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Lin Tingfeng was terrified. His hand, which was on the table, clenched into a fist out of worry and anxiety. Afraid that the old man would see it, he immediately put it under the table.

He composed himself, looked up, smiled at the old woman, and said gently, "Mom, I'm planning to hire a few more maids. The house is too quiet." He looked around; the reduced number of maids made the house feel even more desolate, like a giant morgue. Perhaps if the house were a little more lively, his mother's mental state would improve.

These days, he has been busy with his father's funeral. After the funeral, he was busy dealing with the backlog of work affairs at the Lin Group. He hadn't been able to deal with the family matters until now, when he discovered his mother's abnormality.

He really shouldn't have done that, because his mother was his only family. They had depended on each other for many years since childhood.

Lin Tingfeng's mother responded faintly, without making a statement.

Lin Tingfeng then realized that his mother, who couldn't shelter him from the wind and rain when he was a child, was now even less able to do so, yet she desperately needed his care. He rallied his spirits and could only comfort her, saying, "Mom, don't worry, nothing will change. What belongs to us will always belong to us!" Although he tried to raise his voice and speak with a strong tone, he had lost his confidence.

Lin Tingfeng's mother remained staring blankly outside, as if she were a stone or wood carving. She seemed to be reminiscing about her lost love and youth.

Lin Tingfeng could only offer his mother hope: "Mom, Attorney Zhang will be here soon. We'll go to the Cai family together and discuss buying back the shares held by Cai Wenchuan. Once I buy back his shares, I won't have to be afraid of Lin Tingyue's mother anymore!"

He never wanted to call her "stepmother".

Actually, he had no confidence at all when he said those words. Because he was smart enough to know that even if Attorney Zhang was willing to act as a mediator to help him, Cai Wenchuan and Lao Cai would definitely not help him; they probably hoped he would fall.

His mother looked up at this moment and reminded him, "Son, things won't be that easy. That vixen has a daughter who is also a little vixen. She has bewitched Xiao Cai."

Upon hearing this, Lin Tingfeng's heart sank. It turned out that everyone knew about this; he thought he was the only one who had figured it out. He also knew that there was probably little hope, but Attorney Zhang had said that he and Lao Cai were friends and had a long-standing relationship, and that Lao Cai also disliked Lin Tingyue. So he decided to give it a try. At least there was hope if he tried; if he didn't, there was absolutely no hope.

Lin Tingfeng's mother didn't say anything more. At this moment, Attorney Zhang walked in, and Lin Tingfeng cheered up, stood up with a smile, and followed Attorney Zhang to the Zhang family home.

The two set off from the mansion and headed towards the Cai family's house along the forest path.

The jungle was quiet, with only the occasional clear birdsong. Sunlight filtered through the tops of the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light. Nature was beautiful, and the air was fresh, but Lin Tingfeng had no mood to appreciate any of it.

It's still that cabin in the woods, but because of Old Master Lin's will, it no longer belongs to the Lin family's assets, but to Old Cai.

Lin Tingfeng and Attorney Zhang walked together along the tree-lined path, dappled shadows falling on them. Attorney Zhang sighed to Lin Tingfeng, "Mr. Lin, time flies. I've watched you grow up. Now you're capable and independent, a prominent figure in society, while I'm already old and gray-haired."

Attorney Zhang pointed to her snow-white hair.

Lin Tingfeng immediately comforted him, saying, "Uncle Zhang is joking. You're not old at all. You look at most forty." Attorney Zhang always wore a black or gray suit, and his back was as straight as a spindle, which made him look young.

Attorney Zhang smiled and said to him, "Tingfeng, you really know how to comfort people. I have no children, so although I have been working for the Lin family, I have always regarded you as my own child. In addition, I also know that the Lin Group is what it is today because of you. If it falls into the hands of Lin Tingyue and her daughter, it will only go bankrupt. I don't want your father's life's work to be ruined."

This is probably how Attorney Zhang, who adheres to the principle of "minding one's own business," explained his meddling in other people's affairs.

Lin Tingfeng felt a lump in his throat upon hearing this, deeply moved. He hadn't expected that the usually cold-hearted Uncle Zhang was such a kind, righteous, and principled person.

He said emotionally, "Uncle Zhang, if I can get through this ordeal, I will never forget you."

As he walked, Attorney Zhang sighed and said, “Your father was confused when he died. I reminded him when he made his will, but he insisted on doing it this way, and there was nothing I could do. His biggest problem in life was that he valued emotions too much, especially when he got old. He valued emotions to an exaggerated degree and no longer cared about what was real or fake. Alas, he was senile. So now, a will has really put you in a very bad situation.”

A bitter smile appeared on Lin Tingfeng's face, and his heart continued to ache. For so long, he had felt angry and wronged. Now he had finally found someone who understood him. There were so many people in the world, but Attorney Zhang was the only one who understood him.

By this time, the two had arrived in front of Lao Cai's house. The sunlight was even warmer, the trees were dazzlingly green, and a mountain breeze was blowing in gusts.

Attorney Zhang stopped and said to Lin Tingfeng, "I've known Lao Cai for many years and we've gradually become friends. When Lao Cai resigned, I wanted to resign too, but you and your father kept stopping me. Tingfeng, after I've helped you with this matter, I also want to retire and return to my hometown, just like Lao Cai. I hope Mr. Lin will approve my resignation then." To show his determination to resign, Attorney Zhang began to address Lin Tingfeng as "Mr. Lin" at the end.

Lin Tingfeng was stunned. At this critical juncture, how could he lose such a powerful arm as Attorney Zhang? He immediately wanted to speak up and persuade him to stay, but Attorney Zhang waved his hand and said to him, "Alright, my mind is made up. You don't need to say anything. Old Cai is out. We need to talk about serious business."

At this moment, Old Cai saw them and rushed out to greet them, so Lin Tingfeng had no choice but to remain silent.

Attorney Zhang smiled and went to greet Old Cai. Lin Tingfeng knew that things were different now, so he followed suit.

Old Cai held Attorney Zhang's hand tightly, and still greeted Lin Tingfeng politely, "Boss—"

Lin Tingfeng said to him humbly, "You are no longer the steward of the Lin family, so you don't need to call me master."

Old Cai said humbly, "The boss is the boss, my home all my life." Old Master Lin gave his family so much wealth, and so many days have passed, but Old Cai is still in a state of shock. Therefore, he is very grateful to Old Master Lin and his son.