C9 Can You Help Her?

When Jiang Chen arrived home, he found his mother-in-law's family gathered around the dining table.

His father-in-law, Lin Zhenhai, had been discharged from the hospital and looked quite well.

Jiang Chen hesitated before offering a greeting, but his attempt went unnoticed.

His in-laws were embroiled in an argument, and Lin Jingqiu, seated to the side, wore a look of distress.

Huang Wan exclaimed, "Have you lost your mind? We have only this one house. If you sell it, where will we live?"

Lin Zhenhai, appearing somewhat helpless, replied, "Didn't you just hear? Jingqiu's company is facing issues. By selling the house, we can help her weather this storm. We'll figure out the rest later..."

"Do we really need to sell the house? You're well aware of the current housing market," Huang Wan argued. "Go talk to your father. The Lin family is wealthy, and Jingqiu is his granddaughter. Our problems are trivial to him."

Lin Zhenhai cut her off, "Enough. Asking my father for money is out of the question."

Huang Wan's expression grew stormy. "All this pride, and for what? To suffer? If it weren't for your past actions, we wouldn't be stuck in this place. We'd be back in the East Sea, living the high life!"

"I thought marrying you meant a life of luxury in the East Sea. Instead, I ended up in Jiangzhou, enduring hardship. And now we're even selling the house. What sins did I commit in a past life to end up marrying you?"

Lin Zhenhai, his face flushing with embarrassment, coughed and insisted, "If you don't understand, then stay out of it. I will find a solution."

"You'll find a solution?" Huang Wan scoffed. "Can you really? Out of all the Lin brothers, you're the least capable!"

Her tirade grew more heated, and she even directed her fury at Jiang Chen, "I've endured so much to raise my daughter, hoping she'd marry well and we'd enjoy life. But it turns out, the younger generation is no different from the old."

"Enough!"

Lin Zhenhai's forehead veins bulged as he struggled to contain his fury.

Fearing her father might become ill from his anger, Lin Jingqiu quickly interjected, "Mom, Dad, please, let's not argue. You're worrying too much. I'll handle the company's issues myself."

Having said that, she no longer wished to remain in such a tense atmosphere and promptly returned to her room.

"Look at the mess you've made," Lin Zhenhai remarked.

"What have I done wrong? Am I mistaken? Lin Zhenhai, I'm telling you, we're not in the hospital now. Don't think I'll continue to indulge you just because you've recovered," Huang Wan said, feeling aggrieved.

"You—" Lin Zhenhai, too exasperated to continue the conversation, headed straight for the study.

Today was supposed to be a celebration of Lin Zhenhai's discharge from the hospital, and Huang Wan had prepared a lavish dinner.

But with the current mood, who could possibly feel like eating?

Left in the living room were only Huang Wan and Jiang Chen, who was attempting to slip away. Unable to contain her frustration, Huang Wan lashed out, "All you do is laze around every day. Can't you do something worthwhile? Without the ability to make money, you just leech off others. You're completely useless!"

"Enough, enough. With the state of Jingqiu's company, what help could he possibly offer? Stop taking your frustrations out on Jiang Chen," Lin Zhenhai's voice carried from the study, unable to listen any longer.

"Taking it out on him? If it weren't for you insisting Jingqiu marry this loser, I would have introduced her to Kai long ago. Would our family be in such a dire situation?" Huang Wan asserted.

"All you care about is money. That Huang Kai has nothing to offer but his wealth!" Lin Zhenhai countered.

"He's still better than that good-for-nothing Jiang Chen!"

Jiang Chen, tired of hearing his in-laws argue, was about to go inside.

But Lin Zhenhai called out to him, so he proceeded to the study.

Inside the study, Lin Zhenhai brewed a pot of tea and invited Jiang Chen to sit. "Chen, don't dwell on what your aunt said earlier."

Jiang Chen fell silent for a moment before giving a nod.

His nod was out of respect for Lin Zhenhai; otherwise, given his temperament, he would have walked away long ago.

Lin Zhenhai gave his shoulder a reassuring pat and said, "Also, in a couple of days, go help out at Jingqiu's company. It's really tough for her, being a woman and all."

"Me?"

Jiang Chen's eyebrows lifted. "Uncle, you're well aware of Jingqiu's attitude toward me. She..."

"You're her husband, after all. What's the issue?" Lin Zhenhai cut in. "I'll have a word with her as well."

"You're not worried I'll screw things up?" Jiang Chen inquired.

Lin Zhenhai chuckled, "You're Jiang's son, a chip off the old block! I trust you. Otherwise, why would I have supported your marriage in the first place?"

A surge of warmth filled Jiang Chen's heart, leaving him at a loss for words.

After a pause, he nodded again, "Okay."

"I knew I was right about you!" Lin Zhenhai roared with laughter.

...

The following day at Jade Dragon Villa.

Early in the morning, Wai Ziqing paced the main hall of the Wai family's villa, her gaze drifting outside now and then.

The worry for her father's health cast a shadow over her beautiful features.

She had dismissed most of the security over the last two days, keeping only a handful of staff.

Yet, a day had passed beyond the agreed time with Jiang Chen, and she wondered if he would show up.

Could he be a con artist, aiming to swindle her out of three hundred thousand?

Or perhaps it was impossible for him to arrive within three days.

After all, the idea of trading lifespans was beyond belief.

But now, what should she do?

As she was lost in her thoughts, a voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Miss Wai, have you been waiting long?"

Startled, Wai Ziqing turned to find Jiang Chen unexpectedly behind her.

She was about to question his sudden appearance, but recalling his abilities from their last encounter, she quickly composed herself and respectfully said, "Mr. Jiang, are we able to proceed with the transaction today?"

"Of course."

Upstairs, we were back in the same bedroom as before. Wai Ziqing had already signed the contract, and Jiang Chen's lips curled into a smile as he silently recited a few words. He then extended his hand and pointed towards Wai Donglai.

As the rules of the Time Trade took effect, the paper contract in Wai Ziqing's hands spontaneously combusted. It turned to ash at a rate visible to the naked eye. Wai Ziqing felt a mysterious energy permeate the room, and she could almost smell the ancient scent of the river of time.

The data for Wai Donglai changed rapidly:

"Name: Wai Donglai"

"Age: 70 years old"

"Remaining life expectancy: 1 year, 2 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes, 0 seconds."

"It really works!" Wai Ziqing muffled her mouth to stifle her exclamation.

In her eyes, Jiang Chen's stature grew even more impressive and enigmatic. On the bed, the once listless Wai Donglai's complexion began to bloom with health, and his breathing grew robust. With a movement of his arm, he opened his eyes.

"Dad!" Wai Ziqing, unable to contain her excitement, rushed to the bedside, beaming with happiness.

Wai Donglai, however, turned his attention first to Jiang Chen and said with gravity, "Mr. Jiang, thank you!" Despite his frailty and the nearness of his end, his mind had remained lucid, and he was well aware that Jiang Chen had saved him.

"It was merely a transaction," Jiang Chen replied coolly. Approaching the bedside, he towered over Wai Donglai and added, "Actually, there's another reason I saved Mr. Wai beyond monetary gain. I wonder if Mr. Wai might be interested in joining us?"

"Join you?" Wai Donglai asked, puzzled. "What organization are you with?"

With a sly smile, Jiang Chen enunciated each syllable deliberately, "The Longevity Society."

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