Infinite Ebullience
Chapter 368 - 7: Wealthy Relatives

Chapter 368: Chapter 7: Wealthy Relatives

Tao Lei was actually Lin Weiguo’s niece, something Tang Zheng hadn’t initially expected. However, that realization significantly lightened the mood of the journey.

"Are you going to visit your uncle?" While Tao Lei remained shy, she had stopped avoiding Tang Zheng. She answered every question without hesitation, showing no signs of guardedness.

"Yes." Tang Zheng asked about Weiguo’s past, and it was clear that Tao Lei admired her uncle, who was a special forces soldier.

"Although my uncle has been to prison, he’s a good person." Tao Lei’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. "My university tuition fee last year was all gathered by my aunt, and this year after my uncle was released from prison, he gave me a lot of money, saying it’s not easy for our family to have a university student, insisting that I must continue studies."

Listening to Tao Lei, Tang Zheng could not help but sigh. If she knew her uncle was dead, he couldn’t predict her reaction. The hour-long journey passed in this idle chatter. When they reached the county town, Tang Zheng bought several large bags of gifts. If it wasn’t for Tao Lei accompanying him, he could have easily used his wristwatch’s space. However, now he had to carry them all on his back.

By the time Tang Zheng walked into the village, it was already getting dark. There weren’t any street lights on the small winding path, but Tao Lei was very familiar with the environment and walked fast because her mother was married to this village.

"Aunt, uncle’s friend came to see him." Standing in front of the dilapidated bungalows that were at least thirty years old, Tao Lei happily knocked on the wooden door.

"Is that you, Leilei? Are you on vacation?" A woman responded after just two seconds.

"Sister-in-law, I’m Weiguo’s friend." As soon as the wooden door opened and Tao Lei finished speaking, Tang Zheng stepped forward and gave a polite greeting.

"Don’t just stand there, come in." Sister-in-law Lin wiped her hands on her apron before pulling Tao Lei inside. "Don’t go home, I’ll make food for you."

"No, these are toys and snacks I bought for Little Stone." Tao Lei opened her backpack to take out a toy car and a large bag of snacks and gave them to Sister-in-law Lin. She then quickly ran off, shouting, "I’ll come again tomorrow."

"This girl, I’ve told her so many times not to do this. She must have saved her meal allowance again." Sister-in-law Lin sighed and then lead Tang Zheng into the house.

"You two seem to have a good relationship." Tang Zheng looked at the ordinary and simply dressed but neat woman in front of him. As he noticed the wrinkles on her face, he smiled, "On the way here, Tao Lei barely spoke a word about her own family. All she talked about was you and Weiguo."

"Her mother, well, let’s not talk about that. Have you eaten yet? I’ll make something for you." Sister-in-law Lin sighed, not extending the conversation further.

"Where’s Little Stone?" Tang Zheng didn’t refuse. He noticed a shadow under the window of one room. "Isn’t he studying, is he? I remember he’s only in fourth grade."

"Weiguo wants him to go to university." Sister-in-law Lin explained briefly before she called out, "Little Stone, come out, your uncle is here."

"Hello, Uncle." The little guy, apparently afraid of his mother, came out of the house with a bright smile when he heard her speak. He greeted Tang Zheng hurriedly, "Did Sister Leilei come home? I will go see her."

"Stop causing a fuss, wait here." Sister-in-law Lin gave Little Stone a light smack on his forehead, then led Tang Zheng into the house. She picked up the warm kettle. As she poured some water, she said, "You really have bad timing. Weiguo went to visit his combat mates, he has been gone for nearly ten days now. He didn’t even call and I can’t contact him."

"That’s okay. I am just here to visit." Though Tang Zheng tried to keep his expression neutral, his heart involuntarily flinched. If Weiguo never comes back, what will happen to his wife and child.

"Dad has disappeared again, so annoying. I bet he’s back in jail." Little Stone murmured, clearly not on good terms with his father.

"What are you saying?" Sister-in-law Lin got angry, and gave Little Stone a moderate smack on his back. It was understandable. Lin Weiguo had been in prison for several years and rarely saw his son. Naturally, the child didn’t have many memories of him.

"You watch TV, I’ll go cook." Sister-in-law Lin pulled Little Stone out of the room and went to the yard, gave him some money, and asked him to go to the village grocery store to buy food and wine.

Tang Zheng looked around the room at the bulky television that must have been well over a decade old. He heard Sister-in-law Lin’s instruction to Little Stone about buying good wine, and he couldn’t help but feel touched by Sister-in-law Lin’s hospitality. If it had been anyone else, they would have probably made up an excuse about Weiguo not being home and refused him entry, especially since it was late at night and potentially unsafe.

"I remember Old Lin had exchanged several million. Where did that money go?" Tang Zheng fell silent. It was not appropriate for him to ask Sister-in-law Lin these personal questions. He decided it was best to help silently.

When Lin Weiguo was previously in prison, his family received aid from his combat mates. Now that he had money, he naturally aided his combat mates in return. As for the rest, he used some to treat his wife’s illness, and saved the remaining, accustomed to his previous poverty. The money would be used for his son’s study and future wedding.

"Young man, I just realized we haven’t asked your name yet. How do you know Weiguo?" Sister-in-law Lin was also sizing up the young man in front of her. Since he was brought by Tao Lei, he should not be a liar. Besides, his sportswear highlighted his youthful vigor. She didn’t believe her husband had the chance to know such a young man.

"Well, it’s a long story. My uncle and Brother Weiguo are combat mates, of course, I’m also pretty close to him." Tang Zheng made up an excuse. The next time he met Old Lin, he would make sure their stories matched. For now, he casually spoke about Lin Weiguo’s habits and family affairs he usually talked about, which put Sister-in-law Lin’s doubts to rest.