At the Li Family residence, the moment Li Ran came downstairs, he saw Zhang Juan sitting on the sofa, looking troubled.
“What’s wrong, Mom?” he asked.
Zhang Juan sighed. “Don’t even mention it. It’s all because of that Lin Group Youth-Preserving Elixir.”
“Youth-Preserving Elixir? What’s that?” Li Ran didn’t understand.
“Recently, on social media…” Zhang Juan began, recounting what had happened that afternoon.
“You know your Aunt Tang has struggled in Magic Capital for years. She finally managed to build her brand’s reputation.”
“But this Lin Group Youth-Preserving Elixir spread through the social circle in just a few days. Everyone who’s used it says it’s amazing. That’s not a good thing for your Aunt Tang.”
So Tang Wanqing’s company had encountered a competitor at this point?
After hearing everything, Li Ran secretly felt amused.
Serves her right for helping Lin Ming.
But wait… why does this Youth-Preserving Elixir sound so familiar?
As he carefully recalled Zhang Juan’s description, his heart skipped a beat.
Damn it.
Isn’t this exactly the thing Lin Ming came up with?
Something’s wrong with the plot!
Why have the protagonist and female lead become competitors?
Li Ran clearly remembered that in his previous life, Lin Ming didn’t release the Youth-Preserving Elixir this early.
Has this protagonist mutated too?
According to the original plot, Lin Ming had already possessed the formula. However, it wasn’t until the Mu Family’s banquet, after meeting Tang Wanqing and forming a partnership with her, that he handed over the formula for production.
With this formula, Lin Ming gained Tang Wanqing’s initial favor.
Later, her company earned massive profits, and Lin Ming, as her partner, successfully entered Magic Capital’s upper social circle.
So why was he bringing it out now?
After thinking for a moment, Li Ran suddenly slapped his forehead, his eyes lighting up.
Got it!
This move by Lin Ming is absolutely brilliant!
Just imagine it. At the Mu Family’s birthday banquet, Lin Ming would first use the Mu Family’s influence to slap Li Ran in the face.
Then, he would unveil the Youth-Preserving Elixir.
The entire audience would be shocked.
He would shine brilliantly!
As expected of the protagonist.
Never missing a single opportunity to show off.
He even knew to actively push the plot forward and unleash his trump card!
Now Li Ran felt reassured.
At the upcoming Mu Family birthday banquet, Lin Ming’s humiliation of him was inevitable.
The plot was rock solid!
Perfect. Finally, he could enjoy acting out the plot comfortably again.
Looking at Zhang Juan, who was still worried, Li Ran stepped forward and massaged her shoulders.
“Mom, don’t worry about it. Aunt Tang knows what she’s doing.”
This is between the protagonist and female lead, why are you worrying about it?
Isn’t that just unnecessary stress?
The Li Family was destined to be destroyed by Lin Ming sooner or later, and he himself would die at Lin Ming’s hands. That was the plot.
Still, Li Ran felt a trace of guilt toward Zhang Juan and Li Lijian.
Even though this was a novel, the care and affection they showed him felt real.
He wasn’t heartless. He couldn’t remain completely indifferent.
But he had already begun arranging a way out for them. After his death, they would still be able to live comfortably in their later years.
Under Li Ran’s expert massage, Zhang Juan gradually relaxed.
His technique was getting better and better.
She smiled. “You sound exactly like your Aunt Tang.”
“She already knows about this?” Li Ran asked. “What’s her attitude?”
Zhang Juan replied, “From the way she spoke, she doesn’t seem worried at all.”
Li Ran fell silent.
Of course she’s not worried.
She’s probably already communicated with Lin Ming behind the scenes!
Damn woman!
Zhang Juan continued, “Oh right, the Mu Family’s eldest daughter’s birthday banquet is coming up.”
“Your Aunt Tang said you should go with her.”
Li Ran was stunned. “Go with her? Me?”
“Did Aunt Tang really say that?”
What is this woman planning now?
I finally get to follow the plot properly, don’t mess things up for me!
…
At the Mu Family residence, the head of the Mu Family, Mu Chengye, who was Mu Bingxuan’s father, walked out of the meeting room alongside a young man.
The two were chatting pleasantly.
“Young Master Lin, the funds you provided this time are truly a timely help for our Mu Family,” Mu Chengye said warmly.
Lin Ming smiled calmly. “Uncle Mu, you’re too polite. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“To have such courage at such a young age, even I feel inferior.”
The way Mu Chengye looked at Lin Ming was filled with admiration.
“By the way, I heard that Young Master Lin also studies at Magic Capital University, just like my daughter?” Mu Chengye asked casually.
During Lin Ming’s stay at the Mu Family, he had already sent people to investigate him thoroughly.
The result was… nothing.
All they found was that Lin Ming was a first-year student at Magic Capital University, currently renting an apartment.
Lin Ming appeared to be around the same age as his daughter, yet when facing him, the head of the Mu Family, he remained calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.
That alone made Mu Chengye think highly of him.
And what shocked him even more was yet to come.
With a mere gesture, Lin Ming mobilized billions in liquid capital.
Even the Mu Family couldn’t achieve that so easily.
Mu Chengye didn’t believe someone like Lin Ming couldn’t afford to buy a building in Magic Capital.
Yet, he chose to live quietly in a rented apartment.
This made him appear extremely mysterious.
Mu Chengye couldn’t help but speculate. Could this Young Master Lin be from a powerful family in the capital?
Because of this, Mu Chengye not only treated him with great courtesy but also developed the intention of forming a connection with him.
He hoped to establish ties with the forces behind Lin Ming.
What he didn’t know was that the man before him was a tiger that devoured people without leaving a trace.
He was essentially making a deal with a tiger.
Lin Ming smiled faintly. “Yes.”
“Forgive my boldness, but is Senior Sister Mu at home right now?”
“At the welcome party, when I performed with Senior Sister Mu, it left a deep impression on me. I’ve been hoping to get to know her, but haven’t had the chance.”
In an instant, Mu Chengye understood.
Previously, he had been puzzled. Why would a stranger like Lin Ming offer help at such a critical moment when the Mu Family was facing a financial crisis?
So that was it.
This young man had taken a liking to his daughter.
To be fair, Lin Ming was outstanding. Handsome, well-mannered, and with a mysterious background that likely pointed to a powerful family from the capital.
He was exactly the kind of son-in-law Mu Chengye had in mind.
Compared to him, Li Ran from the Li Family was nothing more than a useless wastrel.
“Bingxuan has classes today, she might return very late,” Mu Chengye said apologetically.
“However, tomorrow is her birthday. If Young Master Lin is willing, you can come and join us.”
Failing to meet Mu Bingxuan left Lin Ming slightly disappointed.
But he showed no sign of it on his face and simply nodded. “Of course, I’ll be there.”