Chapter 5:
Chapter 5: Longevity Lock:
After Lin You’s declaration, Lin Shiyan went to the study room, retrieved some paper and a pen, and spread them out on the sideboard. She glanced at Lin You, her expression sharp, and asked, “Are you sure about this? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
Lin Tianyang, sitting nearby, looked at her with pleading eyes. “Second sister, please don’t write it. If my brother doesn’t like me, I’ll leave. It’s better if I go.”
Lan Lin held Tianyang’s hand firmly and said, “Lin You, think carefully. Our Lin family is not a place you can leave and return to as you please. If you walk out of this house today, it will be nearly impossible to come back.”
Lin You sneered. “Ms. Lan, you’re right. I have no intention of relying on the Lin family anymore. From now on, let’s live our lives separately and not interfere with each other. Lawyer Lin, is that clear enough?”
Lin Shiyan, seeing Lin You’s determination, picked up the pen and wrote swiftly.
When she finished, she handed the document to Lin You. He scanned the text. As expected from a lawyer, the wording was precise and formal. The agreement stated that Lin You would no longer be an heir of the Lin family, and all Lin family assets would have nothing to do with him.
Lin Shiyan believed no one could truly turn their back on wealth. She assumed Lin You was pretending to retreat to provoke guilt and sympathy, but she was determined to shut the door permanently.
Lin You handed the document back to her. “Lawyer Lin, you seem to have forgotten something. Please include a clause stating that the Lin family’s prosperity, life, or death will have nothing to do with me, Lin You.”
Lin Yuan, watching his son with growing irritation, snapped, “You’re cutting ties with us. What rights do you think you still have?”
Ignoring the sarcasm, Lin You added calmly, “Please also specify that my well-being, life, or death will have nothing to do with the Lin family either.”
Shiyan, her temper rising, replied sharply, “Fine. If that’s what you want.”
The final agreement, now fully binding, lay before Lin You. Without hesitation, he signed his name and handed it to Lin Shiyan. “Your turn, Lawyer Lin.”
“Do you need everyone in the family to sign it to feel satisfied?” Shiyan asked, irritated.
“That would be ideal,” Lin You said flatly.
“Fine!” Lin Yuan, his anger boiling over, snatched the document and signed his name with force before passing it to Lan Lin.
Lan Lin hesitated, her hand trembling, but before she could decide, Lin Xiaotong grabbed the paper and signed it herself.
When the document reached Tianyang, he hesitated, his hands shaking. Finally, under the weight of everyone’s gaze, he signed reluctantly.
Lin You took the signed document and asked Shiyan, “Lawyer Lin, could you please make a copy? One for you to keep, though I doubt you’ll need it.”
Shiyan, her voice tinged with frustration, replied, “You’re ruthless.”
After making a copy, Shiyan handed one to Lin You, who carefully folded it and placed it in his schoolbag. He slung the bag over his shoulder and approached Tianyang. Extending his hand, he said coldly, “Give it to me.”
Tianyang, feigning innocence, looked up. “Brother, what are you talking about? What do you want? I’ll give it to you.”
“Stop pretending,” Lin You snapped. “You know what I mean. Are you going to hand it over, or should I get it myself?”
With that, he sighed and turned to Shiyan. “Lawyer Lin, please come upstairs with me. I need to retrieve something that belongs to me. I’ll need you as a witness.”
Shiyan looked puzzled but agreed, following Lin You. The rest of the family, curious and suspicious, trailed behind.
Lin You pressed the elevator button, and everyone entered. He selected the sixth floor—Tianyang’s exclusive domain. The entire floor was Tianyang’s personal space, complete with a reception room, study, cloakroom, home theater, large bathroom, and two bedrooms.
Lin You walked with familiarity through the reception and study rooms, heading straight for the bathroom. Shiyan frowned, perplexed by how Lin You seemed to know the layout so well. She suspected he had sneaked up here before to steal.
Tianyang, growing pale, clutched Lan Lin’s arm. “Mom, let me just give him whatever he wants. Please, let’s not drag this out.”
“Leave him alone,” Lan Lin said sharply. “I want to see what he thinks he can take from your room.”
Lin You ignored their comments and opened the bathroom door. The luxurious space was far larger than his cramped basement room. He turned on the lights and walked to the massive imported bathtub.
Without hesitation, he crouched down, reached underneath, and pulled out a shabby package.
The family stared in disbelief.
In such a high-end space, how could something so worn and out of place exist? Servants cleaned this bathroom daily—how had they missed it?
Lin You carefully unwrapped the package, revealing a silver longevity lock. The kind worn by children, it was inscribed with his birth date.
Tianyang’s face turned ashen, and he visibly tensed.
Lin You slowly placed the lock around his neck. Lan Lin gasped, her face pale as memories flooded her mind. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered, “You’er… my son…”
This lock had been Lan Lin’s most cherished possession. She had given birth to seven daughters but had always longed for a son. When Lin You was born, she had placed the lock around his neck with her own hands, a symbol of her deepest love and hope for him.
When Lin You was kidnapped, the lock had vanished with him. Now, seeing it in Tianyang’s room, Lan Lin felt a surge of regret and sorrow she couldn’t suppress. Reaching out with trembling hands, she called out, “You’er… my son…” Her voice cracked as her tears fell like rain.