007. The Showdown

Originally, Lin Shan had planned to arrive in the other world and purchase the tiger bones. But once the money came through, he immediately changed his mind. He wanted to share the good news with his family first, so that Lin Wei and his elderly mother could feel at ease.

It was also time to tell everyone about Zhang Wan.

With that thought, Lin Shan first called his mother, Chen Yuanying.

“Mom, come to the hospital right away. I have something important to tell you.”

“But Mom, I’m still at work.”

“Don’t go to work today. A while back, I and Old Zhang invested in a project that earned us 1.3 million yuan. Don’t wear yourself out. Come quickly.”

Chen Yuanying could hardly believe it, but after some coaxing, she finally managed to get leave and came over.

Lin Shan then went straight to the hospital. Lin Wei was still by the bedside, and Lin Jiabao was awake, eating a bowl of dumplings.

Lin Jiabao was fifty-five this year, thin in build—not because of cancer, but naturally slender all his life.

For years, Lin Jiabao had worked as a painter. His cancer might have been related to that.

He was taciturn and seldom spoke, lacking the vices common among middle-aged men—no drinking, no domestic violence.

His only hobby was watching anti-Japanese war dramas.

In Lin Shan’s memory, his father rarely scolded or praised him. Their communication was minimal—a textbook Chinese father-son relationship.

But that didn’t mean Lin Shan didn’t feel his father’s love. He understood clearly the immense pressure this silent man bore to raise two children. All his negative emotions were quietly borne alone, perhaps explaining his reticence.

After marriage, Lin Shan understood his father even more, as he gradually became such a man himself.

Lin Jiabao glanced at Lin Shan. “You’re here.”

“Dad.”

Lin Shan greeted and sat beside him. After finishing the last dumpling, Lin Jiabao said, “Good timing. I’m giving up treatment. Make arrangements—I want to be discharged.”

His face was calm, as if discussing a trivial matter.

Lin Wei immediately grabbed his hand, her expression anxious.

Lin Jiabao had clearly thought this through. Without pause, he continued, “This illness costs too much. Whether it can be cured is up to fate. It’s not worth it. Yuan Yuan is so young, there’ll be plenty of expenses ahead. Wei Wei too—she’s just starting university.”

“I don’t want to lose both money and life in the end. No more treatment. You go arrange my discharge now.”

His last words were resolute, rare in the commanding tone he used, yet he was giving up his own life.

All to avoid burdening his children...

Lin Shan’s heart ached. Had he been the man he was yesterday, he wouldn’t have had the choice. But now, he had the power to choose.

In a low voice, Lin Shan said, “Dad, if you’re worried about money, there’s no need. A couple of years ago, Old Zhang and I invested in a project. It made money. The first dividend of 1.3 million has already been credited to my account.”

Hearing this, Lin Wei covered her mouth, tears flowing uncontrollably. These days she deeply understood how even a penny could defeat the greatest heroes. She had suspected Lin Jiabao’s intention to quit treatment long ago, but didn’t know how to comfort him. Ultimately, it came down to money.

And money was exactly what she lacked most now.

Lin Jiabao furrowed his brows. “Investment?”

He looked skeptical.

Lin Shan calmly took out his phone and showed them a message. Lin Wei, incredulous, subconsciously counted aloud: “Ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand...”

Then, overcome with emotion, she threw her arms around Lin Shan. “Brother, you’re amazing.”

Lin Jiabao remained composed. Lin Shan knew his father, having fought his own battles in the world, was not easily fooled. So he called Zhang Zhi.

“Hey, Ashan, what’s the news?”

Lin Shan smiled, “Old Zhang, the 1.3 million is in the account. Dad thought I was lying. You tell him!”

Lin Shan had already settled this with Zhang Zhi.

Zhang Zhi laughed heartily, “Godfather, we got lucky this time. The project really made money. Don’t worry, it’s all clean money. You just focus on getting better. I’ll come see you later.”

Only then did Lin Jiabao show some emotion.

Lin Shan hung up and quietly said, “I’ll go pay the bills...”

Lin Wei watched Lin Shan leave, holding Lin Jiabao’s hand. “Dad, brother really has talent.”

Lin Jiabao sighed softly, his eyes filled with a trace of pity as he looked at Lin Shan.

Being men, he understood better than anyone the difficulties Lin Shan faced.

Lin Shan went to the payment window and settled the fees.

Soon after, Chen Yuanying arrived. She was fifty-three, with short hair streaked with gray at the temples, small in stature, and a timid expression.

Looking at his family, Lin Shan slowly said, “Dad, Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Hearing the gravity in his voice, Chen Yuanying and Lin Jiabao’s expressions turned solemn.

Lin Shan sat on the edge of the bed and spoke slowly, “Zhang Wan… she cheated on me. Yuan Yuan isn’t my child. I plan to divorce her.”

Chen Yuanying was shocked into silence. Lin Jiabao, however, remained calm, as if he had known all along. He sighed deeply, “She’s not meant for married life. Then divorce her.”

He usually said little, but his mind was clear as a mirror. He’d noticed Zhang Wan hadn’t come to the hospital recently and had already guessed the marriage was in trouble.

Chen Yuanying, after her initial shock, was confused and frowned. “We treated her sincerely. How could she do this?”

Since Zhang Wan married in, the Lin family had cared for her meticulously. She never had to do housework; Chen Yuanying took care of everything.

In five years of marriage, Zhang Wan had cooked only a handful of meals.

Lin Shan said, “Mom, just because you treat someone well doesn’t mean they’ll treat you the same. She and I were never meant to be. Just think of her as if she never existed.”

Chen Yuanying’s face was heavy with regret.

Lin Wei’s expression was complicated upon hearing this news—part anger, but also a hidden joy deep in her eyes.

“What a pity for Yuan Yuan...”

Chen Yuanying couldn’t let go of this “granddaughter” yet. Though not her blood, she had cared for her throughout the day this past year, and the affection was real—hard to sever so soon.

Soon, Zhang Zhi arrived, bearing many fruits.

His cheerful words quickly made the elders laugh; the heavy atmosphere in the hospital room lightened considerably.

Seeing the moment was right, Lin Shan patted Zhang Zhi’s shoulder, signaling him to follow outside.

In the hospital corridor, Lin Shan said, “Old Zhang, there are still two sets of tiger bones to be sold.”

Zhang Zhi’s eyes widened. “You really did walk into a tiger’s den!”