Courtyard Houses: From Bronze Compasses to Global Reach

Chapter 335 A Reprimand of Xu Damao

After dinner, Lin Yan went upstairs to the study, retrieved a brown paper document bag, returned to the living room, and handed it to Xu Damao: "Brother Damao, this is the hotel's preliminary plan and positioning. Take it back and study it carefully with Sister Xiao'e."

"I need to see your detailed report in a week regarding the hotel's location, staff training, interior design, menu positioning, and pricing strategy."

Xu Damao took the file bag and immediately became serious: "Don't worry, we will definitely study it carefully."

Lin Yan looked at Sha Zhu: "Brother Zhu, besides learning cooking from Yu Ling, I only have two requirements for you." He held up his index finger. "First, you must shower every day. As a chef, personal hygiene is the bottom line."

Sha Zhu scratched his head sheepishly, his ears turning slightly red: "I've got it."

"Secondly," Lin Yan held up a second finger, "learn Cantonese as soon as possible. You can't manage in the kitchen without speaking the language."

"I understand." Sha Zhu nodded solemnly.

Finally, Lin Yan looked at Yu Shui: "I'll have a tutor give you extra lessons in English, math, and other subjects over the next six months. You'll be starting university next September, and if your foundation isn't solid, you'll struggle a lot in college."

Rainwater unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes, but her eyes were exceptionally firm: "I will try my best."

"Brother Yan!" Xu Xiaoling suddenly tugged at Lin Yan's sleeve, her eyes sparkling. "I want to study too! I want to go to university too!" As she spoke, she looked nervously at her parents and her brother and sister-in-law.

Before Xu Damao could speak, Lin Yan smiled and agreed, "It's good that you have this intention." Then, he said seriously, "However, let me make this clear: if you can't endure the hardship and give up halfway, I won't support you anymore."

"I can endure hardship!" Xu Xiaoling quickly assured her, then grabbed Yushui's hand, "Yushui, let's learn together, okay?"

Rain gently squeezed her hand back, a tender smile curving her lips: "Okay."

Lou Zhenhua looked at Lin Yan with a hint of expectation: "Lin, I have something I'd like to ask you about privately. Would you mind if we spoke in private?"

Lin Yan understood immediately and stood up with a smile: "Uncle Lou, Brother Da Mao is no stranger either. Let's go upstairs to the study to talk."

Although Xu Damao was completely confused, he still followed his father-in-law and Lin Yan upstairs.

The three sat down at the large desk in the study. Before Lou Zhenhua could speak, Lin Yan smiled and said, "Uncle Lou, we're all businessmen, I know what you want to ask. In the long run, I'll point you in two directions—real estate and import/export trade. As for manufacturing," he paused slightly, tapping his finger lightly on the table, "you can accumulate resources and connections first, and then make plans when the country… opens up in a few years."

"Xiao Lin, you mean...we, we can still go back?" Lou Zhenhua leaned forward slightly, his voice trembling with excitement, and his eyes blazing with intense anticipation.

"That's right," Lin Yan nodded firmly, his tone carrying an undeniable sense of foresight, "The country won't remain in turmoil forever. There will come a day when it opens up to the outside world and needs to develop its economy. Uncle Lou, what you need to do is stay calm, wait patiently, and prepare in advance."

"Good! Good! Good!" Lou Zhenhua exclaimed repeatedly, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy. He let out a long sigh, as if a tremendous burden had been lifted, and his tone carried a touch of melancholy. "To be honest, Xiao Lin, no matter how good Hong Kong is, it's ultimately not my roots. My biggest fear, this old man, is not being able to return to my homeland in the future... With your words, I feel at ease!"

Having finally relieved his father-in-law's worries, Xu Damao breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Lin Yan abruptly change the subject, saying, "Brother Damao, I specifically asked you to come up here today, in front of your father-in-law, because there are some things I need to make clear to you."

Xu Damao's heart tightened, and he quickly sat up straight: "Xiao Yan, what is it?"

Lin Yan's gaze sharpened, and his tone deepened: "I know that greed and lust are inherent in men. But," he paused deliberately, emphasizing his words, "you cannot use these to hurt your wife and destroy your family. I, Lin Yan, never associate with those who abandon their wives and children or betray their promises. You must understand this and remember it well! A casual fling with other women is fine, but you must never cross the line, and certainly not take it seriously and affect your family."

Xu Damao blushed with embarrassment at this merciless rebuke. He glanced awkwardly at his father-in-law, whose face was equally serious, and then at Lin Yan, whose eyes were piercing. He could only nod sheepishly and helplessly, feeling as if a pillar of his soul had been removed. He leaned back in his chair, feeling utterly powerless.

Seeing that he had taken it to heart, Lin Yan's expression softened slightly. He took out a simple wooden box from his desk drawer and pushed it in front of Xu Damao.

"Brother Da Mao, you and Sister Xiao'e haven't had children for so many years. I have a medicine here to regulate your body." He pointed to the wooden box. "Divide it into ten equal parts and take one part each week. It will cure you... completely."

Xu Damao was stunned at first, then suddenly sat up straight, his eyes wide open, his voice changing tone: "Xiao Yan! What... what do you mean by that? Could it be... could it be that there's something wrong with me for not having children?!" He had always thought it was Lou Xiao'e's fault and had never doubted himself.

Seeing his shocked expression, Lin Yan finally couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle, a hint of mockery in her eyes: "Brother Da Mao, back in your youth, you frequented the Eight Great Hutongs quite a bit, and climbed over the walls of young widows' houses quite a few times, didn't you? Think about it, think about it carefully!"

Xu Damao was speechless, his face turning red. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal. He could only slump into his chair, staring at the small wooden box. His face turned pale and then red, his heart filled with mixed feelings. There was shame at knowing the "root cause" of the illness, elation at being able to cure it, and above all, deep awe for Lin Yan's all-knowing methods.

Lin Yan looked at Lou Zhenhua: "Uncle Lou, in a few days, the Lin Group will be holding its annual meeting to thank its clients and partners in Hong Kong. Most of the prominent figures in Hong Kong's political and business circles will be there."

"I'll have Lin Yi personally introduce you to some useful connections. As for how to cultivate those connections afterward, that's up to your own skills and sincerity."

Upon hearing this, Lou Zhenhua's face lit up with even greater joy, but this joy was tinged with uncertainty. He cautiously asked, "Xiao Lin, then...aren't you going?"

"Hehe," Lin Yan chuckled, casually picking up a paperweight from the desk and playing with it, his tone matter-of-fact, "Uncle Lou, in the Lin family system, I never need to personally appear in these kinds of social occasions."

He saw the worry in Lou Zhenhua's eyes about his own status and influence, and comforted him, "You don't need to worry. With the Lin brothers personally supporting you and guiding you, no one in Hong Kong will dare to look down on you in the slightest." He paused, "Even figures of the caliber of Fok Ying-tung and Pao Yue-kong will definitely give you some face and treat you with courtesy out of respect for the Lin family."

These words resonated deeply with Lou Zhenhua and his son-in-law Xu Damao. They instinctively exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and bewilderment in each other's eyes.

Xu Damao, in particular, listened to Lin Yan speak in a casual tone, as if discussing the weather, about those legendary business tycoons in Hong Kong, and asserted that they would "give him face." He felt his brain was completely overwhelmed. He stared wide-eyed at the aloof Lin Yan across the desk, realizing that his "little brother Yan's" level and the power he possessed were far beyond his comprehension and imagination.

It was a status that even Hong Kong's top tycoons had to look up to. Xu Damao opened his mouth, but in the end no sound came out, leaving only a deep sense of awe and bewilderment.