Mermaids Weep (12)
The Lin family's Wanghailou Restaurant is one of the top restaurants in the entire Secret Sea, and it's also Lin Fang's favorite place to patronize. A few days before each full moon, Wanghailou sells a special dim sum dish called "Moon-Gazing Dumplings." These dumplings are made with expensive ingredients and are quite pricey, but they are Lin Fang's absolute favorite. Therefore, at this time, the manager of Wanghailou would prepare a private room in advance, eagerly awaiting the arrival of this Third Master Lin.
Today, as soon as Lin Fang stepped inside, the perceptive shopkeeper sensed that the Third Master was not in a good mood. He bowed and greeted Lin Fang, "Third Master, what kind of tea would you like to drink today?"
"A pot of black brows." Lin Fang's tone was clearly displeased, or perhaps a little nervous.
His eyes darted around as he strode into his usual private room, then he sternly said to the innkeeper who was standing beside him, "Hurry up and bring out the tea and snacks. If you delay my business, you're fired tomorrow!"
"Yes, yes, Third Master, please calm down. We'll bring it up for you right away."
The shopkeeper bowed and scraped as he closed the door, then turned and hurried to the kitchen. As he went, he wondered to himself: In the past, when Third Master came to eat Moon Gazing Dumplings, he always had light-tasting tea. Why did he choose a strong-tasting, bitter Black Eyebrow Tea today?
Black Eyebrow Tea is the favorite of the Lin family head and the second master of the Lin family. At this time, the Lin family head is still holding a meeting in Yihai Hall, so the only person who can drink tea is the second master of the Lin family, Lin Xiaowen.
The manager was a shrewd and capable person who could stay at Wanghailou for so long. Thinking of this, he quickly asked the kitchen to prepare a few more of Lin Xiaowen's favorite snacks.
As expected, just as the tea and snacks were laid out, Lin Xiaowen stepped into the private room, led by the waiter. Compared to the arrogant and domineering Lin Fang, Lin Xiaowen appeared more composed and reserved, though his venomous eyes sent chills down one's spine.
The innkeeper didn't dare to look any longer. He bowed and left the private room, closing the door behind the two family heads' confidants to prevent others from overhearing anything they shouldn't, lest he be implicated.
"Second Brother, please sit down!" Lin Fang immediately changed his expression upon seeing Lin Xiaowen, abandoning his previous arrogance towards the servants and instead displaying a fawning smile. He even personally pulled out a chair for his cousin and invited him to sit down.
Lin Xiaowen remained silent, glanced around at the sumptuous tea and snacks on the table, slowly walked to his seat, and tapped the edge of the table lightly with his right index finger, asking, "What trouble have you gotten yourself into?"
"Not at all! I just wanted to invite you to try the Moon Gazing Dumplings. We recently got a new chef, and if you don't like the taste of these dumplings, I'll fire him!"
As Lin Fang spoke, he brewed tea for Lin Xiaowen and even picked up a plump, round moon-gazing dumpling for him.
"Hmph." Lin Xiaowen sneered. Although Wanghailou was nominally the Lin family's property, it was actually managed by Lin Shiyou. However, due to recent busy affairs, Lin Shiyou temporarily handed over the management of Wanghailou to Lin Fang.
This lackey has only been in office for a few years, but he really thinks he's the master. Whenever he's unhappy, he takes it out on the chefs and waiters in the restaurant. He's replaced several groups of people, and although Wanghailou is still open, it's not as popular as it used to be.
"Just say what you want to say. I'm very busy and don't have time to beat around the bush with you." Others might go along with him, but Lin Xiaowen wouldn't. After all, in terms of background and status, Lin Xiaowen was above him.
"Second Brother, I really want to pay my respects to you. You have been working diligently and conscientiously to help our eldest brother with the family affairs. You handle things in a way that is thorough and meticulous. I am ashamed of my own shortcomings and should learn more from you!" Lin Fang picked up his teacup, and seeing that Lin Xiaowen did not intend to raise his cup, he bent down and respectfully raised his teacup to a position slightly below Lin Xiaowen as a sign of respect.
Then Lin Laosan changed the subject: "But... I'm stupid and careless in doing things. I've thought about it but can't figure out a solution, so I'd like to ask you, Second Brother, for some advice."
Having said all that, Lin Xiaowen was pretty sure he'd messed up. But this wasn't the first time Lin Fang had come to him for help.
Lin Xiaowen picked up his teacup and took a small sip, pondering what good things he could get in return: "Tell me, what is it?"
Seeing his second brother drink the tea, Lin Fang was overjoyed and quickly said, "Actually, it's nothing serious. It's just that I accidentally lost my fish-shaped tally a couple of days ago."
Before he could finish speaking, the porcelain cup in Lin Xiaowen's hand shattered. Veins bulged on Second Master Lin's hand, his anger blazing: "What did you say?"
Seeing that things were going badly, Lin Fang hurriedly dropped his teacup, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed heavily. He raised his face, his expression full of panic: "Second Brother, please calm down! I really didn't mean it! It was all that damned thief's fault...!"
Before Lin Fang could finish speaking, Lin Xiaowen grabbed the porcelain bowl beside him and smashed it at him. Lin Fang dared not dodge and could only take the blow head-on, causing a gash on his forehead that bled profusely.
The fish-shaped tally was proof of the Lin family's identity, the most authoritative token; seeing the tally was like seeing the person, and losing it would have unimaginable consequences. Knowing he was in the wrong, Lin Fang trembled with fear. He cautiously looked up at Lin Xiaowen, only to see the man's eyes, like those of a venomous snake, blazing with rage as he stared intently at him. Lin Fang had seen that look before. Lin Xiaowen was in charge of executions in the family, and whenever someone in the family had committed a serious offense and was about to be bound hand and foot and thrown into the sea, he would always look down at them with that same condescending gaze.
Lin Fang's heart pounded with fear. He knew he had committed a grave mistake and could only plead for mercy, "Second Brother, I know I was wrong, Second Brother. Please, please help me this time! As long as I'm not drowned, I'll do whatever you say from now on! Please!"
Lin Xiaowen continued to stare intently at him, his expression unwavering.
Seeing this, Lin Fang panicked even more, but he had no other choice but to continue begging for mercy: "Second Brother, I was just ordered to inspect the fish market that day, I didn't do anything! Who knew that when I touched the bag, the fish token would disappear?"
"I've questioned everyone at the fish market, and no matter how much I beat them, they all claim they didn't know or see anything. I'm at my wit's end!"
"Shut up!"
Lin Xiaowen shouted angrily, scaring Lin Fang so much that he didn't dare to breathe. Blood had already flowed down to his chin, but he didn't dare to raise his hand to wipe it away.
"Shut up!" Lin Xiaowen suppressed his rage, his brows furrowed. "In broad daylight, with so many eyes watching, you still managed to lose the fish-shaped talisman!"
"I think you're tired of living! You're in such a hurry to feed the fish!"
Lin Fang was speechless. The thought that those bloody scenes from the past might actually happen to him terrified him so much that he lost his voice.
But Lin Fang was someone who had risen to the third-in-command position by flattering superiors and bullying subordinates. He only panicked for a moment before quickly defending himself: "Second brother, what dirty and hard work in the clan haven't I done all these years? I haven't complained once while doing those things!"
Lin Xiaowen's expression softened slightly after Lin Fang brought up these words.
Lin Fang thought he had found a breakthrough, and seized the opportunity to continue: "Second brother, I may be a bit stupid, and not as shrewd and meticulous as you and eldest brother. But when you need me, I have never said no. All these years, haven't I kept that promise well?"
"Lin Fang, how dare you threaten me?" Lin Xiaowen glared at Lin Fang fiercely. "You're threatening my elder brother with this. Do you think that will work?"
"I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!" Lin Fang shook his head repeatedly. "I just hope that my second brother can spare my life, considering how I've been helping the clan deal with all those dirty things over the years."
As Lin Fang spoke, he took out a square box that had been prepared beforehand from the side. Inside was a radiant fairy insect grass: "Over the years, I have collected quite a few rare treasures that can help Second Brother's cultivation. I only hope that you can help me and say a few good words for me in front of Eldest Brother."
Lin Xiaowen's gaze was drawn to the cordyceps. He was well-informed and naturally knew what a miraculous medicine this cordyceps was.
Coincidentally, Lin Xiaowen's cultivation level had been stuck at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm, unable to advance. If he could successfully break through using this herb, not only would Lin Shiyou be no match for him, but even the secluded patriarch of the Han family might not be able to defeat him. The younger generation of the Han family lacked the necessary cultivation, and now was the perfect time for them to leapfrog into becoming the number one family in the Secret Sea. If Lin Xiaowen were to become the patriarch of the number one family in the Secret Sea... wouldn't that be a double blessing?
Lin Xiaowen couldn't help but squint, raise his hand to cover his mouth, and put on a thoughtful look, his gaze fixed on the cordyceps from beginning to end.
Lin Fang's eyes lit up, realizing there was a chance, so he added fuel to the fire: "I have a treasure that I can't bring with me, but if you can help me, I will go back and get it and deliver it to your residence immediately."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Heart-protecting scales".
Upon hearing those three words, Lin Xiaowen's pupils trembled almost imperceptibly, and his voice trembled with excitement: "It's from that merman from before?"
"Exactly." Knowing he had it under control, Lin Fang immediately smiled obsequiously again. "I was the one who killed that merman, and this heart-protecting scale was taken from him back then."
"Isn't the Heart-Protecting Scale with Big Brother? How come you..."
“The one that my brother had was a fake, made from a different scale. The real Heart-Protecting Scale has always been kept here by me.” Lin Fang said this with a smug and cunning smile on his face. “This thing only appears in books. Even my brother can’t tell the difference between the real and the fake. Besides, how could my brother bear to use something so precious? He’s kept it in his treasure vault all these years. Otherwise, I would have been exposed long ago.”
Lin Xiaowen was tempted. This Heart-Protecting Scale was a divine object; compared to it, the cordyceps from before paled in comparison. If Lin Shiyou hadn't accidentally picked up a mermaid while sailing alone years ago, the Lin family would never have had the opportunity to acquire this item. For so many years, Lin Shiyou had kept it tightly under wraps; apart from the three of them, no one else knew that the Lin family possessed such a treasure.
But if even his elder brother can't tell the difference, how could he? Lin Xiaowen raised an eyebrow and questioned, "How am I supposed to know how much of what you're saying is true?"
"How could that be, Second Brother!" Lin Fang said confidently. "A true Heart-Protecting Scale can shine even when it leaves the body. You only need to take one look to know that I am not lying to you."
Lin Fang was indeed exceptionally gifted at hiding things. Even under Lin Shiyou's intense surveillance, he managed to seize precious treasures for himself time and again. When it came to thievery, cheating, and passing off inferior goods as genuine, Lin Fang truly possessed a unique talent.
Lin Xiaowen weighed the matter for a moment, but his greed ultimately prevailed: "Deliver the goods before sunset."
Upon hearing this, Lin Fang was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. He then got up and served Lin Xiaowen another cup of fresh tea.
Lin Xiaowen glanced at the tea, leisurely picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with a relaxed expression, "The one who stole your fish talisman is most likely a member of the Han family. The Han family brats have become quite clever these years and know how to do bad things in the shadows."
"Second Brother, I knew it was him who instigated it!" Lin Fang got angry as soon as he mentioned the Han family. "That pretty boy always pretends to be a gentleman, but behind the scenes he has done countless heinous things. He's disgusting!"
Lin Xiaowen, annoyed by his nagging, immediately interrupted, "Alright, you'd better kneel in front of your eldest brother's study early tonight. He'll tolerate whatever he does to you. After all, for what you've done, even if he beats you until you lose an arm or a leg, that would be too lenient."
Upon hearing that he was missing an arm or a leg, Lin Fang paused, a hint of fear rising in his eyes, but he still managed a forced smile and repeatedly agreed, "Yes, yes, I'll do whatever you say, Second Brother."
"Alright." Lin Xiaowen stood up, picked up the box containing the treasure, and walked out. As he walked, he reminded Lin Fang inside, "If we don't see that treasure before sunset, our deal is off."
After saying that, Lin Xiaowen slammed the door shut and left through the restaurant's secret passage without looking back.
Inside the private room, Lin Fang stared at the closed door. He changed his previous submissive demeanor, picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and the bitter taste instantly spread across his tongue, causing Lin Fang to spit a few times in dissatisfaction.
Lin Fang composed himself and regained his usual arrogance, shouting at the waiter who came in, "Quickly bring me a new pot of tea!"
The waiter hurriedly ran to change the tea. Lin Fang was the only one in the private room. He suddenly remembered his older brother's angry look, and his hand holding the teacup began to tremble.
The private room was eerily quiet, while the lobby downstairs was bustling with activity, with waiters busy attending to the coming and going guests, and the noise was deafening.
"Gentlemen, are you satisfied with these tea and snacks?" the waiter asked the three people in the lobby who were about to pay their bill in a friendly manner.
"Delicious!" One of the shorter, short-haired women licked the crumbs off her fingers with lingering satisfaction. "I never knew fish and shrimp could be cooked like this..."
"As long as it tastes good." Another woman at the table smiled, but if you looked closely, you would notice that her eyes were vacant and she was staring straight ahead, as if she had an eye disease.
Wanghailou is usually bustling with people, and it's not uncommon for there to be blind customers occasionally. The waiter only glanced at them and then paid no more attention.
Beside the woman was a tall man dressed in simple clothes. The man held the blind woman's hand with one hand and took out money to pay the bill with the other. Then he said to Yao Yao, who was still savoring her tea and snacks, "It's time to go."
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