Chapter 089

Lin Tianba was somewhat moved—at a time like this, only family would come to see him.

But as soon as Liu's mother confirmed the situation, her expression changed completely.

"Since that's the case, pay back the money you owe us. A big boss like you wouldn’t miss such a small sum, would you?"

Her words hit Lin Tianba like a bolt from the blue, leaving him stunned.

"Mom, what are you saying?"

"I'm not your mom. You're about to go bankrupt, and you still want to drag the Liu family down with you? Hurry up and return the money before those people withdraw their investments."

Lin Tianba, already unsteady on his feet, nearly collapsed on the spot. It was then that Lin Jian spoke up.

"Grandma, Dad really is in a tough spot right now. Can’t you wait a little longer?"

Liu's mother narrowed her eyes at Lin Jian. "He’s in a tough spot? Even if he is, does that mean he can’t spare our family this little amount?"

Liu Yuemei’s heart tightened, and she quickly pulled her mother aside. "Mom, what are you doing? We’re in a hospital. If there’s anything to discuss, let’s talk about it at home, okay?"

She hadn’t expected her mother to come to the hospital, let alone demand money at a time like this.

If Lin Tianba found out the Liu family had only invested a few million, who knew what he’d think?

Lin Tianba gave his wife a grateful look, thinking, This is why you need someone who shares your bed—they’ll stand by you.

But Liu's mother suddenly flew into a rage.

"You were the one who said the money would be returned quickly! Now I’m not even asking for interest—just the principal. Isn’t that enough?"

Liu Yuemei was terrified her mother would slip up and reveal too much, so she dragged her out of the room.

"Mom, come outside with me."

"Don’t pull me! I’m not leaving until we get the money back today, you ungrateful girl!"

Unable to take it anymore, Liu Yuemei finally snapped, "If you don’t leave now, you won’t get a single cent!"

Liu's mother froze, shocked that her daughter would dare speak to her like that. Her face twisted in grief. "You dare yell at me? What an unfilial daughter!"

At this point, Lin Tianba had had enough. His wife was defending him, and her mother was bullying her. If he didn’t step in as a husband, what kind of man would he be?

"Enough! Stop fighting. It’s just money, isn’t it? Even if I’m down, I’m still richer than most. Do you really think I can’t pay you back? Go home. Once I’m discharged, I’ll settle the debt, and after that, we go our separate ways!"

In truth, he didn’t have the money—or rather, he couldn’t access it. The funds were still in the company account, and the shareholders wouldn’t let him use them privately.

He just wanted to intimidate the Liu family, and it worked. Both Liu's mother and father were stunned into silence.

Seizing the moment, Liu Yuemei quickly pulled her mother out of the room.

Once outside, she said, "Mom, even if Lin Tianba goes bankrupt, the wealth he leaves behind will still be enormous. Aren’t you afraid he’ll cut ties with you over this?"

Liu's father chimed in, "That’s right, dear. This situation just started. There’s no need to make things so tense. It makes us look heartless."

Liu's mother thought it over and realized she might have acted rashly. She was always like this—when money was involved, she lost her rationality.

"So what do we do now?"

Liu Yuemei replied, "Go back in and talk to Tianba properly. Say you acted impulsively, but don’t mention money again, understand?"

Liu's mother grabbed her daughter’s hand. "Good girl, I understand. I was harsh on you earlier, but you still care so much for me. You really are my precious daughter."

When they returned to the hospital room, Liu's mother performed a complete about-face, putting on the act of a doting mother.

"Good son-in-law, I was just being impulsive earlier. I was only worried about Yuemei suffering with you. You’ll forgive me, won’t you?"

Lin Tianba frowned. Honestly, he wasn’t fond of the Liu family anymore.

They were too fickle.

But for Liu Yuemei’s sake, he didn’t show his disgust outright.

"Don’t worry about it. I know you were just concerned. It’s fine..."

Meanwhile, Liu Ruxue had been tending to Lin Jian, who looked at her with gratitude. "Ruxue, don’t worry about me. You should go home and rest."

Tears welled up in Liu Ruxue’s eyes. "I want to stay with you."

Lin Jian’s expression shifted subtly. "Ruxue, it’s all my fault for being useless. I’m not like Lin Ran—I don’t have money to help the family in this crisis."

Liu Ruxue’s heart ached at his words. Between the two Lin brothers, she preferred Lin Jian, but reality made that impossible. They could only meet in secret.

Seeing that the adults had finished talking, she spoke up.

"I’ll go find Lin Ran. He has money—he can definitely save the Lin family this time."

Lin Tianba looked surprised.

"Ruxue, you can find that unfilial brat? But even if you do, what then? He won’t lift a finger for me now."

Liu Yuemei nudged him, signaling him to stay quiet.

Liu's mother, however, beamed like a proud matchmaker. "Our Ruxue is so capable, unlike your dead—"

SLAP!

Liu's father’s palm struck her face. "Shut your damn mouth!"

Realizing her mistake, Liu's mother quickly corrected herself. "Ruxue, go ahead. Grandma supports you."

Liu's father was usually quiet, and to outsiders, it seemed like Liu's mother ruled the household. But in truth, when he got angry, she didn’t dare utter a word.

Liu Ruxue looked confused. She didn’t understand why her grandfather had hit her grandmother, but she didn’t dare ask.

After the Liu family left, Lin Tianba still looked puzzled. Liu Yuemei spoke up.

"Husband, can’t you see? Lin Ran has feelings for Ruxue."

"What?!" Lin Tianba was utterly shocked.

"That unfilial brat, how dare he—" He cut himself off mid-sentence, suddenly remembering that Lin Ran and Liu Ruxue weren’t actually blood-related.

This… Liu Ruxue might just be the key to turning things around.

"Hmph! This time, that brat will have to cough up every last cent and kneel to apologize before I forgive him."

Liu Yuemei frowned, thinking that getting the money back would be hard enough. Demanding an apology on his knees? That might be pushing it.

She could already tell—Lin Ran didn’t care much about the Lin family anymore.

"Husband, let’s not set the bar too high. If Lin Ran can just provide the funds to save the company, that’s enough. As for kneeling… he’s grown now. He has his pride."

Lin Jian added, "That’s right. Brother has always been proud. Even if he wanted to kneel and apologize, Dad, you should consider his dignity."

Lin Tianba exploded. "You two! At a time like this, you’re still being so soft? Don’t you know kindness will get you killed?"

"But—"

"No buts! I’m his father. If he dares disobey me, I’ll make sure he never knows a father’s love again!"

Lin Jian sighed inwardly. Wasn’t it you who once gritted your teeth and said, ‘You—you’re my father’?