When everyone realized that the once bustling Lin residence had become deserted, they discovered the Lin family had been absent for a long time.
However, with so many new things in this metropolis, the once famous Boss Lin was quickly forgotten. Only those who had benefited from the Lin family's kindness occasionally remembered them.
After recovering from his previous setback, Zhou Wenjie began to strive. He wrote many articles, and even killed off a female character in his book who was very popular with readers.
Adhering to the principle that if I cannot have love, then the male lead should not have a sweet and loving relationship either, his books began to embrace the beauty of tragedy.
Then he discovered that such a plot actually increased his popularity. After all, although everyone liked happy endings, tragedy was always the ultimate theme.
His royalties grew, and even a theater prepared to adapt his novels into plays.
This further popularized his works and increased his royalties.
However, Zhou Wenjie had become worried lately. That day was approaching, and war could break out at any moment. Although their home was in the concession, it still could not guarantee complete safety.
He was conflicted. He really wanted to leave Shanghai, a place that would soon be engulfed in war, but he didn't know where to go. Furthermore, their current wealth might not be enough to buy tickets for so many people.
He was determined to leave Shanghai in advance. As for where to go, China would fall into war in the future. Even if some places were not at war, the living conditions there would not be much better.
He came from modern times, and he had already felt unaccustomed to life in the town. If he went to a more backward place, he would be even more unable to adapt.
Besides, if he went to a backward place, he would have no means of earning a living. His current wealth would not last a few years.
Why not Hong Kong? It had always been very safe there, and the publishing industry was more developed than here. Therefore, he could bring his family there.
His knowledge there could provide him with sufficient income, and if he went early, the boat tickets would not be expensive.
But before leaving, he wanted to visit the Lin residence one last time. Although he might not be able to see the person he kept in his heart, it would be good to see the place where she lived. Thinking this, he prepared to go out.
"Brother Jie, it's almost lunchtime. Why are you still going out?" Madam Zhou looked at her son, who suddenly wanted to go out at this hour, with surprise.
"I have something to do. I won't be eating at home." He picked up his overcoat and walked straight out the door.
When he arrived at the Lin residence, he found that it was different from how he had seen it on his previous visits.
In the past, the windows here would be open, and the gatekeepers and servants would be busy going in and out. If Lin Yan was home, people would come to visit her.
But now, all the windows of the Lin residence were closed, and the gatekeeper was nowhere to be seen. The main gate was tightly shut, but a small side door was ajar.
He couldn't suppress his desire. He wanted to go in, to see. He desperately wanted to know her current situation and to see the place where she had lived.
Zhou Wenjie slowly approached the side door and reached out to push it open, wanting to enter the Lin residence he had longed for.
"Sir, who are you?" a middle-aged woman's voice came from behind him.
Zhou Wenjie quickly withdrew his hand and turned to see a middle-aged woman standing not far from him, holding a basket. He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed when someone had appeared beside him.
"Hello, are you from this household?" Zhou Wenjie, seeing the woman walk familiarly towards the door, realized she must be someone from the Lin residence.
"Yes, are you looking for someone?" Zhang Ma pushed the door open. Now, only she and two gatekeepers lived in this Lin residence.
The master had left her a good amount of money to take care of the Lin residence and the things inside. These items were inconvenient to move and carried the memories of the family.
She was not young anymore and could not endure the hardships of travel. It was good to stay here and guard the house, especially since she had lived in this Lin residence for many years. For her, who had no children, this place was her home.
"I want to see Boss Lin. Is she home?" Zhou Wenjie asked courageously. Since he had come this far, he wanted to try one more time. What if she was willing to see him?
"I'm very sorry, you've come all this way for nothing. Our young lady has been away from Shanghai for a long time." Zhang Ma did not invite Zhou Wenjie in to sit, as it was inconvenient to entertain guests when the owner was not home.
"Is that so? When did she leave? Will... will she return?" Zhou Wenjie was very disappointed.
"I don't know. I'm just an old servant guarding the house. How can I know the plans of the master? Sir, do you need something from my young lady?"
"No... nothing. Since she's not here, I'll leave now." Zhou Wenjie left the entrance of the Lin residence somewhat dejectedly.
Zhang Ma watched the man leave in a hurry and guessed that he was probably one of her young lady's admirers. However, she hadn't heard this person mentioned by her young lady, so he was likely an insignificant figure.
After leaving the Lin residence in a daze, Zhou Wenjie began to plan his departure from Shanghai. Especially as the situation in the north became increasingly dangerous, he immediately told his family to pack their belongings and prepare to move.
Although his family did not understand, Madam Zhou had grown accustomed to life in Shanghai and found it difficult to accept leaving at this time.
Especially since the three younger children were all in school, leaving now would not be good for their education. But her son was grown, and she couldn't make decisions for him. She could only help pack.
Zhou Wenjie couldn't tell his mother about the impending war, and even if he did, they wouldn't believe him. He always stayed indoors writing articles or attended literary gatherings.
He had always been careful and had not participated in any political matters. At this time, with no warning whatsoever, if he suddenly announced war, no one would believe him.
But he came from the future. He knew this war would last for many years and how brutal it would be. He was just an ordinary person and had no ability to participate in this war. All he could do was protect his family.
So they had to leave quickly and go to a safe place. He couldn't help many people, and he didn't care about others.
Lin Yan had already left Shanghai. If she hadn't, he would have told her about the war, and it would have been even better if she had been willing to leave with him.
But Lin Yan had left early. Did she also leave Shanghai because she knew about the war in advance?