That’s right it must be like that.
Old Master Hua was a relative of Madam Jiang. How could he refuse to give face to his own family?
Lin Xiangwan rushed back to the company and threw herself into negotiations with Huafeng, so busy that she didn’t even have time to eat all afternoon.
Having successfully secured deals with two companies linked to Jiang Shijing, the shareholders began turning 180 degrees in their attitude toward her.
Even Zhong Jie called that evening, praising Lin Xiangwan’s competence and reminding her not to overwork herself.
Near the end of the day, Lin Xiangwan massaged her sore neck and sent Xiaoxue home.
“I’ll stay and work overtime myself you don’t need to keep me company.”
Xiaoxue set a lunchbox in front of her. “That won’t do! I’m your assistant. How can the boss work while the assistant goes home to sleep?”
Lin Xiangwan smiled and took the lunchbox, taking a few bites before handing her the bank card.
“Buy extra meals for the project team working late. Use my personal account for overtime bonuses; the company’s overtime pay is separate.”
Xiaoxue’s eyes lit up. “Miss Lin, you’re amazing! Then I definitely have to stay! I want good food and lots of money!”
Lin Xiangwan could only smile wryly and gestured for her to go get the food.
But Xiaoxue suddenly leaned in, mysterious and whispering over the desk.
“Miss Lin…”
She lowered her voice. “There’s no one else here. Can you tell me what method did you use to get Old Master Hua to agree to work with us?”
Lin Xiangwan paused, resting her chin on her hand, amused. “You’re really that interested?”
“Of course! The old man is famous for his bad temper and being overprotective. He once said he would never cooperate with our Star Group. Just seeing the surname ‘Lin’ made him want to scold someone.”
After all, back then Madam Jiang had been in low spirits for a long time because of the runaway marriage incident, which everyone knew.
Old Master Hua was close relatives with Madam Jiang and admired Jiang Shijing. Naturally, he would not have agreed to cooperate with Star Group lightly.
Xiaoxue knew this, and so did Lin Xiangwan.
That only confirmed it Madam Jiang must have intervened personally, which is why Old Master Hua agreed to cooperate.
She couldn’t visit the Jiang family often, but with Madam Jiang’s birthday approaching, she would prepare a special gift as a token of gratitude.
“Actually, I just pleased Madam Jiang enough for her to speak on my behalf. There was no extraordinary strategy, so there’s nothing for you to learn from me.”
Lin Xiangwan tapped Xiaoxue’s nose and urged, “Hurry up and get the coffee. Everyone will be working late tonight.”
Xiaoxue stuck out her tongue and quickly ran off with the bank card.
No sooner had she left than an uninvited guest appeared.
Lin Xijun knocked on the door, hands in his pockets, leaning in casually.
“Feeling proud, Miss Lin? You got two big deals this year there really isn’t anyone else in this company who could manage that.”
Lin Xiangwan instantly lost her appetite, pushing the lunchbox aside.
“It’s late. I don’t want to spoil my dinner. Get out of my office.”
Lin Xijun’s face darkened. He gritted his teeth to suppress his anger and smiled as he sat in front of her.
“Come on, we’re not just colleagues, we’re siblings. You can’t talk to me like that it would look bad if someone overheard.”
“What sibling harmony?” Lin Xiangwan crossed her arms, her words sharp as knives. “What I said in the office that day spread across the entire company. Who doesn’t know you’re Lin Mu’s illegitimate son? Now you’re worried about gossip too late?”
Her relationship with Lin Xijun had always been bad.
As a child, she didn’t know the dirty dealings between the elders. Since Xiang Qeqing had acted so well in the early days, she had been close to this so-called stepmother.
But with Lin Xijun, nothing ever worked out.
When Xiang Qeqing bought her toys, Lin Xijun would throw stones at her from behind. After crying, she would watch him snatch the toys.
As they grew up, the conflicts only escalated.
Once, she discovered Lin Xijun had a gambling habit. Afraid she would tell someone at home, he had people lock her in an abandoned warehouse to scare her.
At that moment, Jiang Shijing somehow got the news, single-handedly took down the group, and rescued her.
Lin Xiangwan had thought it was true love arriving. But anything connected to Lin Xijun good or bad, allied or opposed was never someone she could trust.
Snapping out of the memory, she saw Lin Xijun pounding the table in anger.
“I’ll tell you, Lin Xiangwan, don’t get cocky! The deals with Huafeng and Dingsheng? You got lucky! It’s because Madam Jiang likes you and overlooks your flaws!”
Lin Xiangwan responded lightly, “Is that so? I didn’t deny it.”
Lin Xijun’s face darkened. “You… just wait. You’ll taste failure soon! Don’t think being a business genius means you can smoothly fulfill the betting agreement. I’ll show you how ridiculous your ideas are!”
After his threat, he turned and left.
Lin Xiangwan watched his back and slowly said, “I’ve taken back the company and the family. Next should be your shares, right?”
“Lin Xijun, it’s not me tasting failure. It’s you, relying on your father to shield you, enjoying things that aren’t yours. Your glory over the years it’s time to give it back.”
Lin Xijun froze, glancing back with a murderous glare.
He said, word by word, “Don’t threaten me. You know if I get angry, I can do anything at any time.”
“I can do the same, so watch yourself,” Lin Xiangwan said, her eyes full of disdain.
She never wasted energy trading threats with someone like Lin Xijun. Actions spoke louder than words.
The shareholders had already shifted their attitude toward her and hinted that if the betting agreement succeeded, they would follow her lead.
At this moment, she didn’t care about a lost dog like Lin Xijun.
After he left, Lin Xiangwan was in high spirits. She had planned to work late at the office, but now preferred to go home, soak in a bath, and review documents relaxing after the tense workday.
Once in the car, Qin Ou drove her home.
For some reason, Lin Xiangwan felt uneasy, as if someone was following them.
She kept looking back but saw nothing.
Qin Ou asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It must be my imagination.”
Lin Xiangwan yawned and drifted off to sleep.
When they arrived at her apartment, she grabbed her bag and laptop and went upstairs.
Qin Ou paused at the door for a moment, then drove off.
After a while, a black Lincoln slowly appeared on the side street.
Jiang Shijing sat inside, dimming the interior lights, and looked up at the second floor of the apartment.
The bedroom light flickered on for a while, then the bathroom light turned on and off, and finally, the bedroom glowed with orange light.
He watched silently until the apartment fell into darkness late at night.
Qin Ou never appeared again.
Jiang Shijing’s expression softened slightly. He rolled down the window, letting in cold air for a moment, then punched the steering wheel.
“Damn it. I’ll never do something this stupid again.”