After putting down the phone, Mu Lin began to think about how he could help the people of Lorient. Bringing people from the French branch here was merely a measure to cover up his departure and keep his next steps secret.
Before he could think for long, the phone rang again. Mu Lin picked it up and heard Douglas’s somewhat hesitant voice on the other end.
“Master, I have one last question. What kind of identity should we set up for you?”
Mu Lin was momentarily stunned by the question. Identity—it was indeed a critical issue. How could he remain inconspicuous yet avoid suspicion? It required careful consideration. After a moment’s thought, he replied, “Say I’m a major client of your investment company. My relatives entrusted you to find me after I fell off a yacht while out on a pleasure cruise. You’ve been searching for months and finally found me here in Lorient.
As for the client, just say it’s my older sister or someone similar—absolutely not someone from my parents’ generation!” Mu Lin had no desire to create a nominal elder for himself; it would make him feel uncomfortable.
After lunch, Mu Lin realized he had to address the worsening economic situation of the town before he left. This was not a problem that could be solved simply with money. Otherwise, once he left, the funds would eventually run out, and he would feel guilty toward the kind and simple-hearted people of the town. Unless he resolved this issue, he wouldn’t be able to leave with peace of mind. He wanted to do something meaningful for them without revealing his identity and causing them harm.
After some thought, Mu Lin decided he should personally visit the town. Although he had been here for quite some time, his understanding of the town was still superficial, based only on what he could sense. Only after becoming familiar with the town’s actual conditions could he decide the best course of action. He picked up the phone and called Jacques, asking him to come pick him up immediately.
Jacques arrived quickly. Since Mu Lin had moved into the lighthouse, it had always been Jacques and his friends who visited him. This was the first time Mu Lin had taken the initiative to visit the town.
Without much small talk, Mu Lin got into Jacques’s car and headed to his house. Jacques lived in a two-story house with no fence or gate. Green trees and lawns surrounded the front and back yards, blending with the neighbors’ green spaces. The layout of the surrounding houses was nearly identical—there was little variation, suggesting that property prices here must be quite low.
Nestled among green trees and blooming flowers, the town was hidden in verdant beauty. The cool August sea breeze made the climate pleasant, not overly hot or humid. What a paradise! Mu Lin marveled. In every European country, the environment was well-preserved, but here, the scenery seemed naturally formed, with fewer traces of artificial intervention.
As he wandered around the town, Mu Lin noticed that the infrastructure was decent, but modern transportation, communication, and entertainment facilities were lacking. The town relied on radio for entertainment and information; cable TV and internet service had not yet reached here. Perhaps this was why the younger generation was unwilling to stay.
Mu Lin thought that the environment here was better than many places he had visited. The beaches and natural scenery had left a deep impression on him. He believed that if they could establish a clinic and develop a tourist attraction, with proper promotion, the town could become a great vacation destination. Relieved of his worries, Mu Lin felt increasingly relaxed. If everything went smoothly, the people from the French branch should arrive today. He only needed to express his intentions, and they could handle the rest.
Jacques’s father worked in a factory, and his mother was a schoolteacher. The house’s furnishings showed that the family lived comfortably. Jacques invited Mu Lin to sit in the living room and chatted with him briefly before retreating to his room. Mu Lin followed and saw that Jacques had already packed his bags, clearly preparing to leave.
Thinking that Jacques was about to go to college, the other children were likely preparing to leave the town for modern city life as well. He wanted to help these young people first—they had saved his life, and he didn’t want to miss the chance to repay them once they left and became unreachable.
“Jacques, when are you planning to leave? Have the others already gone?” Mu Lin asked.
“I’m leaving next week. Others haven’t left yet, but they will soon!” Jacques replied, a little puzzled.
“Then I’d like to buy you all a drink and meet those who saved my life. Can you help me contact them? Don’t worry—I’ve already received an advance on my salary. It’s more than enough for a round of drinks!” Mu Lin smiled at him.
“It would be my pleasure, sir!” Jacques made a dramatic gesture.
Sitting in a quiet little bar, Mu Lin met the young people who had saved his life for the first time. There were twelve of them—eight had been accepted into universities and were preparing to study in various parts of France, while the other four planned to leave with them.
Since it was daytime, the bar was nearly empty, making it their domain. Upon learning that the young people weren’t leaving immediately, Mu Lin felt slightly relieved. To him, these youths had given him a second life. He wasn’t content with just expressing verbal gratitude—he wanted to offer them practical help, within his ability and what they could accept.
Soon, Mu Lin became familiar with the group. His vast knowledge earned him increasing admiration from the young people, though it also made his identity seem even more mysterious to them. After a few drinks, Jacques and the others grabbed the instruments from the stage, and the alcohol ignited their romantic, free-spirited passion.
They began singing loudly, and gradually, Mu Lin joined in as well.
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