Chapter 355: A Battle Without Smoke

Madam Chu’s face turned pale.

Madam Chu was both shocked and angry, staring at Chu Lin: "Chu Lin, look at what you’ve done!"

Chu Lin cried, "I’m sorry, Grandma, I’ve realized my mistake. Please ask Mr. Lin to spare me this once!"

Before Madam Chu could speak, Madam Chu interjected, "Lin’er can’t go to jail, he can’t have a criminal record. We beg Mr. Lin to show mercy."

Lin Fan chuckled, "Everyone must pay for the mistakes they make. Personally, I think Young Master Chu should go in for some self-reflection. What do you think, Madam Chu?"

Madam Chu was speechless, unsure how to respond to Lin Fan.

Madam Chu was already angry: "Chu Lin, you worthless brat, kneel down!"

Chu Lin cried and knelt down; he didn’t dare disobey his grandmother’s command.

Madam Chu scolded, "I instructed everyone to stay home today and wait for Mr. Lin, yet you went out on your own and caused such a disaster. You really are blind as a bat!"

Madam Chu publicly scolded Chu Lin harshly in front of everyone.

Chu Lin was so frightened that his face turned white, kneeling on the ground, not daring to say a word.

Everyone lowered their heads, not daring to look at Madam Chu; it’s a frightening thing when she’s angry.

Even Madam Chu didn’t dare speak, despite being very worried her son might end up in jail.

After scolding, Madam Chu’s expression softened as she looked at Lin Fan, apologetically smiling, "Mr. Lin, my grandson was foolish and offended you. I apologize on his behalf."

Lin Fan said, "There’s no need for an apology, Madam. This isn’t your fault; the mistake is his alone."

Madam Chu forced a smile, "Mr. Lin is right. This time, I will certainly punish him to make sure he learns his lesson! But...he is indeed still young. Having a criminal record could be troublesome for him in the future. I wonder if Mr. Lin could spare him this once, for my sake?"

Eventually, she pleaded for mercy. She always spoiled Chu Lin and couldn’t really send him to jail. Scolding him was more for Lin Fan’s sake.

Lin Fan saw through it but didn’t say it, smiling, "If I truly intended to send him in, I would have called the police long ago. I actually came to consult Madam. Since Madam has said this, alright, I won’t pursue it this time."

Madam Chu was delighted, "Thank you, Mr. Lin. Chu Lin, quickly thank Mr. Lin!"

Chu Lin was overjoyed inside and hurriedly bowed to thank him, "Thank you, Mr. Lin, thank you, Mr. Lin!"

Madam Chu also breathed a sigh of relief, stepping forward to thank, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Lin."

Madam Chu yelled, "You worthless brat, get back to your room! Do not leave your room for a single step today; reflect carefully! Haotian, assign two bodyguards to watch over him. If anyone lets him step out of the room, they will be fired immediately!"

Chu Lin went back dejectedly; though punished by his grandma, it’s far better than going to jail.

After sending Chu Lin away, the atmosphere was somewhat awkward. Chu Lin’s incident was indeed embarrassing, and in front of Mr. Lin, the Chu family felt a little disrespectful.

Lin Fan smiled, "By the way, Madam Chu reminded me of something earlier. I actually came for another reason. I unintentionally learned about Xiaoxiao’s background and discovered that she is Mr. Chu’s daughter, so I specifically brought her back home. I wonder what Madam Chu thinks about this?"

Lin Fan’s primary purpose today was to bring Chu Xiaoxiao back to the Chu Family, and now the main event had finally come.

Madam Chu and Madam Chu exchanged glances, both looking a bit awkward.

They had just pleaded with Lin Fan to forgive Chu Lin, and now, talking about Chu Xiaoxiao, they were too embarrassed to oppose.

But they really didn’t want Chu Xiaoxiao to come back.

Madam Chu didn’t dare speak because she feared that if they fell out with Lin Fan, he might seize Chu Lin’s weakness again.

This matter could only be handled by Madam Chu.

Nearby, Chu Haotian and Chu Yufei exchanged amused looks, finding Lin Fan’s move particularly clever.

Madam Chu cleared her throat, "I’ve heard about Xiaoxiao’s situation from Haotian. Frankly, Mr. Lin, it’s a misfortune for our Chu household, a family disgrace, so it’s uncomfortable to mention in front of you. Back then, Haotian’s relationship with that woman was a mistake."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xiaoxiao’s expression darkened, her eyes reddening. Is this how the Chu family viewed her mother?

Seeing this, Madam Chu continued, "Of course, the child is innocent. Years ago, it was that woman who took Xiaoxiao and raised her. After so many years, saying she is returning is sudden. Not to mention, this would expose our family’s disgrace, has Xiaoxiao herself thought about coming back?"

Chu Haotian quickly said, "Mother, I’ve already spoken with Xiaoxiao about bringing her home."

Chu Yufei also added, "Yes, Grandma, I’ve also constantly said Xiaoxiao should return home. After all, she is one of us in the Chu family."

Seeing them speak, Madam Chu grew irritated; now she finally understood why Chu Haotian, who originally refused to accept Chu Xiaoxiao, changed his mind yesterday—it was all because of Lin Fan!

Madam Chu chuckled, "I’d like to hear the child’s own thoughts."

Saying this, Madam Chu looked at Chu Xiaoxiao, her gaze exerting subtle pressure.

Facing Madam Chu for the first time, Chu Xiaoxiao inexplicably felt afraid; this old lady seemed hard to deal with. She had heard since learning about her background that it was this old lady along with Madam Chu who had driven her and her mother out of the Chu family.

Chu Xiaoxiao admitted her mother, He Meifang, wasn’t a good person either; she deliberately approached Chu Haotian with ulterior motives back then.

This left Chu Xiaoxiao feeling uncertain, under Madam Chu’s intense gaze, she felt overwhelmed and couldn’t speak. "I..."

Madam Chu said, "The child seems not quite willing to return either, and if she does, our family’s past scandal will inevitably come to light. For everyone’s sake, I think there should be a proper way to handle this."

Madam Chu finally got a chance to speak, "Madam Chu is right; it’s not that we don’t let her come back, but this needs careful consideration."

Hearing this, Chu Xiaoxiao became even more anxious, her body visibly trembling.

Suddenly, Lin Fan’s big hand reached over and gently rested on her shoulder.

"Don’t be nervous, take your time to speak." Lin Fan comforted softly.

Teacher Lin’s comfort felt like a warm current flowing through her body, immediately calming her down. Ah, with Teacher Lin here, it’s really comforting.

Chu Xiaoxiao regained her composure, lifted her head, and looked directly at Madam Chu, "Grandma, I want to come back."

This was a decision she made after talking with Lin Fan. Originally, she didn’t want to go back to the stepfather’s house, nor to return to the Chu family. But after weighing the options, she decided she should come back to the Chu family to claim what rightfully belonged to her!

After she said this, the faces of the Chu family members changed.

Especially Madam Chu and Madam Chu, their faces looked somewhat unpleasant as they worked hard to control their emotions.

Lin Fan smiled slightly, "Even though I’m an outsider in this matter, I would like to say a few words for Xiaoxiao. Regardless of whose fault it was back then, Xiaoxiao is innocent. She shouldn’t have to bear the consequences of adults’ mistakes. No matter what, she is Mr. Chu’s daughter, and a descendant of the Chu family. I think her return to her own home is reasonable and logical. Madam Chu, don’t you agree?"

Everyone’s attention turned to Madam Chu, waiting for her response; this was a smoke-free confrontation. Just wondering if Madam Chu, cunning like a fox, would admit defeat.