Chapter 630: Protective Love
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The two brothers stood close to each other, their voices barely above a whisper. Apart from the two police officers standing next to Lin Laoyao, no one else could clearly hear their conversation. However, upon hearing his brother’s words, Lin Laoyao’s face involuntarily changed. “What do you mean by saying all this now?” he asked.
Lin Lao’er replied, “Laoyao, I never expected that after all these years, you haven’t changed. I regret that in my desire to protect you, I deprived you of the chance to be educated. I’m here to apologize to the boy you once were.
“Do you think I didn’t know that you were the one who stole the sugar? I saw it with my own eyes. You knew I was more lenient than our eldest brother, and you made me take the blame for you countless times. The sugar incident was just one of many.”
In their childhood, Lin Lao’er’s family was large and times were tough. Sugar was a luxury, something their parents would only bring out on special occasions. Lin Lao’er, always mindful of his parents’ struggles, would often willingly give up his share of sugar for his family. How could he possibly have stolen it?
In truth, if he had been willing to explain himself like their eldest brother, their parents would not have believed he was the one who stole the sugar.
But back then, he was always thinking of protecting his younger brother. He thought that Lin Yun, being young, was bound to be a bit mischievous and naive. As the older brother, he felt he could shoulder a bit more.
Looking back now, Lin Lao’er realized his own naivety. He had always known his brother’s true nature, yet he never held it against him. This kind of protective love might not have been beneficial. His approach was indeed wrong.
If he had confronted Lin Yun the first time he noticed his behavior, like their eldest brother would have, perhaps Lin Yun wouldn’t have turned out this way.
But it was too late for regrets now. No one could predict the future. He was here today to say goodbye.
When the police announced the arrest warrant earlier, they were standing not far away. He and his wife, Mother Lin, heard everything clearly. They knew why the police were here today. His last shred of protective love for Lin Yun died in that moment. He decided to act as if he never had this younger brother.
Lin Laoyao chuckled coldly, looking at his second brother and recalling past events. He felt a sense of surrealism, but what could he do?
He asked Lin Lao’er, “Should I be grateful to you? If I show gratitude, will your daughter spare my son, spare me? My dear second brother, ha ha ha…”
The villagers didn’t understand why Lin Laoyao was acting so hysterically. They instinctively felt that Lin Lao’er had changed. After all, his daughter was now in a powerful position, having married a good man. Their family’s circumstances had greatly improved. They believed that Lin Lao’er must have humiliated Lin Laoyao, which was too much!
Lin Lao’er ignored the misunderstanding voices around him. He responded to Lin Laoyao in the same tone, “No, your son’s arrest is not unjust. You know it well. Your arrest is also not unjust. You bullied me in the past, and I could let it go. But I will never allow you to bully my daughter, Gu Zi. Lin Laoyao, you should reflect on your actions in jail.”
After saying this, Lin Lao’er returned to his wife’s side. Mother Lin supported him as they turned to leave. However, before they could get far, two unfamiliar faces rushed past them, their faces full of sorrow and resentment. They hurried towards Lin Laoyao’s house, and soon, the sound of commotion could be heard again.
“You damned Lin Laoyao, your rotten idea made my two sons ruin someone’s shop reputation. You even made my second son instigate my eldest son to frame someone, pretending to be poisoned by their shop’s food. Now you’ve ruined our family. Both my sons have been arrested by the police. You owe me two sons!
“You were unfamiliar with the city when you came looking for temporary work. My husband and I kindly helped you, and this is how you repay us? You’re heartless. You won’t die a good death. If the police don’t arrest you, heaven will punish you! I regret ever helping you.
“My poor sons, what am I to do as a mother? Especially my second son, Li Er. He’s been charged with multiple crimes, his life is probably ruined…”
Upon hearing the commotion was about the shop, Mother Lin and her husband paused their departure to listen. They heard the couple’s accusations and cries of grief and quickly understood the situation. These two were likely the parents of the poisoned Li Da. It seemed they no longer needed to worry about the shop.