Hearing Lin Feng offer to deliver the wine personally, Lin Changzheng said with deep meaning, "It's fine if someone else delivers it, but if you can bring it to the house yourself, I think that would be acceptable!"
Lin Feng, understanding the implication behind Lin Changzheng's words, shook his head. "Old man, if you have something to say, just say it directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
"No rush, let's finish the wine first."
Lin Changzheng downed a cup of the special brew, a look of enjoyment on his face.
Xia Weiguo watched Lin Changzheng drink alone, unsure if he should join him.
Although he was in his own home, the elder before him held too much authority, making Xia Weiguo feel uneasy and reserved.
"Little Xia, we're practically family now. Don't just stand there, keep this old man company with a drink."
Lin Changzheng proactively invited him.
Only then did Xia Weiguo dutifully pick up his wine cup and start drinking along.
The meal lasted about half an hour, and Lin Changzheng finally put down his wine glass with a lingering satisfaction.
"Old man, can we talk about the main business now?"
Lin Feng was eager to find out the true purpose of the elder's visit and asked impatiently.
"Hmm, what I have to say next, let's discuss it privately. It's best not to let your parents hear it, as family shame should not be aired publicly. Little Xia, you and your wife, please don't find fault with my old ways."
Lin Changzheng's expression turned serious.
Xia Weiguo and Xue Jingru quickly replied, "We wouldn't dare, Elder Lin. As juniors, how could we find fault with you?"
"Grandpa Lin, let's go to my room then," Xia Xue suggested.
"Good, Xue'er can come and listen. Song Zhi, you entertain Little Xia and his wife. I'll go talk to your grandson about the important matters," Lin Changzheng arranged, then stood up and headed towards Xia Xue's room.
Lin Feng and Xia Xue silently followed the elder.
Upon entering the room, the elder immediately noticed the walls covered with murals. These were children's drawings bought by Xue Jingru and Xia Weiguo when they were urging Lin Feng and Xia Xue to have children.
The paintings depicted two twin infants, with the words 'Happy to Have Babies' written in large characters.
Looking at the drawings in the room, Lin Changzheng couldn't help but chuckle. "Lin Feng, it seems your parents-in-law are more eager to hold their grandchildren than we are!"
"Grandpa Lin, my parents just put them up for fun," Xia Xue said, her pretty face flushing with a hint of shyness.
Lin Changzheng didn't mind. He sat down in a chair and spoke earnestly. "Lin Feng, the purpose of my and your grandmother's visit this time, you've likely guessed it. We want to acknowledge you as our eldest grandson."
"Your father failed you, and that's his problem. Your grandmother and I have always cared deeply about you."
"Therefore, you must return to your roots and acknowledge your lineage!"
"I heard that several of your girlfriends are pregnant, and Xia Xue may also be carrying your child. These are all Lin family bloodlines! You can't let me and your grandmother not get to hold our great-grandchildren!"
Lin Changzheng emphasized repeatedly.
Lin Feng was not surprised that the elder knew so much about him. After all, the elder had once been a respected figure, and knowing anything was a matter of a single command.
However, he still found it difficult to accept this sudden acknowledgment.
He thought for a moment and said, "Old man, if you want me to acknowledge my ancestors, you should at least give me some time. How can you just order me around like this? I'm not your subordinate, and there's no need for me to obey your every word!"
Lin Changzheng shook his head. "Not at all, this isn't about who orders whom. Water has a source, and trees have roots. Throughout history, it has always been about the falling leaf returning to its roots, acknowledging one's ancestors."
"Your grandmother and I are both at the end of our lives, and we might depart this world any day. You wouldn't want to see your grandfather and grandmother die with regrets, would you?"
Lin Changzheng asked with a smile.
His words rendered Lin Feng speechless for a moment, as the elder spoke so sincerely and with a constant smile.
Lin Feng couldn't possibly oppose the elder.
One doesn't strike a smiling face, let alone an elder in his eighties. Lin Feng wouldn't stoop to his level.
"Alright, acknowledging you two elders isn't a big deal. It's just calling you grandfather and grandmother. I'm not at a disadvantage."
"But you, old man, you traveled all this way. You didn't just come for a family reunion, did you?"
Lin Feng probed cautiously.
As expected, Lin Changzheng's eyes darkened. "Your grandmother and I already know about Lin Zhen's matter. You injured him and fed him poison, giving him only three days to live."
At these words, Xia Xue looked at Lin Feng in astonishment.
If Lin Changzheng hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have known that Lin Feng had gone out and caused such a major incident.
Lin Zhen had been injured by Lin Feng and had only three days to live – this news was truly explosive!
Lin Feng was unfazed. He knew the elder would bring this up. He chuckled. "Old man, if you want me to save your grandson, you're mistaken. I will not save him."
Lin Changzheng was not surprised by Lin Feng's answer. Instead, he nodded and smiled. "I knew the feud between you brothers wouldn't be easily resolved."
"That little scoundrel Lin Zhen tried everything to kill you. Now that you've turned the tables and got the better of him, it's a lesson he deserved."
"Your grandmother and I understand how you feel. We don't blame you."
Lin Changzheng's words made Lin Feng feel strange. He had initially expected Lin Changzheng to reprimand him, but hearing such warm words instead made him feel uncomfortable.
"Old man, then what do you mean by bringing up Lin Zhen?"
Lin Feng was confused. Since he wasn't asking him to save Lin Zhen, then for what purpose?
"To be honest, Lin Zhen's poison has been neutralized. He's been saved, but his emotions are quite unstable."
"Your grandmother and I do not wish for you brothers to continue to harm each other. Therefore, we wish to act as mediators. Let this matter be put to rest."
"You've vented most of your grievances, and there's no need to take Lin Zhen's life, after all, he is your elder brother!"
Lin Changzheng gazed at Lin Feng, his eyes slightly red.
"Impossible! I spared him, but did he ever think of sparing me?"
"If my strength hadn't suddenly increased, the one dead now would have been me, not him!"
"Old man, do you think I would let go of someone who has tried to kill me multiple times?"
Lin Feng's attitude was resolute. The hatred between him and Lin Zhen was truly irreconcilable.
The closer the relation, the greater the animosity.
"Lin Feng, what if I, an old man, were to beg you? If I beg you to spare Lin Zhen, would you agree?"
As Lin Changzheng spoke, he suddenly stood up and prepared to bow to Lin Feng.
Seeing this, Xia Xue quickly moved to support the elder. "Grandpa Lin, please don't! Lin Feng is just speaking out of anger. Let me try to persuade him."
"Xue'er, Grandpa knows you have a kind heart. However, Lin Feng has suffered considerable injustice. If I don't apologize for my unfilial grandson, Grandpa will also feel uneasy!"
"My Lin family has failed Lin Feng. This is what my Lin family owes him!"
As Lin Changzheng spoke, his normally upright back bent.
Lin Feng turned his back, his eyes feeling a little sore. He said coldly, "Old man, if it were I who was about to die, would you also beg for me as you do for Lin Zhen?"
"I just want to know, in your Lin family's eyes, what am I? Is Lin Zhen more important, or is Lin Feng more important?"