Lin Ke nodded slightly, her heart also calmed. With Lu Fan by her side, she could indeed feel a sense of security.
If it weren't for Lu Fan asking her to come, she would never have agreed so readily.
"Miss, please rest assured, besides you, the family head has no other direct descendants," Steward Wu smiled. "As long as you stay in Jiangbei, the entire Lin family will be yours in the future!"
"I don't care about those external possessions!" Lin Ke chuckled. "If I cared, I would have returned to the Lin family long ago."
"To be honest, when Miss got separated back then, the family head also tried his best to find you," Steward Wu said with a wry smile. "Unfortunately, there was no news. The overall situation cannot be blamed on the family head!"
"I don't blame him!" Lin Ke shook her head. "I just simply don't want to return to the Lin family and disrupt my current life."
Steward Wu smiled wryly. Such a thing was something most people would wish for, but Lin Ke's words left him somewhat helpless, even unsure how to persuade her.
It was almost Spring Festival, and there were many cars on the road. After a day's journey, they finally arrived in the Jiangbei region.
Jiangbei was even more prosperous than Jiangnan, with wider roads and other areas compared to Jiangnan.
Shortly after, the car arrived outside the courtyard. A row of people stood neatly outside the courtyard. These were all Lin family guards, each of them strong and robust.
Lin Aotian stood in the center of the crowd, looking at Lin Ke as she alighted from the car, a look of joy on his face.
He had not expected Lin Ke to come, but she had surprised him.
"Ke'er, I am very happy that you could come to Jiangbei!" Lin Aotian stepped forward and smiled. "I know you've been angry with me because of what happened back then, and I've been trying my best to make amends."
"I've only come to Jiangbei this time for ancestral worship. After the worship is complete, I will return!" Lin Ke stated directly.
Lin Aotian nodded repeatedly at her words. "Naturally, it will be according to your wishes. Your father will not force you."
However, when he saw Lu Fan by her side, his brows furrowed. "I didn't expect my little brother Lu to be here too!"
"I'm just accompanying her!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Does the Lin family head not welcome me?"
"Of course, you are welcome!" Lin Aotian smiled and sent people to welcome Lu Fan and the others, leading them towards the living room.
"Family head, I originally intended to bring only the young lady, but it seems the young lady would not have come if the other person hadn't," Steward Wu said gravely.
"It doesn't matter. Regardless, Lin Ke has been with them day and night, so it's natural for them to have a close relationship," Lin Aotian waved his hand. "However, Xiao Ke and Lu Fan should still maintain some distance. No matter what, Lin Ke will inherit the Lin family in the future, and her marriage must not be decided by her!"
"Family head, rest assured, I will go and give him a warning!" Steward Wu nodded. "What about Madam's situation?"
"The situation is not optimistic!" Lin Aotian shook his head. "However, Elder Chen will arrive soon. If he personally takes action, it should not be a problem."
"Elder Chen is close to the Second Master. Was he invited by the Second Master?" Steward Wu frowned. "For the past few years, the Second Master has been trying to curry favor with the Old Madam. If Elder Chen cures the Old Madam's illness this time, the Old Madam will likely lean more towards the Second Master."
"The entire Lin family was built by me. Even if the Old Madam favors the second son, so what?" Lin Aotian said coldly. "Do they still expect me to hand over the empire with my own hands!" Su Dan Novel Network
"Although the family head is the pillar of the Lin family, and the Lin family prospered under your leadership, family head, please don't forget that according to the actual proportion of shares, the Old Madam and the Second Master's shares are above yours," Steward Wu reminded him.
"These years, they have been able to get on the right track because I supported them. Even if the Old Madam favors the second son, she won't be that foolish," Lin Aotian stated directly. "Because he dares not gamble with the Lin family."
After putting their belongings in the rooms, Lu Fan and Lin Ke went to the main hall, where Lin Aotian was waiting.
"You should have finished putting your things away. Xiao Ke, come with me upstairs!" Lin Aotian said. "We'll go see your grandmother."
Lin Ke nodded slightly. As a member of the Lin family, she naturally wouldn't dare to be disrespectful to her elders.
Shortly after, they arrived upstairs. In a room upstairs, there were several figures. An old woman lay on the bed, with several men standing beside her.
"Big Brother, isn't this my niece?" Lin Guoli laughed. "I didn't expect her to have grown up so much. Have you done a paternity test?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Ke frowned. The person before her was her second uncle, yet he was so sharp-tongued.
"Whether she is my daughter is something I can tell," Lin Aotian said directly. "Could I possibly bring just anyone back?"
"I didn't mean it that way," Lin Guoli smiled. "It's just that there are too many scammers outside these days."
"How big is the Lin family's fortune that it's afraid of being stolen?"
Lu Fan clasped his hands and said indifferently.
"What are you?" Lin Guoli glanced at him. "This is the Lin family. Who let you in!"
"Lin family head, I am a guest, and this is how your Lin family treats guests?" Lu Fan looked at Lin Aotian. "Isn't this too ill-mannered?"
Lin Guoli's face changed drastically. He had lived for so many years, and no one had ever dared to speak so frankly. Lu Fan's words almost drove him mad.
Lin Guoli was about to speak when Lin Aotian stopped him. "Enough. He is Lin Ke's friend, so he is the Lin family's friend. Second Brother, you need to watch your words!"
"Big Brother, this kid is too arrogant," Lin Guoli said unhappily. "If it weren't for your sake, he wouldn't be leaving this door tonight!"
Lu Fan did not take these threats seriously. The other party had not caused trouble, and this was, after all, the Lin family. Lu Fan knew where to draw the line.
"What are you arguing about over there? Your old mother is still alive!" Madam Lin, lying on the bed, had a pale face but was still breathing. "If I die one day, will you start fighting with weapons?"
"Mom, why do you say such things? We are brothers, how could we do such a thing?" Lin Guoli quickly stepped forward. "Moreover, Divine Doctor Chen is here, and he will never let Mom have any problems!"
"Xiao Ke, this is your grandmother," Lin Aotian introduced.
Lin Ke nodded slightly and stepped forward to greet her, "Hello, Grandma."
Madam Lin nodded slightly, her face devoid of any smile. She did not seem to welcome Lin Ke, but out of respect for Lin Aotian's face, Madam Lin did not make any drastic moves.
Lu Fan observed all of this. The Lin family's relationships were complicated and perhaps not as simple as they seemed.
Madam Lin had always favored the second branch, not wanting the Lin family's assets to fall into the hands of others. Lin Guoli had a son, which meant he was a descendant of the Lin family. As for Lin Aotian's daughter, she had never taken a liking to her.
The old woman knew very well that family inheritance must not fall into the hands of women, otherwise, within a few years, the Lin family's enterprises would no longer be called Lin.