Lin Feng entered and closed the door behind him.

"What's going on?"

Second Aunt spoke up first. "Lin Feng, come and talk some sense into your brother Rui. The boy's being a fool."

He saw the mess and walked over to right the overturned table.

"Second Uncle, don't be angry," he said, then turned to his cousin. "And Brother Rui, stop glaring. Everyone, let's sit down and talk this through calmly."

Lin Feng went to pacify his Second Uncle. "Sit down."

On the other side, Second Aunt and Yu Zheng pushed Lin Rui down into a seat at the table.

Just as Second Aunt was about to say something, Lin Feng cut in with a smile. "Second Aunt, why don't you step outside for a bit? We men will handle this."

His Second Aunt wasn't good with words and would likely just add fuel to the fire. They might end up arguing again.

After a moment's hesitation, Second Aunt was ushered out of the room by Yu Zheng.

"Second Aunt, go and get a broom," Yu Zheng said.

She finally let out a sigh. "Fine, I'll leave you all to it."

After she left, Yu Zheng locked the door.

Lin Feng said coolly, "We're all family here. Let's just speak our minds."

"I have a general idea about what happened between Second Uncle and Brother Rui, but I don't know the details. So, let me ask, Second Uncle, what exactly is the problem?"

Lin Dahu was reluctant to speak, but among the younger generation, Lin Feng was the most successful. Besides, he didn't want to become enemies with his own son. Everyone else's sons were filial and accomplished. The whole situation made him feel terrible.

Lin Dahu snorted. "He's made a little money these past few years and suddenly doesn't know who he is anymore. He can't even stand the sight of his old man. Nothing I say sounds right to him."

"Look, I didn't say a word just now. But when your father and your third uncle said a few things to him... he got all defiant. It made me so angry I flipped the table."

Lin Daan sighed. "We didn't say much, just that they should work on their father-son relationship. There's nothing wrong with that. We're not children anymore; there's no need to make things so tense. Even if parents say something, their children don't need to hold a grudge. The point is to be honest, it wasn't a big deal."

Lin Dashan sighed as well. "You all have such hot tempers. You need to work on that."

Yu Zheng remained silent, merely glancing at Lin Rui.

Lin Feng looked at his cousin. "Brother Rui, besides Yu Zheng, you're the eldest of our generation in the Lin family. We younger siblings have always respected you."

Even though the Lin brothers had their issues, they maintained a cordial relationship on the surface, gathering for holidays and festivals. Because of this, after so many years, some brotherly affection still remained. The younger generation could hang out together, but you couldn't say they were particularly close. However, since Lin Feng and Lin Jiajun had started a business together, the brothers Lin Daan and Lin Dashan had become much closer, and Lin Feng's relationship with Lin Jiajun had also strengthened.

Lin Feng fiddled with a nearby teacup and asked coolly, "Brother Rui, as your cousin, there are some things I don't want to say and some matters I don't want to interfere with. Everyone has their own family and career now. We're not children anymore. There are some things you should understand on your own without others having to spell them out for you."

"However, in this situation, I can't just turn a blind eye. So, I'm going to speak my mind today. Some of what I say might not be pleasant, and you don't have to listen if you don't want to. I'm just doing what I feel I should. I don't care what you think of me afterward. I, Lin Feng, don't rely on you for a living. We don't have any significant financial ties, and I have my own life. So, frankly, your attitude means nothing to me."

The others in the room exchanged subtle glances.

Lin Rui pursed his lips, his arms folded across his chest and his face grim.

Lin Feng really didn't like to meddle in these things, but since it had come to this, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

He set down his cup and addressed Lin Rui again. "Brother Rui, we all know you're capable among us cousins. But no matter how capable you are, if you look around, there are plenty of people more capable and competent than you."

"I know you won't like hearing this, but Yu Zheng earns millions a year. Have you ever seen him act arrogant? He's signed several large contracts this year alone, earning at least one or two million. Have you ever heard him boast about it? Not in the past, and not now!"

Lin Feng pointed to himself. "I'm not showing off. I'm just stating facts. Right now, I have nearly one hundred million in cash, and that's not even counting my assets. I haven't even tallied up those."

Everyone in the room drew a sharp, collective breath. The arrogant look on Lin Rui's face deflated significantly.

Lin Feng continued, "If you want to use money to show off, then Yu Zheng and I won't be holding back. And then there's Jiajun. He probably has one or two million saved up by now. We're planning to open another branch, and I'm confident the business will only get better. When that happens, I imagine he'll have more than just that."

Lin Daan couldn't help but smile. His son had mentioned wanting to open a branch before. Since Lin Feng was the largest shareholder, his approval was required.

Lin Feng asked indifferently, "At that point, do you think you can compete with them in terms of wealth?"

Lin Rui scoffed. "So what if Lin Jiajun is rich? It's only because you guys brought him along."

Lin Feng nodded. "Exactly. So why didn't we choose to work with you? You should know as well as I do that if we worked together, there would definitely be conflict. And how can we make money if there's no harmony?"

Playing the role of peacemaker, Lin Feng said a great deal more to advise and persuade Lin Rui.

"I've said all I can," he finally concluded. "We're all adults. Some things you just have to figure out on your own."

Lin Feng stood up. "I'm going to use the restroom."

When he opened the door, he saw his Second Aunt standing right outside, her face etched with anxiety.

"How did it go?"

"I don't know. I said everything I had to say."

Second Aunt still looked worried but managed a, "Thank you."

Lin Feng smiled. "You're being too formal, Second Aunt. When kids grow up, they have their own ideas. He'll learn his lesson once he hits a wall."

Smiling, he walked over to Zhang Yuxi. "Did Dad win?"

Sun Rou laughed. "Your uncle is an expert!"

Zhang Fuyong revealed his final hand, prompting a chorus of groans.

"We lost again!"

Zhang Fuyong returned all his winnings. "It's just for fun. How could I take money from you young people!"

Lin Xiaolan scooped up her share. "In that case, Uncle, I won't be polite!"

Seeing this, Sun Rou collected her money as well.

Zhang Fuyong stood up. "You young people have fun. I'm going to the restroom."

Lin Jiajun came trotting over. "You're not going out? Just playing cards in here?"

Sun Rou smiled. "Without you as our guide, we have no idea where to go."

"Let me think... It's too sunny outside, so it wouldn't be much fun," Lin Jiajun mused. After a pause, he suggested, "How about we go to the water park? They have surfing there. What do you think?"

Sun Rou was the first to shoot it down. "I'm not going. I didn't bring a swimsuit."

Lin Xiaolan also declined. "Not interested."

Lin Jiajun was out of ideas. "It is too hot outside. Well, if that's out, how about we go to the restaurant for another meal?"

Sun Rou asked, "Do we have to pay?"

"How about a fifty-percent discount?"

Sun Rou laughed. "You've really got money on the brain, haven't you?"

"Of course! Right now, all I think about is making money."

With nowhere else to go, they certainly couldn't just sit here playing mahjong. They might as well head to the restaurant to eat and hang out.

As they were speaking, the door to the opposite private room opened. Aside from the silent Lin Dahu and his son, everyone else came out smiling. "Have you all decided where you're going?" one of them asked.

"To the restaurant," Lin Jiajun replied. "We need to discuss some business anyway." He then walked over and put his arm around Lin Rui's shoulders. "Brother Rui, come with us."

Lin Rui didn't object, which signaled his agreement.

The group arrived at the restaurant, and the jovial atmosphere from earlier was restored.

Lin Feng, Lin Jiajun, and Jiang Anmin sat at a separate table to discuss opening the new branch. A long holiday was approaching, and Lin Jiajun and Jiang Anmin wanted to take advantage of it for the grand opening. Lin Feng had no objections.

Jiang Anmin said, "The two of us have already looked at a few suitable locations, but we haven't made a decision yet. Should I take you to see them tomorrow?"

Lin Feng thought for a moment. "Sure."

Lin Jiajun lit a cigarette. "Why wait until tomorrow? Let's go now."

It seemed Lin Jiajun really was obsessed with money.

"My wife is due to give birth in a few days," Lin Jiajun explained. "I want to get this sorted out."

"I have no problem with that," Jiang Anmin said. "Lin Feng?"

"I don't have any objections either. Let's go."

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