Ah, My Confidant, Why Have You Left Me

"Sister-in-law, I can do it myself, I can do it myself."

Lin Fan hadn't expected his sister-in-law to be so enthusiastic. When the Hall Master brought him in, she had eagerly stepped forward, taken his hand, and led him into the hall. Not long after they sat down, she brought him tea.

Her enthusiasm was almost overwhelming.

He hadn't met his sister-in-law before and had assumed that since the Hall Master kept a mistress on the outside, his wife must be old and faded. But he never expected her to be so radiant and appear to be such a virtuous and capable wife, perfect for managing a household.

"It's alright, make yourself at home. Don't be reserved. If you accept me, then don't just call me sister-in-law. How about we call each other brother and sister?"

Madam Wang looked at Lin Fan with gentle eyes. He was handsome and energetic, which reminded her of her younger brother who had died of illness when he was young.

"How can this be..."

Before he could finish speaking, the Hall Master beside him said, "Since your sister-in-law considers you a brother, then let's address each other as brother and sister from now on."

He knew his wife's situation all too well.

He sighed inwardly.

When his wife was young, her parents had both passed away. She only had a younger brother, whom they had taken in, but he was taken by a serious illness. This event had nearly broken his wife, but thankfully, under his careful care, she had managed to recover.

Since the Hall Master had said so.

What else could he say?

"Sister," Lin Fan called out shyly.

"Good, good, let's eat. All these dishes today were personally cooked by your sister. Let's see if they suit your taste."

"Thank you, Sister."

Pulled to the table, he felt a bit awkward. It was his first time here, and he was being treated with such warmth, especially by this newly acknowledged sister who was even more enthusiastic than the Hall Master.

Damn it, the Hall Master was truly a scumbag. To have such a good wife and still keep a mistress, he truly didn't know what was good for him.

Dinner began.

Lin Fan looked at the pile of food in his bowl, wanting to cry but having no tears. This sister was truly kind. Without him eating a single bite, she continuously served him food.

She also asked him about his family background. When Lin Fan said he had drifted here, her eyes reddened.

"Brother, you must have suffered a lot."

"Sister, it's been alright. After coming here, I've been working for the Hall Master and have been highly valued by him. Things have gradually gotten better," Lin Fan said.

"He... If you ever feel wronged in the future, don't keep it to yourself. Tell your sister, and she'll stand up for you." Madam Wang understood her husband all too well.

"Thank you, Sister."

"Eat, eat more. Look how thin you are, it pains your sister."

Wang Changhai on the side was utterly helpless. He remained silent, feeling that his trusted subordinate was no longer his subordinate but his wife's trusted subordinate.

The feeling was hard to describe. He wanted to say something but didn't know what to say.

After Lin Fan finished the food in his bowl, he said, "Hall Master, the steward of the Fierce Tiger Gang, Sun Xiao, came to the docks looking for me today."

"Ah! What did he want with you?"

Wang Changhai was shocked. Damn it, they knew his subordinate was capable and were trying to poach him.

Lin Fan said, "He said he wanted to get to know me and insisted on inviting me to Xianwei Tower. I figured it's a free meal, so I brought the dock brothers with me."

"Xianwei Tower, that place is very expensive."

"Yes, I specifically ordered the most expensive dishes. We had three tables. Although I don't know the exact cost, it should be at least fifty to sixty taels."

"Ah, that ruthless?"

Wang Changhai's mouth hung open in shock. For a first-time invitation, he had fleeced them so badly. It was like catching a pig to slaughter.

"I had to be ruthless. It's rare to catch one, and their purpose in seeking me out was to win me over. They need something from me, so I figured there might be three, four, five, six, or seven more opportunities. I'll take as many as I can get," Lin Fan said.

Wang Changhai: ...!!!

He was stunned, truly stunned.

Of course, Wang Changhai also felt relieved. Lin Fan was willing to tell him this, which meant he had no intention of being swayed. Truly worthy of being the subordinate he valued.

His judgment was excellent.

Thinking of this, Wang Changhai felt much more pleased with himself.

"My brother is so clever," Madam Wang said with a smile, looking at Wang Changhai. "See? You are blessed with three lifetimes to have met such a capable brother like mine."

"Sister, it's my fortune to be noticed by the Hall Master," Lin Fan quickly said. My dear sister, you can't say that. If you're this good to me, the Hall Master will get jealous.

"Sister says it's his fortune, and it is his fortune. Husband, don't you agree?"

Facing his wife's question.

"Yes, yes, it's my fortune."

Wang Changhai was speechless.

"Hall Master, there's actually one more thing. I'm preparing to take the exam for the Security Bureau," Lin Fan said, not hiding anything. He told them about his preparations. Whether he said it early or late, he had to say it.

From his understanding of the Hall Master, he decided to tell him now.

The Hall Master is not a sinister and cunning person.

"Security Bureau? Why would I have such an idea? I'm doing fine here, aren't I?" Wang Changhai became a little anxious. "My confidant, you can't abandon me."

Who didn't know nowadays that he, Wang Changhai, had a very capable confidant.

When facing other Hall Masters, his back straightened considerably.

Madam Wang said displeasedly, "What do you mean 'why would I have such an idea'? It's a good thing my brother wants to walk the right path and has ambition. You know the situation at Loyalty Hall, it's a mix of good and bad people, isn't it full of trouble? I don't want my brother to become that kind of person."

"Brother, you work hard. I'm acquainted with the Clerk's wife, and I'll pull some strings for you then."

"Thank you, Sister," Lin Fan said gratefully.

He could feel that the sister before him genuinely wanted to accept him, not to tie him down with false sincerity.

Wang Changhai looked at his wife, wanting to cry but having no tears. Who would push someone away like this?

At this moment, Lin Fan noticed the Hall Master's sadness and said, "Hall Master, I recently got acquainted with Captain Song from the Security Bureau and helped him apprehend a murderer. He knows my identity and that I want to join the Security Bureau. But from his attitude, it didn't seem like my identity would be a problem for joining."

Hearing this.

Wang Changhai's eyes lit up with hope. "So, even if you join the Security Bureau, you can still manage the docks."

"I'm not too sure," Lin Fan didn't want to speak too definitively.

Madam Wang said, "I think he can. I've heard some things. Captain Song is an upright person and is ostracized within the Security Bureau. He used to hate the collusion between officials and gangs the most, which harmed many people's interests, so he's constantly being restricted. I think Captain Song wants my brother to join the Security Bureau, using my brother's hand to fight corruption with corruption."

"Madam, where did you hear that?" Wang Changhai was astonished.

Madam Wang replied, "I heard it from the noble ladies when we were playing mahjong. They were chatting and said that Captain Song affected their ability to make money. Some people who did bad things didn't want to be caught, so they sent him money hoping to resolve the matter, but Captain Song wouldn't allow it. Many cases were handled according to the law."

Lin Fan listened very attentively.

Thinking about Captain Song pursuing the murderer with only him and Yang Ming, it seemed he was truly being ostracized.

Wang Changhai waved his hand, "Let's eat first, and we'll talk about it later. But no matter what, I respect your choice."

"Thank you for your understanding, Hall Master," Lin Fan said.

During this meal, Lin Fan and his sister ate and chatted happily.

This was the first time since his transmigration... no, even before his transmigration, he had never felt such care.

He accepted this sister.

Only Wang Changhai seemed to have suffered a blow, worried and unable to be happy.

After a long while, it was very late.

At the doorway.

Madam Wang held Lin Fan's hand.

"Brother, be careful on your way back."

"Sister, I know. It's cold outside, you should go back."

"Changhai, what are you still standing there for? Aren't you going to see my brother off?"

"Madam, I know. You go back first, I'll chat with your brother about some things."

Madam Wang went back.

Wang Changhai patted Lin Fan's shoulder, "To be honest, what do you think of the Hall Master, that is, your sister's husband?"

Faced with this question.

Lin Fan really wanted to say, "Hall Master, you are truly despicable. My sister is so virtuous, yet you dare to have a mistress? You completely disregard my sister's reputation! I really want to smash your head."

But could he say that?

Of course not.

"He's very good."

"That's it?"

"Yes, Hall Master, you should go back too. I'm leaving now." After speaking, he turned and left.

Wang Changhai looked at Lin Fan's receding back, then looked up at the bright moon. It seemed that tears were sliding from the corners of his eyes.

To this day, you won't even call me brother-in-law?

My confidant...

Why are you leaving me like this, falling into my wife's embrace? With such a capable brother like you, can she still uphold the three obediences and four virtues? Will she still put me in her eyes?

My Hall Master status...

How much of it will be left?

Sigh!

A sigh that conveyed the untold joys and sorrows of countless men.