LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 16:
Chapter 16:
Just as Lin Chuan was contemplating his next move, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang.
He took it out and saw the caller ID—”Butler Chen.”
An image of a kind elderly man immediately surfaced in his mind.
This Butler Chen, named Chen Jirong, was the head steward of the Lin family.
Back when his grandfather, Lin Zhennan, built the family business from scratch, Butler Chen had already been helping manage the household affairs. It had been over fifty years since then.
With such a long history of service, Butler Chen held a very high status within the Lin family.
Even his father, Lin Qiangdong, had to treat him with the utmost respect.
But what made Lin Chuan pay even closer attention was that, in the original novel, Butler Chen was one of the few people in the Lin family who genuinely cared for him.
He had secretly warned Lin Chuan multiple times and had given him countless pieces of advice.
Unfortunately, the brainless original host never listened, ultimately wasting the old man’s goodwill.
But now, things were different.
Lin Chuan was no longer the same fool, and he certainly wouldn’t act as recklessly as before.
Hurriedly, he answered the call.
“Hello, Grandpa Chen! How’s your health these days?” His voice was warm and enthusiastic.
On the other end of the phone, there was a brief moment of silence before a slightly hoarse yet steady voice responded, “I’m doing well. Xiao Chuan, are you at the South Suburb Villa now?”
“I’m outside. Is there something you need, Grandpa Chen?”
“It’s nothing urgent. I just happen to have some business to take care of near the southern suburbs, so I thought I’d drop by and see you. Can you come back now?”
“No problem! I’ll head back right away.”
“Alright, see you soon.”
“Okay, Grandpa Chen…”
After hanging up, Lin Chuan quickly waved at Ning Wenrou. “Let’s go home.”
As he walked toward the Bentley, his mind was already working.
Butler Chen was always meticulous and never acted without reason.
He said he was dropping by “on the way,” but there was likely more to it than that.
Ning Wenrou followed closely behind him, watching the way he furrowed his brows in thought.
Her heart stirred once again.
How could someone look this handsome even while deep in thought?
If only he weren’t such a troublemaker… he’d be perfect!
Just as she was lost in admiration, Lin Chuan suddenly stopped.
Caught off guard, she walked straight into his back, her forehead slamming into him.
“Ouch…”
She let out a soft cry of pain but didn’t hold her head. Instead, she clutched her chest.
Sure enough, when disaster strikes, the most prominent areas take the hardest hit.
Lin Chuan turned around with a mischievous grin. “Charging at people with the ball? That’s a foul, you know.”
Ning Wenrou’s face instantly turned red. “Who… Who told you to stop so suddenly?”
“Want me to rub it for you?” Lin Chuan teased, pretending to reach out.
“No way!” Ning Wenrou panicked and quickly stepped back, still covering her chest.
Lin Chuan didn’t push the joke further. “I’m driving. Get in the passenger seat.”
“Oh.” Ning Wenrou didn’t ask any more questions and obediently got into the car.
She had just settled in and hadn’t even fastened her seatbelt when Lin Chuan floored the gas pedal.
The Bentley sped out of the antique street.
When they came, Ning Wenrou had driven for over twenty minutes.
But on the way back, Lin Chuan took less than ten minutes to reach the Qianlong Bay villa district.
The security guards at the entrance recognized his car and didn’t stop him.
When the Bentley pulled up outside his villa, he noticed another car parked at the entrance—a Mercedes-Benz E300.
It was Butler Chen’s usual ride.
As soon as Lin Chuan stepped out of the car, a bodyguard stationed at the entrance quickly approached.
“Young Master, Butler Chen has arrived. He’s waiting for you in the living room.”
“Got it.”
Lin Chuan acknowledged the bodyguard and headed inside.
The bodyguard followed closely behind.
Lin Chuan frowned, raised his hand, and stopped him. “No need to follow me.”
“But…” The bodyguard hesitated.
“What? Are you worried Butler Chen will harm me?” Lin Chuan shot him an annoyed glance.
The bodyguard scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly. “How could Butler Chen ever harm you? I just—”
“Then shut up and stand guard outside.”
After saying that, Lin Chuan was about to step inside when something crossed his mind.
He suddenly turned back to the bodyguard.
“Wait… What’s your name again?”
The bodyguard was momentarily stunned before hastily responding, “Reporting to the Young Master, my name is Wen Qiang.”
A flicker of something flashed across Lin Chuan’s eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
“Got it.”
Without saying another word, he strode into the villa.
Inside the living room, a white-haired elderly man sat on the sofa.
Though well into his seventies, his eyes were still sharp, revealing a man who had weathered many storms.
“Grandpa Chen.”
Lin Chuan greeted warmly as he entered the room.
The old man was none other than Butler Chen Jirong.
Seeing Lin Chuan, Butler Chen immediately stood up and let out a hearty laugh.
“Xiao Chuan, you’re finally back.”
As he spoke, he reached out and patted Lin Chuan on the shoulder.
In the entire Lin family, aside from the head of the household, Lin Qiangdong, Butler Chen was likely the only one who dared to be so familiar with the young master.
Lin Chuan helped Butler Chen sit down, then glanced at the tea table.
Instantly, his expression darkened.
“Those idiots! Grandpa Chen is here, and they didn’t even serve him tea? I’m firing all of them!”
Butler Chen quickly grabbed his arm.
“Don’t be too harsh on them. I told them not to serve anything. I’m just here for some business and wanted to check on you. I won’t be staying long.”
Lin Chuan had no choice but to sit down beside him.
“Grandpa Chen, why don’t I talk to my dad and have you transferred over to my place? That way, we can see each other every day.”
Butler Chen immediately waved his hand.
“No, no, I’ve been living at the old residence for so long—I wouldn’t be comfortable in a house like this.”
They chatted a bit longer before Butler Chen’s expression suddenly turned serious.
“Xiao Chuan, how’s your match against Lin Hai going?”
“Me? I’m doing pretty well.” Lin Chuan smiled.
He had just earned 18 million today.
Though he was still far from catching up to Lin Hai, it was a good start.
But Butler Chen merely snorted.
“Don’t try to fool me. I’ve already heard—you haven’t been taking this seriously at all. Instead, you’ve been spending your days drinking, partying, and wasting money, haven’t you?”
Lin Chuan instantly felt wronged.
That was all the fault of the original host! What did it have to do with him?
Seeing his expression, Butler Chen’s face softened slightly.
“Xiao Chuan, this is serious—it’s not a joke. If you lose this match… I’m afraid there will be no place for you in the Lin family anymore.”
Hearing Butler Chen’s genuine concern, Lin Chuan was moved.
“Grandpa Chen, I understand. I’ll take this very seriously.”
His firm response left Butler Chen momentarily speechless.
All the scolding he had prepared got stuck in his throat.
After a long sigh, the old man muttered,
“I just hope… it’s not too late.”