"Big Sister, what's wrong?" Chen Yang looked up at the noblewoman standing at the top of the stairs.
She was a traditional Chinese woman, roughly 1.55 meters tall, with sharp eyes, delicate features, and an imposing bearing. Her ink-black hair clearly showed signs of having been permed, and a light-blue qipao perfectly accentuated her figure. She was Lin Jing, the eldest daughter of the Lin Family, and the Big Sister of whom Chen Yang spoke.
Chen Yang was from Wuzhou, Zhejiang Province. He had grown up in the Lin Family since childhood, and his background was quite tragic—his parents had died one after another from an epidemic when he was three. In those chaotic years of war and scarce supplies, Chen Yang, not yet four, seemed destined to follow his parents to the grave like so many other impoverished souls. Fortunately, heaven never seals off all exits. Before her death, Chen Yang's mother had written a letter to Lin Zonghan, her eldest brother who was making a living in Shanghai. After learning of his sister's misfortune, Lin Zonghan, despite his family's opposition, brought Chen Yang from Wuzhou to live in Shanghai. Strangely enough, ever since Chen Yang entered the Lin Family, their business had grown smoother and smoother—opening textile mills, buying shops. In just a few short years, they rose to the ranks of Shanghai's top merchants. Lin Zonghan became a prominent figure in Shanghai's business circles, able to afford a garden villa on Ferguson Road.
"Don't call me Big Sister. I don't have a brother like you."
Lin Jing glared at Chen Yang, who was kneeling on the ground, and said angrily, "Are you working for the Japanese now? Have you become a traitor?"
"Chen Yang, five years ago, you said you wanted to be like your elder brother Jianzhong, to join the revolution, to serve your country, to go to the Jianqiao Central Aviation Academy in Hangzhou and become a pilot. I respected your wishes and privately gave you five hundred silver dollars. Who knew you would squander it out there for five months, only returning when the money ran out? Four years ago, you said you wanted to study in Japan, and even cited what Lord Wei wrote in the *Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms*—learn from the barbarians' advanced techniques to control them. You wanted to learn Japan's advanced knowledge, return to serve your country, and revitalize China. And this is how you serve China? By going to be a dog for the Japanese? If I'd known you were an ungrateful white-eyed wolf who could never be raised right, I shouldn't have bothered with you back then. I should have let you starve and freeze."
As Lin Jing spoke, tears had unknowingly welled up in her eyes.
In this household, Chen Yang would talk back when anyone else scolded him, but when it came to Lin Jing, he could only kneel obediently and listen. The reason was simple: Chen Yang had been raised by Lin Jing alone. When Chen Yang first arrived at the Lin Family, it was during their most difficult time. Lin Zonghan's wife was gravely ill. The Lin household had one daughter and two sons, and the eldest, Lin Jing, was only thirteen. Her two younger brothers, Lin Xueyi and Lin Xueli, were just barely over ten. Neither of the two boys liked Chen Yang. They both believed his arrival had stolen their food. It was Lin Jing who sold handmade paper flowers on the streets, using the meager income to supplement the household so that her two brothers wouldn't throw Chen Yang out. Chen Yang had followed Lin Jing around since he was little. His rations could be said to have been scraped together by Lin Jing herself.
"Big Sister, don't be angry. Listen to me—" Before Chen Yang could finish, Lin Jing snapped, "What else is there for you to say? All your things are already packed. Take your things and get out."
"Enough." Just then, an authoritative voice came from the doorway.
Three figures walked in from the entrance in unison. Leading them was Lin Zonghan, head of the Lin Family. Behind him followed Lin Xueyi and Lin Xueli.
"Uncle, Eldest Brother, Second Brother."
"Chen Yang, get up." Lin Zonghan gestured for Lin Xueli to help Chen Yang to his feet, then turned to scold Lin Jing. "What can't be discussed among family? Chen Yang just returned, and you're already trying to drive him out? I'm not dead yet. It's not your place to call the shots in this family."
Lin Jing fearlessly retorted, "Of course you want him back. With him back, you can connect with the Japanese. Your traitor gang has gained another capable henchman."
Lin Zonghan flew into a rage. "What did you say? If I weren't a traitor, where would your food and drink come from?"
"From where? Father, don't forget where the money for your textile mill came from." Lin Jing angrily rebuked, "That was Jianzhong's pension. If not for that one hundred silver dollar pension, would the Lin Family have what it has today? This is what the Lin Family owes me for a lifetime."
"You—" Lin Zonghan's face alternated between red and white, his chest heaving violently. He was clearly furious. When it came to verbal sparring, how could he be a match for this daughter who had grown up hawking goods on the streets? Seeing Lin Zonghan rendered speechless by anger, Lin Jing snorted heavily, spat out the words "a den of jackals," and turned back to her room.
"Father, don't be angry. Anger is bad for your health," Lin Xueli said as he helped Lin Zonghan sit on the living room sofa. "A Ren, go tidy up the young master's room. Aunt Mei, brew a cup of tea for the young master." After giving his instructions, Lin Zonghan waved Chen Yang over. "Chen Yang, come let your uncle take a look. It's been years. You've become more and more steady. These years you were in Japan, your uncle didn't pay much attention to your life. Speaking of which, I truly feel ashamed."
Chen Yang quickly stepped forward. "Uncle, these years studying in Japan, I was greatly supported by the family. Otherwise, I couldn't have completed my studies."
Lin Zonghan patted the back of Chen Yang's hand. "It's good that you don't blame your uncle. What plans do you have now that you're back?"
"I haven't thought it through yet for the time being," Chen Yang replied respectfully.
"Chen Yang, don't keep secrets from us at this point," Lin Xueli said with a smile from the side. "You had just left the Japanese consulate when Mr. Liang called Father. The position of Director of the Economic Department in the Finance Ministry of the Jinling Reformed Government has already been decided. Chen Yang, I truly never imagined you kept such hidden depths. To think you could connect with Consul Iwai. The Lin Family's business will need your care in the future."
Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat. It seemed Lin Jing was right—the whole household, big and small, had indeed become traitors.
"Xueli, you talk too much," Lin Zonghan complained in a low voice.
Lin Xueli smiled. "Father, Chen Yang isn't an outsider. He would have learned of this sooner or later."
Lin Zonghan frowned. "True, but Chief Inukai from the Iwai Agency said there are still vetting procedures to go through. At this time, we must keep a low profile."
Having finished speaking, Lin Zonghan turned to Chen Yang and said, "Chen Yang, you must be tired from the journey back. First go to the ancestral hall and light some incense. Tell your parents you've returned. Sleep well this afternoon, and tonight your uncle will host a welcome banquet for you at the Ban Yue Restaurant."
Chen Yang nodded, took his clothes, bid farewell to everyone, and walked all the way to the ancestral hall at the back. Inside the hall were many memorial tablets—Lin Family ancestors, Lin Zonghan's deceased wife, Chen Yang's parents, and Lin Jing's husband. Chen Yang lit the incense and bowed respectfully. "Mom, Dad, Brother Jianzhong, I'm back."