Chapter Six: A Visit in Person

Often, what blinds people is not illusion, but their own arrogance and prejudice.

The next day was the weekend.

Before dawn, Lin Hai quietly slipped into Lin Fan’s room.

As soon as he entered, he saw Lin Fan crying and laughing on the bed, rolling back and forth, which startled him. Hurrying over for a closer look, he realized Lin Fan was just having a nightmare and reacting unconsciously.

Without a word, Lin Hai rolled up his sleeves and delivered a resounding slap, waking Lin Fan.

“Damn it…” Lin Fan opened his eyes, still groggy, and seemed to see a pig demon looming over him. Rubbing his swollen cheek, he was about to curse when a fat hand clamped over his mouth.

“Shh! Time for work!” Lin Hai was wary of making too much noise and waking Lin Qi in the next room. Without giving Lin Fan a chance to object, he grabbed the prepared items, dragged Lin Fan along, and hurried out the door.

Lin Fan complained all the way, clearly reluctant, until he heard that Lin Qi had the day off. Only then did he fall silent and finally understood why Lin Hai insisted on turning down Zhang Hua’s offer to send a car the night before.

Leaving the villa community, the two found a street stall selling pancakes and fried dough sticks, ordering eight bowls of tofu pudding, fifty pieces of fried dough, and four plates of pickles. Both passersby and the stall owner stared in astonishment, thinking, “How long has it been since they’ve eaten?”

After feasting heartily, they wiped their mouths in satisfaction.

Lin Hai picked up the toothpick box from the table, pulled one out to pick his teeth, and boasted, “Well, nephew, how about it? I treat you right, don’t I? Stick with your uncle and your future will be bright. Work hard, and I won’t shortchange you.” As he spoke, he casually tossed the entire box of toothpicks into his bag.

Since waking up, Lin Fan hadn’t had a decent meal, so at last, he felt truly full. Gratefully, he looked at Lin Hai. “Thank you, Uncle. I’ll do my best from now on. But next time, could you order me some meat buns to try?”

“I’ve tried those before. Not that good—far too greasy. When this job’s done, I’ll take you out for seafood. Burp—” Lin Hai stood, patted his belly, and let out a satisfied belch before heading to the owner to pay.

After a while, Lin Hai, having settled the bill, hailed a taxi at the roadside, grumbling, “Damn, what a lousy business—ate so much and didn’t even get a discount.” He waved at Lin Fan. “Let’s go, nephew.”

They climbed into the cab and headed straight for Zhang Hua’s apartment.

Soon, the taxi stopped in a commercial district downtown. They got out and found a public bench by the street to sit on. Lin Hai pulled out a newspaper and began to read.

“Uncle, why are we just sitting here? Aren’t we going to Madam Zhang’s place?” Lin Fan couldn’t figure Lin Hai out.

“Kid, business doesn’t come to those who rush. You need patience in this line of work.” With that, Lin Hai returned his attention to the newspaper.

Two hours passed. By now, Lin Hai had nearly memorized the entire paper when his phone finally rang.

Checking the caller ID, he cursed under his breath. “Is this really her son? Not a trace of urgency—he’s even more patient than I am. Damn.” He hadn’t expected to wait two full hours.

But at the sound of the phone, his demeanor changed instantly. “Hello, Madam Zhang—yes—of course—I was meditating—don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten—please be patient, we’ll prepare and be right over—no trouble—goodbye!”

“Uncle, are we still waiting? My butt’s gone numb,” Lin Fan complained, growing impatient with the endless delay.

“What’s the rush? Just wait a bit longer. And stay sharp—watch for my cues,” Lin Hai, feeling he’d miscalculated, quietly rubbed his own numb thighs.

“I know, but we agreed—I’m not helping you con anyone.” From the start, Lin Fan was convinced his unreliable uncle was nothing but a street charlatan. “Is her place nearby?”

Lin Hai pointed across the street at a white twenty-story building. “See that office tower? The whole building belongs to her. The top two floors are converted into a luxury penthouse.”

Lin Fan’s jaw dropped. “Seriously? That’s insane! I’d love to be as enviable as Madam Zhang one day. Surely she has enough servants already?” He gazed longingly at the building.

“Look at your ambitions! Study the arts with me, and one day your achievements will be beyond anything Zhang Hua could dream of, even if she pulled her hair out.” Lin Hai’s words were half encouragement, half prophecy.

Lin Fan didn’t seem to hear. He kept staring, dazed, at the building.

After memorizing the day’s news, Lin Hai finally stood up, tore the newspaper to shreds, kicked Lin Fan, and barked, “Stop gawking, let’s go! Put on your robes when we get upstairs.”

“Why not wear them now?” Lin Fan snapped out of his trance.

“Look at all the people in the street! If you want to get locked up as a lunatic, go ahead and put them on now. I won’t stop you.”

With that, they crossed the street and entered the building.

After announcing themselves at the front desk, a staff member escorted them to a private elevator leading to Zhang Hua’s penthouse. In the elevator, the two clumsily changed into their ceremonial robes, drawing undisguised disdain from their escort.

The elevator doors opened to Zhang Hua and a group of people lined up in welcome, as if greeting a visiting dignitary. The scene was grand and formal.

Lin Fan had never witnessed such a spectacle and inadvertently walked ahead of Lin Hai, carried away by the moment.

Lin Hai felt upstaged and quickly strode forward, yanking Lin Fan back so he could reclaim the lead position.

“Master, thank you for coming and troubling yourself over my son’s affairs. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience,” Zhang Hua greeted them with reverence, as if seeing a savior.

Lin Hai answered politely, “It’s no trouble. Saving the world is the duty of those who walk the path. It is the cause of a lifetime. Your politeness humbles me.”

Zhang Hua replied, “Your virtue is a blessing for all who follow the Way, and a model for the world. Zhang Yang is fortunate to receive your help—surely he will turn misfortune into blessing. I’ll ensure he does more good and accumulates virtue, and I hope you’ll do all you can to help him through this crisis.”

Lin Hai heard the subtext in her words and forced a smile. “Rest assured, Madam Zhang, I will do my utmost.”

Lin Fan, in high spirits at first, now felt nauseated by the two’s insincere, loaded pleasantries.

“Please, this way.” Zhang Hua dismissed her entourage and personally led Lin Hai and Lin Fan into what was rumored to be the city’s most luxurious penthouse.

Inside, the decor and furnishings were every bit as exquisite and sophisticated as the rumors claimed, full of modern elegance. Compared to Lin Hai’s villa, it was truly a world apart.

The penthouse was two stories, with an interior staircase. Downstairs, Zhang Yang lived with the male staff; upstairs, Zhang Hua and her female staff resided.

Lin Hai and Lin Fan followed Zhang Hua into the lower floor. Stepping in, Lin Hai immediately sensed that something was off.

“Madam Zhang, may I walk around and admire the surroundings?” he asked, polite yet assertive.

“Master, please feel free to treat this as your own home. I’ve informed everyone, and they’ll fully cooperate with you,” Zhang Hua quickly replied.

“Forgive my intrusion, then.” Lin Hai pulled out a compass from his bag, tossing the bag to Lin Fan. “Disciple, ready the peachwood sword and follow me.”

The compass needle trembled as Lin Hai moved around, searching every corner of the apartment.

Suddenly, a shout erupted from a nearby bedroom.

“Old fraud! What are you doing in my house? Get out!” Zhang Yang stormed out, face dark, voice raised in a furious roar.

Lost in concentration over the compass, Lin Hai was startled nearly out of his skin, almost dropping the instrument.

“Damn it! You little brat, I’m here to save you—can’t you show some respect?” On seeing it was Zhang Yang, Lin Hai snapped, unable to hold back his temper.

“Mom, see? He’s showing his true colors! What’s the difference between this fraud and a common thug?” Zhang Yang shot back.

Lin Fan sensed trouble. As the saying goes, you don’t hit the gift-bearer, especially not a lifesaver. Even the most tolerant would be infuriated, and Lin Hai wasn’t exactly known for his broad-mindedness.

Lin Fan slowly turned to look at Lin Hai.

Lin Hai’s face flushed, then paled, seething with silent curses: “Damn brat, if it weren’t for your mother’s potential, I’d show you what a real ruffian is today!”

Though he raged inside, he couldn’t say it out loud, and so he stomped his feet in frustration.

“You unfilial child, shut your mouth! If you insult the master again, I’ll cut you off as my son. Apologize at once!” Zhang Hua scolded Zhang Yang, then hurried to Lin Hai to bow and apologize. “I’m so sorry, Master. Zhang Yang is ignorant and disrespectful. I failed in raising him. Please, do not take offense.”

Lin Hai, still fuming, put away the compass and made as if to leave, his voice scornful. “Madam Zhang, perhaps we should forget it. Your son is bursting with youthful vigor, full of spirit and strong language—he should be fine for another three or five months. I’ll go where I’m more welcome.”

“Master!” Zhang Hua, stricken, was about to kneel in front of Lin Hai.

Lin Hai quickly helped her up. “Madam Zhang, please, don’t do this—get up, get up.”

“Please, don’t—my master will lose years off his life!” Lin Fan rushed to help lift her.

“Mom! I’m fine—why do you…” Zhang Yang, seeing his mother humble herself so, felt a surge of bitterness and turned his anger even more on Lin Hai and Lin Fan.

“Enough!” Zhang Hua’s tearful cry shook everyone present.

Lin Hai sighed. “Madam Zhang, for the sake of your love for your son, I won’t stand by and do nothing. Rest assured.”

Zhang Yang, ever the filial son, dared not utter another word, but glared fiercely at Lin Hai and Lin Fan, his eyes bloodshot with resentment.