fact that one could file for divorce while registering someone as missing was something he had specifically asked Lawyer Zhang about; he had just forgotten because he didn't care about it anymore.

He still had some pull with the Ministry of State Security and the Public Security Bureau. He had never asked them to help check any information about that old fart.

Since he couldn't kill him, he would just treat him as dead, and he would have nothing more to do with Lin Ning.

Lin Ning put down his bowl and stated his position in a calm voice: "Mom, from now on, our family only consists of you, Sis, Brother-in-law, and Weiwei. As for that person, just treat him as gone."

Everyone didn't expect Lin Ning to say such things suddenly; Wu Qingshan quickly lowered his head to eat, while Lin Jing wanted to speak but hesitated.

Wang Hui, however, smiled, though her eyes were a bit red.

Wang Hui stared at him for a few seconds, said nothing, picked up her chopsticks, and piled a full helping of food into his bowl.

Her son hadn't blindly sided with his father, and her knot of worry loosened.

Outside the window, the night was peaceful; inside, the lights were warm.

This topic was like water passing without leaving a trace, and no one mentioned it again.

The atmosphere at the dining table got better and better; it seemed that with Lin Ning's return, everything was different.

After eating their fill, Lin Jing and Wang Hui washed the dishes and pots, while Lin Ning and Wu Qingshan watched Weiwei running around the house playing.

Lin Ning continued the previous topic: "Do those new faces not have any seniors with them? How can they be so ignorant of the rules and get into conflicts with the coal yard?"

Wu Qingshan shook his head, "I'm not too sure either; it's a matter over at the unloading area in the West Yard."

The unloading area in the West Yard? Isn't that exactly where Wang Hao works?

And, why would they promote a piece of trash to captain?

Lin Ning pondered in his heart, feeling that there was some connection here.

He looked at the night outside the window, as if peering through the darkness, his gaze precisely directed toward the area outside the town.

Tomorrow, he would go and "take a look."